Which Keyboard Mallet Handle Is Best For You? The choice of keyboard mallet handles is a matter of personal taste. Mike Balter keyboard mallets are available with three different types of handles. Each handle has its purpose and application.
		Birch Handles, Satin Birch (A) or Black Birch (B), are a light weight, extremely strong, durable material that supplies a firmer feel. Because of the diminished flexibility especially on long length models, Birch Handles have become the standard choice for today's marimba artists. Two-Stage Fiberglass Handles (C) are extremely durable and characteristically indestructible. It makes a perfect mallet for outdoor performance. Rattan Handles (D) provide excellent rebound with an optimum amount of flexibility when striking the instrument. It is the vibe player's choice because of its "give" which is especially useful in mallet damping. Rattan is also an ideal handle for bell and xylophone mallets and is the professional's choice.		Keyboard Mallet Hardness: EH  Extra Hard H  Hard MH  Medium Hard M  Medium MS  Medium Soft S  Soft ES  Extra Soft EES  Extra, Extra Soft BASS  Bass Marimba JAZZ  Medium - Medium Hard
		When ordering keyboard mallets indicate handle choice by adding the following suffix to each model number: B for Satin Birch, BB for Black Birch, F for Two-Stage Fiberglass, R for Rattan

Balter Basics
Designed to provide the student and band program with an economically developed solution for obtaining mallets. With exceptional quality at an affordable price, this color-coded series has a model for every percussion situation. Balter Basics come with moderately thicker birch handles for more control and durability. Balter Basics are featured in the Band Director’s Special prepack.

Balter Basics II
Balter Basics II is a line of economically developed products for the high school percussionist or student in a Percussion Methods Class. This series will provide the player a mallet that has a great feel and exceptional quality at a very affordable price. The three round-headed marimba models (BB21,BB22,BB23) produce a full tone and the three mushroom shaped vibe models (BB24,BB25,BB26) have a bright, articulate sound. Model BB27 is ideal for general marimba playing, wood blocks, temple blocks, and an array of percussion instruments.

Band Director's Special 1
The Band Director's Special prepack puts it all within your reach. The pack includes 1-BB2 (Medium Yarn), 1-BB8 (Medium Rubber), 1-BB10 (PVC Xylo Mallet), 1-BB12 (Brass Bell Mallet), 1-T3 (General Timpani Mallet), and a MBMP (Mallet Pouch).

Band Director's Special 2
Special Pre-Pack 2 - BB22 (Medium Marimba), 2 - BB25 (Medium Vibe), 1 - BB27 (General Rubber), 1 - T2 (Staccato Timpani Mallet), and a MBMP (Mallet Pouch).