This is my first Instructable. It will teach you how to make your own marimba or vibraphone mallets.
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
-The Shaft- This should be made of either birch, maple or rattan if you want shafts like the professionals use. Pretty much any kind of wood will work though. The dimensions are up to you, but it should be around 3/8 inches thick, cut to the length of your choice.
-The Core- This is one of the most important parts of the mallet. the core will play a huge part in the sound of your mallets. A harder core, such as a wooden craft ball, would be good for a pair of vibraphone mallets. A softer core, such as a bouncy ball, would be great for a pair of marimba mallets. Also, I've heard that the rubber end to a pool cue, (that little half circle) make a good marimba core, but these are harder to find.
-The String- Most kinds of yarn/string will work for your mallets. An acrylic yarn is good for beginners, as it is cheap and easy to find. The professionals use a wool, of wool and cotton blend. If you can LEGALLY attain it, hemp makes a very long lasting mallet head. The thickness of the string will change the number of wraps needed to make the mallet head. (Thinner string, more wraps, thicker string, fewer wraps)
-Creativity- Many of the things needed for making mallets are to be done to your personal taste.
-Disclaimer - I do not use hemp in my mallets. Use it if, and ONLY if you can obtain it LEGALLY. I will not be held responsible if you get in trouble for making, using, working with hemp, and/or hemp mallets.`
-The Core- This is one of the most important parts of the mallet. the core will play a huge part in the sound of your mallets. A harder core, such as a wooden craft ball, would be good for a pair of vibraphone mallets. A softer core, such as a bouncy ball, would be great for a pair of marimba mallets. Also, I've heard that the rubber end to a pool cue, (that little half circle) make a good marimba core, but these are harder to find.
-The String- Most kinds of yarn/string will work for your mallets. An acrylic yarn is good for beginners, as it is cheap and easy to find. The professionals use a wool, of wool and cotton blend. If you can LEGALLY attain it, hemp makes a very long lasting mallet head. The thickness of the string will change the number of wraps needed to make the mallet head. (Thinner string, more wraps, thicker string, fewer wraps)
-Creativity- Many of the things needed for making mallets are to be done to your personal taste.
-Disclaimer - I do not use hemp in my mallets. Use it if, and ONLY if you can obtain it LEGALLY. I will not be held responsible if you get in trouble for making, using, working with hemp, and/or hemp mallets.`
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