What is the primary material used for the PST2 handle?

The handle of the ProMark PST2 is made from maple. Maple is chosen for its lightweight properties and balanced feel, which helps in achieving a nuanced performance on the timpani.

What type of felt is used on the mallet head?

The PST2 uses high-quality German felt. This material is preferred in mallet manufacturing for its ability to produce a warm, professional tone and its long-lasting durability.

What does 'parachute-style head' mean?

A parachute-style head refers to the way the felt is wrapped and secured over the mallet core. This design ensures that the playing surface is seamless and consistent on all sides of the mallet.

How would you describe the articulation of the PST2?

The PST2 provides a medium-soft articulation. This means it offers a softer attack than a hard mallet but still retains enough clarity to hear individual notes clearly.

Is the PST2 suitable for loud, rhythmic passages?

While it can be used for various dynamics, the PST2 is specifically designed for a full tone and warm articulation. For extremely sharp or aggressive rhythmic passages, a harder mallet in the Performer Series might be more appropriate.

Can these mallets be used on a snare drum?

While physically possible, these are designed for timpani. Using felt mallets on a snare drum (especially one with a head like the Evans MS3) will produce a very muted, 'thuddy' sound and may wear out the German felt prematurely.

How does maple compare to hickory for timpani mallets?

Maple is lighter and less dense than hickory. In the context of the PST2, the maple handle allows for a more delicate touch and faster movement, which complements the medium-soft felt head.

Who is the manufacturer of the PST2?

The PST2 is manufactured by ProMark, a company well-known for producing a wide variety of drumsticks and percussion mallets.

What is the typical price for a pair of these mallets?

The typical price for the ProMark PST2 mallets is approximately GBP 59. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.

Does the PST2 produce a warm sound?

Yes, the combination of the German felt and the parachute-style wrap is specifically designed to afford the mallet a warm and articulate sound.

Are these mallets sold individually or in pairs?

ProMark Performer Series timpani mallets like the PST2 are typically sold and used as a matched pair to ensure consistent sound across both hands.

How does the PST2 handle 'all sides' of the mallet head?

Due to the parachute-style head cover, the felt tension is even across the entire circumference. This allows the percussionist to play on any side of the head with a consistent tonal result.

Gear article

ProMark Performer Series PST2 Medium Maple Timpani Mallet

The ProMark PST2 is a medium-soft percussion mallet designed specifically for timpani, featuring a maple handle and a German felt head. It is engineered to provide a balance between warm tonal response and clear articulation through its parachute-style head design.

See live prices

Overview

The ProMark Performer Series PST2 is a specialized mallet crafted for orchestral and concert percussionists. As part of the Performer Series, the PST2 occupies the medium-soft range of the line, intended to deliver a full-bodied tone while maintaining enough definition for rhythmical passages. The construction utilizes high-quality maple for the shafts, which offers a lightweight alternative to heavier woods, allowing for greater speed and less hand fatigue during extended performances.

Design and Head Construction

A primary feature of the PST2 is its parachute-style head cover. This design involves wrapping German felt over the mallet core, ensuring that the felt is tensioned evenly around the playing surface. This method of construction is significant because it affords the mallet a consistent sound on all sides, eliminating 'dead spots' and providing the player with a predictable response regardless of the angle of impact. The use of German felt is a standard in professional orchestral mallets due to its durability and specific acoustic properties.

Sonic Character and Articulation

The PST2 is characterized by a warm and articulate sound. Because it is rated as a 'medium soft' mallet, it excels at producing a lush, fundamental tone from the timpani bowl without the harsh attack associated with harder staccato mallets. Despite its softness, the design ensures that notes remain distinct rather than becoming muddy, making it suitable for a wide variety of repertoire that requires both melodic sensitivity and rhythmic clarity.

Compatibility and Comparison

Within the ProMark Performer Series, the PST2 sits between the harder and softer models to act as a versatile all-rounder. While lighter than some hickory or carbon fibre alternatives, the maple handles provide a traditional feel that many classical percussionists prefer. When compared to general-purpose drumsticks, such as the Gear4Music 5A Maple sticks, the PST2 is a specialized tool with a significantly larger felt footprint designed for the high-tension skins of a timpani rather than the smaller surface of a snare or tom.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used for the PST2 handle?: The handle of the ProMark PST2 is made from maple. Maple is chosen for its lightweight properties and balanced feel, which helps in achieving a nuanced performance on the timpani.
What type of felt is used on the mallet head?: The PST2 uses high-quality German felt. This material is preferred in mallet manufacturing for its ability to produce a warm, professional tone and its long-lasting durability.
What does 'parachute-style head' mean?: A parachute-style head refers to the way the felt is wrapped and secured over the mallet core. This design ensures that the playing surface is seamless and consistent on all sides of the mallet.
How would you describe the articulation of the PST2?: The PST2 provides a medium-soft articulation. This means it offers a softer attack than a hard mallet but still retains enough clarity to hear individual notes clearly.
Is the PST2 suitable for loud, rhythmic passages?: While it can be used for various dynamics, the PST2 is specifically designed for a full tone and warm articulation. For extremely sharp or aggressive rhythmic passages, a harder mallet in the Performer Series might be more appropriate.
Can these mallets be used on a snare drum?: While physically possible, these are designed for timpani. Using felt mallets on a snare drum (especially one with a head like the Evans MS3) will produce a very muted, 'thuddy' sound and may wear out the German felt prematurely.
How does maple compare to hickory for timpani mallets?: Maple is lighter and less dense than hickory. In the context of the PST2, the maple handle allows for a more delicate touch and faster movement, which complements the medium-soft felt head.
Who is the manufacturer of the PST2?: The PST2 is manufactured by ProMark, a company well-known for producing a wide variety of drumsticks and percussion mallets.
What is the typical price for a pair of these mallets?: The typical price for the ProMark PST2 mallets is approximately GBP 59. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.
Does the PST2 produce a warm sound?: Yes, the combination of the German felt and the parachute-style wrap is specifically designed to afford the mallet a warm and articulate sound.
Are these mallets sold individually or in pairs?: ProMark Performer Series timpani mallets like the PST2 are typically sold and used as a matched pair to ensure consistent sound across both hands.
How does the PST2 handle 'all sides' of the mallet head?: Due to the parachute-style head cover, the felt tension is even across the entire circumference. This allows the percussionist to play on any side of the head with a consistent tonal result.