Tanglewood TRX8E Roadster X Parlour Electro-Acoustic Guitar

Parlour size, plugged-in sound

Small and focused, the TRX8E is a parlour electro acoustic from the Roadster X series. The small body is easy to hold and quick to pick up, and the built-in electronics mean it is ready for the stage when you are.

Why a parlour

Parlour guitars have a close, focused voice that suits fingerpicking, blues and quiet songwriting. The shape is also comfortable for smaller players, or anyone who spends long hours on the sofa with a guitar. It is a natural fit if you find a dreadnought too big.

Woods

A spruce top gives clarity and a quick response. Ovangkol back and sides add some warmth and a gentle, mellow edge. The Eboncore fingerboard feels smooth under the fingers.

Electronics and finish

The Tanglewood TEQ MX system is built in, so you can plug into an amp and shape the tone to the room. The natural gloss finish shows the wood and protects it.

Small guitars also tend to be quieter in the hands of a heavy strummer, so the pickup helps if you play with others. You can keep the acoustic sound intimate at home and then add volume at a gig without changing guitars. The light feel makes it a good choice for younger players or anyone with a smaller frame, and it travels more easily than a full-size model in a standard case.

• Parlour body shape
• Spruce top, ovangkol back and sides
• Eboncore fingerboard
• Tanglewood TEQ MX preamp

Compare it with the Travel Folk TRX2E if portability matters most, or the TRX3E for a slightly larger body. If you play a lot of fingerstyle and like an intimate sound, the TRX8E is an easy guitar to enjoy at home, and it still plays well through an amp.