Availability

Do you have handpans for sale right now? +

Yes. Visit our “Shop” page. Anything that is not listed as “Sold Out” is immediately available for purchase & shipping to you. We also take custom orders by request. If an item is sold out we recommend signing up to be notified of when its back in stock.

How long will it take to get my handpan? +

Immediately available handpans ship in 1-3 business days. (Business days exclude Saturday/Sunday). In the USA, usually 4-5 days for across country, and 2-3 days for closer locations. For Worldwide shipping, usually 5-10 business days for the package to get to customs. How long it takes your customs office to contact you for your international shipment, we cannot predict.

Why is everything sold out? +

Every month we are only able to build a limited number of handpans. We are still very busy building custom or pre-ordered handpans. We do our best to make instruments immediately available, as well as build custom orders. It is best to check back often for updates on instrument availability and shipping times, as well as sign up to our mailing list.

I want to order a handpan that is listed as “Sold Out”. What should I do? +

You should click here to contact us We can let you know when the next instrument will become available. This will ensure your waiting place so you can get the instrument of your choice as soon as possible.

When will your “Sold Out” handpans come back?

It’s best to contact us directly by email for the most up to date answer to this question.

How can I be notified of when there are new instruments in the webstore? +

We recommend checking the new shop frequently for available handpans. But if you signup up for our priority mailing list, you will automatically be notified when we have special sales or news.

I don't live in the USA. Can I still place an order? +

Generally speaking, yes. If find that you cannot place an order for a handpan or other product & would like to, please contact us. We will do our best to help you place an order if it is possible.

Pricing & Financing

Do you offer a payment plan for purchasing a handpan? +

Yes. If you qualify for paypal credit, you can checkout using that method. Find this option by adding an item to your cart, and proceeding through the checkout process. You will see a BLUE “Paypal Credit” button at checkout. Paypal will help determine your monthly payments, and if you qualify and use this method we will be able to ship your instrument when you signup.

We also offer financing from Affirm, for handpan purchases under $1999.

My credit card is not working. Can I pay another way?+

Yes. But first, if you are having a problems, a quick call to your credit card company or bank will usually resolve the processing issue. We can also send you an invoice for payment online via Paypal. You can pay by credit, debit or Paypal account.

How much do your handpan instruments cost? +

Our handpans come in a range of prices. Prices are based on things like sound/resonance, number of notes, steel kind, artwork, surface condition, and whether or not a hard or soft case is included. Contact us if you are looking for a more budget handpan and we will check our inventory & in- store models to try and find you an instrument that fits your budget. Also if you sign up to our email list you will get notified of the best deals we won't list online.

Why are your instruments more expensive than others? +

Our price guarantees a quality product. Although we could produce pieces that might look like a handpan on the outside more cheaply, we continue to choose a “quality over quantity” approach to offering our products and services. Our attentiveness to detail is what makes our instruments superb, impressive and alive feeling. We believe this is part of the magic of playing our handpans. We think your experience should surpass that of one just tapping on a shaped steel vessel. Your experience with a handpan should open your heart, allow you to listen, feel, create and express what is inside. We want to bring your that experience. Our price is a reflection of our process (we form all of our own steel), our material sourcing (we source and form our steel in the USA), ongoing R&D (to make our products better and better), our community involvement (we host annual handpan gatherings to introduce new players to handpans for free), our commitment to support our team (so we can best support you and your needs), and our commitment to only offer the best products and services (not all instruments make the cut). Your investment in an Isthmus helps support the art of tuning steel and keeps our presence in the instrument marketplace a reality.

SHIPPING & POLICY

What is your shipping method?+

We ship insured with FedEx or UPS, and we require a direct signature for handpan box delivery to be completed.

Can I pickup an Isthmus Instruments handpan in person?+

Yes! We love meeting our customers and getting to know them is one of our main goals. A pickup for your instrument is always possible, and can be made by scheduling an appointment with us.

Can I choose to expedite shipping?+

Yes, in the USA only. In most cases we can expedite shipping for you. Normally overnight is around $400 or more extra, while depending on the day and service selected 2-day prices can be $170-$300 USD.

