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MALLETS
I began making superball mallets decades ago when I needed to replace a pair and wasn't willing to spend
$15. to $20. for them. What's more, even the best commercial mallets soon flung the superball off its stick. This occurence,
while usually hilarious, could potentially put someone's eye out...and replace it with a ridiculous-looking one. But, I digress...
Over the years, through much experimenting, I found ways to improve on the playability, balance and durability
of my design...and my superballs won't loosen and get flung from the stick. No one else makes that claim.
My original superball mallets were the yellow smiley face design. I was about to do a gig and the idea of a big
guy playing three big, serious African drums with smiley face sticks struck me funny. Years later, when my son was
a toddler, I made him my first glow-in-the-dark mallets. I had no idea how popular my mallets would become with kids! They
love the designs and being able to drum on hard surfaces (without marring them).
For serious drumming, my superball
mallets are great for playing frame drums (bodrans, tars, tom toms, shaman drums, etc.) Native American-style. They sound
and feel great on congas, bongos, kpanlogos, ashikos, djun djuns, talking drums, timbales, tongue drums, timbaos, log drums
and gathering drums, too.
The hardwood sticks are treated for moisture and splinter resistance. The high-bounce superballs
and glues are of the best quality. Over the years, my superball mallets have become the best quality I've seen for sale anywhere.
Mallets are $12.50 per pair plus $4.50 for Priority shipping. (Discounted shipping available for most quantity orders)
See
the links below to check out all the designs available...
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My original superball mallets!
Dubbed "Rick Sticks" by drum circle friends
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BEATERS
I learned to make Native-American-style drum beaters from my friend Grey Wolf, who taught me the importance
of letting my creativity loose so that a part of my spirit was in every drum and beater.
I enjoy building beaters.
I don't make two exactly alike, prefering to have them exist as modest, but original, works of art. They are as expressive
just hanging on a wall as they are when tapping out a rhythm on a drum. I tend to favor covering the beater head with fur
as it makes a more mellow-sounding and expressive beater...capable of speaking in a whisper or singing out with joy.
I
use only the highest quality materials in my beaters including the hardwood core, natural furs, leathers and suede...Decorated
with gemstone, metal, glass, wood, resin or ceramic beadwork, braided jute, braided horsehair, feathers, cloth, rawhide...whatever
it takes to give the beater it's individuality and spirit.
See the link below to check out the beaters now available...
Click here to email me
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