Stevens Grip

Hi Pax,
I made the switch from Burton to Stevens for vibes. The Burton grip has more power than Stevens, but, for me, less flexibility. Also with Burton, I found that my hand tended to lock into a fist at times--I had trouble maintaining a relaxed position with it. I used Burton from about 1974 to 2000, and then gradually made the transition. The breakthrough for my switch to Stevens came with the following changes:
1. I added a small diameter bead (5/8") to the end of each mallet. This bead gives you extra leverage on the mallet--esp. important for the outer mallets, which are held by the weakest fingers in the hand. In a normal Stevens grip one might see a fair amount of stick extending beyond the pinky. The addition of a small bead makes an enormous difference in the power you have open to you. I tried various sizes and found that the smaller bead gives better control and just as much power without interfering with the hand
2. I shortened the mallet lengths so they would not interfere with each other on rapid passages. Also, the inner mallets need to be shorter than the outer mallets--you can't adjust them to the same length by sliding the outside mallet back as you would using the stevens grip without the bead. (I mark the inner mallets so I can see which inside and which is outside.)

I make my own mallets, so this is all relatively easy to do.

The Stevens grip takes more time to develop, but for me it works better with the shape of my hands and the shape of my arm. I have better rotation. Its advantages (again, from my perspective and for my body) are
-complete independence of the mallets,
-less tendency to "bear down" on the mallets (it is difficult to use the Stevens grip and squeeze too hard--the shape of it makes you relax some),
-the rotational movement used in the Stevens grip(like opening a door) is more natural than the "knocking on the door" movement with the Burton grip (and both hands are evenly matched--you don't favor one motion with one hand and another motion with the other, which one tends to do with Burton)
-I now can execute more kinds of 4-mallet rolls--they are easier with Stevens

Disadvantages of adapted Stevens
-without that bead for leverage, it is hard to develop power
-the grip is more sensitive to warped mallets, so you need to use wood (which sends shocks up your hands) or a fiberglass substitute, or be sure you are always finding the straightest rattan possible.
-it takes longer to develop accuracy with Stevens
-with my adapted version (the beads and different mallet lengths you have to make your own stuff (at least be able to shorten mallets and add a bead, which latter is not as easy as it sounds).
-with my adapted version, quick shifts from one instrument--say conga to vibes--mean you have to be sure you pick the mallets up in the right order (short ones inside, long ones outside). Burton grip is easier when switching from one kind of instrument to another quickly.

For me, the Stevens grip ultimately has allowed me to play more fluidly, be more relaxed, play bop type lines with greater ease, and avoid some muscle problems I was developing with Burton. BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! My Burton problems occurred gradually over time and may have been due to bad habit or to my particular biomechanical gifts and limitation.

Been gigging solidly with this grip for much of the last decade, including a regular Fr-Sat gig for the past 30 months. No problems, no joint pain (besides that which is normal for my age), and I also work at the computer all day--no carpal tunnel.

I could NOT make the Stevens grip work on the vibes until I added the small bead for leverage. Even after I got good control of the grip, I found that by the 3rd or 4th tune into the night, I just could not get the power needed to deliver the volume for a quartet or quintet gig. Once I added the bead, the power was every bit as good as Burton, with the added flexibility of being able to play fluidly with any combination of inside and outside mallets. I love it now. I am almost always relaxed with it.

Pardon the long post and sorry I didn't post sooner about this but I've been busy and haven't been hanging around this site much! I hope this helps.
Vince