What's the Difference (A Cole Clark Explainer)?
The two main series of Cole Clark guitars are the Touring Series and Recording Series, but what’s the difference? There are a few and it’s important to know what they are if you’re shopping for a new Cole Clark. So, let's take a look at what’s the same and what isn’t.
Woods: Both series share the same wood options. Occasionally, we’ll see one in a particular wood that isn’t available on the other but, for the most part, they are the same.
Size and shape: Both series come in the FL (dreadnought) and AN (Grand Auditorium) and all are available with or without cutaways. However, the soundholes on the Touring series are slightly smaller to reduce projected bass and, therefore, feedback potential. It reasons, then, the recording series soundhole is slightly larger to increase lower end projection.
Pickups: Here’s a difference. Although both series have the PG3 pickup system on board and the mic and face sensor components are the same, the Touring series employs individual piezo elements whereas the Recording series has a single piezo strip. Why, you might ask? The strip is less restrictive than the unit housing the individual elements and allows the top to move more freely, thus projecting more.
Construction: More differences here. The Touring series is internally carved and the top is thicker. Inside them you’ll find double-V bracing with a mini-X. You’ll also note, if you look, that the bracing is heavier. The Recording series has a thinner top, is selectively carved, and has X-bracing with an added T brace at the rear.
Sound: Now we get into the purpose of all these differences. Although all Cole Clark guitars are meant to be plugged in- that’s what they were designed to do and what they are the best in the world at- the Touring series edges out the Recording series for plugged in sound. Touring series guitars are purpose designed and built to be the best plugged in representation of natural acoustic guitar sound available. Additionally, the manner in which they are constructed mitigates feedback and facilitates better tonal quality in noisy environments. The tradeoff is that they are not delicate sounding or cannon-like when unplugged. Enter the Recording series. With thinner tops and a design that allows for more movement, the Recording series has a more traditional level of projection and unplugged tonal quality. We’d be lying if we said they are on par with other guitars purpose built for unplugged sound, but they do have a richer sound than the Touring series when comparing both unplugged. The tradeoff? They don’t sound quite as good plugged in. Understand, however, that we’re comparing them to the best possible plugged in sound of the Touring series- not other guitars and pickups; they still win every time against those.
So the question remains, which one is right for you? If you are on stage or like to crank the volume on your home amp, consider the Touring series. If you plug in most of the time, but want greater unplugged response when you don’t, then consider the Recording series. If you don't plug in, but still want a Cole Clark because of the way they look and feel, it’s probably better to go with a Recording series. Lastly, if how they look doesn’t really matter to you and you’re after purely unplugged quality, we’d suggest that Cole Clark’s probably aren’t the right fit for you.
At Tree Bone Guitars, we have the deepest selection of Cole Clark’s in the country- Touring, Recording, and a few other models we didn’t cover here. They are all available online and for playing in our Fredericksburg showroom. Check them out and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
