The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-23-2016, 12:56 PM
jbt123 jbt123 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
Default Neck of Waterloo WL Series

Has anyone had the chance to play these models? I am very interested but have doubts in regards to the neck. I just wanted some opinions as to what I should expect. From my research I know that it is V shaped neck with a 1 3/4 nut width (which I am used to) but have never played anything with a saddle spacing of 2 3/8. Is this huge? Well-I know this is larger then standard but what I am concerned about is if this will feel like a baseball bat or not. has anyone had the chance to play the alternative lower profile neck? If so does anyone know where this can be purchased? Thanks for all the help.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-23-2016, 01:01 PM
devellis's Avatar
devellis devellis is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,399
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbt123 View Post
Has anyone had the chance to play these models? I am very interested but have doubts in regards to the neck. I just wanted some opinions as to what I should expect. From my research I know that it is V shaped neck with a 1 3/4 nut width (which I am used to) but have never played anything with a saddle spacing of 2 3/8. Is this huge? Well-I know this is larger then standard but what I am concerned about is if this will feel like a baseball bat or not. has anyone had the chance to play the alternative lower profile neck? If so does anyone know where this can be purchased? Thanks for all the help.
I love the Waterloo necks. Something you hear a lot is that people are a bit apprehensive about them being too chunky but when they play them, they really like them. Now, that's not a universal response by any means. If you like really thin necks,then the Waterloo may not suit you. The only way to be sure is to play one (or more). But don't dismiss them without trying them first if the neck is the only thing you're hesitant about.
__________________
Bob DeVellis
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-23-2016, 01:11 PM
smurph1 smurph1 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,239
Default

I played several at Elderly a few weeks back. Man the tone was incredible, but the "V" was a bit deep for me. My 2 cents. But try some for yourself. You might love them. The tone and build quality is excellent.
__________________
Fender "58" Re-Issue American Precision Bass, , , 2014 Martin D-18, 2009 Rickenbacker 330 Mapleglo.. 1967 Fender Bassman with 2x12 Cabinet,.. Fender Tweed Lacquer Blues Junior.

"And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the rain"?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-23-2016, 01:28 PM
brencat's Avatar
brencat brencat is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,645
Default

I loved the neck on the WL-14X T-bar I tried last year. And the 2 3/8" spacing doesn't feel like Martin's 2 3/8" spacing on something like the OM-18A.

Collings/Waterloo necks are typically more rounded in the shoulder area and deeper top to bottom, but the fingerboard taper is more slender than the Martin mod-v. The thinner taper gives the player the impression that the Collings/Waterloo neck is overall smaller and less chunky.
__________________
Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson

For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4250 shipped
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-23-2016, 03:10 PM
Maryc-k Maryc-k is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: north of Boston
Posts: 1,233
Default

The earlier WL 14 frets had very vintage-like necks. They were heftier, like the old Kalamazoos. The more recent models have a more modern feel. How do I know this? I have #2X (x-braced) and #4X (ladder braced). I played a more recent version of both the x and ladder braced models and the necks were much more modern feeling (smoother and the profiles were slimmed down). These were not the smaller-necked versions either.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-23-2016, 07:17 PM
jbt123 jbt123 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
Default

Maryc, do you prefer the l to the x braced?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-24-2016, 06:45 AM
scriv58 scriv58 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: southern illinois
Posts: 661
Default

i had the ladder braced with v-neck, and the v caused pain in my thumb joint, so i let it go. i now have the x-braced with rounded neck, it is very comfortable and not a large neck profile. The saddle string spacing is not an obstacle for me, since i always use fingerpicks, but i know some flatpickers who thought it to be a bit too wide at the saddle for their style. As far as the tone that is a subjective experience, both sound great and "old-timey".
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-24-2016, 07:00 AM
jbt123 jbt123 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
Default

Where were you able to find one with the lower profile neck? I can't seem to find one
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-24-2016, 07:55 AM
scriv58 scriv58 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: southern illinois
Posts: 661
Default

i am a southpaw i bought it online from vic's lefty guitars- i advise calling places and ordering one.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-24-2016, 10:38 AM
Bix58 Bix58 is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Virginia Piedmont
Posts: 416
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brencat View Post
I loved the neck on the WL-14X T-bar I tried last year. And the 2 3/8" spacing doesn't feel like Martin's 2 3/8" spacing on something like the OM-18A.
I concur...
__________________
"An onion can make people cry but there's never been a vegetable that can make people laugh." - Will Rogers

Martin D-18, OM-18GE, 000-18GE 12-Fret
Huss & Dalton Crossroads DS
Santa Cruz 1929-00
Nash T-52
Fender Mustang Bass, P Bass, J Bass
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-24-2016, 05:18 PM
boombox boombox is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,204
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbt123 View Post
Where were you able to find one with the lower profile neck? I can't seem to find one
Agreed - not many over here on the eastern side of the Pond. Ordering one is always possible, but it's a leap of faith; I know build quality will be second to noe, but I'd like to know more of what the smaller profile feels like, ie what's it similar to?

I have the same thoughts on the WL-12s: what does an oval Waterloo neck feel like? What's it like compared to say a Collings C-profile as on a C10? From videos, I'd thought of getting one, but I played a lovely Martin 00-17S recently, which suited me very well; I wonder how that Martin profile compares with the Collings as I'd have to order the latter sight unseen.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-25-2016, 04:30 AM
scriv58 scriv58 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: southern illinois
Posts: 661
Default

wl-14 profile only slightly thicker than martin ceo-7
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-25-2016, 08:13 AM
brencat's Avatar
brencat brencat is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 7,645
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scriv58 View Post
wl-14 profile only slightly thicker than martin ceo-7
Nope. In fact the CEO-7 neck is still overall bigger feeling than the larger Waterloo neck, IMO.
__________________
Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson

For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4250 shipped
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-25-2016, 09:40 AM
Maryc-k Maryc-k is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: north of Boston
Posts: 1,233
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbt123 View Post
Maryc, do you prefer the l to the x braced?
I think it depends on the type of music I am playing, which is why I still have both. The ladder-braced is good for that David Rawlings style of flatpicking. It's good a fuller sounds with a certain attack. Mine has a t-bar and is super light. I believe they've changed the saddle on these too. The newer ones are a drop in saddle, while the older ones were cut-through (like the ones on the WL-K's).

I use the x-brace to play back up and lead lines on fiddle tunes and more contemporary stuff.

I like the Jumbo too. Kind of a dread without the big square shoulders. I notice that they are making rosewood versions now too!

I believe the Music Emporium has a low-profile neck model in stock. Call them.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-25-2016, 09:50 AM
scriv58 scriv58 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: southern illinois
Posts: 661
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brencat View Post
Nope. In fact the CEO-7 neck is still overall bigger feeling than the larger Waterloo neck, IMO.
depends on individual hands- that's why casting about for opinions is such a crap shoot
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=