I've always used Pops rosin and I am thinking about buying some Carlsson

[Blazemourne]

I would like to know if there are any significant differences between Pops and Carlsson rosin?

[dragonetti11]

Definately different. Although I have barely used carlson I have always found it to be sluggish when grabbing the string. I probably do not have enough experience with it but as of right now I don't understand why so many people like it. I use Pops and Kolstein.

[Chrix]

I use Carlsson rosin and I like it quite a bit. However, dragonetti is correct when he says it takes a bit to grab. I find if you warm up the rosin just a bit, it helps it to grab onto the hair. I also tend to put quite a bit on, then warm up on the bass to let it work into the hair and wipe the excess off my strings. That usually gives me good coverage and an even grab all across the bow.

[Dave Speranza]

They are quite different. It only costs ~$10 and even if you don't use it all the time I think you will find certain things you prefer to use the swedish rosin on. So it can't hurt to just buy some.

[Steve Killingsworth]

I used Pops then made the switch to Carlssons and have never looked back. I found the Pops to be difficult to get out of the "can" and it tended to clump up on the strings. Carrlson's is much easier to deal with.

[Alex Scott]

I use different rosins for different types of playing, also different humidity levels a little. Pop's is sticky and good for orchestral playing, Carlson's is harder and good for solo type playing in my opinion.

Fresh Pop's is best in small doses, you can get the latest batch from Bassrosin.com. The Carlson's rosin I don't know where to get the freshest stuff from. I always order from Lemur because I figure they go through the most rosin and might have a fresh stock.

freshness definitely counts. I tried some fresh pop's after using some 3-5 year old Pop's and it was almost night and day, it really dries out or wears out or something.

Good luck, now you have to consider more than one bow if you don't want to mix the two together.

[mahlerbass]

Pops - sticky and messy rosin, excellent for HUMID weather. (think Houston or Florida)

Carlsons - moderately sticky Swedish rosin that is best for DRY weather. If you are used to pops, then you may have to use more bow speed then you are used to. (Think Santa Fe, or...sweden)

I still use both of these rosins, but my favorite rosin is currently Gaston Brohan's oak rosin (http://www.gregorianstrings.com/) The soft cake I have works well in minnesota winters. Dont use too much of it.

Anyway, I think you should try it out - It's not like its a HUGE investment. Just keep what I said in mind - Most rosins work their best in certain weather conditions.

[damonsmith]

I use pops, and live in the San Francisco Bay Area it is kind of humid here.
Still, there are a ton of other factors like technique, strings bass bow, even bow hair.

[NotACello]

mahler bass,
I totally disagree with you, and think you have to two mixed up. Pops is wet and sticky, and in humid climates such as florida and houston can become a problem; I play in extremely humid climates from time to time, and most of this time pop's works well, but sometimes it creates a gummy film on my bow hair and no longer works.
Carlson's in very dry, and if you use it in very dry climates, it can lose it's effectiveness. It would be better suited to more humid climates, one would think.

[Alex Scott]

Being from Houston, home of Pops rosin, I can say it is very well suited to the atmosphere there.

Word of caution as on the container: Use Sparingly for best results.

[mcnaire2004]

Pops is way to sticky for me. This time last year I wouldn't have said that but I have learned. I used to think that you needed sticky rosin to play. But, I (at home for a week) was to lazy to put rosin on and I ran out and really had to struggle to get a good sound. Then I threw on some light cello rosin and I was like "WOW!". I loved it. But recently my teacher said it would be good to have just a litter "grr" or stick every now and then. So, I switched to Swedish rosin.

Pops is good. But, I think it hampers people a little. Mainly because most young bassist start out with pops and are brought up to think that only super sticky rosin works.

