Pollmann Busseto.. (SOLD)

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

Gunter (father), not Ralph

Yes, I fixed that with a quick edit. I posted Ralph as the father when it's Gunter.

Anything else to comment on in regards to the Carving work maestro?

[Eric Swanson]

Emailed Pollmann about the carving. If they respond, I'll share it...

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Yes, I fixed that with a quick edit. I posted Ralph as the father when it's Gunter.

Anything else to comment on in regards to the Carving work maestro?

It's all chip carving done with knives and gouges. Quite skillful but gaudy, IMHO.

[Eric Swanson]

Here's the response from Poellmann, confirming our assumptions:

"Hi Eric

Thanx for your mail.

We are a small Bassmaker Family and we do all our work by hand.
There is a special technique in this carving work.
If you have the possibility to see one of our ornamentation basses,
you can see in the details (and if you have a eye for thinks like this)
that the cutting are not equal and even. It's handwork....


Best regards
Poellmann Bassmaker
Ralph"


As a mechanic, I will leave my opinions on taste and the "assumed irregularity of handwork" out of the mix. I am grateful that they took the time to respond!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

Here's the response from Poellmann, confirming our assumptions:

"Hi Eric

Thanx for your mail.

We are a small Bassmaker Family and we do all our work by hand.
There is a special technique in this carving work.
If you have the possibility to see one of our ornamentation basses,
you can see in the details (and if you have a eye for thinks like this)
that the cutting are not equal and even. It's handwork....


Best regards
Poellmann Bassmaker
Ralph"


As a mechanic, I will leave my opinions on taste and the "assumed irregularity of handwork" out of the mix. I am grateful that they took the time to respond!

I think they are beautiful. I almost bought the '77 5er a few years ago but I had some issues with that Bass personally. The Carvings is what got me excited. This one I have now is the best Pollmann I have played for a model this size. Actually, it is the best I have had my hands on. Maybe some of the bigger Italian models are even better but for this German model and the other smaller Italian models they have made since the '70s, this is the best thus far.

I guess I just like fancy stuff. It's not for everyone.

[Sam Sherry]

The "hollow key" tuner sure do look like they're gonna snap off the next time you bonk one. I dig the faux "plate" carving on the scroll a lot. That looks like fun . . . The extra carving on the ear of the scroll, OK, fun too . . . The ornate body carving in lieu of purfling has always struck me as over-the-top. It also seems to lack the benefits up purfling, i.e. a stop-point for edge-chips. Obviously we treat masterwork instruments with the utmost respect and do our utmost never to cause harm. Unfortunately, there are other people in the world -- and on the road -- and on the bandstand -- who might not rise to that standard.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

The "hollow key" tuner sure do look like they're gonna snap off the next time you bonk one. I dig the faux "plate" carving on the scroll a lot. That looks like fun . . . The extra carving on the ear of the scroll, OK, fun too . . . The ornate body carving in lieu of purfling has always struck me as over-the-top. It also seems to lack the benefits up purfling, i.e. a stop-point for edge-chips. Obviously we treat masterwork instruments with the utmost respect and do our utmost never to cause harm. Unfortunately, there are other people in the world -- and on the road -- and on the bandstand -- who might not rise to that standard.

First off Sam, this Bass IS totally Purfled Top and Back just above the carvings into the curve of the edge in a masterful way. The inner edge of Purfling modulates into the outer edge of the carving. This work is beautifully done but in a subtle way.

Look closer in these Pics;


The sharp fine black lines that look like paint around the wood colored center is actually inlaid purfling, not paint. This Bass is built to the end.

The Tuner handles are sturdier than the thin flat club-shaped handles seen on 90% of the German plate gears of the 20th century. No Bass should get banged around, period.

[Phil Maneri]

I played this bass. It's really something. One of the best Pollmanns I've played. If it's the same one I played at Arnolds a month before it's the only Pollmann I've liked, if it's a different one I must say they are making better basses than they used to not all that long ago.

The carvings are astonishing but not my cuppa. The arching of the top, the flame in the maple, the little detail work is fantasticly done. Nice balanced player, has all the right stuff.