Waterloo WL-S Deluxe Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (2016), made in Austin, TX, serial # 623, natural lacquer finish, Cherry wood body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
This Waterloo WL-S Deluxe is a decidedly high-end Waterloo model, much fancier than the brand's Kalamazoo-inspired standard models. The case for this one is marked "Stella Prototype" on the Wilco loft tape along the base, indicating it is a very early example, possibly one of the first ones made. This model was directly inspired by the ornately-appointed Oscar Schmidt/Stella guitars from the 1920's, famous for use by about every great Blues player (and many Hillbilly artists) of the period. This handcrafted modern version captures the essence of this design better than most any others we have heard, with the exception of the truly outstanding Fraulini models.
This ladder braced guitar is ornamented with intricate wood purflings and custom acrylic inlays in the traditional Schmidt patterns. The solid cherry wood back and sides under the spruce top combine to provide a balanced and articulate sound, both louder and deeper than one might expect for a guitar of this size.
The vintage correct "soft V" profile mahogany neck has an adjustable truss rod (which no actual Stella ever did) with a bound rosewood fingerboard, which is inlaid with pearl in the traditional upscale "New York" Stella/Galiano pattern. The Stella-pattern sharp-sided slotted headstock is bound as well, with a "Waterloo" logo on the face. The vintage style pyramid bridge has a cut-through angled saddle. A toned semi-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish enhances the vintage feel and look.
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar shows some signs of use, notably picking marks to the top below the strings and some random scuff marks here and there but generally is pretty clean overall. We can't say if it was used on any particular Wilco/loft recording projects but it has definitely been played. It plays excellent with a very big sound, and does really catch that special "STELLA!" vibe. It is strung with the special Wilco "Pre-Aged" bronze strings that definitely push the sound in a more old time direction. It comes in the original HSC with the Wilco Loft markings along the base and a couple of their picks for good measure. Overall Excellent - Condition.
