CJB

I've owned and tried several Waterloos (thanks to your reviews!) but have not been able to try a ladder braced WL14. I may have to do a little searching for one.

So looking through the links @Dave F provided above as well as a few others I found the following details for the variations listed on the Gibson site: 1932 L-00 : adi/mahogany, 1.75" nut w/ 1930's V shape, 12" radius, long saddle, top binding only, (made in 2014, LTD?) L-00 Vintage: adi/mahogany, 1.75" nut w/ v shape neck, 16" radius, long saddle, top binding only L-00 Vintage: identical to above but 12" radius, case with blue lining(?) L-00 12 fret rosewood: sitka/rosewood, 1.75" nut w/ V shape neck, 16" radius, gold tuners L-00 Standard sunburst (there are two different ones listed): sitka/mahogany, no scale listed*, 1.725" nut w/ slim taper profile, Grover tuners, black nut, 16" radius L-00 Standard sunburst or ebony finish: same as above but with a 24.75" scale, 12" radius, different tuners L-00 Studio walnut and rosewood b/s option, sitka top: 24.75" scale, 1.725" nut advance response profile, 16" radius, natural or burst finish L-00 Blues King: sitka/bubinga, 24.75" scale, 1.725 comfort contour neck, gig bag L-00 Elvis Costello: Adi/flame maple, 24.75" scale, 1.77 nut vintage V shape, pearloid fretboard, other super fancy stuff L-00 Keb Mo Blues Master: adi/mahogany, 12 fret neck, belly bridge, 1.805 nut, 12" radius, 25" scale L-00 Sustainable: sitka/walnut, 24.75" scale, 1.725" nut slim taper, 12" radius L-00 Deluxe: LTD 2019, sitka/rosewood, 24.75" scale, 1.725" nut slim taper profile, 12" radius L-00 Acacia and Mystic: either acacia or mystic rosewood/sitka, no scale listed, 1.725" nut slim taper, 12" radius I'm sure there are more but this is what I could find info on. So, looking at these, there are some similarities and subtle differences. Some with the exact same names but one important difference (i.e. the L-00 Vintage with 12" radius which I find most appealing). Kinda crazy to look at all these. That's all for now.

Thanks again guys! I love the 'big little guitar' sound of my LG2 and mainly attribute that to the body thickness and less squeezed waist. Isn't the L-00 more like 4" at the tail block? I have enjoyed the few Studio L-00 I've played and like the walnut but one thing I don't understand is the 16" fretboard radius when it seems the others are all 12". Unfortunately if I were to be in the market for one that would be a deal breaker for me. One thing I enjoy about the L-00 is that they, like @Jindersaid, have a definite character to them. More snappy to my ear. Again, thanks for the conversation and information guys!

Good info, guys. Thanks. @Dave F my understanding was that the L-00 is a short scale guitar as well as the LG2. Is this not right?

Hello everyone, I was playing my Lg-2 this evening and was thinking about the tonal differences between it and a similar L-00. But then I wondered what all is out there for L-00 made now or in recent years past and what all the differences are. I know currently there’s something like a Studio, Standard (like a 50’s Lg2?), Sustainable and maybe another? And in recent past there’s been Blues King and others. Basically what’s the difference between them? are some particularly more sought after than others? Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. In the past my favorite strings have been D'Addario EJ21 (basically simple nickel 'electric guitar' strings in acoustic guitar light gauge). I'll try those as well as the Monel on it too. I'm not a big fan of the feel of PB or 80/20 strings so I decided to order a set of Stringjoy custom nickel strings last night. I don't have any experience with them but have heard good things. We'll see! @zombywoofI haven't tried round core strings but will find some to give them a shot. Thanks!

