Bass Drum Mallets

[Jose R. Alvarez]

Hi,

Now I have a pair of Premier Bass Drum Mallet, but I want to try anothers models. What do tou think about Twisted Thistle bass drum mallets? Do you recommend me anothers?

[tenordrummer.com]

We just took delivery of a pair of Twisted Thistle from Mike for our band - they are fantastic. Give them a try Jose.

[Sandy Laverock]

Any idea of how they can be purchased? Is there a website to go to......

[tenordrummer.com]

Visit Twisted Thsitle (http://www.twistedthistle.com) .

[Cliff Davis]

Originally posted by Scott Currie:
- they are fantastic. Give them a try Jose. Lovely sticks. Twisted Thistle beaters are played by many of the world's top bass drummers.
Mike Cole, proprietor, is a long time percussionist and pipe band drummer and has developed a great stick.
Jose- I'd recommend clicking on www.twistedthistle.com (http://www.twistedthistle.com) and email Mike for advice on stick/head combinations for your specific drum. Mike has seen/heard it all, and will likely have sage advice.

Cliff

[David Cameron]

Our Bass drummer, Kelly Beesley, is thinking of trying the large mallets that Bob Meade uses. Can someone tell me the brand? Bob? Harry?

Thanks,

David Cameron, D/S
City of Chattanooga

[tenordrummer.com]

Try visiting the Bob Meade (http://www.geocities.com/bassjudge/index.html) web site for information.

[jbphilo]

Hey David--thumper JB here. I started using the Meade's in solo--the heads get a nice Bb with them and put out a sweet sound. Hope to see you all here in Atlanta for the Southeast workshop. Tell Kelly I will have my mallets if he wants to try them. If not, Bob should have some at Loch Norman.

[David Cameron]

Yeah, we'll be there in Atlanta. Never miss it.

See you there,

david

[John McFetridge]

Hi Jose,

I also use Twisted Thistle bass mallets while playing in Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and have no hesitation in recommending them. Mike Cole has developed mallets which have injection molded heads and a unique tip design; which if you stroke the drum at different angles, you maintain maximum contact and produce a full sound across the dynamic range of the drum.

[S. Foley]

Hi John.
Congratulations for the victory in 2005. In my opinion you are probably the best Ive ever heard. It must be a great feeling to play with a pipe section like richards behind you. I am still an advocate of andante mallets, nonetheless I am interested in seeing what will be coming around the bend from other stick makers.
Keep it real John :thumb:

[Bill Janakos]

Mike Cole and his Twisted Thistles have been in the hands of the last three grade 1 Best Bass Winners at the Worlds. I believe that they speek for themselves.

[Drums4now]

[Drums4now]

Hello All,
Perhaps this group can give me some advice. I was conscripted as a bass player about a year ago, when our band lost its rhythm section to a host of biomechanical failures. The relatively small, compact-headed mallets I inherited with the drum work well in parades, at least as long as I do. I was gifted with a pair of large bass mallets to try out, mainly for indoor use, but find them ineffective at producing any volume in all but the smallest of spaces. The Pipes complain that they can't hear me outside, all the while I am employing the most focused stroke (by martial arts standards) that I know how. A clinician at our last Highland Games suggested that the bass should be felt, if not always heard, by the Pipes and demonstrated a pair that had the size, shape, and consistency of a 1/3 spent TP roll. They produced a solid bass note without the ringing overtones of the smaller headed mallets and with very good efficiency. I think he said they were Premier, but I can't find any that look like that. The "Thistles" I see look very much like my "overly fluffy" ones. Should I ignore that impression? Do I need to go someplace to try out mallets on my drum? Any wisdom you can contribute would be much appreciated.

Feeling like Goldilocks..but wrong gender and no locks left. :shrug:

[Mike Cole]

Originally posted by Drums4now:
. The "Thistles" I see look very much like my "overly fluffy" ones. Should I ignore that impression? Do I need to go someplace to try out mallets on my drum? Any wisdom you can contribute would be much appreciated.
Drums4now:
Drums4ever! :D
You're considering the important factors when looking for mallets. My bass mallets are designed to produce a solid fundamental tone over a wide dynamic range. The head is curved in a similar fashion to a drumstick tip, allowing maximum point of contact from a wide variety of playing angles. The cover material provides a warmth to the the tone without deadening the attack.
There are a number of very good sticks on the market. It really boils down to personal preference.
All the best.
Mike Cole

[Drums4now]

Mike,
Thanks, I think I'm going to have to try a pair.
I realize that the main issue with those I have is mass. The heads feel like they are filled with high density foam, way too light to be effective. Is that a common complaint of folks who come to you for mallets or might my drum heads be too rigid?

[Drums4now]

Seems I overlooked the obvious! My heads were no damped good.
I removed the felt strips which were generously applied to dampen the reverb and replaced them with weather stripping just touching the head all the way around. While I'm not entirely happy with the extent of reverberation now (may have to add back a wee bit), the heads of my drum no longer require a hammer to produce a nice mellow bass note.
Feeling like a big drummy..... :eek: :eek:
Kent

[Mike Cole]

It's amazing what you'll find when you take apart a 'new' drum. Found a Playboy centerfold in one...sort of a venthole peep show. :wow:
Felt strips.....argh!!! Sort of like using gaffer tape on a drum kit to kill overtones. :mad: A quick, but very unreliable fix.
I've found the method that Hoss developed for his drums to be the best...but it takes a fair amount of time to do it. Bass Tuning Tips (http://www.twistedthistle.com/TuningTips.pdf)
There are some peel and stick foam rings (can't remember the brand) that can be applied to the inside of the head that are a quicker alternative.

[Drums4now]

Mike,
Thanks..In advance of our St. Patricks Parade, today, I opened my drum to find the weather stripping in a pile inside the drum. So used your tips reference to glue short sections back in between the lugs. A continuous rim strip was too much.
Worked great, but one section fell off during the parade as indicated by a peep hole inspection (might have to add that enhancement you referenced). If I read you right, and place foam that is both glued and trapped by a tab overlapping the lip of the body, I think I can very precisely damp/tune this drum to my liking.

We, the BR P&D have begun looking for a competition bass (28X16 or 18); if you know of any hand-me-downs, I'd love to hear of it.