The Collings Forum

Hi folks,
Sorry I haven't been around much - new laptop etc.

When I bought my WL12 inh 2016, they had every model avaiable including a Jumbo King but it wasn't what I ws looking for, (a Gibson L-00 actually, but the Waterloos looked better made, and there was a 12 fret, so it came home with me.

I'll admit that the jumbo king looked pretty wierd to me and I seem to remember it was the last one that they sold before they dropped Collings.

I am pretty much committed to 12 fret flat-tops, so a bell rang when I saw this video of Bill at NAMM in 2015 (the same year I met him - bless him): https://youtu.be/yIgGaFre4ck

At 1:50 there is a JK (Deluxe?) that appears to be a 12 fret.

Do they make these or was it a one off prototype ?

Anyone ever seen one ?

Andy,

It’s nice to see you here. And that’s a sharp observation on the 12-fret JK! It’s certain 12-fret in contrast to the 14-fret JK that Bill picked up later. I don’t shop for JKs, but I have never seen one or heard them (12-fret model) mentioned. That must have been a prototype.

Thanks Eric, I wonder if anyone knows more?

Good eye Andy. That first Jumbo King in the video is a 12 Fret JK Deluxe.... however, https://www.waterlooguitars.com/wl-jk-deluxe/ mentions nothing of a 12 fret model. Nor have I ever hear of such, so that is obviously a prototype.
At 2:42 Bill points out the current production JK Deluxe which is a 14 fret.


On another note, it just so happens, I just bought a WL-JK and it's amazing!! Sounds, plays and looks just like my old WL-14, but BIGGER...and louder. Love it! I have the non-Deluxe version. https://www.waterlooguitars.com/wl-jk/

I foolishly sold my WL-JK; I had just bought a Gibson J-35 and thought another jumbo was unnecessary. I was mistaken, the -JK was the better guitar. I have been looking for a -JK for a couple of years with no success. I have both an early WL-14 and a WL-12Mh but would love another -JK. How many WL-JK's were produced and where might I find one?

I just found The Collings Forum today and am really finding it enjoyable! I hope to be a member for a long while, Tom.

ncTom wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 5:55 pm I foolishly sold my WL-JK; I had just bought a Gibson J-35 and thought another jumbo was unnecessary. I was mistaken, the -JK was the better guitar. I have been looking for a -JK for a couple of years with no success. I have both an early WL-14 and a WL-12Mh but would love another -JK. How many WL-JK's were produced and where might I find one?

I just found The Collings Forum today and am really finding it enjoyable! I hope to be a member for a long while, Tom.

Welcome to the Forum !! We look forward to hearing from you!!!

ncTom wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 5:55 pm I foolishly sold my WL-JK; I had just bought a Gibson J-35 and thought another jumbo was unnecessary. I was mistaken, the -JK was the better guitar. I have been looking for a -JK for a couple of years with no success. I have both an early WL-14 and a WL-12Mh but would love another -JK. How many WL-JK's were produced and where might I find one?

I just found The Collings Forum today and am really finding it enjoyable! I hope to be a member for a long while, Tom.

Welcome- I don’t know if you’re still looking for a JK but Acoustic Music Works has one left.

They are great guitars. Somewhat overlooked in the Waterloo lineup it seems.

Thanks for the tip, however the pandemic left me unable to get one right now without selling off several guitars. I suspect time is against me in acquiring a Jumbo no matter how much I would like to. Maybe something will open up in the future.