Tanglewood TUB4 Union 4 String Resonator Banjo, Vintage Burst Gloss

Four strings, a mahogany resonator and a vintage look

The Tanglewood TUB4 is a four string banjo from the Union series, built around a mahogany resonator and finished in vintage burst gloss. It suits players who want a tenor-style banjo for Irish tunes, trad jazz or just a warm, punchy sound at home.

Resonator and head

The resonator is mahogany, which gives the sound a warm centre and plenty of body. The head is a Remo Ambassador, a familiar name among banjo players, and it gives a clear, quick response. Together they produce a tone that is round but still cuts through when you play with others. The resonator also throws the sound forward, which helps in a group.

Neck, fingerboard and bridge

The neck is okoume, and the fingerboard is purple heart wood. Purple heart is a hard, smooth material, so your fingers move easily and the board stands up to regular playing. The bridge is maple with an ebony tip, a classic combination that passes the string vibration cleanly to the head.

Vintage burst gloss

The finish has a deep, warm burst that looks like an older instrument. The gloss coat protects the wood and gives a polished look on stage or in the front room.

Playing the four string

Four strings mean a shorter, simpler chord vocabulary, and that suits tenor-style playing well. Many players use a four string banjo for Irish dance tunes, where quick single-note melodies matter most, and for trad jazz chords. The fast response of the head helps with both. If you are new to banjo, four strings are also a gentle way to begin, because there is less to remember and the neck feels familiar quickly.

• Mahogany resonator
• Remo Ambassador head
• Okoume neck with purple heart wood fingerboard
• Maple bridge with ebony tip

If you prefer to play five string styles such as bluegrass picking, the TUB5 has the same build with an extra string. If you want a brighter maple sound, compare it with the TWB18M4. For £299 with free UK delivery, the TUB4 is a handsome and practical four string banjo.