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Thread: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

  1. #1
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    For months I was cogitating, scratching my head, about a new mandolin. I emailed some great builders who showed remarkable patience with me but I finally decided on a Girouard Concert Master F oval hole mandolin after talking with Max and a couple members on the Mandolin Cafe who currently have either an A or F Girouard mandolin.

    First I want to say Max and Lauri Girouard are really nice folks and great people to work with! Always willing to take time out of their busy day to answer all your questions and make the process easy.

    At one time I had a 1924 Gibson F2 mandolin in excellent condition and got stupid and sold it to a Mandolin Cafe member. After selling it I realize how much I missed that old 1924 Gibson F2 but its water over the dam now, its long gone! So that’s my reason for selecting to go with a Girouard Concert Master F oval hole to replace that old Gibson F2 oval hole mandolin.
    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; May-04-2021 at 8:30pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  2. #2
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Here is a photo of the Master Grade Red Maple selected for the back and sides by Max. The top wood used was Master Grade Red Spruce.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  3. #3
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Here is a photo showing the back of the Girouard Concert Master F oval hole before Lauri stained it.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; May-04-2021 at 8:05pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  4. #4
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    I then sent Max a hand drawing of what I want on the headstock for the F oval hole. The first photo post is a copy of my drawing that I sent Max. I hope no one dies from laughing at my second grade art work. The second photo is the actual headstock of my Girouard headstock. It’s unbelievable what Max can do from a second grade drawing!!
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; May-04-2021 at 8:31pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  5. #5

    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Looking good! Nice back!

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  7. #6
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Here is what it looked like after Lauri did here magic in staining the mandolin.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  8. #7
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Here are the final photos of the Girouard mandolin before Max shipped it out today. Now it’s the waiting process for the mandolin to arrive sometime this week.

    I hope this process from me posting these photos of my Girouard Concert Master F oval hole mandolin will help someone out in pick out a great builder and enjoying the journey of having a custom made instrument. Life is to short, take the time to enjoy it with great instruments that we all love to play!!!

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; May-04-2021 at 9:15pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  10. #8
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Looking good! I do not think you will be disappointed. Max and Lauri build a fine mandolin. Congrats from another Girouard mandolin owner!
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  12. #9
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Darwin, your last pics are not working?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  13. #10
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Thanks Charley, for saying something about the pics not working. I went back in and uploaded them again.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  14. #11
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Congrats on what appears to be a superbly-made, beautiful looking mandolin.

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  16. #12
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Quote Originally Posted by Glassweb View Post
    Congrats on what appears to be a superbly-made, beautiful looking mandolin.
    Thanks, I’m very pleased with what Max and Lauri did with the mandolin and I couldn’t ask for anything more! I’m one happy camper right now....
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  17. #13
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    That looks absolutely stunning - Max and Lauri have knocked one out of the park again! Congratulations and enjoy!
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

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  19. #14

    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    That is beautiful...very exciting. Congrats!

  20. #15
    Registered User Frankdolin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Good times coming your way! Congrats!

  21. #16

    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    That's beautiful. Looks like a cantilevered fretboard and 15 fret to the body? I think those are nice touches that will add a touch of volume and resonance. Thomastic strings? Looking forward to hearing it!
    Girouard Concert A5
    Girouard Custom A4
    Nordwall Cittern
    Barbi Mandola
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  22. #17
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Girouard Concert Master F Oval Hole

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Leyda View Post
    That's beautiful. Looks like a cantilevered fretboard and 15 fret to the body? I think those are nice touches that will add a touch of volume and resonance. Thomastic strings? Looking forward to hearing it!
    Chuck, you have a good eye for noticing the strings on the mandolin. The answer to your question is Yes, they are Thomastik 154 medium strings. Max asked me what strings I used on my mandolins and I told him Thomastik 154 medium strings. Thats what he put on the mandolin and then dialed it in for exactly what I wanted and left if sit over night and then fine tuned it again in the morning before he shipped it out. It doesn’t get any better than that my friend. I now see why everyone that I talked with on the Mandolin Cafe recommended Max and Lauri Girouard for building a mandolin.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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