Sylvain Gobeil brings artisanal rosin back to life

Written on 22 September 2026 - 87 views

Sylvain Gobeil, from maritime pine to rosin

There are trades we rarely hear about, whose existence we discover almost by chance.

The work of a resin tapper is one of them.

Yet, in the Landes de Gascogne and around Arcachon Bay, resin tapping was long part of the landscape and local economy. The principle consists of harvesting the resin produced by maritime pines through precise work carried out directly on the trees.

Today, this activity has become much rarer. It is precisely this craft that Sylvain Gobeil has chosen to keep alive.

Based in La Teste-de-Buch, Sylvain is a resin tapper. He harvests the resin of maritime pines before transforming it to make rosin intended in particular for musicians. His career path is particularly unusual. Self-taught, he says he worked in many different trades, in France as well as Quebec, before finding his calling in resin tapping. He has practiced this activity since the 2010s and created Gemme Expert in 2015.

A craft that begins in the forest

Before talking about the violin, cello or double bass, we need to talk about the pine.

The raw material for Sylvain Gobeil’s rosin indeed comes from the resin of the maritime pine. The resin tapper works on the tree to encourage this resin to flow and collect it. This work requires knowledge of the tree, how it functions and harvesting techniques.

It is a physical, but also highly precise craft. Above all, it is a craft intimately connected to the local area.

When you listen to Sylvain Gobeil talk about his work, you quickly understand that resin tapping is not simply a way for him to produce a raw material. There is a genuine connection to the forest and this local heritage.

This is also what makes his journey interesting: the material he uses does not arrive anonymously in a workshop. Its story begins in the pines of Arcachon Bay.

From resin to rosin

But what exactly is this famous rosin?

For a musician who plays a bowed string instrument, it is one of the essential accessories. It comes in the form of a small solid block that is rubbed onto the bow hair. Its role is essential: it gives the hair enough grip on the strings to make them vibrate.

Without rosin, the bow would slide much more easily over the string. This material is therefore small in size, but important in sound production.

Rosin is the solid part derived from the resin. In her podcast devoted to Sylvain Gobeil, Lili Bonnet takes the time to explain this material and its use in music, but also in other fields such as dance, climbing and gymnastics.

And this is where Sylvain Gobeil’s work becomes particularly interesting for musicians. He does not simply make rosin: he works directly from the resin he harvests.

A meeting between the forest and musicians

The approach of Gemme Expert is therefore to bring together two worlds that might seem very far apart. On one side, the forest and the craft of resin tapping. On the other, conservatories, orchestras and musicians. Between the two, there is rosin.

Sylvain Gobeil develops products specifically for the violin, viola, cello and double bass. His website also mentions collaborations with the Conservatoire de Dax and Olivier Parrot, concertmaster of the Orchestre de Dax, as well as the use of his rosin by violinist Nicolas Dautricourt.

These exchanges with musicians are important because rosin is not chosen solely according to its origin. Each instrument has its characteristics, each bow behaves differently, and each musician has their own habits.

Grip, the feel under the bow, the amount of material deposited, and even the behavior on the strings can change the musician’s experience. This is why making rosin intended for instrumentalists requires careful consideration of the product’s end use.

A journey told by Lili Bonnet

To better understand Sylvain Gobeil’s journey, I also drew on the podcast by Lili Bonnet, Everything Happens For A Reason.

The episode devoted to Sylvain Gobeil is particularly interesting because it does not merely present his professional activity. Lili Bonnet looks back at his journey, his relationship with the forest, his work as a resin tapper and the creation of Gemme Expert. She also discusses the human dimension of this encounter and how his personal journey influenced the way he views his work.

The podcast in particular allows listeners to hear Sylvain himself explain what resin tapping is and what rosin really is. It is an interesting complement to this article, because the artisan’s own words help us understand what we do not necessarily see when we simply hold a small piece of rosin in our hand.

Listen to the podcast “ Craftsmanship in the service of artists and living things, with Sylvain Gobeil ”

The episode lasts approximately 1 h 42 and is part of season 3 of the Everything Happens For A Reason podcast.

