What should I look for when buying a hand pan?

What should you look for when choosing a hand pan?

Somewhere you have come across this extraordinary instrument. Perhaps on a mountain in Peru, perhaps at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, or simply on YouTube. Either way, the sounds of the handpan have enchanted you! Curious, you started looking up what it is, how it works and what it costs. Soon you discover that there is an overwhelming amount of information, that prices range from €175 to €5000, and that it is not easy to determine what to look for.

That's what this blog page is for! We are going to help you understand everything better, so you can make a good choice and avoid a wrong investment. Now this particular blog will provide some clarity, but of course we can't explain everything in 1 blog. Make sure you visit the other blog items as well!

When you're looking for a handpan, you soon find that there are many factors that influence the quality and playing experience. At Handpan Studio, we are happy to guide you through this process, so that you can confidently choose an instrument that suits you perfectly.

1. The sound is everything

The magic of a handpan is in its sound. A good instrument has a clear and beautifully resonant tone, a long sustain and a balanced harmony between notes. Avoid handpans that sound tinny or impure. At Handpan Studio, we carefully test each handpan before offering it, so you can be assured of top quality.

2. What scale and mood do you choose?

Each hand pan has its own tuning and scale. Which one suits you depends on your musical preference and playing style. Popular options for beginners are D Kurd 9, 10, 12 and 13, B Kurd 9, 11 and 12, and F# Pygmy 12. Want to know more about these scales? Read about them in the other blog posts or check out the product pages with detailed information and videos. We ourselves made an extensive video about why we think the D Kurd 13 is a perfect instrument to start with.

Of course, we encourage you to stop by the studio to experience the handpans for yourself. Listening, feeling and playing - that's ultimately the best way to choose an instrument. But we understand that this is not possible for everyone. Therefore, we do our best to provide you with as much information, images and listening material as possible, so that you can get a good impression of the different handpans.

For example, are you curious about the difference between a B Kurd and a D Kurd? Then click HERE.
Or would you like to discover what different brands and price ranges sound like? Then watch our comparison video HERE.

This way you can take a virtual tour of Handpan Studio, just from the comfort of your living room. Our advice: put on headphones! Then you can hear the nuances of sound best.

Should you still have doubts after watching our blogs and videos, an online consultation is a good option. During this consultation you will speak with Joris, who will help you with all your questions. Want to make an appointment? Then click HERE to schedule an online consultation.

💡 Did you know that you can always return within 14 days if you have ordered online? That way you can decide at home at your leisure whether the handpan really suits you.

Would you rather try it yourself first? You can! Check out the locations of our workshops and teachers HERE. There you can test various hand pans and get personalized advice.

We also have a wonderful annex in Gendt at David's. Want to know more? Read the blog about David and his location HERE.
Or visit Brigitte in Nuth, one of Handpan Studio's great representatives. More info on her location can be found HERE.

3. Material and workmanship: why Ember Steel?

We work primarily with Ember Steel-andfor good reason. Experience and market research show that almost everyone finds this material to be the most pleasant. It offers a warm, rich sound with a nice sustain, ideal for players of any level. We love it ourselves and play on nothing else.

Perhaps you've heard that a longer sustain can be distracting in fast-paced play? We disagree... When a handpan is properly tuned, the sound remains clear and balanced, even with fast rhythms. Of course, tastes differ, which is why we always have a small select nitrated handpans in stock so you too can experience the difference.

4. Price and reliability: cheap is often expensive

A handpan is an investment. Cheap options can be found, but beware: not every instrument is a wise choice.

On platforms such as Temu, you can find handpans for €75 to €200, and on Amazon there are specimens for sale for around €600. The problem? These instruments almost always have one or more false notes and cannot be retuned. That means that if a handpan detunes (and it will sooner or later), there is nothing you can do about it. Extra awkward, of course, when the handpan already comes in false.

So how is that possible you ask yourself? Making a handpan is a special craft that involves many hours, days, years, blood, sweat and tears! That means many handpans fail before they finally succeed! These instruments often come from large production workshops in China. In itself, that's not necessarily a bad thing-there are very skilled Chinese builders. But the cheapest handpans are usually made by novice builders, who do not yet have the experience and skills to produce high-quality instruments.

At Handpan Studio, we ourselves work closely with a select number of Chinese workshops. In recent years, we have done extensive research on the instruments from these workshops: we have tested numerous samples and looked to see if they could be retuned. After two years of searching and testing, we personally visited the builders and workshops in 2024. This not only gave us insight into the working conditions, but also enabled us to implement stricter quality controls.

Based on these experiences, we have made a selection that we really stand behind: the Amaya line. These are high-quality hand pans from China that we are proud to sell, with a guarantee of quality and the possibility of re-tuning.

Basically, we only sell instruments from our own brands: Amaya Instruments and Mokum Instruments. The only exception is Sunpan, a special brand that is not made by us, but which we select and offer with care.

5. Why buy from a handpan specialist like Handpan Studio?

More and more mainstream music stores are selling handpans, but often these are instruments from less reputable brands. In addition, these stores usually cannot tune or service handpans. This means you buy an instrument without aftercare options.

At a specialty store like Handpan Studio, you are assured of:

✅ Expert advice
✅ High-quality instruments
✅ Reliable service for maintenance and retuning

6. Warranty and service: aftercare makes the difference

A handpan is a valuable purchase, and good service is essential. At Handpan Studio, you get warranty on all our handpans and we will help you with maintenance and any retuning. We also organize workshops and lessons so you can get the most out of your instrument.

Have you purchased a hand pan and need it retuned? No worries, we always offer a loaner instrument, so you can continue to play as usual while it is being retuned.

Want to upgrade or trade in your handpan? Shortly after purchase, this can be done free of charge. Has a longer period passed? Then a trade-in is possible.

7. Grow further in your game

Your handpan adventure doesn't stop with the purchase of an instrument-it's just beginning! At Handpan Studio, we are happy to help you develop further.

We have experienced teachers with different specializations: from technical and theoretical instruction to classes more in the yoga and meditation realm. Whatever your learning goals, we offer the guidance that is right for you.

Want to take your game to the next level? We organize workshops for beginners, private and duo lessons for your personal goals, and we organize master classes to really get inspired by world famous players. Whether you want to learn new techniques or develop your musicality and enhance your creativity, Handpan Studio is the place to be for your quest for inspiration. This way you keep growing and get the most out of your handpan.

Why choose Handpan Studio?

Actually for all of the above, and more! Apart from the passion and quality you can find with us, you will also find a warm community you can always turn to. Since 2020, we have helped hundreds of people find their dream instrument. Then we see these faces coming back for years with a big smile. So we see them jamming together and we are spectators of wonderful musical developments of individuals. We have a whatsapp group with 300 handpan players of all levels, all sharing a passion for this instrument. We also regularly invite guest teachers who continue to motivate students with instructional videos. Our team is here, welcoming you and guiding you into the world of handpan. And whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned player, you can always come to us with your questions and goals.

✨ Feel free to stop by for a personal introduction and experience the difference for yourself! ✨

Want to know more or make an appointment? Visit our website: www.handpanstudio.com or schedule an online orientation directly through this [link].