Till a couple of years in the past you needed to go to a producer to purchase a handpan and typically wait many months earlier than receiving your instrument. Right now the handpan market is best structured and its evolution improves the circumstances of entry to the handpan. The looks of latest manufacturers, the rising number of fashions manufactured and new distribution channels are altering the state of affairs. Going to a producer remains to be a secure guess, however pushing the door of a music store or browsing the web now makes it simple to purchase your first handpan. The issue with this new supply is that not all devices are equal and costs can fluctuate significantly relying on the model and mannequin of handpan on supply.
Right here we are going to dispel some preconceived concepts and offer you some key recommendations on easy methods to purchase a top quality handpan on the proper worth. We’ll additionally offer you some recommendations on the place to go and what to look out for to keep away from disappointment.
However earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s simply say that the value vary for a top quality 9-note handpan is round €1200 to €2500. Do not hesitate to learn our article “How to decide on a handpan” to finish your information and to place all of the belongings in your aspect to be able to purchase the handpan mannequin that may actually meet your expectations.
Purchase my handpan instantly from the producer
Contacting a handpan producer means making the selection to purchase instantly from them and having the chance to speak personally along with your handpan maker. He offers you plenty of data that you just most likely would not have entry to in a music store or on common web sites. As with a guitar or a cajon, while you wish to order a handpan instantly from the maker it will likely be vital to grasp their course of and the specifics of the handpan fashions they make.
Earlier than any go to, it’s clever to ensure that the producer recognized on the web or that we have now been suggested does a great job, that we will belief him and that the sensation is nice.
Listed here are 7 inquiries to ask your self when contacting a handpan maker
– How lengthy has this craftsman been making handpans? (It’s best to examine that he’s skilled)
– Are they severe, skilled, reassuring and fascinating?
– Is he attempting to promote me a handpan in any respect prices? (Watch out, a hearth sale isn’t a great signal, until it is a prototype or a second-hand handpan)
– What ensures does he give me (on the instrument, transport, upkeep, and particularly on the after-sales service)?
– Does he supply a enough vary of fashions and ranges for me to have a alternative?
– Is it doable to fulfill him simply and to strive handpans in his workshop?
– If I order a handpan, what’s the supply time of my handpan? (If he can have some fashions in inventory, be aware {that a} good luthier at all times has a ready interval and that this could typically be fairly lengthy)
…and another factors you’d naturally like to debate with a handpan maker which can be vital to you.
Shopping for my handpan in a music store
A musician or anybody who needs to purchase a handpan can go to a specialist store. It is sensible, there is a alternative (until they’ve bought out, so give them a name earlier than you go) and above all you may have the chance to check out and evaluate totally different handpan fashions to see which one fits you finest.
The multiplicity of handpan makers is modifying the organisation of this new market and if some producers nonetheless solely promote instantly, others are beginning to delegate the advertising of a part of their devices to professionals who’re nicely established. Probably the most structured, resembling Steel Sounds for instance, have fashioned a crew of tuners and supply devices to music retailers along with direct gross sales, thus democratising entry to those new sound sculptures.
At current, there are nonetheless few specialised retailers in France, however issues are progressing. There’s Djoliba Percussions in Toulouse, La Baguetterie or Percussions du Monde in Paris and others relying on the area. An increasing number of common retailers are additionally beginning to promote handpans, however watch out in regards to the manufacturers provided, the standard of the merchandise and the recommendation of the salespeople who do not know a lot about them but. As with all musical devices accessible in retailers, you’ll (usually) have the chance to check out handpans. Some handpan fashions can be of excellent high quality, others of common and even mediocre high quality. Belief your ear first, the instrument must be completely tuned, take a look at the general stability of the handpan and take a look at the ending touches. In any case, take your time, do not forget that on a handpan the important thing of the size is “frozen”. So the one you select should actually please you or you’ll rapidly get bored.
Get an thought of the very best quality/worth/service ratio and watch out for the entice of a budget instrument supposedly ultimate for inexperienced persons! Lastly, ensure that the store affords a certified after-sales service (what’s its hyperlink with the producer?) as a result of within the occasion of an issue your instrument should be taken care of by the latter, as retailers don’t have any chance of re-tuning your handpan themselves!
Shopping for my handpan on a specialised web site
If you order a musical instrument between 1500 and 2000 euros on the web, you need your instrument to be excellent and the standard of the skilled’s service to be excellent too. In any case, that is what I count on! Who higher than a specialist to fulfill your expectations? To purchase a handpan on the web, be pragmatic and go to a specialist vendor. Have a look at the client critiques (the actual licensed ones!) and see if the service provider responds rapidly to messages, in the event that they take excellent care of their prospects in case of an issue, if the deadlines are revered and if the merchandise are of excellent high quality.
When ordering a handpan – as we have now already defined – it’s best to take your time. Ask round, name and go to the store if vital earlier than ordering on its web site or that of one of many producers whose devices it affords. In any case, a specialised web site ought to be capable of reply all of your questions (or virtually all of them). Its job is to advise you and information you in your selections, you will need to really feel its experience and actual transparency in its discourse.
The easiest way to be safe if you wish to purchase a handpan by way of the web is to go to the service provider web site of a recognised producer (in France or in Europe) or a bodily music store! This level is central as a result of it permits you to profit from an actual after-sales service in case of drawback.
