frequently asked Questions
FAQ
There are no stupid questions… 😉
We can say that we are one of the few Handpan manufacturers who produce two models that differ fundamentally in terms of sound and structure.
On the one hand, there is the Caisa, which is our origin and our namesake, and on the other hand, the YubiPan, which became popular a little later.
The Caisa
Consists of a three-part construction, two of which are welded and one of which is detachably screwed.
It is built “open” and is not provided with a central opening, but an “all-around” opening.
The sound is more “open” as a result. If you like a lot of highs, you’ll love the Caisa (and as we’ve found, many singing bowl fans).
Diameter: 58cm
Height: about 19cm
Weight: 4.8 kg
Price stainless steel: 1550€ (incl. backpack, price differs if you´re not in European-Union)
The YubiPan
The YubiPan can be seen as an almost closed system. The only opening is on the underside, the sound funnels like a speaker box and is used to retune the instruments. If you like deep and voluminous tones, you’ll love the YubiPan.
What is striking is the small size despite the large tonal range, which is made possible by the manual incorporation of the tonal fields.
Diameter: 53cm
Height: about 23-25cm
Weight: 3.5 kg
Price nitrided: 1450€ (incl. backpack, price differs if you´re not in European-Union)
Price stainless steel: 1650€ (incl. backpack bag, price differs if you´re not in European-Union)
The Fair Play
The Fair Play is basically a YubiPan, only a lot of time was saved to be able to offer this price segment.
Essentially, less work is done on the optics and only “easy” tunings are built (e.g. no very deep tunings).
However, the overall quality is still high, because not so much is saved when tuning (otherwise it doesn’t make sense, we think).
Essentially, it has the same dimensions as the YubiPan
Price nitrided: 1000€ (incl. backpack, price differs if you´re not in European-Union)
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Yes, and see how we make these wonderful instruments. Otherwise we can get in contact with Video / or Stream!
You can come and visit us during our opening hours.
If you want with or without an appointment (for the weekend please with appointment)
Opening hours:
Monday till Friday:
10am – 18pmÂ
Samstags & Sonntags
by appointment
Contact:
Phone: +49231 864 11 846 (or type 004923186411846)
Mobil: +49176 4212 4592
Mail: [email protected]
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We are trying to stock up on our on-site instruments, what means if a handpan is already made there are no waiting times. Usually we will start after your order and build your instrument after a short waiting time (most between 2 and 4 weeks).
For a new production we need about 2-3 weeks, so the delivery time is about 2 and 6 weeks.
Still! We build everything that is possible, you can tell us the tones or even send a video – we’ll find out the tones and hammering a handpan for you according to your wishes.
No! A handpan is definitely one of the easiest instruments to learn! Essentially, playing the handpan shows itself through simple, self-practiced playing patterns, but above all through the free, intuitive “gut feeling” game. Lessons or workshops are not necessary to learn the instrument, but if you want there are plenty of books and videos to learn. As you know it from other instruments, you don’t need years of schooling. There’s always room for improvement, of course, but that takes away from that casual, nice, just-playing-like-feeling.
We can say that about 70% of the people who get the instrument have not played any other instrument before. It is quite normal that you approach this instrument as a beginner, you don’t need a music school or music knowledge, you don’t have to be able to read music, etc. The only thing that needs some practice is the attack, i.e. how to make the sound surface vibrate. It’s actually just a tap of a finger. Some can do it immediately, some need a few minutes, some a few days – completely different and individual. But we haven’t come across a case where it hasn’t worked even after a long time – but there would still be a solution for that. 😉
No, by no means by itself, such as with stringed instruments. When, or if at all, our instruments go out of tune depends on the way they are used. (Of course, if a brick falls on the handpan, then something could be out of tune – it just doesn’t happen that often. 😉 It could happen if you are an aggressive player that the handpan will become out of tune over time. This is the case with all handpans, just with different strengths. Of course, inferior handpans usually get out of tune faster than high-quality ones. With certain tricks we are able to check and adjust the tonal stability while tuning – we don’t have much to re-tune. 🙂
A case for us, of course. This can happen to anyone! As long as the instrument doesn’t fall off the Eiffel Tower, you should be able to straighten it again – at least as far as the sound is concerned. Optical damage is mostly preserved – but then the handpan has an additional story if the curious ask.
Our stainless steel models do not rust naturally, as this is a special steel alloy used in medical technology. The nitrided Handpans are using a patented process, which almost completely protects the Handpan from rust. Hand sweat and grease, on the other hand, can still cause rust to develop, which is why care with oil or wax is recommended. But rust is not a huge problem, just wipe it out and leave a little oil on it. 🙂
We are so happy that it is so easy with the stainless steel models: you need water, a microfibre cloth and a cloth to dry – done! That’s enough to remove or avoid stains and that’s all there is to care. The nitrated handpans like some oil, so you can use almost any oil that also cares for the skin.
An oil specially developed for the Handpan existing, but you can safe some money to using “just oils” like “Ballistol”, silicone oil, “WD-40” or wax like “renaissance wax” (which we use).
Some find it easier, others more difficult – we can help! You can listen to our sound samples or some from Youtube – we can build all tunings they are possible, not just our chosen ones. Tastes are different. But feel free to ask us, you can tell what do you imagine and we can find together your tuning.
After receiving your Handpan, you have 14 days to decide. So you can try it out in peace and give it your time.
Fortunately, it rarely happens that something doesn’t work out or you just had a bad day during construction – we’re only humans, too. 😉 If at all, optical defects can occur, which are then discounted, if a sound doesn’t fit, it is converted into an entrance sign – you have less fun with bad sounds and we don’t want to do that to anyone. We try our best to shape the best sound quality, waving through worse doesn’t feel good.. We may create a “treasure trove” on our website that lists such offers – otherwise just ask us.
That depends entirely on which manufacturer it is or how much effort the builder has put in and what tuning technique he masters. With some or unknown manufacturers (no brand or there is nothing on the Handpan) you can only tell when we have the Handpan in our hands or put on the hammer. There are also specimens that are simply not made for retuning. In order to be able to tune them properly, you would have to take the Handpan apart again, process it and tune it, glue it back together and tune it again – a huge effort. Most of the time it works and if the Handpan is of reasonable quality, we’re happy to do it.
