Waterloo WL-S

waterlooz · #1 05-16-2021, 08:21 PM

General guidance check...

A friend of a friend has a Waterloo WL-S he’d like to sell. He wants 2k, and aside from a minor ding on the headstock, it is in excellent condition. I absolutely do not need any more guitars.

here’s my question....is this one of those guitars one does not pass up on, if it suddenly becomes available? would i be nuts?

KevinH · #2 05-16-2021, 08:39 PM

Have you played it? Is it screaming at you to buy it? The ladder bracing definitely gives the WL-S a different sound, great for blues.

And, as I'm sure you know, they are nearly impossible to find right now. I've seen a couple other used WL-S guitars for sale earlier this year for about that price. If memory serves, they went for around $2700 new. So in todays market, that's probably not a bad deal. And I'd bet most of the people on this forum don't really need anymore guitars.

Conomor · #3 05-17-2021, 03:13 AM

While there's no guarantee that you'll like the guitar yourself, I doubt you'd have a hard time selling it on. They've become hard to find.

OddManOut · #4 05-17-2021, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyException

While there's no guarantee that you'll like the guitar yourself, I doubt you'd have a hard time selling it on. They've become hard to find.

^^^Agreed 100%.^^^

If you would enjoy a punchy blues box, a great couch guitar, then you may well like the WL-S. If you're looking for a modern fingerstyler or a strummer...not so much. Great guitars...I love mine.

sayheyjeff · #5 05-17-2021, 07:05 AM

Looking at the list of guitars in your signature, you may have this guitar covered as a general category. Maybe you would like to take it on to replace one you have? Maybe you just want to have it for a while? Don’t think your friend will have trouble selling it pretty quickly in that price range, and you probably wouldn’t either.

Jeff

29er · #6 05-17-2021, 08:20 AM

As others have mentioned, this is a hard to find guitar and would be easy to sell if you don't bond with it. I have WL-S Deluxe and it's not going anywhere. Go for it!

waterlooz · #7 05-17-2021, 12:49 PM

Purchased! Played like a dream and is fantastic. Thanks everyone!

OddManOut · #8 05-17-2021, 12:58 PM

I'm curious to hear your impressions of how the WL-S compares to the WL-14 listed in your sig.

KevinH · #9 05-17-2021, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddManOut

I'm curious to hear your impressions of how the WL-S compares to the WL-14 listed in your sig.

Same here. And would like to see pictures of course - I've always liked the look of the WL-S. Congrats!

SingingSparrow · #10 05-17-2021, 01:29 PM

sweet find. these are lovely guitars. enjoy!

waterlooz · #11 05-17-2021, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddManOut

I'm curious to hear your impressions of how the WL-S compares to the WL-14 listed in your sig.

OddManOut, My initial impressions.....while different, these guitars are definitely related.

Sound: The WL-S sounds a bit drier (cherry wood maybe?) and slightly more articulate with the higher notes. The 12 Fret quality is definitely present meaning there is a lower growl that the WL-14 dose not have. I also am perceiving the mahogany to be slightly warmer.

Playability: The WL-S has the soft V as does the WL-14 but it feels a bit shallower. It is incredibly comfortable and a little easier to fret albeit not by much. With my aging hands, I can feel it for sure.

Olfactory: The WL-S smells like cherry wood without a doubt and probably more so since the guitar is new to me.

Finish: The finish overall is very similar to the WL-14 less the pick guard. In terms of the neck, top, etc., it seems like the thickness of the lacquer is identical.

Weight: These guitars are lightweights for sure. It makes them both comfortable.

OddManOut · #12 05-17-2021, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterlooz

OddManOut, My initial impressions.....while different, these guitars are definitely related.

Sound: The WL-S sounds a bit drier (cherry wood maybe?) and slightly more articulate with the higher notes. The 12 Fret quality is definitely present meaning there is a lower growl that the WL-14 dose not have. I also am perceiving the mahogany to be slightly warmer.

Playability: The WL-S has the soft V as does the WL-14 but it feels a bit shallower. It is incredibly comfortable and a little easier to fret albeit not by much. With my aging hands, I can feel it for sure.

Olfactory: The WL-S smells like cherry wood without a doubt and probably more so since the guitar is new to me.

Finish: The finish overall is very similar to the WL-14 less the pick guard. In terms of the neck, top, etc., it seems like the thickness of the lacquer is identical.

Weight: These guitars are lightweights for sure. It makes them both comfortable.

Thanks for this! Yep...love that WL-S growl. Enjoy your new guitar!