College Percussionist looking for mallet/stick choices

[Diaz]

Hey guys I'm actually at college about to order mallets from steve weiss...

All i currently have are SD1's, and a pair of medium marimba mallets. I need to order more stuff ASAP, Timp mallets, bell mallets, xylo mallets, and a bag.

I was wondering if anyone could give me recommendations on what would be appropriate for the beginning college percussionist. I was thinking of just getting T3 General Vic Firth timp mallets, but im pretty confused on mallet choices, I wasn't a big mallet player in high school.

I know its a personal preference but any help would be super appreciated! I really need to order these things as soon as possible. Maybe theres a really good value pack somewhere else, or something! Thanks so much guys!!

Diaz

[drovja]

The only way for you to be happy with your mallet choice is to play some before you buy. See if anyone's got something you like, and then go get a set of those.

[jeffwj]

Vic Firth has audio/video demonstrations of the signature mallets being played. This should help a bit in your choice.

Tim Genis Timpani Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/genis.html

Van Sice Marimba Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/vansice.html

Ney Rosauro Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/rosauro.html

Gifford Howarth Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/howarth.html

Gary Burton Vibraphone Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/signature_keyboard.html

Tom Gauger Bass Drum Mallets
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/gaugerbassdrum.html

Tim Genis/Ted Atkatz Concert Sticks
http://www.vicfirth.com/products/symphonicsignature.html

These and more are listed on the Vic Firth website.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

[maddrummr]

I dig Innovative Percussion when it comes to concert band percussion. They've never let me down.

[somexone75]

What our shcool used for concert/ drum line was pro mark mallets and we would almost never have problems with them, they even make mallets for different dynamics and tone styles. One of our directors was sponsored by them so we could get them by the box for free. It is all about personal preference.

[cnw60]

OK - one question: aren't you around a bunch of other 'college percussionists' who have sticks and mallets you can try out? What about the percussion teacher (assuming this college covers the range)? He or she ought to be able to give you some advice as well as having a pretty wide range of sticks and mallets you could try out.

beyond that - mallets depend on what you're going to be playing (xylophone/marimba being very different from vibes/bells). I would probably start with a few general selections and build the collection over time as you buy other stuff to meet the requirements of different pieces you will have to play.

[pasta]

I don't think you'll see a lot of professional timpanists using the Firth mallets. There are a lot of boutique company mallets out there that are better IMO. I'm surprised your teacher hasn't made any recommendations.
I really like the Innovative Percussion marimba mallets. You'll need to decide if you want rattan or birch dowels. I'd recommend the IP 603 or 604 to start:
http://www.innovativepercussion.com/pages/products/product_group.asp?group_id=15
Also the RS251 Vibes mallets:
http://www.innovativepercussion.com/pages/products/product_group.asp?group_id=12

Some of the Steve Weiss xylo mallets (rubber and poly ball) are cheap and popular. Also these: http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/28935/encore-mallets

I think you'd be happy with Grover, Clevelander or Black Swamp Timp mallets

[Cymbalrider]

I've seen a lot of Innovative Percussion stuff and I can't recommend it really. It's expensive but it always has a great feel and usually a great sound. However, they never last very long. I've seen other mallets last for years and IP ones last for months. I even tried their new Combo series of sticks and got a pair of ES2s. The tip broke in half after a few weeks. Great feeling pair of sticks, expensive too but the tip split down the middle. Odd...
Stuff like the Mike Balter mallets always hold up quite well. Even the little Musser plastic handled ones work too. As for a great pair of all around sticks look into Bolero SD2s--either VF or Promark work great. Also they don't cost $15 a pair like some of the IP ones and play just as well. Vic Firth and Promark both just got new concert series sticks too, but I haven't seen those yet.