Another way to look at your rosin

For the musician, rosin is often an object they no longer really think about. It is there, in the case. You take it before playing. A few passes over the bow hair and it goes back into its box.

Yet behind this small gesture lies an entire chain of know-how. With rosin made from locally harvested resin, this story becomes much more tangible. We can picture the pine in the forest, the work of the resin tapper, the harvesting of the resin, its transformation, and then the moment when the musician takes their bow and applies the rosin to the hair.

From tree to instrument, the material changes form, but its story does not change.

This is probably one of the most interesting aspects of Sylvain Gobeil’s approach.

An artisanal activity rooted in a region

Gemme Expert promotes artisanal production using resin from the maritime pines of Arcachon Bay. The website presents the rosin as French, natural and handmade.

Here, it is important to distinguish what belongs to the brand’s commercial presentation from what relates to the artisan’s journey. What is particularly well documented is Sylvain Gobeil’s intention to work directly with resin tapping and to develop, from this material, a production intended for musicians.

This approach gives his work a heritage dimension.

Resin tapping is part of the history of the Landes and Arcachon Bay. Turning it today into an artisanal activity connected to music is a contemporary way of keeping this know-how alive.

Why is rosin so important for a bow?

To understand the importance of the product, it is enough to think about how the bow works. The hair must grip the string sufficiently to set it vibrating. Too little grip, and the bow slips.

Too much material or rosin that is too sticky, on the other hand, can significantly alter the playing feel and cause more buildup.

The choice of rosin is therefore fully part of instrumental practice. A violinist, violist, cellist or double bassist does not necessarily look for the same characteristics. This is also why Gemme Expert offers different products suited to bowed string instruments.

They tried it

Here are testimonials from musicians who have tested Gemme Expert rosin:

“Originally from the Arcachon Bay area, I was curious to discover Sylvain and his rosin made from resin from the region’s pines. His rosin suits my playing perfectly, offering instant contact and power without forcing. I also appreciate its composition without chemicals or harmful substances, as well as Sylvain’s pleasant and friendly personality.”
Sarah CHENAF

“ Sylvain Gobeil, very attentive to musicians’ feedback, made us a rosin with good grip that produces a beautiful velvety sound. Thank you and well done to him! ”
Marie Christine DACQUI

“ Remarkable rosin for its sound and timbre, designed with love and respect for nature and the musician ”
Philippe DREVET

“ Sylvain Gobeil’s rosin made from maritime pine resin is exceptional: soft attack, clear and warm sound. A must-have! ”
Rosaire RICCOBONO

“For me, this rosin is amazing both in terms of grip and sound, which remains round and warm ”
Nicolas CHELLY

These comments complement the artisan’s work with the experience of those who actually use the product.

How can you buy Gemme Expert rosin?

If this story makes you want to try the rosin made by Sylvain Gobeil, you can order it directly from the Gemme Expert website.

The website currently presents rosin intended for string instruments and lists a price of €23 for France and €25 for Europe and internationally, with standard shipping costs included. A tracking option is also available for €1.50. The website also states that shipping is free for orders of five or more pieces of rosin.

The order is placed directly from the page dedicated to music rosin.

Order Gemme Expert rosin

Before ordering, simply check the reference corresponding to your instrument (violin, viola, cello or double bass), then follow the purchase link provided by Gemme Expert.

From the forest to music

Sylvain Gobeil’s story is ultimately a story of an encounter. The encounter between a man and an ancient craft. Between an artisan and a natural material. Between a forest and musicians. And between nearly forgotten know-how and a very current use.

The next time you apply rosin to your bow, it may be interesting to think about what lies behind this small gesture.

Before it was in your case, the rosin was resin. Before it was resin, it was in a pine tree. And before reaching your instrument, it passed through the hands of a resin tapper.

Through Gemme Expert, Sylvain Gobeil is thus giving new life to this material and, with it, to a craft that is deeply rooted in the history of the forests of south-western France.

See you soon, here or elsewhere !

Chrys