Tanglewood TWT32E Tiare Koa 8 String Electro-Acoustic Tenor Ukulele

Koa, eight strings and a pickup for the stage

Koa is the wood many players associate with a classic ukulele, and the Tanglewood TWT32E uses it for the top, back and sides. Add eight strings in four pairs and onboard electronics, and you have an electro acoustic tenor ukulele built for players who want a bigger sound on stage. The price is £269.00.

Koa tone

Koa gives a bright, lively voice with a warm midrange underneath. The arched back adds resonance, and the tone tends to open up the more you play. Aquila Nylgut strings keep the response clear and even. Strummed chords ring with a lot of life, and picked notes stay easy to hear.

Eight strings

Doubled courses create a choral, shimmering effect that works well for strumming and fingerpicking alike. Chrome die-cast tuners keep the pairs stable, so the sound stays sweet instead of drifting out of tune. The tenor scale gives you room to work, even with the extra strings in the way.

Amplified sound

The Tanglewood TQ3 electronics let you plug into an amp or PA and take the eight-string sound with you. That suits gigs, open mics and recording at home, where the doubled strings add width without extra effects.

Looks

The grain of koa is the main feature here, shown off by the natural satin finish. A maple and mahogany rosette gives a neat touch around the soundhole. The slim mahogany neck has an Eboncore fingerboard for comfortable playing.

• Koa top, back and sides
• Eight strings in four pairs
• Tanglewood TQ3 electronics
• Arched back

If you do not need a pickup, the mahogany TWT31 has the same layout for less. Players who want a single set of strings and a cutaway should try the TWT15E.