Tanglewood TWBBAB Blackbird Jumbo Electro-Acoustic Bass Guitar, Black

An acoustic bass with a big body and built-in EQ

The Tanglewood TWBBAB is an electro acoustic bass guitar for bassists who want to play unplugged or go through an amp. It comes from the Blackbird series and has a jumbo body, which helps an acoustic bass get the low end it needs. It suits songwriters, home players and small acoustic sets.

Jumbo body, mahogany wood

The larger jumbo shape gives the bass more air to move, so the notes are deeper and louder than they would be from a small body. The top, back and sides are mahogany, which brings warmth and a rounded character. The fingerboard is engineered wood.

Electronics

Tanglewood Premium Plus electronics are fitted. Plug into a bass amp or PA and shape the sound with the onboard controls. That makes it useful for rehearsals, church bands and gigs.

Finish

Smokestack Black Satin gives a soft matte black finish that looks understated on stage. It is smooth to touch and does not show every mark.

Who it suits

A guitarist who wants to add low end to home recordings will find an acoustic bass handy, as will a bassist who wants to play quietly in a flat or on the sofa. In a small acoustic band it fills the bottom of the sound without needing a big amp. Bear in mind that bass strings are thicker and the scale is longer than on a standard guitar, so there is a slight learning curve if you are moving across from six strings.

• Jumbo acoustic bass body
• Mahogany top, back and sides
• Tanglewood Premium Plus electronics
• Smokestack Black Satin finish

An acoustic bass is a different instrument from a solid body electric bass, with a softer attack and a woody tone. If you mostly play guitar and want a bass for songs at home, this is a sensible and affordable way in. At £299 with free UK delivery, the TWBBAB is the only bass in this group of Blackbird models.