Vic Firth M146 Aluminum Keyboard Mallets - Bells, Crotales & Metallic Effects
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The Vic Firth M146 Orchestral Aluminum Mallets are extra-hard keyboard mallets built with a medium round aluminum head and rattan handles. They are designed to produce a full, shimmering sound on crotales and bells, while also working well on bell trees and other metallic effect instruments. Archived retailer listings consistently describe the M146 this way, and Vic Firth’s current product line points players toward the M451 as the closest modern equivalent to the former M146.
Because the M146 uses an aluminum head rather than brass, it keeps the clear articulation of a metal mallet while offering a slightly different feel and response. One retailer description notes that the aluminum heads are lighter than brass but still maintain strong articulation on bells, which makes them a practical option for players wanting brightness, projection and a bit more agility in hand.
Key Features
- Medium round aluminum head for a full, shimmering sound on crotales and bells.
- Also suitable for bell trees and other metallic effect instruments.
- Extra hard response for bright, defined articulation.
- Rattan handles for flexibility and rebound.
- Approx. 14 3/8" length on the original M146 listings.
- Original head size listed as 7/8" on one archived retailer page.
- Closely associated with the current Vic Firth M451 Articulate Series model.
Why Choose These Mallets?
If you need a keyboard mallet for bright metallic instruments, the M146 is a strong choice. The aluminum head gives a clear, ringing attack that helps notes speak on glockenspiel-style parts, bells and crotales, while the round shape helps keep the sound full rather than thin. Vic Firth describes the current replacement-style M451 as “very hard, bright and projecting on the glockenspiel,” which supports the same general use case for the former M146.
This model is especially useful for players searching for an older Vic Firth orchestral mallet by its original number. Since the M146 is a discontinued model, keeping that exact model number in the title and description helps match searches from schools, ensembles and players replacing an older pair. Vic Firth’s own comparison note between the M146 and M451 makes that connection trustworthy to include.
Specifications
- Brand: Vic Firth.
- Model: M146.
- Series: Orchestral Series / predecessor to Articulate M451.
- Instrument Use: Bells, crotales, bell tree, metallic effect instruments.
- Head Material: Aluminum.
- Head Shape: Medium round.
- Hardness: Extra hard.
- Handle Material: Rattan.
- Length: 14 3/8".
- Head Size: 7/8" listed on one archived retailer source; Vic Firth’s current M451 replacement-style page describes a 3/4" aluminum round format, so dimensions may vary between old and current ranges.
Who They’re For
The Vic Firth M146 suits:
- orchestral percussionists
- tuned percussion players needing a metal mallet
- players performing on bells, crotales and metallic effects
- schools and ensembles replacing an older Vic Firth M146 pair
- customers wanting the older equivalent to the current Vic Firth M451.
What’s Included
- 1 pair of Vic Firth M146 aluminum mallets