How do I acquire a Hang?
You’re probably reading this article because you would like to know how and where you can buy a Hang. Perhaps you saw a Hang player busking on the street and were fascinated by the sound of the Hang. Listening, you were moved by the desire to be able to lay your hands on such a wonderfully resounding metal instrument. Maybe you have already found that Hanghang are not available in music shops or from Internet retailers. Also you may already found that there is no website for PANArt (the Hang Makers).
Some have reacted to this situation with irritation, and are disconcerted or angered. They fear that there is no chance to find a Hang of their own and may think the Hang Makers from PANArt are elitists. But those who have had the opportunity to personally meet and get to know the Hang Makers (Sabina Schärer and Felix Rohner) know that this assumption is far from the truth.
But, why isn’t it possible to order online, from a dealer, or in a shop? In order to understand, one has to know a bit about the history of the Hang and how it has been developed and offered in the past.
In January 2000 the Hang was born from the idea to meld together the properties of the Indian Ghatam and the Trinidad Steelpan. Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer had put much time and creativity into developing, tuning, and building Steelpans with new materials and methods. The result was the use of prefabricated, deep-drawn steel sheet blanks, which were then processed using a hardening procedure in a kiln (gas-nitriding). Such hardened shells ended up also being used as raw material for the building of the Hang.
In 2001 the Hang Makers debuted their new instrument at the Frankfurt Music Fair. They also created a website where they presented and gave information about the Hang. The Hang Makers didn’t foresee so many people from all around the world being placed under the spell of the Hang. In the following years an international dealer network was developed, and the instruments were available in various regional markets worldwide. 4,300 Hanghang were sold by the end of 2005.
The winter 2005/2006 brought a change. There were only two people who faced the world-wide interest in the Hang. Only two hands able to properly wield the hammers that coax the melodious tones from each steel hemisphere, and these hands were only able to work so fast and so often. There was another pressing need to explore the sound possibilities of the Hang. The high demand and production of large numbers of instruments put them into a bit of a frantic work schedule and didn’t allow them enough free space and time to experiment and explore possibilities for the advancement of the Hang.
As in previous years the Hang Makers went into “Hangruhe”. This refers to when the Hang Makers set aside the winter season each year as a quiet regenerative time when they can research and develop their instruments. During this time they created a new generation of the Hang. They were able to create a warmer overall sound for the Hang with several changes including moving the center Ding note from F3 to D3. A new coating of brass made them less susceptible to go out of tune. These updates in quality led to a more complex production process. It was no longer possible to keep up the production numbers of the preceding years.
This put the Hang Makers in the uncomfortable position of having to adapt and change. They made the decision to give up the international dealer network and shut down their website. Another significant change was the Hang of the first generation had 45 standard scales that the buyer could order from, but the Hanghang of the new generation were not based on traditional scales. Each new Hang had the tones D3 (Ding), A3, D4 and A4. The remaining tones in the tone circle were chosen as the Hang was made and based on each individual instrument’s sound and resonance. These changes meant that from now on a Hang would only be available if one travelled to Bern and personally selected a Hang in the Hanghaus by the river, as the connection between the Hang and the player was now a more meaningful and personal process of choosing from Hanghang with individual sound patterns.
In the “Hangruhe” during the winter of 2006/2007 Sabina Schärer and Felix Rohner were able to develop further improvements of the Hang sound. By slightly changing the orientation of the tone fields on the top side of the Hang they obtained a clearer sound and a stronger radiation of the tones. They continued to refine the Hang toward an instrument which depends less on the virtuosity of the player and more on an intuitive play of the hands with the Hang’s now stronger overtones and tone resonances.
In February 2008 PANArt presented yet another chapter in the history of the Hang as well as the latest in their pursuit of the sonic potential of steel: The Integral Hang. Looking back over the various stages of Hang development one can see a focused direction. Compared to the large number of Sound Models of the first generation the second generation was a reduction and distillation of possibilities. The new Integral Hang of 2008 consists of a single Sound Model. With a D3 Ding the Tone Circle is A3, Bb3, C4, D4, E4, F4, and A4. Other changes consist of a very slightly oval shape to the Gu side, an indented circular division of the now lacquered Ding and a change to the overall surface treatment of the instrument.
Since the demand continues to exceed the small production, one must mail or fax a letter to PANArt directly. Their address is: PANArt Hangbau AG, Engehaldenstr. 131, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. The fax number is: +41 31 301 33 32. It is not possible to obtain a Hang via e-mail request. The old published e-mail address info@hang.ch is no longer valid and the e-mail address for repair issues published at the beginning of 2008 is really only intended for repair requests. Anyone sending to this e-mail address requesting a Hang will only receive the following automated response: “This email address is for repair only. All other requests with snail mail.” It is better to avoid this unnecessary exchange; as it does not do service to your, or the Hang Makers’ time.
Sending a letter to PANArt requires a large dose of patience because quick replies are not possible. PANArt schedules specific windows for purchase of Hanghang. After their “Hangruhe”, which this year was not in winter, but March-May, PANArt plans for visits in summer and fall of 2009. They are contacting those who can obtain their Hang a few months in advance of the windows. PANArt also sent messages to those who do not have appointments or set dates for purchase in the near future. In March, about 1,000 letters went out to those who have written PANArt, letting them know that they will not be able to receive a Hang in 2009. They also plan to send out a letter at the end of the year with information about PANArt’s plans for 2010.
Those that have a purchase agreement have the option of picking up a Hang either personally in the Hangbauhaus Bern or to have one shipped. Since the Integral Hang no longer has different Sound Models, it is no longer required (but highly advisable) that one chooses a Hang in person. Another update to the process is that an agreement is required of all the buyers. PANArt has asked that they be given pre-emptive rights to buy back Hanghang if an owner is considering selling, and that the resale price should be no higher than the acquisition price.
This agreement has been created in response to the 2007 explosion of the second hand market for Hang. There were Ebay auctions with prices between 2,500 and 6,000 Euro. This agreement allows the Hang makers to try to keep the prices from ballooning. The price of an Integral Hang has been set at 1,300 Euro (status 2009). International purchases have a slightly higher cost due to shipping costs along with possible VAT and customs expense. Included in the price is a hard, natural fiber protective case.
If you are considering to send a letter to PANArt, it is recommended to read a number of important publications by PANArt in the Hang Library.
I also strongly recommend to study the comments from number 170 on carefully.
The statements and opinions in this article are based on information found as of the below listed date of update of this article. While information presented in this article is from research through a number of sources by the author it should not be considered an official statement from or by PANArt Hangbau AG.
Because the comments to this article exceeded the number of 500 items, the vast majority of comments written in 2007 and 2008 was deleted. Only those comments remained which were considered of informational value yet. The complete list of all comments since May 19th, 2007, you can find in the comment archive of this article.
Updated: November 21st, 2009
October 4th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Hi!! i am Taku from Japan. I have a question. Probably, Germany is spoken in Switzerland. So do I have to write to them in Germany? English is not acceptable in the communication?
October 4th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Hi Taku, language isn’t a problem, you can write in German, English, French, Spanish or Italian.
October 16th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hola, estoy interesado en comprar un Hang Drum estoy actualmente en Irlanda y me gustaria comprarlo por internet, sera posible la compra?
October 17th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Hi Michael McCarthy,
it isn’t possible to buy a Hang by the internet.
No es posible comprar una Hang por el Internet.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Great article, and thanks for providing all the information that anyone needs to find and buy a Hang drum. Its the lack of instant gratification that makes people mad.
As the makers say,
The HANG is a new musical instrument. Individuals around the world
appreciate it. There are two hangmakers worldwide. It is impossible to satisfy the growing demand. Further collaboration between art and science is needed to make it possible that other hangmakers may exist in the future.
And the art of tuning this drum seems totally unique, and not something to be learnt in one day. This is what takes so long to do.
Yours, Sonia
November 18th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I just came across a video on youtube by chance? maybe not… My fiance is from Trinidad and I love the steel drum just as a side note, none the less, I heard this drum and had to aquire one.
Ive oddly enough been to Bern, Switzerland…through the big clock arch on those long narrowed streets leading down to the bear pit. Yea, I spent good time in Bern. What is HILARIOUS is that if I wish to acquire a drum I must write a letter and then see if Im invited to FLY TO SWITZERLAND and pick out a drum.
IM a hardcore musicisn one might say, make a living doing it, run a studio and have been involved in music in many facets… so what Im leading to is that I understand the commitment to making drums right and so forth let alone the notion that there are only two people that can make these drums apparantly.
Going to investigate after reading this intro paragraph above… seeing a drum go for nearly 9000.00 is sickening. Im trying to crack a joke here but
if I went out and bought a Weber grill and got wacking away with a hammer, I may get my HANG drum rocks off and call it a day for much cheaper.
A 9000.00 drum people, notes to be allowed to come to Bern and all the cost involved or face the open market. YOU PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THE PRICES UP TO LEVELS OF INSANITY. I really dont care if im the millionth complaint.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING, and coming across this whole Hang drum situation, you guys arent GODS, so come down off your drum making cloud and figure out a way to supply the WORLD with these melodies that to begin with dont belong to you. Teach the talent, find the talent…whatever… if the two drum makers croak tomorrow where does that leave the HANG…
Hanging any more off a precarious public opinion ledge..hmmm…
As far as Im concerned.. For 9000.00 US I could go hire a steel drum band for weeks on end..
November 18th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Hi PFFFFFFFFF,
I’m not shure wether you realized, that you don’t talk to the hangmakers when you are writing a comment in this weblog. “YOU PEOPLE” and “you guys” don’t hear you even if you are bawling in capitals. I personally can’t help you. I’m only a hangplayer and run this weblog to share information and experiences. I can’t tune hanghang.
I think it would be better to research more information before talking big. It is arrogant to challenge the hangmakers in the way you did. Do you know, what they have done in the past to find and teach talents? Do you know what is neccessary to be able to build hanghang? Why do you think, that the hangmakers regard themselfs as gods? Have you ever met them to be able to make such a statement?
And who cares, if two or three millionaires buy a Hang for 8000 or 9000 Dollars in an ebay auction, when 400-500 new ones are built in a year? It’s easier to acquire a new Hang than to buy an overpriced one in ebay.
I understand your frustration. It isn’t easy for Americans to obtain a Hang. But this doesn’t excuse such a comment.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I been in music industry for long now, I started in India learning tabla from my Guru when I mate him first time, I offer tuition fees he looked at me and said son Music is one of the most precious gift god has given us which is far more valuable then Money and materialism and musician has very little to do with it, and then after I never dare to ask or to say anything about fees.
Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer have made most amazing instrument, now it is time to be more practical like any other invention and great instruments makers and with humble love, share it more, teach other how to make it, have more staff, there are plenty investor I am sure, after seeing this demand specially!
I wish you best and thank you Hang maker for giving us great gift.
I have one hang and i like all 30 of them if i could.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Hi Sandeep,
if you are interested in making hanghang, write to the hangmakers and tell them. If you personally don’t want, perhaps you know someone who does. So tell them to contact PANArt. When you don’t know anyone who is interested, your suggestion to teach others doesn’t make sense. The hangmakers never refused to share their experience.
November 19th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Hello!!!i am impressed very much with this hang..How can i buy it if i live in Germany, please tell the better way how to do it!! may be e-bay? I ll be waiting for your answer!!!thanks a lot!!!!!
November 19th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Hi Julia,
there is a German version of “How do I akquire a Hang?” too: “Wie erwerbe ich ein Hang?”. Living in Germany is a good starting position to obtain a Hang, because it isn’t so far to travel to Berne as from other countries. There is no better way than it is described in the articles: Write a letter, be patient, get an invitation and travel to Berne.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Thanks for such a great article. It was really facinateing and beautiful how the makers of the hang work. Although i am not interested in puchaseing one at this time, i do have a couple of questions.
