Waterloo by Collings WL-S Deluxe #3912

The Waterloo WL-S Deluxe by Collings is a beautifully executed tribute to the raw, immediate voice of vintage American acoustic guitars, distilled through Collings’ modern build precision under the Waterloo banner. It is an instrument that feels intentionally unpolished in all the right ways, capturing the spirit of early 20th-century ladder-braced acoustics while refining them just enough for today’s player.

At its core, the solid spruce top paired with solid cherry back and sides creates a voice that is dry, punchy, and extremely responsive. Cherry lends a quick, focused midrange with a slightly woody, direct character, while the spruce top provides clarity and articulation. The result is a guitar that rewards strong right-hand dynamics, delivering a bold, immediate attack with a controlled, rootsy sustain. The vintage-inspired ladder bracing reinforces this aesthetic, emphasizing punch and fundamental note presence over lush overtones.

The 24 7/8" scale length contributes to a relaxed, slinky feel under the fingers, making bends and intricate fretting work feel effortless. Combined with the soft V vintage-correct neck profile and 1 3/4" nut width, the guitar offers a comfortable, familiar hand feel rooted in pre-war design sensibilities. The 12" fingerboard radius and medium nickel-silver frets strike a balance between chordal comfort and single-note clarity.

Visually, the WL-S Deluxe carries a restrained but elegant aesthetic. The vintage top toner and semi-gloss nitrocellulose finish give it the appearance of a well-preserved heirloom instrument, as though it has already lived a lifetime of music. Ivoroid binding across the body, neck, peghead, and soundhole adds a clean, traditional frame, while the stenciled Waterloo logo and floral acrylic inlays introduce subtle personality without overwhelming the design. The absence of a pickguard reinforces its stripped-down, organic identity.

Hardware choices stay true to the vintage inspiration. An ebony pyramid bridge, bone nut and saddle, ebony bridge pins, and Golden Age Restoration tuners all contribute to a cohesive, period-authentic feel, both visually and functionally.

At just 3 lbs 5 oz, the guitar feels exceptionally light and resonant, almost fragile in appearance but surprisingly bold in voice. It responds instantly to touch, making it an ideal instrument for roots, blues, ragtime, and any style where nuance and attack matter more than sheer volume or polish.

The Waterloo WL-S Deluxe by Collings is ultimately a focused, character-driven instrument, designed for players who value immediacy, texture, and vintage-inspired honesty over modern gloss and complexity.

Other specifications include:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back/Sides: Solid cherry
• Bracing: Vintage-inspired ladder bracing
• Color: Vintage top toner
• Binding: Ivoroid bound body, soundhole, neck and peghead
• Bridge: Ebony pyramid with 2 3/8" spacing
• Bridge Pins: Ebony
• Saddle: Bone cutthrough
• Pickguard: None
• Body Finish: Toned semi-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
• Neck: Solid mahogany w/ slotted headstock
• Fingerboard: Indian rosewood
• Nut: 1 3/4" bone nut
• Neck Support: Adjustable truss rod
• Fingerboard Inlays: Deluxe acrylic floral
• 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
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Hard Case
• 3 lb 5 oz
• #3912

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

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