odd rosin brands

[Dr Rod]

Hello Friends
I have keep discovering these odd brands of rosin, do you people have experience with them? and perhaps some of you could comment a little beyond "yep, it's pretty sticky"

Melos Rosin for Bass
Jade Opera bass rosin
Millant-Deroux bass rosin
Royal Oak pro bass rosin
Clarity Summer bass rosin
Clarity Winter bass rosin
Andrea Alex bass rosin
Sure Grip bass rosin
Alaska bass rosin
Eugene Croft bass rosin

Cheers

[Eli_Upright12]

I tried the clarity summer while I was living mexico, because I told my dad to bring back as much hard rosin as he could, when he made a trip to the US and back. It was a really nondescript rosin it wasnt all that powdery, it wasnt all the grippy, it just sort of was plain jane rosin.and its a weird opaque white which weirded me out a little bit. I didn't like it all that much cuz I'm preferential to Kolstein soft and now this Sherman's hard cello-looking stuff, which both really grab the strings. It is hypo-allergenic though for those if you get the spring sniffles.

[Dr Rod]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

I tried the clarity summer while I was living mexico, because I told my dad to bring back as much hard rosin as he could, when he made a trip to the US and back. It was a really nondescript rosin it wasnt all that powdery, it wasnt all the grippy, it just sort of was plain jane rosin.and its a weird opaque white which weirded me out a little bit. I didn't like it all that much cuz I'm preferential to Kolstein soft and now this Sherman's hard cello-looking stuff, which both really grab the strings. It is hypo-allergenic though for those if you get the spring sniffles.

thanks Eli, how about Sherman's ?

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Dr Rod

thanks Eli, how about Sherman's ?

Its great in my opinion, for solo work I've never played better, I only apply it about once a week too. Its like those really smooth solo rosins, like jade for instance, but it has more grab for orchestral stuff. It does give a bit more rosin build up than I would like but with a rag handy its no problem. David Murray, Professor at Butler, introduced me to the stuff. I should note that I play close to the bridge with slow bow, so the rosin might just be right for my style.

[Dr Rod]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

Its great in my opinion, for solo work I've never played better, I only apply it about once a week too. Its like those really smooth solo rosins, like jade for instance, but it has more grab for orchestral stuff. It does give a bit more rosin build up than I would like but with a rag handy its no problem. David Murray, Professor at Butler, introduced me to the stuff. I should note that I play close to the bridge with slow bow, so the rosin might just be right for my style.

very interesting

Have you used Kolstein hard ? would it compare?

[Eli_Upright12]

I've used Kolstein all-weather, which I didn't like I love the Soft, its grabby and leaves absolutely no dust, but a little bit of gunk in the bow hairs. The all weather was kind of two plain for me not powdery or sticky enough,it didnt grab and wasnt all that smooth tone-wise.

[Downright_Low]

I just have to say, because I don't get to, that Sherman's is truly cool rosin. I have never played a solo recital in my life, just my living room... and in orchestras. But, for instance, I have played timpani concertos by Kraft and Glass with Sherman's on my bow with near-limitless amounts of grab. Maybe it was just me, but I've never had anything like it. I, by the way, play close or far from the bridge, and with a slow or medium, or fast bow, or medium-fast... so it doesn't matter to me. I'm versatile, like Arnold Schwartzenegger in Commando...

I use Jade sometimes, too, it's like a medium grip but the sound is something else. To me it's bright tonally but does not have a lot actual highs - an intense ground bass feel. Very solid but peculiar. Not what I usually grab from my case. Smooth, clean, and hard at first, then you lean into it and see there's a groove in the cake where your bow went.

...and...

I've seen some of those names you list, and wonder, too.

[Dr Rod]

Originally Posted by Downright_Low

I just have to say, because I don't get to, that Sherman's is truly cool rosin. I have never played a solo recital in my life, just my living room... and in orchestras. But, for instance, I have played timpani concertos by Kraft and Glass with Sherman's on my bow with near-limitless amounts of grab. Maybe it was just me, but I've never had anything like it. I, by the way, play close or far from the bridge, and with a slow or medium, or fast bow, or medium-fast... so it doesn't matter to me. I'm versatile, like Arnold Schwartzenegger in Commando...

I use Jade sometimes, too, it's like a medium grip but the sound is something else. To me it's bright tonally but does not have a lot actual highs - an intense ground bass feel. Very solid but peculiar. Not what I usually grab from my case. Smooth, clean, and hard at first, then you lean into it and see there's a groove in the cake where your bow went.

...and...

I've seen some of those names you list, and wonder, too.

I think I ought to get myself a cake of that Sherman's. Thanks for your comments.

[Eli_Upright12]

The other nice thing about Sherman's is its about a third of the price of most rosin, I think it sells for like 3.99 on amazon and it will last you longer than any other rosin, cuz two swipes does it.

[Downright_Low]

...what's that?

I've got some soft oak from Brohan, and gregorian strings , but this? Interesting to me how this other tree is used...

[Dr Rod]

Originally Posted by Downright_Low

...what's that?

I've got some soft oak from Brohan, and gregorian strings , but this? Interesting to me how this other tree is used...

...and it's not just Royal Oak, it's Royal Oak pro

[anonymous12251111]

The royal oak pro is good. Less cakey than kolstein soft, but not as good of a tone as brohan oak

[Blakewdm]

Any word on "Andrea Alex"? 34 bucks a cake this stuff should make me breakfast too

[LouisF]

+1 on Jade -- with all the peculiarities mentioned above -- more for Mozart, solos, and etudes than say Brahms or Tschaikowsky.

-1 for Kolstein All weather -- just didn't do anything for me.

+ for the new Petz Premium -- a little gooey, but clear tone and good bite -- go easy with the stuff (and don't leave it in the car like I did!)

I'm currently using some old cakes of Lebenzeller Gold & Silver, which are terrific, warm, have a good, dark old world pull. I think somebody is remaking these but I have no idea if the new formula is the same as the old stuff.

Best,

Louis

[Downright_Low]

I have a relative who said he used lebezeller for a time and now it's discontinued. Of course, he was a violinist, but that may only mean more.... I hope I could try it anyway.

[LouisF]

There's a firm (Chinese, I imagine) that claims it is using the original formula and selling Liebezeller Gold. I have no idea if it's good, bad, indifferent etc; (or if they got the formula legally etc). So this is just FYI.

Louis

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=263602_263622

[bassist14]

imho nobody really needs a crappy copy of a crappy rosin

(said bassist14 who orderd a new rosin from mr. gregorian yesterday)

[eerbrev]

I've used the Clarity Winter before. It was rather nondescript, honestly. less grippy than pop's, but less gritty as well. it was just kind of... there. These could be seen as good qualities I suppose!