If you’ve been following us online you might have caught the part where Gary has been in his secret lab (cottage kitchen) testing different recipes for great bow rosin. And if you think that means Gary’s up at dawn and the whole place smells like pine and coffee, you’d be right!
Rosin is another one of those pieces of bass player kit that deserves some extra examination. And the bassists who truly depend on it for their sound can be obsessive, even blending their own. Even if your bowing is limited to grabbing for arco under the final chord, you understand the balance between glide and grab that is so important, and any non-sounds or squeals will ruin the moment.
Professional bows need to deliver that touch on demand in cold halls and warm bandshells. A symphony chair may need to swell in a beautiful passage after a hundred measures of rest – their performance absolutely depends on that blend of glide and grab. Blake Hinson of the New York Philarmonic was kind enough to share all his experience and insight on the topic! Check out his revelatory podcast with Gary:
At the same time, good rosin has been hard to come by!
Some of our sticky stalwart brands have been hard to get, and even favorites aren’t much use if they’re years-old rocks. Upton Bass is happy to announce we’re making our own and you can order it directly, made fresh here in Connecticut!
If you love the usability of Pop’s, with a touch of Carlsson or Nyman feel perhaps, you will immediately be comfortable with Upton Bass Rosin (check our our rosin selection here). And the feel of just-made fresh rosin is another huge improvement. This is our own proprietary rosin, Gary’s bespoke blend, made and packaged at our home workshop. We’re calling it a medium-weight (“Maple” for its color) but it’s meant to be used fresh and pliable. We snuck early examples to Blake Hinson plus extra for his stand partners. His quick response:
“This rosin is excellent. Now you have to make it forever or something better. Great pop, no warmup time, not grainy. It’s great.”
We think you’ll love it! Upton Bass Rosin – fresh rosin, pliable and direct to you, priced right along with your favorites!
