Tanglewood TCH59GR Chicago Series Hollow Body Semi Acoustic Guitar, Emerald Green

Emerald Green gloss over flame maple

Colour is the first thing you notice on the Tanglewood TCH59GR. This Chicago series semi acoustic guitar wears a bright Emerald Green gloss, and the shine shows off the flame figure in the maple top. It is the one to choose if you want a double cutaway archtop style that does not look like everyone else's.

Build and tone

The top is flame maple, with maple for the back and sides. The body is semi-hollow, so you get an open, resonant tone with good projection when plugged in. It sits happily in jazz, blues and soul, and it is just as comfortable with soft rock.

Pickups

You get two humbuckers. They give a full, smooth sound and keep hum down. Swap between them to move from round and mellow to a bit more edge.

Playing it

The Okoume neck feels steady, and the Purple Heart fingerboard is smooth and responsive. A double cutaway gives your hand easy access to the top of the neck, which helps on solos.

Light and colour

The green changes with the light. Under bright stage lamps it looks vivid, and at home it settles into a deeper, richer shade. The gloss is smooth to the touch and easy to wipe clean after playing. Because the maple top is flame figured, no two guitars look exactly the same, which adds to the appeal if you like an instrument with a bit of personality. It also pairs nicely with a cream or black strap.

• Flame maple top, maple back and sides
• Two humbuckers
• Purple Heart fingerboard
• Emerald Green Gloss finish

The TCH59GR costs £499 and ships free in the UK. The body shape and spec are shared with the TCH59BK in Obsidian Black Gloss, the TCH59HB in Honey Burst Satin and the TCH59VB in Vintage Burst Satin, so pick the one that matches your taste. Green is for players who like to stand out.