Weighing in (no pun intended)on heavier large head mallets damaging the bars, I never had a problem. I have many large head Mike Balter mallets and the Pro-Mark Milt Jackson signature mallets. In my humble opinion, if one uses the down-up stroke first suggested by Phil Kraus, I believe the bars will be protected. It is in the technique one uses. The down-up stroke keeps your hands close to the bars without the wide arc and with stroke enough wrists, you can still get the power you need for volume. Also it depends on the hardness, softness, and type of material that the core of the mallet is made of. How many wraps of yarn does it have? What kind or type of yarn or cord used (there is a technical term for it, I forgot what it is).

The guys to consult about mallets and vibraphones, are Leigh Howard Stevens and the technical engineers at Malletech. They have literally reinvented the vibraphone. Just my thoughts. musically yours in peace and love, Seneferu Khepera