A SURVEY of musical industry retailers has struck a happy chord with a guitar firm.

Acoustic guitars made for the Tanglewood Guitar Company Ltd, on the Thorp Arch Estate, near Tadcaster, have been declared best sellers in Britain.

The instruments are outselling celebrated brands such as Fender and Gibson, according to an industry survey, called MI Pro 2007.

More than 300 different models of six-string acoustic, electric and bass guitars are made in China for Tanglewood to its own specification, and sold through music retailers worldwide.

The business, which has 13 staff, sells 50,000 Tanglewood brand acoustic guitars a year worldwide.

Yorkshire singing sensation Corrine Bailey Rae is one of many well-known players of the acoustic models.

Bands such as Ash, Muse and Def Leppard use their electric guitars.

Tony Flatt, managing director of Tanglewood, said: "Traditionally, well-known US guitar brands, such as Fender and Gibson, dominate the UK acoustic guitar market, so it is great for a British brand to hold top place in this sales survey."

Tim Munns, a director of Wharfedale Property Management, which manages Thorp Arch Estate, said: "The estate is increasingly becoming the chosen location for innovative or successful businesses, and Tanglewood has certainly hit the right note by coming out top in this survey."