Balter Basic Mallets

Attention Band Directors!!! Finally, an inexpensive mallet that doesn't skimp on quality!


I recently had a band director ask for inexpensive cord mallets that were high in quality. After doing a little research I stumbled upon a line by Mike Balter called "Balter Basics." I asked the band director for permission to use him as a test market and he agreed.

So, the low-down on these mallets... I got in a pair of the BB5 medium cord mallets, pictured above. The mallets feature a thicker-than-normal birch handle with beautifully wound cord heads. These are ultra user-friendly. The thicker handles allow for ease of control while the winding on the heads provide a top quality mallet for good tone and make for an easy transition to more advanced mallets. The band director and I both test played these mallets. They provided warm lows and strong middle and high pitches. The mallets come in a full range appropriate for the school musician including - soft, medium and hard in cord, yarn and rubber in addition to PVC, poly and brass.

THE BEST FEATURE OF THESE MALLETS? They retail between $20-$28 a pair. They are mallets you could easily ask your students to purchase, or you could buy some for your band program without blowing the budget. My test market is going to let me know how these mallets hold up, but based on the quality of materials used and the construction of these mallets I'd say they're going to hold up very well.

We don't have them in the retail store yet, but they are available for order through our Ed Reps.

Calls us if you'd like to give them a whirl.

Steven - Educational Sales Rep

Galway Flute Review

So, we just got in the new James Galway "Spirit" flute by Conn-Selmer (model JG3) and I'm totally impressed. The flute comes in three models, JG1, JG2, and JG3 - each with a variety of options. I'm not a flute player, but I can get around the instrument alright, I guess. At any rate, from the first Bb I blew on the flute it struck me as the most (how do I say this delicately?) "GUTSY" flute I've ever played. It's just a loud flute, which is really nice when you're playing in a small ensemble, church band or even a rock band. Not to say that it can't be dialed down a lot with good control, but you can really push on this horn, and with a wonderful tone!

The construction is another marvel, with CNC machined pad cups, a solid silver head, hand-carved lip plate and an overall solid feel to the key-work. Conn-Selmer added some nice touches of artistry with milled ferrules, attractive engraving and a little "bling" on the crown. The flute also comes in a nice french-style wooden case with protective cover. One other note that makes me REALLY HAPPY - it's made in the USA!

All in all, this flute is a great intermediate to upper intermediate instrument - certainly appropriate for advancing students and serious amateurs, or even pros looking for a good pop flute. The instrument really sings and comes at a price that makes me want to sing (not that you'd want to hear that)! Stop by our Park Road store and take it for a test drive.

Steven - Educational Sales Rep