Vic Firth Balter Ensemble Mallets B14B Medium Soft Yarn Red (Birch)

Vic Firth's Balter Ensemble mallets deliver articulate, projecting tone across the middle register of the marimba. Built by Robert van Sice and engineered for percussion and wind ensembles, these medium–soft yarn–wound heads balance clarity with warmth. The 20" birch handle provides responsive control and durability through extended rehearsal and performance.

The red yarn wrapping sits on a substantial head designed to resonate cleanly across the middle four octaves without muddying articulation. Medium–soft construction suits general mallet work where neither brightness nor dullness dominates—a genuinely neutral choice for marimba players moving between repertoire. Birch construction offers lighter swing weight than rattan, reducing fatigue during longer sessions while maintaining stick definition.

Part of the Ensemble Series, these mallets work equally well in rehearsal and concert settings. Orchestral and percussion educators often stock them for groups learning mallets across mixed instrumentation, and soloists gravitate toward them for warm chamber performances where projection matters but aggression doesn't.

Features

• Medium soft yarn head in red colour
• 20 inch birch handle construction
• Designed for middle four octaves on marimba
• Concert–grade general purpose percussion mallet
• Robert van Sice signature series
• Balter Ensemble Series classification
• Articulate response with warm projection
• Suited for orchestral and wind ensembles