Ivana Bilic Signature Series
The Ivana Bilic Signature Series was developed to emphasize the singing characteristic of the marimba by relating the sounds that each mallet makes to human vocal qualities. In describing her mallets, Ivana has created a scale that utilizes the language of vocal range and timbre. Her definitions for each mallet combine the ideal playing range for a mallet with the color/timbre of its sound. Note: The scale follows a hard to soft progression, but loosely, as hardness alone is not enough to define each mallet.
Ivana's series consists of five wool/synthetic yarn mallets and one wool/wool yarn mallet. The wool yarn warms the sound, the synthetic yarn provides articulation. This is a mid-weight series with six varying models and is available in both birch or rattan handles.
In pursuit of the perfect sound, we worked with mallet percussionists for many years to learn what qualities they expected most from their "go-to" mallets. To meet these needs, we decided to design all of our own mallet heads, as well as invent and patent our own mallet wrapping machine that simultaneously wraps two individual pieces of yarn - wool or synthetic. This gives us the ability to individually control the tension on each of the yarns and the angle of the wrap. As a result, we have crafted some of the best mallets in the world ideally suited for keyboard percussion.
By varying the tension of each yarn during the winding process, choosing wool or synthetic fibers, and selecting the wrap style, we are able to create an endless number of sound options. Our M1 Mallets for marimba and vibes are offered in four distinct series: Signature Artist Series, the original Double Helix™ Series, the beloved Wave Wrap™ line, and our very popular lightweight mallet with warmth and articulation - the Round Sound™.