Deeper Dive Into The Handpan Price Ranges
Many things should be considered when going handpan shopping, such as the correct price/quality ratio, the factors affecting the total price, and much more. You might find yourself in a labyrinth of options, from budget-friendly ones to high-end masterpieces. However, you won’t be disappointed since the handpan world has something out there waiting for everyone.
The cost of the popular handpan instrument generally ranges from $1,200 to $5,000 or even more, depending on the situation. This particular price difference has multiple factors attached to it, and it’s important to understand the reasons behind these differences. Following is a complete breakdown of the handpan cost ranges and the influence behind these prices.
Handpan For Beginners
This specific category of handpans ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 since they comparatively offer fewer notes and far simpler scales. Most of the time, these instruments are made by manufacturers new to the industry or mass-produced with the help of automated processes. They’re suited for beginners or people on a tight budget and are an efficient starting point.
Mid-Range Handpans
These instruments range from $2,500 to $4,000 as they are usually built with better craftsmanship than beginner models. In addition, they offer various scale choices and provide an excellent price-to-quality ratio. This handpan pan drum category is mostly suitable for intermediate musicians looking for a much more refined tone without investing a lot into it.
Professional Handpans
The cost of these handpans generally starts from $4,000 and goes up mainly because they’re made by reputable, famous, and well-established makers. These instruments offer excellent material quality, musical scale complexity, and craftsmanship. On top of this, these handpans also offer special artistic features and custom tuning. They’re mostly suited to serious enthusiasts and professional musicians requiring extraordinary precision and sound quality.
Custom Handpans
This particular category of handpass usually features an exclusive market area for anyone looking for anything unique. Custom handpans often go far beyond the usual price range, sometimes even exceeding the $5,000 mark. However, this depends on the level of customization of the instruments and the scale rarity. Some of their features are as follows:
- Personalized engravings
- Personalized scales not found in the usual models
- Unique material treatment that offers exceptional aesthetics and sound quality.
Buying one of these custom handpans normally includes direct contact with the craftsman, allowing you to have an extremely personalized instrument. However, since the maker meticulously crafts every piece, waiting times are extended to nearly a year or more. These handpans are usually for people looking for a handpan suited to their specific music tastes.
They are also suitable for professional musicians seeking a certain sound for their recordings or performances. Custom or rare handpans not only represent a musical instrument but are also personalized investments in craftsmanship, aesthetics, sound, and artistry. Therefore, if you’re a professional with a vision of creating a unique sound, you should consider buying these!
Justification Behind The Cost Of Handpans
The Process Behind Its Making
While different methods are utilized in making a handpan depending on the craftsman, its manufacture is still a lengthy and demanding process. In addition to its material and energy costs, plenty of work hours are also required to make this complicated percussion instrument. Its quality and the time spent in its making are the main factors that justify a handpan’s cost.
The Quality Of Handpans
Quality mainly refers to the nature of the material elements with which these instruments are made. It also includes every type of vibratory and acoustic criteria a handpan should require. Therefore, the kind of metal utilized to build a handpan greatly influences the product’s final quality. The handpan would be much better if more metal selection met the required vibratory properties and shape criteria. This is why handpans aren’t made up of aluminium or titanium.
Furthermore, the instrument’s manufacturing process, the manufacturer’s experience, and their technicality also have a huge impact on the handpan’s quality level. Last but not least, checking its sound quality is one of the major points in defining the instrument’s price. It depends on an acoustic criterion that should be fulfilled by every good-quality handpan available in the market.
Brand Influence
One factor that influences the cost of a handpan is the brand since reputable and respected brands in the handpan world generally sell their instruments at a higher price as compared to startups and emerging brands. This is partly because of the higher quality of materials they use. However, it’s also due to the reputation and expertise these brands have built over the years.
Well-established manufacturers like Metal Sounds usually invest time and effort in researching and manufacturing to make a high-quality and excellent sound. Often, their name is associated with instruments with the best quality and exceptional customer service. On the other hand, lesser-known brands sell handpans at affordable prices to establish their name in the market.
However, since price is considered a good way to determine the handpan's quality, it shouldn’t be the only factor that influences your decision when it comes to choosing a brand. Other factors like the instrument’s sound, aesthetics, and offering of after-sales services should also be considered. Therefore, research is essential before you go handpan shopping in the market.
How To Make Informed Handpan Purchases?
Purchasing a handpan is a huge decision that should be strategically carried out to make sure that the instrument ends up meeting your style, needs, expectations, and sound. Therefore, we’ve compiled a brief guide to help you make a resourceful purchase, so check it out below:
Research To The Fullest
Kick off the buying process by getting to know about all of the different kinds of handpan, their materials, scales, and manufacturers. These are some of the basics, and comprehending them will help you figure out the type of quality and sound you’re looking for. Some resources like handpan websites, forums, and social media groups offer excellent advice and insights from professional musicians and makers. It doesn’t hurt to ask for help, so don’t hesitate to do so!
Set Your Budget
Figure out the amount you’re planning to spend on a good-quality handpan. It’s important to note that these prices can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer’s craftsmanship, material, and reputation. Therefore, setting a proper budget can help you narrow down your options and pay more attention to handpan choices that fall within your set price range.
Reflect On Your Musical Goals
Carefully think about the way you want to use the handpan by asking big questions like where you stand in the handpan world. For example, are you a beginner who simply wants to explore or a professional musician in need of a high-quality professional instrument? Your current level and musical intentions will have a huge impact on the kind of handpan you should purchase.
Check Reviews & Seller Reputation
Check the maker or seller’s reputation before purchasing a handpan from them. Search for user reviews and testimonials from different buyers to see how their experience went. Reputable sellers primarily work with transparent business practices and should have positive feedback.
Follow Up On The Return Policy & Warranty
Make sure to check whether the seller is offering a warranty or return policy for the handpan. This offers security in case the handpan doesn’t meet your requirements or is found to be broken or defective. Warranties also indicate a maker’s confidence in their instrument’s quality.
Keep Additional Costs In Mind
It’s important to keep additional costs in your budget, such as insurance, shipping, and accessories like stands or covers. This is necessary because these costs alone can end up adding to and affecting your general investment, making you feel like you spend a lot.
Contact The Seller/Maker Directly
Interacting with them directly allows you to gain information about their customer service and support, helping you feel much more confident about the purchase. In addition to this, you can also note down a list of questions you might have about the handpan, its quality, sound, scales, and more. You can also directly address any concerns that might be gnawing at your mind.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to know about handpans, their different pricing, and what you should consider before purchasing one. You’ll find many online websites selling your desired handpan for sale. However, it’s crucial to properly research before getting your hands on a handpan drum for sale.
