cello rosin anyone?

mozarwasagenius · #1 01-28-2005, 05:00 PM

Hi all,
I've tried Carlsson and Pops (both were nice but little sticky for me) but recently had an "accident" with my last cake (stop laughing please

). I decided to try some cello rosin. I bought Sherman's cello and Hidersine 1c cello. Guess what?? I really like the Sherman's rosin. The Hidersine seems more like a "summer" rosin... not bad but I like the Sherman's better. I should explain that I play an electric upright bass so volume is not an issue for me, I just care about tone.

I'm curious if anyone else has tried these rosins or other cello rosins.

Thanks,
MWG

P.S. I decided to try the cello rosin since it could buy both for the price of Pop's and I said "what the heck... maybe its a sign from God"

hunta · #2 03-03-2005, 06:22 AM

Well, for what it's worth.. My teacher and fellow students (who are all much more experienced than I am) went to see Edgar Meyer a couple weeks ago. During a break in one of the pieces he whipped out a cake of rosin and rosined up his bow. Those with me were surprised that he was using cello rosin (I wouldn't know how to tell lol).

So I guess if it's good enough for Edgar Meyer..

Alexi David · #3 03-03-2005, 07:11 AM

I'm pretty sure Gary Karr uses Cello rosin also

Chasarms · #4 03-03-2005, 10:57 AM

If you have a very responsive bass, bow and excellent hand (See: Meyer and Karr references) and also enjoy the benefit of a mic and/or every other player in the group adjsting to your sound output level, cello rosin may be a excellent choice.

It probably is not for the average orchestra pit guy.

hirort · #5 03-03-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozarwasagenius

I'm curious if anyone else has tried these rosins or other cello rosins.

I'm using Salchow, a violin rosin cake. I enjoy both pronunciation and sound. Regular bass rosins are too sticky and sound dirty for me.

Anyone else using violin rosins?

BMatthews · #6 03-22-2005, 07:31 PM

As an intermediate player, my advice as far as cello rosin is concerned is to use sparingly and at first only in practice sessions, then later on. The bow response is much different. My first encounter was when I'd forgotten my rosin in orchestra rehearsal and the principal handed me a cake of Hindersine...I've since talked to my luthier about it and he suggested that as was said I begin using cello rosin as a summer rosin and to work on bow response and to build technique and sensitivity...

Violin rosin???????????? Wacky... What's it do for you? How is the sound? Isn't it difficult to get enough pull, for lack of better word??

hirort · #7 03-23-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMatthews

Violin rosin???????????? Wacky... What's it do for you? How is the sound? Isn't it difficult to get enough pull, for lack of better word??

It might sound wacky, but I like it a lot. At first, it's not sticky at all. It's hard and fine. But I can make a quicker and smoother pronunciation than with regular bass rosin. I think Salchow rosin and gut strings make a very good match.
If you put enough bow weight on a string, it's not difficult to arco, though you need to get used to it. It produces more natural sound, not the sound of string but the sound of bass body, to me.

Please try it and you can understand what I say.

BMatthews · #8 03-24-2005, 07:17 PM

I'm definitely planning on looking into it, if nothing more than to educate myself and to broaden my horizons. What I'm envisioning is a more bodied, fuller, slightly more hollowed tone as opposed to the nasal tone caused by super-sticky rosins like Pop's...I've noticed these changes in the progression from bass to cello rosin and am just envisioning a more dramatic change in the progression to violin rosin. Even if it turns out to be nothing like I imagine it should be an interesting exercise in experimentation...
What about metal strings? Don't you have to reapply like MAD??? Is the tone quality as good?

hirort · #9 03-25-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMatthews

What about metal strings? Don't you have to reapply like MAD??? Is the tone quality as good?

You got my point!
Before I switced to Oliv, I used the former Eudoxa, which is completely different from the current silver-wound gut Eudoxa. I think it's the same or similar to the current Original Flatchrome Steel. Violin rosin works on steel strings, too. I clearly felt and heard the differences.
I hope you'll find better sound with violin rosin. But it depends not only the rosin, but your preference, playing style, settings, etc. I think you have a similar sound preference to me and know how to bow with hard rosin. So I guess you'll like it, too.
Also, one of the advantages of Salchow is that it last longer than regular bass rosin. Applying it once a week or less would be enough for me, while I play the bass about an hour a day.