The Collings Forum

Hey all,

Could anyone recommend a Waterloo model for 1920's and 1930's jazz (including manouche styles). I remember hearing that Mark Althans was using a Waterloo for some gypsy jazz stuff. Also, do folks have opinions on the normal versus thinner neck options?

Thanks!
Dan

Dan,
I play just about everything on my WL-12 Mh, an all hog 12 fretter.
The swing material works really well due to the all hog body. I think a hog top somewhat modifies the somewhat in your face high end of most Waterloos and smooths out the overall sound.
Not sure of my neck shape but it's pretty comfortable.

Thanks Cameleye! Do you play chords, chord melody, leads, etc? How do chords feel up around the 9th-12th fret? Do you miss the few extra frets? I have never owned a 12 fret but have been curious.

Thanks!
Dan

Dan,
I play all over the neck. No problems with chords/notes around the 9th through 12th frets.
However, I tend to play mostly 12 fretters so that issue went away for me a long time ago.

I have a WL-S and find it excellent for swing style playing. Like the WL-S, Maccaferri and Selmer style guitars are ladder-braced, so they have a crisp, quick sound that really can cut through a band.

Thank for the thoughts you guys. I keep coming across "ladder braced" in a lot of my searches. I guess the old Nick Lucas guitars were ladder braced as well? I am wondering if a WL-14L might be a good fit with its bigger box dimensions and ladder bracing.
Dan

I first tried a ladder braced WL when they first came out.
Found I much prefer the X braced ones for just about anything.