Tanglewood TWBBSFCE Blackbird Super Folk Cutaway Electro-Acoustic Guitar, Black

Black satin cutaway with onboard EQ at a friendly price

The Tanglewood TWBBSFCE is a black electro acoustic guitar from the Blackbird series. It has a Super Folk cutaway body, a Smokestack Black Satin finish and onboard electronics, so it is ready to use at home or on stage. It suits players who want a stylish guitar without a large outlay.

Mahogany all round

The top, back and sides are all mahogany. That gives a warm tone with a strong midrange, which cuts through when you strum and stays clear when you pick single notes. The fingerboard is engineered wood.

Cutaway and electronics

The cutaway makes the top frets easier to reach, handy for lead lines. The Tanglewood Premium Plus system gives you control over your tone when plugged in, so you can adjust for a small room or a bigger stage.

The look

Smokestack Black Satin is a soft, matte black. It avoids the glare of gloss and lets the wood grain show through. It looks sharp on a stand and feels smooth to play.

Who it suits

This guitar is a smart choice for a first electro acoustic, for a second guitar to keep by the amp, or for a teenager who wants something that looks the part. The black finish suits stage lighting, and the mahogany build keeps the tone friendly rather than harsh. It is light enough to carry to rehearsals, and the cutaway shape gives your fretting hand room to move. Pair it with a decent lead and a small acoustic amp and you have a complete gigging setup for little money.

• Super Folk cutaway body
• Mahogany top, back and sides
• Tanglewood Premium Plus electronics
• Smokestack Black Satin finish

Left-handed players should look at the TWBBSFCELH, which is the same guitar built the other way round at £239. If you do not need a pickup, the TWBBO is an acoustic only Blackbird at a lower price. For a black cutaway electro acoustic that keeps costs down, this one is easy to recommend. Delivery is free to UK addresses.