Vater Front Ensemble V-FEXB32RM Rubber Mallets — Medium, Long Birch Handle
The V-FEXB32RM is a pair of mallets with a 1 1/8 in round rubber head, brown and medium grade, on a birch handle, 16 3/4 in long overall. Its head gives a short, defined sound, and its long handle lets it cover the full width of a front ensemble setup without changing position.
What sets it apart
- 1 1/8 in round rubber head, brown
- Medium hardness, the centre of the manufacturer's scale
- 16 3/4 in handle — the length of the rubber models in the family
- 0.313 in birch, straight and firm
- Usable on keyboards as well as auxiliary percussion
The step that does it all
In rubber, medium hardness is the point where the attack is heard without the material clacking. The sound is short and clean, with enough body not to sound thin.
On a wooden keyboard, that gives a much fuller colour than a ball mallet; on an auxiliary instrument, a clear, readable stroke. It is the pair you grab when you do not yet know what you will have to play, and it rarely disappoints.
Length, the front ensemble's argument
The 16 3/4 in handle answers a practical reality. A front ensemble percussionist faces several instruments with little time between entrances; every centimetre of reach saves a move.
Compared with the soft model of the same length, this version trades mutedness for definition. The two complement each other, and many carts carry both pairs side by side.
Specifications
| Head material | Round rubber |
|---|---|
| Head diameter | 1 1/8 in |
| Colour | Brown |
| Hardness | Medium |
| Overall length | 16 3/4 in (42.55 cm) |
| Handle | Birch, 0.313 in (0.80 cm) |
What it is for
- Wooden keyboards with a full rather than bright sound
- Auxiliary percussion in a front ensemble
- Clear strokes on blocks, plates and cowbells
- An all-purpose pair to keep on the cart
Compare with other manufacturers
Medium rubber mallets with long handles elsewhere on the market:
| Manufacturer | Comparable series | How it differs from this model |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Balter | Rubber head mallets | Handle length and wood chosen when ordering |
| Innovative Percussion | Multi-percussion mallets | A range dedicated to multi-percussion rather than the front ensemble |
| Vic Firth | Rubber keyboard mallets | Hardnesses designated by letters, uniform lengths |
Frequently asked questions
- How is it different from the soft version of the same length?
- One step of hardness. The soft one gives a dull, discreet sound, the medium one a clean, clear stroke.
- Can I use them on a xylophone?
- Yes, for a fuller, less cutting sound than with a ball mallet. It is a common colour choice in ensembles.
- Why a thinner handle than the other outdoor models?
- The spec sheet for this model lists 0.313 in, whereas the ball and yarn mallets in the line are 0.343 in.
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