Handpans are expensive. "How much does a handpan cost?" you ask? Well, the price for a quality-made handpan typically ranges from $1,200 all the way to $3,500 for some of the best. And while this is indeed a lot of money, remember other musical instruments cost just as much, if not more (like a piano or a saxophone).
But why are handpans so expensive? Let's talk about why handpans cost so much and figure out if cheaper options are worth it. Here we go!
Handpan-Making Takes Time!
According to handpan makers, building a handpan from start to finish can take up to 2 to 3 months. There are indeed many steps involved in building a handpan such as: shaping the shells, sending to an industrial third-party for nitriding, pressing the notes, rough-tuning the instrument, applying various heat treatments, gluing the shells together, polishing, fine-tuning the handpan, once, twice, three times... until it’s cured and becomes ready to sell.
Supply & Demand
Second, the demand for handpans still outweighs the supply. If you remember your ECON101 class, supply and demand regulate prices. If you could buy a handpan in any music store, well, the price of a handpan would probably be pretty low. But since there are only a handful of people making good handpans (the supply) and a lot of people want to buy a handpan (the demand), the price for a handpan is high.
The Price Is Right... Is it?
But how much should a handpan actually cost? After all, what's a reasonable price for a handpan? Well, it depends... The retail price should of course cover the cost of materials and the artisan's wage. But beyond that, the price for a handpan can becomes quite subjective. Let's say you fall in love with a particular handpan. Won't it be worth more to you than to someone else? The point is, since the handpan is an art-form, we can expect that the price of a handpan will remain somewhat irregular. How much are handpans? Right now, a quality-made handpan typically costs between $1,200 and $3,500 USD.
Shipping Fees, Customs Fees, VAT...
It's also important to note that when you're purchasing a handpan, additional costs may incur. To ensure that your instrument arrives to you safely, there will be shipping costs (box, packaging and shipping fees) added to the price of your handpan. Depending on where the maker is located geographically, there may be sales taxes too. And finally, if you're buying a handpan internationally, you may be responsible for any custom duties at the border. Yes, a good handpan costs a lot of money but isn't the saying true that "love doesn't count the cost"?
Ready, Set, Go!
I'm proud to partner with reputable handpan makers to offer you handpans for sale on this website starting at $1,199. These instruments are made by artisans who hold true to the handpan art form and who are respected within the handpan community. My goal is for you to have the best handpan buying experience as you join the handpan movement. Click here to view the scales available right now.