New (used) 2012 Girouard F-5

[Dave LaBoone]

I unpacked my new mandolin this morning and was quite impressed with the fit and finish on this beautiful instrument! This is Girouard #29, built in September 2012. It plays great, and I love the tone (western red cedar top; one piece maple back). Thanks to Lauri for talking with me at length on the phone regarding this mandolin!

Max and Lauri gave me permission to share the photos they took of it:
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Check out a video clip here:

http://youtu.be/ljjlCMnP_tI

[Eric Michael Pfeiffer]

I like these mandolins...they look and sound like great stuff. Very nice mandolin ....enjoy ( and stay warm, Kentucky's a bit colder than normal these days!

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Congrats on the new Girouard. I remember you traded a Flatiron for it. If I may ask: How do you think they compare?

[Charles E.]

Good score!

[Ben Cooper]

Again, congratulations and welcome to the family of Girouard owners!! :mandosmiley:

[Dave LaBoone]

Congrats on the new Girouard. I remember you traded a Flatiron for it. If I may ask: How do you think they compare?

Yes, I did. I really like the radiused fingerboard of the Girouard and the ringing overtones it seems to have. It might not have quite as much of a bluegrass "chop" as the Flatiron, but I play all kinds of music, so I'm really happy with the tone.

[Dave LaBoone]

I like these mandolins...they look and sound like great stuff. Very nice mandolin ....enjoy ( and stay warm, Kentucky's a bit colder than normal these days!

Ha! Today it got up to a balmy 17 degrees. I bet you're enjoying nice summer temps down in the southern hemisphere!

[Mandobar]

sounds great!

[Eric Michael Pfeiffer]

Ha! Today it got up to a balmy 17 degrees. I bet you're enjoying nice summer temps down in the southern hemisphere!

Yeah all my family over in the Owensboro, Fordsville, Hartford-BeaverDam area mentioned it was -21 with the wind chill over there....

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Yes, I did. I really like the radiused fingerboard of the Girouard and the ringing overtones it seems to have. It might not have quite as much of a bluegrass "chop" as the Flatiron, but I play all kinds of music, so I'm really happy with the tone.

Thanks for the feedback. I finally had a chance to hear the video last night and the Girouard sounds great. It has a lot of warmth to me ears, and a lot of pop. It's a good one for sure. And very nice playing to boot!

[Spruce]

If that top is what I think it is, it is some of the nicest cedar I've ever put a froe to...
Nice to see it come out the other end of the pipe... ;)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/P1170635_zpsbf1f0e94.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/e_stamp/media/P1170635_zpsbf1f0e94.jpg.html)

[Dave LaBoone]

If that top is what I think it is, it is some of the nicest cedar I've ever put a froe to...
Nice to see it come out the other end of the pipe... ;)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/P1170635_zpsbf1f0e94.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/e_stamp/media/P1170635_zpsbf1f0e94.jpg.html)

Cool! Thanks for sharing the picture of the "raw" wood, pre-construction!

[Dave LaBoone]

Okay, after a few days of playing and getting accustomed to it, I've concluded that this is a superb instrument! I've found a chop that I like, and it has sustain like no other mandolin I've played or heard live. It just begs to be played slowly and deliberately, so that the overtones can ring out and blend together. Max and Lauri sure did a great job on this one!

[Max Girouard]

If that top is what I think it is, it is some of the nicest cedar I've ever put a froe to...
Nice to see it come out the other end of the pipe......

Spruce, that is indeed where the top of this mandolin came from. With wood this nice, you may want to change your user name to Cedar!

Dave, thanks so much for posting and sharing the video. It is really great to see people enjoying one of our mandolins. Your playing is fantastic and compliments the mandolin wonderfully. Happy pickn' !!!!