Do you ship your handpans worldwide?+

Yes, we ship our instruments worldwide. If you live outside the USA, special shipping rates may apply to your order. Make sure to select Worldwide shipping at checkout. We will contact you directly when your order is recieved. If you are unable to place your order using our store, you must contact us to place an order.

Who pays for duties/taxes/customs?+

International duties,taxes and tariffs are the customers responsibility to pay.

I live outside the USA. How much will it cost to import my handpan?+

All duties, taxes or import fees will the customer’s responsibility to pay. Those are not included in our listed prices. You will pay those separately to receive your instrument from customs. Depending on where you live these could be several hundred to five hundred US dollars, or more. We always provide an original invoice for worldwide shipments. It’s best to check with your local customs office to understand your local rates so you know what to expect. We will do our best to help you with this, but we can only provide our best estimate.

What is your refund & return policy?+

You can find our refund & return policy here.

MAINTENANCE & TUNING

How often do your instruments need to be tuned?+

Over time (years), the instrument may slowly begin to drift out of “perfect” tuning. This is normal and can be fixed. A casual or hobby player may not need a retuning service for a few years while a professional musician may need more frequent service.

How do you guarantee the tuning of your instruments?+

If in the first year something happens to the tuning of your instrument in an unprecedented way, we will repair/ retune the instrument absolutely free of charge. (Any instrument that has been damaged will require a different evaluation). After the 1st year there may be a small fee. We work hard to guarantee that the instruments we build are of the most stable quality. Additionally, Isthmus is involved in ongoing material studies.

What are the best practices I can use to make sure my handpan stays in tune and in perfect condition for a long time?+

Play each note with a light touch and quick-off with either the fingertips or the flat area under your last (distal) knuckle. Avoid heavy- handed strikes with hands, mallets, or other percussion accessories. Always keep your handpan in a cool and shaded place, do not play your handpan under direct sunlight. Do not wear any rings when you play your handpan. Store your instrument outside of it’s protective case, or unzip the case to allow airflow to prevent moisture buildup or rust.

Can Isthmus Instruments retune my handpan from a different maker?+

It is recommended that you first contact the original maker of your handpan for a retuning service. If your maker is unable to provide you with this service, you can contact us. We will do our best to help provide you with service for your instrument.

How does the climate impact my Isthmus handpan?+

Generally speaking, humid places requires more attention for the handpan maintenance than dry climate. If you live in a humid place, we recommend applying Isthmus Handpan Oil to your instrument at least once a month or more. Read more about climate in our blog: Handpan Care Made Easy.

How often should I put oil on my handpan?+

You can’t put too Isthmus Handpan Oil on your instrument. When the oil begins to wipe off, the instrument will appear slightly lighter. Just re-apply oil as needed. Usually you can visually tell when it’s time to do an oiling. Read more in our blog Handpan Care Made Easy

What oil should I put on my handpan?+

We recommend Isthmus Handpan Oil. Our oil has been tested for hundreds of hours, is affordable, easy to use, and non-toxic. You can order oil from our online Shop.

I have Phoenix oil or another oil/paste on my handpan. Can I switch to Isthmus Handpan Oil?+

Yes. We just recommend removing old oils before using the Isthmus Handpan oil. Remove old oils using isopropyl alcohol with a clean dry rag until the oil is removed. Then apply Isthmus Handpan Oil with a clean cloth.

Do they go out of tune? And if so, how can they be tuned? The Isthmus ones won't rust, right?+

All handpans can drift out of a perfect tune over time. But we use a really stable tuning process that allows them to stay in tune for many years. We provide more information with your handpan on shipping, but we can re-tune our instruments when requested. We only recommend having the instrument tuned by a professional, as it takes quite a bit of time to develop the skill to do so. Unless you plan to make professional recordings, you won't need to worry about tuning for a number of years, or until you notice by ear something that you would like "touched up" . Much like getting a piano tuned! Our instrument are treated for rust resistance by a process called nitriding. We also put a light layer of oil on the surface for added protection. The instruments won't get rust when treated properly. We also have instructions with your instrument when shipped to help answer more question on maintenance.

