Tanglewood TWT1 Tiare Soprano Ukulele, Mahogany, Natural Satin

A bright little soprano that is easy to pick up and play

The Tanglewood TWT1 is a soprano ukulele from the Tiare range. It is small, light and simple, which makes it a good first ukulele and a handy spare for experienced players. If you have been searching for a soprano uke that sounds cheerful and holds its tune, this one is worth a look.

Mahogany sound

The top, back and sides are all Mahogany, and the back is arched. Mahogany gives a warmer sound than many budget ukuleles, with a lively top end that still sounds bright when you strum. The body is compact, but it has more voice than you might expect. It works well for singing along, for campfire strumming and for learning your first chords, and the tone stays friendly rather than thin.

Neck and tuning

The slim neck is comfortable for small hands and for players getting used to chord shapes. The fingerboard is Eboncore, with a smooth surface and white dot fret markers to help you find your place. Chrome die-cast machine heads help the ukulele stay in tune.

It is also an easy instrument to learn on. Four strings and a short scale mean you can play simple songs within a few days, and the light body does not tire your arm during longer practice sessions.

Simple good looks

The natural satin finish lets the Mahogany grain show without any shine. A laser-cut Tiare rosette adds a neat touch around the soundhole.

• Body shape: soprano
• Top, back and sides: Mahogany, arched back
• Fingerboard: Eboncore
• Finish: natural satin
• Acoustic only, no electronics

The soprano scale is the smallest standard size, so it fits easily into a bag for travel or a trip to a friend's house. If you want a bigger body or a lower voice, look at other sizes in the Tanglewood ukulele range. For a first ukulele at a friendly price, the TWT1 is an easy decision.