[Silversorcerer]

I used Pops for a long time because it really has good grap and I switched briefly to Carlsson, which to me has a much smoother sound for the upper register. Problem is, it doesn't have the grab on the lowest notes, particularly if you have a low BB string. Very similar to the tone of Carlsson, but with the grab of Pops is the Gaston Brohan's Oak Rosin from Gregorian Strings. For me, it is definitely the best of both worlds. It powders less than Carlsson and has a much better sound than Pops. It doesn't slide off the lower notes either. I think you might like it best also.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

. . .Very similar to the tone of Carlsson, but with the grab of Pops is the Gaston Brohan's Oak Rosin from Gregorian Strings. . .

That is a significant claim. I will certainly be ordering a cake.

I very much prefer the tone of Carlssons. It is much smoother than Pops. But, there is a security blanket with Pops, that when you drop to the E string on a quicker passage, you'll get a clean start and true note.

I always use Pops in an orchestra setting. Although, have alternated the two on the same hair so much, I really have no clue what I am truly playing.

[Basschair]

Here's something to chew on:

I've been using three different bows lately that I recently rehaired. I played them both before and after rehairs, so I know what the sticks played like before and after. Each bow has a different type of hair on it (chestnut, silver chestnut, and silver grey).

The Chestnut has been lathered many times with Pops to get it going, and I've found that every time I pick up the bow the following day, it needs more rosin. It's bizarre, as usually the Pops will leave plenty of residue for a few sessions. Finally, I put on some Nymans (much drier, soloistic stuff), and haven't had to put any more on for the last three sessions. I'm not really sure what to make of that...

The Silver Chestnut, on the other hand, has been hit with the Pops maybe...three or four times since I rehaired it (about two weeks ago), and it's holding the rosin coating very well.

The Silver Grey (similar to salt-and-pepper, though light on the pepper) has been given the Pops treatment twice, and I haven't had to rosin it since. It's been sticky ever since.


Ultimately, I guess what I'm trying to say is that the hair on your bow matters just as much (if not more, IMHO) as the rosin you're using...

[koricancowboy]

Has been mighty good to me. I use it for Orchestra and Solo stuff. It sounds and grabs pretty good for Jazz and Improvised music too. Plus it lasts forever. Good stuff!!

Cheers,
OZ

[littlekatie]

To be honest whether the bow 'grabs' the string is as much the bow itself and the proximity of said bow to the contact point on the string. I use carlsson having previously gone through Petz, Nymans and Kolstein Art rosin, and I wouldn't go back. I really don't think you can beat it for versatility, I use it for everything from Bach to Biehl and I'm certainly very happy for it. If anyone is wondering I have a french bow with black hair - previously had a different bow with white hair (now in many pieces but that's another story altogether) and Carlsson was still the best.

[littlekatie]

One notable advantage of Carlsson over Nymans is that it is much easier to wash out of your jeans... strange but true! Maybe its a girl thing.

[dchan]

Originally Posted by littlekatie

One notable advantage of Carlsson over Nymans is that it is much easier to wash out of your jeans... strange but true! Maybe its a girl thing.

Well, if you don't keep rosin in your pocket, then this wouldn't be a problem.

[littlekatie]

I need one of those bags that you strap round your waist to keep things in. Like a money belt, but a bass belt. A niche in the market methinks? You heard it here first!
Oh and ps, I have to keep my rosin close at hand, otherwise without fail my desk partner knocks it on the floor and it breaks. He has done it about four times now and never offered to pay for it, the stingy git. :P

[dchan]

Originally Posted by littlekatie

.....Oh and ps, I have to keep my rosin close at hand, otherwise without fail my desk partner knocks it on the floor and it breaks. He has done it about four times now and never offered to pay for it, the stingy git. :P.........

I've sidestepped this problem also: I just keep my rosin on the floor.

I've already experienced keeping rosin on my stand and have found:
- it can fall off (and has fallen several times), breaking your rosin into several pieces or smooshing a big dent into it.
- it interferes with turning the music. A big no-no.

Then again I use Kolstein, which comes in a large, golden box. Maybe this has something to do with it. I also have quite a bit of room around me, so nobody really steps on the rosin.