Tanglewood NSP1MC Northstar Pro Double Cutaway Red Electric Guitar, Morello Cherry

Morello Cherry gloss on a humbucker double cutaway

This is the cherry red version of the Northstar Pro double cutaway. The Tanglewood NSP1MC is a red electric guitar with two humbucker pickups, a poplar body and a rosewood fingerboard, priced at £199. Pick it if you want a classic colour and a strong rock sound.

A proper cherry red

Morello Cherry Gloss is a deep, dark red. It is the sort of colour that suits a double cutaway shape and chrome hardware, and it looks right on stage or on a guitar stand at home. It is the main thing that separates the NSP1MC from the NSP1CF and NSP1SC.

Sound

Two ceramic humbuckers give the NSP1MC a full, punchy voice. Rhythm chords come out thick, and solos hold their sustain when you add gain. Turn the volume down for a smooth, rounded clean tone. The poplar body keeps the overall sound even, so no one frequency takes over.

Feel and build

The neck is torrefied maple with a Roseacer stripe. Torrefied maple is roasted to settle the wood, which helps with stability. The fingerboard is rosewood, smooth and slightly warm under the fingers. The double cutaway lets you reach the high frets comfortably, and chrome die cast machine heads keep the strings in tune.

Red guitars are easy to spot in a lineup and look good in photos. This one keeps the rest of the package practical, with a light poplar body that is comfortable for long practice sessions. It makes a sensible first electric for a rock player and a solid back-up for someone with more experience.

• Poplar body, double cutaway shape
• Ceramic, 2 x humbucker pickups
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Morello Cherry Gloss finish

Compare it with the NSP1CF in Charcoal Frost and the NSP1SC in Sienna Copper, which share the same specification at £199. Free UK delivery applies to all three.