Double Bass Hybridization.

[Don Kasper]

After some positive results by combining/remelting/recycling (really) OLD cakes of rosin, (See "Old Wine in a New Bottle" thread, here), I've decided to try the same "recipe" using 2 NEW cakes of rosin.
I just received 2 new cakes - 1 Pops, and 1 Nymann's, that went into the freezer, were then pulverized, measured, melted and poured into a 50/50 Hybrid Blend. (I cooked just 1 cake's worth, and I have extra of each cake for future blends.)
(OT - my kitchen table looks like a Shooting Gallery - baggies containing mysterious powders, measuring spoons, foil cups with melted "brown" stuff remnants...all that is missing are the Needles!)
The cake is cooling, as we speak. I'm looking forward to seeing how this Hybrid Blend performs.
Thanks.

 

[Don Kasper]

Update: the Hybrid cake 50/50 (both new) Pops/Nyman, is very promising. Not as "loose" as Pops...not as "hard" as Nyman. I'm starting to believe that a complete and even application of rosin, (both along and across the surface of the hair), is the second-most important factor in a bow's playability...(second to having decent/recent, properly installed and maintained hair.)
I've noticed that a looser cake makes for a consistent application onto the hair, (with less "effort"), which can be seen in the WIDE "track marks" left in the surface of the cake. I will no longer use a cake that has "gulleys" or "channels" dug into the surface, as I believe this leads to an incomplete application by forcing the hair into bundles which then don't allow for the entire playing surface of the hair to receive the rosin. (I'll either scrape or slightly melt the surface to remove those channels.)
I, of course, have NO scientific proof of this, but I do notice a great improvement in my bow's performance after I've applied a consistent application of the Magic Sap = better starts, better (Legato) bow changes (Down/Up...), more consistent transfer of arm weight into the string, better response in the top (tip) 1/3 of the bow, less squeaks overall, etc.
Thanks.

 

[Silevesq]

How did this come along? Did it survive? I tough about doing something similar a while ago, just never went for it.

 

[Don Kasper]

How did this come along? Did it survive? I tough about doing something similar a while ago, just never went for it.

I'm still preferring (and enjoying) my Hybrid Mix of 50/50 Pops/Nyman to either brand by itself.
You should give it a try - I've had good/great results, even when using "old" cakes.
Thanks.