Tanglewood TA4CERD Azure Super Folk Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar, Red Gloss

Red gloss, ash and maple, ready to plug in

Look at the Tanglewood TA4CERD if you want a red electro acoustic guitar that does more than look good. It is part of the Azure series, with onboard electronics and a compact cutaway shape, and it comes in a bold red gloss.

The red finish

The red is through gloss, so the quilted ash top still shows its rippled pattern underneath. It reads as a deep, strong red rather than a flat paint job, and it looks great under stage lights.

Woods and tone

The ash top and maple back and sides give a bright, defined sound. Notes are clear, and the guitar responds quickly to a light touch. That makes it a good match for lively strumming, light fingerstyle and recording at home. If you like a mellower tone, compare it with a mahogany model from the same range.

Playing it

• Compact super folk body for easy handling
• Cutaway shape for reaching the top of the neck
• Eboncore fingerboard
• Tanglewood Premium Plus electronics

Because the body is smaller than a dreadnought, it suits players who want comfort over sheer size. Plug in and the electronics carry the sound to an amp or mixer.

Pick your shade

The TA4CERD is one of seven options in this model line. The others are blue (TA4CEBL), green (TA4CEGR), grey (TA4CEGY), honey (TA4CEHN), purple (TA4CEPU) and the left-handed honey TA4CEHNLH. All the right-handed versions are £299, and we offer free UK delivery.

Where red works best

Red photographs well and stands out on a crowded stage, so it is a good choice if you play in a band or post videos online. It also suits players who want an instrument that feels lively in the hands. Treat it to a decent strap and a gig bag and you have a stage-ready setup for a sensible price.