Do you have to have a background/skill in music in order to play a hang?
Do you have to have a background/skill in music in order to be granted a hang?
Thanks for yout time!
November 20th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Hi David,
no, you don’t have to have any skills to begin with the Hang or to obtain a Hang. PANArt’s customers are professional musicans as well as people who never played an musical instrument before.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Patience children. If it’s worth having, it’s worth waiting for.
Good work on the blog by the way.
Eric
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Does the hang go out of tune?, if so what happens then.
November 22nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Hi feck,
a Hang can go out of tune if it is treated too rough or fallen down or something like this. You can bring or send it to PANArt and they are able to tune it.
Notice: Never take apart the two hemispheres of the Hang for tuning purposes! This would destroy the instrument irreversible.
A Hang can be tuned through the Gu opening using a little hammer in the same way as the final tuning is done at the end of the Hang building process. I watched Sabina retuning a Hang: It was done in a few minutes. If you have a tuning problem with your Hang, send a fax to PANArt. You will get an answer shortly.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:04 am
This instrument sure does sound beautiful. I’m only an amateur, not a “real” musician, and I doubt I would ever be invited to one of these exclusive sales events, and I wouldn’t be able to afford to go anyway, so it’s not even worth sending a letter. And that’s ok. I just hope some of the “real” musicians who are lucky enough to have one will be willing to allow their music CDs to be mass-produced so I can at least enjoy the sound in some way :)
But I’d like to take a moment defend the people who are upset at the hangmakers. Granted, I don’t know the hangmakers, so I cannot be certain of their intent, but certainly their choices and actions seem to suggest certain opinions that are unfortunate. For example, their refusal to ship the instrument elsewhere or allow themselves to be contacted via internet doesn’t help give them more time to muse and study their craft. Restricting sales does that all by itself.
And no, I don’t know whether they have tried to teach others the craft, or tried to find a way to mass-produce the instruments. What I do know is that a couple of their FANS are giving their point of view. The hangmakers aren’t willing to do that themselves (not even with a simple website or FAQ). These things just make it hard for me to come up with any mental picture of these people except for a pair of self-indulgent, arrogant “haut artistes”. That doesn’t mean they really are that way, and perhaps they aren’t. I hope I’m wrong about them, and I wish I could picture them some other way. It’s a shame they have chosen to be so secretive. I wonder what they look like. Do they wear the same kind of clothing as normal people? :)
I’m tempted to send them a letter just to ask them whether they have ever tried to find a way to mass-produce these, or whether they would be willing to show a manufacturing or engineering firm what they do and how they do it, and let the engineers try and find a way to mass-produce it. If they would be willing to demonstrate their technique, and if they haven’t tried this already, I might be able to find a company that would be interested. I live in a city that is somewhat famous for music-related business.
And by the way, I disagree that the disappointment and anger we are hearing is due to “desire for instant gratification”, and I think it’s a little insulting to imply that. Most of the complaints I’ve seen are more to the effect that obtaining one is impossible for some people even with any amount of waiting, due to the tremendous expense involved, and the numerous practical problems associated with international travel for many people (especially for those of us who live in a country run by demented, security-obsessed maniacs).
Another point I would like to make is that a desire for instant gratification would be somewhat understandable in a society like that of my country, where “free time” is a somewhat alien (maybe even “sinful”) concept, and money cannot be exchanged for time in general. Everyone can obtain money if they work hard enough and save up, but for many people here, obtaining time is an impossibility. A lot of companies here do not allow vacation under any circumstances, and expect 60 hours a week minimum for most job positions. I think you can guess where I live. My point is just that different cultures are different, and what we have here may be more of a cultural misunderstanding than anything else. So maybe everyone should just cool down and try not to insult each other over these things. If the hangmakers choose not to make many available, then that’s their choice. Those of us who are incapable of getting one should relax and find something else we can enjoy instead.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Hi there.
I just want to share my opinion.
I respect the work of the two instrument makers, they made a fantastic thing. But:
- I cant believe that other companies are unable to produce and tune hangs.
- The instruments that inspired the hang makers, were made by many people.
for example, the steelpans were made by very poor people from used oil barrels.
The hang, and the process it is sold -and the price- is directly the opposite approach – it is more like selling a ferrari, that is not mass produced, and therefore it is rare, expensive, and exclusive.
A ferrari is not purchased by taxi drivers, who drive the car professionally, and make a living of it, but purchased by rich people, who want to show their status with it. And sometimes drive very fast.
So when i first saw it I thought, that it could be a wonderful instument in talented hands, and can be listened by many people. But now i think, its a wonderful instrument, that can be played by rich people, who can afford to travel thousands of kilometres and buy one.
As i understand the creators of ferrari, I do understand the makers of HANG. But I cant accept their last scentence in their writing about the history and making of the HANG:
“Further collaboration between art and science is needed to make it possible that other hangmakers may exist in the future.”
The Ferrari is what it is – symbol of status, and wealth. When a HANG is sold for 9000 Euros on ebay, it is muc hike a symbol of wealth, than anything else. For much less you can buy a citroen DS for example. A car that is beautiful, unique, a symbol of the creativity of human mind, and a product, that never will be made any more.
I am sad about the hang. I will never have one.
Regards
Imre (Hungary)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
one more thing:
“hang” in hzngarian means: “sound”
musicl instruments are called “hangszer”
good choice for the name…
December 18th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
I think it is beautiful that in this instant world there are some things that must be earned, cultivated and appreciated. Some things still need to be made by hand, carefully selected and understood with artistry.
At the end of the day there are not many things like that left that do not have some instant version, perhaps the finest wines, hand-forged swords and Hang drums remain to remind us that good things are worth waiting for.
The prices are prohibitive for many, but that is the case with many musical instruments. I think the simple appearance creates the disappointment, it looks accessible upon first glance. Basic enough to be some sort of produced item. However many beautiful, simple, perfect things are born from the effort of generations of distillation.
Thank you for your informative page!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Michael, I am criticising that they do make these instruments not for others but for themselves. If they have a sincere desire to please their customers, they would increase their effort to make the hang more available.
Otherwise, if it was only for the perfection of the instrument, why did they first build up the distribution and after the hang gained marketshare then pulled out of everything?
December 20th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Hi Honesty,
the Hang Makers didn’t pull out of everything. In the first five years they built about 850 first generation hanghang per annum. In the last two years they built about 400 second generation hanghang per annum. And you have to bear in mind, that building and tuning of the second generation instruments is more time-consuming. A few years ago, Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer asked other steelpan tuners to join, but nobody was interested. In the past there were two atempts of persons, who began learning the tuning of the Hang, but they didn’t succeed. So you can’t blame the Hang Makers, that they didn’t try to increase the production capacity. The Hang is a new instrument. The Hang Makers not yet understand all the aspects of the acoustic of the Hang. Within the years they changed their view on the instrument and their understanding of what a Hang is. In winter 2005 they realized, that it would be impossible to meet the increasing demand. They had to decide wether they become slaves of demand or stick to their artistic work. We should consider, that the history of the Hang is very short. If we look 30 years forward in the future, there surely will be more artists building Hang like instruments. But in the moment we just experience the birth of the Hang.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Now I understand why there r more and more products “made in China” in the world… Eouropeans can’t start they own mass production and lower price.. to bad. soon we will see HangDrum made from China for 100 EUR :)
December 26th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
The lack of mass production isn’t caused by incompetence of the Europeans. The reason is, that the two Hang Makers don’t want mass production. They don’t want to become managers of a factory but stay to be artists. A second reason is, that it isn’t possible to produce the Hang sound industrial. The Sound has to be hammered into the steel by experienced tuners. Also the Trinidad steelpan can’t be produced industrial. The reason for more steelpans than Hanghang to buy is, that there are much more steelpan tuners than Hang tuners in the world.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Michael, you are a saint for the gentleness and patience you maintain on this blog -God Bless You! Firstly I’d like to say that I READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE! (it was brilliant and answered all my questions) I too at first was upset that I could not instantly place an order online and get overnight shipping and be playing the next day! boo-hoo pout-pout :( These ‘drums’ are not just intruments but really they are works of art. There are a lot of people who believe that if they like something, well, they should have it! Quickly -and of course at a reasonble price. I don’t know how you would do it, but if people could be made aware that they are seeking to own a hand made piece of art, with the soul of it’s creators within it maybe there would not be the whining and moaning (Veroca Salt-esque, ‘but Daddy, I want it NOOOWWWW’). I love Picasso’s paintings and would really really like one for my house….I’m short and cash and gas is really expensive, do you have any suggestions? lol. God Bless you again Michael I’ll be waiting for some one to offer Hang samples for my keyboard.
Love,Truth and Peace from California
December 30th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Hi Jeff,
it seems to be difficult to understand, that a Hang isn’t only two Woks with dents glued together. I think this problem results from the fact, that you can’t see, what creates the sound of the Hang. You only see the shape of the Hang. And the shape seems to be easily made. But the sound comes from the unvisible microstructure of the hammered steel sheet. Nevertheless the shape is important too. In my opinion you have to understand the Hang as a sound sculpture. Its shape dimension you can experience with your eyes and hands, but to realize the whole sound sculpture you have to experience its mircrostructure and sound dimension with fingers and ears as well.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Amazing.
I have to say, I have never seen so many people who can complain, throw stones and generally be bitter towards what they themselves are calling a “wonderful” instrument. As with most possessions, a certain demand drives people to immediately put forth an attitude of “I gotta have one”. And especially with rarer objects. But as soon as it’s not delivered conveniently into the palm of their hand, and at a cheap price, immediately accusations of “elitism” and “grandeur” are thrown at the creators. I take most hand made, precise musical intruments as works of art. I for one and extremely happy – overjoyed even that people are this dedicated to their art to restrict their craft to such levels. There are several custom guitar, bass, and drum manufacturers all over the world who hand-craft and severely limit their distribution of their crafts, so I don’t see how this is any different. If it were so easy to acquire a Rembrandt, or a Van Gogh the world would be filled with under-appreciative brats calling themselves art lovers. Instead of being grateful that someone developed a wonderful instrument, people are sad, bitter and arrogant about their desire to own one and place blame on anyone but themselves for their feelings. It seems to be true that people who genuinely love their art are willing to accept some difficulties towards obtaining a rare instrument, however for the people who don’t want to make the effort, they sulk and moan about how the creators are elitist, rather than the demanding, crybabies that certainly have been prevalent here. I have a feeling that some of these individuals themselves would like to own one because they saw a man playing it on youtube and would just use it as a piece of decoration in their apartment rather than actually play it. I agree that it is frustrating that I can’t immediately run down a local music store, or even travel 2 hours away to obtain one (I live in Canada), however I am not about to go and put the blame on the creators for my inability to own one (just yet…), when I can still dream and appreciate that such an item exists in the first place.
Thanks for running a wonderful and informative website. It’s a shame more people commenting here would rather curse the darkness than light a candle.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
What is the world coming to? “I want a hang drum now, and I want it to be cheap!” Some of the posts here are disgusting and I’m sure the hang makers are glad to not have to sell one to every whiny little prick who gets mad they aren’t being sold at Walmart. Is anyone really that upset that these guys haven’t totally sold out to some manufacturer that will start making crappy drums in Indonesia by means of child labor? Spoiled brats!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
lllooolll well said Seth. People should be glad that there are still things on this world that remain unique… but maybe its just frustration speaking…
I think all the process is just has it should be, and i’ll wait as long as I have to to get my own! and when I say my own, I really mean it, plain and simple, because it will be the one that chooses me, and it will sound different from any other Hang in the world! and for that i’ll put my self through any challenge! just like everyone should be doing instead of just comming to and complain…!
