What body shape is the Tanglewood TRU4CEAW?

The TRU4CEAW uses the Super Folk body shape, which is a proprietary Tanglewood design that is slightly smaller and more curved than a standard dreadnought.

What woods are used in the construction of this guitar?

It features a solid spruce top paired with black walnut back and sides. This combination is designed to provide a balance of brightness and warmth.

Does the TRU4CEAW have a solid or laminate top?

The guitar features a solid spruce top. Solid tops are generally preferred over laminates for their superior resonance and ability to improve tonally as they age.

What electronics are included with the TRU4CEAW?

The guitar is equipped with the Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ system. This allows the user to plug the guitar into an amplifier or PA system and adjust the sound output.

What is the finish of the TRU4CEAW?

The instrument is finished in a natural satin. This provides a smooth, non-glossy feel that allows the natural grain of the wood to be seen and felt.

Is this guitar suitable for beginners or professionals?

With a price point around £399 and features like a solid top and onboard EQ, it is suitable for both ambitious beginners and intermediate gigging musicians.

What decorative details does the guitar feature?

The guitar includes elegant herringbone detailing, typically found around the rosette or binding, which adds a classic aesthetic to the Reunion Pro Series.

Does the TRU4CEAW have a cutaway?

Yes, it features a single cutaway design. This allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets more easily for soloing or high-register chords.

How does the sound of walnut compare to mahogany or rosewood?

Black walnut generally sits between mahogany and rosewood, offering a warm, woody mid-range similar to mahogany but with a bit more brightness and sustain.

Is the Tanglewood TRU4CEAW a steel-string or nylon-string guitar?

It is a steel-string acoustic guitar. This makes it suitable for genres such as folk, pop, rock, and country.

How does the Super Folk shape affect the playability?

The Super Folk shape is more compact than a dreadnought, making it easier to hold for long periods. It is often favoured by players who find larger guitars too bulky.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Tanglewood TRU4CEAW typically retails for approximately £399, positioning it as a competitive mid-range option.

Gear article

Tanglewood TRU4CEAW Reunion Pro Series

The Tanglewood TRU4CEAW is a Super Folk cutaway steel-string acoustic guitar featuring a solid spruce top and black walnut back and sides. Part of the Reunion Pro Series, it integrates the Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ system to provide versatile performance capabilities for both unplugged and amplified settings.

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Overview

The Tanglewood TRU4CEAW Reunion Pro Series is a mid-range steel-string acoustic guitar designed to offer a balance of aesthetic elegance and functional versatility. Utilising Tanglewood's signature 'Super Folk' body shape, the instrument is slightly more compact than a traditional dreadnought, prioritising player comfort and mid-range clarity without sacrificing significant projection. The guitar is defined by its natural satin finish and classic herringbone detailing, positioning it as a professional-looking instrument at an accessible price point.

Design and Construction

Construction of the TRU4CEAW centres on a solid spruce top, a choice of tonewood known for its responsiveness and broad dynamic range. This is paired with black walnut for the back and sides, which contributes to a warm and well-rounded tonal character. The inclusion of a cutaway allows players easier access to the higher frets, expanding the instrument's range for lead work and complex chord voicings. The design is rounded out by premium appointments including herringbone purfling, which adds a traditional touch to the modern Super Folk silhouette.

Electronics and Hardware

For live performance and recording, the TRU4CEAW is equipped with the Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ system. This onboard preamp allows for precise sound shaping, typically including controls for volume and tone adjustment to ensure the guitar's natural acoustic character is maintained when amplified. This makes the instrument a practical choice for gigging musicians who require a reliable 'plug-and-play' solution.

Tonal Character

The combination of a solid spruce top and walnut back and sides produces a balanced sound profile. While the spruce provides brightness and definition in the high end, the walnut provides a grounded warmth in the lows and mids. The Super Folk body shape further focuses these frequencies, resulting in a guitar that is articulate enough for fingerstyle playing while possessing sufficient volume for rhythmic strumming.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Tanglewood range, the TRU4CEAW sits alongside the Northstar Pro series, such as the NSP5CH, which offers different aesthetic finishes like Cherry Open Pore. When compared to entry-level models like the Gear4music Single Cutaway, the TRU4CEAW offers superior tonewoods, specifically a solid top rather than an all-laminate construction. Compared to larger body types like the Hartwood Artiste Dreadnought, the TRU4CEAW provides a more comfortable, ergonomic experience for smaller players or those who find dreadnoughts cumbersome.

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Frequently asked questions

What body shape is the Tanglewood TRU4CEAW?: The TRU4CEAW uses the Super Folk body shape, which is a proprietary Tanglewood design that is slightly smaller and more curved than a standard dreadnought.
What woods are used in the construction of this guitar?: It features a solid spruce top paired with black walnut back and sides. This combination is designed to provide a balance of brightness and warmth.
Does the TRU4CEAW have a solid or laminate top?: The guitar features a solid spruce top. Solid tops are generally preferred over laminates for their superior resonance and ability to improve tonally as they age.
What electronics are included with the TRU4CEAW?: The guitar is equipped with the Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ system. This allows the user to plug the guitar into an amplifier or PA system and adjust the sound output.
What is the finish of the TRU4CEAW?: The instrument is finished in a natural satin. This provides a smooth, non-glossy feel that allows the natural grain of the wood to be seen and felt.
Is this guitar suitable for beginners or professionals?: With a price point around £399 and features like a solid top and onboard EQ, it is suitable for both ambitious beginners and intermediate gigging musicians.
What decorative details does the guitar feature?: The guitar includes elegant herringbone detailing, typically found around the rosette or binding, which adds a classic aesthetic to the Reunion Pro Series.
Does the TRU4CEAW have a cutaway?: Yes, it features a single cutaway design. This allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets more easily for soloing or high-register chords.
How does the sound of walnut compare to mahogany or rosewood?: Black walnut generally sits between mahogany and rosewood, offering a warm, woody mid-range similar to mahogany but with a bit more brightness and sustain.
Is the Tanglewood TRU4CEAW a steel-string or nylon-string guitar?: It is a steel-string acoustic guitar. This makes it suitable for genres such as folk, pop, rock, and country.
How does the Super Folk shape affect the playability?: The Super Folk shape is more compact than a dreadnought, making it easier to hold for long periods. It is often favoured by players who find larger guitars too bulky.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Tanglewood TRU4CEAW typically retails for approximately £399, positioning it as a competitive mid-range option.