Tanglewood TW133

Guitar designed by luthiers English Tanglewood, constructed, without burrs, China. Format Parlor (or Parlour, found both spellings) is a small guitar shoulder very thin and shallow at checkout. This is already having an impact on the sound. Another important feature is the wood: mahogany box full, solid for the background and the table, plywood for the sides. Solid wood is obviously not top quality, but the work of assembling everything is very clean and natural color of the wood very well made by a matt varnish. This is a twelve boxes out of cash - and not 14 as you can see on some pictures - I think that model no longer exists at the time of this writing (2012) - this placing the bridge further back on the table, where the vibrations are more intense. The neck is mahogany set with a rosewood fingerboard. It is very fine - a little less than 43 mm - Profile rounded slightly marked. Head perforated conventionally beautiful, with a beautiful stylized T abalone or mother of pearl. Again, flawless finish. Waverley mechanical roller open vintage style, solid and reliable. Rosewood bridge and pinbridges black plastic. A saddle plastic PPS, who wants to be close to the bone, sound.

UTILIZATION

Ergonomics is one of a small guitar: it is very comfortable for little one loves this format. The handle is comfortable to go without reaching the comfort of TW 73. It is very light, mahogany oblige. Access to acute is limited by the twelve boxes, virtuoso or those who need to play higher because their voices will not have a large margin of maneuver, but for others, it is not a problem . The sound is unique, because of the size and materials, but it is incredibly good ... bit is used for the right strings! I received with Martin 11-52. I kept it like that for some time, and it is not unpleasant, but I felt it lacked presence in the bass. When I changed the strings I put 12-54 and there, I discovered another guitar ...

SOUNDS

The bridge placed lower on the table provided more vibrations, on the other hand gives a mahogany sound tighter and shallow format gives a percussive sound and well defined. All blended and gives a full sound set, where each note stands out in an agreement. The highs are especially singing, and if two strings with same mid flicker quite surprising. The bass is powerful, tense, present without being intrusive. Mediums also a beautiful presence, never confused. The game is almost mandatory to fingers, use the pick, but not impossible, requiring a really great skill in the attack not to scrap it too. But fingers, she responds with a quarter turn to all solicitations, more subtle as the most outraged. Perfect for blues, of course, but not bad pieces of pop / folk, rock view, as long as it is played with fingers. Group's lack of size is an asset, because it contrasts with the rest of his inimitable grain. A guitar that would be very appropriate to save the parties before a microphone.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been two months since I exchanged an old Yamaha that I no longer use for the Tanglewood TW133. I do not regret my exchange, this guitar perfectly suited my repertoire. It is perfect in style for blues music, but its format is also a guitar that can attract singers seeking to accompany or as second or third guitar. She has a lot of charm, and is one of those guitars that's addictive, they are down from the wall to gratouiller a little early in the afternoon and you find yourself suddenly in the early evening still on his dugout wondering what happened to the afternoon. Its portable size makes it a little guitar easy to take everywhere, and it is very nice indeed! The price / quality ratio is pretty amazing, once admitted very determined personality of the guitar.