Vibraphone Mallet Review: The NEW Anders Astrand Series

I am always looking for new mallets to add to my mallet bag. Depending on the venue, ensemble, and sometimes even just my mood - my desired mallet changes.. so I like to have a choice with me on every gig.
Anders Astrand reached out to me and offered for me to try out his new line of mallets, manufactured by Vic Firth - so of course I was happy to do so.
Mr. Astrand is a swedish percussionist and vibraphonist who plays in a lot of different settings ranging from straight-ahead jazz, to electronic, to contemporary classical music. Even though I tend to mostly play straight-ahead type jazz gigs, I really like the style of mallet he has created here.
In this video, I've tried to demonstrate anything and everything about these mallets to help you decide for yourself if you want to add them to your collection. I also give my personal preferences of course - but keep in mind that my needs might be different from yours.
I compared the mallets side by side with some others that you should be familiar with: Mike Balter 'blues', Vic Firth 'Gary Burton' models, and Malletech Stefon Harris Albrights. Then I demonstrated all of the mallets on the vibraphone (even though, some are meant more for marimba - I really liked how they sounded on vibes).
There's also a section I called "Mallet Speed Dating" - you'll see why!
Plus, I've shared my thoughts and some footage from a recent concert so you can hear them in a live context with a band.
Overall, I hope you enjoy this video and it helps you make an informed decision. This video represents my honest opinion - I'm not sponsored in any way. Thanks for watching!
-Tim
#vibraphone #percussion #mallets
0:00 Intro
0:30 How many models are there?
1:13 length/weight/durability
2:00 Comparing them to other mallets
2:34 Level 1: soft
3:16 Level 2: medium soft
4:07 Level 3: medium
5:07 Level 4: medium hard
6:29 Level 5: hard
7:56 Mallet Speed Dating!
10:23 I tried these on a live gig
Check out my jazz vibraphone courses: www.timcollinsmusic.com/courses/
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[@sachajohnson1621]

Thanks for this Tim. I've been looking at these mallets for a while.

[@neumusic]

Used the anders for a few years and it actually might have been a good builder for that time!! Loved them.

[@MyAnte007]

Thanks a lot Tim for this great review!! And your fantastic musicianship!! I am really happy that you like them.

[@TimCollinsVibes]

No problem!

[@huipps]

Great review, Have you tried the VF Terry Gibbs or Gary burton mallets?

[@balaganinalex]

Eah! M303 and M304 are very tasty on vibes! Thans for this review, Tim! What do you think about VF Ed Saindon signature vibe mallets?

[@TimCollinsVibes]

I have the Ed Saindon mallets, and while I think they sound ok, they have a rebound that I don’t like as much, I just haven’t really wanted to use them. I’ve experimented here and there with them but they don’t really work for me.

[@cannolivibraphone]

Loved that speed dating section. I have a question about these mallets, though. I play with the innovative series of these mallets (funnily enough the ones I bought in 2018 are just starting to unravel at the same time that the ones I bought during the pandemic and post-pandemic are), and I was wondering how they compare to the innovative series. Do the 5 orange vic firth models match pretty closely to the 5 orange innovative models? I know you've played with the innovative AA25s and AA30s before, so what's your opinion on how close the innovative and vic firth mallets are?

[@TimCollinsVibes]

I must have gotten a bad set of the old ones, because both my AA25 and AA30s came unraveled after one gig. Those are the only ones I ever tried.. the new ones are maybe 1 or 2cm longer than the old ones, the heads are bigger as well. sound-wise, they are pretty similar, although I think the new ones are a bit warmer because of the larger head. Hope that helps.

[@cowboy_dav]

Nobody talks Anders Astrand is Ken Tacky from Rednex

[@edwardaviles6665]

The heavy ones sound great, but you didn't talk about the core. Thanks

[@TimCollinsVibes]

I forgot I guess.. Also I don't really know what's in the core. I knew there'd be something I forgot! Oh well.

[@vibist]

Tim - In your opinion, which of these mallets is closest in weight and ‘feel’ to the Innovative RS 251’s that you usually play with?

[@TimCollinsVibes]

I like the M292 the best. They are heavier and a tiny bit softer, but comparable. I’ve been using them on gigs lately.

[@vibist]

Thanks Tim. Planning to purchase a set the next time I buy mallets. Will your new CD be available soon?

[@TimCollinsVibes]

@@vibist you're welcome. And yes - you can actually already buy it from my website ;)