Waterloo guitars are proudly made in Austin, Texas by Collings guitars. Brimming with Texas vibe, the warm colors of the "Boot Burst" Edition WL-14 were inspired by the dyed leather of a well-loved pair of cowboy boots. The WL-14 is the flagship model of the Waterloo brand, and with the "Boot Burst" option, Collings adds a full-body sunburst that spans the top, back, sides, and neck. Its smoky, tan, and amber hue is complemented by ivoroid top binding and a cream pickguard.
We ordered this WL-14 Boot Burst (serial #WL3659) with Ladder Braces, which gives it the woody, open tone and mid-range honk that remind us of dust-bowl era guitars. It has the standard, vintage-inspired prominent "V" neck shape, which provides an authentic feel to match the tone. But since it's a modern guitar, it needs to be ready for the demands of today's top players. An Adjustable Truss Rod and a Drop-In saddle allow for plenty of setup flexibility down the road, and should you want to install a pickup, your options won't be limited.
- Top: Solid spruce
- Back & Sides: Solid Mahogany
- Bracing: Ladder Bracing
- Finish: Full-Body "Boot Burst"
- Binding: Ivoroid Top & Soundhole binding
- Pickguard: Cream Celluloid
- Bridge: Ebony w/ 2-3/8" Spacing
- Bridge Pins: Ebony
- Saddle: Bone Drop-In
- Neck: Solid Mahogany
- Fingerboard: East Indian Rosewood
- Nut: 1-3/4" Ebony
- Neck Support: Adjustable Truss Rod
- Neck Profile: Prominent V
- Fingerboard Radius: 12"
- Scale Length: 24-7/8"
- Tuning Machines: Golden Age Restoration w/ cream buttons
This Waterloo WL-14L Boot Burst nails the Depression-era flat-top sound, and it was built with every bit of the quality you'd expect from the folks at Collings. We love how sweet and subtle it can be with a light, finger-style touch, but it's also fun to hear it growl when you dig in. There are plenty of songs in this guitar, and it's a natural fit for the Blues. Hardshell case included.