Tanglewood TSC4CE Sundance Classic Super Folk Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar

A solid cedar cutaway that plugs straight into a PA

The Tanglewood TSC4CE is a cutaway electro acoustic guitar in the Sundance Classic range. It suits players who want a solid wood instrument with a gentle, warm voice and the option to plug in for gigs. The Super Folk shape is easy to hold and handles both fingerpicking and strumming.

Cedar over mahogany

The top is solid cedar, which tends to sound warm and responds quickly to a light touch. Underneath sits a solid mahogany back with mahogany sides. That pairing gives you a rounded, woody tone with plenty of body behind each note. If you play softly, cedar rewards you early, without having to dig in.

Amplified sound

The LR Baggs Bronze system is fitted, so the guitar is ready for stage or recording from day one. It is a sensible choice if you play open mics, church or small band gigs and want the acoustic character to come through the speaker. Because it is a solid top, the unplugged sound is just as worth hearing.

Playing it

The cutaway gives easier access to the upper frets for solos and chord shapes near the body. The fingerboard is laurel, and the natural satin finish feels smooth and unsticky under your hand. A genuine abalone rosette adds a bit of shine around the soundhole.

• Super Folk cutaway body
• Solid cedar top, solid mahogany back
• LR Baggs Bronze electronics
• Natural satin finish, laurel fingerboard

If you like the look but prefer a smaller body, compare it with the TSC8E parlour in the same series. If you want something brighter and more traditional on top, a spruce topped dreadnought may suit you better. For a warm, responsive solid wood electro acoustic at £699, the TSC4CE is an easy one to shortlist. Delivery is free to UK addresses.