“Every day we try to make a better guitar, every day.”
~ Bill Collings (1948-2017)
The Waterloo brand is all about capturing the voice and spirit of the very best depression era guitars & mandolins n well-made and very playable instruments.
Founded by the late master luthier Bill Collings, the Waterloo guitar line is a look back in time to when there was a genuine need for soulful tone that could be coaxed from simple instruments. The blues, country, and folk music played on these instruments was made in heartfelt response to the hard times of the depression era.
It was music heard in work camps and barn dances, kitchens and honky-tonks, porches, street corners and churches. These musical styles became the roots of popular American music for decades to come.
Waterloo Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Waterloo acoustic guitars, their connection to Collings, and where to find one near Boston.
Where can I find a Waterloo guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts is an authorized Waterloo dealer. As Collings' largest dealer worldwide, we are also the natural home for the Waterloo line, which was founded by Bill Collings alongside the main Collings brand. No Waterloo instruments are in stock at the moment - reach out or check the page, and contact us directly to discuss what is expected or available soon.
What is Waterloo and how does it relate to Collings?
Waterloo Guitars is a sister brand to Collings Instruments, both built in Austin, Texas. The line was founded by Bill Collings (1948-2017), whose lifelong pursuit of better guitars also shaped everything Collings made. Where Collings instruments represent precision and refinement at the upper end of the acoustic market, Waterloo is designed to capture something different: the raw, soulful voice of the very best Depression-era guitars, built to be genuinely playable rather than showpieces.
What is the philosophy behind the Waterloo brand?
Waterloo is built around the idea that the blues, country, and folk music of the Depression era had a sound unlike anything before or since - instruments coaxing soulful tone from simple materials, played in work camps, kitchens, barn dances, churches, and on street corners, responding to the hardships of the time. That music became the root of popular American music for generations. Waterloo's mission is to put that voice back in players' hands, with the quality and consistency of modern Austin craftsmanship behind it.
How is a Waterloo guitar different from a Collings?
The two brands share the same Austin workshop and the same commitment to build quality, but their characters are deliberately different. Collings instruments are known for refinement, precision, and tonal sophistication - guitars for players who want the finest modern acoustic instrument. Waterloo guitars are designed to feel and sound like a well-worn 1930s flat-top: dry, punchy, open, and a little rough around the edges in the best possible way. Same craft, different soul.
Are Waterloo guitars good for blues, folk, and roots playing?
That is exactly what they are designed for. The Waterloo voice is built around the tonal character of the instruments that made those genres: dry midrange, natural compression, and a fundamental-heavy sound that sits perfectly in a simple acoustic mix. For players drawn to Delta blues, old-time folk, traditional country, and Americana, a Waterloo can deliver that sound with modern reliability and at a price point well below vintage originals from the same era.