Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

SP Luthier Notes: A majority of frets showed evidence of play wear. As such, the frets were leveled, recrowned, and polished back to a near mint state. The guitar required a full adjustment to the truss rod, nut, and bridge to be brought to a perfect level of playability. No further work was required.

From Other (Miscellanous Used/Vintage/Consign)

Continuing on their mission to create instruments for the modern touring musician, Melbourne’s Cole Clark Guitars proudly announce their ‘True Hybrid’ range. After noting the trend of players adding a second pickup to their guitars to blend an electric tone with their acoustic sound, the company launched a range of dual output acoustics with built in humbuckers in 2019. The popularity of those models lead the research and development team to dig deeper and the result is 3 new models that bridge the gap between acoustic and electric guitar. The True Hybrid models are a thinline comprising the world leading Cole Clark PG3 acoustic pickup and a second, independent output with the option of two humbuckers, three single coils, two humbuckers or a humbucker with two singles. The goal was to create an instrument that is equal parts acoustic and electric with absolutely no compromise on the capabilities and tone of either. A large part of the amplified sound of an acoustic guitar is the use of phosphor bronze strings. This raised an issue. Electric magnetic pickups will only hear the nickel core of an acoustic guitar string, meaning the bottom four strings produce a lower volume than the top two strings. This occurs with other hybrid guitars. To combat this, Cole Clark’s resident electronics genius Paul Gale set about inventing a machine capable of altering the strength of each pole piece in a magnetic pickup to perfectly balance the sound for phosphor bronze strings. This new technology, with endless implications for what’s to come, took the mission from impossible to patent pending in the space of three years and the True Hybrid range is now available for converts and skeptics alike to try.

 

The True Hybrid models also utilize Finite Element Analysis, commonly used in structural engineering for the purpose of finding and solving potential structural or performance issues

All solid timber cutaway True Hybrid Thinline Grand Auditorium with F.E.A internal bracing.

Made entirely from sustainable timbers

Cole Clark PG3 acoustic pickup system

3 single coil Cole Clark balanced magnetic pickups (Separate output. Tone, volume (white) and selector switches on face)

Configuration positions
1 Neck. 2 Neck & centre. 3 Centre. 4 Centre & bridge. 5 Bridge. Tone knob out – Permanent neck single.

Mini 3 way toggle – (Electric/Both/Acoustic)

2 separate outputs – Acoustic jack is output with battery assembly

Finish
Nitrocellulose (Sunburst)
Neck
Queensland Maple
Top
AA grade Australian Blackwood
Back and sides
AA grade Australian Blackwood

Solid timber binding

Bridge/Fretboard
She Oak
Inlays
Abalone dots
Machine Heads
Grover
Nut/Saddle
Graph Tech Tusq
Nut width
44mm
Radius
12″
Scale length
25.5″

21 frets

Strings
Phosphor Bronze 10-47 D’Addario XS

Cole Clark hard case – Tweed

Pickguard – Tortoise Shell

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

Try Before You Buy: take it home, commit only when it's right. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.