Vater Concert Ensemble V-CEM31M Medium Marimba Mallets, Full Oval Head
The V-CEM31M is a pair of medium marimba mallets whose full oval head holds more material than a standard oval head. That extra volume shifts the sound toward the fundamental and gives each note a body that slimmer heads do not produce.
What sets it apart
- Full oval head, a shape the manufacturer specifies for this model
- Medium hardness, fully wrapped in wool yarn
- 16 5/8 in — the short length in the concert marimba family
- 5/16 in birch shaft, designed for touch rather than force
- Hard rubber core under the yarn, for the rich sound the range aims for
What head volume does to the sound
Between two mallets of the same hardness, the one whose head holds more material produces the fuller note. The added mass does not change how firm the contact is; it changes what the bar receives: a fuller push, over a wider surface.
You hear the result in the fundamental. The note gains body, the upper overtones step back a notch, and the instrument sounds bigger than it is. That is valuable on a small marimba or in a room that eats up the low end.
When this model beats the standard medium
Two situations come up. The first is solo playing: alone on stage, you want every note to carry, and a full head helps more than extra hardness.
The second is accompanying a large ensemble, where the marimba has to be heard under winds or strings. Instead of hardening the attack — which would make it stick out of the texture — you thicken the sound. The line comes through without any single stroke standing out.
Specifications
| Head shape | Full oval |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Medium |
| Length | 16 5/8 in (42.23 cm) |
| Shaft diameter | 0.313 in (0.80 cm), birch |
| Wrap | 100% wool yarn |
| Colour | Dark blue |
What it is for
- Solo marimba repertoire
- Accompanying a large ensemble without hardening the attack
- Dry rooms where the low end lacks projection
- A small marimba that needs more body
Compare with other manufacturers
Large-head models from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable range | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Malletech | Concert marimba mallets | Families built around distinct head sizes, different naming |
| Innovative Percussion | Large-head marimba mallets | Several shaft lengths for the same head |
| Vic Firth | M series keyboard mallets | Head volume is not always stated in the product sheet |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference from the V-CEM30M?
- The hardness is identical and both heads are oval. Vater specifies a full oval head and a length of 16 5/8 in here, versus a standard oval head and 16 3/4 in on the other medium.
- Does a bigger head hit harder?
- It does not hit harder, it transfers energy differently: the note gains body rather than attack. Dynamics stay under the control of your arm.
- Is it a good choice for a beginner?
- It is an excellent second purchase. For a first pair, a medium model with no special head shape leaves more room to learn.
Avis clients
Does your marimba lack body in the room you play in?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.