ballbreaker2x2 - Posted - 02/18/2014:  09:25:33

Hello banjo mates.

I don't use to write any post at BHO, although I'm a regular visitor as there's always help for my banjo issues and many of you post very useful information. I decided to write this one because I want everyone to know how grateful I am to Polle Flaunoe. You may know him as he is a regular contributor to this forum.



This guy is awesome, I own a B&D Sultana tenor banjo that needed to be fixed. Living in Spain made me almost impossible to find a luthier nearby to do the job. But I was lucky to found Polle!. He lives in Denmark, not close to Spain but since I got in contact with him I new he was the right one to perform the delicate and professional tasks that my banjo needed.



Who is Polle Flaunoe? I think it would be good to point out that besides being a professional jazz banjo player, and an excellent luthier, he has the misfortune to be on a wheel chair due to severe back pains and health problems. Despite his poor health situation, this man is an example for everyone.



So I sent my banjo to Polle. He was extremely communicative throughout all the process. Emails, Skype sessions... During the 3 weeks that he had my banjo, I was informed daily, step by step, about all the things he was doing to it, even with detailed pictures of every part.



And when I received my Sultana back, I couldn't believe it! It almost seemed another banjo... I can tell it sounds so much better, with perfect intonation, softer playability, and so on. It's a brand new banjo. I was impressed. Now after one month my "rebuilt" banjo by Polle Flaunoe, having had the chance to play it on stage several times, I couldn't resist to write this post just to thank him for a superb job.



I highly recommend Polle for anyone who needs his banjo repaired (or tenor banjo lessons). I think he's specialised in tenor banjos, mostly B&D, but I'm sure you could ask him if yours is different.



Sorry if this post is out of the usual topics, but I believe that it's nice to thank remarkable people like him from time to time!



regards



Antonio Fernandez

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/18/2014:  09:46:19

Well said, Antonio. Polle has many friends here, and I hope we don't take him for granted. I know I don't. Keep on truckin, Polle!

mylesm - Posted - 02/18/2014:  10:37:20

I Agree whole-heartedly  I purchased a 1925 Silver Bell No 1 from Polle Recently and I am so happy with it it is set up very well with perfect action and great sound

So for someone who struggles with serious back problems it is fantastic he is still able to work as I find it very hard to get a really good luthier that understands banjo setup but Polle Really does know his stuff 

So another Polle Fan

Mylesm

barchi - Posted - 02/18/2014:  11:53:10

As far as I know, Polle seems a truly helpful person. And he knows what he talks about.

Nico

thalbergmad - Posted - 02/18/2014:  14:22:36

He is as we say in England  " A damned decent chap".

Thal

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/18/2014:  19:56:00

Guys - thanks for the roses.

I´ll however - first of all - want to express an apology for some disturbed postings of mine over the last few months. I was really depressed due to some persistent ignorant attacks on my person, integrity, expertise, knowledge etc. - followed up by some hate-mails off-line - hence my disturbed postings. Sorry - please forget them!

I have lately received a sincere apology from the member causing this at first hand - and we have agreed on a sort of co-work from now on - mind you in a positive spirit. I hope, that the remaining few stalkers will take this ad notam.

Also - please have in mind, that English isn´t a native language for me - plus my typical DK/UK style humor and gentle irony is often by Americans considered sarcasm.

FYI - I do work on all sorts banjo brands/models/types - vintage as well as newer - I have a German master luthier helping me with major restorings etc. - I do myself first of all concentrate on the modern rebuilds and set-up´s - my specialty.

Kind regards and thanks to all

Polle

beezaboy - Posted - 02/19/2014:  19:10:37

Polle is tops!

He has contributed immensely to our 4-string banjo community generally and to Bacon Banjo Co. enthusiasts directly.  He always shares generously - for which I am most grateful.

banjopa - Posted - 02/20/2014:  13:44:52

The banjo world is a better place with Polle in it. We can all learn good things from him. Also, I want to mention that Rob Mackillop is also one of those musicians who enhance our experience here as does Eddy Davis. Truly some great personages!

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/20/2014:  14:26:57

Ha! Come to think of it, there isn't a bad person here. We are all wonderful 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/21/2014:  02:02:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob MacKillop

Well said, Antonio. Polle has many friends here, and I hope we don't take him for granted. I know I don't. Keep on truckin, Polle!

---

Rob,

I (we) will for sure:

Polle (& Nova)

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/21/2014:  02:27:37

Great picture, Polle! Which one is the Great Dane?

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/21/2014:  02:53:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob MacKillop

Great picture, Polle! Which one is the Great Dane?

