Which rosin for a beginner and why?

[azflyman]

I am getting ready to start arco lessons and I need rosin, but which one? I don't want something that will get on my bass that I can't get off (Pop's?). I would like something to give me as easy start as possible. What do you arso guru's recommend?

az

[Nick Ara]

Originally Posted by Maestro

I've seen the comments some have made about Pop's, and it does have a tendency to get on the face of the bass, but IMO, if you don't clean your bass, it's likely to build up from most rosin used.

I would try several different rosins for bass and use the one that feels comfortable to you. Don't expect the rosin to make you play better, and likewise, don't blame the rosin for any bad sounds you make. It's far to easy to blame the rosin.

If you use and like Pop's, just make an effort to clean up your bass more frequently. I just started bowing again and have been using Carlsson, but I picked up a tub of Pop's also...I have always liked Pop's in the past, dirty or clean as it may be, it works.

Rosin is something you need to try for yourself, it only costs a few bucks.

When I saw Scott Colley with Jim Hall last month, he was using Pop's. At least I think it was Pop's...there was a red Pop's container on his amp (unless Scott is practicing rosin deception?).

[LM Bass]

Lots of people like Pop's. One thing I would suggest is that if you want to try another kind of rosin, try it with a fresh re-hair. Pop's and Nyman (my favourite) don't mix very well, and that's why some players shy away from one or the other. Nyman and Carllson are about the same stuff, Pop's is very different. How the rosin acts really depends on the climate and time of year as well. Make sure you only use really fresh rosin, sometimes Pop's will be nothing but dust if it's old. . .

[Wyzird05]

Whatever you do stay away from Pirastro Eudoxa bass rosin, I couldn't get that stuff to stick at all! I used pops in high school and as long as I kept a fairly fresh batch it worked well. Right now I'm using Nymann and like it, but once I get a rehair I will probably try Carlson or Liebenzeller formula IV or V.

[anonymous0726]

Call your teacher and see what he's using. The tackiness of the rosin and style go right together.

[toman]

IMO, Carlson is the best rosin out there, and the amount used is a more important difference from one technique to another than the brand of rosin. I do use nymans sometimes in hot weather simply because it's a little harder, but I really think the carlson is better. The best advise I can give is to get some carlson, but really try to play with as little rosin as possible until you get your technique down; otherwise it's easy for rosin to become a crutch when it should be an accessory.

[anonymous0726]

Another thing I'd like to add is that when you get the stick out for the first time for the day and it's not grabbing the strings to your satisfaction right away, avoid applying rosin immediately. Get the bow warmed up first and then determine if you need more gack.

[Johnny L]

I think Pops is great, and it's the rosin I use, but I would suggest that you try them all and make up your own mind as you learn to use the bow.

[matt macgown]

I like the Kolstein soft, at about $10. Get enough of it onto the bow and it'll stick to the wall. Rub all over the playing part of the strings, too. (Quinn Violin will sell it to you on line, ship quickly). No powdery residue.

[matt macgown]