Tanglewood TWT31 Tiare 8 String Mahogany Tenor Ukulele

Eight strings, four pairs, and a fuller shimmer

This tenor ukulele has eight strings, tuned in four doubled pairs. Play a chord on the Tanglewood TWT31 and you get a chorus-like shimmer that a standard four-string tenor uke cannot match. It suits players who already enjoy the ukulele and want a richer sound for strumming, backing songs or solo arrangements.

Doubled strings

Each pair rings together, which adds overtones and a sense of width to the sound. Aquila Nylgut strings keep the feel soft under the fingers. Chrome die-cast tuners help you keep all eight strings in tune, which matters more on a doubled layout. Expect to spend a little longer tuning than on a four-string, but the reward is a sound that fills a quiet room on its own.

Mahogany body

The body is mahogany throughout, with an arched back. This wood gives a warm, woody tone with enough clarity for melodies. The arched back helps with volume and sustain, so the sound carries without being pushed. The natural satin finish shows the grain, and a maple and mahogany rosette sits around the soundhole.

Who it suits

Songwriters will like how the doubled strings thicken simple chord progressions. Gigging players can use it as a second instrument for one or two songs a night. Collectors and curious beginners with a little ukulele experience will find it a fun change. It also helps if you already own a standard tenor and want a contrast.

Neck and playing feel

The mahogany neck is slim and carries an Eboncore fingerboard. It is a tenor scale, so there is plenty of room for chord shapes and fingerpicking. There are no electronics fitted, as this is a purely acoustic instrument that costs £169.00.

• Eight strings in four pairs
• Mahogany body with an arched back
• Acoustic only, no pickup
• Natural satin finish

Compare it with the five-string TWT33 in walnut if you want a lighter step away from four strings. If you need to plug in, the koa TWT32E has the same eight-string layout with electronics added.