A bit tip to keep away from issues: by no means purchase a handpan from a web site that doesn’t clearly state its authorized data, together with its postal tackle and firm registration quantity. Do the train as you go alongside and you can be stunned to see the variety of opaque and even fraudulent websites providing handpans!
Purchase my handpan on a generalist web site
It’s clear that the brand new modes of consumption give pleasure of place to the large web shops. The explanations are various, typically questionable, however it’s a truth, in the present day the web majors supply handpans! Usually, the large web websites, generalists in musical devices, supply costs a little bit cheaper than these displayed in retailers. That is not often the case with handpans, not less than for the second.
On a generalist web site, depend on the fame of the model and the standard of the after-sales service provided by the model. Take a great take a look at the manufacturers provided on these websites and ask in regards to the origin of the handpans, how and the place they’re produced. Do not hesitate to ask the vendor and if she or he isn’t in a position to reply you then do not buy! Select manufacturers which can be well-known and as soon as once more select French manufacturers to have a quick and high quality after gross sales service. Shopping for a handpan from Asia (and sure, there are increasingly more of them) is taking an enormous threat in case of structural defect of the handpan or detuning, after your withdrawal interval on the web site.
And if we have been to present you a reference level regarding the worth, inform your self that any handpan exhibiting a worth under 1200 euros (for 8-9 notes) ought to strongly lead you to be cautious! So, if you wish to purchase a handpan on the web, it might be higher to decide on the web site of a specialist store that’s nicely established, reasonably than a generalist store whose degree of experience is decrease.
Shopping for my handpan on a Market
A brief parenthesis about handpans on the market on Marketplaces. Following on from what we have now simply defined above, we strongly advise towards utilizing marketplaces to purchase a handpan.
There are various experiences and testimonies of people that chunk their fingers off for having succumbed to the sirens of retailers providing handpans at knock-down costs. Contact with the vendor may be very troublesome and even non-existent, after-sales service is unattainable, and above all the standard of the product is poor, to the purpose the place some handpans can’t be repaired.
We clarify on this article, a number of different prospects to purchase or order a handpan, so no have to strive the satan with a Market!
Shopping for my handpan second hand from a personal particular person
The second-hand market is changing into increasingly more vital, particularly for individuals who wish to change their instrument and uncover new ranges. Why not purchase a second-hand handpan?
Shopping for a second-hand handpan from a personal particular person is an answer to purchase a handpan at a decrease value. Fb teams exist to attach consumers and sellers of used handpans. It really works fairly nicely for the initiated and for many who take the time to search for the right handpan. So in case you are pondering of shopping for a second handpan, use such a medium and keep away from platforms specialising in second hand merchandise resembling EBay or Le Bon Coin (to call however a couple of). You can even get a great deal from a trusted pal who’s parting with their handpan.
Keep in mind that the handpan on the market is new and has a guaranty from the producer or a music store. For a second-hand handpan, examine beforehand that the handpan is completely tuned and has no structural defects. Remember that in the event you purchase a used handpan from a personal particular person it’s at your personal threat. There isn’t any guarantee and you should have virtually no recourse within the occasion of an issue with the handpan after the sale.
After all, watch out for offers that appear too good to be true! A handpan represents a sure finances, even second hand, and a few malicious folks will at all times attempt to make the most of it at your expense.
The place to purchase Steel Sounds handpans
Shopping for a Spacedrum handpan instantly from the producer is feasible. You’ve gotten two choices:
– You’ll be able to discover our handpan fashions and order your handpan instantly from our web site by clicking on METAL SOUNDS HANDPANS.
– Or you may go to our showroom (by appointment) on the following tackle: 21B rue de la lucque 34725 Saint André de Sangonis.
As well as, a number of music retailers and/or web sites promote Spacedrum handpans. The benefit for these of you who dwell far-off from our workshop is that you would be able to check out and possibly purchase the handpan you want immediately. Our vendor companions will inform and educate you in regards to the specificities of Spacedrum handpans in addition to the ensures and repair provided by Steel Sounds. So do not hesitate to push the door of the music store close to you and ask in the event you can strive our Spacedrum handpans.
For extra data, see the record of Steel Sounds instrument sellers.
7 Note Handpan in G Minor – CLICK
8 Note Handpan in F Minor – CLICK
13 Note Handpan in D Minor Pro Series – CLICK
9 Note Handpan in D Minor Pro – CLICK
In conclusion, expertise exhibits that purchasing a handpan in a music store or on an internet site (supplied you observe the recommendation defined within the article HOW TO CHOOSE A HANDPAN) is a straightforward act with no specific threat. Some makers will let you know the alternative contemplating that the handpans they make don’t belong in these retailers. It’s value remembering that Panart®, the creator of the Hold®, distributed the Hold® (which they now name sound sculptures) in 15 international locations for five years by specialised music retailers. The Hold® was bought by competent professionals and many of the consumers have been extraordinarily glad with the service, recommendation and high quality of the devices provided by the retailers. As well as, the costs of handpans within the retailers at the moment have been a lot decrease than these charged in the present day by the handpan producers who promote their devices instantly.
So, whether or not you determine to go on to a handpan producer, to a music store or to an internet site, the vital factor is to get knowledgeable beforehand, after which check out totally different handpan fashions if doable to make the fitting alternative, the one whose vary, tone, aesthetics, playability and worth actually go well with you.
Take pleasure in your handpan!
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