Cole Clark factory burnt down

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

Not sure how many guitarists we have here on the forum. But today, the Cole Clark factory burnt down here in Bayswater (South East Melbourne) it was their only factory and a new location for them. Apparently the fire started at/around a spray booth. No one was injured.

Such a shame, a great Australian company on the rise. I know they have insurance naturally and they have vowed to rebuild. But still such a massive setback for them. Makes me wonder what is happening down the road at the Maton factory now. Will they lend a hand, will they capitalize or just offer their sympathies and take control of the market again?

I was kind of hoping for a new Cole Clark for Fathers day... guess not now!

[The Alberto Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Alberto]

That is a shame. I used to play a Cole Clark Blackwood FL2ac (until I smashed my left hand in a motorcycle accident).

Really beautiful guitar, it lived under my bed for few years after the accident and I ended up giving it away for a charity auction to support the local Netball association (I have 3 netballers in my family - wife and 2 daughters )

When I bought it, I remember playing a large selection of Matons and Cole Clarks, but I kept coming back to the Clark's. I am not musical guru, but IMO they just seemed to have a deeper richer sound for some reason. Other ears hear things differently obviously.

Not sure if Maton will be too willing to help. The story I was told is that Brad Clark (founder) did his time with Maton for 10+ years, working his way up from Factory manager to CEO. Then he took what he learned and went his own way.

Hopefully the insurance is sufficient and they can recover quickly.

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

That is a shame. I used to play a Cole Clark Blackwood FL2ac (until I smashed my left hand in a motorcycle accident).

Really beautiful guitar, it lived under my bed for few years after the accident and I ended up giving it away for a charity auction to support the local Netball association (I have 3 netballers in my family - wife and 2 daughters )

When I bought it, I remember playing a large selection of Matons and Cole Clarks, but I kept coming back to the Clark's. I am not musical guru, but IMO they just seemed to have a deeper richer sound for some reason. Other ears hear things differently obviously.

Not sure if Maton will be too willing to help. The story I was told is that Brad Clark (founder) did his time with Maton for 10+ years, working his way up from Factory manager to CEO. Then he took what he learned and went his own way.

Hopefully the insurance is sufficient and they can recover quickly.

Brad Clarkes separation from Maton was a little more sordid than that...sex drugs and rock 'n' roll sort of thing. But that is the general gist of things. I was a Maton man for years, then along came CC and I bid my time, played them here and there and they certainly sounded great, even better, but before I was going to lay out the greens on one I wanted to see them with a few years under the belt. Sure enough I've been playing Cole Clarks for 8 years now and haven't looked back.... I got four of them now!