Welcome back to the Chops blog. Today we’re going to cover the different options available for stick and mallet packs.  There are great options for starting a young percussionist, as well as expanded packs for the intermediate student.  These sticks and mallets should last for many years and can be used at every level (beginner, intermediate, high school, college and beyond).  Our most popular packs requested by schools are from Vic Firth and Innovative Percussion.  Both make great quality products you can trust.  A young percussionist should start with one of these packs, then add to it as they progress through their percussion education.

I’ve broken the packs down into four categories: Basic packs, Core packs, Intermediate packs, and Expanded Core packs.  The quality is the same with each pack.  The difference is what is included in the different levels of packs.  The more you get now, the less you’ll need to add on later.

Basic Packs

Basic packs include the minimum supplies every young percussionist needs:

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED BASIC PACKS:

Innovative Percussion FP1

Vic Firth EP1

Average Basic Pack Price: $59.50

Core Packs

Core Packs include all of the supplies in the Basic packs, with the addition of yarn mallets.  These are the packs we recommend the most because we feel all young percussionist should have a pair of yarn mallets.  Yarn mallets are best for use on marimba and vibes and will be used the most over the course of their time in band. Core Packs include the following:

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED CORE PACKS:
Innovative Percussion PG2 Custom Pack

Vic Firth EP1-M3 Custom Pack

Average Core Pack Price: $74.95

Intermediate Packs

Intermediate packs include timpani mallets and yarn mallets, but do not include both rubber and plastic mallets.

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic or Rubber Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Timpani Mallets
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED INTERMEDIATE PACKS:
Innovative Percussion FP2

Vic Firth EP2

Average Intermediate Pack Price: $93.95

Expanded Core Packs

Includes everything in the Core pack, plus the addition of timpani mallets.

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Timpani Mallets
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED PACKS:
Innovative Percussion PG3 Custom Pack

Average Expanded Core Price: $94.95

Here’s a comparison chart of the different packs so you can see

Mallet and stick choices are a matter of personal choice, and every director will have a different brand and model preference. Always check with them first before making a purchase. Please contact us for our recommendations or assistance.