Luc here at Colemans Music in Melbourne's CBD; with the recent arrival of yet another Cole Clark Angel 3 CCAN3EC-RDBL, I thought I'd take you through what makes this such a great guitar.
Build Quality
The Cole Clark Angel 3 CCAN3EC-RDBL is built to the highest standards, showcasing excellent Australian craftsmanship. It features all-solid, sustainably sourced timber construction – specifically a AAA grade American Redwood top and AAA grade Australian Blackwood back and sides. This combination not only looks stunning (the redwood top has a rich hue and the blackwood often shows beautiful grain figuring) but also contributes to a complex tonal character. Redwood is a softer tonewood known for a somewhat darker, warm tone with plenty of punch and volume, while Blackwood (a cousin of Koa) adds clarity and a strong midrange presence. Together, they yield a “complex harmonic voice with brilliant top-end and controlled bass response,” especially when paired with Cole Clark’s thin natural nitrocellulose satin finish. The thin nitro finish allows the wood to resonate freely, giving the Angel 3 an open, woody tone with excellent projection and note articulation.
Cole Clark’s attention to detail is evident in the premium materials and appointments used. The neck is made from solid Queensland Maple (a stable, native hardwood) and is joined to the body with a Spanish heel (integral neck) construction. Unlike most acoustics that use a bolt-on or dovetail neck joint, the Spanish heel means the neck and body are built as one piece all the way to the soundhole. This design, along with internally carved top and back plates and a unique ridge system (in lieu of traditional kerfing), yields a very strong, resonant structure. In practice, the guitar feels extremely solid – one experienced player even remarked that the Angel is “built like a brick house,” indicating excellent durability for long-term use. Despite the rugged build, the weight is reasonable (around 4.8 lbs), and the craftsmanship shines through in the details: abalone inlays adorn the fretboard, rosette, and even the top’s purfling, giving it an elegant, high-end aesthetic. The binding is timber (not plastic), adding to the custom-shop vibe. High-quality hardware rounds out the package, including gold Grover tuning machines and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut and saddle for reliable tuning and enhanced sustain.
Playability
When it comes to playability, the Angel 3 Grand Auditorium body with cutaway offers a very comfortable playing experience. The Grand Auditorium shape is a mid-sized design, narrower than a dreadnought, making it easy to hold whether seated or standing, yet it still produces plenty of volume and fullness. The added cutaway allows effortless access to the upper frets – lead players will appreciate being able to reach the 15th fret and above without contortion. The Queensland Maple neck has a smooth satin finish and a refined C-shaped profile that sits nicely in the hand. Even players with smaller hands have found this neck profile inviting. The neck thickness measures about 0.82″ at the 1st fret, tapering to 0.95″ at the 10th fret, which translates to a slim, modern feel – not too bulky, perfect for quick position shifts. The nut width is 44 mm (1.73″), a sweet spot that strikes a balance between fingerstyle spacing and chord comfort. Experienced guitarists have noted that this nut width, coupled with the 12″ fretboard radius, makes both open chords and complex jazz voicings feel comfortable.
The fretboard material is a high-grade hardwood (Ebony), which is smooth and allows for easy bending and articulation. The fretwork on the Angel 3 is excellent – frets are polished and leveled (Cole Clark even PLEKs their guitars for optimal setup), resulting in low action without buzz. This level of setup means even complex fingerstyle runs and barre chords can be executed cleanly. The combination of the moderate neck girth, comfortable nut width, and low action makes the Angel 3 a very “player-friendly” instrument overall. Whether you’re strumming cowboy chords or exploring the entire fretboard for delicate fingerpicking passages, the guitar responds well. The Grand Auditorium body is also well-balanced against the neck, so it doesn’t cause shoulder strain; plus, the slightly narrower waist of the GA design sits nicely on the knee. In summary, the ergonomics are excellent: this instrument feels “dialed in” for performance.
Target Market & Tone Profile
The Cole Clark Angel 3 Series (especially this Redwood/Blackwood model) is aimed at discerning guitarists who demand a high-quality instrument for both live performance and studio or home use. With a price point in the upper tier, it’s not geared toward beginners, but rather seasoned players, professional musicians, or serious enthusiasts who can appreciate its nuances. In particular, this model will appeal to gigging artists and singer-songwriters. One of its strongest selling points is the integrated Cole Clark PG3 pickup system, which is often regarded as one of the most natural-sounding acoustic pickup setups on the market. The guitar has three internally mounted pickup elements – an under-saddle piezo for bass frequencies, a face/top sensor for mids, and a condenser microphone for the highs – all blended via an on-board preamp with 3-band EQ. This design virtually eliminates the quacky, artificial tone that many acoustic-electrics suffer from, delivering a beautifully natural amplified sound that faithfully reproduces the guitar’s acoustic character. For the performing musician, this means the Angel 3 can go from living room to stage with confidence – you’ll get a rich, full tone through the PA without needing extensive outboard EQ.
Limitations
It’s important to note a couple of limitations given this guitar’s design. Cole Clark explicitly states that the Angel 3 (and Angel 2) Redwood models are “NOT for percussive playing”. The top sensor pickup is very sensitive, and the redwood soundboard, while excellent for normal playing, is relatively soft. Thus, heavy tapping or drumming on the body could risk damage or create unwanted feedback. If your style involves a lot of guitar-body percussion, this may not be the ideal instrument for that technique. However, for most players – from folk, country, fingerstyle, and rock to plugged-in worship music – the Angel 3 RDBL delivers superb results.
Key Features
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Premium All-Solid Tonewoods – AAA-grade Redwood top and Blackwood back/sides for a boutique look and rich tone.
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Exquisite Craftsmanship & Finish – Handcrafted in Australia with a smooth nitrocellulose satin finish, timber bindings, and abalone inlays.
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Advanced 3-Way Pickup System – Uses an under-saddle piezo, face sensor, and mic to reproduce an incredibly natural amplified tone.
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Playability and Comfort – Grand Auditorium body with cutaway, 1.73″ nut width, and slim C-shape neck for easy fretting.
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Balanced, Versatile Sound – Crisp trebles, present mids, and controlled bass, suitable for a variety of playing styles.
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Included Deluxe Hard Case – Comes with a quality tweed hardcase, adding value and protection.
For players seeking an instrument that delivers top-notch build quality, superb playability, and stage-ready sound, the Angel 3 CCAN3EC-RDBL is an easy recommendation.
