TanglewoodTWJP Java Parlour Acoustic Guitar, Natural, New Old Stock

Purchased 6 months agoAfter playing this lovely guitar for about 6 months I'd like to give a brief review of my experience. Out of the box I was impressed by the finish, although there were some imperfections e.g. interior of the slotted headstock was a little rough. However, these were minor and I am a perfectionist, most people would not have noticed them. No mechanical faults, high/jagged frets or any other issues with playability. Initially I was disappointed with the sound but having never owned a parlour sized guitar before, I soon came to understand that this was the nature of the instrument rather than this particular example.Compared to a Dreadnought or 000 size, there is significantly less bass and more midrange / treble. It also has a folky twang which I've come to love and have never heard from larger body guitars. The pickup is decent and sounds good through my Vox amp, it also blends nicely with pedals (I play with delay, reverb and chorus). The amplified sound, whether through the pickup or mic'd is much broader and lush, this is a great guitar for recording.Access above the 12th fret is difficult but not impossible, if you have large hands like me you will be able to reach the 16th fret albeit with some awkwardness. This is a negative and if you like to play above the 12th fret, consider the Faith Guitars Mercury High Gloss which does include a model with a cutaway. However it is almost twice the price and having played both I would not consider it to be twice the guitar. If money is no object get the Faith but in my opinion you will not get a better Parlour guitar for the price than this Tanglewood.

Nice product, great price, timely delivery, beautiful. I like parlor guitars with 12 fret neck. It makes a nice compact package. Basically a 5 star product. I gave it 4 because the neck width at the nut is too narrow for a parlor guitar (or any guitar really). That and if the braces on the solid Cedar top were thinner (not shorter) this would be an excellent guitar. Tanglewood take note!Also it would be nice if there was an option for a case.