Tanglewood TR2 Roadster Travel Folk Acoustic Guitar, Natural Satin

Small enough to take anywhere, solid enough to keep

The Tanglewood TR2 is a simple, honest travel acoustic guitar. It has a compact Travel Folk body, a solid wood-based voice and no electronics to get in the way, which keeps the price at £229. It suits anyone who wants an acoustic guitar to grab and play.

Why a travel size works

A smaller body is easier to hold, easier to store and far easier to carry. Younger players and beginners often find it more comfortable, and experienced players like it as a second guitar for the sofa or a weekend away. The neck is comfortable and the action is friendly, so practice stays enjoyable.

Tonewoods

The top is spruce, giving a bright and clear sound with good response. Mahogany back and sides bring warmth and depth underneath. Together they make a balanced voice that suits strumming, fingerstyle and learning new songs.

Looks

The Natural Satin finish is clean and plain, with the grain on show and a smooth feel under your hand. The Eboncore fingerboard adds a dark contrast and wears well.

• Travel Folk body shape
• Spruce top with mahogany back and sides
• Eboncore fingerboard
• Natural Satin finish
• No pickup, purely acoustic

Learning and practising

Because the body is small and the neck is easy to hold, chord shapes feel less of a stretch. That helps if you are learning, and it helps keep sessions short and frequent, which is how most players improve. A guitar that lives out on a stand gets played far more than one in a case under the bed.

This is the one to pick if you will play it unplugged. If you want to plug into an amp or PA later, look at the TR2E in the same Roadster series, which adds Tanglewood TEQ-MX electronics for a little more. Otherwise the TR2 gives you a dependable little guitar for first lessons, travel and relaxed evenings, and it is easy to live with from day one.