TANGLEWOOD CROSSROADS ORCHESTRA TW-CROE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR
Tanglewood Guitars were formed in England in the latter part of the 20th century charged with an ambition to create a portfolio of instruments that would offer exceptional value through design features, both traditional & contemporary usually found on instruments at much higher prices.
The 1930’s were a time of hardship all across the USA with the Great Depression bringing communities to their knees and the strife and pain of poverty and famine recorded in journals and diaries and of course in song, all across the country. Some of what are now regarded as the finest and most influential musicians in the world created a rhythmic sound during those years and sang of their troubles, a sound we now think of as the blues.
The guitars used to play this music weren’t fancy, or ornately decorated or adorned with expensive lacquers, they were straightforward and functional, but in a lot of cases these instruments were still quite precisely engineered for the day.
With a really significant cost to the musician in those days it meant that guitars of this era had to play well and last a long time, often to be passed on through family generations.
To create an instrument that evokes these traditional values, so often overlooked in our modern society, Tanglewood had to commission the services of a very special luthier, none other than Michael Sanden, the man behind Tanglewood Masterdesign. Michael is the creator of the Sanden Guitar company in Sweden and is now the chief design consultant for Tanglewood Guitars.
Michael has that Scandinavian affinity with natural wood. He starts with the tree, selecting timbers that will sound good together, precicisely measuring and crafting the soundboards so they will flex and respond to the players attack and then he braces the instrument with his own patterns to make each instrument have its own personality.
It’s not just the special bracing, or the woods that are selected, or the construction method even. All these are vital components for any guitar – but on Crossroads Michael wanted to create something very very special. He wanted to make a guitar that could have the sound that any musician, professional or amateur could appreciate and he demanded that the neck profiles and bridge contouring and fret inlaying should be implemented without regard to the price of manufacturing, to proudly reflect the Tanglewood ethos of outstanding value and performance.
When Michael was looking for a colour finish to compliment the earthy, naturally authentic signature of the Crossroads, the vivid autumnal palette of dark brown that was finally decided upon was likened by some of our friends to be inspired by the timber shading that old whiskey barrels of the last century looked like. So for the very first time, Tanglewood have created an all new colour finish, exclusively for the Crossroads series models and it’s called . . . Whiskey Barrel Burst!
Her at SCM we are amazed by what Tanglewood have achieved and it is obvious that a lot of love, thought and effort have gone into the creation of these fabulous guitars.
And so the Tanglewood Crossroads story begins…
According to popular myth, a young musician from rural Mississippi named Robert Johnson wanted to become an amazing guitar player. So one night, he walked to a cross junction in the roads supposedly near the Dockery plantation and met a man, who it is said was the Devil. It was here at the crossroads and in return for his soul, that Robert Johnson was given the gift to play the guitar like no man had ever played before . . . a big price to pay!
Robert certainly did play very well and for the next few short years of his life, he became a massively influential player, but he suffered terribly as well and died of poisoning at the tender age of 27 years old – all adding to the legend of course. Robert Johnson’s light shone brightly in those few years however, and the world was left with an influence stretching far beyond the tragically short time the man actually lived.
Stories such as this have become folklore and to this day people disagree about where the Crossroads actually were – and even the year that it happened. But still, today we are thinking, talking and still wondering about it, a hundred years after the legend was borne.
The Crossroads
Tanglewood have created their Crossroads series with care and love . . . and wih a little bit of Tanglewood magic, so that you, the player can start your own musical journey without compromise. Here is a great guitar to play, to make great music on and maybe you’ll create your own musical legend. Whatever happens, history will record that it all started at the Tanglewood Crossroads!
The Tanglewood Crossroads TW-CROE Orchestra Acoustic Electric Guitar
The TW-CROE is an Orchestra size guitar – smaller than a Parlor but with enough personality to bring a smile to your face! The Orchestra Size is perfect for a wide range of applications too! Featuring Mahogany Back and Sides, the TW-CROE also has a Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge. The Crossroads Orchestra TW-CROE also looks amazing in its Whisky Barrel Burst Satin Finish and our *PRO-SCM setup completes what is an exceptional guitar.
Let us know if you are happy to go with Tanglewood’s *Factory Setup and you will save even more! Please contact us for details!
TANGLEWOOD CROSSROADS ORCHESTRA TW-CROE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC GUITAR
o SHAPE: Orchestra
o BACK: Mahogany
o SIDES: Mahogany
o FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
o BRIDGE: Rosewood
o SADDLE: ABS White, Compensating
o NUT (WIDTH): ABS White (43mm)
o SCALE LENGTH: 650mm
o MACHINE HEADS: Chrome Die Cast
o FINISH: Whiskey Barrel Burst Satin
o EQ: T.B.C.
o STRINGS: Bronze Light
o SKU: TWCROE
o UPC: 810944018463
