Hang drums or handpans are enchanting instruments that can be truly described as magical; musicians and listeners cannot seem to get enough of the unique sound they produce. But at the same time, they come with high costs most of the time.
Understanding the Cost
The price of a handpan has been pegged in the rough spectrum of 1k to 4k dollars, and this depends on the producer, number of notes, material used, and any other unique design.
Maker and Craftsmanship: The famous maker and years of activity are two major factors that define the cost. Popular companies like Yishama, Ayasa, and Cosmoshandpan create high-quality instruments, and their prices also correspond to that level. Such makers typically have a list of eager customers because their items are so popular.
Number of Notes: Standard handpans are ordinarily assigned with eight to ten notes but new-generation handpans have up to twenty notes. More notes are preferable because they allow for more flexibility; however, more notes make tuning more complex, and the overall price of the instrument goes up as well.
Materials and Construction: The type of steel and the construction process affect the cost. Normally, handpans made of stainless steel are more costly as compared to other materials because of the enhanced durability and quality of sound production. Thus, the fact that each note is individually handwritten makes the process labor-intensive and contributes to the cost.
Customization and Rarity: Broken ones, those with unique shapes and sizes, and models that are not common in the market will be more expensive to buy. Such instruments are seen as collectibles primarily due to their specificity and the maker’s input into the creation of the object.
How to SNAG the Best Deal
Research Thoroughly: First of all, learn about different makers and listen to various handpans online. Some of the websites that come especially in handy in the comparison of the sound and quality of the handpans include the YouTube channel as well as the handpan forums. Knowing your expectations concerning the mood and size of the posters will aid in the elimination process.
Try Before You Buy: If possible, try the handpans in person, although it may not be possible in some cases. It is possible to attend handpan festivals, go to local musicians, or invite a maker to come and see you, the latter of which is preferred by many makers. This enables you to evaluate the acoustics and feel of the instrument and game reproducibility.
Consider Second-Hand Options: Second-hand handpans are relatively cheaper than when you buy a new handpans. As a rule, the bona fide dealers put their instruments on the handpan community websites and in the social media groups. Do get a recording of the instrument and do check the seller’s reputation to avoid being scammed.
Beware of Deals Too Good to Be True: Priced far below the market price one could easily be tricked to have a poor quality handpan or even fraudsters. Never buy a product from unauthorized dealers, and avoid cheap products as these may be counterfeit. Most of the makers and communities have blacklists of unreliable brands and sellers that can be encountered on the Internet.
Look for Sales and Discounts: Some makers have now and then or limited-time special sales, or sometimes they have raffles during the festivals at which you can win a handpan for a cheaper price. Maintaining membership to such a newsletter by your favorite makers or following them on the internet can alert you of such a chance.
Consider the Total Cost: Other costs that should be added include the cost of shipping, taxes if you are buying from another state/country, as well as the price of accessories such as cases and stands for the gadgets. The hard case is essential since it will shield your instrument from harm, especially in situations where you may need to carry your handpan with you. Some makers provide a soft case as an accessory, but a hard one is more protective of the equipment.
Avoiding Scams
Unfortunately, as is the case with most trends, there has been a rise in con artists in the handpan business. Here are some tips to avoid falling victim:
Buy from Reputable Makers: Stay with name-brand products with good endorsements. Go through the reviews made by others on the same handpan and consult the people who have used the handpan.
Verify Authenticity: Request for more photos, videos and or audio clips of the particular instrument of your choice.
Use Secure Payment Methods: Pay through the protected payment methods that protect the buyers. An important aspect encompassing the non-reversible mode of payment is to refrain from using wire transfers and other similar payment facilities.
Check Community Resources: It would help to go over the Facebook groups and forums where players share their experiences, and it would help to distinguish the trustworthy sellers.
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Understanding the Value
You should realize that handpans are not simply musical instruments though they are expensive but unique pieces of art. This they do despite the high cost that accompanies them due to the complex process of production as earlier hinted. Every one of the handpans is individually forged and pitch adjusted completely by hand; probably thousands of hammer blows and several days for final pitch calibration.
Also, the makers take their time to ensure the product is ready; the money used in acquiring the materials and tools is comparatively high. Taking into account all the muscles and conscience put into its creation, the price of the handpan means its value as the only handmade musical instrument.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a handpan is not cheap, although with enough research, you should be able to fund a quality handpan that corresponds to your requirements. Believe what you have heard, do your homework, and talk to others in the handpan community to make the right buying decision. It may be your first time, or you have been playing the instrument for quite some time now; the right handpan will make you enjoy music for several years to come.