March 12th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Michael, Sabina Schärer y Felix Rohner actualmente no tiene E-mail? para hacerles consultas…
March 12th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Jorge, para el primer contacto, una dirección de correo electrónico no está disponible. Tiene que enviar una carta o un fax.
May 4th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
first of all- thank you so much for taking the time to get all of this information to us- please know that it is greatly appreciated.
I am getting in touch because I am not having any luck with the fax number you provided in the article. am I dialing wrong? or does it no longer work?
I will go ahead and send a letter to Felix and Sabina- but I would rather know that it has arrived. I have been on the hang journey for two and a half years now already and made contact with them numerous times over email- but it has not happened yet- and I am one step closer, feeling like my time has got to be soon. Any help you have about the number would be awesome. Thank you so much.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Hi Ashley,
perhaps the + in front of the number doesn’t work in your area or with your fax machine? Here you can find out which number you can dial instead of the + : http://www.countrycallingcodes.com
May 8th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
This is a piece of art.. don’t think of it as some instrument made in some Chinese sweat shop factory. A true musician will appreciate it as such and the time that goes into making such a wonderful handmade instrument. Only someone who wants one quick and cheap to impress their friends will scoff because they can’t get one at their local discount music store.
Also, a true musician will appreciate the opportunity to visit the makers, observe and be part of the process and see their instrument come to life. How amazing is that?
May 12th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Hi Hangfans everywhere,
I’d just like to share some thoughts and experiences with you.
I first met the hang in a recording studio last spring (I am a drummer and percussionist, and was booked to play on the same session) . I fell in love instantly, wrote to the Hanghaus within a few days, and received an invitation within 3 months ( but I now know that there is an element of luck in this speedy response) .
I flew to Berne in August , and spent 3 days and 2 nights with Felix and Sabina. Since returning with my much loved hang I have played daily; It is my most treasured possession, and has opened many doors for me musically.
I have just read about the new “Integral Hang” and that it may be purchased by mail…albeit after a long wait…but I actually think that anyone who does so will miss out on a fantastic experience. I am in awe of the skill required to make and tune the instrument, but more importantly, spending time with Felix and Sabina, and learning about their philosopy, is just as special as the instrument itself.
I have spent most of my adult life playing and collecting drums and percussion, and again,( not wishing to be deliberately controversial), consider the hang to be very good value, especially when you factor in the case and backpack , as well as the excellent hospitality one receives at the Hanghaus. Add the cost of a flight from just about anywhere in the world, and it is STILL a good deal for an instrument of this calibre …. have you seen the price of a decent Spanish guitar or a quality saxophone?
A cautionary tale…..I have just returned from touring around Australia. I carried the Hang as hand luggage, played it maybe 40 times, let loads of complete strangers have a go ( my only instruction, strictly no rings or watches!) …..no problem….. then last week, at a rehearsal I fumbled a quick change between Hang and Udu, and managed to bang the Hang against a stand……and have completely wrecked the tuning! I was nearly physically sick when I realized……I had no idea just how easily they can be damaged. PLEASE BE WARNED. I am now waiting to have it re-tuned.
I used a really expensive courier company to get it to Berne, and sent money via an international transfer, also expensive….and have just tonight hear that my hang is stuck in customs at the Swiss border….In retrospect, I should have jumped on a plane! It would have saved time and cost almost the same. I will now be investing in a proper flight case, and will be FAR more cautious when handling it in future….. (Has anyone seen the Burning Man video where the guy beats the crap out of his Hang, and ends up spinning it , ding side down….madness.!!!! ….) don’t think I’ll be doing that in a hurry!
So my advice; write that letter; start saving your cash; go to Switzerland; and when you finally get your Hang, be bloody careful with it!
Cheers Barry
June 5th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I saw the hang being played in Baltimore, Maryland a year ago, and was transfixed by it; I am now re-discovering the hang, and I am interested in purchasing one. I sent a letter to PANArt yesterday.I want to get one for a friend’s Bar-Mitzvah, but I doubt that it’s possible. How long is the waiting list at this point in time?
Also, what is the method of payment that people use to buy Hanghang?
June 6th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I don’t know how long the waiting list is at this point of time. There are information from several sources that this year’s production is completely spoken for. More can’t be said today. Payment methods in the past were cash when one went to Bern and bank transfer when one got the Hang shipped.
June 8th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Hi Michael, your sources are right i got my letter from Felix & Sabina, all Hangs are spoken for up until spring 2009, and then they shall be taking a break, to research the Hang further. So im hoping maybe by 2010, I should have 1, good things come to those who wait i guess lol :)
June 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hi sarangifactory,
there are more people receiving this letter in the last days. I have just updated the article above to describe the current situation.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I’m an italian doctor and I began to use music for meditation and therapy I have a cultural association in witch we use to play sitar tampura tabla guitar and I really like to have a Hang because I’ve never heard a sound like this penetrating so directly and so deeply in all the 7 energetic levels of the body
I have not understood if it is necessary to write directly to PANart or these mail is sufficent to be contacted …..
June 16th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Hi mauro,
You cannot send mails to PANArt via this website because the Hangblog is not a project of PANArt. If you want to obtain a Hang you have to write a letter to PANArt directly.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
saludos desde España.
Quiero pedirles 1 Hang, porfavor, contáctenme y hacemos los trámites.
Gracias y un saludo y mucha fuerza!!!
:=) Abraham.
July 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi Abraham,
you cannot request a Hang on the Hangblog. The Hangblog is not the website of the Hang makers. To request a Hang you have to contact the Hang makers PANArt.
Yo no hablo español.
Aquí hay un traducción automática:
Hola Abraham,
usted no puede pedir una Hang en el Hangblog. El Hangblog no es el Web site de los fabricantes de la Hang. Para pedir una Hang usted tiene que entrar en contacto con los fabricantes de la Hang PANArt.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Sorry guys but look’s like the inventors of the hang don’t want to sell more hangs (like a massive product) on my concerns I believe this is a BIG error, because looks like now the hang it’s a kind of high standard instrument just for professional musicians, I remember 2 or 3 years ago in Barcelona city you could bought a hang just for 600 euros, now yo can’t find an original hang on Barcelona… something strange and also a big error (again) because musical instruments need to be accessible to anybody.
Good luck hang (elitist) makers!!!
:-(
DROP 1410
August 5th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
It’s not everybody’s life’s dream to spend his time as president of a big Hang factory in China ;-) Is it really elitist if someone loves his small workshop? There are thousends of instrument makers in the world working in there own small workshop, and nobody call them elitist.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Listen Michael, I have 3 hangs in my house I bought them 3 or 4 years ago (more or less) the cheapest hang I bought was 500 euros, easy access in any Barcelona percussion shop… now when my friends and other professional percussionist are in my house and test the hang they loved and the first and BIG question is ” Where I get one??”… so frustrating because I know lot of professional percussionist here are interested in the hang sound for their sets… and when they look over ebay and other places people selling hangs for about 6000 euros or minimum in 3000 euros, they think “what the hell is that price????” . So now look’s like hang players are celestial people come from Mars with their unaccessible instruments… and that feeling is really bad, for music, for other serious percussionist and for education purposes.
If the hang makers are not elitist… just think about this… Why they don’t make a BIG website like a resource center about their work??? with a online shop? why they don’t make a PRE-ORDER form on a website and take orders around the world???
So the way to bought a hang is, flow to Swiss, goes to the pranart studio, and wait for your hang (if they want to sell you one) and also maybe for a starting price of 2000 euros more or less???
So when people think that they are the BOSS of music or the BOSS over some special instrument they are lost!!!, see what happened with the tabla drums… 5 years ago was impossible to buy a tabla drum here in barcelona… now you can find a tabla drum in the supermarket if you want, and tabla drums in some features is more complicated to play than hang, so if the tabla makers can sell they instruments by orders and without (celestial) issues, my question is why PRANART don’t do the same??
One last input… one of my three hangs was bought in a popular percussion shop here in barcelona for about 600 euros, and I remember to see about 8 hangs inside this shop… again!!! why now is not accessible to anybody???… MONEY RULES MAN…. MONEY RULES!!!
;-)
DROP 1410
August 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Hi DROP,
I recommend to read the whole article above. There you can read that the price of a new Hang isn’t 6000 or 3000 or 2000 Euro but 1200 Euro. Ebay is the worst and most expensive place to buy a Hang. Even in 2005 it wasn’t easy to purchase a Hang. When I ordered my Hang in summer 2005 from the former German Hang dealer, it took half a year until I got it. When you saw eight Hanghang in the music shop in Barcelona you was very lucky even at that time.
Since 2005 the demand increased. And this is one of the reasons PANArt decided not to have a BIG website with a pre-order form. If they had one, they would receive so much orders that the custumers would have to wait for years.
If you had read the article you also knew that you don’t have to travel to Switzerland do obtain a Hang. You can write a letter and they will ship the Hang.
The reason why it is difficult to purchase a Hang is that two persons cannot satisfy a worldwide demand. The popularity of the Hang increased faster than the number of Hang makers.
An US Steelpan manufacturer, Pantheon Steel has anounced to make an own version of a similar instrument called Halo. They thought they could start the production in spring 2008. Now they have anounced that they hope to start in spring 2009. And their waiting list is so long that their prospective customers will have to wait more than a year after production will have begun. You see: A Hang cannot be mass produced. Consider how old the tabla is and how many tabla makers exist in the world. In 50 years there will be more Hang makers and it will be easier to acquire one.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Hi Michael
I understood all what you are saying, also I read it the article, but my suggestion for the PANART hang makers would be that they need to stay tuned about what the musicians need and plus the information of how you can build or make a hang drum, would be great if they also made courses around the world helping people to build their hangs, like a tabla makers teach hi’s son or a best friend how to make a good tabla drum.
If Pranart don’t open de door about how they made the hang or search another way to build more hangs like teaching other people, in the future other musicians will just can buy other imitations made by other people like this:
http://caisadrum.de/
Thta’s the truth or PANART expand the hang culture to other artisans and musicians or the only hang you will find quickly would be like the hangs on the links… is that good? I don’t think so…
Thanks for all your information on this blog.
Regards
DROP 1410
August 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I think it is not so easy to build and tune a Hang as to build a tabla. The example of Pantheon Steel shows this very well. They worked for a year to create their Halo and have just anounced that they will need another year. It is said that a steel pan tuner needs 5 to 10 years to develop his skills. The Hang makers needed 8 years to reach their current level of Hang tuning (and tuned steelpans for many years before). It is impossible that musicians learn in a course how to make and tune their own Hang. Felix Rohner lead courses for people and school classes in former times to build their own steel pans. But the tuning of these steel pans remained the job of the PANArt tuners. The tuning process of the Hang became more complex in comparison to the steel pan. I think the growth of the Hang can be only a slow process. If there is someone who is seriously interested to dedicate much of his time in learning to build and tune the Hang, he should contact PANArt looking wether a cooperation is possible. But complaining that the Hang makers should do this or that doesn’t make sense. It is not their duty to satisfy our whishes.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Hello Michael,
first of all thank you for keeping this blog alive, and for the huge amount of information and good energy that there’s in it.
I would love to buy a hang (possibly a first generation one, since i understand that would be less expensive) and read about sending a letter to Sabina and Felix… but i just can’t find the address to do that…
I would appreciatte very very much any help on this topic…
Best regards from sunny Barcelona,
Peace.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hi Rayén,
the address you are looking for is in the article. PANArt doesn’t build first generation Hanghang any longer since 2006. Therefor you can buy only used first generation instruments. And by now it is very seldom that someone sell his first generation Hang for less than the price of a new one. The most want the double or threefold price of a new one.
I think there are only two ways to get a Hang for a reasonable price: Either you are patient and wait for a new one (that likely will last until 2010) or you are very lucky and meet someone who want to sell his Hang for a reasonable price.
September 16th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Hi Michael
I have a questions for you… do you how it’s going the schedule on the hanghaus? I sent my letter to panart on August 14 (2008) a month an two days ago (letter sent by fax)… do you know more or less when Panart will answer my letter? about 3 or 6 months?. If you can guide me a little bit about this I will really appreciate it, also because I don’t know if Felix and Sabina are now making hangs or a new hang for 2009? or also if they are on vacations?
Do you know also if they are planing a new hang model for 2009? by the way sorry for these questions I don’t want to boring you, just want to know how long could take the waiting process until the first PANART letter (they will answer all petitions right?).
Thanks a lot Michael and congratulations for the all information placed on this website, is really helpful.
;-)
Massimiliano Liberatore
September 16th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Hi Massimiliano Liberatore,
I’m not involved in the plans of the Hang makers. So I have no secret insider information to share with you. The Hang makers will be building the Integral hang until May or June 2009. All these instruments are already spoken for. After this time they will make the longer break they have announced. In my point of view they have not decided yet how they will manage all the letters arriving currently, but Felix told me some time ago that all writers of letters will get an answer. I think you shouldn’t wait for a certain time. Lean back and relax. There is nothing you can do in the moment. When the time is come when the Hang makers send out information you will get an answer.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Yo Michael, how’s it Hanging? : )
Just spent another couple of hours trawling through links & blogs on the Hang Drum. I guess you have seen it & heard it all! Just writing to thank you for all the care, patience & time that you have put in to replying to all these questions! When I see a ”How can I buy a Hang Drum?” question on the web these days I pretty much just laugh! I have written, faxed & emailed Felix & Sabine about a month ago & will just wait. They have put some beautiful instruments into the world & that alone is a very cool thing. My friend Imogen in London got one recently after traveling to Bern – I guess she must have had it on order for some time?? It was 1200 Euros. Like many other people my life won’t be complete until I am able to buy one! The other ‘’similar” versions on the net do not have any of the same beautiful tonal qualities. Most others sound harsh, tinny & have that Jamaican steel drum vibe that is not what we are looking for once we have heard a Hang! So, thanks again for all your time & care. JC / England
September 30th, 2008 at 8:52 am
LOL
that doesn’t even make any sense!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Hello Michael,
I very much appreciate this blog spot and all of the extremely valuable information. The definition of patient in the dictionaries of the world should be replaced with your name and foto because you have endured and remained polite to every ‘numb-skull’ (we call them in the US). Thank you a thousand times over for publishing your gracious responses. You have given clear instructions, your best suggestion of how to come about owning a Hang drum from PANArt. I purchased a steel drum in 1985 from an obscure source and regretted the fact that I rushed this purchase. My impatience earned me a useless, poorly tuned yet still expensive so-called instrument. So, I understand completely the need to respect the standards of PANArt. I am sure their intention is to NOT become a mass producer of an embarrassing product. Thank you, again from the heart for the info this site has provided! Please accept my apology on behalf of the rude Americans. Sincerely!
October 6th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Hi Michael, I’m sad because I saw on ebay.com that some crazy man is selling an original panart hang in about 20.000 $ = 14.824 euros… what the hell is that??
Can somebody stop these madness??
:-(
Massimiliano.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Madness can’t be stopped ;-)
I guess this man will not find a buyer but have to pay the Ebay fee. Afterwards he will know that it was crazy.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:58 am
First of all: very good blog. Like the history of the Hang.
My question is:
After searching for a long while, I’ve got the chance to buy one First Generation Hang. I play a lot and very love this instrument. But if I be honest, I’m not totally happy with it’s soundscale.
Do you know if it’s possible to get an other soundscale at my Fist Generation Hang? Or change mine for an other one?
October 12th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hi Roman, you can visit the Hang-Music Forum and try to find someone who is searching for the sound model of your Hang and is interested to swap his Hang.
If you only want one or two notes changed maybe it is possible to retune your Hang. Send a fax to PANArt and ask them.
Update October 2009: The Hang-Music Forum stopped registration of new members and is not longer used as an active forum but only as an archive. Currently the Hangblog recommends the Hang Forum for all those who want to discuss on Hang topics.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hi Michael, im ready with my letter, ill try to send it today. Do you have news about they, Rohner and Schärer? Im ready to trip to Bern, how i wish this answear and the appoinment was soon. Blessings to you all people!
October 15th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Hi Rodrigo,
I have no new information. You have to be patient and wait for an answer from PANArt. I think it will last a year or more to get an appointment.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hi Michael, thanks for the informative article on the Hang drum and the people who created it… your blog is sooo long I skipped alot to get to the point. My sister recently came into possession of a hang drum. She is a manager for public housing and it was among other personal property that was abandoned as a result of an eviction. By law, the owner had 30 days to claim his property and did not do so. Now it is her property. Living in the midwestern United States it was a totally foreign object to her and after researching discovered what it was. Even the local music company had no clue. After doing some research myself, of course I’ve discovered the apparent rarity of this beautiful instrument and have listened to many clips on U tube to see what its capabilities are. I have had this hang drum in my possession for a week now and dinked around with it as well.
The bottom line is, she wants to sell this drum to pay for her wedding next spring yet wants to be able to sell it to the right person for the right price. Since this is a used drum, it is hard to know for sure if it is still in proper tune. Here is the information I have on it… The label says it is No. 159 (First year, First Generation?) and the scale is (writing is hard to decipher) C-D5 or C-Dw. It has 8 domes on the Ding side, making it a treble, according to another friend doing research. From what I have read on it thus far, this early model could potentially be knocked out of tune more easily than the more recent versions. The top center area of this drum has a few 1cm scratch marks on it which look as tho it may have been pounded on by a drum stick or some other sharp unpadded object. Or, maybe this is a result of the manufacturers tuning process, don’t know for sure. It sounds great and once you learn how the notes are set up on it it seems to be intact. But since I am a pure novice at this thing, I’m uncertain. If anyone out there can direct me to the right place to find the right price to ask for this, it would be greatly appreciated. I have seen prices anywhere from 500.00 to an outrageous 20,000.00. Fair price is what I am looking for, not to unfairly gouge someone. This is an authentic Panart Hang Drum, signed by Felix Rohner. Thanks.
October 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Hi Juanita,
firstly said: The 20.000 $ isn’t a real price. It is only a seller at Ebay who wants to get such an extraordinary price. I’m sure he will not find a buyer.
What’s a fair price for the hang of your sister? Not an easy question. Let me answer to a slight different question: What is a fair deal when giving this hang to someone else in exchange for money?
It is important to know the philosophy of PANArt, the Hang makers (Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer) for the pricing of the Hang. In the early years a Hang costed about 300 Euro, then until 2005 460 Euro. The first second generation Hanghang in 2006 they sold for 600 Euro and the later ones in 2007 for 880 Euro. When the Hang became more and more known and the demand increased, the prices of second hand Hanghang exploded in 2007 (2500-6000 Euro at Ebay). The usual commercial reaction would have been that PANArt also rised the price for a new Hang to this level or more. But this wasn’t what PANArt wanted to do. They were interested to make the Hang available to a wide group of individuals, irrespective of their income or financial circumstances. Therefor the price for the Integral Hang was set to 1200 Euro in 2008. But how to deal with the fact that people could buy a new Integral hang for 1200 Euro and afterwards sell it on Ebay for 5000 Euro? To avoid such speculations they created an agreement, every buyer of a new Hang has to sign. The agreement gives PANArt pre-emptive rights to buy back the Hang if the owner is considering selling, and the resale price shall be no higher than the acquisition price.
While the second hand Hang sales continued to push the price, Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer decided to work together only with people who accept their philosophy to keep down the Hang prices. They established two rules:
1. They stated, that they will not tune or repair Hanghang sold with high profit, offered on Ebay or other auctions.
2. They tune only Hanghang if the same agreement they developed for the buyers of the Integral Hang is signed. In return the price for tuning is very little (40 Euro plus shipping costs).
Because of the unknown history of the seven year old hang and of your description I think it is necessary to send your sister’s Hang to PANArt for a check and tuning. This can be done by your sister before it is sold or by the buyer after it is sold.
If your sister send it to PANArt for tuning she will have to sign the agreement. If the buyer want a tuning he will only be accepted if the Hang is not sold with high profit.
If your sister wants a fair deal she has to make this conditions transparent to the potential buyer. Because it was a bit unusual how your sister got the Hang it can be a good idea to send a fax to PANArt, tell the situation and ask whether they are interested to buy the Hang back or what in their opinion a fair price is.
I hope this helps you to understand the situation.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
thank you for your reply, Michael. I fully understand and do agree with the concept and reasoning behind all of this. I do not have control over Sister and her husband to be however. I will pass along this information to them and they can make the call on it. The fax number shown on the inside drum label is +41 31 301 33 32. Is this still current, do you know? It would be the best thing to do, considering.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The fax number is correct.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
is it best o hand write a letter then scan it ?
how could anyone want to sell such a beautiful instrument tunned for the soul
xx
October 28th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Hi zara,
write the way you like to write. I cannot give you any advice what is best.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Sent :) i hope to get a response soon , how long did it take you to get yours ?
October 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
There is no regular period for the answer. Everyone who write a letter will get an answer from the Hang makers with information. The content of this information will depend on how many people have asked for a Hang and on the decisions the Hang makers will make about how they will distribute the Hang in the future after their longer break in 2009. I don’t know when you will receive an answer. It can be in a few weeks or in some months.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hi Michael,
Nice blog ;)
I read all this article, but I understand many words, because I just learn english language.
I want ask to you:
This price of hang: “1200eu” – is stric, or I can negotiate with hang-maker, and is possible that price can be smaller?
Sorry of my bad english
Luy :)
November 25th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz its my dream to have one so help mailing me one plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz …
Its nt a hang drum its a soul drum that tickle u in all ur sences and feelings , it really touch me and am a daily hang drum listener and i think its time for mee to the music by my soul drum …..
I think that this will be my last wish on earth to have the hang drum .. plz
November 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Hi Luy,
this is a question you should ask the Hang makers after you got an appointment. Currently nobody knows how the Hang will be distributet after the anounced break in 2009.
Hi nagi fahim saad,
I cannot help you with your petition. I’m not involved in the distribution of the Hang.
November 27th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
i know this is crazy but im a drummer all the way in alaska…and id really like someone to keep me in the loop incase it becomes easier to get 1…cause right now i feel if i even tried id be way far on the back of the list my emial is [email deleted by Hangblog admin] please keep me updated
November 27th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hi Eric,
the Hangblog has no newsletter or something like this. It’s your turn to keep you updated.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hello everyone,
Like many people, I have been searching for a way to buy a Hang.
In the beginning of 2008 I wrote a letter to PanArt that I wanted to buy a few (I wanted one, but tried to get more).
To my surprise I got a letter back a few months later in which they offered the opportunity to buy an Integral Hang. I had to fill in the agreement about not reselling the Hang and when I returned that the order was confirmed. I had to pay 1360 euro’s (including shipping) in November 2008 and I could expect to receive it in December 2008. In November they confirmed my payment by email and this week I got an email which said it was sent.
I am really curious now. And I think I was extremely lucky that I received the offer.
