• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass pollman?

#41
eerbrev said:
I know someone who has a busetto model. It's a nice bass with good low end and a ballsy high end (the way he has it set up anyways) but the midrange is a bit underwhelming, which makes the low end a bit undefined. I like it, but i think it's good that he's looking at upgrading as well. It's a good bass for solo stuff as he has it set up ( a bit extreme, dominants and a wingless bridge) but just missing something for orchestra.

eerbrev
Click to expand...

I have this particular bass at the moment. I took the wingless bridge off and put a normal one on, had the soundpost moved down a little, a setup tweak and different strings. You'd be amazed at how just these things changed the sound of the instrument. The Dominants/wingless bridge thing just wasn't for me, far too bright and hard to handle. Of course my bow skills aren't even close to the previous owner's. It now has a lot more balanced sound all around, and a lot more bottom. Much nicer (IMO) for both Orchestra and Jazz

I have had two Pollmann Basses, one from the early 80's and this one from 1970. Both really good Basses but somewhat different in their sound.
The Bass from the 80's needed some work, the back was very thick. Once we got that sorted out it was a very nice sounding Bass, somewhat darker than the 1970 Bass. the top was a bit thicker as well - probably made some difference.

Both Basses had a bigger lower bout than those made today.
Mine is close to 27 inches across. The label inside says it's their 7/8 model. I don't know if they made other Busetto models other than the Emperor model back then.
The ribs are 9 1/4 inches deep.
The low C (extension note) shakes the theater the players across the stage tell me.
I play about 75% on the Jazz side of things and 25% Orchestral.
The Bass kills with Spiros but I don't like using them in the orchestra so It's strung with EP's - they seem to work well in both styles.
I love this instrument, I'm really happy to have it back.
 
#42
Don C said:
I have this particular bass at the moment. I took the wingless bridge off and put a normal one on, had the soundpost moved down a little, a setup tweak and different strings. You'd be amazed at how just these things changed the sound of the instrument. The Dominants/wingless bridge thing just wasn't for me, far too bright and hard to handle. Of course my bow skills aren't even close to the previous owner's. It now has a lot more balanced sound all around, and a lot more bottom. Much nicer (IMO) for both Orchestra and Jazz

I have had two Pollmann Basses, one from the early 80's and this one from 1970. Both really good Basses but somewhat different in their sound.
The Bass from the 80's needed some work, the back was very thick. Once we got that sorted out it was a very nice sounding Bass, somewhat darker than the 1970 Bass. the top was a bit thicker as well - probably made some difference.

Both Basses had a bigger lower bout than those made today.
Mine is close to 27 inches across. The label inside says it's their 7/8 model. I don't know if they made other Busetto models other than the Emperor model back then.
The ribs are 9 1/4 inches deep.
The low C (extension note) shakes the theater the players across the stage tell me.
I play about 75% on the Jazz side of things and 25% Orchestral.
The Bass kills with Spiros but I don't like using them in the orchestra so It's strung with EP's - they seem to work well in both styles.
I love this instrument, I'm really happy to have it back.
Click to expand...

*waves* Hey Mr. C! That bass is gorgeous. Glad to hear that bass is still doing great things. The few chances I had to handle that instrument it was a lot of fun.

I agree, just changing a few things can really change the sound of a bass. Even just changing the strings can bring new life to an instrument.

Cheers,

eerbrev
 
#47
LouisF said:
Has anyone seen their "Salzburg" busetto? It seems huge on the bottom but very playable across the top (I've written for dimensions and will post when I get an answer). Thanks

Pöllmann Contrabass - Salzburg
Click to expand...
hi, got a salzburger (-88) since -95.
EB01F742-8CCC-4334-81D7-50529E029010.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: crd, Sam Sherry, Joshua and 1 other person
#49
robobass said:
A note on the spelling: The way to respell without the umlaut is to add an "e" to the vowel. Ex. Pöllmann = Poellmann, and the two letter version is usually used when an umlaut might be a problem, such as in internet domain names. The sound is quite different too. You say both vowels, so "Pöllmann" comes out sounding almost like "Perlmann":)
Click to expand...

Old thread, but I appreciate the information. I always wondered about the various spellings. I really don't understand the adverse reactions you got for this...
 
  • Like
Reactions: robobass
#53
My second bass was a strange Pollman from the 60's whose design was like a big viola. I bought it when I first started lessons with Charlie because it looked like the one above with incredible flame and purfling...It sounded terrible but I thought it was a set up problem...had it for a year or two and then after a very bracing discussion with World of Strings luthier Jon...cant remember his last name, I ended up selling it...Jon told me in no uncertain terms that post war Pollman would send these basses to the US with incredibly thick tops (which was a reason for its tight and anemic sound) and that even if I had the $4000 re gradation of the top it might not sound that much better. At the time he was the luthier for Patitucci (who owned a Pollman busetto that sounded wonderful in person) so I trusted him and sold it. Later when I had more money I kind of regretted selling it wishing I had done the work and taken my chances.It was so pretty (although I thought the purfling was a little gaudy and over done).
 
Last edited:
#55
flatback said:
My second bass was a strange Pollman from the 60's whose design was like a big viola. I bought it when I first started lessons with Charlie because it looked like the one above with incredible flame and purfling...It sounded terrible but I thought it was a set up problem...had it for a year or two and then after a very bracing discussion with World of Strings luthier Jon...cant remember his last name, I ended up selling it...Jon told me in no uncertain terms that post war Pollman would send these basses to the US with incredibly thick tops (which was a reason for its tight and anemic sound) and that even if I had the $4000 re gradation of the top it might not sound that much better. At the time he was the luthier for Patitucci (who owned a Pollman busetto that sounded wonderful in person) so I trusted him and sold it. Later when I had more money I kind of regretted selling it wishing I had done the work and taken my chances.It was so pretty (although I thought the purfling was a little gaudy and over done).
Click to expand...
Perhaps the overbuilt thick tops were a result of some basses getting cracks.

I recall luthier Sydney Orpwood telling me an anecdote in the early ‘70s. Many Pöllmann basses were getting cracks in America. One of the Pöllmann‘s travelled to New York in the ‘60s with a suitcase of tools. He rented a small room and proceeded to repair all the Pöllmann basses he could get his hands on.

We decided it was a stand up thing to do. Sorry for the pun :)
 
#57
I had a chance to play the Haden Pöllman a few years ago. Didn't knock my socks off but it did sound very nice pizz and arco, easy setup with Evahs.

If I recall, that was Charlie's travel bass because he didn't want to risk damaging the Vuillaume, and I believe a friend of his brought it to the US from Europe so maybe it wasn't a standard import? He lent it to Mingus for a gig at the student union at Miami where they were both scheduled to play. Evidently Mingus hated the rental that was provided for him. Neat history.
 
  • Like
Reactions: labravajazz, Selim and Eric Hochberg

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back