Schulze Pollmann Pianos
Two German piano builders who had both relocated to Italy, Albert Schulze and Paul Pollmann, met and merged in 1928. Pollmann managed the combined firms until 1942, and was followed by his son Hans, who had earlier in his career managed the Schimmel company. The Schulze Pollmann factory is currently located near San Marino, a tiny city-state entirely surrounded by Italy.
When you think of pianos built in Italy, you usually think of Fazioli, but this is the other excellent Ialian piano with all the secrets of Italian builders.
In North America, they offer the Masterpiece (grands) and Studio (verticals). The Masterpiece Seriespianos, available only by special order, are made entirely in Italy and San Marino, and contain Delignit pinblocks, Renner actions and hammers from Germany, and Ciresa solid red-spruce soundboards from the Val di Fiemme, in Italy. The company uses both sophisticated technology and handwork in its manufacturing. All soundboards have finger-jointed construction to optimize stability and prevent cracking. Many of the cabinets have beautiful designs and inlays. Schulze Pollmann grands are very nicely crafted and arrive at the dealer in good condition, needing only solid preparation to sound their best.
The Studio series is partially made in Asia and finished off, including deluxe cabinetwork, in San Marino. We have not included them in the high quality rating here, although the uprights are well built and have a warm, colorful sound with a good amount of sustain. The treble is not nearly as brittle sounding as in some other European uprights. Schulze Pollmann grands are likewise very nicely crafted and arrive at the dealer in good condition, needing only solid preparation to sound their best.
In 2005, Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari Motor Car selected Schulze Pollmann as a partner in the launch of its new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti series of automobiles. For the occasion, Schulze Pollmann crafted a limited-edition version of its 6′ 7″ model 197/G5 grand piano, still available, with a case that sports Ferrari’s racing red and a cast-iron plate in Ferrari gray carbon, the same color as the Scaglietti’s engine. The car and the piano have been exhibited together in cities around the world.
Warranty: 10 years, parts and labor.