Guitar Tricks Insider November / December Issue | Page 50

GEAR REVIEWS
TANGLEWOOD
TWJP
Acoustic Guitar
Review By Pete Prown
STREET PRICE: $399.00
S
mall-body acoustics—also known as
parlor guitars—are hot these days and
for good reason. They’re comfortable to
hold, travel-sized, and fun to play anywhere
you go, even if it’s just your sofa or back
deck. Tanglewood has a wide selection of
parlor boxes in its Java Series, including a
segment that comes with cedar or spruce
tops, as well as an acoustic-electric version.
Today, let’s look at the cedar-topped TWJP
model.
Using a variety of exotic timbers, the TWJP
is a beautiful-looking instrument. Unlike the
paler-hued spruce top, the cedar top has a
deep golden color. It’s complemented by the
richly grained amara wood sides, and a back
that combines amara wings with a wedge of
spalted mango in the middle (also used as
the decorative heel cap). The neck is a multi-
piece laminate of nato—a common material
in Asian-built guitars—while the headstock
is faced with another piece of dark amara.
A cool perk is the mahogany binding on the
body and fingerboard, which makes the TWJP
look like a way-more expensive acoustic.
The guitar’s fingerboard and bridge are
made of sonokeling, a species of Indonesian
rosewood, and its 18-fret fingerboard that
joins the body at the 12 th fret. Look for
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GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER
DIGITAL EDITION
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER