Vater Concert Ensemble V-CEXB51H Xylophone and Bell Mallets — Phenolic Ball

• 1 1/8 in phenolic ball, black
• A material considerably denser than the plastic in the same range
• Hard grade, on an 11/32 in rattan shaft
• 14 1/2 in, the short length of hard keyboard mallets
• Suited to both xylophone and orchestra bells

At the same nominal hardness, phenolic resin deforms less than ordinary plastic. The contact is even shorter, and more of the energy goes into the upper overtones of the bar.

You gain unmatched brilliance and extreme definition on fast runs. You lose roundness: the body of the note shrinks and the instrument sounds narrower. It is a deliberate choice of tone colour, not an across-the-board improvement.

Some passages are written for a piercing xylophone: the skeleton dances of the symphonic repertoire, fast woodwind runs doubled by the piccolo, the pages where the percussion has to imitate a rattle.

In those cases, a softer ball betrays the composer's intention. Phenolic serves it. Outside those contexts, a plastic ball remains more versatile for everyday playing.

• Deliberately piercing xylophone runs
• Doubling the piccolo and high woodwinds
• Orchestra bells when maximum brilliance is called for
• Rattle effects in symphonic repertoire

Dense ball materials from other manufacturers:

Phenolic or plastic xylophone mallets: how do I choose?

Phenolic is denser: more brilliance, less body. Plastic keeps a little elasticity and is better suited to long passages.

Can I use this ball on crotales?

For crotales, the range includes a specific brass ball model, reserved for that use and for bells.

Does a rattan shaft make any difference on such a hard mallet?

Yes. The flexibility of the shaft absorbs part of the rebound shock, which a stiff shaft would send back into your hand on every stroke.