Tanglewood TUR8 Union Folk Parlour Resonator Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Burst

Resonator bite in a small, easy-to-carry parlour body

Most resonators are big and heavy. The Tanglewood TUR8 is a parlour acoustic guitar with a resonator cone, so you get that metallic, ringing voice in a body you can carry anywhere. It comes from the Union Folk series and it is built for blues, slide and roots playing.

The sound

The top, back and sides are all Mahogany. The wood gives a warm, full tone that stays even across the strings, so chords and single notes both come through. Mahogany is a traditional choice for resonators because it keeps the bass from getting boomy while the cone supplies the brightness. The chrome resonator then adds the bright, metallic overtones that make a resonator sound like nothing else. The result is lively and punchy, with plenty of character.

Looks

The vintage burst gloss finish darkens towards the edges and shows off the Mahogany grain. Against it, the chrome cone catches the eye straight away. It is a guitar that looks as good on a stand as it does in your hands.

Because it is a resonator, you will notice it is louder and more cutting than a standard parlour guitar of this size. That suits open tunings, bottleneck slide and fingerpicked blues especially well.

Neck and feel

The fingerboard is Purple Heart, a dense, dark wood with a smooth feel that makes chord changes and slides easy. The parlour size means a shorter reach and less weight, so it suits couch practice and travel as much as the stage.

• Body shape: parlour resonator
• Top, back and sides: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Purple Heart
• Finish: vintage burst gloss
• No onboard electronics, so it is a purely acoustic instrument

If you want a first resonator, or a second guitar with a different voice from your usual dreadnought, the TUR8 is a good place to start. It has no pickup, so plan to mic it if you want to play live.