GENERAL QUESTIONS (Playing, Other)

Can a beginner still make these sound lovely?+

Yes, with a light and quick touch, you will be able to produce the warm tones that you hear in our videos. We do offer free online tutorials for developing your touch, and our upcoming Handpan Method Book will show this in more detail. Beginners will be able to make these sound lovely as we use the best building practices possible.

Is there any other information you think would be helpful for a beginner to be aware of?+

Have fun exploring the instrument, don't overthink it, be gentle with yourself as you learn. Some people naturally have a light touch and can get the instrument notes to sing, while others can take around a week or so of listening and practicing for the best handpan sounds. Either is normal, and just has to do with mind/ muscle connections being built. For a list of helpful resources, check out our blog on How to play handpan for beginners.

Your instruments sound good in the recordings. What makes that so?+

Thank you! We strive to create the best sound possible, and also we record naturally without effects so you can get an actual feel of how the handpan will sound in person. We use a steel thickness, nitriding and tuning process that all together help create a nice warm and balanced tone. Our instruments have a wide range of dynamic capability, meaning you can play them soft of loud with the same rich quality of sound. We take the time to hand-hammer the steel, which increases the stability and richness of the sound. All of these things together plus years of experience help us create the best sound you hear in the videos. Read more about our commitment to Quality here.

Handpan, hang drum - What is the difference really?+

In the year 2000 the Swiss company PanArt invented the sound sculpture and gave it the name “Hang”. The name "Hang drum or hangdrum" is also often used for this original type of instrument. When other builders also started making the instrument, the group name for the type of instrument became “Handpan" or "Handpan drum".

What are your most popular scales?+

Our most popular handpan scales right now are the C Golden Gate, C#Mystic, E SaByeD and D Celtic scales. Some of the most popular handpan scales are D Minor handpans.

Do you have cases for the instruments?+

Yes. We offer both hard and soft cases as options. The Hardcases are called "Evateks" and manufactured by Hard Case Technologies in Italy. These cases are impact resistant, durable and offer great protection for your instrument during shipping or transport.Our second and favorite option are amazing soft cases that are handmade by Namana Bags in Ukraine. These “Namana bags” are extremely comfortable for long transports with a handpan on your back. The bags are easy to store, too. In our opinion, they are the right choice for careful owners that like to be mobile with their handpan. You can read more about our case options in our blog “Hardcase vs. Soft case”.

How big is an Isthmus handpan?+

We currently offer two sizes of handpans. Our standard size has an outside diameter of 22 inch, with height of 11 inches. This diameter is our standard size, and allows for many scale options to be built. Our smaller size has an outside diameter of nearly 21” and the height is closer to 9“. This may not sound like a large difference, but when setting on your lap, the difference is drastic and readily apparent! Our customers have been asking for smaller handpans for several years, and we are pleased to offer our most popular scale on our smaller size handpas. Our smaller diameter handpans (mostly found in stainless steel) are an ideal choice for beginner players, players looking for a more portable size, players looking for a handpan that is easier to play, or players that are smaller in height or have a smaller lap to comfortably fit the standard sizes of many other handpans.

What is the diameter of your smaller beginner handpan & is it right for me?+

Our smaller size handpan is 21” total in diameter and under 9 inches in overall height. The height of the smaller size makes seeing and moving around all the notes on the handpan more comfortable. If you are 5' 4" or shorter, or have limited mobility and want to play the handpan in your lap, consider the smaller size or get a handpan stand or both to make playing comfortable. If you are a beginner or have any of the considerations above, the beginner handpan is a great choice for getting started. If you have a musical background and want the best instrument with the most resonance, we recommend any of our standard size handpans for a top quality experience.

Can I take my handpan on a plane?

The safest way for domestic travel is to not check the handpan. You have a couple options: Try and carry it on, ship it as luggage (in a box), or ship it ahead of time to your destination(in a box)

If you insist on carry on when you check in, (tell them it is a valuable musical instrument that you cannot check), you can often ask for a space in the cabin closet when you board the airplane with the handpan case. Ask at the gate ahead of time and try to avoid checking it at the gate (which isn't really safe). If you have to gate check, try and talk to the baggage handlers and ask them to be very careful. Most domestic overheads are too small for the handpan to fit. They will fit in international or large planes, however.

There are only a few safe handpan bags to check as luggage. Learn more about that in our blog Flying with handpan?

