The Waterloo WLK TR reproduces a rare, lightweight and responsive depression-era guitar built by Gibson under the Kel Kroydon name from 1930 to 1933. These models are built by Collings at their shop in Austin, Texas.

*NOTE: This instrument is no longer available.

An exceptional instrument, the Waterloo WLK TR features a Spruce top and bracing with Mahogany for the back, sides, body blocks and neck, with an Indian Rosewood 12-fret fingerboard and Ebony bridge. The nut and saddle are bone, and Golden Age Restoration strip tuners with black buttons are used. That’s it for materials! The Waterloo logo is screen-printed to the headstock, just as many were at the time. The finish is very light and does not fill the Mahogany pores, and this imposes the lightest restriction on the guitar’s vibration. This is a very resonant, lightweight guitar!

The Waterloo WLK TR is sold with its original TKL-built hard shell case.

More From The Builder On The Waterloo WLK TR:

“Weighing in at under three pounds, the featherweight WL-K is an exciting new 12-fret addition to the Waterloo line built with maximum responsiveness in mind. Inspired by the elusive instruments manufactured under the sub-brand Kel Kroydon around 1930, which were touted at the time to offer the utmost in vibratory response and the finest tone available, the WL-K is delicately built using lightweight materials and supported by thinly carved braces. When paired with a minimal lacquer finish, the resulting tone is dry and transparent with just the right level of complexity in the overtones, capable of capturing the expressiveness of the player down to the finest nuance.

With a 24 7/8″ scale length and moderately sized, oval shaped neck, the WL-K is a fingerstyle player’s delight, but this is by no means the extent of the guitar’s versatility. Exceptional clarity and note separation make it well-suited to a variety of other playing styles and a logical choice for singer-songwriters and purveyors of traditional roots music.

All WL-K models feature carefully selected spruce tops and mahogany back and sides with a light shade top finish, vintage-style cut through saddle, and come sans-pickguard. The WL-K is also available with an optional hand-painted “Southwest” scene that pays homage to the American tradition of cowboy stencil guitars from the Depression era, as well as an optional Aged Finish for an authentic time-worn appearance. Due to this model’s ultra-lightweight construction, we recommend a maximum string gauge of .011″ to .052″. Hardshell TKL case included.

All Waterloo models are handmade in Austin, Texas.”

This model is also available with  a special ‘Southwest’ graphic finish; this type of stencil graphic was fairly common during the 1930s.
We recently had a used example of that model. VIEW HERE. 

Note: Waterloo models are priced in US Dollars.

Waterloo WLK TR Specifications: