Ok I am currently using the Wiedoeft rosin because someone gave me a brand new cake of it along with several others with a bass purchase. I’ve been using Carlsons for thirty plus years and always liked that and Nymans. I have just about every popular brand there is now and am curious about what I’m reading of folks mixing rosins. Could someone explain the concept and maybe give a few examples of good rosins to mix and what it accomplishes?
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Double Bass Explain mixing rosins to me please.
- Thread starter armybass
- Start date
Hello armybass,
I'll chime in.
I have been melting and mixing rosin for about the past 10 years, or so, with very good results.
I had used Nymans, but found that it dries out and becomes difficult/impossible to apply. (I live in Los Angeles and it is very dry here and when it is HOT, we use A/C to stay alive.)
I now use (and really like!) a hybrid blend of 50% Pops/50% Nymans - the Pops acts as a "thinning agent" for the Nymans - I have never used Pops by itself - wayyyyy to "gummy" for me.
Note: I melt equal amounts of each in the Microwave or over a gas flame to MOLTEN consistency - this is important, as I have a Theory that ALL Rosin dries out and becomes hard, esp. the top exposed layer. I then thoroughly MIX the Molten rosins and finally pour it into a container/cup for cooling. (It helps that I might be a Pyromaniac...)
There are a few Threads here where I document my process.
The end result is a rosin that is easy to apply, but not too "wet" like Pops.
One last thing: I often Re-Melt my rosin cakes, (about every 4 months), as I believe ALL rosin dries out and becomes impossible to apply. It really brings it back to life - don't forget to Stir It Up when it is Molten.
One more last thing - I also recommend using a Very Clean, soft cotton cloth, to clean old rosin off of the bowhair, by vigorously rubbing, in both directions, along the length of the hair, under tension, before adding any new rosin.
I hope this helps start the conversation.
Yes...I have a very sad life.
Thanks.
I'll chime in.
I have been melting and mixing rosin for about the past 10 years, or so, with very good results.
I had used Nymans, but found that it dries out and becomes difficult/impossible to apply. (I live in Los Angeles and it is very dry here and when it is HOT, we use A/C to stay alive.)
I now use (and really like!) a hybrid blend of 50% Pops/50% Nymans - the Pops acts as a "thinning agent" for the Nymans - I have never used Pops by itself - wayyyyy to "gummy" for me.
Note: I melt equal amounts of each in the Microwave or over a gas flame to MOLTEN consistency - this is important, as I have a Theory that ALL Rosin dries out and becomes hard, esp. the top exposed layer. I then thoroughly MIX the Molten rosins and finally pour it into a container/cup for cooling. (It helps that I might be a Pyromaniac...)
There are a few Threads here where I document my process.
The end result is a rosin that is easy to apply, but not too "wet" like Pops.
One last thing: I often Re-Melt my rosin cakes, (about every 4 months), as I believe ALL rosin dries out and becomes impossible to apply. It really brings it back to life - don't forget to Stir It Up when it is Molten.
One more last thing - I also recommend using a Very Clean, soft cotton cloth, to clean old rosin off of the bowhair, by vigorously rubbing, in both directions, along the length of the hair, under tension, before adding any new rosin.
I hope this helps start the conversation.
Yes...I have a very sad life.
Thanks.
... Which goes to show that those of us who are obsessed with strings, inexpensive pickups and inexpensive microphones aren't alone in the world.
Double bass is an OCD fellowship.
I would guess you have heard of the trick in this thread: How to revive old rosin using rubbing alcohol...
I've heard of it, but I don't believe it penetrates into the deepest part of the cake...Melting and Mixing does, FYI.
Thanks for your interest.
This isn't so much about blending (via melting) rosins together, which I have done too.... but, for a while I would follow a few swipes Wiedoeft with a swipe or two of Bernadel cello rosin. The effect was that it smoothed out the attack so that while the grip was still strong, the initial attack wasn't quite as aggressive (if I remember correctly, that is). It kind of helped produced a cleaner sound, as well.
About as creative as I ever got was leaving my rosin in a hot car when it got to hard. So I guess I agree melting is good. But I suspect exposure to alcohol vapor does something entirely different. Perhaps exposing the rosin to alcohol and then heating would be worth exploring...or maybe not.
LOL. This is actually what I was talking about. Putting two different rosins on the bow at one time. Never even thought of actually mixing them. Wow you guys are hard core! This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
Try Melting and combining OLD (discarded) cakes of rosin - even just melting, combining and stirring the molten liquid improves the OLD cake's performance. You'll be amazed at the regenerative power of Melting/Mixing.
I now buy new cakes of Pops and Nymans and make my own blend.
Hardcore?
Yes.
Good Luck.
Reminds me of my old cross-country skiing days, layering the different klisters in different areas of the skis for the best glide and when desired, the best grip. It was really quite a science, back in those days before waxless skis.
I think I still have some of those old klisters in my old cross country kit. I wonder if they would work on bowhair.
Similar to that, I've never found any rosin that works well without a base coat of Pops. I only like fresh Pops as a top coat.
Thread revive - - I wonder about this too. Is anyone using other combinations? Say applying Carlsons over Weidoeft? I don't think Weidoeft & Pops would blend well.
There is a type of rosin called leatherwood that got pretty popular and their whole thing is mixing. It’s expensive but you get to choose 2 cakes from a range of 5 or 6 formulas. This leaves you with technically a range of 3 rosins. Rosin a, Rosin b, and various proportions of a+b. I really really like their 60%, their softest one.
Also, look up “popstein” There are threads about it here, and even a shop or two who actually blend it and sell it, but I forget who was doing that. It’s a blend of Pops and Kolstein’s.
I've seen those threads. I'm specifically wondering if anyone has tried different combos with Weidoeft. Not necessarily melted but applied separately to the bow. Also, melting does not sound technically hard but does sound very messy. Just the right combination of containers looks to be a must when doing that.
anahata,
Is your Wiedoeft rosin cake dried out? If so, place it in its red silicone container in the microwave, (it wont melt!) and heat it (in 30sec. increments) until it is melted/liquid. (careful - it is HOT.)
Then stir it with a toothpick (thoroughly) to mix in the top layer, which has probably dried out. Carefully place it in your freezer for 15mins to cool it off and then let it sit OVERNITE to return to room temperature. I've done this about every 6 months with my Wiedoeft cake for the past 2 years with excellent results.
I guarantee that the cake will return to it's new/fresh consistency and allow you to continue to use it as your sole rosin. (I have found it to be a good alternative to Pops, which I find too "wet".)
I hope this helps.
Thanks.
Thanks for that. I have a fresh Weidoeft cake I'm trying for the first time. It seems to be amazing sometimes and other times it "fades" after intensive playing (Rachmaninoff today for example - grrr). Not as much as Kolstein soft, but some fade. I do like it. Perhaps it doesn't get along with other rosins that were already in my hair, &/or I haven't dialed in the amount/frequency of application. The climate here for winter is cool and the hall is super dry!
OK. Thx.
Have you tried wiping the bow hair vigorously (in both directions) with a clean, soft cloth before applying rosin?
I find that this helps immensely in the performance of the rosin - as it removes the old dried,powdery rosin and warms up the hair to accept the fresh rosin.
Just my 0.03 cents.
FYI.
Thanks.
@anahata - sorry! I just read your bio information and regret having spoken to you as if you were a Newbie. (You're not.)
I'm sure you'll figure this out.
Sorry, and Thanks.
I'm sure you'll figure this out.
Sorry, and Thanks.
I used to mix rosins (melt and mix), but that was back in the day when there only a handful of decent rosins to choose from. Today, there are so many good brands to choose from, I don't find it necessary to melt and mix.
However, I've always wanted to try to melt down old dead cakes, just to see if they get better.
However, I've always wanted to try to melt down old dead cakes, just to see if they get better.
