Tanglewood TCH59BK Chicago Series Semi Acoustic Guitar in Obsidian Black Gloss

Obsidian Black gloss on a flame maple semi-hollow

The Tanglewood TCH59BK is the black version of the Chicago series, and it is a semi acoustic guitar with a double cutaway body. The deep Obsidian Black gloss gives it a sharp, understated look that suits stage lights as well as a quiet corner of the living room.

Maple top, back and sides

The top is flame maple and the back and sides are maple too. The semi-hollow build gives notes room to open up, so chords ring with some air around them. Players who like a warm, clear voice for jazz, blues or soul will find a lot to like here.

Two humbuckers

Two humbuckers handle the pickup duties. Humbuckers keep things thick and quiet, which helps at higher volume where a single coil might buzz. Use the neck pickup for mellow, rounded lines and the bridge for something sharper.

Neck and fingerboard

The neck is Okoume, topped with a Purple Heart fingerboard. It feels stable and smooth under the fingers, and the double cutaway makes the upper frets easy to reach.

Who it suits

This guitar fits players who want one instrument for several styles. You can play clean jazz chords at a low volume, push into blues with a little overdrive, or add a pedal board and go further. The semi-hollow body stays comfortable on a strap and on your knee, and the black finish goes with just about any stage outfit. It is a good step up if you are moving on from a first solid body and want something with more depth.

• Flame maple top, maple back and sides
• Semi-hollow double cutaway body
• Two humbucker pickups
• Purple Heart fingerboard
• Obsidian Black Gloss finish

If you like the shape but want a different colour, the same guitar comes as the TCH59GR in Emerald Green Gloss, the TCH59HB in Honey Burst Satin and the TCH59VB in Vintage Burst Satin. All are £499. Black is the pick for players who want the look to stay quiet and let the playing do the talking.