Which gong mallet should I buy?
With so many models to choose from, it’s not always easy to decide. Here’s a quick overview: The m70 is the entry-level model and an all-rounder for subtle tones. The S186 is the best-selling mallet in the lineup—lightweight, versatile, and suitable for almost any gong. The M305, with its short handle, is particularly well-suited for rhythmic passages and long rolls. The L355 is the heavyweight—it produces deep, grounding frequencies from large gongs.
In addition, there is the Lite Series for particularly light play, the Direct Line for powerful energy, the Soft Line with its springy construction, the Move Line —which combines a gong, singing bowl drum in one—as well as Special Editions and the Earthtones Collection for those looking for something visually distinctive.
Not sure which mallet is right for you? Then let's talk!
No problem—that’s exactly what we’re here for. Our chatbot on the website is available 24/7 to answer your initial questions right away. If you’d like a personal consultation with Olli and his team, just email us at kontakt@ollihess.de. Briefly describe the instruments you play, your playing style, and the sound you’re hoping to achieve—we’ll get back to you quickly and provide tailored assistance.
What makes an ollihess gong mallet special?
Every ollihess mallet is the result of over 20 years of experience in sound work. Olli develops each model based on his own practice as a sound practitioner, sound healer, and craftsman. What you hold in your hands is not a mass-produced item stamped out in some factory—it is a tool that is handcrafted, inspected, and tested for its sound qualities in a family-run workshop in Germany.
No mallet leaves the workshop without someone having held it in their hands.
That's what makes our gong mallets special
Three things set ollihess apart from everything else on the market. First, the choice of materials: natural caoutchouc, Oeko-Tex fleece, and locally sourced, organically waxed beech wood—not the cheapest options, but the best for sound quality. Second, the variety of colors: 19 colors in the standard line, plus custom colors, special editions, and earth tones—you’ll find your style here. Third, the craftsmanship: every mallet is one-of-a-kind, slightly varying, never perfect in an industrial sense—but always authentic.
That's what our community has appreciated for years.
Ergonomic handle of our gong mallets
The handle of all Profi Gong mallets is made of organically waxed beech wood. The end is slightly thickened—this prevents the mallet from slipping, even during long sessions, and gives you more control over how you guide it. The wood feels pleasantly warm in your hand, gives slightly, and allows for a natural, relaxed playing experience.
We've all been there: stiff hands after 20 minutes of sound therapy. With the right grip, that won't happen to you anymore.
The core and insulation ensure minimal impact noise
The core of all Profi Gong Mallets is made of soft natural caoutchouc. This cushions the impact upon striking and reduces the striking noise to a minimum—what remains is almost exclusively the sound of the gong. The cover made of Oeko-Tex-certified wellness fleece gives each mallet its characteristic warm tone and ensures a soft, rounded resonance.
Depending on the model and series, the core and insulation are specifically tailored to produce different tonal characteristics.
An overview of the different lines
The Professional Series is divided into several lines that differ in weight, construction, and tonal character.
The Standard Line (m70, S186, M305, L355) is the core of our collection—four weight classes, 19 colors, suitable for most gong sizes. The Lite Series (lite 100, lite 200) is for anyone who wants to play with a lighter touch and respond more quickly. The Soft Line features a springy construction and produces deep, intense sounds with a bouncy effect. The Direct Line is the opposite: direct, powerful, energetic. The Move Line goes beyond the gong and also works on singing bowls drums. The Flex Line combines different degrees of stiffness in the handle for even greater playing control.
Cylinder or sphere: which head shape is right for you?
Most Ollihess mallets have a spherical head—the classic shape for soft, full gong tones. The Move Line, on the other hand, features a cylindrical head available in four sizes (40 mm to 70 mm). The cylindrical head provides a larger striking surface, responds more directly, and is particularly well-suited for precise playing on various instruments.
As a general rule: use a spherical head for warm, full, resonant sounds—and a cylindrical head for precision, control, and versatility.
Sets: When is a mallet set worth it?
Combining two mallets opens up a much broader range of sounds. The Professional Gong Mallet Set includes our best-selling models in a coordinated package—available in all 18 standard colors. The Professional Gong Mallet Set Chakra brings together the Chakra series for anyone who wants to focus on energy work with specific chakras.
Sets are the most cost-effective way to be fully equipped.
Gong mallets and singing bowls
Not every mallet is suitable for singing bowls. The S186 and the m70 are specifically singing bowls for singing bowls —their light weight prevents the bowl from being overstimulated. The Move Line and the lite series are also singing bowls for singing bowls . We therefore specifically recommend these models for use with the universal bowl or the Sound Bath Bowls Set.
Be careful with the heavy mallets (M305, L355, Direct Line)—too much weight can singing bowl the singing bowl and distort the sound.
Fair and sustainable production of our mallets
For all our professional gong mallets, we use only renewable raw materials sourced from the local region: natural caoutchouc, Oeko-Tex-certified fleece, and organically waxed beech wood—sourced locally, carefully crafted, and with short supply chains. Our products are manufactured in small family-run businesses in Germany, not through mass production in the Far East.
This isn't just a marketing claim—it's been our standard since 2003.
Vegan gong mallets from ollihess
All Profi Gong Mallets are 100% vegan. No animal products are used in the core, the covering, or the handle. This has been important to us from the very beginning—not as a trend, but as a matter of principle. natural caoutchouc, Oeko-Tex fleece, and beech wood: three materials that prove handmade musical instruments can be made without animal products.
Difference between gong mallets and gong scrapers
A gong mallet is used to strike the gong—you hit it to produce the initial, impulsive tone. A gong striker, on the other hand, continuously rubs across the surface of the gong, producing long-lasting, resonant overtones. Together, they create the full sonic experience of a sound bath.
If you want to delve deeper into the sound journey, you should have tried both. Discover our gong mallets —from the Lava Edition to the Intense Line and the Crazy Egg.
singing bowls-Mallet from ollihess
If you singing bowls as well as gongs, you'll find the right mallets at ollihess. The Move Line Edition, the Profi Gong Mallet J.O-70 and the CH1and CH2 J.O are also specifically suitable for therapeutic singing bowls. For a complete singing bowls, check out our Peter Hess® therapeutic singing bowls the Sound Bath Bowls Set—the best combination of instrument and tool.
