Musicians live by tradition and intrigue, and one of the mysteries surrounding stringed instruments is violin rosin. This ingenious gum is used by performers to treat the horse hair bows that entice beautiful sounds from gut strings. Rosin is a necessity in every violin case, and performers become dedicated to their favorite brand or blend. That is why so many producers of rosin keep secret their special ingredients. Some even have patents for the same. Pine resins or a blend of saps from other conifers are the basis for violin rosin. The same ingredients are also used in some soaps, inks, varnishes, adhesives, lenses, and even chewing gum.

Ingredients

• Pine Resin
• Bees Wax
• Flecks of Silver, Gold or Copper
• Propane Torch
• Stainless Steel Pan
• Hatchet or Sharp Knife
• Metal Container

Step 1: Tap a Tree

Harvesting pine resin is a simple procedure. Use a hatchet to cut away about 10 inches of bark across the trunk of a mature pine tree about 3 feet above the ground and attach a metal container that can catch the resin. Cut a V-shaped notch in the tree slightly higher to help direct the sap flow toward the collector. Press the container tightly to the sapwood. The resin should begin flowing within a day. Freshen the cut in the tree every 4 to 5 days to keep the resin flowing. If you wish to skip this step, check the Internet for companies that sell raw pine resin. Among brands sold on the Internet are KTrade Exports, Trench Export/Import Co., Havanna Ltd., Nordtrade, and Tradeasia International. The clearer grades are more expensive.

Step 2: Distill the Turpentine

Raw resin is a sticky solid that must be distilled to recover the pure rosin from the substance. This is done by distilling the turpentine. Place the raw resin in a stainless steel pan and heat with propane to the boiling point. Continue heating the substance as the turpentine burns away. It may be captured through a distilling process if you wish. The rosin will remain after the turpentine has vaporized at temperatures up to 300 degrees F. The rosin will harden as it cools.

Step 3: Devise a Recipe

Violin rosin is the product of pine rosin combined with other resins, waxes and other ingredients. Rosin makers have a variety of recipes, and most keep some ingredients secret. Resin collected in the spring and fall will generally produce a darker, softer substance. Rosin recipes have been a source of intrigue since the 18th century. Italian writers from that era have written musical treatises on the secrets of rosins.

Step 4: Process the Rosin