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I didn't buy this one, but mine is just like it (scroll down a bit)...
Vega VEGAPHONE 1938 Sunburst | Reverb
Likewise this one also, but mine is pretty much identical...
1924 Gibson L-2 Guitar | Reverb
All-in & with new frets I've got two excellent small-bodied archtops
and $ left over for another nice guitar compared to the Collings.
Yes, they both have big necks. Cowboy up, girly-men!
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06-05-2019 05:04 AM
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I like the 1 3/4 inch nut...but seeing how the Waterloo flat tops are quite affordable, these miss the mark for me.
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I prefer 1.75" neck width. My fingers can't form an open C chord on anything smaller. But I understand the need to avoid "neck fatigue".
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Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
So it begs the question can / do these archtops cost that much more to build ? I really don't know - -maybe they do, but really only the top is arched. The backs are flat and spec's are similar, right ?
MHO - -at $4000, or close - - and with at best an average sound, you spend another $1000. and have Mark C
build you one that will sound great.
For me a no-brainer.
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For me, the body shape just looks wrong. I'm likely the only person, but the proportions just seem off.
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I think it’s a cool guitar, but my 55 L-5N cost me just $200 more less than year ago. There’s a lot of choices that seem to offer more for that price.
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I retract my previous gripe about the 1 3/4" nut width.
I just measured a few of my guitars and discovered that my Gibson flattops and my L-7 all have that width and are super comfortable to play. I was thinking of the wider neck on classical guitars but I had the numbers wrong.
I remember test driving a few Collings flattops a few years back and some of them had very wide necks that did not work for me.
But I still think the new Waterloo Archtop is overpriced !!!
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A nice tip o' the hat to the Gibson L-30/37/47/75 cheapies and the Kalamazoo brand. I played these Collings copies at NAMM and they were nice. The MSRP isn't the street price - I'm sure there will be plenty of dealing on them.
And then there was this one-off, dedicated to Bill - same size, but with a carved back, pretty wood and a regular neck:
Last edited by Hammertone; 06-15-2019 at 10:32 AM.
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1 3/4" nut width is standard on Waterloo guitars. It's consistent with the Depression-era budget guitars that inspire the brand. Also, the guitars are supposed to have a simple aesthetic - that's the whole point. These guitars are a nod to Stella and Recording King and Regal and Kalamazoo, etc., not to D'Angelico or Stromberg or high-end Gibsons.
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So, if that’s the case, the original guitars that inspired these can be had for 1/4 to 1/3 the price.
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Yes, but those were often very roughly built and many have been beat to death. Collins guitars are exquisitely built, and these are new guitars.
That doesn’t mean I want one, but if I wanted a modern take on these depression era guitars built by a top notch boutique builder I would expect to pay multiple times what a non collector eighty year old guitar would cost in the second hand market.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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I very much like Collings instruments.
While others have been excited about the Waterloo series, I am not.
I have inspected and played three, not the archtop of course.
I did not see the money. I thought they were crude and not the character and playability compared to my $100 1929 Stomberg Voisenet (sp). They are not inexpensive which was, I thought, the objective in getting a basic guitar out with the Collings brand.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to play the archtop, but at $4k it should be outstanding.
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Originally Posted by Hammertone
Artisan Guitars
In other words, the price you see is the price. No wiggle room.
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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Originally Posted by bohemian46
Have played two, a twelve-fretter & a fourteen.
Seductive for their lightness, not tone, response or price.
Small guitars are a weakness of mine so I'd hoped for a stronger showing.
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Sounds good here:
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Originally Posted by Cobra
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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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""Beginning June 1st of this year [2019], Collings & Waterloo instruments will be offered in the marketplace at their full list price (MSRP)."
Artisan Guitars"
Is this from Artisan Guitars or from Collings/Waterloo?
I looked on the Artisan site and did not find that.
Why not just post the list price and deal with it one on one with the individual customer rather than make a public announcement.
And if this is Collings Waterloo speaking, is MSRP the new MAP ?
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Music Emporium has a new video on the WL-AT
Makes me think to really consider it. The top being Adirondack doesn't really show in the Lage videos but in that one you can really hear it. There is a Collings dealer near and I am going to see if they have plans on getting one in. The old style parallel bracing and carved top is really not available outside of a Loar in a small body guitar. If I can play one first there is a chance, for me that it is a perfect fit. Who knows what the actual price is, in person things can change.
?
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I can vouch for old Vegas. I had a '39 duo sound. Fantastic 3 piece carved top and sounded terrific.
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Hey everybody, Im new to this forum. I've played for 20 years and have got more interested in jazz in the last 5.
My favourite player is Whit Smith from Hotclub of cowtown.
Im looking for an archtop for acoustic playing rather than electrified. Ive been looking around at some options. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for something along the lines of the waterloo archtop, but more affordable!
I'm avoiding vintage guitars as I want to gig with guitar.
Thanks and look forward to chatting!
Stay safe
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Loar and Eastman along with Peerless will be your best bets in affordable Archtops. Also looked for used as well to help your money go further!
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I was interested in the Eastman ar805, and the Loar LH600 looks good for less money. I have heard the the Loars quality control isn't great. Do you have any experience with these? thanks
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Weber's pop up all the time for way less money than they're worth, imho.
Op...POUNCE.
Like-New Gibson ES-335's
Today, 10:47 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos