Tanglewood TWT19 Tiare Ebony Tenor Electro-Acoustic Ukulele

All-ebony tenor with a dark look and bright, clear voice

Ebony is rare on a ukulele, and the Tanglewood TWT19 uses it for the top, back and sides. The result is a dark, striking tenor ukulele that you can plug in. It suits players who want something that looks different on the stand and sounds crisp in the room.

How it sounds

Ebony gives clear, articulate highs and a firm midrange. Strummed chords have definition, and single notes cut through when you play a melody. The tenor body brings extra projection and sustain compared with smaller ukuleles. Aquila Nylgut strings keep the response even from the lowest string to the highest. If you play in a group, that clarity helps you stay audible without having to dig in hard.

Looks and build

The deep ebony colour is lifted by a satin natural finish that lets the grain show. The soundhole has a laser-cut Tiare rosette as a neat detail, and chrome die-cast tuners hold their pitch. The slim mahogany neck has an Eboncore fingerboard, so the instrument is comfortable to hold for a long session. Because every piece of ebony is different, the figuring will vary a little from one ukulele to the next.

Plugging in

TEQ-TUT electronics are fitted, so you can go straight to an amp or PA for gigs, open mics or recording at home. If you are searching for an electro acoustic ukulele without a high price, the TWT19 sits at £129.00. There is no cutaway, so it keeps a classic tenor shape.

• Ebony top, back and sides
• Tenor body for fuller projection
• TEQ-TUT electronics
• Natural satin finish

If you like the idea of a cutaway for upper fret access, look at the walnut TWT15E. If you want a distinct look and a crisp, bright tone, the TWT19 is the one that stands out in the Tiare tenor range.