So, my story confirms that this is the way to buy a hang.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Hello again,
Last weekend I received my Hang and of course it is beautifull. The tones are truely magical.
The package also included a DVD with a documentairy about the birth and development of the Hang. It is nice to see by who and where it is created.
I do not know if this film is already available through the internet, but if there are enough people interested I can try to share it.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
if i cant get a hang i will hang myself!!!
goodbye cruel world!!
December 9th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Hi Daleen,
to get a hang you need patience. Therefor: Don’t hang yourself before you got your hang. If the hang is worth to hang yourself if you can’t get one, it’s also worth to wait until you get it.
You understand my point?
December 11th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Hi Michael, just i want to ask you a couple of questions.
If, I sent a letter or a fax at the beginning of autumn of this year, when the answers returns?… and when can i have?…at the end of the next year or at the earlier of 2010.
Thank for you attention
Emi
December 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hi Emi,
I answered a similar question in this comment.
Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer are currently thinking about how they will deal with the huge amount of letters they got in the last months. After they have come to a decision there will be information to all the writers of the letters.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hi maurice,
the DVD isn’t available via internet. You can get it from PANArt and perhaps from the two french film makers (I don’t know whether they sell it).
The DVD is the work of the two french film makers and copyrighted. They allowed PANArt to give it to their custumers but you can’t distribute it via internet to other people. I don’t know how the copy right is in your country. In Germany you are allowed to make a few copies for people you know personally, but if you make more copies or if you offer a CD or DVD via internet, it is against copy right.
December 12th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Ok, Michael… Thank very much for your answer, i’m going to have patience, desire to have the hope that does not spend long time.
All the best
December 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Hello, i got to knoe about Hang today and of course I wanted to buy one….sadly is really hard to get one….
I wanna ask, is it the onla way to get in touch with Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer writing them? no e-mail? is the fax number actual?
I will already start my letter and I hope it doenst take so long….
I am just a student from rbasil living in germany and I dont have money enough to buy one but I think if i get the chance to get one I will fond a way to pay it…..what about learning how to play?? is that easy?? tough I feel is more a sensitive thing I would like to know if there is people who teach is already….
looking forwards for answers which can help me….
Hugs
December 15th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Hi Bruno,
yes, letter and fax are the only ways to get in touch with Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer for people who are interested to buy a hang. The fax number is valid (if it wasn’t valid it wouldn’t be in the article ;-) ).
There are currently only very few hang players in the whole world who teach hang playing. The most hang players never had lessons to learn the hang. I think if someone has experiences with other musical instruments he doesn’t need lessons to learn to play the hang. And I also know some hang players who didn’t play any other instruments before and learned playing the hang without a teacher. But it is very helpful to be in contact with other hang players and learn of each other. To find other hang players you can visit the Hang-Music Forum. It is also very helpful to go to Berne when you have got an appointment for a hang, choose your hang personally and talk with the hang makers to understand what a hang is and get a first instruction.
Update October 2009: The Hang-Music Forum stopped registration of new members and is not longer used as an active forum but only as an archive. Currently the Hangblog recommends the Hang Forum for all those who want to discuss on Hang topics or find other Hang players.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
thanks for the asnwer…..I wrote the letter and will send tomorrow….what is the aprox waiting time at this moment??
waiting long is no prob as i need time to save the money…
also wanna know if they just sell the 2008 model os also oder ones?? if yes ´which one to choose??
thanks for the fast asnwers….very good….
Bruno
December 15th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Hi Bruno,
to your first question please read this comment.
Nobody currently knows what models PANArt will offer in the future. I think also the hang makers currently don’t know it.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Thank you for this informative site. Having read most of the posts I would urge new readers to scan through all the posts before posting a query, as likely your question has already been asked and answered! Micheal you are very patient in dealing with all the “I have to get a hang NOW!!” queries.
Patience is a virtue…
I for one will be writing my letter and hoping for a reply whether that is next month, next year or in 3 years time. I will wait and hope to own and connect with this beautiful instrument.
xx
December 17th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hi Ned,
thank you for your comment. I think one reason for those queries you mentioned is, that I intended this article as an “anti internet page”. Usually internet pages offer information in a short and concentrated way. Therefor many readers anticipate a short advice how to buy a hang with the address of the distributor in the first line. However, when a reader comes to this internet page he has to move step by step through a long article to get the information he wants. He has to decrease the speed down to a level he need for the journey to his own hang. Those who have not enough patience to get through this article will never have enough patience to get a hang. But I also know that for people with little English skills this article can be very challenging.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hello Michael,
I may never own one of these beautiful instruments but will always be thankful for at least being able to listen to them. I was disabled a few years ago and can no longer play the drums. Even holding a guitar hurts me now. I can still play the piano a bit. This is what started me looking for a new instrument to learn and experience. When I discovered the Hang my heart jumped but soon calmed down after finding how next to impossible it would be to ever own one. I thank Sabina Schärer and Felix Rohner for their contribution to the music soul and wish them many blessings. (Well you too! LOL!)
Thanks,
Ken
December 28th, 2008 at 7:37 am
today my heart was saddend……
ever since i was in italy last spring when i viewed sonone playing the hang i was amazed by this beuttifel creation…. i would do anything to aquire one but sadly im 14 and live on the westcoast…..
anyone who has a hang drum is truley privliged and should acnoladge that they have something that most people dont. you cant take for granted this wonderfull instrument…
if anyone, anyone, anyone finds a way to buy one of these instruments without leaving the US please contact me.
thanks alot…
– nimi
December 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Hi nimi,
Currently for the buyers of the Integral Hang it isn’t necessary to travel to Berne to get it. They can choose to get it shipped. How the Hang will be distributed in the future isn’t decided yet. If you write a letter to PANArt you will be informed.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hello Michael,
first of all i would like to thank you for such exhaustive explanations about the Hang Drums.
I just finished my open-hearted letter to Sabina and Felix. The truth – i believe that my dream come truth but i know that mostly reality is sad. I can realize that Sabina and Felix received a lot of mails and faxes. Everybody knows that they can produce limited quantity of Hang Drums. For me arose the questions : how they are making the waiting list? Who can be the chosen one? Is there any priority? Of course stupid questions but maybe anybody knows. Anyway all this “procedure” is fabulous… Thank you for all your comments and a specialy Michael for such great work.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:56 am
hello dear micheal.
thank you so much for all these details you have provided here for the hang lovers.
i love hang,and any how i have to buy one,im going to try the request letter to see if i can have it,i am sure that,i will get one,coz i love them purely.
once again,thank you so much
January 12th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
hi,I’m from Turkey and playing baglama(is a folk müsic intrument of turkey)I listened a müsic by manu delago with hang by flucky,,so now I’m interested in it…ı don’t know how much its cost,,but ı’ve head that nearly 800 euro..is it real?I want to get one.can u help e pleasee!!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hi şerif,
you find the answers to your questions in the article above.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
hello, michael
like many people, is a lot of time that I’m following this magic instrument, and I have the common desire to have it…. no need any things more, you know what I mean. so I wrote a letter by fax to felix rohner. Do you think is enough? I go to berna next 22th february. Is so impossible to find a hang (for me it’s ok also the first model). What do you think? Sorry for my intrusion, thankyou
January 13th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Hi Nicola,
you sent your letter – ok, that’s enough. I cannot say anything else. I’m not a magician and I haven’t any insider tips how to get a Hang guaranteed within two weeks. When you will get an answer from PANArt you will know what to do next. Until this will happen, lean back and enjoy life.
January 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hey man, wonderfull blog!
Do I understand correctly that the chances to buy a hang drum on shorter notice are getting higher when I’m able to visit PANart in Switzerland myself?
Off course I would make sure to contact PANart first before making the trip from Amsterdam to Switzerland.
Keep up the good work!
January 20th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Hi Vince,
no there isn’t a chance to get a Hang when you visit PANArt without an appointment. You have to write a letter as it is explained in the article. Then you will need patience until you get an answer with information from PANArt. This can last several months.
January 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hi Michael and everyone in this fantastic helpfull site.
I’m a percussionist for many years, my band is Madredeus from Portugal. This band is been on world music sean for 20 years. I’m like everyone else who desire a hang, love the sound, I have and I play still drums but a hang it’s something else. A friend of mine Marco Lobo, percussionist from Brasil who has a ding, intruduced me the sound and I have to have it, I’ll wait, if that’s the only way. I totaly agree with Felix Rohner and Sabina to stop the especulation on the market. I’ll send my letter after I come back from our tour in Brazil.
I just want to share my love for this instrument, all the comments and answers from Michael were fantastic to understand what is all about. Thank you.
Please take a look what Madredeus is been doing and all the best for all the hang lovers.
http://www.madredeus.com
Big hug from Lisbon,
Ruca
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 am
Hi Michael,
I am currently living in the U.S. and have studied percussion for well over a decade now. Fate (with the help of the united states air force lol) has granted me an opportunity to live in Germany. Therefore I will be very close to PANart. I know I will have to write them and set up an appointment, but is there a waiting list for these or do you just have to set the appointment up? I figure since I will be there for a year or two I might be able to get my hands on a couple of these. Thanks for any information!
Bryan
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 am
Hi Bryan,
there is no wating list in the sense of first in first out. When you write to PANArt you will get an answer with information, after Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer have decided how they will distribute the Hang after the brake they have announced. When you receive the information you will know how it will work. I don’t know when the information will be send out to the letter writers.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Michael,
It has been a while since I last posted. I received my letter from Felix today. I have a question I hope you can answer. I do not want to publish Felix’s email on the blog, however it is difficult to read and I can’t make out 2 letters. Could you send me an email directly so I can discuss this with you privately? I only have about 5 days from now to get there, so I have to reply to them soon. Thanks, Jason
March 4th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Hi Jason! Tell please and when you sent the letter to them? I sent in October 2008, but the answer still is not present. And whether necessarily to them to go to Switzerland? (I am sorry for the English)
March 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Hi Krutya, I sent my letter early in 2008. No, it is not necessary to go to Switzerland as they do not have any available for sale. I did not get a response for around a year, so I suggest just waiting patiently. Hope this helps. Jason
March 12th, 2009 at 6:08 am
OMG…I have a friend that could probably make the Hang Drum. He works with metal and I am sure he could reproduce this drum. I bet if he got his hands on one he could start producing them easily. Maybe I should look into buying one and then see what he can do. If we started selling them here in the states, could we be sued by the original makers of the drum for some kind of patent infringement? Is this drum patented?
March 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Hi Kristi,
look in the New hand pan development Section of the Hang-Music Forum. You will find, that nobody “could start producing them easily” by now. And there are reasons for. Building an instrument like the Hang is an art and needs a lot of experience in tuning of the special material – nitrided steel – the Hang is made of. PANArt has a Swiss patent on the method to make steel instruments of nitrided steel sheets and the name Hang is a registered trade mark. You find information on the building and tuning of the Hang in the Hang Internet Index.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Hi Micheal,
I was priviledged enough to hear a Hang being played for the first time last night at a local poetry night and I fell in love with it instantly.
A guy called Simon Wood was playing it at the Jazz Cafe in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
I had a brief chat with him and he told me about the waiting list but I wasn’t put off and, today, did some internet searching.
Thankyou for this site with the interesting history and the useful information. I will be sending my letter soon, I hope I am not too late!
Dan
March 27th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hi Michael, do you have any news from PanArt? What at them occurs now? I have sent the fax even in the spring of last year. But only yesterday has received the answer. They write that it is a lot of work and they can give more detailed information only in the end of this year. Probably you know something more about Integral Hang – whether manufacture of this model is stopped? I ordered this model (Integral Hang) and I am afraid they it will cease to make. And the last, whether you know what quantity of instruments it is possible to order for one time?
