Professional gong mallets can cost anywhere from $80 to $300. Meanwhile, the gamelan craftsmen of Central Java have been making exceptional mallets for centuries using local materials, padded cloth, and whatever works. The principle is simple: a weighted core, a cushioned striking surface, and a handle. Everything else is refinement.
Here are two methods for making your own gong mallets at home—one from scratch using bouncy balls, another by modifying existing mallets you may already own.
Method 1: The Bouncy Ball Mallet
This produces a surprisingly effective mallet with good weight and a warm, rounded tone. The rubber ball provides natural bounce and resilience.
Materials Needed
- Large rubber bouncy ball (6-10cm diameter) — larger = heavier mallet
- Wooden dowel (30-40cm length, 2-3cm diameter) or thick drumstick
- Drill with bit slightly smaller than your dowel
- Strong adhesive (epoxy or hot glue)
- Yarn or wool (optional, for wrapping)
- Scissors
Step 1: Drill the Ball
Mark the centre of the bouncy ball. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than your dowel's diameter, carefully drill a hole approximately 3-5cm deep into the ball. Go slowly—rubber can catch and spin. A vice or clamp helps hold the ball steady.
Tip: Freeze the ball for 30 minutes beforehand. Cold rubber drills more cleanly.
Step 2: Attach the Handle
Apply epoxy or hot glue liberally inside the drilled hole. Insert the dowel, twisting slightly to spread the adhesive. Hold firmly for 60 seconds, then let cure according to your adhesive's instructions (typically 24 hours for full-strength epoxy).
Step 3: Test As-Is
At this point, you have a functional mallet. The bare rubber surface produces a clear, articulate tone with moderate warmth. Test it on your gong. For many players, this is already sufficient—especially for brighter, more defined strokes.
Step 4: Wrap with Yarn (Optional)
For a softer, warmer tone, wrap the ball in yarn or wool:
- Secure the yarn end to the base of the ball with a dab of glue
- Wrap in tight, overlapping layers, covering the entire striking surface
- Keep tension consistent—loose wrapping unravels with use
- Tuck the final end under previous layers and secure with glue
More layers = softer attack, warmer fundamental, fewer overtones. Experiment with thickness.
Method 2: Modifying an Existing Mallet
If you have a mallet that's too hard—a Tibetan bowl striker, an unused drum mallet, or any solid beater—you can soften it with layered padding. This method recycles what you have and allows precise control over the final softness.
Materials Needed
- Existing hard mallet (Tibetan singing bowl mallet, drum beater, etc.)
- Foam padding (craft foam, pipe insulation, or upholstery foam)
- Felt, fleece, or soft fabric for outer layer
- Strong thread or thin twine
- Duct tape
- Scissors
Step 1: Add the Foam Layer
Cut your foam to wrap around the mallet head with approximately 1-2cm thickness. Pipe insulation (the type used for plumbing) works well—it's pre-curved and easy to work with. Wrap it around the striking surface and hold temporarily with tape or rubber bands.
For more padding, add multiple foam layers. Each layer softens the attack further.
Step 2: Add the Fabric Layer
Cut a circle of felt or fleece large enough to cover the padded head with excess to gather at the back. Place the mallet head in the centre, pull the fabric around, and gather it tightly at the base of the head (where it meets the handle).
Step 3: Tie Off
Using strong thread or thin twine, bind the gathered fabric tightly. Wrap multiple times, pulling firmly with each pass. Tie off with a secure knot. The goal is a tight, smooth striking surface with no loose material that could flap or buzz.
Step 4: Tape and Finish
Wrap duct tape around the tied-off section to secure everything permanently and create a clean transition to the handle. Trim any excess fabric. If desired, continue the tape down the handle for a unified look and better grip.
Tuning Your Mallet's Sound
The beauty of DIY mallets is customisation. Adjust these variables:
- Weight: Heavier mallets move more air, producing fuller tones. Add weight by using larger balls, denser foam, or inserting fishing weights into the core.
- Softness: More layers = softer attack. Fewer layers = more articulation. A very soft mallet emphasises the fundamental; a harder mallet brings out overtones.
- Surface texture: Wool and fleece produce the warmest tones. Felt is slightly brighter. Bare rubber or leather produces the most attack.
- Handle length: Longer handles generate more momentum but require more control. 35-40cm is standard; adjust to your preference.
The professional secret: Many working gong players use multiple mallets in a session—a harder mallet for articulation and building intensity, a softer mallet for washes and gentle work. Making your own allows you to create a matched set at a fraction of the cost.
Friction Mallets
Friction mallets—used to "sing" the gong by rubbing rather than striking—require a different approach. The surface must grip the metal and sustain vibration.
- Superballs: The classic DIY friction mallet. Drill and mount a large superball (the rubbery, high-bounce kind) on a dowel. The tacky rubber surface grips the gong edge and produces singing, whale-like tones with practice.
- Leather wrap: Wrap an existing mallet head tightly in chamois or soft leather. The slight texture creates friction without scratching.
- Rubber coating: Plasti-Dip or similar rubber coatings can be applied to a wooden or foam core, creating a custom friction surface.
Care and Longevity
- Store mallets hanging or lying flat—don't rest them on their heads, which can flatten the padding over time
- Check wrappings periodically for loosening; re-tie or re-tape as needed
- Keep away from extreme heat, which can degrade rubber and adhesives
- Clean fabric surfaces with a lint roller or soft brush
Final Thoughts
There is no single correct mallet. The orchestras of Java use dozens of mallet types, each suited to specific instruments and musical contexts. Your gong has its own voice; your mallets should be chosen—or made—to draw out the tones you want to hear.
A $15 bouncy ball mallet made in your garage can produce sounds indistinguishable from a $200 professional model. The only challenge is keeping the ball on. What matters is understanding the principles: weight, softness, and surface. The rest is experimentation.
Make several. Test them. Keep what works. The gong will tell you what it wants.