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Waterloo Guitars by Collings

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Earlier this year, Collings Guitars introduced a new brand of guitars called Waterloo:

The Waterloo guitar line is a look back in time to when there was a genuine need for soulful tone that could be coaxed from simple instruments. The blues, country, and folk music played on these instruments was made in heartfelt response to the hard times of the depression era. It was music heard in work camps and barn dances, kitchens and honky-tonks, porches, street corners and churches. These musical styles became the roots of popular American music for decades to come. The Waterloo brand is all about capturing the voice and spirit of the very best depression era guitars in well-made and very playable instruments.

Essentially, the Waterloo line of guitars are a throwback to the Kalamazoo line of budget guitars that Gibson produced during World Wars I and II. The first model introduced is the WL-14, pictured above:

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.

Priced at around $2000, these aren’t exactly “budget” models compared to cheaper imported guitars. However, they are quite affordable for a boutique guitar hand-made in the US.

Julian Lage is currently using the guitars on his tour. Lage was recently interviewed by Acoustic Guitar magazine, and he discusses the guitar as well a few tracks from his latest album:

Comments

  2. These guitars are very playable and certainly capture that early blues/folk vibe from the depression ra instruments. Of course Collings has made some improvements in construction and playability on those designs but overall the tone of that era is pretty faithfully captured with the WL-14.