Tanglewood TGB5SE Great Britain Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought Electro Acoustic Guitar, Natural Satin

Big dreadnought power with a vintage shape

If you strum hard or flatpick, the Tanglewood TGB5SE is built for you. This is a sloped shoulder dreadnought electro acoustic guitar from the Great Britain series, with the deep, full voice of a dreadnought and the vintage outline of a sloped shoulder body. It plugs in for gigs and sounds just as good unplugged around the kitchen table.

Sound and tonewoods

The top is AAA solid Sitka spruce and the back and sides are solid mahogany. Spruce gives sparkle and headroom, so the guitar copes with heavy strumming and still responds when you play lightly. Mahogany adds a woody warmth that rounds the low end and keeps the midrange full. You get power and projection without a muddy sound.

Neck and construction

The fingerboard is ebony, which helps notes sound clear and articulate. The neck is a bolt-on, a first for Tanglewood. That allows accurate alignment for good action and intonation and makes the guitar easier to service over the years. That matters on a dreadnought that will see plenty of hard use.

Plugged in

Fitted inside is LR Baggs Stage Pro Element electronics with EQ, so the amplified tone stays true to the acoustic sound. Plug into a PA or an acoustic amp and the guitar keeps its depth and balance, which makes it easy to get a good sound at rehearsals, open mics and gigs.

Looks and feel

The finish is natural satin, a smooth, low sheen coat that feels good under your hand and lets the grain of the spruce show. Gold machine heads, a herringbone rosette and maple binding add a touch of quality without making the guitar look fussy. Stainless steel frets are hard wearing, so the guitar stays comfortable to play for years.

• Sloped shoulder dreadnought body
• AAA solid Sitka spruce top
• Solid mahogany back and sides
• LR Baggs Stage Pro Element electronics

Compare it with the TGB4CE from the same range if you would rather have a slimmer cutaway body. If rhythm playing, flatpicking and a big acoustic voice are your priorities, the TGB5SE is the one. It is £1,999.00 with free UK delivery.