Tanglewood TWT11 Tiare Concert Ukulele with Solid Cedar Top

A solid cedar top with spalt maple behind it

Two woods, two jobs. The Tanglewood TWT11 pairs a solid cedar top with spalt maple back and sides, and the result is a concert ukulele that sounds warm but stays clear. It is aimed at players who want a step up in tone without leaving the Tiare series.

Why the cedar matters

A solid top vibrates more freely than a laminate one, and cedar gives a soft, open response. You hear it in the midrange, which is smooth and a little rounded. Strum gently and it fills out. Pick single notes and they bloom.

Maple for definition

The back and sides are spalt maple, with an arched back. Maple brings brightness, so the warmth from the top does not turn muddy. The spalting also gives each ukulele its own marks, so yours will not match any other.

Trim and finish

The body is bound in maple, mahogany and abalone, and the rosette has abalone in it too. That is more decoration than you get on the plainer models. The natural satin finish keeps the look understated. Chrome die-cast tuners hold pitch, and the slim mahogany neck carries an Eboncore fingerboard.

Who it suits

This is a good fit if you play mostly at home or in small groups and want to hear the difference a solid top makes. Fingerstyle players tend to enjoy the way the cedar responds to a light touch. It is also a lovely gift for someone who already owns a basic ukulele and is ready to move up.

• Solid cedar top
• Spalt maple, arched back and sides
• Abalone accents on binding and rosette
• Acoustic only, no electronics

If you want the same maple body with a maple top, compare the TWT10 at £179. If you need to plug in, the TWT12E and TWT8E both carry TEQ-TUT electronics. The TWT11 is the pick for a quiet room, a good ear and a love of detail.