What material is the PST3 handle made from?

The handle is made from maple, which is preferred for its lightweight feel and agility.

What type of felt is used on the mallet head?

The PST3 uses professional-grade German felt for its head cover.

What is a 'parachute style' head cover?

It is a method of wrapping the felt over the core to ensure a seamless, consistent striking surface on all sides.

Is the PST3 considered a hard or soft mallet?

It is classified as a medium or general-purpose mallet, offering a balance between hardness and softness.

Can these mallets be used for marching snare drums?

No, these are designed specifically for timpani; using them on a marching snare would likely damage the felt and not provide the correct rebound. For marching snares, heads like the Evans MS3 are more appropriate.

How much do the ProMark PST3 mallets typically cost?

They generally retail for approximately £59.00.

Does the PST3 sound different on different sides of the head?

No, the parachute style head is designed to provide a warm and articulate sound on all sides of the mallet.

Who is the primary manufacturer of this mallet?

The mallets are manufactured by ProMark, a company well-known for drumsticks and percussion accessories.

Are these mallets suitable for orchestral use?

Yes, they are specifically designed for concert and orchestral percussionists who require a general-purpose mallet.

How does maple compare to hickory for timpani mallets?

Maple is lighter than hickory, which allows the player to move the mallets more quickly and with less fatigue during complex passages.

Is the PST3 better for rolls or rhythmic passages?

As a 'General' mallet, it is designed to perform well for both smooth rolls and articulated rhythmic sections.

Can these be used on small percussion like woodblocks?

While possible, the felt is quite soft for woodblocks; they are specifically engineered for the large surface area of a timpani head.

Gear article

ProMark Performer Series PST3 Medium/General Timpani Mallet

The ProMark PST3 is a professional-grade timpani mallet featuring a maple handle and a German felt head. Designed for general-purpose performance, it offers a balance of warmth and articulation suitable for a wide range of orchestral applications.

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Overview

The ProMark Performer Series PST3 is a medium-grade mallet designed for timpani players who require a versatile tool for both standard and complex orchestral passages. As part of the Performer Series, the PST3 focuses on structural integrity and sonic consistency. It belongs to the broader ecosystem of ProMark percussion products, which range from standard drumsticks to specialised concert mallets.

The design utilises a lightweight maple shaft, which provides the player with enhanced control and agility compared to heavier wood types like hickory or oak. This makes the PST3 particularly suited for rapid passages where weight could hinder the performer's speed.

Design and Key Features

The primary design feature of the PST3 is its 'parachute style' head cover. This construction method involves wrapping high-quality German felt over the mallet core, ensuring that the felt remains taut and durable.

Key technical specifications include: * German Felt: Known for its longevity and premium texture, this material provides a consistent strike surface. * Seamless Design: The parachute wrap ensures that there are no exposed seams, allowing for a warm and articulate sound regardless of which side of the mallet strikes the drum head. * Maple Handle: Chosen for its high strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring the mallet feels balanced in the hand.

Sound Character

The PST3 is classified as a 'Medium/General' mallet. In practical terms, this means it avoids the extremes of being overly soft (which lacks definition) or overly hard (which can be piercing).

It delivers a balanced tone that blends well within an ensemble while maintaining enough articulation to define individual notes during melodic passages. The use of German felt contributes to a warmth that softens the initial attack, preventing the 'clicky' sound often associated with lower-quality synthetic felt mallets.

Suitability and Applications

This mallet is intended for percussionists who need a 'one-pair-fits-all' solution for general repertoire. It is highly effective for students, orchestral professionals, and pit musicians who may not have the luxury of switching mallets between every movement of a piece.

While specialised mallets like those from Tama or marching-specific gear like the Evans MS3 series focus on high-volume or heavy-duty environments, the PST3 is tuned for the nuance of the concert hall. It is ideal for players who value a mallet that can handle both soft rolls and moderate rhythmic accents.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to lighter alternatives like Gear4Music's maple 5A sticks, the PST3 provides the necessary mass and soft-contact surface required for a timpani's skin, which would be damaged or poorly vibrated by standard wood tips.

In contrast to high-impact beaters like the Tama CB900PS Accu-Strike—which is designed for kick drum pedals—the PST3 is balanced for hand-held orchestral use. Unlike heavy-duty marching heads like the Evans Black Chrome series, the PST3 prioritises the delicate tonal response of calfskin or synthetic timpani heads over sheer volume and durability.

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Frequently asked questions

What material is the PST3 handle made from?: The handle is made from maple, which is preferred for its lightweight feel and agility.
What type of felt is used on the mallet head?: The PST3 uses professional-grade German felt for its head cover.
What is a 'parachute style' head cover?: It is a method of wrapping the felt over the core to ensure a seamless, consistent striking surface on all sides.
Is the PST3 considered a hard or soft mallet?: It is classified as a medium or general-purpose mallet, offering a balance between hardness and softness.
Can these mallets be used for marching snare drums?: No, these are designed specifically for timpani; using them on a marching snare would likely damage the felt and not provide the correct rebound. For marching snares, heads like the Evans MS3 are more appropriate.
How much do the ProMark PST3 mallets typically cost?: They generally retail for approximately £59.00.
Does the PST3 sound different on different sides of the head?: No, the parachute style head is designed to provide a warm and articulate sound on all sides of the mallet.
Who is the primary manufacturer of this mallet?: The mallets are manufactured by ProMark, a company well-known for drumsticks and percussion accessories.
Are these mallets suitable for orchestral use?: Yes, they are specifically designed for concert and orchestral percussionists who require a general-purpose mallet.
How does maple compare to hickory for timpani mallets?: Maple is lighter than hickory, which allows the player to move the mallets more quickly and with less fatigue during complex passages.
Is the PST3 better for rolls or rhythmic passages?: As a 'General' mallet, it is designed to perform well for both smooth rolls and articulated rhythmic sections.
Can these be used on small percussion like woodblocks?: While possible, the felt is quite soft for woodblocks; they are specifically engineered for the large surface area of a timpani head.