Tanglewood Blackbird Guitar Review: Unveiling Affordable Excellence

Like many guitarists, my journey began with a less-than-stellar acoustic guitar. In my early days, a quality instrument seemed financially out of reach, leading me to a budget plywood model that was challenging to play and sonically underwhelming. The high action and lackluster tone were discouraging, but persistence paid off. Fast forward 45 years, and I’m now privileged to experience a market brimming with well-crafted, fantastic-sounding guitars that don’t break the bank. This evolution in accessible quality brings us to the Tanglewood Blackbird Guitar range.

Tanglewood TWBB OE Acoustic Guitar

Today, we’re diving deep into the Tanglewood Blackbird series, specifically focusing on the TWBB OE and TWBB SD E models. Tanglewood designed the ‘Blackbird’ series drawing inspiration from their widely acclaimed Crossroads series, aiming to deliver exceptional value and performance. While the TWBB OE and TWBB SD E differ in body styles – Orchestra/Folk and Slope Shoulder Dreadnought respectively – they share identical specifications in terms of materials, finish, and electronics.

First Impressions: Design and Build Quality of the Blackbird Guitar

The initial impression of the Blackbird guitars is undeniably striking. The “Smokestack Black” satin finish, as Tanglewood aptly names it, combined with vintage ivory look ABS binding, gives these guitars a distinctive aesthetic that stands out. The color is more accurately described as a light charcoal, offering a sophisticated alternative to traditional black. Beyond aesthetics, the build quality immediately impresses, especially considering the price point. Where some manufacturers compromise on construction at this level, evident in sloppy glue joints or finish imperfections, the Blackbird guitars exhibit no such flaws. They are remarkably well-constructed, indicating a commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Tanglewood Blackbird Guitar: Detailed Specifications

Let’s delve into the specifications that the TWBB OE and TWBB SD E blackbird guitar models share:

Top: Hand-selected Mahogany
Back & Sides: Layered Mahogany
Fingerboard: Techwood
Bridge: Techwood
Neck: Mahogany
Nut: Composite PPS
Saddle: Composite PPS (Compensated)
Nut Width: 43 mm
Scale Length: 650 mm
String Spacing: 7 mm at 1st fret, 8.1 mm at 12th fret
Strings: Tanglewood Phosphor Bronze (12s)
Electronics: Tanglewood Premium Plus with Built-in Tuner
Tuners: Diecast, Chrome
Finish: Satin “Smokestack Black”
Price: £179.00 (Price may vary)

As highlighted, the core specifications remain consistent across both models, with the primary variation being the body shape and dimensions to cater to different player preferences.

Playability and Sound Performance of the Blackbird Guitar

Straight out of the box, the action on both Blackbird guitars was commendable. For beginners, the ease of fretting notes and forming chords is crucial, and these guitars pose no unnecessary challenges in that regard. The neck profile is smooth, and the frets are finished to a high standard, facilitating effortless movement along the fretboard. The “techwood” fingerboard – an engineered wood known for its durability – contributes to the smooth playing experience.

The sound produced by these blackbird guitars was genuinely surprising. While the smaller body of the TWBB OE naturally results in slightly less projection compared to the dreadnought TWBB SD E, it still delivers ample volume.

Tanglewood TWBB OE Premium Plus Preamp System

Sonically, the TWBB OE blackbird guitar offers a sweet, controlled tone that avoids the boxiness often associated with smaller-bodied acoustics. The larger TWBB SD E projects more robustly, with a more open and airy sound. While the TWBB SD E might be considered more versatile overall, players who prefer the comfort of a smaller body will find the TWBB OE perfectly suited to their needs. It’s also worth noting the TWBB SFCE model, a folk-style guitar with a cutaway, which shares the same specifications but offers another body style option within the Blackbird range.

The Tanglewood ‘Premium Plus’ preamp system with a built-in tuner, featured in both guitars, performs admirably. While some purists might argue that onboard electronics can detract from the pure acoustic tone, this system does a commendable job of amplifying the guitar’s natural sound. For players who prefer purely acoustic performance, the TWBB O version is available without electronics at an even more attractive price point of £139.00.

Final Verdict: The Exceptional Value of the Tanglewood Blackbird Guitar

Tanglewood has truly hit a home run with the ‘Blackbird’ series. Trying to identify comparable alternatives that offer the same blend of appealing aesthetics, impressive tone, and exceptional value proves challenging. Despite being constructed from laminate woods, these blackbird guitars quickly won me over. They sound as good as they look, and at £179.00 (at the time of this review), the Tanglewood Blackbird guitars represent an outstanding investment for players of all levels seeking quality and affordability.