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Old 06-08-2007, 11:36 AM
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Default Pollmann violone

Tuesday I was in a local string shop and there is this Pollmann violone that has been there for years. I think it was built in the 1970's. It is extremely ornately carved everywhere, has a six string pegbox and TP, tied on nylon frets, and the plates are flush with the ribs. It is just a shade smaller than most 3/4 instruments.

I have lusted after that instrument for years, so while my cello friend was getting a new string, I was BSing with the proprietor and just off hand asked what he would take for the violone.

It was too good a price to pass on, but I am not really flush with funds now so I thought I would run it by the folks here just to get some ideas. The proprietor was kind of laughing at my reaction to the price, which I think was really low considering the instrument and pedigree. Of course he told me to properly string it would cost near $1200 and then he asks me what on earth would you do with a violone?

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has experience with violones here. I understand they are rare and mostly used for authentic Baroque performance, but are they good for other music, too? How different are they from a good DB? Do you think I should jump on it and put down a deposit?

It is a fabulous looking instrument. It might need a little work because I did see some separation of the top from the ribs in the shoulders, but that doesn't seem to critical. Otherwise it looks in very good condition with just a little shop wear. I know the shop owner has had it for years so it has been mostly window dressing for his shop. I don't think the price was a rip-off price given what the 5-string Pollmanns go for new these days. I just wonder if it would be useful for anything but authentic Baroque application.
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Old 06-09-2007, 09:45 AM
Arnold Schnitzer Arnold Schnitzer is offline
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I think it depends on two things: 1) will you be using it for its traditional purpose?, 2) would it be easily convertible to a regular bass?

If you would post the price and some pics, I'll be happy to comment about the inherent value. (Or send me a PM)
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Old 06-09-2007, 02:55 PM
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My intent would be to use it as it was originally built, for either original music or Baroque performance. It's a reproduction violone in every way. About the only thing I would forgo would be the tied on frets. The price quoted was $12K, and some good private advice has been that this is probably excessive. I will try to get some photos, but that would of course be at the pleasure of the shop. I don't generally talk about local shops on forums, and this one has no web site indicating the owner either is not interested in the Internet or doesn't need it to stay in business, but I'm just about certain you would know the shop. It's in Decatur and the owner has been in the business since the mid 1940's. If you don't know of him, it is likely some on this forum have crossed paths with him. He has been dealing with the Wilfer family and the Pollmann shop for decades and probably sells more basses than any other shop in Atlanta.

I've been seeing this violone for years every time I go in there and it has more carving detail than any instrument I've seen. I don't think there is any hurry to do the purchase and I know this fellow could go to his grave with this thing sitting there as window dressing in his shop. In short, he doesn't need to sell it and I don't really need to buy it, but I'd like to. It just fits in with my appreciation of the unusual and impractical.

So I would just have some fun with it, probably play it at some art gallery performances and record with it and then pass it along to a university level music department at some point in the future. I don't think I could consider it business equipment. And I couldn't justify a conversion because I could just get a Pollmann DB if that's what I wanted it for.

So I'll get the photos if he'll let me do that. The only repairs it might need that I could see would be separation of the ribs and top plate for a couple of inches along the shoulders. It might not even have a bass bar. It has some surface dings and scratches, but I didn't see any cracks. I hope he'll let me do some photos and post them. It really is serious eye candy.
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Old 06-10-2007, 09:33 PM
Arnold Schnitzer Arnold Schnitzer is offline
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$12,000 for a Pollmann instrument is excessive?????
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Old 06-10-2007, 10:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer View Post
$12,000 for a Pollmann instrument is excessive?????
Should I put a deposit? Just say so and tomorrow it will be done.
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Old 06-10-2007, 11:26 PM
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Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
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Lightbulb Buy it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Powell View Post
Should I put a deposit? Just say so and tomorrow it will be done.
What's the rush? What does it look like? What are the measurements? Can you afford to buy things like this just to collect?

Wanna buy a 200+ year old Bass Guitar?
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Old 06-10-2007, 11:22 PM
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Thumbs up huh?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer View Post
$12,000 for a Pollmann instrument is excessive?????

New Handmade Pollmann DBs have been spotted for up to 36k recently. It depends on the model and tone. Maybe tone comes first, then model/playability and *last, looks like pretty woods etc.

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that 'Bling'".. Do op, do op, do op, do op, do op, do op, do op, do op, do op, do.....

Not!
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