Pricing and availability
Average Price: $2,950
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Waterloo WL-12 is a steel-string acoustic guitar that echoes the classic sound and design of pre-war era instruments. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by skilled luthiers, this guitar combines modern reliability with a vintage aesthetic. The WL-12 is a perfect companion for musicians who appreciate a warm, authentic tone and a straightforward, unembellished style. Its X-braced, solid spruce top provides a crisp sound, while the mahogany back and sides contribute to its rich, resonant voice. This combination offers a balanced tonal profile, ideal for both fingerpicking and strumming.
The neck of the WL-12 features a comfortable V-shaped profile, ensuring that players experience both ease and precision across the fretboard. The guitar’s short 24 7/8" scale length makes it accessible and inviting for a wide range of players, from seasoned professionals to enthusiastic beginners. With its understated appointments and vintage-style tuners, the Waterloo WL-12 provides an authentic playing experience that harkens back to the golden age of acoustic guitars.
Key Features:
- Solid spruce top with X-bracing for enhanced tonal clarity
- Mahogany back and sides for a warm, resonant sound
- Comfortable V-shaped neck profile
- Short 24 7/8" scale length for easy playability
- Vintage-style tuners for precise tuning stability
- Simple appointments reflecting a classic, understated aesthetic
Product specs
| Brand | Waterloo |
| Model | WL-12 Parlor |
| Finish | Jet Black, Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 2016 - 2018 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Parlor Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Back Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Parlor |
| Color Family | Black, Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 19 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Sides Material | Maple |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
FAQs
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Waterloo WL-12 parlor guitar?
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The Waterloo WL-12 offers a warm, balanced tone with a vintage character, thanks to its spruce top and maple back and sides. Its parlor body shape emphasizes midrange frequencies, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing and blues.
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Is the Waterloo WL-12 suitable for beginners?
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While the WL-12 is playable for beginners, its vintage-inspired design and unique tonal characteristics are particularly appreciated by experienced players seeking a specific sound and feel.
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How does the parlor body shape of the Waterloo WL-12 affect its playability?
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The parlor body shape of the WL-12 provides a compact and comfortable playing experience, especially suited for sitting positions. It offers a focused sound with a pronounced midrange, ideal for intimate settings.
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Does the Waterloo WL-12 come with any electronics or pickups?
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No, the Waterloo WL-12 does not come with any built-in electronics or pickups, allowing for a purely acoustic experience that highlights its natural tone.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Waterloo WL-12?
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The WL-12 features a spruce top, maple back and sides, a rosewood fretboard, and a mahogany neck, contributing to its vintage sound and aesthetic.
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How many frets does the Waterloo WL-12 have?
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The Waterloo WL-12 is equipped with 19 frets, providing ample range for both rhythm and lead playing.
Videos
soundpurestudios
Waterloo WL-12 Spruce/Maple Acoustic #1407 Quick n' Dirty
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent craftsmanship with attention to detail in neck, frets, and bracing
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Distinct barky yet resonant tone, reminiscent of old Kalamazoo guitars
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Surprisingly loud volume despite its small body size
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Responsive to various playing styles, from fingerpicking to flat-picking
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Comfortable design with a small profile that's easy to hold and play
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Maple back and sides offer clear highs and a sparkling bottom end
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High-quality build, even as part of Collings' "lower priced" line
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Depression era finish and period-correct appointments add unique visual appeal
CONS
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Tone may be perceived as boxy by some players
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Lacks back bindings, which might be a visual preference for some
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Waterloo WL-12.
Features and functionality
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The WL-12 is praised for its rich, warm tone that can also project and cut through a mix effectively.
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Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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The WL-12 is compared to depression-era guitars like Gibson's Kalamazoo, but it's noted to be X-braced, unlike the original models.
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The Waterloo WL-12 is frequently compared to the Gibson L-00, with users noting that Waterloo better captures the vintage L-00 sound.
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The Eastman E1OOSS is mentioned as an alternative, though some prefer the Waterloo for its traditional vintage sound.
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Build quality
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The WL-12 is noted for its comfortable and lively small body design, making it a great choice for personal enjoyment and jamming.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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phoebe is seen with the waterloo in the following post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuMkWNPhGEF/
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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