Tanglewood TC5 Crossroads Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Whiskey Burst Satin

Big strumming power in a vintage-styled package

Big, bold strumming is what the Tanglewood TC5 does best. It is a full-size dreadnought acoustic guitar from the Crossroads range, built from mahogany all round and priced at £129, which makes it an easy first proper guitar or a reliable spare for songwriting.

The dreadnought sound

The dreadnought is the classic large-bodied acoustic shape, and its size is the reason it sounds so full. There is plenty of volume and low end, so open chords ring out and fill a room without an amp. With mahogany used throughout, the TC5 rounds off that power with warmth. You hear a thick middle, softer trebles and less of the sharp edge you can get from some bright spruce-topped guitars.

Feel and finish

The neck carries an Eboncore fingerboard, and the whole guitar wears a Whiskey Burst Satin finish. Satin has a thinner, smoother feel than high gloss, and it helps the guitar look worn-in from day one. The burst darkens towards the edges and lets the grain show in the centre. It is the look that ties the Tanglewood Crossroads guitar family together.

• Full dreadnought body for volume and strong bass
• All-mahogany construction for a rounded tone
• Purely acoustic, with no electronics to worry about
• Strong value at £129

Who should buy one

The TC5 suits players who mostly strum: accompanying your own voice, playing in a group around a fire, or learning chords at home. As it has no pickup, it keeps things simple and puts all the money into the build. Larger players often find a dreadnought comfortable, though younger or smaller players may prefer something more compact.

If you want the same body with a pickup for gigging, look at the TC5E in the Crossroads range. If you would rather have a smaller, more intimate guitar for the sofa, the TC8 parlour costs the same and is much easier to tuck under your arm. We deliver free anywhere in the UK.