Tanglewood TM3 Metropolitan Orchestra Folk Acoustic Guitar with Koa Back and Sides

The most affordable Metropolitan, in a friendly orchestra shape

At £179, the Tanglewood TM3 is one of the lowest-priced guitars in the Metropolitan series. It has an orchestra body, a spruce top and koa back and sides. If you are looking for an orchestra acoustic guitar to learn on or to keep around the house, it is a practical pick.

Tough construction

The top, back and sides are all high pressure laminate, or HPL. This material copes well with changes in temperature and humidity, so the guitar keeps its shape and sound through the seasons. That is useful if you move around, play outdoors or live somewhere with central heating. The top is spruce, the back and sides are koa, and the fingerboard is ebony.

How it sounds and feels

Spruce gives a bright, clear voice, and koa adds warmth in the midrange. The orchestra shape is balanced across the range, so it handles gentle fingerpicking and everyday strumming. The body is comfortable to hold and not as big as a dreadnought. The natural satin finish is smooth and shows off the koa grain.

Who it suits

• Players who want a low-cost, low-maintenance acoustic
• Anyone who prefers a mid-sized body to a large one
• Travellers who need a guitar that tolerates climate changes

This is an acoustic-only model, with no pickup fitted. If you want to plug in, the TM3E is the same guitar with Tanglewood TEQ-G3 electronics. If you would like a bigger sound and more volume, the Metropolitan dreadnoughts are the next step up. For a simple orchestra guitar that keeps its price and its looks, the TM3 is easy to recommend. It is well suited to beginners and to experienced players who want a spare guitar for the shed, the caravan or the garden. The koa back and sides give it more character than you might expect at this price, and the ebony fingerboard feels good under the fingers from the first day.