Introduction
While handpans captivate musicians and listeners with its lively and soothing sound; they do have a high price. Let us take you through the factors that contribute to this huge cost.
Complexity of Craftsmanship
Making a single handpan is a labor-intensive process that can take months to complete. The makers select high-quality steel, and then shape it into shells. These shells undergo several processes:
Shaping the Shells: Makers shape the steel into two hemispheres. This process requires precision to ensure the right curvature for optimal sound production.
Pressing the Notes: The makers then hammer each note into the steel. Note pressing is one of the most important steps as it can make or break the sound quality and the tuning stability of the handpan.
Nitriding: Handpan makers create a treatment of heat and nitrogen to coat the handpan so its surface can harden; this nitriding process leads to a durable handpan that doesn’t rust.
Tuning and Fine-Tuning: The handpan instrument first goes through its first tuning before gluing the shells together. After assembly, it undergoes fine-tuning to perfect the sound.
Makers repeat these steps several times, requiring patience and expertise. The complexity and time investment involved in each stage are significant contributors to the handpan's high cost.
Expertise of Handpan Makers
Handpan creation is an artform that requires years and years of practice. Expert handpan makers, also known as builders, spend countless hours perfecting their art. They have a deep understanding of acoustics, sounds, and musicality that is important when creating high quality instruments. Acquiring this understanding and honing your skills adds on to the price of the handpan.
Supply and Demand Imbalance
You can characterize the handpan market by high demand and limited supply. Handpans have grown in popularity but the number of professional handpan makers has not. This imbalance creates a scarcity that drives up prices.
Many reputable handpan makers have long waiting lists, sometimes extending several months to years. The high demand and limited availability make handpans a sought-after and expensive instrument.
Hand-Made Nature
Local artists usually create the handpans and so they make them in smaller batches; thus there is less supply for an otherwise, highly in-demand instrument. You may be wondering why the artists make these handpans in small batches. Well, it is to ensure that each instrument is of the highest quality.
Additional Costs
When purchasing a handpan, there are often additional costs to consider:
Shipping Fees: Handpans are heavy and bulky and so they require a good and sturdy packaging, so the instrument doesn’t suffer any damages during shipping. This causes the shipping fees to increase.
VAT and Custom Duty Tax: Do you live outside of the US? Well then, it is highly possible that when you order your handpan from the States, you’ll have to pay the customs duties and value-added tax (VAT), which of course leads to an influx in the cost.
Insurance: Insuring the handpan is important! It will help you cover up the costs in case the instrument gets lost during transit or has damages.
These additional costs ensure that your handpan arrives safely and in perfect condition, justifying the investment.
Customization and Quality
High-quality handpans often come with a range of customization options. Different handpan makers offer different scales, engravings and finishes so you can personalize the handpan according to your tastes. You can choose the scales and engravings you like but also know that the more customization you get, the higher the price point will be.
Artisanal Craftsmanship
Making a is a very labor-intensive process and requires a lot of skills. Hanpan makers create each steel piece by hand and then tune the steel to create the sound they want. The whole process goes like this: hammering the steel, tuning the steel, and treating the steel.
Each part of the process takes a lot of time and a certain set of skills. Makers make sure to take their time so that each handpan piece meets the high standards of sound quality.
Investment in a Unique Instrument
Handpans are an expensive instrument, but it is to note that they’re a long-term investment. Handpans and hang drums are corrosion and rust resistant if they’re kept in protective casing and can last for long if proper care is given to them.
Handpans create a lively sound that promotes relaxation in the user. Furthermore, handpans are high in demand but the production is low which means they can appreciate in value as the years pass. While it is a musical instrument, owning a handpan is more about investing in a unique art piece.
Long-Term Value
The handpans are popular for their durability and being long lasting. When you properly care for your handpan instrument, you can make it last for many years. Furthermore, these handpan instruments can also help the user to meditate. Apart from meditation, you can use it in many other artforms. This handpan instrument's ability to help in many different areas allows it to be a valuable investment.
Emotional and Meditative Benefits
If you want to decrease your stress, increase feeling relaxed and overall feel better, handpan's soothing sounds are the way to go! These therapeutic benefits add an intangible value to owning a handpan.
Growing Community and Support
When you have a handpan, you are a part of a supportive community with other musicians. You can learn hone your skills and learn new techniques from fellow players. You can recieve a lot of knowledge and support from the handpan community, helping you get the most out of your handpan.
By being a part of this beautiful community, you can better your playing experience. Your connections and shared passion for this unique instrument justify the investment in a high-quality handpan.
Limited Production and Exclusivity
The exclusivity of handpans also adds to their value. There are not a lot skilled builders; therefore they only create handpans in small quantities. This limited production makes each handpan a rare and exclusive instrument.
Owning a handpan means having a piece of art that few others possess. This exclusivity can make your handpan even more special and valuable. Handpans are a unique which makes them cost even higher but they’re a good investment for individuals who appreciate detail-oriented crafts and musical experiences.
Conclusion
We understand now that the Handpans are expensive because of their complex and time-consuming creating process, moreover, there is a high demand but low production. Regardless of the cost, handpans are a valuable asset to own because when you purchase them, you’re not getting just an instrument but the years of skills, dedication, and passion.
