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URB players: recommend some rosin.


slapthefunkyfour

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I have no idea where to even start with bass rosin. I previously just used the rosin that came with the bass, but I haven't played arco in a long time and yesterday when I tried again, I realized the rosin had melted inside the case. I'm not sure how or when, but it was hell to clean it up.

 

So now I need some new rosin. Are there any brands I should look for or stay away from? Anything else I need to know about rosin?

 

Thanks.

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some brands are pops, nyman, kolstein, carllson, petz, thomastik, pirastro

 

I don't play db myself so I can't recommend a brand - pops is used a lot, though I believe that's partly due to the attractive price plus being more widely distributed than most other bass rosins

 

my experience with kolstein on the cello is that the grip was outstanding and I liked the rosin a lot...however, the additives from this brand accumulated on my bow hair and made the rosin less effective over time - I use cleaner, single grade rosins like salchow, but it's far too light for a bass rosin

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most of the bassists in my section use pops. i happen to prefer carlsson because it tends to be stickier, but doesnt seem as gummy to me. my bass professor mentioned something about pops uses some synthetic ingredients, while carlsson is more "natural." i know that is kind of vague, but that is what i was told.

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I just switched rosins over to the Kolstein stuff about a year ago when I got my german bow rehaired, and couldn't be happier; I previously used Pops for almost thirteen years. The Kolstein stuff isn't as thick going on the bow as the Pops was; I'm finding I can get a lighter - and yet more even - coverage with the Kolstein. I think it grabs better (but then again, that could be due to getting more even coverage).

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Is rosin supposed to be hard (not firm...hard...as in a rock) in its container?

 

Not always. Some rosins are very hard and go on almost powdery, while others are softer and go on more sticky. The Carlsson rosin mentioned is a little softer, but an incredibly good rosin. I used it for many years. It comes in a foil cup that you peel down as you use it, and it applies very well. Lasts a long time on the bow and gives a really nice even grip to the strings. It was the best stuff I had ever tried and a small piece literally lasts for years.:cool:

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Is rosin supposed to be hard (not firm...hard...as in a rock) in its container?

 

yeah it's firm, like a little hockey puck of hardened tree sap :) bass rosin is the stickiest of the icky and can be a bit softer

 

I had one rosin cake shipped to the house once in summer (big mistake) - it had melted in the high heat on the front step all day, then solidified as a big amoeba type thing when it cooled :(

 

if I wanted, I could always reheat it in the oven using a small tin cup to regain something of the original form, though I suspect the consistency may be affected as a result

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