If there’s one thing that Jeff Tweedy has a lot of, it’s songs. (He famously tries to write at least once a day.) If there’s another, it’s really cool guitars. Wilco’s frontman has been collecting vintage instruments throughout his storied career, using some of them to make records and stockpiling the rest at the band’s Chicago studio. He has accumulated so many of these beautiful, unusual axes over the years that he’s decided to sell some of them off. Ever wanted to own a rare guitar once played by the guy who made “At Least That’s What You Said”? Now’s your chance.
On July 18, the online gear store Reverb will launch a new sale of rare guitars, signed posters, and other instruments and gear from the Wilco Loft, following a similar sale last year. “My guitars are like my children; I love them so much,” Tweedy said in a press release. “That said, I am thankful there is a place I can easily and safely sell the children that no longer bring me joy.”
AKASH WADHWANI*
Highlights of this year’s sale — which is not an auction but a listing of items with fixed prices — include many of Tweedy’s personal treasures, like a 1962 Martin F-55 electric guitar (“I’ll be honest, I’m surprised Jeff is selling this one,” Loft manager Mark Greenberg is quoted as saying); a Harmony Buck Owens H169 “American” red, white, and blue acoustic guitar; a Merlin Arthur “Boogie Guitar” Smith Country Squire guitar modified by luthier Reuben Cox; and a 1960s Framus “Big 18” double-neck electric guitar. There’s also a 2011 Breedlove Revival OMR Deluxe acoustic guitar owned by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, if that’s more your thing. Each item will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by either Tweedy or Cline.
Until the sale opens next month, interested buyers and Wilco-loving window-shoppers can check out a preview of some of the items on Reverb’s site.
AKASH WADHWANI*
Speaking with Rolling Stone last year, Tweedy admitted that when he loves a vintage guitar, he often buys more than one just to be safe. “I have this habit of falling in love with a particular instrument and not feeling like I really have it unless I buy another one,” he said. “So I have a lot of doubles of instruments that are all my favorites.” (He added that this sometimes makes him feel like the “triples is best” guy from I Think You Should Leave.)
Wilco are currently on tour, burnishing their reputation as one of the greatest live rock bands in the world. This weekend, they’ll return to North Adams, Mass., for the latest installment of their Solid Sound Festival, kicking off on Friday, June 28, with an all-deep-cuts Wilco set. “The question is, what qualifies as a deep cut to hardcore fans?” he mused in a recent conversation with Rolling Stone. “I don’t know — is ‘Casino Queen’ a deep cut at this point?” That question remains unanswered, but in the meantime, you can start saving up to buy a really nice guitar to play it on.
From Rolling Stone US
