It's time for you to buy your first handpan. But before you rush it, would you like to know how much it really costs? That's a good thing!
On the internet, prices go in all directions (as does quality). That's why we wrote this article for you, to help you buy the instrument with the best value for your money. Let's take a look at it....
What is the price of a handpan?
Specifically, the price of a Handpan is usually between 800 and 3500€. This price changes every year depending on how much supply and demand there is in the market.
But why is there such a big difference in price?
It's because of many factors such as the quality, the manufacturing method, the materials used and the rarity of the particular instrument. If you are a beginner and don't want to spend a lot of money because you are afraid that you don't know how long you will play on it, then 9-note handpans are ideal. They cost relatively little and allow you to learn to play your first notes quickly and without difficulty.
However, if you choose a handpan with more notes (10 or even 17!), the price may increase. We recommend this type of handpan for advanced musicians or experts.
The price of a used handpan
Of course, you can get a musical instrument much cheaper (up to 400€) if you buy it used on Ebay or Markt.de. Unfortunately, as you surely know, we have to be twice as careful when we don't buy new. This is because the instrument you buy might actually be a badly tuned wreck. So be vigilant.
Why are handpans so expensive?
First of all, handpans are tuned by hand (with a hammer) and take several weeks to make. Because they are carefully handmade, handpans are expensive musical instruments. The price of a high-quality handpan ranges from 800 to 3,000 euros and tends to retain its value.
Here are some reasons that explain the price:
1) Handpan manufacturing is time-consuming.
Depending on the manufacturer (or handpan maker) of handpans, it can take up to 2 or 3 months to build a handpan from start to finish. In fact, making a Handpan involves many steps: Forming the shells, shipping to an industrial third party for nitriding, pressing the notes, rough tuning the instrument, applying various heat treatments, gluing the shells, polishing, fine tuning the handpan, once, twice, three times ... until it is hardened and ready for sale.
2) The theory of supply and demand.
Second, the demand for Handpans is always greater than the supply. If you remember your economics class, supply and demand regulate prices. If you could buy a handpan at any music store, the price of a handpan would probably be pretty low. However, since there are only a handful of people who make good handpans, and many people want to buy a handpan, the price of a handpan would be quite high.
3) The other cost of the handpan ...
It is also important to note that there may be other costs involved in buying a Handpan. To ensure that your instrument arrives safely to you, shipping costs will be added to the price of your Handpan. Depending on the manufacturer's location, sales taxes may also apply. Finally, if you buy a handpan overseas, you may have to pay customs duties at the border. Yes, a good handpan costs a lot of money, but as the saying goes, "when you love, you don't count". Don't you? 😄
But what is a good handpan now?
Unfortunately, it is not easy to test the quality of the instrument you buy online. So the best advice we can give you is to look closely at reviews, visit Facebook groups and rely on the authority of the website where you buy.
Be sure to read : What is the origin of handpan?
1) The best choice for beginners
If you are a beginner, our advice is to choose an instrument with few notes (only 8, 9, 10 notes). Rest assured, this does not mean that you will quickly feel limited in your learning. The handpan is an intuitive instrument that can be played improvisationally. Each note can be played in different ways, giving you a very wide range of sound colors. This way you can awaken the percussionist in you.
Also check out our collection of handpans with 9 notes. Here you will find instruments with the best value for money for beginners.
2) The best choice for advanced/expert players.
If you are not playing handpan for the first time, then we recommend you to choose a more complete instrument (10 to 17 notes). We offer them at reasonable prices, but you can certainly contact a craftsman and tell him what you want, what scale you want and how often it should be played. This way you will be able to enjoy a custom handpan that will meet all your needs. Of course, with this comes the price.... Expect to pay at least 1500€ for a handmade handpan of the highest quality.
Where can I buy a handpan?
This is a good question. Nowadays there are numerous dealers and manufacturers of these majestic musical saucers. Since the official production of PANart was discontinued, manufacturers have multiplied over the years.
Here are the places where you can buy them:
Directly on ZenaPan. And yes, we couldn't pass it by 😉. We work with many artisans from around the world who make unique, high quality pieces at attractive prices. In this way, we give people work they deserve while offering quality instruments at affordable prices. We make sure your package is delivered on time.
On Facebook groups. You see, there are many musicians who resell their instruments for a knockdown price. You can find great handpans in a decent condition and at very low prices.
Thanks to Mr. David Charrier's non-exhaustive list of manufacturers. This is a great way for you to find a trusted manufacturer at the prices you want. Don't hesitate to take the time to talk to them about your needs. They will help you with a lot of important points before you buy your next instrument.
In conclusion
Ordering a handpan can quickly become a headache in this mass of manufacturers and vendors. They exist for every taste, every color, but also for every price. To make your life easier, you can email us directly for free help. Alternatively, you can join our Facebook groups to get in touch with musicians who can give you pertinent advice 😀.