Minerva 9403/6 Review

Features: [8]
It is hard to say what these rare guitars were made out of. Designed and built by back then famous guitar luthier Arthur hensel up until the early 1940's in Toronto Canada, they have now become serious collector's items and are some of the rarest guitars in the world today. This particular model is hand made from scratch in a sunburst style and is thought to be rarer and older than the F-hole models of the Mineravas. The is 6 string guitar was also known to come in a 4 string but the 4 string is extremely rare, not likely you would ever find one.

Sounds: [8]
Considering this one was made in the early 1930's by hand, the sound is considerably good, possibly first went off the design of the Gibsons by it's appearance but who knows? More of a blues sound than anything with a haunting high end sparkle, lacking a bit of bass but is certainly ok for the style.

Action, Fit & Finish: [8]
Once again, considering this guitar was made a very long time ago, the action is very good, there seems to be no buzz, the frets are still in tact, and the wood appears to be quality, whatever it may be. The bridge set-up is definitely factory and was probably designed for professional players way back then. Feels much like an older Gibson.

Reliability & Durability: [10]
Reliability is where it deserves full credits, this guitar is nearing 80 years old and is still in amazing condition, there are no splits in the wood and it probably plays as well as it ever did.

Overall Rating: [8]
Given the technology at this time, the guitar was very well made. It isn't hard to see this guitar was hand made from it's obvious detail, but for a hand made guitar from the 1930's it still holds its tune and still plays great. If I lost this guitar I would be very upset, It could never be replaced. I will never ever sell it, it will be passed down through the generations as it has been already. If I was going to sell it, there wouldn't be many who could afford what I'd be asking!