Crossroads

The Crossroads series pays homage to the style and sound of classic instruments from 1930’s America. The 30’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, we at 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 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, making the soundboards a precise measurement 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, we have created an all new Tanglewood colour finish, exclusively for the Crossroads series models and we will call it…Whiskey Barrel Burst!

“We have the Crossroads guitars by Tanglewood because we don’t think you can buy anything better with your hard earned money.”

B & T MUSIC

“We couldn’t believe what the Tanglewood Crossroads sounded like for the price. It’s truly unbelievable.”

ALLEGRO MUSIC

“The new Tanglewood Crossroads Electro Acoustic guitar is an absolute winner, looks, feels and plays way above its price!”

STRINGS 'N' THINGS

“We sell a lot of guitars here in Whitby and we’re knocked out that we can offer a quality Tanglewood instrument at this amazing price. Crossroads is a real treat for our loyal customers.”

MUSICPORT SHOP

“The Crossroads is an ideal starter guitar. It is solid, reasonably priced and above all great sounding. Making it perfect for anyone starting their musical journey.”

MICKLEBURGH

“Feels great, looks great, sounds better!”

CHARLIE CHANDLER'S GUITAR EXPERIENCE

“We think the Tanglewood Crossroads is a guitar that will offer you a great start in your guitar playing future.”

NORTHCOTE MUSIC

“Let’s make a bold statement to describe the new Tanglewood Crossroads guitar. In our humble opinion here at Wildwire, these guitars are simply the best value for money that you can buy anywhere near this price point.”

WILDWIRE GUITARS

“Great Guitars. Fantastic Value, I can’t stop selling them!”

PLECTRUMS, PENS AND PAINTS

“The Crossroads range offer fantastic value for money and they are sure to be a very popular instrument; I wish I’d had something this good when I was starting out!”

FOULDS GUITARS

“For it’s price, you cannot find a guitar that comes close to the Tanglewood Crossroads’ build quality and playability!”

BOOTHS MUSIC

“No need to sell your soul when the Crossroads series starts at £99! Shocking value to get the blues.”

FORSYTHS

“Crossroads are exactly what a great guitar should be. They sounds authentic, look authentic and even have depression era pricing.”

JG WINDOWS

“Being one of Britain’s oldest established music stores, we’ve seen one or two guitars over the years. This new Crossroads model is the best quality and value we’ve seen in literally decades – Well done Tanglewood.”

BROTHERTON & SON

“This is the best guitar in the shop for the money. I honestly don’t think we could sell you better.”

BRIGHTON GUITARS

“WOW! Just WOW! You have to play it to understand what you are getting.”

CHAMBERLAIN MUSIC

“You have to consider this guitar if you are wanting a quality built guitar from a quality company. I couldn’t suggest anything better for the money.”

PMT - LONDON

“Fantastic looker, stylish, retro, well finished, all at an absolutely unbelievable price for the amount of guitar you get.” 

GAK

“Don’t think just buy. We promise you will be a happy customer if you buy a Tanglewood Crossroads.”

NORMANS MUSIC

“The real test of a good guitar is the customers response and with the Tanglewood Crossroads, the response is always WOW!”

R & T MUSIC

“Just come and try a Crossroads. You will not be disappointed!”

GARDONYI'S LTD

“The Crossroads seires are the best value guitar on the market today, fantastic.”

G C MUSIC & COLLECTABLES

“With the combined knowledge of selling musical instruments for nearly 65 years, from all of us at Derosa, the Tanglewood Crossroads is by far the best guitar for under £100 we’ve ever seen!”

DE ROSA MUSIC