david,
it´s no problem for me to ask the krahmers about "your" violone.
i was i contact with them regarding some others basses not long ago.
you could post or pm me your questions and i call/mail them.
but maybe it will take some days because i will be out of town for a concert this weekend (sat-tuesday).
(or you could test their english if you mail them: info@poellmann-contrabass.de :))
anselm

The Family!
 

http://poellmann-contrabass.de/indexframe.htm

Click 'Family' on the top of the page.

I have been told that all the Engraving work is done by a separate person than the one making the Basses.

same story that i know. an old man from the cabinet-maker branch, sitting in a corner of the workshop and carving the flourishes

pöllmann family
 

when i was working as an employed orchestra-musician years ago, the solobassist of the orchestra had a pöllmann 5-stringer (ca. 1920 iirc), one of the best 5ers i´ve ever played.
i must have been made by max pöllmann. all pöllmanns i´ve seen from this time were really good instruments.

Yes, Anselm, please do ask for me. There is no need to hurry. Even though it isn't my Pöllmann just yet, and might get away if I wait, I am interested in the man who made it. The carving details are consistent with the designs featured on other embellished Pöllmann instruments. I guess it would be somewhat unusual for an instrument like that to be completely made by one person. It doesn't diminish my interest in this instrument or the craftsmanship to know they have a skilled specialist doing the embellishment. Enjoy your concert tour and we will see about it when you return. :)

you´ve got PM

the answer is still pending

in the meantime a photo from my tour :)

david,
you got mail.

hi david,
forgive my curiosity, but... anything new about your violone?

I have not made a decision one way or the other. I suppose I have been somewhat pre-occupied. Some new information about an anniversary of sorts came my way a few weeks ago. Odd that I should visit this thread today. Can't say much more. Nothing to do with the violone mind you. The conspiracy doesn't extend that far I don't think. Suffice it to say, all other concerns are trivial in comparison. More on a different thread later perhaps.

I do appreciate you asking, it is still on my mind however I am somewhat behind in my reading and trying to catch up. The big problem with Americans is most of us just do not read;- bass clef or otherwise.