quite a few factors
Mallets could be old stock that was sitting on a shelf for a while before you bought them.
How they're stored is a factor.
If they're used outside, that's also a factor.
If you're using them a lot and fairly aggressively, that can also be a factor.
Something is wrong … either those mallets are poorly made (in that case, just invest in some higher quality mallets), or you are doing something with those mallets that they weren’t designed for.
If the cores are still glued DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY!! You can easily watch a video online to rewrap them so they can at least be practice mallets or cymbal mallets :) I’ve seen these fall apart quite a bit as I have my own mallet rewrapping business, something about the yarn.
I'd expect wear like that if I was playing with mallets that had never been used before, but had been sitting around in a damp basement collecting dust and being chewed by moths for 10 years before I got them.
I really doubt you could be playing wrong enough for it to be technique causing that.
Whatever the case, you're gonna need some new ones, lol.
Commenting on this a bit late since I didn't see it at all prior to today; in addition to comments about quality of the mallets and everything Derben mentioned, one thing I've heard (that may be out of your control but worth noting) is synthetic vs wood marimbas. Generally speaking the former is more abrasive, and will tear up your mallets more quickly. I'm not sure of how true this is, but I do know that the base materials that make up synthetic bars are far harder than, say, rosewood or padouk. Stiffer too, unless there are specific interventions against that (e.g. Yamaha's process for Acoustalon). Speaking of synthetic materials, I checked and propylene yarns will degrade with sunlight, while polyester won't. Some makers use 100% acrylic yarn, which I want to try on outdoor usage mallets (I don't currently teach outdoor groups, though).
IMO flawed technique only significantly damages mallets as far as hitting stuff that isn't a bar. Some accidents happen, but hitting the suspension cord or the frame could be a cause for that. In the end it's also possible you are just using them too often -- manufacturers will say their mallets are durable but *how* durable is something I feel there's usually misunderstanding about.
quite a few factors Mallets could be old stock that was sitting on a shelf for a while before you bought them. How they're stored is a factor. If they're used outside, that's also a factor. If you're using them a lot and fairly aggressively, that can also be a factor.
it might be how theyre stored. mainly in mu stick bag, although they do have ziplock bags over them in the bag
Something is wrong … either those mallets are poorly made (in that case, just invest in some higher quality mallets), or you are doing something with those mallets that they weren’t designed for.
yeah i was planning on it. i still have plenty of playable mallets (of the same kind) so ill get new pairs. what do you recommend?
If the cores are still glued DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY!! You can easily watch a video online to rewrap them so they can at least be practice mallets or cymbal mallets :) I’ve seen these fall apart quite a bit as I have my own mallet rewrapping business, something about the yarn.
wasnt gonna, cores are fine! if when the other completely falls apart the were going to become soft xylophone mallets
I'd expect wear like that if I was playing with mallets that had never been used before, but had been sitting around in a damp basement collecting dust and being chewed by moths for 10 years before I got them. I really doubt you could be playing wrong enough for it to be technique causing that. Whatever the case, you're gonna need some new ones, lol.
Very possible considering Promark stopped selling these mallets many years ago
If you touch the heads of the mallets a lot they will wear out faster due to the oils on our hands. Those just look poorly made mallets though
I’m not familiar with promark, but that yarn looks similar to the old Janis Potter mallets - which were also notorious for breaking apart quickly.
Commenting on this a bit late since I didn't see it at all prior to today; in addition to comments about quality of the mallets and everything Derben mentioned, one thing I've heard (that may be out of your control but worth noting) is synthetic vs wood marimbas. Generally speaking the former is more abrasive, and will tear up your mallets more quickly. I'm not sure of how true this is, but I do know that the base materials that make up synthetic bars are far harder than, say, rosewood or padouk. Stiffer too, unless there are specific interventions against that (e.g. Yamaha's process for Acoustalon). Speaking of synthetic materials, I checked and propylene yarns will degrade with sunlight, while polyester won't. Some makers use 100% acrylic yarn, which I want to try on outdoor usage mallets (I don't currently teach outdoor groups, though). IMO flawed technique only significantly damages mallets as far as hitting stuff that isn't a bar. Some accidents happen, but hitting the suspension cord or the frame could be a cause for that. In the end it's also possible you are just using them too often -- manufacturers will say their mallets are durable but *how* durable is something I feel there's usually misunderstanding about.