Double Bass Kolstein Rosin Problems...

[MaxJacob]

I use kolstein soft rosin. My hairs are constantly getting glued together making my bow very slick and it is unable to grab the string.... I use a toothbrush to unstick the hairs but they just bond right back to each other in a matter of minutes.... suggestions?

 

[Eli_Upright12]

dont use so much. maybe only do a swipe or two every 3 to 4 days.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

If you're using that much, you probably have lots caked onto the strings as well. Get rid of that (scotchbrite dishwashing pad from the supermarket, or some alcohol on a rag... do NOT get alcohol on the bass), comb most of the rosin out of your bow, and you'll get on better. Don't use so much rosin, you don't need it, and I expect that the rosin is also too soft for the temperature you're working in.

 

[basswraith]

Forget the alcohol idea.

Get some Acetone. Its almost the same thing as nail polish remover.
you can buy it at a hardware store cheap.
Put some in a cereal bowl. Unscrew the frog and just dip your bow hair into the acetone for 3 min. Most of that crap just falls off.
Don't get it in your eyes.

This works really well. I also use Kol soft. I love it but during the summer it builds up. DO you use a bow case or just throw it in your bag?

MH

 

[Eli_Upright12]

Forget the alcohol idea.

Get some Acetone. Its almost the same thing as nail polish remover.
you can buy it at a hardware store cheap.
Put some in a cereal bowl. Unscrew the frog and just dip your bow hair into the acetone for 3 min. Most of that crap just falls off.
Don't get it in your eyes.

This works really well. I also use Kol soft. I love it but during the summer it builds up. DO you use a bow case or just throw it in your bag?

MH

I wouldnt dip anything from my bass in acetone

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Acetone certainly will get it off, and won't hurt the hair. But don't play with acetone indoors, you need really good ventilation using that stuff.

I was suggesting using alcohol on the strings, not the bow hair.

 

[MaxJacob]

I do put my bow in a case.
I am scared as well to dip my bow in acetone. Seems kinda risky, no?
Also I am have had surgery on my right wrist so i need the extra grab from the bow to make up for the lack of power in my wrist.... maybe i should switch rosins?

thank you for all the responses

 

[Eli_Upright12]

I do put my bow in a case.
I am scared as well to dip my bow in acetone. Seems kinda risky, no?
Also I am have had surgery on my right wrist so i need the extra grab from the bow to make up for the lack of power in my wrist.... maybe i should switch rosins?

thank you for all the responses

there isnt any rosin with more grip or power than kolstien, try talking to you teacher about ways to better utilize the natural weight of you arm, the power of your wrist shouldn't matter much.

 

[Eric Swanson]

I offer this without any desire to be contentious...I believe that "Basswraith" is advising to dip the hair, only, into the solvent. He talks about unscrewing the frog, then putting ONLY THE HAIR into the cleaner. I have done what he suggests in the past - this is not a new idea...it works well.

I have been using the Kolstein soft for a few months. I switched to the Kolstein All-Weather for the spring/summer. I am only using two swipes at a time of either, at most. I am also using my old Pops from time to time, depending on temperature and what I am playing.

 

[Dr Rod]

I use kolstein soft rosin. My hairs are constantly getting glued together making my bow very slick and it is unable to grab the string.... I use a toothbrush to unstick the hairs but they just bond right back to each other in a matter of minutes.... suggestions?

I also use tonnes of rosin, so I can relate.

Kolstein's hard rosin will clean up the mess of your soft rosin. In the warmer months it is almost impossible to use the soft rosin alone.

Before you dip your bowhair in all kinds of chemicals, try using the hard rosin for a few days.