Double Bass Kolstein Soft rosin substitute?

[koricancowboy]

I find it comparable. Not as nuanced but not so brutish I can’t play Bach but it kills for Mahler orchestral excerpts. I feel like I can get through Mahler 2 without re-rosining. Keep in mind, I’ve had it for 3 days so time will tell

 

[koricancowboy]

Still gotta try the hard. Might be better for solo rep

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I voted Wiedoeft but I also tried the first iteration of the Upton rosin and and found it was basically like a mix of 1/3 Carlson/Nymans and 2/3 Pops which isn’t terribly far off from how I might think of the Kolstein soft.

That was a while ago and Upton is now making a softer version which might also be worth checking out.

 

[the_Ryan]

I hear such mixed reviews on Leatherwood. Some top bassists I trust absolutely hate it. Most here on TB like it, although most seemed to have cooled off on it somewhat after using it over a prolonged period. It does seem like an expensive experiment for something that is far from a guarantee.

To get this thread back on track, the question then is, How is Leatherwood similar to Kolstein in ways other rosin is not?

My experience with both the Amber and BASS (I haven't used the BASS extra) is that it grips and sounds really good initially, but it just doesn't want to stay on the bow.

 

[Bruce Calin]

I used a couple of different Leatherwoods for a while but they eventually got dried out and I didn't have much luck trying to freshen them up. I've gone back to Carlsson's that I used years ago and seems to be working well now. We'll see how long a fresh cake lasts. I'll probably try something else at some point since I've used many different brands over the years and don't seem to be able to settle on one permanent choice. When I see how often some of the major orchestra players get fresh rosin I realize I'm probably not changing nearly often enough.

 

[AGCurry]

My experience with both the Amber and BASS (I haven't used the BASS extra) is that it grips and sounds really good initially, but it just doesn't want to stay on the bow.

Hmm. I can usually go 2-3 practices without more of the BASS rosin, and it's always good for a two-hour rehearsal or performance.

 

[LaFaro01]

Some weeks ago I discovered a "new player" in the Rosin Game...and after checking it out I am really very taken with it...

050Rosin – From Groningen since 2024

www.050rosin.nl

For me with my strings and instruments itplays in the same league as the Leatherwood.... and it's not soooo expensive...

 

[garrett2]

It's great stuff. It sounds to me like Pop's without the annoying artifacts, or Leatherwood with a more direct and less amber sound. It is very soft, I need to order another rosin keeper.

 

[LaFaro01]

It sounds to me like Pop's without the annoying artifacts,

This was my thought too, but I didn't want to express this, because I have not really a lot of experience with Pops...
By the way... I use this one as Rosin Keeper...

Amazon.de

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Potentially controversial opinion, but I think Hidersine (the “special bass resin” that is square shaped, not the harder round cakes with the cloth) might not be too far off from Kolstein Soft or even the Weidoeft. I’ve been using some recently, largely because it’s relatively inexpensive, and think it’s pretty good. Though, I should mention I’m primarily a jazz player, but I do use the bow a decent amount and practice with it often.

My local shop usually puts it with their rental basses and, apparently, some of the bassists in the Columbus Symphony use it.

Just my opinion and everyone is entitled to theirs. They make it in soft, medium and hard formulations.

Double Bass Rosin – Temperate Climates – X-Large Size

<hr /> <p style="text-align: left;"><button><a href="where-to-buy/uk-and-ireland-retailers">FIND YOUR NEAREST HIDERSINE DEALER</a></button></p> <hr /> <p><strong>Hidersine DB-series of Double Bass rosins are a suite of three respected formulations specifically for double bass.</strong></p>...

www.hidersine.com

 

[koricancowboy]

Some weeks ago I discovered a "new player" in the Rosin Game...and after checking it out I am really very taken with it...

050Rosin – From Groningen since 2024

www.050rosin.nl

For me with my strings and instruments itplays in the same league as the Leatherwood.... and it's not soooo expensive...

I’ve been enjoying this quite a bit lately.

 

[AndersLasson]

Me too has used the 050 Groningen rosin. I used Kolstein Soft before, but think soft 050 rosin stays active longer on the bow. Good grip but not too dark.

Disclaimer: I am an amateur bassist in the local amateur orchestra. Not at all professional.

