Vater Front Ensemble V-FEV40MH Vibraphone Mallets — Medium Hard, Oval Head
The V-FEV40MH is a pair of medium hard vibraphone mallets with an oval head wrapped in multi-ply cord, on a rattan handle. This combination gives each note an onset clean enough for a fast line to come through at a distance, when the keyboards move from colour to voice.
What sets it apart
- Medium hard, geared toward articulation
- Oval head, the shape Vater associates with an articulate sound
- Multi-ply cord over a hard rubber core
- 0.343 in rattan handle, 15 3/4 in
- Dark grey of the outdoor vibraphone family
When the keyboards carry the melody
In many show designs, the front ensemble accompanies. Then comes the passage where it takes the melody alone, often fast, often in the upper middle register. A medium pair turns blurry there by the third note.
Medium hard restores clarity without tipping into a metallic sound. It is a deliberate transition step: not the roundness of the pads, not the aggressiveness of the hard models, but just the definition a phrase needs to be understood from far away.
Playing together, and hearing each other
There is a side effect that rarely gets mentioned: a more defined attack lets players in the same section hear one another. Outdoors, with no walls, each player mostly hears their own instrument.
A clean note onset gives a shared rhythmic reference. On passages played in unison by several keyboards, that detail does more for ensemble precision than many hours of rehearsal.
Specifications
| Hardness | Medium hard |
|---|---|
| Head | Oval, multi-ply cord |
| Handle | Rattan, 0.343 in (0.87 cm) |
| Length | 15 3/4 in (40.01 cm) |
| Intended use | Fast lines and exposed passages |
| Colour marker | Dark grey |
What it is for
- Exposed melodies given to the front ensemble
- Unison passages across several keyboards
- Fast lines played outdoors
- A second pair next to a medium front ensemble pair
Compare with other manufacturers
Articulate vibraphone steps offered by other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Comparable range | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Innovative Percussion | Articulate vibraphone mallets | More in-between hardnesses |
| Mike Balter | Medium hard vibraphone mallets | Configurable handle, several lengths |
| Encore Mallets | Front ensemble vibraphone mallets | A range dedicated to outdoor use, with no indoor equivalent |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it too hard for accompaniment?
- On sustained pads, often yes. Most front ensembles keep a softer pair for accompaniment and save this one for exposed passages.
- Does this hardness help with playing together?
- Yes, indirectly: a clean note onset gives a shared rhythmic reference when several keyboards play in unison outdoors.
- Can I use it on a marimba?
- The rattan handle and cord are designed for metal bars. On marimba, the birch-handled models in the same line are a better fit.
Avis clients
Does the melody turn blurry when the front ensemble takes it?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.