March 27th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Hi BREATH,
the letter you received yesterday was sent to many people who sent a request for a Hang to PANArt. After all Integral Hanghang are made that are spoken for, the Hang makers will stop production for a few months this year to use this time for research and development of the Hang. After this break they will build Hanghang again. The letter says that those who received this letter cannot purchase a Hang this year and that PANArt will sent information on the future activities at the end of the year. There are no plans to cease building the Hang. Since 2007 you can order only one Hang.
March 27th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
So again Hi Michael, just has found out here such site. http://halo.pantheonsteel.com/
Tell that you think concerning this instrument, and whether something is known to you in general that PantheonSteel have made HALO. Or it Hang from PanArt, and they only position this instrument as HALO?
I did not touch this instrument, but if to judge on video, it not so differs from hang. What do you think?
And the price more low than hang – $1500. And time of manufacture about two months.
What do you think?
March 27th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Hi Breath,
there is a discussion on the Halo in the Hang-Music Forum, where I wrote what I think about this new instrument: Here it is. It is a lon discussion, but I think it is worth reading it completely.
There are no information given by Pantheon Steel how long it will last until someone who join the list today can get a Halo. There are 2300 persons on the waiting list, and I assume it will last 1-3 years until you can get a Halo if you aren’t yet on the list.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Michael
Thanks for your background of the hang. Today I got to hear three Hangs played together. A wonderful group called “Keona” from France and England are playing in Tennessee at Dollywood for the festival of nations. The music was like the wind itself. I shall buy every recording of this group I can find. Thanks for time.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Some stupid and crazy man is selling an aeolian first generation hang in NAVARRA (SPAIN)… for about 4.000 euros!!!! pffff people is too crazy! there’s some way to notify Panart this kind of abuse trading? the hang number is 3128 (aeolian tune)… I downloaded photos and the link from local trade website. Michael if you want you can send me an email and send you this infration with more details. We must fight to stop this kind of money approaching from other people.
Thanks!
April 1st, 2009 at 5:07 am
hey ,
being from the country where ghatam is originated from , yes heard swarup in mc leod ganj in india , came to know the bundle of impossibilities about buying a hang , may be i’ll live up to have one sometime ..
but how about hang promotion in india hope some musicians will collab to have some gigs in india soon
ladder for enjoying music to the purest and introduce HANG to people of india .
cheers
inder
April 1st, 2009 at 7:23 am
hey Massimiliano
I feel your anguish over hang resales but really you should not concern yourself with what other people are doing, for most everyone looking to buy a hang here the going online auction rate (which is run up by the bidders not the sellers) is just too darn high, so don\’t look there, really just avoid it. My further advice to you is to save your money and not nickle and dime yourself with a weak substitute either so that when you get your letter you will have sufficient funds in which to purchase your hang with.
April 5th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Hey Marcos, thanks for the advice! I understand your point… but sometimes I can’t feel happy seeing this kind of abusive prices on ebay, or what ever… maybe this situation will finish in the future if there others hand pan metal instrument makers like Pantheon Steel, or Bell Art… but for me right now there’s not better instrument, and sound quality like a integral hang.
Hope to get my letter from panart some day! :-)
Regards
April 5th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Massi Massi you are funny thanks for the advice but you wont take it as you repeated yourself in 428 from 425 we got it the first time you are frustrated over not having a hang but then you go on to say you hope more hand pans will finish this situation means if you have your hang tomorrow you want a bunch of knockoffs to devalue yours
April 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
hey there
i live in U.S.A and i’m inspired by this heavenly sound(HANG DRUM’S SOUND)
i will do whatever is needed,to have this instrument
the only thing that i can’t do,is going to switzerland to get one
so,suggest me what is the best way to order one?
April 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
and thanks a bunch for this link
thanks for all the things that u do
:)
peace everyone
Especially Micheal:)
April 6th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Hi kamyar,
the first thing you have to do, is to read this article carfully.
Then, I think, your question will be answered.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:18 am
This is really a joke HANG MAKERS ? THE HANG MAKERS ? It will be so sad when the real tallented people start playing …. just a little fact,the instrument can be manufactured under 1500$ with the exact same steel alloy and fine tuned to perfection by the finest percussion professors. 400 a year ? what do you say about 40.000 a month and as i can see there are a lot of buyers. Is the price droping just wait 2 more months. I just love to see the exclusive hang family rise up in numbers with lest say millions .
April 13th, 2009 at 9:59 am
If there are any real facts behind your statements, we are keen to hear them.
April 20th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
well maintained source of information this is.
thanks Michael.
So far I have not written PanArt…but this will occur rather soon. We’ll see what comes of it.
Just one thing that needs to get of my chest.
People…even 1200€…which is a lot of money…is yet a reasonable price to pay for such an excellent crafted musical instrument. As a semi-professional percussionist I buy instruments on a regular basis. And one thing is certain if you want decent quality…you pay up for it, it’s as simple as that.
And considering the amounts of hours/days/weeks? that go into making one…1200€ is very reasonable.
I too have my doubts about the way PanArt is handling their stuff. But hey, it’s a “free” world. And if that’s the way they want it to be than that’s the way it is. Be happy…there is such a nice instrument. This western “I want it and I want it NOW” mentality isn’t very flattering. But ever so present :-(
And indeed…as one of the comments described…the price also keeps from falling into freaky wannabee musicians (them stinkin hippies…lol) who bash into anything given the chance…or campfire.
Anyway…hang in there musical compadres!
luv&peace,
SK
April 26th, 2009 at 5:23 am
One of these days, that’s all I can say! From what I read on this page, 1200 Euro isn’t all that bad for such an instrument that has priceless value in the hands that can play it wholeheartedly, and for ages to come! :-)
Oh yeah, and if you got confused as to what 1200 Euros cost compared to USD, it’s a little under 1600…just to save time finding out.
April 26th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Hineverybody.. I live in Mexico city and i was travelling around the world wen i meet this wonderfull instrument… I´m allready a musician so if any want’s to visit my web pages and seend a coment will be nice… http://www.losmusicosdejose.com.mx... myspace.com/ragaensambledepercusiones… myspace.com/losmusicosdejose
What i really want to know is… what i need to do to have (buy) this instrument… hope any one answer at hasm19@hotmail.com
thank you
April 27th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Hallo Miguel,
How you can buy a Hang is explained in the article above. Read the whole article and your question will be answered.
Greetings
Frank
May 5th, 2009 at 4:48 am
greetings… I am a fellow lover of the magical Hang. Been journeying with my 2008 Integral Hang for about four months now. Curious to know of any updates in Felix and Sabina’s vision for the Hang. Would love to see the pygmy back in a newer more resonanth form. Saw a post on youtube from the HAPI drum maker playing what he called the new integral hang in E. Struck me as curious for mine is in D and thought they all were. It also sounded similar to a pygmy.
Also, in response to our friend wishing to see the Hang mass produced for cheaper: I appreciate your opinion, however, I must say that for myself as a passionate musician, I feel the Hang would greatly lose it’s magic if they were as popular as let’s say a djembe. I am deeply blessed with the Hang in my life and the magic it stirs in all souls who hear it. I would pay triple for such a gift. In fact I value and appreciate it even more through the 15 month wait and investment. I personally feel that those who commit to this journey are those meant to play them with heart felt intention and perhaps a prayer or two for a more harmonious world we share. Peace.
Ranganatha
Santa Barbara, California
May 12th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
ЭТО ПИЗДЕЦ КАКОЙ-ТО
May 14th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Olá Michael,
Moro na América do Sul, precisamente no Brazil e sei que é muito difícil comprar um Hang Drum da Panart, impossível também seria viajar para Berna e escolher um Hang, hoje existe um jeito de encomendá-lo, aqui no Brazil temos muito amor pela música e este instrumento é fascinante.
Me diga tenho um amigo que mora na Suíssa, será que ele conseguiria comprá-lo, a Panart ainda está funcionando no mesmo endereço.
Obrigado e bons ventos !!!
Anderson Marino
May 14th, 2009 at 8:41 am
НЕ ТО СЛОВО :)
May 16th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Ranganatha, I believe the youtube you refer to listed a HAPI drum in E, not a hang. My understaning is that all the hangs are now tuned only in the D Ding.
Saggio
May 17th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Saggio… thanks for the reply. Thought that was the case. I wonder why Felix and Sabina decided on the D scale? It certainly does have a powerful effect on people. Though all Hang sound good to some degree, not all scales have such effects. A friend has an older model with a scale that is somewhat dry. Any updates on their latest plans? Peace.
Ranganatha
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
heloo. i wrote a letter 1 mounth ago and i do not have problem to wait, i just wondering is it for sure that i will get one of those someday? tnaks and sorry for my bad english. greets from croatia..
May 25th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hi Ranganatha,
there are no new latest plans. The Hang makers build the Integral Hang also in 2009. Shortly I will publish a statement from PANArt regarding the Hang in 2009. You can already read it in the Hang Forum.
Hi davdo,
knowbody can tell you today whether it is sure that you will get a Hang some day. There are about thousand people who received an information from PANArt some weeks ago, that they cannot get a Hang in 2009 and that they will receive information at the end of 2009 about the plans for 2010. Others currently receive letters that they can pick their Hang in the Hangbauhaus in summer or autumn this year.
You have written your letter and this is all you can currently do. The rest will be patience.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Hi,
my name is colin, I’m an artist under the name Kyteman. I saw this instrument and I have been obsessed by it ever since. I just wanted you to know, that as soon as there is more news about availability or, even better, the production process is up to a level where commercial purchase is possible, I’ll be there to buy at least 5 of them. the sound and the grammar of the instrument are quite astounding, I’d love to get my hands on it. I’ll be patient ;)
oh by the way, my group is a Hiphop Orchestra (22 people on stage including strings, brass, MC’s, name it) so if you’re interrested, feel free to google or tube some :)
July 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hello,
I recently came across the hang drum during a search on the internet, and have been fascinated by it ever since (as it appears many has). However, searching to buy it through auction sites has yielded very little. I have, however, come across a similar-looking drum, the Eclipse drum, and was wondering if you could tell me the difference.
Thanks,
Chris W.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
The Eclipse drum is a steel tongue drum. The sound comes from tongues cut in a steel container. The Hang (not hang drum!) is an instrument made of tuned sheet steel. Two very different instruments in sound and the physical principals. If someone is longing for the Hang sound, he will not be pleased with a steel tongue drum.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I want One but I want the makers to feel my need.
I should have a hang because it is my destiny.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hi … I am also waiting for a magical Hang. A couple of years is very long and frustrating time but I fully appreciate the situation the makers find themselves in. In the meantime I am researching the alternatives.. 1) Caiser- The sound of this instrument is not as rich and beautiful.. but it may be a useful tempory substitute on which I can practise untill my Hang day is announced. .. 2) Halo by Pantheon Steel- This looks like a serious contender, but I have never played one so I’m not sure. Also, I have just discovered a company called Blacksteel who are also attempting to eat up the Hang waiting list. Hmmm
What is your opinion of the Caiser as a temp?