---

We both have the size and origin - but she doesn´t get hate-mails from some few BHO members - so I take, that she´s "greater" than me.

Polle

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/21/2014:  03:03:46

I know what you mean. Sometimes people really take exception to what I do, not just here but on other sites as well. Hard to ignore sometimes, but ignore it we must. I always try to be positive. 

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/21/2014:  03:32:54

Rob,

Thanks for telling me this - I have in the past often felt myself very lonely - due to ignorant attacks both on- and offline.

I do absolutely consider you one of the most talented and skilled string musicians ever crossing my paths - plus an indeed extremely gentle, polite and interesting person - I would be honored/proud being called a friend of yours - and knowing now that also you have met such ignorants/"trash persons" in the past does really help me.

I´ll in the future try keeping up a positive spirit as recommended by you - I´m still a little depressed - but now comes the light, spring, flowers etc. - I hope for a better mood soon.

Kind regards - your friend for sure

Polle

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/21/2014:  05:40:22

Yes, we are all waiting for the spring. I can't wait! There are little signs of it here and there, but there are frosts heading our way. But we have strong roots, Polle. We'll be OK! 

UnknownUser - Posted - 02/21/2014:  09:06:55

Shall we expect another coaxing thread that was sent to me - banjohangout.org/archive/155682 ?  or a site take down (for the 3rd time in recent history) - A take your toys home approach to conversation.

Edited by - UnknownUser on 02/21/2014 09:08:34

thalbergmad - Posted - 02/21/2014:  10:48:51

I find this all rather upsetting. Up until now, I thought us 4 stringers were a big happy family full of people of different ages, different knowledge and different abilities.

Thal

Joven - Posted - 02/21/2014:  11:09:40

We all are good people and try to help each other.

Polle is just like everyone else.

Some people have good experience dealing with him, some of us don't.

We should all respect each other.

Ivan

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/22/2014:  02:38:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by thalbergmad

I find this all rather upsetting. Up until now, I thought us 4 stringers were a big happy family full of people of different ages, different knowledge and different abilities. 

---

Michael,

I do myself love the diversity of this 4-string forum - many banjo styles, tunings, music styles, playing techniques etc. plus all sorts players, young or not-so-young - from newbies to top-pro´s.

I do read all postings and listen to all recordings put up here - I find all of this indeed interesting and I get a lot of rewarding inputs, that would be hard getting elsewhere.

I´ve been a member for almost 8 years - and I´ll stay - only my own postings have diminished very much over the later years - I guess, that I´ll soon come to a point, where I´ll only read and no longer write.

This only due to us sadly not being one big happy family - as mentioned by you - the diversities can be too many and/or too prominent - I´ve over the years experienced many valuable members/contributors disappear or become "silent". I take, that most long-time members have experienced the same.

So - don´t be upset or in despair - this seems to be "business as usual".  LOL!

Also - if you´ll want some advices or tips/tricks from me regarding your plectrums - feel free contacting me off-line via FB - as you can tell from most of the postings above I´ll go to the utmost in order helping the best I can.

Regards

Polle

Playin the radio - Posted - 02/22/2014:  09:02:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob MacKillop

I know what you mean. Sometimes people really take exception to what I do, not just here but on other sites as well. Hard to ignore sometimes, but ignore it we must. I always try to be positive. 

---

Don't know what's up with that. Just got your Early American Classics for Banjo and have been delightfully lost. Got me into a collect them all mode so will be getting the rest you've authored.

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 02/22/2014:  10:11:31

Thanks, Mike! Glad you like it. Any questions, just ask.

rob

banjomikey - Posted - 02/23/2014:  04:53:48

I've hidden a bunch of posts here. Stop with the sniping and flaming here folks. If it continues, your accounts will be locked. Nobody said that everybody has to like each other, but you can't bicker back and forth on the forum. 

Thanks,

Mike

Dogface - Posted - 02/23/2014:  05:48:34

I dunno what going on here but I'm getting my popcorn ready ;) Personally I don't have a beef with anyone here ?

Joven - Posted - 02/23/2014:  18:44:19

Mike

it is not as much as an issue of "liking each other" but of respecting and not degrading other members comments

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 02/27/2014:  08:06:40

Another fantastic B&D tenor left the nest (stock/display) 10 minutes ago - a 1928 Silver Bell No. 1 - with an extended fretboard - an ultimate all-round banjo - great for both classic, folk, Irish and jazz.

acoustudio.dk/BD%20Silver%20Be...4585.html

Oh Dear - the herd has lately got somewhat "thinned" - it seems.

Polle