Vater Front Ensemble V-FEM20MS Marimba Mallets — Medium Soft, Oval Head
The V-FEM20MS is a pair of medium soft marimba mallets with a yarn-wrapped oval head and a thick birch shaft. For this family, Vater describes a richer sound drawn from the marimba as well as from cymbals, and it is this hardness level that makes both possible with the same pair.
What sets it apart
- Medium soft grade, yarn-wrapped oval head
- Oval head, as listed by the manufacturer for this model
- 0.343 in birch shaft, designed to handle cymbal work
- 16 3/4 in, the length shared by the outdoor marimba family
- Light grey, the colour of the family
One mallet, three instruments
In a marching ensemble, the front ensemble keyboard player is a jack of all trades. The same player performs a marimba line, then rolls on a suspended cymbal, then picks up a pair of hand cymbals. Changing mallets between each is not always possible.
For this family, Vater lists a larger rubber core and an 11/32 in birch shaft, whose weight draws a richer sound from the marimba and from cymbals. That extra mass, unnecessary indoors, is exactly what gives a cymbal roll substance here.
Why this hardness and not another
A head that is too soft cannot make a suspended cymbal speak; a head that is too hard produces a crash instead of a roll, and it is rough on the low end of the marimba.
Medium soft is the only level that meets both demands at once. That is why it so often ends up in the hands of the player assigned to cymbals in a front ensemble keyboard section.
Specifications
| Hardness | Medium soft |
|---|---|
| Head | Oval, yarn-wrapped |
| Overall length | 16 3/4 in (42.55 cm) |
| Shaft | Birch, 0.343 in (0.87 cm) |
| Intended uses | Marimba and cymbals, according to the family description |
| Colour marking | Light grey |
What it is for
- Doubling on marimba and cymbals in a front ensemble keyboard section
- Suspended cymbal rolls in crescendo
- Marimba lines at medium dynamics
- Competition repertoire with back-to-back instrument changes
Compare with other manufacturers
Versatile front ensemble models from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Innovative Percussion | Versatile front ensemble mallets | Dedicated cymbal models offered separately |
| Vic Firth | Suspended cymbal mallets | Cymbal range separate from the marimba range |
| Encore Mallets | Front ensemble keyboard mallets | Its own numbering, with no common hardness scale |
Frequently asked questions
- Can you really play cymbal with marimba mallets?
- With this family, yes: Vater states that the larger core and the 11/32 in shaft draw a richer sound from the marimba as well as from cymbals.
- Are they soft enough for the low end of the marimba?
- For front ensemble use, yes. For concert repertoire focused on the low register, a truly soft pair remains preferable.
- Do I need a second pair for fast runs?
- Often, yes. This hardness favours roundness; a medium hard pair brings back the definition that passages heard from a distance need.
Avis clients
Does your percussionist juggle marimba and cymbals?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.