Well done comparison! I have loved and played my WL-K for about 7 years now. I had never heard a direct comparison with the WLS. Interesting …the WS sounds very nice - somewhat warmer I think. I love my WLK for fingerstyle playing. I found it kind of interesting that you play your bass line with your thumb and your index finger rather than your thumb alone. You have a very nice style of playing. I enjoyed it. Thank you for posting this video!
Just an aside. I have had a WL-12 for just over a year. Frankly when I first got it home I wasn't crazy about the sound. Took it to a picking party over Chruistmas and most said they didn't think much of it either. So, it hug on the wall of my little office and listened to th radio and music with me, then about 4-6 weeks i took it down and Whooaa!..... it had blossomed! Loads more of everything.
I like the WL12 a bit more, it has with the Maple, a bit more bite to it and opened sound. Well done Matt. I own two WL14s and wouldn't trade either the black or the sunburst for anything else. I do however plan on buying a Stella when they become available.
I've played both at my shop Dusty Stings here in Seattle. The K def has the sharper sound, really clarified mid tones and twangy uppers. 12 a bit muddy for my taste but can see how others might say mellow.
Responding to this late but I just got the WL-12 and ironically it has a similar sunburst with the upper bout all dark and a dark rosewood fretboard which makes it look really classy. I liked the WL-12 the best as it was fuller and had better bass but very little in it. I love mine and it is a nice contrast to the more refined tones of my Martin and my McIroy but in a good way and boy does it project for !
Both very nice with the wl-k a bit brighter and 12 being darker. I wish you had a 3 way shoot with these 2 plus the wl-s. I think the wl-s would be the favorite.
They are both screaming cool, but the sound of the 12 seems more mellow, sweet and pure up the neck a ways, where it seems the maple makes the notes of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd frets convey a solid 30's sound, with greater depth and breadth. I choose the 12 for me personally.
I know what you mean, but luckily Waterloo by Collings have the highest quality control around! The neck is rock solid and straight as an arrow on all the WL models I've seen. You can be sure that that neck wont go wonky on you, unless improperly stored!
Trying to educate myself. So the WL-s is cherry? The K is mahogany and the WL12 is maple? Specs on site are not clear. Thanks to anyone who reads this.
Jan Kafka Ha within the first couple of notes I could tell that the WL-12 was warmer. Those are my ears speaking to me ha. Both guitars sound good like you said. Regardless, I'm a dreadnought guy so neither guitar would be under consideration as an additional guitar ha.
