Balter Expression Series Medium Hard Articulate Vibraphone Mallets

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I am a vibraphonist who performs primarily on NYC's new jazz/free improv circuit and of course when the inspiration strikes to burn in this music, its important to respond appropriately. My standards mallets are Musser Good Vibes 235 and these work fine for most of the sounds and feel I am going for but I became a little obsessed with the idea of something called "Quick Fly" and, hell, if its associated with Joe Locke it was worth giving it a try. I am a strictly 4-mallet player so ordered two sets recently and as soon as they arrived in the mail, I tried them out on my instrument. I found it odd that the heads were wider, larger than my 235's, assuming something designed for speed would have a small head. They sounded quite good and I was able to get around, but wasn't sure of the best application. So I experimented with them for a bit and then about a week later had a gig downtown with some notable musicians and I was intent on making the most of the new mallets. We moved to a softer theme in a lengthy improvised piece and I put away the 235s and picked up the Quick Flys, offering some pianissimo rolling in accompaniment of another player. Just then the leader turned to me for a solo statement and I went for it. I moved from shimmers to rapid runs to flowing chords and thirty-second note accented riffs and back---in one felt swoop! LOL it was like the mallets possessed my hands and I was not complaining. Damn. I still love my 235's but my mallet bag will always include Quick Flys as well. Hey, want to see a video of that solo? Watch the purple blur occur over my keyboard. Thanks Joe Locke! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLLQDJPT2Oo

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Great mallets. Now,if I could just play like Joe Locke

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