Firth - Tim Genis STG
Firth - Ted Atkatz SATK
Innovative Percussion - Chris Lamb CL-1
Innovative Percussion - Kennan Wylie IP-KY
FORBIDDEN PAIR ALERT - PLEASE DO NOT BUY: Firth SD1 OR IP Lalo Davila.
Special Note: CONCERT SNARE sticks and DRUMSET sticks are NOT the same! Make sure that you get CONCERT sticks!
Marimba Mallets - Choose ONE SET (2 matching pair) from the following:
Malletech: ES12, ES16, CH14, CN14, LS15, SO14, TB14
Innovative Percussion: IP403, IP803, IP813, IP4002, WU3
Encore: NZ3B, NZ4B, NM3B, NM4B, 42AYB
FORBIDDEN PAIR ALERT --- PLEASE DO NOT BUY: Innovative Percussion's SOLOIST Series.
Xylo/Bell Mallets - Choose pairs from any the following series:
Malletech: Bob Becker, Orchestral, or Natural Rubber Series
Innovative Percussion: Chris Lamb, James Ross, or Orchestral Series
Vic Firth: Orchestral
Timpani Mallets - For a good "general use/medium" pair, please choose from the following list:
Firth - Tim Genis GEN5
Encore - Payson T103
Promark - Haas JH4
Promark - Bamboo PSTB30
Innovative Percussion - Bamboo BT-3 or BT-4
Innovative Percussion - GT-3 or GT-4
From there, feel free to expand upon that by getting softer and/or harder mallets from the same line in which you chose from above.
Vibraphone Mallets - Choose ONE SET (2 matching pair) from the following:
Malletech: ELS16, DS18
Innovative Percussion: DM26, DF30, JT23
Vic Firth: M25, M31
Balter: 23R, 22R, 50R
Practice pad: LOTS from which to choose! No particular preference here. Some are better than others, but really, most any practice pad sold at Lone Star Percussion is going to be acceptable. Check out your options at: http://www.lonestarpercussion.com/Categories/Snare-Practice-Pads/
MALLET BAGS: Again, LOTS of options. You are welcome to get something smaller now and upgrade later, or buy a medium bag and not have to upgrade quite as soon. Anything offered at LSP will be acceptable. For your options: http://www.lonestarpercussion.com/Categories/Drumstick-Mallet-Bags/
Practice keyboard percussion instrument (marimba/xylo): Dependent upon the district/school that you attend. Consult BK for specifics and/or recommendations. Options include: Renting/buying a marimba (best option); Buying a practice marimba (acceptable); Bell kit (last resort).Additional (Optional, but AWESOME) Equipment:
Beatnik Rhythmic Analyzer - THE best tool that I use for my own improvement! Click the preceding link to see what this thing can do. (Note: Buy the Beatnik with the accessory pack, which includes an AC adapter, the book: Beatnik Encyclopedia, and case.)