Double Bass MELTING YOUR OWN ROSIN

[ClassicalDB]

ok thanks a lot! so just double boiler, i put all the rosin i want to melt together in the double boiler, then just pour into little ketchup cups ey? sounds pretty easy.

 

[Dr Rod]

Yep, but I would do like g-force and the website indicate, I would grind and mix before melting. Rosin melts to a very thick molasses-like lava, mixing is not easy. The double boiler will keep you from burning the rosin, but make sure that the water does not boil too furiously, otherwise you might get some water in the rosin can. Patience would be the word of the trick. Have something handy to scrape the last remains of melted rosin into the final container.

PS: thanks for the canadian flavour

 

[Dawbs89]

That's because it burns away the oils and waxes in the original mixture. I can understand doing it as a "fun" experiment, but would not expect stellar results... (and yes, G-force, hot rosin burns like napalm... )
For Dr. Rod: here are some rosin basics:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

that link was a good read

 

[mje]

And do it outdoors, so you can back away from the flames and grab a hose when the rosin ignites.

 

[sybarite]

I recently had sucess melting rosins together by placing it directly undeneath a halogen table lamp. No boiling and no messy clean up of pots or pans, just keep an eye on it a give it a nice stir with a toothpick. (You'll be surprise just how fast the rosin melts. )

 

[SRX705NT]

very interesting i think ill try the lamp idea though(ya i know im lazy i dont and my mom would prob kill me if i messed up her pans thx for the info guys

 

[DuluthBassist]

In case anybody is still interested - I had two cakes (one medium and one soft) of Brohan's Oak Rosin that had really gotten all messed up by warm weather, etc. I broke them up and took a clean, empty cat food can and put the pieces of rosin in there, then put the can in a small saucepan with a small amount of water. I brought the water to a small boil and within about 20 minutes the rosin had completely melted very nicely. I then let it cool, then after it was cool cut the can off of the rosin and used some chamois to wrap the rosin. And yes, the rosin works great!!!

 

[noetical1]

so, no one uses the microwave?

 

[reedo35]

I think some people have, but it's way too easy to overcook it in there.

 

[noetical1]

it does seem un-wise to use the microwave...especially as some brands may contain metallic elements!

 

[gabsillis]

thanks reedo35

could there be a pine tar substitute?

See, according to the definition I found, pine tar is dark in colour, this would fit in with most rosins like Carlsons, Oak etc....but not with pop's, petz, and others.

Definition from wordreference.com:
pine tar: a dark viscous substance obtained from the destructive distillation of pine wood

I heard that pops uses parafin which is very sticky but sticks a lot to the striings. This parafin content is very high in pops so it is sometimes good to scrape the buildup off the strings with a key.

 

[gabsillis]

so, no one uses the microwave?

rosin+microwave usually equals an explosion or sparks

 

[what the pluck]

rosin+microwave usually equals an explosion or sparks

That sold me.