Michael Melbourne - acoustic specialistAcoustic Best Buys brought to you by Michael Melbourne - acoustic specialist.
The guitars found in this guide have been compiled by Michael Melbourne - acoustic specialist at Regent Guitars.

 Kept up to date every month, this page ensures that you know what our favourite models are in all the various price point. This list really does represent the very best value models out there. Trust in us and you can't go too far wrong! All these models are generally available to try in store but give us a quick call in advance if you are travelling far - we would hate to dissapoint you!!

 £150 - £250
 TW28ST £179.00 (available left handed)
 TW28ST-NS  


This is our favourite (and best selling) entry level solid topped acoustic guitar from Tanglewood.

In its traditional dreadnought style, you are guaranteed planty of tone and volume even when you are not plugged in. This would be an ideal guitar for someone who is looking for the authentic tradional acoustic look who puts tone before "glam"!

The TW28ST comes equipped with excellent quality machine heads which ensures tuning stability will not be an issue.

An excellent acoustic that we have recommended for many years.
 

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 Crafter D7 £189
 D7 by Crafter - A fantastic alternative to the normal spruce choices...  


This is a wonderful instrument that gives our long standing Tanglewood TWST "best buy" a good ol' run for its money! The cedar top is the primary difference in terms of tonality. Cedar offers real warmth to your playing. Unlike so many sub £200 instruments, this guitar really does have an awful lot of character and "charm". I am sure this is mainly due to its subtle wooden inlay around the soundhole and button mushroom style machine heads.

This guitar represents awesome value for money and certainly highlights why Crafter are so popular with players around the UK.
This guitar will set you back £10 more than the Tanglewood TW28ST but is well worth giving a test drive!

 
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 Crafter T-035 £199 (available left handed)
 T-035 Crafter acoustic  

Here is something a little bit different - especially suited to fingerpickers (or women who don't want to clamber around a full size "dreadnought" body. This guitar is smaller bodied and relatively shallow - this gives a slightly punchier tonality. Michael loves this little guitar and insisted it sits proudly amongst our most highly recommended - so here it is!

From a specification point of view, this guitar really is outstanding value for money. Solid spruce top (of course) with rosewood back and sides, abolone inlay around the soundhole and snowflake fret position markers all feauture on this guitar. So, if you are looking for something a little different from the norm or are looking for a guitar suited to fingerpicking, come and check this model out soon.
Please remember - to fully understand some of this acoustic "jargon" you would be better coming in to the store and having a chat with Michael about why one guitar is suited to a specific style of playing. I am sure you will enjoy the chat and whether you decide to buy a guitar or not, you will walk away knowing a little more about the world of acoustic guitars.

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 £251 - £350

 Tanglewood TW15-NS £279.00
 TW15NS  


You have seen our best selling entry level solid top model (the TW28ST) - Now meet its big brother. The TW15-NS offers more than enough extra features to warrant the £100 upgrade. It has a solid top and back for superb tonallity when unplugged. I have already written my own review on this guitar in its standard acoustic format which you can find here. Click on the link and the benefits of this model should become clear.

The TW15NS is an award winning instrument that oozes with class at this price point.

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 Cort NTL20 £299
 TGAE-06  


Cort - Not heard of them? You may not have but you have certainly SEEN them! Cort have been producing the finest quality instruments in the World for 30 years!! They have produced guitars for the likes of Fender and other World leading brands and now they are in the UK under their own name. What does this mean for you? Amazing instruments at oustanding prices.

Cort produce acoustic, electro-acoustic, bass and electric guitars - all of which are industry "standard setting" instruments. The NTL 20 is the first acoustic in the Cort acoustic range that highlights this without fail.

When you get used to trying acoustic guitars, quality instruments almost leap out from the crowd and you can immediately tell where your money goes in the production. Look, pickup or listen to this Cort and you will not need anyone to "explain" why this guitar is so good. Believe me - it genuinely is that nice.

Tonally, you will be rewarded with rich mids and trebles, complimented by bass galore.

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 Simon and Patrick SP6 Cedar Mahogany £349
 Simon and Patricj 6 Cedar Mahogany  


Are you fed up with abolone inlays, gold hardware and unnecessary frills? Looking for tone, more tone and just a touch of.......tone? The 6 cedar mahogany sounds just up your alley.

First of all - I AM bias - I LOVE this guitar. Eevry scrap of "specification" that you see missing in terms of cosmetic detail has been put into the build quality and tone of this fine instrument. Less is definately more when it comes to the 6 cedar.

Only the finest canadian grown solid cedar is used - the average age of the wood is 800 years old, ensuring the tightest of grains which improves the tone massively over faster growing, younger spruce alternatives. The mahogany sides truly bring a sound to this instrument that I love to bits. Be warned however - this is the Les Paul of acoustics - What I mean is.... the tone is warm and mellow (some may describe this as wooly - the less inspiring adjective!!).

So if warm and mellow is your cup of tea and you want and instrument that oozes a natural feel and extreme quality, checkout the 6 cedar mahogany.

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 £351 - £550
 Tanglewood TW1000 £399
 TW100F  


The TW1000 is a stunning instrument. All of the normal Tanglewood quality is found in what is Tanglewoods flagship acoustic model. However, the back and sides of this model ensure the airy lighter tonality of the solid spruce top is given a warmth and richness that can only be found in solid rosewood.

A solid, well made, great sounding and extremely attractive acoustic guitar.

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