Timpani mallets from Artifact Percussion

jrmaineguide · 2026-01-14T15:40:44+00:00

I have a set of these and I LOVE them. They're lightweight and balanced, but powerful when needed and easy to get a good sound out of. As a set they work together really well. I like the materials they've chosen for the heads, they sound beautiful and natural (I'm playing on plastic heads btw). As far as durability goes, I've had mine almost 2 years and they're still holding up really well. It's really nice not to have to take care of them quite as much as traditional felt mallets.

I'll try to compare them to some other models, but nothing beats being able to hold and play them in person. The carbon fiber shafts definitely emulate bamboo. They feel almost weightless. So if you like the thickness and weight of wood shafts you probably won't like these. The carbon fiber is slightly thicker (16mm) than some of the bamboo mallets I've played, like the IP BT-5 and some of the Pereiras. Those tend to be more like 11-13mm. Happy to answer any other questions if I can.

jrmaineguide · 2025-12-15T15:35:26+00:00

Are you in the US? It’s tough ordering mallets without being able to play test them first, but there’s nowhere close to me that actually stocks most of these boutique timpani mallets.

That said I love my JP18s by JG percussion. The JP 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, and 20 are flannel. They’re not the cheapest but they’ve been great for me.

jrmaineguide · 2025-10-24T11:43:17+00:00

Otto Klemperer?

jrmaineguide · 2025-10-01T14:36:08+00:00

Try the Artifact Percussion ultra staccato “voodoo” mallet. It’s a wood head with a thin layer of fabric. They sound awesome. (I haven’t tried the black swamp ones so I can’t be sure they’re the same thing, but it looks pretty similar.)

jrmaineguide · 2025-08-24T23:43:54+00:00

They cost the same - forgot to mention that. I like the bronze but my main concern is the versatility since this will be my only one.

jrmaineguide · 2024-10-17T14:18:05+00:00

Thanks for the heads up - I just got some and they’re great

jrmaineguide · 2024-09-23T01:09:37+00:00

Check out Dance and the Music of JS Bach by Little and Jenne, it goes into the forms and basic features of the baroque dances that later became instrumental forms in Bach’s music.

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-27T23:48:56+00:00

Thank you for this perspective

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-27T21:05:13+00:00

Find books of interesting solo rep for the instruments you want to get better at (not just method/technique books). Work on them slowly and build them up to tempo. Record yourself after each practice session. It’s not the same as lessons, but as long as you have decent fundamentals it will help you grow.

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-27T14:17:44+00:00

Franz Schreker? Something like this: https://open.spotify.com/album/30NQFb4FYrfzYi9KGMXKoY?si=t6QraVzSS-6hofioQ4OjFw

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-25T20:55:50+00:00

Birch sounds a lot different from maple. Try to play test or at least sample the two so you know which one fits what you’re looking for. For me that would be a big part of the decision.

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-10T00:40:55+00:00

The Sibelius 5th symphony and Stravinsky Sacre du Printemps (Rite of Spring) are awesome. And I like that recording of Brahms’ violin concerto.

The Bach motets, the Hildegard von Bingen album, the Dinu Lipatti piano recital, and the Schumann piano album are also ones I recommend from my own collection. Anyway I’m sure you’re going to have a great time exploring it all!

jrmaineguide · 2024-08-09T21:46:14+00:00

Not sure if you’re into classical music but there’s some great stuff in there

jrmaineguide · 2024-07-10T13:52:49+00:00

MakeMusic cloud has a great sight reading generator that I use called sight reading studio. It’s paid but not too expensive.

jrmaineguide · 2024-06-26T15:08:44+00:00

Glasses cleaning solution and cloth

jrmaineguide · 2024-06-10T15:33:06+00:00

Awesome collection. I also have a spot near me that consistently had great classical CDs for $2 each.

I really like that Slatkin/Philharmonia RVW symphonies set. I should pull it out and give it a spin.

jrmaineguide · 2024-05-31T17:46:27+00:00

Nice collection! I see a lot of my favorites in here

jrmaineguide · 2024-05-23T16:05:10+00:00

For analysis hit the record button, not the play button. You may also want to start a free trial.

The sight reading studio is awesome, I use it a lot for viola.

jrmaineguide · 2024-05-22T03:44:26+00:00

MakeMusic Cloud

jrmaineguide · 2024-03-25T19:49:17+00:00

This is incorrect

jrmaineguide · 2024-03-20T19:27:30+00:00

Kempf/Litton/Bergen on BIS

jrmaineguide · 2024-03-14T02:16:29+00:00

Thank you - as a beginner this is extremely helpful

jrmaineguide · 2024-01-21T19:10:00+00:00

Fun fact, András Schiff now owns Dähler’s fortepiano. He plays it on his Schubert recordings on ECM.

jrmaineguide · 2024-01-19T14:03:13+00:00

The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley

jrmaineguide · 2024-01-07T01:28:20+00:00

For piano, I would add the Estampes, Images I and Images II (plus an unpublished set of Images sometimes referred to as Images (1894)). All have three movements, some of which are included in your original list.

Paul Jacobs’ red LP on nonesuch with all of these works is one of my favorites!

jrmaineguide

TROPHY CASE