Joining the Girouard club - commissioned a build!

[Jill McAuley]

Stunning instrument. Absolutely breathtaking. Is it spirit varnish?

Not sure what the exact finish is - the standard that Max uses I'm assuming.

[seankeegan]

I 'think' the most common finish Max uses is Spirit varnish - most of the ones that have come up on TME were spirit varnish. My own one is spirit varnish, although Max did offer nitro if I preferred. I went for spirit and am really glad - mine was finished in May and over the past few months the varnish has shrunken into the wood to reveal the grain. Really noticeable when the light hits it. I've tried to take a few pictures to demonstrate this, but they really don't do it justice....



Here's a link to an article written by Max and Andrew Mowry on the varnish they use:

http://www.shellacfinishes.com/wp-co...y_RoyalLac.pdf

I'm sure whatever finish Max did on yours it'll be perfect. Your mandolin is so pretty. If you're ever back in Ireland with it, please please send me a message; it'd be lovely to meet up and compare mine (Engelmann) to that beautiful Cedar.

[Louise NM]

Jill, that's one of the prettiest instruments I have ever seen. Hope it arrives safely this morning.

[Jill McAuley]

I 'think' the most common finish Max uses is Spirit varnish - most of the ones that have come up on TME were spirit varnish. My own one is spirit varnish, although Max did offer nitro if I preferred. I went for spirit and am really glad - mine was finished in May and over the past few months the varnish has shrunken into the wood to reveal the grain. Really noticeable when the light hits it. I've tried to take a few pictures to demonstrate this, but they really don't do it justice....



Here's a link to an article written by Max and Andrew Mowry on the varnish they use:

http://www.shellacfinishes.com/wp-co...y_RoyalLac.pdf

I'm sure whatever finish Max did on yours it'll be perfect. Your mandolin is so pretty. If you're ever back in Ireland with it, please please send me a message; it'd be lovely to meet up and compare mine (Engelmann) to that beautiful Cedar.

That looks the business Sean, deadly that! I might actually be back home for a visit in July and am debating bringing the Girouard with me (I have a Price case for it) as I don't fancy being without anything to play for the fortnight I'm home!

[DougC]

As a 'cat person' I may have a problem with this one.
Play all night Jill. It is an inspiration for all of us!

[Jill McAuley]

Sat waiting for the mandolin all day - never arrived. Thanks USPS.....

[tree]

Ouch. This too shall pass . . . soon, I hope. Luck!

[yankees1]

This time of year scheduled deliveries can be a problem ! I feel for you Jill and hopefully it will arrive tomorrow ! I am waiting for my new tin whistle to arrive from Ireland and it should have been here several days ago and I am hoping for a delivery tomorrow !

[LadysSolo]

Lauri started staining my mandolin today - look at the figure in that top!!!

Holy crap! That is gorgeous!

[LadysSolo]

Likely the delivery is a day late due to no postal service Wed due to the national day of mourning. Hopefully arrives today - looking forward to the pictures!

[pops1]

Waiting is the hardest part, at least where you are at it is not sitting in some freezing truck for the weekend. Should be there Monday for sure, (fingers crossed). Looking forward to pic's, your assessment, and many a sound clip.

[Jill McAuley]

Latest update says it arrived at SFO this morning, and made it to the Post Office just before 10am - I'm just relieved that it made it to San Francisco finally! Probably unlikely it got to the PO in time for delivery today, so looking like Monday - we do occasionally get Sunday parcel delivery from the PO in my neighborhood so there's always that slight chance too.

[yankees1]

Latest update says it arrived at SFO this morning, and made it to the Post Office just before 10am - I'm just relieved that it made it to San Francisco finally! Probably unlikely it got to the PO in time for delivery today, so looking like Monday - we do occasionally get Sunday parcel delivery from the PO in my neighborhood so there's always that slight chance too.

A long weekend ! But the anticipation is almost over and the fun begins with a Girouard oval that you will love ! I love mine ! I can't wait until my Girouard F4 arrives late 2019 ! Look at my wait vs yours Jill !!

[Dagger Gordon]

Latest update says it arrived at SFO this morning, and made it to the Post Office just before 10am - I'm just relieved that it made it to San Francisco finally! Probably unlikely it got to the PO in time for delivery today, so looking like Monday - we do occasionally get Sunday parcel delivery from the PO in my neighborhood so there's always that slight chance too.

Very good news and a relief to hear that it's safely in San Francisco.

[Jill McAuley]

Well the stars aligned and 5 minutes before I was going to walk out the door this afternoon to head off to work the postman arrived with the mandolin!!! Left it to acclimate while I taught my last class before the holiday break and then home to celebrate no more students for a month and a new mandolin waiting for me!! It is jaw droppingly beautiful and tuned it up and not surprisingly it sounds as beautiful as it looks. Will get a video up tomorrow or Monday. Still can't believe it's mine!

[seankeegan]

[darylcrisp]

wow, talk about timing!
I bet you could hardly wait for that last class to end so you could get home.
Wonderful way to start the holiday time off.

d

[yankees1]

Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm almost as excited as you !!

[mtucker]

Only one word to describe that one, Awesome! Congrats. I'd pack it with you over the holidays.

And it's finished! Max just sent these to me and it's as stunning as I imagined it would be! Can't wait to be able to play it!!!

[Blues Healer]

not meaning to detract at all from Jill's post, but just to emphasize the beauty of Max and Lauri's work ... here's my oval due next week ... additional pics on their facebook page

[Jill McAuley]

not meaning to detract at all from Jill's post, but just to emphasize the beauty of Max and Lauri's work ... here's my oval due next week ... additional pics on their facebook page

I saw those photos this morning on FB - so gorgeous! Love that top and back combination!

I've just been playing mine for the past 3 hours (should've been out running errands but couldn't put the mandolin down!). It is the loudest oval A I've every owned/played, and the tone is fantastic - if it sounds this good now I can only imagine how great it'll sound once I put more miles on it. The workmanship is pure class - I cannot sing Max and Lauri's praises high enough - they are building amazing instruments.

[Blues Healer]

I saw those photos this morning on FB - so gorgeous! Love that top and back combination!

thanks Jill!

I played a Goodall guitar with a Port Orford top several years ago and it left a lasting impression ... I remember it as warm but punchy. That seems a little contradictory, but that's how I'd characterize it.

Enjoy!

[Charles E.]

not meaning to detract at all from Jill's post, but just to emphasize the beauty of Max and Lauri's work ... here's my oval due next week ... additional pics on their facebook page

Sweet! I like the sunburst top and amber back and sides. So nice to see sister mandolins being completed at one time. Y'all need to get together and play.

Speaking of sister Girouards, I saw that a sister to my F-5 (June 2014) sold in the classifieds a couple of weeks ago. I am sure the new owner is happy.

[pops1]

Jill, I know you liked your Collings oval, how does this differ? Seems like I am seeing a lot of oval hole mandolins coming from the dynamic duo at Girouard.

[yankees1]

Jill, I know you liked your Collings oval, how does this differ? Seems like I am seeing a lot of oval hole mandolins coming from the dynamic duo at Girouard.

I played a lot of ovals from various big name builders at Gruhn's but none compared to Girouard ovals and that is why I bought one from Max. Workmanship was flawless also.