Waterloo

Also known as: Waterloo Guitars, Waterloo by Collings

Waterloo is a line of vintage-inspired acoustic guitars handmade in Austin, Texas, by the team behind Collings Guitars. Founded in 2014 by master luthier Bill Collings (1948–2017), the brand draws inspiration from depression-era instruments of the 1930s, aiming to capture the soul and tonal character of those simple, expressive guitars in modern, well-built instruments. The flagship WL-14, patt...

14 Products · Used by 28 Artists

Waterloo WL-S Deluxe Parlor Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

Waterloo WL-14 Jet Black Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

$5,500.00

1 available store

3 artists using

Waterloo WL-12 Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

3 artists using

Waterloo WL-14X TR X-Braced Parlor Acoustic with Truss Rod Option Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

$2,599.00

1 available store

Waterloo WL-K Parlor Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

$3,500.00

1 available store

1 artist using

Waterloo WL-JK Spruce / Mahogany Deluxe Jumbo King Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

1 artist using

Waterloo WL-S Parlor Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

Waterloo WL-14X T-Bar X-Braced Parlor Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

Waterloo WL-JK Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

4 artists using

Waterloo WL-14L T-Bar Ladder-Braced Parlor Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

1 artist using

Waterloo WL-JK Spruce / Rosewood Jumbo King Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

Waterloo WL-14 Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

5.0 (1)

18 artists using

Waterloo WL-M Mandolin Mandolins

Waterloo WL-JK Spruce / Rosewood Deluxe Jumbo King Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

The Waterloo catalog spans 14-fret and 12-fret flat-top acoustics as well as an archtop. The WL-S takes cues from 1930s Stella guitars with cherry back and sides, while the WL-K is a featherweight 12-fret model built for maximum responsiveness at under three pounds. The WL-12 pairs maple back and sides with vintage X-bracing, and the WL-AT is a fully-carved archtop with a spruce top and mahogany body. Specialty editions like the WL-14 Boot Burst and WL-14 Scissortail add visual and tonal variety to the lineup.

Waterloo guitars have found favor among a range of prominent players, including Molly Tuttle, Jeff Tweedy, Bill Frisell, and Margaret Glaspy. The instruments occupy a distinctive niche — built with Collings-level craftsmanship but deliberately voiced to evoke the warm, woody character of pre-war parlor and small-body guitars rather than the polished clarity of modern acoustics.

Waterloo has 14 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Steel-string Acoustic Guitars and Mandolins. Their gear is featured by 28 artists, with the strongest followings in Folk, World, & Country, Rock, and Pop. Notable users include Phoebe Bridgers, Dave Simonett, and Julian Lage.