Tanglewood TRX412CE Roadster X 12 String Super Folk Cutaway Electro-Acoustic

Shimmering 12 string tone, plugged in and cut away

The Tanglewood TRX412CE is a 12 string electro acoustic guitar with a cutaway Super Folk shape. It gives you the wide, chiming sound of paired strings in a shape that is easy to reach around, and it comes ready to plug in.

Why twelve strings

Doubled strings add shimmer and sustain, which is why a 12 string guitar is a favourite for strummed songs and layered recordings. The spruce top keeps the sound bright and clear, so the extra strings ring without turning muddy. Ovangkol back and sides bring in warmth and a little depth.

Cutaway access

The cutaway lets your fretting hand reach the upper frets with less strain. That helps if you play lead lines or melodies higher up the neck, which can be hard work on a 12 string without it.

Electronics and finish

A Tanglewood TEQ MX preamp lets you plug in and set your tone for stage or studio. The natural gloss finish keeps the look classic. The fingerboard is Eboncore.

Tuning twelve strings takes a little longer, so a built-in preamp with a tuner-friendly output is handy on stage. Once the strings settle, the sound is wide and bright, and it fills a room more than most six string guitars of the same size. Many players keep one for songs that need that extra shimmer and reach for a six string otherwise.

• 12 string cutaway Super Folk shape
• Spruce top with ovangkol back and sides
• Eboncore fingerboard
• Tanglewood TEQ MX electronics

A 12 string needs a little more finger strength than a six string, so it suits players who already have some experience. If you would rather start with six strings and the same cutaway shape, the TRX4CE is the sibling to compare. For players who want that big ringing sound without paying a lot, the TRX412CE is a strong pick in the Roadster X range at £329.