Pava A5 vs Girouard A5 - how do they compare?

[Ron McMillan]

I can't foresee me being in the market for a new mandolin anytime soon, but increasingly I am of the opinion that (especially if I were to buy new), two on the shortlist would be A5 instruments from Pava or Girouard. Both makers offer higher-spec A5 models that cost a little north of $3,000.

Simple question: has anyone here got experience of both, and if so, how well might they emerge from a comparison test?

For reference: my preferred musical forms are blues, jazz, and folk and Irish traditional - with only a very occasional detour into bluegrass.

[Mandobar]

The Pavas tend to be a little darker in tone than the Girouards. That said, remember, Pavas are adirondack topped. With a Girouard, there's cedar, engelmann, adirondack, and and a plethora of other back and side woods. Max is also very interested in the tone that his customers want and will adjust his builds accordingly.

[ferrousgeek]

I considered both, ended up with Girouard #79. Although Max does use a lot of variation of woods, every Girouard I have played shared a certain tonal quality I will describe as sweet and balanced. They have a full powerful tone. They are not what I think of as "bluegrass" tone, which I hear as raw, woody, mid-range punchy. The fit and finish is spectacular, as good as any mando out there.

For the past four years I have spent time at the Ellis/Pava booth at IBMA. I have found a lot of variation in the tone and volume of the mandos in that booth. There have been two that have stood out above the rest. A Pava A a few years ago that was head and shoulders above every other mando in the booth and most at the show. A true bluegrass cannon! I wish I had written down the serial number and pursued it. That one still haunts me. Last year there was a Pava F that just had a little something the others did not. Sounded old and woody compared to the rest.

For the type of music you listed, I would steer you toward the Girouard. Others may hear things differently.

[LadysSolo]

I have not played a Girouard A5, but I own a Pava A5 that I will never let go - it is superb! Responsive, great tone, it has it all (even stays in tune well! LOL!!) From what the others say, it sound like you will not go wrong whichever you would pick. What a nice choice to have!

[Ivan Kelsall]

Ron - Didn't you play a Girouard mandolin at TAMCO on one of your visits home ?. I seem to remember 'somebody' saying that it was a superb mandolin & that the Girouard & Ellis mandolins were their favourites. With what we know of any mandolin,even from the same builder & even consecutive serial #'s sounding different,it would be hard to make a case for one or the other 'on paper'.

Somehow,i can't help feeling that the Pava's might have a ''family tone'' coming from Tom Ellis' workshop - but whether any single one would appeal more than another.................. ?,
Ivan

[Ron McMillan]

I did play a Girouard at TAMCO a couple of years ago, and recall thinking it was rather wonderful, but specific memories in comparison to the many other fine instruments I played there in a very short time have become a bit hazy to say the least

It's obvious that Pava mandolins have very quickly acquired a well-deserved reputation for excellence, but it is also fascinating to hear so much praise for the Girouards - praise no doubt every bit as well-deserved. I wish I was in the market right now, because the range of quality mandolins in the $3,000-$4,000 price bracket from small shop custom luthiers is astonishing, with Sorensen, Jacobson, Black, Poe and others all producing lovely instruments.

[jshane]

My Pava has always given me anything I asked of it-- and it consistently astounds everyone with how much sustain it has. This may or may not be a trait you are after, but if you play alone, or with one other instrument, that extra sustain is like gold.

[ccravens]

I own a Girouard A model, and have played many Pava A's as well. If I didn't own a Girouard, I would own a Pava. They are both that good.

Given your musical preferences, I would go with the Girouard. I think the post and evaluation of ferrousgeek above as to the differences between the two is pretty spot-on.

Of course, whichever you decide to go with, if you ultimately do decide, will make you a happy camper. Then there is the issue of price, if that factors into your decision, which would also make the Girouard more attractive.

[red7flag]

I have a Girouard mandola that is deep rich and warm. I gave up an excellent Old Wave mandola to get it, but never looked back. The Girouard is simply one of my favorite instruments and I really enjoy playing it both with others and here solo. Mine has a dark rich tone and truly sounds like no other mandolin family instrument I have played. As I have never played another I cannot generalize. The videos from the Music Emporium demonstrate solid tone that I would like to have. I have an Ellis F5 that after playing a few Pavas at Carters is in the same tonal school. Also, the fit and finish and playability of ever Pava I have played is just as stellar as it's Ellis cousins. Fortunately I don't have to choose and will keep my Girouard and my Ellis. Were I in need of an instrument, I would not hesitate to buy either.

[Marcus CA]

how well might they emerge from a comparison test?

For reference: my preferred musical forms are blues, jazz, and folk and Irish traditional - with only a very occasional detour into bluegrass.

A buddy and I did a side-by-side of those two instruments at Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz last December. Both of them were built well and played easily. For tone, the Girouard was a bit woodier, and the Pava was a bit fuller and punchier. For bluegrass, I'd go with the Pava, but for what you're playing, either could work just fine, although I might go with the Girouard for blues. The Pava is priced $600 higher than the Girouard, which to me seems in the ballpark. Maybe a touch high in comparison, but nothing I'd argue with anybody about.

Has anybody played either of these mandos side-by-side with a Collings MT or MT2?

[dschonbrun]

I would also mention that max is more likely to finish with French polish at a lower price point compared with Pava, and that can make a big difference in volume.

[Don Grieser]

I can only speak about Girouard mandolins and mandolas. I have yet to play a Pava. I have a stellar Girouard mandola, really an exceptional instrument. I have an oval hole 2 point mandolin under construction by Max right now. I think he and Lauri and building some really great mandolins, mandolas, octaves, and soon mandocellos these days. NFI.

Truth is, it would be hard to go wrong with either a Pava or a Girouard.

[Michael Romkey]

I had a Pava. It was beautifully made but I didn't love it. I think it was just off the usual standard in terms of tone. It's a truism, but if you can play before you buy, that's always a good idea. All of that said, the Girouards are supposed to be really nice. I wouldn't be afraid to try another Pava at some point, but the Girouards are one of the hot builds right now. That's the way I'd jump.

[ccravens]

I had a Pava. It was beautifully made but I didn't love it. I think it was just off the usual standard in terms of tone. It's a truism, but if you can play before you buy, that's always a good idea. All of that said, the Girouards are supposed to be really nice. I wouldn't be afraid to try another Pava at some point, but the Girouards are one of the hot builds right now. That's the way I'd jump.

Since you've revived a 5 year old thread, my natural inclination is to ask the OP: did you make a decision??