Withdrawn Waterloo WL-K

Gandalph

Waterloo WL-K.

Based on the iconic Kel Kroydon, it has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides and East Indian fretboard.

12 frets to the body this is a 2017 model, X braced, T-bar neck and what Collings describe as a moderately sized, oval shaped neck profile. Feels good in the hand without being too skinny or overly chunky. 

Full specs can be found on the Collings/Waterloo website.

1 3/4"   Nut

24 7/8" Scale Length

2 3/8"   Saddle spacing

14 3/4" Body width

19 1/4" Body length

4 1/4"   Body depth

There's plenty out there on the web about this model for anyone who may be interested.

It's as light as a feather (just under 3 pounds) and plays superbly. 

The action at the 12th fret measures 2mm on the Low E and 1.5mm on the high E.

Comes with the original hardcase.

Condition wise is really good overall but it's not mint. As you can see from the pictures there is a scratch on the back and a small nick on top of the headstock (both where there when I got it).

It's just had a fret dress and recrown and some work done on the nut last week. Fret wear was minimal on the first 3 but I wanted it properly sorted if I'm trading.

 Withdrawn 

It really is a fantastic little guitar, I've done a fair bit of 'umming and ahing' over whether or not to keep it but ultimately my Waterloo WL14 with the extra 2 frets makes it a bit more versatile for me. If I were to compare the two, although similar this is louder with a 'drier, woodier' sound. 

Will consider trading up or down for the right guitar - ideally something with a bit of 'vintage' to it but I'm open to suggestions.

 Not really after anything bigger than 24.9" scale so no OM's and I'm not after a 12 string or an electric either. 

*Update*
Shipping now an option.
I now have a suitable box. 

 

Gandalph

laverdasf750

Amazing guitar, regretted selling this the moment you drove off! 

TrevinDevon

Don't do it, man!!!! You know you're going to regret it. Just keep it open G or something. Is that monels or nickel steels she's wearing? I've always used 80/20s (for the colour match, if I'm totally honest , but they sound pretty sweet)

Gandalph

TrevinDevon said:

Don't do it, man!!!! You know you're going to regret it. Just keep it open G or something. Is that monels or nickel steels she's wearing? I've always used 80/20s (for the colour match, if I'm totally honest , but they sound pretty sweet)

It’s monels, if it stays I’ll try the 80/20’s. 

So many guitars such little time! 

Hope you’re well mate. 

Gandalph

laverdasf750 said:

Amazing guitar, regretted selling this the moment you drove off! 

You could always buy it again...no way I’m driving down to London again though that was madness!

laverdasf750

Sorry if this brings back painful memories but how would you say the Waterloo compares to the L36?

Gandalph

Tbh I really didn’t have the L36 long enough and it was such an awful crazy time in my life that I’d struggle to give an honest assessment. I can say that they are different animals though. The wlk is unique and has its own thing going on.
My Waterloo wl14 is more similar to the L36.
Would I swop my wl14 for another L36?
Not a chance.
Played a couple of Atkins since though and I’ve found them uninspiring. 

TrevinInDevon, who posted above is probably better qualified to answer your question. He bought my L36 and he’s also got a Wlk so maybe he’ll chime in. 

TrevinDevon

Gandalph said:

Tbh I really didn’t have the L36 long enough and it was such an awful crazy time in my life that I’d struggle to give an honest assessment. I can say that they are different animals though. The wlk is unique and has its own thing going on.
My Waterloo wl14 is more similar to the L36.
Would I swop my wl14 for another L36?
Not a chance.
Played a couple of Atkins since though and I’ve found them uninspiring. As an aside over about a six month period I sent several emails to Atkin and even left a couple of answer machine messages. All with reasonable queries I thought...and not a single response. Not one. 

I know Alistair gets praise on here from some but that’s pretty piss poor customer service. Not just me I’ve heard the same from others too. 

Send Collings a message and guaranteed you’ll get a reply within 24 hours. 

TrevinInDevon, who posted above is probably better qualified to answer your question. He bought my L36 and he’s also got a Wlk so maybe he’ll chime in. 

Well, that's buggered my chances of selling the 36 on here, hasn't it? 

I keep meaning to do a proper comparison of the 36 and the WL14 for my own interest using identical strings and tunings but I haven't got round to it yet. The WL14 definitely has more volume and sustain (as does the WL-K, for that matter). I also prefer the wider nut on the Waterloos, which prejudices me a bit. If I do move one on it will be the Atkin, but I have an embarrassment of riches, really. It's still a fine instrument.

Gandalph

I think you’d easily sell it on here should you ever decide to move it on. After all it’s a British builder and I’m sure plenty of others prefer a
1 11/16” nut. 

We’re all different after all, one persons meat is another’s poison and all that. 

Would be interested to read about your findings if you ever did do a direct comparison between the wl14 and L36.

Would make for an interesting new thread  

TrevinDevon

Gandalph said:

I think you’d easily sell it on here should you ever decide to move it on. After all it’s a British builder and I’m sure plenty of others prefer a
1 11/16” nut. 

We’re all different after all, one persons meat is another’s poison and all that. 

Would be interested to read about your findings if you ever did do a direct comparison between the wl14 and L36.

Would make for an interesting new thread  

Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I wasn't being entirely serious . How does your KG-11 compare with the two WLs? Are you going for another vintage to replace the WL-K?

Gandalph

It's ladder braced as oppose to the other two that are X braced so there is a difference, probably closer to the WL-K in terms of sound and volume. There's just something about playing a guitar that's 85 yers old! 
I'm not sure yet, would love another vintage - had a few interesting suggestions so far but nothing that I really fancy trading the WL-K for.

laverdasf750

Thanks Trev and Gandalph for the thoughts and observations. Really kind of you both and plenty to ponder. 

Gandalph

Bump -  post edited ahead of restrictions easing on Monday for meet up/collection.

*Shipping is also now also a possibility.

Thank you for some interesting trade options so far but nothing really that I'm after. Still a possibility though

Gandalph

Easter bump.

Gandalph

Post edited and price drop bump.

Gandalph

Withdrawn