Happi days
Yinka
July 29th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Hi, my name is Andzejs. I am from Latvia. I was wondering, are there some other Hang shops near Latvia? like Sweeden, Germany etc…? And what is that list of Hang buyers or something? i didnt get that. Thanks.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
hey, if you want a hang you have to pray for the god’s HAAANNNNG.
it is not an instrument, like guitar for example, it’s a tool used to open a dimensional warp between 7 differents worlds. that’s why is so rare… you must deserve it or was born between 32 and 37 seconds on a tuesday morning… otherwise, sorry. you won’t have one.
chineses!!! where are youuuuuuuuu??!!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
HI i have few more question, Where in Bern is that Hanghaus, address. ( soory for bad spelling ) And how long does it takes to make a hang. I mean if i go to Bern will i be able to obtain a hang during my visit or it takes a long time to make a hang. And do i have to mail to Hanghaus before i go visit them? And do i have to make an order via mail for hang and then when its ready i can go and get my hang? Thanks.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hello, my name is Andrey, I`m from Russia (Saint – Peterburg). I wish to buy a Hang, but I do not know from what to begin… If you give me information about this, I will be werry glad for you!
P.S. sorry for my english, it`s not so good =)
August 4th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Hi,
@Andzejs and @mojoOm
How you can buy a Hang is explained in the article above. Read the whole article and your question will be answered.
Frank
August 4th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
hi tengo mi hang de artmetal jajajajaja
August 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I felt in love with the sound of what you called “hang”i’m french and i discovered it in Paris some months before. I thought why i’ve never met before such a magical sound.It was such a pleasant moment for me that i hope to have the chance to have a hang for me for me for me formidable and very very very very véritable! A warm french kiss !
August 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
i’m interested ZZ, Z.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
It would be so easy so i’m going to write a letter for these incredibly and so magician handmakers!
August 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
If only one person knows how to make a Hanghang, maby they just should hire some people as TEACH them how to produce them. It is not dark arts – if one can do it, others can. If not, the training was not done correctly.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
same as qwerty… whats the deal with only 2 people having the ability to make them? you have a wicked instrument promoting incredibly peaceful music – something this largely messed up world could do with a lot more of. i suggest you teach the art of making them, before me and everyone else suffers from a premature hang drumless death. thank you, and good night.
August 6th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Hi qwerty and kath,
obviously you have great experience in teaching methods how to make a Hang. I guess the Hang makers would be rather interested to learn these methods from you ;-)
August 7th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Hello Michael. First of all I would like to commend your efforts in answering so many questions over the years. Your dedication and commitment to the art of Hang is obvious much appreciated. I live in Toronto Canada and my question is simple.
1) If I were to mail out my written request for the purchase of a Hang and also fax the same request today(just to make sure it gets into PanArt ok) how long would it be before someone at PanArt would acknowledge my request and advise me that I have been added to the waiting list? I know you have asked for patience (that of which I have lots) but I just want to make sure that I am officially on the waiting list. I’m prepared to wait for my Hang for 2 or 3+ years if I have to. Anything this beautiful is definately worth waiting for.
Also please be sure to let Felix and Sabina know that the personal attention they give each and every Hang they make is absolutely amazing and well worth the wait.
Thank you in advance Michael.
Bobby Gill, Toronto Canada
August 9th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Hi Bobby Gill,
there isn’t anything like a waiting list with acknowledgements. You write a letter. PANArt receive and file it. When the time is come that PANArt sent out communications you will receive it. For example they sent out communications to thousand persons in March 2009 that they can’t get a Hang this year and that PANArt plan to sent the next communication end of the year. When you sent your letter after March, I assume you also will receive this information end of 2009 or in the beginning of 2010. Before this date you can’t await any acknowledgement.
I know that it is a long time to wait for you until you get a reaction to your letter. But this is the way PANArt manage the Hang requests. And receiving no acknowledgement for a long time doesn’t mean that you are “not on the list” or that your letter is thrown away or something like this.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hai there in this part of the world.
My daughter going to have her 21st birthday and I would like to get her one hang drum as her birthday present, My other daughter gone to study in geneve is it possible for her to go to your place and get one for me. How much is cost ? thank’s hope I can have it for oktober first week if possible.
I also have another friend who live in bern and also in Zurich perhaps they can go to your place and get it from you. Can I make my order first please . love Ruth
August 11th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hi Ruth,
it’s not “my place”. I’m Michael, administrator of this website and a Hang player from Germany, not the Hang maker. This is not the Hang maker’s website. Please read the article above. This will answer all your questions.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Hola Mic.
yo vivo en russia y estoy interesado en un hang hang, soy de costa rica per vivo en moscu.
la pregunta es si yo podra comprar un hanghang en moscu? y cuanto cuesta un hang, ya lo escriviste pero no entiendo bien ingles.
si no esta en moscu solo digame cuanto cuesta, grasias.
-Ranjan
August 13th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
y tambien digame donde lo podria comprar.
muchas grasias.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Hi Ranjan,
Here are the most important answers to your questions. But you should ask a friend with better English (or German) skills to translate the article above for you.
You cannot buy a Hang in Moscow. If you want a Hang, you must write a letter to PANArt in Berne, Switzerland. Then you will have to wait for a long time. There are 1000 persons waiting with you for a Hang. In this year a Hang costs 1200 Euro.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:49 am
hi again!
and they can send me tghe hang, or i have to travel to berne?
thanks.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Hi Ranjan,
people who get their Hang this year have the choice whether they travel to berne or get it shipped. You cannot get a Hang this year because all Hang of this year’s production are already spoken for. How it will be in the future PANArt will tell when the time will come (I think, at the earliest end of 2009).
August 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
oh thanks Mic, so i can write a letter to PANArt and they will answer me when the time will come. yes?
thank you!
August 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Yes, this is right.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
oh thank you very much)) i think i bored you))
grssias que me escuchabas))))
August 25th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Words do not expres….. I must have this Hang at my possesion at once someone bless me with one and they will be blessed Thank you..
August 26th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hi Mic. Do you know will hang price rise or fall during next year? because you said that hang costs 1200 EUR this year, does it mean that the hang will cost more in next year ? Thanks
August 27th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Michael, this blog is obviously a labor of love, thank you. Would you be so kind as to let me know the mailing address of PANArt in Berne? I would like to try and write them a letter in order to purchase a hang drum. Thanks so much, Jay
August 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
oops never mind- found it on their brochure
August 28th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Hi Andzejs,
I don’t know. I’m not the one who makes the Hang price.
Hi Jay,
please read the article above carefully! It is unmistakably told there that you have no chance to contact PANArt via e-mail for a Hang request.
I strongly recommend to read the whole article above, if you are interested to get a Hang.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Hola Michael
Te escribo desde Colombia. Estamos pensando comprar un hang. No tenemos problema en esperar el tiempo que sea necesario. Lo que nos preocupa es el costo: 1) EN qué momento se paga? Cuándo se pide? Cuándo ya está listo para la entrega? 2) Cuánto podría costar el envío hasta Bogotá Colombia?
Gracias por todo. Tu labor es admirable
August 30th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hi Zinnia Muñoz,
I am not the Hang maker. I am a Hang player and the Hangblog is independent of PANArt. Therefor I cannot answer your questions. My advice for you is: Don’t worry about costs at the moment. Write your letter to PANArt. When you will get an appointment it will be the right moment to get the answers direct from PANArt.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Ciao,how rude is to call the Hang a hang drum? I was in the rush for writing the letter to PANArt after i casually find a video on youtube and this beautifull creation took my heart. In the video was called hang drum, so i made some search in internet and find the address, in my letter i write about my hope to be added in the hang drum want list, after i mail the letter i learned more about the hang and also about the real name… From that time i am wondering if that mistake can have some negative effect on my request. Is There someone that have made the same mistake and have had a positive answer from PANArt?
thanks and sorry for my bad english
September 1st, 2009 at 1:09 am
You may want to append the above, based on recent information you have from PANArt, to indicate the following:
A request letter is not an order that is entered into a list based on date. PANArt decides whom they invite for a Hang purchase partly by the date of the letter but also based on other factors. It is possible that some have to wait longer than others. If one knows the date a letter was written from a person who gets an appointment for an Integral Hang, this doesn’t indicate anything for any other person who’s written a letter.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:48 am
Hi Valerio,
The Hang is a rare good and those who start the journey to their own Hang have to consider, that it needs more than the whish to really get one. One of the basic issues is to be good informed about the Hang. How can one really know whether the Hang is the kind of instrument he will be satisfied with, if he don’t know it very well?
“The acquisition of an integral hang requires careful consideration. Its great sensibility is a challenge for letting the hands speak intuitively and for developing their suppleness. It is by no means a drum – or a hang drum – as we have seen it described on the Internet”, the Hang makers write in their recently published statement The Integral Hang 2009.
I think these thoughts will help you to decide what to do. Knowing someone who got an appointment for an IH and called the Hang a hang drum in his letter will not help you.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Hi there,
i’m recently sent a fax to panart for a hang. i know that they can’t answer me immediatly but how i known if my request has been taken ? do you think i have to send a letter too ?
cheers
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Hi Nicolas,
what can I say? If you wrote readable and your and PANArt’s fax machine are ok your request has been taken. If not you have to send a letter. I usually recommend to write a letter an not a fax, because then you don’t have to deal with fears whether PANArt’s fax machine was working etc.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I have the report of my fax which say that is “correct” and i wrote the letter whith my computer so…i think it’s ok
thanks Michael
September 13th, 2009 at 11:44 am
hello,
thank you very much michael!! you are making a very helpfull work and many people should be happy for your dedication.
In my case, i had send the letter to panart in july’08 and i recived the answer that they make one break for think about. After they sayed that the letter is not waste and when the production star again and will be my number i wiil recive the notification.
Then for me can be very helpfull know when can be my turn, because if is long time may be i will take other way. I know that you don’t know the list and when will be the next, but a litle idea can be very nice!! I don’t want create any presion!!
Thanks a lot again, and i wish you the best!!
September 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Hi Julian,
it is often misunderstood how the letters, sent to PANArt with a request for a Hang are managed. A number of letter writers think that writing the letter means to order a Hang and that the Hanghang are delivered in chronological order of the “list”. This is a misunderstanding. Writing a letter to PANArt means that you declare your interest to acquire a Hang. It is not an order. PANArt decides whom they invite for a Hang purchase by the date of the letter but also by other reasons. Therefor it is possible that some persons have to wait longer than others. If you know when someone, who currently get an appointment for an Integral Hang, wrote his letter, this doesn’t say anything about when you will get a Hang. It isn’t possible to make plans for you and your Hang before you’ve got an appointment, because you don’t know whether and when you will get it. Currently the Hang makers are thinking about how they will manage the huge demand for Hanghang in the time after 2009. When they will have come to all decisions regarding this question, they plan to inform all letter writers about their new handling and what they will have to do if they still want a Hang.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
hi michael,
thank a lot again!! can you answer other question please?? All the hangs that will be purchase this year have all ready an letter??
thank for your pacient and dedication!!
September 14th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Hi julian,
I don’t know.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Hi there,
thank you for the explanations, I still have one more question: do they speak french? As I’m french, I would prefer to write in french and not in english if possible,
Thank you the “Hang Encyclopedist” ;)
September 17th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Hi Roy,
Switzerland is located between Germany, Austria, Italy and France. In Switzerland there is a region where people speak Swiss German and a region where French is spoken. So many Swiss seem to be multi linguists. For a letter to PANArt you can use standard German, Swiss German, Bernese German, French, Italian, Spanish or English.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Hello Michael! I love the sound of the Hang! I guess i never will be able to get one. Partly money, but when i read all your comments from people with such desire that they dont even bother to read your info i feel that i dont even want to send a letter to the poor “Creators” who probably are drowning in so much mail that they dont have time to make another Hang in there lifetime.
You are a man with great patience! Pce / Cavedweller from Sweden
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hi Michael
Love what your doing!! Think your doing a sterling job, given the amount of abuse I have read.
I got about half way down and then thought no one seems to be asking what I want to know. Essentially, I want to purchase a hang. I have a lot of patience and dont mind waiting.
