Can I use Violin Rosin on a Cello or Double Bass Bow?

The consistency of rosin ranges from soft and sticky to hard and dry. 

Generally, violinists and violists prefer ‘hard and dry’ while cellists and double bassists prefer ‘soft and sticky’. While this is a very generalist statement and certainly not true for every player, what is true is that to make larger strings vibrate, you need a rosin that is soft and sticky. 

Because of this, Double Bassists must use a very very dark sticky rosin to get the amount of friction needed to make their large strings vibrate. Double Bass rosin is so viscous that is can’t be left on its side, because it will very soon start to dribble out of its box! This sort of rosin is very specific to double bass and shouldn’t be used on violin, viola or cello.

Most rosins are marketed towards a specific instrument, or type of string, however there are some rosins that are fine to use for violin, viola AND cello. Examples of this are Bernardel or Pirastro Oliv. For my own ‘warm sounding’ antique cello I use Bernardel because I like how a lighter rosin brightens up the sound.

Next: What will happen if I mix two rosins together?