NGD: Waterloo WL-S

[OddManOut]

Hi, my name is 'Jim', and I'm a guitar addict.


Now that's out of the way...


I picked up this punchy little honey from Gryphon Strings. I played it a few weeks ago and loved it! Some extra scrilla came in, so I had 'em ship it over the hill to me.



Great vintage vibe with more depth and growl than other Waterloos I tried. A very fun and nimble guitar, love the 12 fret parlor thang!



Gryphon's setup and service are second to none!!! The sticker is icing on the cake!

[Hoyt]

Nice. Like that finish.

[Sagebrush Tom]

Congrats Jim, nice 12 fretter. Picked up a 12 fret slot head 00 last month. Are you playing guitar builds from Tahoe guitars from awhile back?

Beautiful slothead! Congrats!

[BrunoBlack]

Waterloo makes some nice instruments with a great vibe. Enjoy.

[OddManOut]

Thanks, everyone!

Originally Posted by Sagebrush Tom

Congrats Jim, nice 12 fretter. Picked up a 12 fret slot head 00 last month. Are you playing guitar builds from Tahoe guitars from awhile back?

The Tahoe guitars are still in progress.

[Play]

Nice purchase! A WL-S is the number one guitar on my list right now when the cash decides to appear. Super light and lively with just the right amount of vintage vibe.

[devellis]

They're great little guitars. Enjoy!

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by Play

Nice purchase! A WL-S is the number one guitar on my list right now when the cash decides to appear. Super light and lively with just the right amount of vintage vibe.

You know...I played one of these at Gryphon a couple years ago and loved it for exactly the same reasons. I chose not to buy that one because it had a T-bar (I am not a vintage purist). I was pleased as punch to play this one and love it just as much for the same reasons (and get a truss rod). There is a certain extra depth and growl with a bit less of the boxy thing with the WL-S. It is responsive to the light touch and surprisingly robust. I am standing here strumming it with a pick and it is doing just fine.


The mysterious thing-likely never to be known-is the exact top wood. Collings/Waterloo specifies only "solid spruce". If I had to guess based on the grain pattern of this top, I'd say Adi. Perhaps wishful thinking on my part as Sitka seems the most likely suspect here.



It is clearly well built...it feels really solid even though it is very light. It's that Collings quality thang.

[Kerbie]

Great guitars! Love 'em. They have personalities all their own.

[Mr. Jelly]

I'd buy one in a heart beat except I already have one

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

I'd buy one in a heart beat except I already have one

Looks like you have TWO!

[IndyHD28]

I love cherry. It is disappointing that it’s not used more. Congrats on your great American guitar.

Is it true that this is pretty much a finger-picking only guitar?

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by IndyHD28

I love cherry. It is disappointing that it’s not used more. Congrats on your great American guitar.

Is it true that this is pretty much a finger-picking only guitar?

Cherry...kind of a walnut-maple thing going on with this guitar. Great articulation and projection with a bit more of a woody tone than maple.



It strums fine with a reasonably full sound for a small guitar. Driving it does not cause it to get boxy or to break up. I would say a better fingerstyler due to its dryer character and note separation. No huge 'bloom' from chords, rather a more direct and punchy character.



It's a responsive little sucker...it gives all the good qualities of it's voice whether played gently or aggressively. Quite astounding for a little retro-vintage box.

[EverettWilliams]

Love my WL-S, best Waterloo IMO! Congrats!!!