KOLSTEIN ROSIN
A History of Kolstein Rosins
Upon analyzing the rosin situation of the modern day violinist, violist, cellist and bassist, it became apparent to Samuel Kolstein, founder of Kolstein Music, Inc and Samuel Kolstein & Son, Ltd. Violinmakers, that the need for consistent rosin specifically formulated for each instrument was greatly needed. Prior to the development of Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Rosin, rosin was generically made for all instruments with players being forced to use rosins which were not formulated with the individual instrument’s requirements. For that matter, the violin, viola, and cello players were using identical kegs of rosin. Kolstein spent many arduous hours in the early 1960’s studying chemical analysis books, speaking with head chemical engineers form the leading chemical supply companies and conducting countless hours of experimentation with sample components to create what has evolved into the present level of Kolstein rosins.
Barrie Kolstein recalls his younger days as a bass student of the famed Bassist Orin O’Brien leaving to catch a train into New York to take his weekly lesson and having Sam cooling sample rosins in the freezer to get them solid enough for Barrie to bring to Orin to try and give to colleagues in the New York Philharmonic. These days of perhaps somewhat less than refined enriched rosin making resulted in some amazing feedback from some of the finest violinists, violists, cellists and bassists and supplied a very important direction in the development of the current Kolstein rosins that are so highly regarded on an international basis. Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Rosin was engineered based on the invaluable feedback the Kolstein’s received, so that each string player has the option of having their own specifically formulated rosin, and in the case of the cellist, both a normal and slightly tackier medium grade. For the bassist, there is an option of Hard, All-Weather or Soft Grade to accommodate personal preferences. Through much tedious research and experimentation, as a result Kolstein Music has produced the Kolstein Rosins specifically formulated for each instrument and each individual player’s needs.
Bass Rosin
Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Bass Rosin is composed of the finest ingredients, created through a high degree of product control in strict accord with the developed formula. A minimum curing period for a predetermined time is a requirement for all our bass rosin. In addition, such features as hand pouring and packaging in a specially designed roll-down silicon unique containerization , all contribute to the superior quality of our rich dark textured rosin.The rosin is available in a deluxe line which consists of a protective silicon packaging that affords the bassist a rosin packaging that keep the bass rosin fresh, and prevents any kind of melting out of older packaging. The silicon rosin housing then is put in an attractive gold foil container; esthetic and protective for the professionals’ needs, but practically sized with easy storage in mind. Our Formulation Supreme Bass Rosin can be acquired in several grades (Hard, All Weather, amd Soft) to meet the musicians’ personal preference, as well as the geographic and climatic conditions that prevail where the rosin will be used.As with all Kolstein Formulation Supreme Rosins, our bass rosins have the feature of indefinite shelf-life; that is, it will never dry out and crystallize. Once used, the rosin will show a continual wetting action allowing for easy powdering on the strings and instrument.Through extensive research and experimentation, Kolstein Bass Rosin has attained this unique and revolutionary Formulation Supreme. The result is bass rosin which has been fully acclaimed by our finest international soloist and ultra-professional orchestral and recording artists.
Cello Rosin
Upon analyzing the rosin situation of the modern cellist, it became apparent that the need for a fine consistent cello rosin was greatly sought after. Up to the time of development of Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Cello Rosin, the cellist was forced to use rosins which were not formulated with the cellist’s requirements primarily in mind. For that matter, the violin, viola, and cello were using identical pieces of rosin.Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Cello Rosin has eliminated the need for the cellist to use several types of rosins to try to attain what a cello rosin should do to completely satisfy the cellist’s needs. Through much tedious research and experimentation, the result has produced a rosin specifically formulated for the cello.In producing our cello rosin, the most stringent product control exists, entailing:Exact measurement of the finest ingredients in strict accord with the developed formulaPouring into alloy lined wooden molds to insure uniform hardening and avoid thermal crackingA required minimum curing period for predetermined time.Packaging design for Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Cello Rosin has been created with the musician’s convenience in mind. The packaging consists of a lint proof chamois-like material attached to the rosin cake, inserted in an attractive gold foil container large enough to accommodate the rosin and backing, but practically sized to easily fit any cello care of cover without becoming cumbersome.As with all Kolstein rosin, indefinite shelf life exists for the cello rosin. This is created by a continual wetting action which causes non-crystallization and allows for easy application to the bow and minimum powdering on strings and instruments while playing.Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Cello Rosin has truly answered the problems of the more discriminating cellist who is striving for a specifically formulated rosin which offers the cellist strong, even adherence, long lasting power, extremely low powdering, combined in a rich textured blend of rosin.
Violin Rosin
The need for consistent violin rosin has always been a major problem of the more discriminating string player. Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Violin Rosin has recognized this need and supplied the violinist with a rosin with strong even adherence, long lasting power, extremely low powdering, superior packaging, and unequal smooth tonal qualities.Extensive research has created a violin rosin which is produced through exact product control, entailing:Exact measurement of the finest ingredients in strict accord with the developed formulaPouring into alloy line wooden molds to insure uniform hardening and avoid thermal crackingA required minimum curing period for predetermined time.A deluxe design of packaging has been developed for the ultimate in protection and esthetic appearance. The packaging consists of a lint proof chamois-like material backing to the rosin, inserted in an attractive gold foil container large enough to accommodate the rosin and cloth, but practically size to easily fit in any violin case.A final important feature of Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Violin Rosin is that it has indefinite shelf life: that is, it will never dry out and crystallize as most other rosins do. In fact, once used, the rosin will show a continual wetting action allowing for easy application to the bow and exceptional low powdering to strings and the instrument while playing.Custom blending to the requirements of ultra-professional musicians is the key to success of a fine rosin. Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Violin Rosin has sub-blended itself so as to offer a choice of a medium grade for viola or a normal grade for violin.Thus, the violin and viola player is offered the ultimate in quality and choice in a richly blended textured rosin.
Viola Rosin
The need for consistent viola rosin has always been a major problem of the more discriminating string player. Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Viola Rosin has recognized this need and supplied the viola player with a rosin with strong even adherence, long lasting power, extremely low powdering, superior packaging, and unequal smooth tonal qualities.Extensive research has created a viola rosin which is produced through exact product control, entailing:Exact measurement of the finest ingredients in strict accord with the developed formulaPouring into alloy line wooden molds to insure uniform hardening and avoid thermal crackingA required minimum curing period for predetermined time.A deluxe design of packaging has been developed for the ultimate in protection and esthetic appearance. The packaging consists of a lint proof chamois-like material backing to the rosin, inserted in an attractive gold foil container large enough to accommodate the rosin and cloth, but practically size to easily fit in any viola case.A final important feature of Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Viola Rosin is that it has indefinite shelf life: that is, it will never dry out and crystallize as most other rosins do. In fact, once used, the rosin will show a continual wetting action allowing for easy application to the bow and exceptional low powdering to strings and the instrument while playing.Custom blending to the requirements of ultra-professional musicians is the key to success of a fine rosin. Kolstein’s Formulation Supreme Viola Rosin has sub-blended itself so as to offer a choice of a medium grade for viola or a normal grade for violin.Thus, the viola player is offered the ultimate in quality and choice in a richly blended textured rosin.
Testimonials

