Tanglewood TU3TLCESB Union Folk Thinline Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar, Sunburst

Sunburst looks on a light, amplified thinline body

Sunburst Satin is the first thing you notice about the Tanglewood TU3TLCESB, and the second is how light it feels. This is a thinline cutaway electro acoustic guitar from the Union Folk series, aimed at players who gig, rehearse and travel with their guitar.

Spruce top, Okoume body

The top is spruce, which gives a bright, clear sound that responds well to both strumming and fingerpicking. The back and sides are Okoume, a wood that gives soft, round bass notes and keeps the guitar comfortable to hold. It also keeps the overall weight down, which you will appreciate during a long rehearsal or a travelling day. Together they make a balanced voice with a focused, folk-style character.

A thinline body is shallower than a standard acoustic. That means less bulk against your chest, and it helps when you play sitting or standing for a long set.

Cutaway and playability

The hybrid cutaway body lets your fretting hand reach the higher frets with ease. The fingerboard is Purple Heart, which adds a striking dark colour and a smooth surface for fast chord changes and lead lines.

Plug in and play

An undersaddle transducer pickup is fitted, so you can connect to an amp, a PA or a recording setup when you need to. That means the same guitar covers your quiet evening practice and your next gig, with no need for a separate stage instrument or an external microphone. The satin finish has a low-sheen feel that is comfortable on the hands.

• Body shape: thinline hybrid cutaway
• Top: spruce
• Back and sides: Okoume
• Fingerboard: Purple Heart
• Electronics: undersaddle transducer pickup

If you like a slim, easy-to-handle guitar that is ready for the stage, the TU3TLCESB is a sensible choice at this price. Look at other Union Folk guitars if you want a different body shape or finish.