Tanglewood TC5CE Crossroads Dreadnought Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Big dreadnought sound with a cutaway and a pickup

Full dreadnought volume, a cutaway for lead work and a built-in preamp all come together in the Tanglewood TC5CE. As a dreadnought electro acoustic guitar from the Crossroads TC series, it suits gigging singer-songwriters and band players who want one guitar for strumming, solos and the stage.

Electronics for the gig

The TC5CE is fitted with a TEQ MX EQ preamp from Tanglewood, so you can run a lead into an acoustic amp, a mixing desk or a recording interface. Use it at rehearsals, open mic nights or in a home studio, then unplug and play it as a normal acoustic on the sofa. You get one instrument for both jobs, with no need for a separate pickup.

The shape and the cutaway

A dreadnought is the large, square-shouldered body that gives an acoustic its strong bass and loud, confident projection. It is the classic choice for driving rhythm and hard strumming. The cutaway trims away part of the upper treble side, so your fretting hand can reach the top of the neck for lead lines and high chord shapes. That combination makes the TC5CE more flexible than a plain dreadnought.

• Cutaway for reaching the upper frets
• TEQ MX EQ for amps, PAs and recording
• Dreadnought body for volume and low end
• Satin finish that feels smooth in the hand

Mahogany and looks

Mahogany is used for the top, back and sides. It gives a warm tone with a strong middle, which helps the big body sound full rather than boomy. The Eboncore fingerboard is dark and durable, and the Whiskey Burst Satin finish adds a vintage sunburst look while letting the wood grain show.

At £199, the TC5CE costs the same as the TC5E. Pick the TC5E if you mainly strum chords and prefer an uninterrupted dreadnought outline. Choose this cutaway version if you play solos, use a capo high up the neck or simply like having the room. Both come from the tanglewood crossroads range, and we deliver free across the UK.