Hypothetical

[Kevin Stueve]

So let's say you have about 1300 to spend on an upgrade to your MD305 and you can
buy either a Girouard A (cedar top) or a Mandovoodoo'd MD815v, which would you choose and why?

[BrianWilliam]

The Girouard is my vote. Why? Because you asked

[keithb]

Girouard. I'd rather have something unique from a small hand builder. Plus, I like my Girouard a lot more than any Eastman I've ever played.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'd go for the Girouard but I'm not sure you're going get one that cheap unless you have a line on a used one. They really make nice stuff.

http://www.girouardmandolins.com/home.html

[colorado_al]

Sorry. Deleted

[Kevin Stueve]

shhh colorado_al, that is the one I was looking at. In fact both instruments I described are currently in the classifieds

[colorado_al]

shhh colorado_al, that is the one I was looking at. In fact both instruments I described are currently in the classifieds

Sorry. Deleted. I've been to the shop that is selling that one, and in fact just bought a mandolin made by them. 1st class. Can't go wrong there.

[Kevin Stueve]

they have that girouard and a hawthorne made by Mike Black that I'd like to play. May have to leave work early tomorrow

[colorado_al]

You should do that. Bradford and Franzke is a real gem of a shop! I live part time on the "other coast" of Missouri than you do, and stop in to Mark's shop on my way to or from Colorado.
Hawthorne is their shop brand and Mike Black is an excellent builder as well. I played several Hawthorne mandolins there in July. Very impressive. Looking forward to another visit soon!
I'd also play that RedLine while you're there. The color is not to my taste, but they are also great sounding mandolins.

[Kevin Stueve]

So I played the Girouard. It didn't do much for me. Now they had a Hawthorn A-5V built by Mike Black with a virzi (sp?) in it. It has a gorgeous sound. If it had better tuners I'd have come home with it. Still may go back and discuss changing the tuners out.

[fatt-dad]

you're heading down the right path, looking to buy a bench-made mandolin. Keep up the fun!

f-d

[colorado_al]

So I played the Girouard. It didn't do much for me. Now they had a Hawthorn A-5V built by Mike Black with a virzi (sp?) in it. It has a gorgeous sound. If it had better tuners I'd have come home with it. Still may go back and discuss changing the tuners out.

I'm not a fan of Golden Age tuners either. Ask Mark about swapping them out for some Rubner's. Might be a $50 upcharge, but worth it

Check these out:
https://www.rubnertuners.com/hauser-...-with-rosewood

[Josh Levine]

If I had $1300 to spend I would look for a 99-2002 Flatiron A5, a Gibson A9, or a Silverangel.

[Josh Levine]

*I've never had or played a Silverangel, but they seem like a good value.

[dhergert]

After seeing the The Cecil B. DeMille Fanned-Fret 'Dola in person, there's no question, I'd go with Girouard.

(NFI, except that I might buy a Girouard someday.)

[Josh Levine]

Honestly, the price seems mysteriously low, which to me may indicate that it's quality is not up to snuff with what they are currently producing in their shop... this is pure speculation, but they have a pretty strong pedigree, so at that low price something seems off.