Just Arrived (and Already Gone!): Minerva L-00s

Every year, we get exactly two Minerva Fretworks guitars...

...and every year, they fly out the door before we have much of a chance to enjoy them! Isaac Stroupe of Rossville, GA, the man behind Minerva, brings a background in violin making and a deep love of vintage guitars, both well-known and offbeat, to his handcrafted guitars. Using handbuilt techniques, hot hide glue, a home-brewed spirit varnish finish, and local wood sources wherever possible, Isaac seeks to bring some of the wisdom of the violin world to that of guitars.

"My aim is to take classic 20th century steel string guitar designs and build them the way a traditional Violin or Classical Guitar maker would, ensuring the finest possible tone and playability and an instrument that with proper care and repair should outlive the maker and player several times over."

This time, we made sure we photographed them and put them in Carl's hands before we even put them online. Though it's a surprise they even made it that far—more than a couple TNAG staffers were considering snatching them up first! Isaac's work gets better and better every year, and anyone who loves vintage guitars is sure to love his inspired renditions.

Isaac has more than enough to keep him busy, but he's kind enough to bring us two guitars a year. Let us know if you'd like to be notified the next time we get a Minerva guitar in the shop!