Tanglewood TB5SE Blackbird Slope Shoulder Dreadnought Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Vintage shape, all-mahogany voice, modern black finish

Looking for a Tanglewood TB5SE? This is a slope shoulder dreadnought electro acoustic guitar with a mahogany body and onboard electronics. It suits singer-songwriters and anyone who plays rhythm guitar and wants a warm, rounded sound in a classic shape.

The slope shoulder shape

The shoulders on this body curve down smoothly rather than squaring off. It is a vintage look that has a loyal following, and it still delivers the volume and low-end weight you expect from a dreadnought. There is no cutaway, so you get the full body.

Why all mahogany matters

The top, back and sides are mahogany. Mahogany gives a warm tone with a strong midrange and a soft, smooth treble. Chords sound full and even, and picked notes have a gentle sustain. It is a different flavour from a bright spruce top guitar, and many players prefer it for accompanying vocals.

Electronics and feel

Tanglewood Premium Plus electronics are fitted, so you can plug in for a gig or a recording session and adjust the tone on the guitar. The fingerboard is engineered wood, and the satin finish keeps the neck and body feeling smooth for long sessions.

Singer-songwriters tend to like this kind of guitar because it sits under a voice rather than fighting it. The warmth of the wood leaves space for vocals, and the body is big enough to carry a strummed song without any help. It is equally at home at a kitchen table or on a small stage.

• Slope shoulder dreadnought body, no cutaway
• Mahogany top, back and sides
• Premium Plus electronics
• Smokestack Black Satin finish

This guitar is part of the Tanglewood Blackbird series. If you play a lot of high-fret lead work, the TB5CE gives you the same woods and electronics with a cutaway. If you simply want a warm, classic strummer in black, the TB5SE does the job at £229.