Buying a handpan, how much does it cost?
A good handpan is of the highest quality. You can tell this by a few criteria that we will explain to you in this article.
Dealers who sell high-quality models also offer the best customer service, so you can rely on them even after you've made your purchase. Today we'll cover everything related to the question: " Buying a handpan, how much does it cost? " in detail.
The handpan is an instrument from the idiophone family. It is one of the most fascinating and interesting instruments of the 21st century. The sound it produces is both enchanting and mystical in nature.
Despite the growing popularity of this instrument, it can be difficult to buy one. Most specialist companies have a waiting list of 12 months or more! You can order them from the Sonodrum Handpan site and get them delivered much faster.
Cheap handpans don't have the beautiful sound of a handpan and may not even be tuned correctly when delivered or may quickly go out of tune. So you have to be very careful. But don't worry, you can find out everything here about the price and quality of various handpans, from handpans for beginners to special versions for professionals and used handpans , which you can find online and from retailers.
What is the price of a handpan?
A handpan is not very expensive considering that it is a handmade instrument, but it is not exactly cheap either. The price of 90% of handpans is between €1,500 and €3,000.
The main problem, however, is that the instrument is so sought after that some people see it as a way to make money. As a result, there are always manufacturers who sell instruments that are too expensive compared to the quality offered, or people who resell handpans at a much higher price than they originally purchased them for, even if the handpan is used.
In other words, quality is not always proportional to price. You will therefore find excellent instruments for €1,500 and some poor quality instruments for €3,000 or more. We currently have handpans for just under €1,500 as they are on sale , but only for a short time!
But why are there such big price differences?
Apart from the situations described above, there are several reasons why a handpan is more expensive or cheaper. But don't worry! Your ear and a little practice will help you make the right decision. The price range is determined by the following criteria:
- What material the handpan is made of and whether it has special coatings.
- Is it a well-known manufacturer?
- How many sound fields/notes does the handpan have?
- Can I get the handpan immediately or does it take 12 months to receive it? (Availability)?
- What condition is the handpan in (for used handpans )?
The price for a used handpan
While there have been only a few quality manufacturers in the last ten years and therefore only a few new handpans have been available, second-hand instruments have been few and far between. In addition, the instruments retain their value very well due to their rarity, so in most cases you have to pay the same or at least a very similar price as for a new instrument.
There are a few simple steps you can take to avoid being disappointed with your purchase. Beginners in particular consider buying a handpan for beginners second-hand, but this can also go wrong.
That's why we recommend saving up for a high-quality handpan so that you are not disappointed by a cheap instrument. A high-quality handpan hardly loses any value and you can easily sell it later if you no longer like it.
Why are handpans so expensive?
There are many reasons why handpans are so expensive, some of which we have mentioned briefly before. Here in detail:
The production of handpans is time-consuming
According to handpan manufacturers, building a handpan can take 2 to 3 months from start to finish. There are many steps that go into building a handpan, such as:
- the formation of the boilers,
- nitriding at an industrial third party supplier,
- the pressing of the tones,
- the rough tuning of the instrument,
- the application of various heat treatments,
- gluing the boilers,
- the polish,
- the fine adjustment of the handpan - once, twice, three times …,
until it is finally finished and can be sold.
The theory of supply and demand.
Second, the demand for handpans still exceeds supply. As we know, supply and demand regulate prices. If you could buy a handpan in any music store, the price would probably be much lower. But since there are only a few dealers who make good handpans (supply) and many people want to buy a handpan (demand), the price of a handpan is high.
The additional costs of the handpan …
The selling price should of course cover the cost of materials and the craftsman's wages. But beyond that, the price of a handpan can become quite subjective. To ensure that your instrument arrives intact, shipping costs (crate, packaging and postage) are added to the price of your handpan . Depending on where the manufacturer is based, sales taxes may also apply. And if you buy a handpan abroad, you may have to pay customs fees at the border.
But what is a good handpan?
That's a difficult question, and there's no easy or quick answer. But don't worry... with a little thought and some research, you can make the decision that's right for you. Here are some tips to help you out.
The best choice for beginners
You should listen to many different scales on the Internet to find out which one you like best.
- Trust your ears: Listen to as many handpan videos and performances as you can.
- Trust your common sense: What makes a good handpan? It's all about the sound quality.
- Trust your needs: There are so many options when choosing a handpan!
- Trust your instincts: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Our handpan in D minor is a good choice for beginners and can also accompany you when you have already reached an advanced level.
The best choice for advanced/expert users
The best choice for advanced or expert players is a handpan that can accompany you everywhere and where you can easily change the tones using magnets. This type of handpan is suitable for professional performances. If you are at an advanced level and want to play at home, we can recommend the D minor handpan with a total of 10 sound fields.
Where can I buy a handpan?
You can buy the handpan from your local dealer or online. Sonodrum has the handpan made the moment you order it. It is handmade in a studio and before we send it to you, we send you a video so you can hear how it sounds and what it looks like. This means that changes can still be made before shipping to you.
Conclusion
Buying a handpan is a matter that should be carefully considered, as the prices are not exactly cheap. However, it is always better to buy a new instrument, even if you have to save up for it. It is better to be safe than sorry!
Handpans come in different designs, so you should first do some research by watching videos online and then decide on the sound that suits you best. Our D minor handpan with ten sound fields is one of the best options, both for beginners and experts.
And to come back to the question: “ How much does it cost to buy a handpan? ”, we can assure you that there are good handpans starting at €1,500 and can cost up to €3,000.
