Very Cool Drums to Give or Get!

This is one of those posts that is for the person for whom money is no object if it's just the right thing.

And for the rest of you, I usually provide some kind of alternative to the expensive version. It also just makes for interesting reading and keeps things that are new and unusual on the forefront.

There are some very cool new-sih or lesser known drums out there. Someone was telling me today about getting a Hang Drum for himself. " They look like space ships" he said - and depending where you hit them you get different notes. And they have more fullness in sound over steel drums that are concave. Give a listen here:



They do cost a pretty penny - having a hard time finding any by Google. I see some on Ebay, and here they are on AMAZON for $1600, including a carrying case with back pack straps…  claiming to save you $500.  Yet I am seeing them for several thousand….

And if you read this article it tells you this:
 there is currently only one official route to buying a Hang drum directly from those who make them (PANArt). And that is to write a hand-written letter (request/application) to the following address.

The Address:

PANArt Hangbau AG
Engehaldenstr. 131
3012 Bern/Switzerland

As far as is known, there is no magic formula* as to what to write to guarantee the successful acquisition of a Hang drum from PANArt. With general advice being to ‘write from the heart’, cross your fingers, hope, and wait.

*Though bearing in mind the dislike that PANArt feel for the attached ‘drum’ moniker, refraining from referring to the Hang as a ‘Hang drum’ in your letter is certainly advised.

It has been stated that PANArt do not operate a waiting list in the standard sense, but instead offer their creations as, and when available, to those with which they feel a certain 'resonance'. 

Each 'sculpture' is hand-crafted, and at the time of writing (2012) Hang drum bought directly from PANArt cost around: 2000€ ($2600).


[Update] October 2013, PANArt announced that they will no longer be making ANY Hang.  They will however now be offering their new (and relatively speaking, similar) instrument for sale, named the 'Gubal'.  Watch videos of the new PANArt Gubal: HERE
Alternative routes to buying a Hang drum - eBay:

Most who have not obtained their Hang drum directly from PANArt, have secured them via this next route. ebay.

At the time of writing, roughly 1-2 Hang appear for sale on ebay each month (globally). However, compared to the price that PANArt charge for Hang direct, due to their rarity, and demand, Hang sold on ebay are considerably more expensive (you can usually find any Hang currently for sale on ebay listed: HERE).

At the time of writing the average Hang sold on ebay.com sells for around $7000-$8000.



Another kind are Hapi Drums, which has a wide selection made of different materials and run as low as $199-399 ON SALE THROUGH NOVEMBER. Click to see all they offer.



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