My new(1970) Pollmann bass!

AMJBASS · #1 02-11-2008, 02:36 PM

Today I picked up a really nice sounding 1970 Pollmann! It is in good shape, although it has several repaired cracks. Some of which haven't been expertly repaired. I may in time have them re openned and closed properly. The back in particular. However it has been checked over at Heinl's in Toronto, and it is quite stable. It is in fantastic playing condition. The bass has a VERY nice sound. A really sweet sounding instrument in thumb position, and loud enough for me to play acoustic trio gigs. A very balanced and full sounding bass up and down. It has Helicore Hybrids on it right now which I don't really like at all, so we'll see what it sounds like with a new set of Spirocores. It has been sitting for some time, and it has already openned up considerably in sound already. Anyway, here are a few dimensions, and some pictures!

String Length: 41"
Top Length: 43"
Upper Bout: 19.25"
Lower Bout: 25.25"
Rib Depth: 8.5"

AMJBASS · #2 02-11-2008, 02:38 PM

A couple more...

Jake deVilliers · #3 02-11-2008, 03:24 PM

That looks very nice!

drurb · #4 02-11-2008, 03:39 PM

Congrats on your new baby! Looks really nice!

nashvillebass · #5 02-11-2008, 03:49 PM

That's sweet! Look at those sloping shoulders. Looks like you're going to spend some time high up on the wild side of that bass! Let us know how it sounds on the gig or on record.

AMJBASS · #6 02-11-2008, 04:12 PM

I will have to take some better shots... maybe tonight. The shoulders are less sloped than my other bass. From that angle I think it appears to be more than it is. Plus, I usually stay in the "business" end of things

KSB - Ken Smith · #7 02-11-2008, 04:40 PM

Be careful with touching the cracks that don't line up perfectly. Re-gluing them later will be difficult if they get and dirt, grease or DNA on the wood.

I would do it sooner than later if it were my Bass.

Also, on your Rib Depth: 8.5", is that inside the Top and Back or including them?

AMJBASS · #8 02-11-2008, 04:43 PM

Ken, the Rib Depth is 8.5" including top and back(8" just the ribs).

I have thought about just getting it restored to bring the health/value of the bass up, but it plays and sounds great right now. There aren't any open cracks at the moment, only poorly repaired. It has been evaluated by Heinl's in Toronto and they say it is stable, so I might hold off for a bit. The crack on the treble side under the tailpiece isn't perfectly lined up however...

KSB - Ken Smith · #9 02-11-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

Ken, the Rib Depth is 8.5" including top and back(8" just the ribs).

I have thought about just getting it restored to bring the health/value of the bass up, but it plays and sounds great right now. There aren't any open cracks at the moment, only poorly repaired. It has been evaluated by Heinl's in Toronto and they say it is stable, so I might hold off for a bit.

Rib depth is the Rib depth, not the Bass depth!

Ok on what they say about the Bass but exposed wood like I see are a trap for foreign matter. Ask Jeff or Arnold what has to be done when the crack wont seal or hold glue. A thin splice with wood removed?

AMJBASS · #10 02-11-2008, 04:56 PM

I do appreciate the advice Ken. I am going to try and have it worked on soon, but I can't afford it just yet. I would want to have the back worked on at the same time since the cleats aren't the nicest. I am considering possibly getting the work done in the states. The climate is similar in NY to where I am.

KSB - Ken Smith · #11 02-11-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

I do appreciate the advice Ken. I am going to try and have it worked on soon, but I can't afford it just yet. I would want to have the back worked on at the same time since the cleats aren't the nicest. I am considering possibly getting the work done in the states. The climate is similar in NY to where I am.

Sounds like a plan. I have owned two Pollmanns myself (one a Kolstein Orch/Solo model #2, one a d'Sola model). They were both very nice Basses and worth up keeping in my opinion.

Carl Johnson · #12 02-11-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

...or DNA on the wood - Ken

Yikes...

Nice score, in my limited experience they are great playing instruments.

A friend of mine has a 68 Pollmann, could be a twin to yours. Only difference is it has scalloped patterned edging decorations. I like the concave on the lower ff tongue (??).

If it were mine I’d address any and all issue now, stable or not. Get an appraisal from trusted luthier and make sure you have some sort of insurance.

AMJBASS · #13 02-13-2008, 08:15 AM

After playing this bass for a few days, it has really openned up. It is very full, and very even across the strings. It also has that "loose" feel to it. One thing that concerns me greatly however... The sound post is sitting on one of the cleats on the back of the instrument. I am not sure what they are made of, only that they are large and very inexpertly done. I am sure that if it was properly done that I could have this bass sounding even better. I may have to get this looked at sooner than I had expected...

KSB - Ken Smith · #14 02-13-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

After playing this bass for a few days, it has really openned up. It is very full, and very even across the strings. It also has that "loose" feel to it. One thing that concerns me greatly however... The sound post is sitting on one of the cleats on the back of the instrument. I am not sure what they are made of, only that they are large and very inexpertly done. I am sure that if it was properly done that I could have this bass sounding even better. I may have to get this looked at sooner than I had expected...

Roundback or flatback, if there is a problem like yours, a soundpost patch or quasi-cross brace on a roundback like on a Flat back is not unheard of. I have seen both Jeff Bolbach and Arnold Schnitzer build shallow carved backs and put a center brace in them.

My Martini has a 3pc Back and the Post is just inches from the joint. To make sure it never becomes a problem again which it has in the past, I had Arnold fix it with a 6" wide, 3" long quasi Post patch/center brace. he also did some re-cleating as it had several different things going on there. It is now nice and uniform and I can't wait to get it back in my hands.

This Bass was working out just fine but I saw some problems with it that I knew were not optimum for the long haul. Fixing it now is always better than waiting till the weak areas 'give' and something worse happens to the Bass.

When buying a bass, I always consider all the repairs needed as part of the initial cost. Otherwise, I am just fooling myself. Broken Basses don't fix themselves, they just get worse and as they do, so does the cost of fixing it.

AMJBASS · #15 02-13-2008, 01:21 PM

I have actually thought quite a bit about having a center brace made for the instrument. It would probably be a very good idea. I wouldn't have bought the instrument if I wasn't getting it at a VERY good price. I have taken into consideration repairs/restoration when buying, and that the basses value would be greater(when restored), than the cost of the instrument, and the cost of the repairs put together. Trust me, it was a good deal!