Tanglewood TB3 Blackbird Orchestra/Folk Acoustic Guitar, Smokestack Black Satin

Straightforward black acoustic with a warm mahogany voice

If you want a good-looking acoustic guitar without electronics, the Tanglewood TB3 keeps things simple. It is a black acoustic guitar from the Blackbird series, with an orchestra/folk body and a mahogany top, back and sides.

Why mahogany sounds the way it does

Mahogany tends to give a warm tone with a strong midrange, and the TB3 follows that pattern. Chords sound full and rounded, and single notes stay clear. Because there is no pickup or preamp involved, what you hear is the guitar itself, which is exactly what you want for practice and songwriting.

Body and finish

The orchestra/folk shape is comfortable to sit with and balanced enough for both strumming and fingerpicking. The Smokestack Black Satin finish looks modern, and the satin feel is smooth rather than glossy, so the guitar is pleasant to hold for long sessions. The fingerboard is engineered wood.

• Orchestra/folk body shape
• Mahogany top, back and sides
• Engineered wood fingerboard
• Smokestack Black Satin finish
• Pure acoustic, no electronics

Playing it

The neck is comfortable for open chords and simple barre shapes, which makes the TB3 friendly for newer players building up finger strength. Intermediate players will enjoy how evenly it responds when you dig in with a pick or play softly with your fingertips. It is also light enough to carry from room to room, so it tends to get picked up more often than a guitar stored in its case.

Who it suits

The TB3 works well as a first proper guitar, a lounge guitar that lives on a stand, or a second guitar for songwriting. Skipping the electronics keeps the price down at £189.

If you think you will want to plug in later, look at the TB3E, which has the same body with Premium Plus electronics. Left-handed players can choose the TB3LH. Otherwise the TB3 is a dependable all-round acoustic that is simple to like.