Girouard Mandolins

[yankees1]

If you like ovals Max builds an incredible oval also !

[A-board]

I've been lusting for a Girouard ever since I heard one about 6 years ago. Dropped into the old NH shop, unannounced; Max and Lauri couldn't have been more accommodating. Hopefully, my better half is resigned to the likelihood that this is the year of the Girouard.

[KoalaBear]

What are the name of the tunes in the video?

[Charlie Bernstein]

The other mandolins I would compare them to are made by Steve Smith of Cumberland Acoustic.
The Red Line A5 is off similarly high quality and approximate price for a USA hand made instrument.
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query...ce%7Casc&page=

You just made me glad I went with a Red Line! If a Girouard is much like it, it'll be a nice little axe.

[pheffernan]

...something really cool in the works at Max and Lauri's...

They are going for a straight-on copy of the Griffith Loar A5...
I've got one on order, and am pretty psyched as to how this one turns out...
#74003 is one of my favorite mandolins, and if you want one you pretty much have to build it...
...or have someone build it for you...

Any updates on this brilliant concept? I'd love to see what Max and Lauri can do with Mrs. Griffith!

[lenf12]

Not sure I like the placement of "The Griffith" inlay but the concept is really cool. You go Max and Lauri!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Max Girouard]

Any updates on this brilliant concept? I'd love to see what Max and Lauri can do with Mrs. Griffith!

Hi Pheffernan, good timing on your inquiry because I was actually working more on this project this last weekend. I should have another blog entry in a couple weeks, but if you haven't seen the blog, check it out here:

https://girouardmandolins.wordpress....ffith-project/

I've also been contacted by the last teacher to be employed at the Griffith school, and he is giving me some great information that I'll incorporate into the history section of the blog.

I'll also have more info on the plate drawings soon. Thanks for your interest, it's been a lot of fun so far!

[Max Girouard]

Not sure I like the placement of "The Griffith" inlay but the concept is really cool. You go Max and Lauri!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Thanks Len, if you ever make it back up this way, come on over for a visit! I plan on keeping one to have in the shop.

The Griffith logo was designed by Bruce and we decided to place it in a similar position as the original "The Gibson" logo. I have that logo already drawn up because I replaced the neck on a snakehead Gibson of the same year as the Griffith and needed to cut a new logo out of pearl. I WILL NOT be putting "The Gibson" logos on these, but will at some point also design a "The Girouard" script that resembles the font of the original Gibson script as an option.

[oliverkollar]

I should have another blog entry in a couple weeks, but if you haven't seen the blog, check it out here:

This is GREAT news and very exciting.
Can you please update the thread when the next blog entry is out?

I have been looking forward to your Griffith A5 build for some time!

[Max Girouard]

This is GREAT news and very exciting.
Can you please update the thread when the next blog entry is out?

I have been looking forward to your Griffith A5 build for some time!

Sure thing! I'll probably start a new thread here on the cafe detailing the history and our build progress. I should have an update in a couple weeks.

[Em Tee]

This is perhaps a silly question but how do you pronounce Girouard?

[yankees1]

E=Em Tee;1669671]This is perhaps a silly question but how do you pronounce Girouard?[/QUOTE ja rard I live in Girard,Il and pronunciation is the same even though spelled differently !

[lenf12]

The Griffith logo was designed by Bruce and we decided to place it in a similar position as the original "The Gibson" logo. I have that logo already drawn up because I replaced the neck on a snakehead Gibson of the same year as the Griffith and needed to cut a new logo out of pearl. I WILL NOT be putting "The Gibson" logos on these, but will at some point also design a "The Girouard" script that resembles the font of the original Gibson script as an option.

Hi Max,

When next I get up to RI, your shop is on my "must visit" list. Sorry we didn't hook up when I was there last time while you were still in Pawtucket. I like Gloucester much better. I see what you mean about the logo placement. I could learn to live with it as is and hope to give one a test drive someday. I'll be following this thread with great interest.

Be well,
Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Girouardfan]

I highly recommend Girouard mandolins, Max and Lauri are great people. They're currently building me a custom concert A5. One day I hope to get a Mandola from him also.

[yankees1]

I have an oval F mandolin on order from The Girouards and arrival date will be late 2019. I absolutely love my Girouard A oval ! Best oval sound "to my ears" than any oval I played at Gruhns !

[pheffernan]

Sure thing! I'll probably start a new thread here on the cafe detailing the history and our build progress. I should have an update in a couple weeks.

I just checked out (and enjoyed) your blog. Do you have any recent updates on your build progress?

[Max Girouard]

I just checked out (and enjoyed) your blog. Do you have any recent updates on your build progress?

Hi Pheffernan,

I've been waiting on detailed info on the actual instrument, which I got recently, so I'm continuing with the builds. I've updated the blog with pictures and descriptions of our recent progress. Thanks for the interest!

https://wordpress.com/page/girouardm...dpress.com/144

[pheffernan]

I've updated the blog with pictures and descriptions of our recent progress.

It looks like the blog has been further updated to include the fretboards. Nice work!

https://girouardmandolins.wordpress....QsgghuzJpkwRCw

[Joey Anchors]

This is very interesting!

[pheffernan]

It looks like the blog has been further updated to include the fretboards.

It looks like there has been additional information added about preparing the tops and backs, though it does not seem to be dated. Do you have any more recent updates, Max?

[Max Girouard]

Hi pheffernan, sorry for the late response. Busy time of year for us getting ready for the March Mandolin Festival. I did manage to get the blog updated, tone bars installed and f holes cut..............

https://girouardmandolins.wordpress....ffith-project/

[pheffernan]

It looks like March included a closed box with scraped bindings and a neck under construction. I wonder what June will bring!

https://girouardmandolins.wordpress....ffith-project/

[Chris Calley]

Hi pheffernan, sorry for the late response. Busy time of year for us getting ready for the March Mandolin Festival. I did manage to get the blog updated, tone bars installed and f holes cut..............

https://girouardmandolins.wordpress....ffith-project/

What a fascinating read! Thank you for doing this.

[Joey Anchors]

I’m subbing to this as it’s such an in-depth look and recreation of my favorite F-Hole mandolins ever!

[pheffernan]

I’m subbing to this as it’s such an in-depth look and recreation of my favorite F-Hole mandolin ever!

Fixed that for you, Joey!