1930s Arthur Hensel Artist 00-Size X-Braced Guitar

Overview: Hensel guitars were made in Toronto from the '30s through the '40s and are peculiar beasts with a good reputation. They're often great-sounding, well-built instruments but, like general "catalog" or "small shop" makes at the time, they may have their age-related failings. This one had already been gone-through (a bit) before it arrived here, having had a truss rod and new fretboard fit, bridge work done, and some refinishing/overspray work done as well. It needed a bit more to really cut the mustard, but now that it's buttoned-up, it purrs beautifully and handles well.

Tone: While the closest comparison for this guitar would be a same-period 12-fret Martin 0 or 00-size instrument due to the scalloped bracing under the hood of this fella, I think the overall sound leans more Gibson-like with punchier mids and a more even/less-velvety response. It makes both a killer fingerpicker and flatpicker, both -- with a woody, up-front, folksy voice.

Feel: The neck has a comfortable, medium-heft C shape.

Interesting features: As mentioned, it's got scalloped x-bracing. For the time, this was on the rarer side -- especially on what appears to be a more budget-oriented model considering its lack of binding and decal rosette. It looks outwardly a lot like a Regal catalog guitar from the time but on the inside it's more like a Regal "custom shop" model with all of the Martin copycat features. It also has some steep upgrades (albeit funky ones) that turn it into more of a proper, modern player. First of all, someone yanked the old fretboard off, routed and fit an adjustable truss rod (access at the headstock), and then fit a new rosewood fretboard with a radius. Because that necessitated new frets, these changes have given the instrument more of a modern feel -- which is nice.

Repairs included: Previously, someone else reset the neck, reglued and modified the bridge, installed a truss rod and new fretboard, and set it up pretty decently. This time around, Ancel gave it a level/dress of the frets, some seam repairs, further compensation/adjustment of the saddle, and setup-side work. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 3 lbs 9 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: 10"
• Body width: 14"
• Body depth: 3 3/4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x, scalloped
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood (replacement)
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 52w-11
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: Parts of the instrument appear either "oversprayed" or "topcoated" with modern finish, but I think all of the original finish is extant underneath and not much has changed as far as looks go. The fretboard is new, the truss rod is new (and the cavity for it at the headstock's a bit unelegant), and the bridge has been modified to accept a drop-in saddle (an improvement). The nut also appears newer. There are mild scratches, scuffs, and usewear throughout but it's not beat-up. I don't see any cracks and, overall, it's in good order.

It comes with: No case -- but if I have a chip case or something on hand that fits I will include it when I ship.

Consignor tag: MKLG