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Pricing and availability
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Description
The WL-14 is the flagship model of the Waterloo guitar line and the inspiration that started it all. Keeping true to the design and style of the era, the WL-14 is available in "ladder" bracing (L) as well as "X" bracing (X). The ladder bracing option provides woody and open tone, with midrange honk that's perfect for fingerstyle blues. The "X" braced version retains tighter focus and balance across the tonal range.
There are currently two different neck profiles and two neck support options available for the WL-14. The standard neck profile is a sizable, vintage-inspired neck with a prominent "V" shape. For those who prefer more moderately sized necks, an alternate lower-profile option is available by request. For neck support, choose from either a T-bar for ultra-lightweight rigidity or an adjustable truss rod for greater setup flexibility.
Specs: - Top: Solid spruce - Back/Sides: Solid mahogany - Color: Vintage-style Sunburst or Jet Black - Binding: Ivoroid bound top and soundhole - Bridge Pins: Ebony - Tuners: Golden Age Restoration - Bracing: Choice of ladder (L) or x-bracing (X) - Pickguard: Tigerstripe celluloid - Body Finish: Semi-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish - Neck: Solid mahogany - Fingerboard: Indian rosewood - Bridge: Ebony with 2 3/8" spacing - Nut: 1 3/4" ebony nut - Saddle: Bone drop-in - Neck Support: Choice of carbon fiber T-bar or adjustable truss rod - Fingerboard Inlays: 6mm acrylic dots - Neck Profile: Prominent "V" shape - Logo: Stenciled Waterloo - Scale Length: 24 7/8" - Fret Wire: Medium 18% nickel-silver
- Body Width: 14 3/4"
- Body Length: 19 1/4"
- Body Depth: 4 1/4"
- Scale Length: 24 7/8"
- Nut Width: 1 3/4"
- Saddle Spacing: 2 3/8"
- Recommended Strings: D'Addario EJ16 (.012"-.053")
Videos
Guitarist
Collings Waterloo WL-14 X acoustic guitar review demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Waterloo WL-14.
Build quality
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The black finish on the Waterloo WL-14 is reported to stain easily and is difficult to clean, resulting in a sheen on the bridge over time.
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Setup and maintenance
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Truss rod access is inconvenient, making adjustments challenging. Action height is slightly higher than desired without easy modifications.
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Comparisons
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The neck profile is comparable to V-shaped Alvarez necks, providing a familiar feel for those used to that style.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
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Phoebe talks about this guitar on a GuitarWorld interview in 2020: “Conor Oberst got me a totally murdered-out Waterloo guitar a couple of years ago for my birthday and that’s my prized possession now. Even the tuning pegs are black, the pickguard is black. Collings makes them and I feel like Collings are my favorite new guitars, by far." The brand confirmed that the exact model is in fact a WL-14 in this instagram post.
In this live performance on KEXP, Jeff Tweedy plays two different Waterloo WL-14 guitars.
In this video,Bill Frisell played the classic Roy Rogers tune on a Waterloo WL-14 (x-braced) guitar.
In this image from the Waterloo Guitars website, Doyle Bramhall II is seen holding a WL-14 in a "Boot Burst" finish.
In response to being asked if his Waterloo is an X or ladder bracing...
"it's the X I'm dying to try one of the ladder braced axes to see how they differ..."
In 2018, Father John Misty was seen using the Waterloo WL-14 guitar during live performances, as reported by Billboard.
Molly has posted about this guitar several times on her facebook page, and also mentions it at 2:34 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etg152GcDgI
About that guitar she said on Instagram: "Love my Waterloo :) Thank you @collingsguitars! Love writing songs on this guitar." (https://www.instagram.com/p/6iGakGDaGo/)
Album Usage
The Waterloo WL-14 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Waterloo WL-14, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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