Waterloo WL-12 vs WL-14x

[SycamoreDan]

To those of you who have spent some quality time with or owned both, how would you compare the tone of these two? The maple on the 12 would suggest a brighter tone than the mahogany on the 14, but the bridge placement on the 12 would seem to yield a slightly fuller tone (esp. bass) than the 14. I like both guitars but can only buy one. I would be using it for a largely travis picking style to support singing. I have played them but would simply like to hear other people's impressions. Thanks in advance.

[Hasbro]

Originally Posted by SycamoreDan

To those of you who have spent some quality time with or owned both, how would you compare the tone of these two? The maple on the 12 would suggest a brighter tone than the mahogany on the 14, but the bridge placement on the 12 would seem to yield a slightly fuller tone (esp. bass) than the 14. I like both guitars but can only buy one. I would be using it for a largely travis picking style to support singing. I have played them but would simply like to hear other people's impressions. Thanks in advance.

I was surprised that neither of those really did it for me. I wound up with a WL-s

[stephenT]

I have them both, you'd expect the maple to be brighter but that's not the case, it's a sweeter and fuller sound, the mahogany being a little drier.

The 12 frets to body WL-12 is a joy to play, I love the neck profile and the shorter neck. When compared to the WL14x (mine has the "smaller' neck profile), the WL-12 is easier to play, less reach to everything. I have the WL-14 set up w/ a Sunrise and use it on gigs,.. i record w/ both guitars and it's easy to get a great sound from either.

So, if you don't need 14 frets clear the WL-12 is a great choice for it's playability and sweeter tone. But don't get me wrong, for me it'd be like choosing between children, both are keepers.

this pic may help give you an idea of the relative neck length and bridge placement on both Waterloos.

[SycamoreDan]

Stephen,

Thanks so much for the information and pics.

[SycamoreDan]

I found demo videos of the WL-14x and WL-12 played by the same guy with the same mics at The Music Emporium. The first is the WL-14x from the start. The second is the WL-12, but go to 1:38 to hear the guy from the first video play. To my ears, the WL-14 sounds bigger with fuller tones, whereas the WL-12 sounds brighter, tamer somehow. What do you hear?

[stephenT]

SycamoreDan, it'd be hard to tell from those two videos, if you look closely the mic placement is completely different. Also the WL-14 is a t-Bar, gonna sound different from a truss rod model.

Originally Posted by stephenT

I have them both, you'd expect the maple to be brighter but that's not the case, it's a sweeter and fuller sound, the mahogany being a little drier.

The 12 frets to body WL-12 is a joy to play, I love the neck profile and the shorter neck.

StephenT sums up my experience, as well.

I've long maintained that maple probably does a better job than any other tonewood of transparently reflecting the tone of the top. So if the top yields a brighter or a darker tone, the maple won't color it much. In the case of the WL12, the maple body doesn't really add brightness so much as it presents the 12-fret-body effect with greater accuracy. I played both the WL12 and the WL14 extensively when I was looking for a Waterloo, and I ended up buying a WL12. The "sweetness" that Stephen refers to was immediately apparent, and I had to have it. I've never regretted that decision, and I'd love to get the all-mahogany version to complement it.

[SycamoreDan]

Ah, the mic placement. I see now. Certainly not a constant.

Willie, thanks for sharing your experience as well.

[SycamoreDan]

Stephen and Willie,

I would like to report that both of you were correct in your praise of the WL-12. I purchased a WL-14XTR from a guy on Reverb. While I liked it, I was curious to compare it to the WL-12 in a nearby shop. After only a few minutes going back and forth, I knew that the WL-12 was a better fit for me. The neck carve and tone of the WL-12 won the day. I traded in the WL-14 and am very satisfied with my new guitar. I should have listened to you in the first place.

[stephenT]

Dan, You found out for yourself, certainly the best way. Now you know for sure.

Congratulations, my WL-12 is next to me right now, ready to hit a lick when ever the desire strikes. Tonight I'll play the WL-14xtr on my gig at Fat Matt's Rib Shack. The 14 fretter has a Sunrise in it and for my duo work the extra two frets is nice for soloing.

Originally Posted by SycamoreDan

Stephen and Willie,

I would like to report that both of you were correct in your praise of the WL-12. I purchased a WL-14XTR from a guy on Reverb. While I liked it, I was curious to compare it to the WL-12 in a nearby shop. After only a few minutes going back and forth, I knew that the WL-12 was a better fit for me. The neck carve and tone of the WL-12 won the day. I traded in the WL-14 and am very satisfied with my new guitar. I should have listened to you in the first place.

Originally Posted by SycamoreDan

After only a few minutes going back and forth, I knew that the WL-12 was a better fit for me. The neck carve and tone of the WL-12 won the day.

Awesome! There's no substitute for experience, and sometimes that path isn't as direct as we'd like -- at least you got where you needed to be!

Congrats on your new WL12!

[upsidedown]

Originally Posted by SycamoreDan

The neck carve and tone of the WL-12 won the day.

Don't know if I'm jacking or adding texture to the thread, but how would you compare the two neck profiles?

Originally Posted by upsidedown

Don't know if I'm jacking or adding texture to the thread, but how would you compare the two neck profiles?

WL14 has a V, the WL12 is rounded. Both are robust, but neither is huge.

[SycamoreDan]

Upsidedown,

The WL-14 I owned briefly (several days) featured the most recent small neck option. While it was comfortable, I find the profile on the WL-12 even more so. Then again, I guess I prefer wimpy necks.

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by SycamoreDan

I guess I prefer wimpy necks.

Now whoa there son,.. I wouldn't call the WL-12 neck profile wimpy.