What body style is the Tanglewood TRU512AE?

The TRU512AE features a dreadnought body shape. This design is known for producing a bold, full-bodied sound with excellent projection, making it a standard choice for 12-string guitars.

What wood is used for the top of this guitar?

The guitar uses a solid spruce top. To enhance its visual appearance, this is covered with a figured black walnut veneer, combining the tonal benefits of solid spruce with a unique grain pattern.

What are the back and sides made of?

The back and sides are crafted from figured black walnut. This wood provides a warm and balanced tone that contributes to the instrument's natural sustain.

Does the TRU512AE include a pickup system?

Yes, it is equipped with the TW Premium Plus electronics system. This allows the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for live performances.

What is the finish on this model?

The instrument is finished in a natural satin. This finish is designed to offer a smooth feel and allow the natural resonance of the wood to be more prominent.

What material is the fingerboard?

The TRU512AE uses an eboncore fingerboard. Eboncore is a durable composite material designed to offer the smooth playability and aesthetic of ebony while maintaining consistency.

Is this guitar suitable for fingerpicking?

Yes, the manufacturer states the guitar is designed for both strumming and fingerpicking styles. Its bright and dynamic sound ensures that individual notes remain clear during fingerstyle play.

What kind of neck does the TRU512AE have?

The guitar features a comfortable mahogany neck. Mahogany is widely used in guitar construction for its stability and the warm character it adds to the overall sound.

What is the typical price range for this guitar?

The Tanglewood TRU512AE typically retails for approximately £399. This puts it in the mid-range category of acoustic-electric 12-string guitars.

How does the walnut veneer affect the sound?

While the solid spruce top provides the primary tonal character, the walnut veneer is primarily an aesthetic addition. However, the walnut back and sides contribute significantly to the guitar's warm and balanced resonance.

Which Tanglewood series does this guitar belong to?

The TRU512AE is part of the Reunion Pro Series. This series is characterized by high-quality wood selections and premium appointments intended for professional use.

How many strings does this model have?

As specified by the '512' model designation, this is a 12-string acoustic guitar. It is tuned in pairs to produce a rich, shimmering chorus effect that is distinct from a standard 6-string guitar.

Gear article

Tanglewood TRU512AE Reunion Pro Series 12-String

The Tanglewood TRU512AE is a 12-string acoustic-electric guitar from the Reunion Pro Series, featuring a solid spruce top with a figured black walnut veneer. Built in the traditional dreadnought body shape, it is designed to provide a rich, resonant tone with significant projection for both acoustic and amplified performances.

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Overview and Construction

The Tanglewood TRU512AE is a high-performance 12-string guitar situated within the manufacturer's Reunion Pro Series. The instrument utilizes a dreadnought body configuration, a design choice that facilitates a bold and full-bodied acoustic response. The construction is headlined by a solid spruce soundboard, which is further embellished with a figured black walnut veneer to enhance the instrument's visual aesthetic without compromising its tonal integrity.

The back and sides are also crafted from figured black walnut, a tonewood selected for its unique grain patterns and structural properties. The neck is constructed from mahogany, paired with an eboncore fingerboard, providing a stable and smooth surface for complex 12-string fretwork.

Tonal Profile

The combination of a solid spruce top and walnut back and sides produces a bright, dynamic sound profile. Spruce provides the necessary clarity and 'snap' for the 12-string's higher registers, while the black walnut contributes warmth and a balanced frequency response across the spectrum. The dreadnought shape further enhances natural sustain and low-end resonance, making the TRU512AE suitable for both rhythmic strumming and intricate fingerpicking styles.

Electronics and Hardware

For live performance and studio applications, the TRU512AE is equipped with the Tanglewood TW Premium Plus electronics system. This preamp offers versatile sound control, allowing the player to shape the amplified signal to suit different environments. The instrument features a natural satin finish, which allows the wood to breathe and vibrate more freely compared to heavy gloss finishes, while providing a smooth tactile feel for the player.

Market Position

Retailing typically at approximately £399, the TRU512AE occupies a competitive space in the mid-range acoustic guitar market. It is positioned as an accessible professional-grade instrument, offering the aesthetic appeal of figured walnut and the sonic benefits of a solid wood top at a price point attractive to both intermediate players and working musicians.

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Frequently asked questions

What body style is the Tanglewood TRU512AE?: The TRU512AE features a dreadnought body shape. This design is known for producing a bold, full-bodied sound with excellent projection, making it a standard choice for 12-string guitars.
What wood is used for the top of this guitar?: The guitar uses a solid spruce top. To enhance its visual appearance, this is covered with a figured black walnut veneer, combining the tonal benefits of solid spruce with a unique grain pattern.
What are the back and sides made of?: The back and sides are crafted from figured black walnut. This wood provides a warm and balanced tone that contributes to the instrument's natural sustain.
Does the TRU512AE include a pickup system?: Yes, it is equipped with the TW Premium Plus electronics system. This allows the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for live performances.
What is the finish on this model?: The instrument is finished in a natural satin. This finish is designed to offer a smooth feel and allow the natural resonance of the wood to be more prominent.
What material is the fingerboard?: The TRU512AE uses an eboncore fingerboard. Eboncore is a durable composite material designed to offer the smooth playability and aesthetic of ebony while maintaining consistency.
Is this guitar suitable for fingerpicking?: Yes, the manufacturer states the guitar is designed for both strumming and fingerpicking styles. Its bright and dynamic sound ensures that individual notes remain clear during fingerstyle play.
What kind of neck does the TRU512AE have?: The guitar features a comfortable mahogany neck. Mahogany is widely used in guitar construction for its stability and the warm character it adds to the overall sound.
What is the typical price range for this guitar?: The Tanglewood TRU512AE typically retails for approximately £399. This puts it in the mid-range category of acoustic-electric 12-string guitars.
How does the walnut veneer affect the sound?: While the solid spruce top provides the primary tonal character, the walnut veneer is primarily an aesthetic addition. However, the walnut back and sides contribute significantly to the guitar's warm and balanced resonance.
Which Tanglewood series does this guitar belong to?: The TRU512AE is part of the Reunion Pro Series. This series is characterized by high-quality wood selections and premium appointments intended for professional use.
How many strings does this model have?: As specified by the '512' model designation, this is a 12-string acoustic guitar. It is tuned in pairs to produce a rich, shimmering chorus effect that is distinct from a standard 6-string guitar.