J'Ouvert Steel Band: Music of the Carribean

Build Your Own
Pic of three different pairs of pn mallets
Pan Mallets

So You Want To Make You Own Pan Mallets.

Well I do too!!!

Documented on this page is my attempts to make a variety of inexpensive, good sounding mallets for steel drums.
This will be a ongoing work in progress. Today I am going to show my first four prototypes.
I have started with Cello or Triple Guitar mallets because that is the instrument that I play in J’Ouvert Steel Band.
To cut to the chase, the Proto1 is very heavy, loud, articulate and hard to control. Proto2 is a little better however still
does not have a good warm sound. Proto3 was way too hard.
However, Variation 3(Proto4) using theraband make very good cello mallets.



1

2
First you need supplies.
-Get a half inch wooden dowel from a hardware store.
I used oak. But next time I will try something lighter.
AND
-A thin strip of rubber.
I used rim strip rubber that you can get at
a motorcycle supply shop.		 Also, I used surgical tubing
for the second two versions.
I did not have a good selection to choose from.
I really needed tubing with a larger inner diameter.
Dowel and Rim Rubber for making steel pan mallets Surgical Tubing for making steel drum mallets

3

4
Next you need to cut your dowel.
I cut my steel drum mallets
to 9.5 inches.
You can always cut them shorter
after you try them.		 Next, I cut the rubber loop
into a long strip.
Stick cut to 9.5 inches for the length of you pan mallets. Cut rubber into strip for wrapping tip of steel drum mallet

5

6
Next, start rapping th rubber
around the end of the stick
Be sure to line the edge of
the rubber with the edge of
the stick.		 Keep wrapping unil you reach
the thickness that you desire.
The thicker the wrap the softer and
heavier the pan mallet will be.
Be sure to keep even tension
through this whole process
Start rapping rubber around wooden mallet. Conintue wrapping steel drum mallets to desired thickness

7

8
Slightly angle your rap
down the stick, still being carefull
to keep even tension.		 Next, loop your rubber in on itself.
This will keep the rubber
from loosening up.
Rap down stick. Loop rubber for notting around mallet

9

10
Pull knot tight.
Try smoothing out rubber while
you pull. Cut excess rubber.
 Repeat steps 4 through 9
and presto change'o, a pair
of matching cello mallets.
Be sure to make the second as close
as possible to the first.
Pull knot tight around steel pan mallet. Pic of finished steel drum mallets

This is prototype 1.

This pan mallet cost about $4.00 a pair.
They are loud and articulate. However, they are a bit heavy
and not very good for rolling. My next two variations attempt
to address these problems.
Try your knew mallets on your steel drum and see if you like what you hear
Should you have wrapped your pan mallets more or choosen a lighter stick?
I'm defimately going to be on the lookout for different kinds of rubber strip.
I really like these mallets on my celo pans for pieces with lot of runs.
but will also need a less articulate mallet for for more legato pieces.

Variation 1

This variarion addresses the problem of weight
by cutting the rubber stip so it is not as wide.



1

2
First mark the width of your cut. I cut it to about 5/8ths
of an inch. Make many marks up the length
of the rubber. 		Use straight edge to draw a line connecting the marks
from step 1.
Use ruler to mark with of rubber for pan mallets. Draw line for cutting rubber for steel drum mallets

3

4
Cut along line. Repeat steps 5-10 of Prototype 1.
You will be left with a lighter version
of prototeype 1.
Cut rubber for pan mallets. Pic of finished steel drum mallet

We will call this Proto2.

OK, so Proto2 is lighter than Proto1. However, Proto 2 could still be a little softer
so that the rolls aren't quite so articulate.
The next variation attempts to address these problems.
by adding surgical tubing to the outside of Proto2.

Variation 2



1

2
First, cut tubing to dsired length.
I did two different versions.
One with a shorter length that lined
up flush with the edge of Proto2
and one with a longer length that overlapped the edge. 		Next use needle nose pliers to
stretch tubing onto mallet.
Cut tubing to desired length for pan mallets. Stretch ruubber with needle nose plers inside to fit over mallet

3

4
You may have to get creative
to get it on. 		This is the version with the tubing
over lapping Proto2. We will call this Proto3.
You may need to use a second pair of needle nose pliers or a screw driver to help get the tubing on the mallet. Surgical Tubing

We will call this Proto3.

Ok, I will call Proto3 a failure.
They are way too hard.
However, you could perhaps use them for double second pans. My next Variation, Variation 3 was much more successful

Variation 3


1

2
First, get Theraband from a medical supply store.
I got the blue, but it would be worth trying other thicknesses.
Cut two equal strips off of each side. I used 5 feet long strips.
Use longer strips for a larger mallet head.
This will help bring out low notes at the expense of the high notes. 		Wrap dowel rod just like explained for Proto1
Using the oak rod increases the weight
and using the poplar rod makes a very light mallet.
I found that rapping a little electrical tape as shown in the picture
Helps prevent the theraband from unwrapping.
stretch tubing onto mallet.
Cut tubing to desired length for pan mallets. Stretch ruubber with needle nose plers inside to fit over mallet

So far this is the best mallet I have made.
Using the poplar rods and the theraband make an extremely light pan mallet.
The ones pictured are oak. I actually broke the poplar orriginals performing
"Alloy" by Andy Akiho during the premier at the 2009 Bang on a Can Festival.
I tried the oak since I had some oak rod laying around. Thay are a bit heavier.
I think I like the orriginals better. However, I think using the oak with 6-7 feet of theraband
would really bring out the low end of the celo pan and would be nice to have in your quiver.

- Home -- About J'Ouvert -- Music -- Shows -- Photo Gallery -- Video -
- MySpace -- Pans For Cans -

South Carolina's Premiere Steel Band

SCsteelBand.com - ColumbiaSCrentalHouses.com - ColumbiaSCgolfCarts.com