Tanglewood's Blackbird TB412CE is a 12-string acoustic-electric that prioritises upper-fret access without sacrificing the resonance players expect from a full-bodied instrument. The Super Folk Cutaway body shape achieves this through thoughtful bracing and proportioning rather than gimmickry. Built in Tanglewood's workshops, the TB412CE targets session players, touring musicians, and studio recordists who need reliable 12-string shimmer and workable stage amplification in a single package.
All-mahogany construction—top, back, and sides—delivers a warm, complex tonal character with natural compression that sits well in ensemble settings. The engineered-wood fingerboard balances durability with consistent playability across the wider 12-string neck. Electronics centre on the Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ system, a three-band preamp with phase control that handles feedback issues common on amplified 12-strings. Smokestack Satin finish protects the wood whilst allowing the grain to remain visually prominent and tactile underhand.
This configuration suits fingerstyle arrangers tracking multiple guitar layers, live performers who need the jangle of 12-strings without a second instrument, and singer-songwriters working acoustically in smaller venues or studios. The cutaway proves functional rather than merely cosmetic when reaching upper positions during lead passages. Plugged into a mixing console, the Premium Plus EQ allows precise sculpting of feedback-prone frequencies whilst preserving the woody low-mid character that distinguishes mahogany from brighter timbers.
Features
- 12-string Super Folk Cutaway body shape for upper-fret access
- Solid mahogany top, back, and sides throughout
- Engineered-wood fingerboard for consistent playability
- Tanglewood Premium Plus EQ with three-band control and phase switch
- Smokestack Satin finish preserves wood grain visibility
- Cutaway design reduces bout depth whilst maintaining resonant chamber
- Preamp system addresses feedback in amplified 12-string applications
- Suitable for studio recording, live performance, and fingerstyle arrangements



