Waterloo WL-M review/ video

[Obiwan]

So I felt there weren’t enough videos of the waterloo wl-m mandolin online.

I took one for the team and the mandolin community; I purchased the waterloo from the Mandolin Store. As always, purchasing from them went smoothly and the price was right.

The mandolin showed up yesterday. It is beautiful with immaculate construction, as to be expected from a Collings instrument.

I wanted a travel / campfire mandolin so that if it got stolen or broken I wouldn’t be too upset.


My impression of playing this mandolin:
It is certainly different than a modern mandolin.
The neck is fairly bulky and reminds me of an old Gibson but more comfortable. I think it’s because of the V shape .

The string spacing is wider than what I am used to. It makes it easier to play single notes. I could see how this would be good for Irish and old time sessions.

The sound is round. You can definitely strum this mandolin and get away with it. I was surprised with the tone. It is completely subjective but the notes are clear and loud. The highs have a sweet tone. The midds are strong and the lows are not overwhelming.

If playing the blues it sounds like it would have been used in an old jug band. It also can produce beautiful tone and clarity while playing fiddle tunes.

It has all of the appeal of an old instrument with the benefits of reliable, solid construction. It feels so well made. It’s a loud instrument. I would like to hear how this will hold up in a jam. It’s louder than I expected .

It is fairly comfortable to play. Takes a little getting use to the flat back and top along with the string spacing but I got used to it pretty quick.

All in all, very happy. It scratches that itch and is a nice addition to my collection.

Here’s some iPhone Video.

https://youtu.be/Ybcu2S99EZY

https://youtu.be/Td8_w_PJQDo

[sgarrity]

Great review and nice playing! It’s a fun instrument

[Obiwan]

Thanks shaun for all or your help and answering all my questions about your waterloo mando.
Definitely gave me a good idea what to expect.

[pheffernan]

I took one for the team and the mandolin community; I purchased the waterloo from the Mandolin Store.

Thank you for your heroic sacrifice and noble service.

[Obiwan]

Thank you for your heroic sacrifice and noble service.

Sometimes you have to fall on the sword for the better good of the community 🤷🏻#♂️😁

[pheffernan]

Embedded for future consideration:

[Joey Anchors]

Great review and amazing playing! These really are keepers.

[werbel]

Any recommendations for strings for the Waterloo? I just put on a new set of medium D'Addario EJ74's and it was a flop sweat inducing experience. The tailpiece and the string loops did not want to engage. All 8 strings! Wondering if a different brand or light gauge strings would be better. Love it otherwise.

[sgarrity]

You might try using a pair of needle nose plies to put a gentle bend above the loop. Clamshell tailpieces aren't one of my favorites....

[werbel]

Thank you, Shaun. Ultimately I did resort to the needle nose pliers. Still tricky. Hopefully I will get more adept with practice.

[Joey Anchors]

I had the same experience when putting on Pyramid 532 flatwounds. It was a great way to practice patience haha.

Here is a clip where I’m testing out the Pyramids

[Eric F.]

You might try using a pair of needle nose plies to put a gentle bend above the loop. Clamshell tailpieces aren't one of my favorites....

You can also bend the string gently around a pencil where it meets the loop. That has always worked pretty well for me, but man, these tailpieces are the worst thing about flattops. I had hoped Collings/Waterloo would do something better. A clamshell-shaped James maybe?

To the OP, thank you for your service. Nice-sounding mandolin and I enjoyed your playing.

[soliver]

I had a Flatiron 1N with that same style tailpiece and really disliked changing strings on it for that reason,... so I changed the tailpiece.

The bending the string by the loop trick helped.