Cole Clark Fat Lady 1A

nice dreadnought style guitar. mine is without built in electronics, thank god. sounds better than the one with pick up installed.

Nice Mellow sounding guitar. Deep and wide.

gloss neck that shines with use. satin finish on body
no problems or flaws on mine

I put a few dents in the edge of the body through slight carelessness, seems easy to dent edges but hard to scratch.

12 month warranty is good

playing for 3 years almost, I own a eastwood ultra gp (ovaition copy), epiphone les paul (sucks!!), and jay turser bass.
I'd buy it again if stolen.
I love the mellow sound fo rmy picking style. I hate teh cole clark name printed on the head. Its ugly blue color/doesn't match guitar.
I was gonna buy a guild but I fell in love with the cole clark.

Finished Matt,
All solid timber dreadnought with internally carved top and back
Natural satin finish
Neck- Qld Maple
Top- Solid Bunya or ???A??? grade solid spruce top
Solid Bunya
Inlaid timber face edge and rosette.
Solid rosewood bridge and fingerboard
Grover Machine Heads
Cole Clark dual Body Sensor and Peizo system

I play a very broad range from an acoustic grunge to a Jazzy sort of Buckley esk sound. Using a lot of drone strings. The guitar as it is set up suits a mellow picking style which I sometimes play. I needed it to be slightly brighter. I changed the EXP strings to Elixir nano .11 and havent looked back. The guitar plugged in even without Nano's is the best by far natural sounding guitar I have ever played.
Being that I have played Martin, Taylor, Guild, Breedlove, Gibson, Maton and Gretch to name a few. This Guitar is awesome.

Set up from the factory was D'Addario EXP. This was my first time playing these strings. I didnt like them overly and found that they werent as bright as I would have expected and really dont knwo how long the Guitar had been there. I dont like the Martin Phos Bronze I find them a bit too quick to lose the sweet spot so I now have all my guitars on verying gauges of Nano's and Polys From Elixir. Every thing fits nicely the nut is solid and the bridge is really well designed. This guitar is like a taylor in everything is made around the neck. It took some getting use to the matt finish but it has grown on me. There were some lose wood chips in the body but they were soon out

As with all new guitar brands ( well relatively new ) I have heard will this guitar stand up to time. Personally this guitar is built like a tank yet feels light the wood is a damn site thicker than any other guitar I have owned and HISCOX case I bought for it will certainly protect her. I dont know if its because it looks so raw that you are more cautious with it but it does feel like if you look at it the wrong way it will dent but quite the opposite I bashed it the other day against the ali on the case and left no marks (much to my relief) Strap buttons are solid and well placed to not interfere with your playing. Also the lead input is very solid and grabs the pin when pushed in.

It has a 12 month warranty
I have had no issues with her at all. I did however send Cole Clark asking a few question about the Preamp and also changing the strings to Elixirs. Brad Clark the owner actually relpied every time I have emailed. Tell me what other company in this higher price bracket you have a direct line with the designer/owner of the Company. Also They are in Melbourne so if I have any issues and cant get it fixed here (which I doubt) I would just drop in the next time I play there. Brad Clark actually offered to have the preamp from a faulty Alvarez sent to him for him to fix noe thats not only service but just bloody plain nice.

I have been playing for about 20 years and performing and recording for about 4. I play at least once per week live and practice every day for about 2 hours. They answered all the questions I had.
If it were lost or stolen I would kill the (*@* who stole it lol I dont think I will buy any other guitar ever. It would take some serious fault or something extra special to draw me away.
I had a 214 Taylor a Breedlove and a Martin all taken home and played thoroughly some even on stage and plugged in this guitar obliterates and decimates all. I didnt like the strings it came with they were brutal on the tips and were very dull but again I dont know how long they had been on her.

Satin finish figured Bunya top, Queensland Maple Neck and Bunya (or QlD Maple not sure...) back and sides. All solid wood top back and sides...Roeswood furling.

Carved internal face and back
Dreadnought with cutaway
Tuners - grover
Neck is not thin but is comfortable. Rosewood Fretboard.
NO included accessories
Made in Melbourne, Australia 2006
built it Cole Clarke designed under bridge piezo with face sensor, blender and 3 band EQ
TUSQ bridge and nut
Black scratch plate with gold edging and Cole Clarke logo.

Features are moderate but everything is of the highest quality and contribute significantly to the amazing tone of this instrument.

Included case would make it a 10 but let's face it at this price who's complaining

I am a professional musician and play 2 - 3 times a week as a Worship leader in a church, a solo singer songwriter of Blues/gospel and in a Band of contemporary acoustic pop rock.

Acoustically this guitar is one of the most versatile sweet sounding acoustic guitar I have ever played. As the manufacturer says it can whisper and yell. Hard strumming it has a huge tone and finger picking is delicate and defined

My producer loves this guitar, he says it sounds amazing in the studio (and I have to agree) It is lively, responsive and doesn't have the boxy tone that so many other acoustics have when recorded. I don't know what is wrong with the previous reviewers guitar, could be a rare dud or just because of the different woods. I've got to say the Bunya has the best acoustic tone I have ever experienced. Skita Spruce is such a conventional wood and some people get hung up on it but if you really want to experience what this guitar is capable of I recommend the Bunya.

Plugged in is where this guitar really comes into it's own, it was born to be on stage and the Cole Clarke electronics blow anything else I've ever played out of the water. I have owned and played Takamine, Corts, Maton, Fenders, Gibson, Yamaha, Martin, Fishman, LR Baggs and IMO the Cole Clarke with CC pre amp is second to none. With tone for days and no feedback even at high levels with a band. It is both flexible functional and innovative. No matter what style you play you are sure to be able to tweak the tone to suit you.

There are no words to describe how good this tone is. It sounds nothing like any of the conventional Martin wanna be acoustics, it truly has a voice all it's own and break with tradition to bring acoustic guitars into the 2000's.

The FL1 is a simple understated guitar which in it's simplicity is very attractive. The book matched top is even and beautifully finished with a very thin rosewood furling around the body.

The fret board is even and well sanded, hardware is all quality.

I'm a big fan of the satin finish so for me having a gloss neck on a satin guitar seemed slightly odd but is not a huge problem. It is still well finished.

The action and set up off the shelf is very good. I have been playing it almost non stop for the past year with out a single setup. Frets are even, intonation is great and playability is superb. I for the first time in 12 mths, dropped it off today to have a set up which is something any pro guitarist would/should do regardless of brand but out of the box this is a great guitar and ready to play straight up...

I bought this guitar shop damaged (some cluts) dropped it which left a crack in the back (which I expect would be the case with any acoustic guitar). That said despite this playability and stability has not been affected and with some slight repair is rock solid.

I am a touring working musician and my guitars see allot of miles in all sorts of weather, temperature, transport and the stability and durability of this guitar is awesome. Australia has very harsh weather conditions for acoustics with high summer temperatures and humidities which many of my other guitars have not coped with. Asides from a hard case and regular string change, I am not a guitarist that fusses over his guitars and don't use humidifiers, adjust the neck or oil the guitar, despite this abuse the FL1 is rock solid and has not yet been affected.

I very regularly use it without a back up and have in 12 months only had 1 thing go wrong in the middle of a gig which was only a broken string(not something I can say for my Cort or Takamine).

Strap buttons are solid and I would never do another gig without this guitar... It is sooo dependable.

I've never had to use customer support but on the couple of occasions that I have emailed or called the factory to ask questions they have always been very helpful.

I have been playing 26 years professionally for 12 years. I currently own a:
$1500 Takamine (piece of crap) acoustic which I am desperately trying to off load,
a $700 Cort (which is fantastic for the price but does not even come close to comparing),
My beloved Cole Clarke ( which I will never play another brand again), $1200 Variax electric (as good as they are the acoustic models are nowhere in the ball park)and
$800 Crafter SA Hybrid (which I have just bought and will review shortly. Another amazing guitar for different reasons...)

As you can see I have been playing a long time have owned numerous other guitars and have never played an acoustic this good. The woods, carved internal face and back combined with an amazing pre-amp/pickup system make this an absolute must have for any working guitarist or amateur who is looking for absolute quality at a great price.

They retail for around AU$999 - AU$1200 which is quite frankly an awsome price and comparable to guitars 3 times it's price.

Featuring the same electronics, woods and construction techniques as the higher end FL2 and FL3 the FL1 is the absolute best bang for your buck you could ever want, with tone and quality to die for. The only major difference I can spot between the FL1 and the FL2 & FL3 is the decoration. The higher end models have slightly more figuring and fancy finishes (like inlays etc) but as far as sound and quality the FL1 does everything it's big sisters do at a fraction of the price.

I intend to buy another 2 to replace the two other acoustic guitars I have and unless somebody really blows me away will never play another acoustic guitar. If it was stolen I would pay 3 times as much...

A FatLady1A, full dreadnought, no cutaway. Sitka Spruce top and Queensland Maple back.
It has the red tortoise pickup just like on the FL2's and 3's, instead of a normal black one.
(with pickups / electronic option)
Lucky me?...hmmm...not quiet..read my full review.

Plugged in, i have no complain what so ever..it sounds LIKE A GUITAR,...not some plastic you put strings on and play.

Unplugged, for me this guitar doesnt sound like a 'normal' acoustic guitars. Its not as loud as other acoustic guitars, my guess is because the woods on the body are too thick..it deadens the sound somehow. I also picked up a few other Cole Clark at a local music show, they're all sounded a bit dead to me. I even had the Cole Clark Angel for a month before i traded it with this FatLady.

I compare the sound (unplugged) with other guitars such as taylor 214 and Corts...they all sounded louder than my FatLady.

Finished?..not quiet...

My FatLady has DEADSPOT on it!!...its on the 6th string on the 10th fret, its freakin annoying
since i also play quiet alot up there.

I've read about deadspots on guitars, and i found that there's no actual cure for it. Bummer.

Now just tune the guitar on loooow C#...the deadspot's gone, and the guitar sounded bigger.

Its a compromised i wish i didnt have to do.

Dunno yet...its a fairly young guitar. I only have it for sometime now.

sent email to Brad Clark...first emails got replied, but not the last 2..including the complain about the deadspot.

I'm not really sure how i feel about this guitar. The word of mouth on this guitar is great, but the deadspot and the not-so-loud sound puts me off.

I might get a 'normal' acoustic guitar next time, probably a Guild GAD50, which i have tried, and it sounded like acoustic guitar, nice, warm and truly loud.

Satin finished Dreadnought. Fairly thick neck, someone could discribe it as boatrailing. No case,strap,gig bag,tools or anything You could think of. Made in Australie. All sold wood, all native to Australie. Build in electronics with preamp. Under the sadle piezo with.......sensor at one of the bracings. EQ in the preamp.
The reason to buy , look at the next thing.....

The sound of this axe is better than amazing. It`s totally blowin`Your mind. Played acoustically it`s not so loud, only well balanced. Played through a AER Compact 60 it`s the best amplified acoustic You`ll ever find. I`ve played dozens of acoustics through aa amp but this is it, period. Nothing beats it.

Set-up was done at dealer. The importer ( Ron Houben in Holland) introduced this brand at the day I was asked to come to this dealer. Straight out of the box it was playable and sounding great. I bought it without knowing the price.
The woods are well matched, delivery was absolutely perfect. Fretwork was well polished, fingerboard was well sanded to polish looking like chocolate.

This thing is build like a tank. I`ve been playing live at swimming pools, outside at gigs at just above freezing point. It doesn`t matter. The finish on the neck is something that gets to shine by playing a lot. The woods starts to get a beautiful color like pine does over the years.

Support of the importer is 100%. Questions are answered the same day using mail. The manufacturer is replying within 1 or 2 days, personnaly. The dealer is able to everything right away. Second set-up after a couple of weeks is considdered standard and free of charge. Even after a year nothing is charged to do check-ups every now and than.
Ron Houben still knows me whenever I visit him at shows like the Frankfurter Musikmesse. He even asked me how the instrument was aging after the first year.

I`ve been playing this axe for more than 18 moths and will never part from it. I`ve played dozens of acoustics and sold them after a couple of months,not this one. Last week the dealer told me he could give me 100% back if a traded it in for a new one ( Fatlady 2 AC). I told him no way! If it was stolen I would miss it like I would miss a relative.
All ColeClark guitars are supplied without anything like cases,goodies a.s.o. The only thing ColeClark sells is tone and quality work. A case is something You can buy Yourself as expensive as You like. For me I only bought a softcase.