Timothy Cobb
“A cake of your rosin is almost always present on my stand (and my colleague’s stands at the Met). With a four-thousand seat house to play to, we...

Shlomo Mintz
“I have been more than pleased with all aspects of the Kolstein Violin rosin. It offers extremely low powdering, even adherence to the bow hair and a wonderful...

Tina Guo
“I love my Kolstein Cello Rosin! I use it on both my fine bows with my classical cello, and on all four of my carbon fiber bows with my electric cello, with...

Byung Kook Kwak
“Kolstein viola rosin is my first and only choice. The sound and clarity that it gives is outstanding. I have relied upon it my entire career.”

Thomas Martin
“Dear Barrie, Just a note to thank you so much for the rosin. I can see that you really put your heart and soul into perfecting it and I think it is great. I find it leads...

Tuomas Ylinen
“I´m using Kolstein rosin with great pleasure. It works very well with all kinds of different repertoire. I´m using it while playing in an orchestra and also when...

Frank Proto
“I’ve used the Kolstein Bass rosin for many years. I love the consistency that it gives me in bringing out the best my bows have to offer. An added bonus is that...

Peter Lloyd
“Through 35 years and thousands of orchestral, solo and chamber music performances, I have always turned to Kolstein rosin as the most dependable and classy...

Rufus Reid
“I have had a most rewarding experience with the Samuel Kolstein Ultra Bass Rosin – Soft grade. From the the first application to my bow, I was...

David Blackmon
“I find the Kolstein violin rosin to be the best rosin I have used in my 35+ years of being a professional fiddler/violinist. It is very unique in that it pulls...

Dmitry Yablonsky
“I was so pleased to recently receive the Kolstein Cello Rosin, from my colleague Shlomo Mintz. As a long term user of a competitive cello rosin, it was not easy to...

François Rabbath
“Bravo…..J’utilise votre colophane et je suis très satisfait.” (“Bravo…I use your rosin and am very satisfied”)

James VanDemark
“Kolstein Ultra Bass Rosin has consistently been my rosin of choice. A powerful and clean sound, consistency, and ease of application are assured...

Pierre-Marie Lepage
“Bonjour M. Kolstein, Votre colophane pour alto est remarquable. Bien à vous. Pierre-Marie Lepage”(Hello Mr. Kolstein, Your viola rosin is remarkable. Yours.

Tom Bresnick
“Bravo…..J’utilise votre colophane et je suis très satisfait.” (“Bravo…I use your rosin and am very satisfied”)

Mirel Iancovici
“After having tried for decades almost every kind of rosin, from famous to less known ones, I came back to an old ‘love’, Kolstein rosin. Directness and yet...

Yuan Xiong Lu
“Kolstein Rosin provides exceptional depth of tone and responsiveness under the bow. I have always used it and recommend it highly to any bassist!”