Hi all, I'm new here (and to the art of marimba as well) and just wanted to hear some input on this little problem I have...

I'm currently learning the G minor Fugue from the solo violin sonata book. several things have been recommended to me such as:

1. Vic Firth Robert - Van Sice models
2. Innovative Percussion - soloist or Will Moersch models
3. A. Putnam - Graduated mediums
4. Yamaha - Keiko Abe Sig series

I personally like a much darker tone for Bach's stuff and judging from the clips on the vicfirth site, I think the Van Sice mallets sounded wayyyyy too harsh. I have yet to hear the innovatives or putnams. lastly, the Abe sig series are all in rattan shafts which i tend to stay away from...

Unfortunately, none of my local stores carries much marimba mallets (except malletech and vicfirths). so I just wanna hear some suggestions from you guys and narrow down my choices! right now i've having my eyes on the malletech Leigh Stevens series (but i've heard quite a few bad things about them such as durability)

...so please guide this confused one!

hi
have you ever tried Bogdan Bacanu Series by ADAMS ?
Some Marimba player never heard about these mallets ...

hey, give the Malletech CN 9's, CN 14's and CN21's a try. Durable and useful for your Bach. Also, you can make nice combinations. good luck, p

Hi - I have a student playing that now and he is using the IP 300's with an IP 502 in the bass. Good luck with it. Greg

What sound are you trying to achieve? You touched on this a little. When I play Bach, I listen to as many recordings as possible of THE ORIGINAL INSTRUMENT being played. Obviously with Bach, the string instruments have changed in the ensuing 275-ish years, but there are many interpretations on both modern and period instruments. I then choose mallets and a style to best emulate what I hear. My mallet choice changes depending on where I am performing as well.