Waterloo by Collings WL-S #3972

The Waterloo by Collings WL-S is a masterfully crafted acoustic guitar that channels the charm, simplicity, and musical spirit of pre-war American instruments. Built with a solid spruce top and solid cherry back and sides, this lightweight guitar delivers a remarkably open and expressive voice that feels alive in the hands. Finished in a beautiful Vintage Iced Tea Sunburst, the WL-S exudes a timeless aesthetic that perfectly complements its vintage-inspired design and unmistakable tonal character.

At the heart of the instrument is a vintage-inspired ladder-braced construction that imparts a distinctive dry, woody response with exceptional clarity and projection. The combination of spruce and cherry produces a balanced tonal palette, offering crisp articulation, focused mids, and a warm, airy resonance that excels for fingerstyle playing, traditional folk, blues, and roots music. Weighing only 3 lbs 2 oz, the guitar is incredibly responsive, allowing every nuance of the player's touch to be translated into sound with remarkable immediacy.

Elegant details enhance the WL-S without compromising its understated vintage appeal. The top and soundhole are bound in classic Ivoroid, while the absence of a pickguard preserves the clean visual lines of the sunburst finish. A semi-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the wood to resonate freely and age gracefully over time. The ebony pyramid bridge with 2 3/8-inch string spacing, paired with ebony bridge pins and a bone cutthrough saddle, contributes to outstanding tonal transfer, sustain, and definition.

The solid mahogany neck features a traditional slotted headstock and a vintage-correct Soft V profile that offers a comfortable, substantial feel reminiscent of early American acoustics. A 24 7/8-inch scale length combines with a 1 3/4-inch bone nut to create a relaxed playing experience with excellent string spacing and responsiveness. Modern reliability is ensured through the inclusion of an adjustable truss rod, allowing for precise neck adjustment while maintaining the instrument’s period-correct character.

The Indian rosewood fingerboard is adorned with simple 6 mm acrylic dot inlays that complement the guitar’s understated aesthetic. Medium 18% nickel-silver frets provide smooth playability and durability, while the stenciled Waterloo logo and Golden Age Restoration tuners complete the instrument's authentic vintage presentation. Every component has been carefully selected to capture the essence of a historic working musician's guitar while benefiting from the precision and craftsmanship associated with Collings.

Complete with a hard case, the Waterloo WL-S is an inspiring instrument for players seeking a truly distinctive acoustic voice. Its featherweight build, vintage styling, and exceptionally responsive tonal character make it an ideal choice for musicians who appreciate the beauty of simplicity, authenticity, and uncompromising craftsmanship.

Other specifications include:

• Top solid spruce
• Back/sides solid cherry
• Bracing vintage-inispired ladder bracing
• Color vintage iced tea sunburst
• Binding Ivoroid bound top and soundhole
• Bridge ebony pyramid with 2 3/8" spacing
• Bridge pins ebony
• Saddle bone cutthrough
• Pickguard None
• Body finish Semi-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Neck solid mahogany w/ slotted headstock
• Fingerboard Indian rosewood
• Nut 1 3/4" bone nut
• Neck support adjustable truss rod
• Fiingerboard Inlays 6mm acrylic dots
• Neck profile vintage correct "Soft V" shape
• Scale Length 24 7/8"
• Fret wire medium 18% nickel-silver
• Logo stenciled Waterloo
• Tuners Golden Age Restoration
• Hard Case
• 3 lbs 2 oz
• 3972

 For more information about the Waterloo by Collings instrument, please contact us.

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