Hey y'all, just wanted to check in with a 1 week report on my new LG2. This is a seriously fun guitar. It has a lot of voices and can handle a good variety styles. I've had a few nice factory guitars but none seems to be so eager to play. With other guitars I have sometimes significant fretting hand pain due to an old injury. I have to put it down after a little while but the thickness and shape of this neck is so incredibly comfortable and has been painless to play for a few hours a day, every day. It's been since 2013 that I could play for a few hours and be pain free. The tone is so wonderful and old sounding and easily jumps out. Kinda reminds me of a mixture of Gillian Welch and Norman Blake and I'm happy with that. I'm using some EJ16's right now but I think next I'll try some Nickel Bronze next. What are other folks using on theirs?

Wonderful! Really takes you there and reminds me of places I've been. Thank you for sharing!

Oh man that was fun! Great job and thanks for sharing!

Very much enjoyed that, thanks for sharing!

BK, I guess the timing was right then!

Fantastic, a long time favorite song.

Hey everyone, just wanted to check in with a brief report. She landed yesterday afternoon and after letting her rest a bit I was able to play for about 5 hours. I don't think I could be happier with it. The fretboard and neck playability were more comfortable than anything else I've played that was modern. And the tone surpassed the one I played in the store and is a great compliment to my little 017. Thanks again y'all!

@QuestionMarkWill definitely post an update. I'm quite excited and watching the tracking info a little obsessively. The hard part is that it's within city limits but won't be delivered until Monday. @62burst Thanks for the encouragement! Even if not discounted because of a little scratch on the back I would have probably chosen this one for the reasons you say. I have had a few Waterloo L-00 variations and while I really enjoyed them (and know that they're going to be different than the Gibson version) I felt that there was too much overlap with my keeper 017. The other day I also played a J45 that I loved but just wasn't comfortable with the body size (I had a 2016 J35 for a while and enjoyed it but found the size not quite to my liking but loved the tone). The neck was very comfortably for my finicky fretting hand. I sort of figured that the LG2 would be just right if made properly, and if I could find one. So later in the day when I took my son to a doc appointment and saw a new guitar shop across the street. They just so happened to have a new LG2 (well shop worn - and an admitted favorite of the shop employees). When I picked up the LG2 I discovered that the neck/fretboard combo was even more comfortable than the Waterloos I've owned, my 017 and the J45 I played a few hours prior as well as including the comfort of the body size I concluded, in technical terms, 'boy howdy, this might be what I've been looking for!' Then I picked 'Freight Train' and strummed some chord progressions and I could tell through the dead strings and high action that this is indeed what I've been looking for. So I went home, thought about it some more and talked to my trusted friend/sales engineer at Sweetwater and he worked it out in a most satisfying way (3 years 0% is hard to beat). And yes, @BluesKing777, see what you did? And thank you. 😄 Is it Monday yet?

Well, thanks to the encouragement from this thread and a visit to the local store, I talked with my friends at Sweetwater and worked out a deal for a new slightly demo’d LG2. Arriving Monday. I’ll update ASAP.

Living in the wild side, baby.

I have wondered the same thing, Bluesking. I’ve been very impressed with the Waterloo lineup and hoped they would do some kind of LG. The few I’ve owned were spectacular but too similar in tone to my keeper Martin 017 custom. Speaking of the LG2 I stopped in a new local shop I have not been in before and they had one on the wall. I didn’t have much time but it was enough to play and listen and know that all my questions have been answered. Probably the most comfortable neck I’ve played on a new guitar. And the tone was what I’d hoped for - a great compliment to my Martin. They wouldn’t negotiate from the tag price so I walked. But at least now I know the answers to my questions and will begin the budgeting and shopping.

Thanks very much Ken. I appreciate it!

Thanks for the timely thread! I am thinking about adding one of these newer LG2 but have been tempted by the lower cost walnut L-00 or older American Eagles - vintage is not in the budget. Gasman, I'm curious about your experience - why does the Walnut L-00 do it for you and the LG2 not?

Hello everyone, I'm Chris in Winston-Salem, NC but recently moved here from St. Louis MO. I've been playing guitar since 1993ish and have had many guitars but just got a new J35 today which is my first Gibson. Such an incredible instrument! Thanks for having me!