This is the instrument I have been learning on so far. It is much more quiet than a true banjo, and doesn't have the twang, but it works suitably for learning the 5 string playing styles. This is one of a couple oddball instruments that my wife's grandmother left when she passed away. Nobody was quite sure what it was for quite a while. I recognized the neck as looking like a banjo, but didn't know if that was something shared with other instruments. After a bit of research, I finally tracked down where there are a handful of other examples around, all made by the same guy. It surprised me to find out that no other firms picked up the design, but I guess that's what happens when you patent it and don't sell licenses to anyone to make them. Of course the demand probably also never really materialized, but I know there's a guy making them now under the description of banjolin. It is a nice, gentle sort of instrument with a rather unwieldy name.
worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vin...884665359
This is one of the places where I found out more about these instruments.
Check out Ken LeVan who is a member here. He makes instruments that are pretty similar to the design of the Pollman that you have. His are probably built a little bit stouter than the Pollman and they are real works of art.
I think Companion Banjos used to make wood topped banjos?Maybe they still do?
quote:
Originally posted by Culloden
Check out Ken LeVan who is a member here. He makes instruments that are pretty similar to the design of the Pollman that you have. His are probably built a little bit stouter than the Pollman and they are real works of art.
I'll keep an eye out for him, thanks!
Okay, I'm finally starting to figure out hoq the pictures work on this forum. Here's some shots of the Pollman.
And some more pictures...
Check out this discussion last year. There is some good information on Pollmann.
banjohangout.org/archive/381479
Hi, I had two of the 5 strings, and one 6 string version. I sold one of the 5 strings, they play nicely, Gold tone makes a modern version they call it a mandola.
quote:
Originally posted by MrOldschool
Okay, I'm finally starting to figure out how the pictures work on this forum. Here's some shots of the Pollman.
quote:
Originally posted by MrOldschoolThis is the instrument I have been learning on so far. It is much more quiet than a true banjo, and doesn't have the twang, but it works suitably for learning the 5 string playing styles. This is one of a couple oddball instruments that my wife's grandmother left when she passed away. Nobody was quite sure what it was for quite a while. I recognized the neck as looking like a banjo, but didn't know if that was something shared with other instruments. After a bit of research, I finally tracked down where there are a handful of other examples around, all made by the same guy. It surprised me to find out that no other firms picked up the design, but I guess that's what happens when you patent it and don't sell licenses to anyone to make them. Of course the demand probably also never really materialized, but I know there's a guy making them now under the description of banjolin. It is a nice, gentle sort of instrument with a rather unwieldy name.
I also have one of those Pollmans. I like yours it, seems to have quite a bit of Brazilian Rosewood! Nice! What other odd ball instruments did your wife's grandmother leave??
Does anyone know where I can find the Mark Ralston referenced in the restoration video in order to get one of those reproduction headstock medallions? As is plainly visible, the original is missing from ours.
quote:
Originally posted by TriMD180quote:
Originally posted by MrOldschoolThis is the instrument I have been learning on so far. It is much more quiet than a true banjo, and doesn't have the twang, but it works suitably for learning the 5 string playing styles. This is one of a couple oddball instruments that my wife's grandmother left when she passed away. Nobody was quite sure what it was for quite a while. I recognized the neck as looking like a banjo, but didn't know if that was something shared with other instruments. After a bit of research, I finally tracked down where there are a handful of other examples around, all made by the same guy. It surprised me to find out that no other firms picked up the design, but I guess that's what happens when you patent it and don't sell licenses to anyone to make them. Of course the demand probably also never really materialized, but I know there's a guy making them now under the description of banjolin. It is a nice, gentle sort of instrument with a rather unwieldy name.
I also have one of those Pollmans. I like yours it, seems to have quite a bit of Brazilian Rosewood! Nice! What other odd ball instruments did your wife's grandmother leave??
She also left kind of the opposite take on the banjo-mandolin hybrid idea. It has the banjo head and resonator, but is strung like a typical 8 string mandolin. Beautiful and densely heavy, with original case, but I haven't even attempted to tackle playing a mandolin, and doubt that I will progress to it. A local music shop owner recommended that I string it as a ukulele (which I can play) for something interesting to play. I haven't taken any pictures of it yet. IIRC, it is made in England, where she came from. Besides that, we inherited her little Steinway piano and spinet Hammond organ. My daughter was playing the piano really well up until she changed interests a few years ago...
quote:
Originally posted by MrOldschoolDoes anyone know where I can find the Mark Ralston referenced in the restoration video in order to get one of those reproduction headstock medallions? As is plainly visible, the original is missing from ours.
Hi David,
Mark is a member here. Here's the ad for those repro medallions: https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/68393
Looks like you have a fine example of one. As Willie mentioned, one of the rosewood examples. Others were made with mahogany back and sides, and I've seen one online with maple back and sides.
Thanks very much for the link! Yes, I absolutely love the grain of that rosewood, and it makes a very nice feel to the fingerboard too. I could have wished for a little more embellishment of the top, but that's merely for the increased value for if-and-when the family decides they want to sell it. Right now, I am taking advantage of it being here and no one being in a hurry to be rid of it yet, but I make no literal claim to ownership... we are but ships passing in the night, enjoying each other's company for a while.
quote:
Originally posted by TriMD180
quote:
Originally posted by MrOldschool
This is the instrument I have been learning on so far. It is much more quiet than a true banjo, and doesn't have the twang, but it works suitably for learning the 5 string playing styles. This is one of a couple oddball instruments that my wife's grandmother left when she passed away. Nobody was quite sure what it was for quite a while. I recognized the neck as looking like a banjo, but didn't know if that was something shared with other instruments. After a bit of research, I finally tracked down where there are a handful of other examples around, all made by the same guy. It surprised me to find out that no other firms picked up the design, but I guess that's what happens when you patent it and don't sell licenses to anyone to make them. Of course the demand probably also never really materialized, but I know there's a guy making them now under the description of banjolin. It is a nice, gentle sort of instrument with a rather unwieldy name.
I also have one of those Pollmans. I like yours it, seems to have quite a bit of Brazilian Rosewood! Nice! What other odd ball instruments did your wife's grandmother leave??
That's the other type of banjo-mandolin. I know it predates 1936 because that's when my pa-in-law was born and his mom put her maiden name on the headstock. Other than that, I only know that there is pretty much no demand for these anywhere that I have found. It seems that it's a relic from a bygone era that people aren't revisiting anymore. Hopefully someone around here knows of people still playing these.
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