Tanglewood Master Design TSR-2 acoustic guitar review

SOUNDS
I haven’t played a Michael Sanden, but what I do know is that this Tanglewood surrogate sounds fantastic. It has everything: big dynamics that emerge with insouciant ease, a thrummy piano-like clarity, a richly resonant low end and smoothly sparkling highs, and impressive articulation with a lissome, lingering sustain. Fire up the B-Band and things are equally convincing – all the acoustic traits, just writ louder. For such an unobtrusive system it’s a delight. There’s ample gain, inter-string output balance is spot-on, and the system conveys the same open-voiced naturalness of the guitar in its unplugged guise. Presumably there’s some preset midrange dipping in the endpin circuitry that plays a part.

Tanglewoods have always been well-specified for the money, but this MasterDesign boosts the brand to a more exalted league. This guitar is well executed, has a very appealing design, a spankingly fine sound and great playability. The TSR-2 really is a tempting proposition – a pro-class instrument at a distinctly non-boutique price and, what’s more, one of the most enjoyable and involving flattops I’ve played in a good long time. Hats off, Messrs Tanglewood and Sanden. You’ve played a blinder.