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Thread: NMD - Girouard Oval

  1. #1

    Default NMD - Girouard Oval

    New mandolin day, my new Girouard A Oval arrived yesterday morning. I have been too busy playing it to post or record anything, but here is a start. I opened the box to check on it when I got it, then actually worked a couple of hours before tuning it up and playing it. Actually put it down for the afternoon and continued to work. As I am doing contract programing work, I gotta work when its around. Today was more of the same, I only picked it up during lunch.

    It was a pleasure working with Max on this, it turned out great. I love the abalone Girouard script, the fret markers, and the rosette around the oval hole. The triple binding on the top looks great with it.

    I mucked with the action a bit, and it allowed me to settle into the mandolin more, and later in the evening I started getting the sound I wanted out of it. I think it is a little bit of the mandolin settling into the new environment, and a lot more of the player settling into the mandolin. The EVO frets feel good, and I am glad that I won't have to worry about tightening up as much. Still working on loosening the grip when I speed things up though, idk why I tense up at times.

    Now that it is evening, time to annoy my kids again and play all evening. Since I have been without a mandolin for almost a month, my callouses need to be whipped into shape!

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    Last edited by Gary Leonard; Jul-11-2019 at 5:38pm.
    Girouard Custom Studio A Oval
    P.W. Crump OM-III

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  3. #2

    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    "I've got to admit it's getting better
    A little better all the time
    I have to admit it's getting better
    It's getting better since you've been mine "
    Girouard Custom Studio A Oval
    P.W. Crump OM-III

  4. #3
    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Nice! Congrats, Gary. I'd like to get my hands on one of these some day.

  5. #4

    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Congrats, Gary. Max and Lauri do such beautiful work and get such great tone. Looking forward to hearing it.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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  6. #5

    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Is it easier to play than your Collings MTO?

  7. #6
    Registered User seankeegan's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Congrats Gary, it's beautiful. 100% agree; Max is a delight to work with. Enjoy breaking in your new instrument.

  8. #7

    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by newmanj24 View Post
    Is it easier to play than your Collings MTO?
    Loren, I wouldn't say it is any easier, just different. I will say the neck seems to fit well with my grip. I always felt with the collings my thumb was on a steep slope. It wasn't uncomfortable, but I completely changed my grip around the collings neck over the last few years. I think the reason the Girouard fits well is that it pretty close to the Collings in shape, but with a less pronounced V.
    Girouard Custom Studio A Oval
    P.W. Crump OM-III

  9. #8
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Looks great! Glad for you, Gary!

  10. #9
    Registered User
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Congratulations! Enjoy!

  11. #10
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Congratulations on the new oval she’s a beauty!!
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  12. #11
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Beautiful !! A Girouard oval is second to none ! Workmanship and sound !

  13. #12
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Played many ovals at Gruhn's in Nashville from many builders and to my ears and eyes none compared to a Girouard ! Wonderful sound and eye candy for sure !

  14. #13
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Gah, I totally missed this thread when it first came out because I was away back in Ireland - huge congratulations to you Gary, your Girouard is an absolute beauty! Hope you're enjoying it as much as I enjoy mine!
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
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    1969 Martin 00-18




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  15. #14
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    Oh lord she looks amazing! Hoping it turns into a long fulfilling relationship between you to.
    Waterloo WL-M

    Blues Mando Social Group - member

  16. #15
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD - Girouard Oval

    I was lucky enough to find one locally and it is a dandy. Yours is a bit fancier but I am sure it sounds as good as the one I have so I know why you play it so much. Enjoy!

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