Double Bass Applying rosin

[Andy Mopley]

Whne I apply rosin to my French bow, it seems to last only around 20minutes or so before the bow begins to lose its "grip" on the strings - I am using the Neyman rosin. What are some of the possible reasons:
1. Not applying properly
2. Cheap bow
3. Cheap strings
4. Cheap instument?

I think it may be the hair (not sure if horse hair or not) - I am also worried that I have read of folks here using rosin every few days, whereas I seem to have to use a little more often than that!

Thanks for reading!

 

[Thumpie]

Is the bow new? The hair has to be "broken in," and, assuming it's a quality bow, it may take some time before it'll work properly.

If it's a crappy bow with crappy or synthetic hair, that's probably your problem.

 

[stefaniw80401]

5. It's the rosin.

Nyman's (and carlson, and others) has wax in it. I like Nyman's, but I can't seem to get enough of it either. The wax gives it a smooth release to balance the stickiness of the rosin. You'll need a rehair sooner with Nyman's than say with Pop's (a pure rosin).

Make sure you swipe your bow 45 degrees across the edge of the cake, on a strong down bow direction only, fast enough so that the friction generates heat. Rotate the cake every stroke so you get even wear around the rosin cake. If it still seems too hard, breathe hot breath on the rosin before swiping.

Good luck - Mark

 

[Andy Mopley]

OK, thanks guys, the bow is not new, I think the problem may be more with the rosin itself. I'll go to Pops and see how it goes...Just one more thing, how much tension is on the bow when rosin is applied, is it the same as would be when playing?

 

[Thooom]

OK, thanks guys, the bow is not new, I think the problem may be more with the rosin itself. I'll go to Pops and see how it goes...Just one more thing, how much tension is on the bow when rosin is applied, is it the same as would be when playing?

Yep.