Tanglewood Guitar Company – What Makes Their Instruments Great
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Few guitar brands have made as significant an impact on the UK music scene as Tanglewood. Founded in 1991 and proudly British in spirit, Tanglewood has spent over three decades crafting acoustic guitars that punch well above their price point — earning the trust of beginners, seasoned players, and professional touring musicians alike.
A British Brand with Global Reach
Tanglewood was established with a clear mission: to make high-quality acoustic guitars accessible to everyone. While most of their instruments are manufactured in Asia to keep costs competitive, every guitar is designed and quality-controlled to exacting British standards. The result is a range that delivers genuine craftsmanship without the premium price tag of boutique luthiers.
Tonewoods That Sing
One of the hallmarks of any great acoustic guitar is the quality of its tonewood, and Tanglewood takes this seriously across every tier of their range. From the entry-level Crossroads series, through to the premium Masterdesign and Evolution ranges with solid Engelmann spruce, cedar, and mahogany, there's a tonal character to suit every playing style. Solid tops resonate more freely, opening up and improving with age — a quality that players quickly come to appreciate.
The Range: Something for Everyone
Tanglewood's lineup is thoughtfully structured to serve players at every stage of their journey:
- Crossroads (TW Series) – Affordable, reliable, and great for beginners. Solid build quality with a warm, balanced tone.
- Winterleaf – A stylish range with distinctive aesthetics and solid spruce or cedar tops, ideal for intermediate players.
- Blackbird – All-solid construction at a mid-range price. Exceptional value for gigging musicians.
- Masterdesign – Tanglewood's flagship series, featuring premium tonewoods, hand-finished details, and professional-grade playability.
- Evolution – Designed for the serious player, with exotic tonewoods and meticulous attention to detail.
Playability and Setup
A guitar that doesn't play well is a guitar that doesn't get played. Tanglewood invests in proper factory setups, ensuring comfortable action and accurate intonation straight out of the box. This is particularly important for beginners, where a poorly set-up instrument can be the difference between persevering and giving up. Many players are pleasantly surprised by how little adjustment is needed when a Tanglewood arrives.
Electronics Done Right
For players who perform live, Tanglewood's electro-acoustic models are fitted with reliable pickup systems — often from trusted names like Fishman — delivering a natural, feedback-resistant tone on stage. The onboard preamps are intuitive and practical, making them a solid choice for open mic nights, rehearsals, and full gigs alike.
Heritage and Reputation
Over the years, Tanglewood guitars have been played by artists across folk, country, pop, and rock. Their instruments have graced stages at festivals, recording studios, and living rooms across the UK and beyond. That kind of longevity speaks volumes about the brand's consistency and commitment to quality.
Why We Stock Tanglewood
At Music Bits, we stock Tanglewood because we believe in recommending instruments we'd happily play ourselves. Whether you're buying your first guitar or looking for a reliable workhorse to take on the road, Tanglewood offers genuine quality at a fair price. Come in and try one — we think you'll be impressed.