Tanglewood TM6CE Metropolitan Auditorium Venetian Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Auditorium balance with a cutaway and a preamp

If you like a guitar that sits between small and big, the Tanglewood TM6CE is worth a look. It has an auditorium body with a Venetian cutaway and onboard electronics, so it works as an electro acoustic guitar from the first plug-in. It comes from the Metropolitan range.

Sound and body shape

An auditorium body gives you a rounded sound with a clear midrange. Chords stay defined, single notes ring out, and it copes with both fingerstyle and moderate strumming. Players who find a dreadnought too boomy often settle happily on this size. If you want the term the shape is also sold under, many shoppers look for a grand auditorium guitar, and this is the same family of body.

Materials

The top is spruce, with koa back and sides. All are high pressure laminate (HPL), so the guitar copes with changes in temperature and humidity and stays stable. Koa adds a sweet, warm layer to the spruce brightness. The fingerboard is ebony, which is smooth and hard wearing.

Electronics and finish

The Tanglewood TEQ-G3 system is built in, giving you simple controls to set your sound for a small room or a bigger stage. The natural satin finish keeps the koa grain on show and feels comfortable to the touch.

On the practical side, HPL means you do not need to fuss over the room it lives in. Leave it on a stand in a warm lounge or take it to a cold hall and it should behave itself. That suits families, teachers and gigging players who want one guitar they can rely on every week without worrying about it.

• Auditorium body with Venetian cutaway
• HPL spruce top with koa back and sides
• Ebony fingerboard
• TEQ-G3 electronics

Compare it with the TM4CE if you want a smaller super folk body at the same £229.00 price. Pick the TM6CE when you want a middle-sized guitar that plays well acoustically and is ready for the PA. We include free UK delivery.