Availability of Pops' Bass Rosin, and Alternatives

Pops' Bass Rosin is an incredibly popular product, and has been for a very long time. Known for its so-called "Texas Sizzle," it's a very grippy rosin that has excellent adhesion and a very sharp bite. 

Over the years, one thing players have discovered about Pops' is that it does have a shorter "shelf life" - it's an ongoing challenge to find the "freshest" cakes of Pops' rosin, as to get the best performance. This is why we date-code every cake of rosin when a new batch arrives, so you can be sure to know that the rosin you purchased hasn't been sitting around in our stockroom!

The key to maintaining its freshness is to remember to keep the container sealed when you're not actively using the rosin - exposure to air can definitely dry out the rosin and cause it to go stale sooner. And this is why Gollihur Music seals each cake of Pops' (and most other rosins) in a plastic bag to prevent it from exposure to air if the container pops open during shipment.

A Resin Humidor can also be a way to keep your rosin (Pops' or otherwise) fresher longer. It has a built-in humidity control pack to keep the rosin properly humidified, and an airtight container to keep the air out. Check it out, even if you don't use Pops'! 

So yeah, the rosin does start to lose its efficacy once it ages a bit, so it's not uncommon for pro players to get a new cake of Pops' every few months. And that short shelf life means it's even that much harder for shops to keep it in stock, as regular users are buying it more often. But if you've noticed that, recently, it's even harder to find it available... a newer development has led to that: The Pops' Products company has always been proud that their rosins are hand-made and hand-poured in their Texas facility, and they (rightfully) have no intention of changing that. And they've recently re-stated their commitment to that small-batch philosophy, and are subsequently cutting back a bit on their production schedules to maintain their high quality (and, presumably, their sanity.) This has meant, however, that there are lower quantities of their rosin to go around. 

We're doing what we can to stay stocked up, and we limit the number of cakes a person can purchase in a transaction to keep it more available for more customers - but we (and other retailers) may run out from time to time. We just thought you might like to know why. 

Alternative Rosins that are "similar to" Pops'

If you're looking for an alternative to switch to (or have as a backup) since Pops' may not always be readily available, here are a couple of good options that are not "identical" to Pops', but you will find that they have some similar qualities:

Wiedoeft Professional Rosin for Upright Bass - The new "Ultra Grip" formula has all of the stick, but is smoother and less runny than many soft rosins with similar grab.

Leatherwood "BASS" Orchestral Bass Rosin - The grip level of the "BASS" Rosin from Leatherwood is quite comparable to that of Pops', and the "Extra" formulation is even grippier still!

050 Artisanal Bass Rosin - The 050 Soft is a pretty close analog to the Pops' vibe, and the Super Sticky takes it even further - don't leave it upside-down, it might just flow out of the cup! The new "050 Dark Bass Rosin" nicely slots in-between those two options and might just be the perfect replacement for Pops'.

Jade Double Bass Solo Rosin - I've been suggesting this as a substitute for years, and a customer just posted this in a review earlier today: "The Jade is just about as “grippy” as Pops' but feels less “sticky”. By this I mean that passing your hair over it feels more like a harder rosin, it doesn’t catch the bow like Pop’s will do, but on the string it grips like Pops'."

Petz Premium Rosin for Upright Bass - Another very nice option, with soft grip and smooth application. I'm told that it lasts a good long time, too.