Best hand pan

[wilem]

I'm relatively new to hand pans and only just started looking for one to purchase but don't know which to buy.
I'm looking for a soft, melanchonic sound with a ding if possible.
The issue is that I can't afford much so just over £300 ($487) is my budget. I live in the UK so postage and the cost of duties are also an issue.
If anyone could offer advice on what brand to buy, where to buy it and perhaps what note I should select that would be really helpful.

[ericmuller]

well if your lucky you can get a handpan for around $1200 from being on a waitlist for a bali steel.
but with your price range youll have to check out some tongue drums. milltone is in your price range. Also eclipse make a tounge drum for not much over your budget with a ding My favorite tongue drum is zen tambour which is also out of your budget but 110% worth it. The creator is actually a participating member on this site, i feel thats awesome.
good luck
eric

[Wilco]

The Zen Tambour is just over your limit. It costs $500 USD plus shipping. In this forum, it's widely considered the best tongue drum out there.
The XP and Gank are also high quality tongue drums, and will run around $300. I would stay away from the Milltone, if you can.

[ericmuller]

http://exoticvessels.com/zentambour/
here is zen tambours site. everything youll need

[Spike]

Hi there,

Welcome to the forums.

Sadly, your budget is going to be the big issue for you on this one...
Make sure you listen to the difference between the HandPans and a tongue drums. They have a very different sound.

Also, there is no one right drum.

If you do decide to go with tongue drums, please take the time to listen to them all. Do not just pick the first one.
Hapi, XP, Zen Tambour, Milltone, Gank, Garrahand, butadrum, Sphaira... Just to name a few...

If you can find MP3 files, listen to them if you can. Normal videos make most drums sound very bad....

Hope this helps some?

Spike

[wilem]

Hi thanks for all the replies, I shall look into the differences in sound between all the tongue drums listed.
I have since posting researched the ZT myself and it would appear to be the best option which all replies would seem to back up.
Thanks again,
Wilem.

[Wilco]

Or if you can stand the wait, save for what you really want!

[Heavenly3lues]

Or if you can stand the wait, save for what you really want!

You gotta wait anyways, why not save for what you want!

[wilem]

Thanks for all the help.
I have considered cashing out and getting the real thing, but I just can't afford it no matter how long the wait..... I currently have about $50 so I have some way to go before being able to afford a steel tongue drum, let alone a hang.

[Marnamber]

The ones i really like are XP percussion tank drums. Fockorockstar is the user that builds em. I think they are around 250. Quite affordable and really a polished sound.