 

[anahata]

Somebody is gonna drop this in here. It might as well be me. Bassment Rosin - “Winter” double bass rosin

 

[Pietsch]

I bought 2 cakes of Kolstein Ultra soft a couple of months ago just in case it's no longer available in the future. I'm mostly using Gaston Brohan's Oak rosin, and Kolstein soft for soloing. I've got a cake of Pops' in my stash of rosins. Pops' doesn't fit my soloing bowing style. I ordered a cake of Gustave Bernardel violin/viola/cello rosin for breaking in my German bow after I get new hair in a few weeks.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Has anyone here tried the Eastman or Cecilia bass rosins? Both are apparently softer and come in rubber/silicone containers. I’m just wondering if either might be a good substitute for Kolstein soft and/or Weidoeft.

The Eastman is supposedly made for them by Leatherwood, though I’m sure it’s not the same formula as their regular rosins. It’s also marketed as a “student” rosin which I find a bit odd. I’ve never thought of rosin in terms of student vs professional. Pops seems to be used just as much by students as it is by Pros.

 

[DenverBass]

Kolstein soft and/or Weidoeft.

Is/was Wiedoeft a Kolstein product? I remember reading a lot of speculation about that earlier — and having both of them out of stock at the same time is certainly is another data point — but was that conclusive? Or just an open secret like Kolstein Heritage strings being D’Addario?

 

[Lee Moses]

Is/was Wiedoeft a Kolstein product? I remember reading a lot of speculation about that earlier — and having both of them out of stock at the same time is certainly is another data point — but was that conclusive? Or just an open secret like Kolstein Heritage strings being D’Addario?

I don't think calling Wiedoeft "a Kolstein product" is exactly accurate. But Kolstein was using their facilities to make rosin for Wiedoeft.

 

[LouisF]

This is from an old thread (below):

• Jan 9, 2018

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• #17

I emailed Wiedoeft asking them about the difference between their rosin and the Kolstein rosin:

I bought a cake of this rosin when a friend of mine asked a question about it on Talkbass. I was curious. I read that Wiedoeft rosin is made by Kolstein. Is that right? If Wiedoeft is indeed made by Kolstein, can you explain a bit how the two are different? They do appear to be made from different materials, based on the difference in the color and grip.

Here's their response:

Hello Tom,

Thank you for your email concerning that you like the Wiedoeft Rosin and the your question as to the connection of Kolstein and Wiedoeft Rosin and the higher cost of the rosin over the Kolstein rosin.

Wiedoeft has been straight forward about our introduction of the fine formula of rosin. I will address your questions as thoroughly as possible.

Kolstein’s involvement in the Wiedoeft Rosin is on a back end basis of producing this very different formula most similar to the original Wiedoeft formula from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Kolstein contracted an international distribution company to handle distribution, marketing and sales of the Wiedoeft rosin, so aside from doing the back-end production of the Wiedoeft rosin, that is the extent of the Kolstein company with the Wiedoeft Rosin.

As to you question of the higher pricing of the Wiedoeft Rosin, a simple economic answer is that the components of this rosin are much different from the Kolstein formula, as is the packaging and also the electrical pouring equipment. As you can likely imagine, to produce the Wiedoeft rosin took a great deal of investment into component materials, development of the packaging materials, creation of specialized melting and pouring pots. This all determined the list and actually MAP (minimum selling price ) for the Wiedoeft Rosins.

I hope this answers your questions. Wiedoeft Rosin truly appreciates your support and faith in our rosin.

Sincerely,
Manny Alvarez
Wiedoeft Rosin Sales Team


Double Bass - Wiedoeft Bass Rosin

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Is/was Wiedoeft a Kolstein product? I remember reading a lot of speculation about that earlier — and having both of them out of stock at the same time is certainly is another data point — but was that conclusive? Or just an open secret like Kolstein Heritage strings being D’Addario?

What Louis said.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

What Louis said.

It was previously made in the Kolstein facility. I say previously, because a new entity has formed - "Wiedoeft Rosin" - and they are now handling it all in house; "Kolstein Music" is, AFAIK, no longer involved at all. The new rosins now feature a brown silicone wrap and a new look cardboard sleeve - and we just received our first batch today.

AND - they now also have a sticker "ULTRA-GRIP" Grade in addition to the "Original Formula, now called "ALL-SEASON."