I don't own a Waterloo (yet), but I've played most of the different models and I think many of the comments above apply to some models but not to others. If you get the chance, play as many different ones as you can. My favorite, the WL-K, is not at all boxy, has plenty of bass, plenty of sustain (for a mahogany/spruce guitar), great volume. It sounded amazing for bluegrass, ragtime, or soft jazz (I was listening to some really good guitarists play it, not just playing myself). Several other models are also excellent guitars with slightly different virtues. I have played others that didn't do much for me, I confess, especially the first model released with the ladder bracing.
The Dirty Thirties guitars I've played were not in the same class at all. They not only sound cheap but they feel that way. If you want to save money but still have a decent guitar, Recording King's solid wood guitars are decent enough, but I wouldn't get a Dirty Thirties even for camping. Just my two cents.
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Hatcher Woodsman, Collings 0002H, Stella Grand Concert
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