What is the difference between your nitrided steel and stainless steel handpans?+

There are three main differences between our nitrided steel handpans versus our stainless steel handpans.

• The sound/sustain/timbre is long and bright on our stainless steel instruments. This makes them ideal for meditative playing, sound therapy, or players that prefer long sounding notes. Our nitrided steel has a beautiful and slightly more mellow timbre that could be described as more ceramic-like, than purely bright, as with the stainless.
• The size of the stainless steel instruments is slightly smaller in diameter by 1 inch and overall by several inches. This makes them fit in the lap comfortably and makes them great and portable for beginners.
• The color of stainless steel is either a metallic or straw yellow hue, where our nitrided steel are blue/purple. This is controlled by our heating process, and is what we offer for instrument color. The scale choices are more limited on the stainless instruments due to the instruments smaller size. Both instruments are rust-resistant and require little maintenance. In extreme or harsh humid or salty environments, stainless may be a better choice for some players.

Is there a certain Hertz that Isthmus handpans are tuned in to?+

We tune our instruments to 440 Hz. We can tune our handpans to 432 Hz as well for special orders.

Are your instruments heat-treated?+

Yes. We heat treat and gas nitride our instruments.(Except our stainless steel series that doesn’t require nitriding). This process allows for a greater resistance to rust, while also improving some aspects of building, sound qualities and color. Are your instruments Nitrided ? Yes. Our handpans are fully nitrided. (Except our stainless steel series that doesn’t require nitriding). This helps reduce the chance of rust and while also improving some aspects of building, sound qualities and color.

How are your instruments built?+

The raw instrument shells are formed using specially designed drawing tools. The tools were designed by Isthmus Instruments and they are used exclusively in the USA. In the Isthmus Instrument workshop, the blank shells are dimpled, hammered & tuned by hand, heated and tuned several times for the best stability and sound quality.

How long does it take you to build an instrument?+

(...Years and counting!) Generally the process can take up to a number of weeks, from raw form to finished instrument. There is always more to learn with this process in regards to metal shaping techniques, tuning, heat treatments, properties of materials, etc... Isthmus Instruments is constantly involved in R & D to improve all aspects of instrument making.

Will you build me a custom scale?+

Please contact us to discuss your custom handpan.

Why did you choose the name Isthmus Instruments for your venture?+

Madison, Wisconsin where I live and work, is located on an isthmus. To me, conceiving of the Isthmus as a "land bridge" underplays the importance of water to the city and its people. Madison is more like a bridge connecting two incredible bodies of water; it is a special location. Like Madison and its lakes, my instruments are two bodies joined together that produce a sound some say evokes water itself.

Do you give lessons?+

We always give an introduction to playing the handpan to customers that come to our workshop to pickup their handpan in person. We also create free video tutorials and make them available on our youtube channel. Make sure to subscribe to receive notifications on our new videos coming out soon!

Can you help me learn handpan?+

Yes, you can subscribe to our youtube channel for free introductory videos on playing the handpan. Additionally, we recommend Peter Levitov’s Handpan 360 course and David Charrier’s Master the handpan course.

What is the “right way” to position the handpan when I am playing?+

Most handpan players find it easiest to place the lowest note in front of them, although it is recommended to try other positions as well (like positioning the highest note in front of you, for example). There is no right or wrong way to position your handpan. The more you experiment with position, the more melodic ideas you will get.

Can you play a “real song” on a handpan?+

Well, It depends on the song, and your instrument. Since handpans aren't chromatic instruments (like a piano with a progressions of half steps), there will be limit to what you can play using only one handpan. So it really depends on your instrument, and the songs you’d like to play. All handpans are built in only one specific key, mode or “scale”. (The term “scale” is a bit misleading however, because most handpans don’t physically contain every single note in the key, mode or scale they are built in, but are partial expressions of that). Fortunately, handpans are wonderfully expressive and intuitive instruments. Which makes it fun to tap into your own creative freedom when using a song for inspiration in your melody building. (If you want to get into music theory and transpose a song for your handpan(s), that may be an option!). But if you are like us, and like to make music from something that inspires you, we encourage you to go ahead and make your own renditions and have fun doing it.