What I am wondering is, if I write my letter by the end of September 2009 when will I need the money by? I know you can only guess but I dont want to write, they invite me there and I am not ready.
So, when do you estimate I should need the money by?
Many thanks for any sort of information around this.
K
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hi Kristian,
considering what I’ve heard from the HangBauhaus a few days ago, I think that the most appointments for an Integral Hang in 2009 are still ready. Therefor you will most likely not be able to purchase a Hang in 2009. In spring 2010 PANArt probably will start a new handling of the Hang requests, “the cards are being reshuffled” and nobody can say today whether and when you will get an appointment. If you write a letter you probably will receive informaton on the new handling in autumn, winter 2009 or spring 2010.
I recommend to read this comment too, where I answered a similar question.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hello Hang Makers,
I post requiring some assistance. During the fall of 08′ I had mailed a request to purchase letter. This was from an old address, when I was living in the states (Alaska). Recently I have moved to Southern Germany (Tubingen). I fear that information following my purchase letter may not reach me. If there is a way to update my address it would be greatly appreciated. I would dred missing the oppurtunity to purchase this instrument, now that I am so close to the Hangbauhaus. Thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Matt
September 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hello Matt,
you addressed the Hang makers with your comment, but you will probably receive no answer because the Hangblog is not a medium to contact the Hang makers. The Hangblog is a website run by me, a Hang player who is independent from PANArt. I recommend to send a letter to PANArt telling them your new address. And if you add an e-mail address it will be sure that you can be reached by PANArt when your postal address changes again.
September 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Damn, i wish i had had the money to purchase one back in 2004, they were only 600€. looks like it will be a longer wait.
September 30th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
[...] Per chi fosse interessato: http://www.hangblog.org/2006/11/27/how-to-buy-a-hang [...]
October 4th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hello HANG lovers,
I’m from the netherlands and i am considering that when i have the money to buy one, that i drive tho PANArt. If i do that, how big is the chance that i can buy one personally from the makers?
greetings Joris,
October 4th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Hi Joris,
The answer is: Zero. Why do you ask before reading? The information is here on this page. If you don’t read up carefully on how to acquire a Hang you will never get one.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
hi again,
first of all, Michael thank you VERY much for the quick responses.
and I’m dutch so its pretty hard to understand the text and to write this. after i read the page again… and again I understand that u better first send a letter. all I thought was: a in-real meeting is probably better then a letter. but anyway. As i can see its maybe to hard to earn a hang as a 14 year old “kid” so i maybe better try to find a instrument like the hang. wich instrument sounds the most like the hang and is been played with the hands?
greetings, Joris
October 5th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hi Joris,
it isn’t easy to acquire a Hang for a kid as well as a grandfather ;-) You will need patience. People who recently sent a request for a Hang to PANArt were informed that there will be an information next spring about PANArt’s activities in 2010. So you will have to wait half a year to get information how to acquire a Hang in 2010 or the following years. If you are ready for this journey it’s equal whether you are 14 or 44. If you go to Berne you will get the same answer. Therefor a trip to Berne is needless. A letter is much cheaper and has the same effect. And you have to consider that you could stand before a closed door when you travel to Berne. The Hang makers have no shop that is opened daily.
What instrument sounds the most like a Hang? My personal answer: There is currently no instrument that sounds nearly like the Hang. If you want to find out whether another instrument could please you, you must try out the Hang and possible alternatives in person. What are you seeking for when you are seeking for a Hang? Some people seek for a percussion instrument to play nice rhythms combined with melodies. Other people seek for a special sound. Some people want to play on stage with a band. Other people want to listen to the sounds at a quiet place. So my advice is: Find out what you are looking for. If it is the Hang, write a letter to PANArt and wait for response. If you are looking for an opportunity to play the Hang in person, go to http://www.hangforum.com and ask whether there is a hang player in your region who is willing to meet you. And I would never buy any “Hang alternative” without playing it before in person.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Ok thank you very much. i’l try all those tips ;PcAnd i stay tuned.
greetings, joris
October 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
hi Michael. I’m from China.My friend got to know this instrument a few days ago.He is a bass player and he also play drums as a hobby.When he found this amazing instrument,he wants to buy it very much.But he can’t read English..So he asked me to help him to buy a hang-drum.
Now I’ve read the article just now.But my English is just soso…I still have some questions..What should I write when i post the fax to the address,I mean except my address,what information are necessary?Or what should I better write in the fax. Another question is how can I pay for the hang.Do I have to wait the till PANArt contact me after I post the fax?And if I make send them a letter now,when do I possibly get the wonderful hang-drum?
Thx a lot!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Hi frodo,
greetings to China :) Firstly your friend should become clear what it is what he is longing for. Is it a “hang-drum”, a drumming device that increases his options as a drummer? Or is it the sound, the Hang (not hang-drum!!) as a listening device that touch me and I touch it. To touch or to drum? To produce music or to listen?
In the internet you can find a lot of examples of hang-drummers. In the beginning of the Hang it was predominantly bought and played by percussionists. But the Hang didn’t stand still at that stage. While developing the instrument the Hang makers found out more and more what it was, what they had found in 2000 when they put two shells of their Pang sheet steel together to let the hands play it. The Integral Hang of 2009 or the upcomming instrument of 2010 is quite different to the early first generation Hanghang. It isn’t made for the hands of drummers or percussionists but to the hands of listeners. To listen is what the Integral Hang player does. His hands follow the sounds not the sounds follow his hands.
I know it isn’t easy to find out more about the Hang in China, especially if one doesn’t understand English or German. But in the future it will be necesssary to be well informed about the Hang and to become clear what it is that attracts one to the Hang. When your friend is clear what he want, he will know what he should write in his letter. I cannot advise him what to write.
To your second question: The first letter your friend send to PANArt is a first contact to state his interest to acquire a Hang. It isn’t a Hang order! PANArt receives much more requests than they can satisfy. Therefor money isn’t a topic in this stadium. Your friend will receive an answer that will inform him what to do. In the moment persons who sent a letter with a Hang request receive an answer telling them that their name and address will be filed and that they will be informed about PANArt’s activities at springtime of next year.
Therefor you see it is a long journey. It is impossible just to order a Hang.
October 10th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hi Michael,
I would like to express my thanks, I hope on behalf of all of us who have sent emails to this forum, for all the time and energy that you invest in providing Hang-enthousiasts worldwide with all the correct information.
I know it can’t be easy sometimes…
Thank you very much, the info is much appreciated.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Micheal,we all really owe you one for helping us out with all this information..I’m going to send a letter soon and i do hope i get one i dont mind the long wait,as long as it bears fruit in the end ^^
Thank you.
October 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Hey michael, thanks for posting this blog, it was useful information. i did not read all the comments so i dont know if someone already asked this but,,, do you think there is any chance of the Hang ever becoming mass produced? or maybe becoming an easier attainable item?
And do you know how much they typically sell for? i know u dont work there so u probbly dont but, how much was yours?
October 17th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Hi Captain Jak,
The Hang will never be mass produced. It is a hand made instrument. No machine can replace the human Hang tuner. If you want a Hang, there is only the Hang currently. The current price of the Hang is in the article.
If you want a “convex circular playing device made of steel” you can look at Halo, Caisa etc., but you cannot await the same instrument concept, sound character and quality.
October 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
They have a deployment by inexperienced, I sent two letters in a year and a half and I have not heard acora nothing but a mail telling me that I will have to wait ..
Obviously give priority to their friends, and in the meantime sold only to those who already have one or more …
I will buy it a caisa …
October 20th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
ome on caisa that are handcrafted, it seems that the only ones able to do both Panart hangs from ….
They do not want to sell, buy the beautiful caisa …
October 20th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Hi Manuk,
I know of a lot of people who got an Integral Hang in 2008 or 2009, who didn’t own a Hang before.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
I sent a letter requesting a hang. I received the answer two hous later. The hang came this morning for free. I woke up five minutes ago. HE he He hE
October 27th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I want acquire a hang,I am a architect ,lived in china 。
October 27th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hi lee china,
You have asked for a Hang at the Hangblog.
The Hangblog is not the place to contact PANArt, the Hang makers.
The article above and the German version of this article explain how to acquire a Hang.
If you don’t understand one of these languages good enough, ask a friend who understand English or German to translate it for you. It is important to understand the whole story.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Hi Michael, you read above El Chupa, in two hours and managed to get a response from Panarte, in 1 year I am nothing, I’m on the list, it is obvious that the damage and sell to whoever they want!
E ‘that is so obvious!
There are people who have 10 and who has none …
You know if you need to do much besides the letter?
I responded to the mail just saying that I will be on the list … you ok, but if that list does not exist?
October 27th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
ok manuk enough! you forgot to read the part where el chulo (means the ass) says he woke up! it was a joke my young friend ok? Yes some people have more then one because a while ago nobody new what the hang was and you could purchase one or more from a dealer or go to them directly but those days are gone. Its called supply and demand and you will learn what that is if you stay in school ok? just be patient and wait your turn and have enough money saved for the day when your hang is ready for you
November 5th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Hi everybody !
I’m looking for the price of the Integral Hang 2009.
Thank you for your help.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Hi
It’s really confusing. But I just want to buy this incredible instrument. So, please, let me know how to do it?
Reading all the others people who has the same desire, I found out it could be very complicated. But I hope not.
Thank you for your answer,
Samo
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 am
Hi Samo,
why don’t you read the article above?
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hi All, i cant judge anyone… i don’t want to.. I have read some comments and.. you just kill me. I have no hope to buy Hang for me, i am not so reach to travel to PANArt, and the price of hang is not so smal.. whatever, generally we are asking in context “Please sell it to me, i will love it, i will take care of it, i am the one who really need it, my soul need it, PLEASE SELL IT TO ME”. And what we have? Story about creating? And we know that only two peoples can construct it… Why? Is this HI TECH? Is it impossible to teach more peoples to make it in a right way… No!? We r asking more and more.. Rating is growing.. why not. Am i right? p.s Sorry, my english not so good
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:33 am
Dear Michael, I want to commend you for your patience with the idiots who write to you with no respect or basic human decency. You are much more long suffering than I could ever be. The information you provided in the article is more than adequate. Thank you for your time and gentle way. Just reading some of the stupid things stupid people say made me mad. Till I would read your responses. Then I would laugh and feel bad for getting mad at them when you yourself reacted with such dignity. Not to get too spiritual but, it’s almost like you embody what the Hanghang is all about. Looking forward to my hang!! Even if it takes 10 years. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hello…
at least Europe has access to internet, money, faxes, waiting, arguing, etc. what about us Africans? who loves this hang, wish to have it and seems like we’ll never have access to it!
i want to have it, enjoy it with the rest of fellow africans…dont have thousands of Euros, cant travel to Switzerland,etc.
it is not fair because we beleave music is to share,teach exchange… eg if they come to me now am ready to teach them what we have and make sure they have it for free. that is all about music.
Thanks for your great effort Michael! wish the hangmakers will take time and ready these mails.
one love!
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Hi Joey T,
thanks for your appreciation.
Hi Chaka,
the Hang is an European instrument, born and developed in a little country between Germany, France, Austria and Italy. Only two person build it. They cannot satisfy the demand of the whole world. They also are not able to solve the problem of unfairness in global economics between Africa, Asia, South-America and Europe/North-America.
If you want a Hang the only way is to write a letter to PANArt and describe your interest and situation.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
The Eouropean instrument can be shared world wide, as african drums,marimba,djembe, etc!.
thanks anyway for the reply! i love this instrument and will try to write to the (instrument owners).
December 5th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hello Michael,
Is it possible to get second hand hang? please advice!
Thanks.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
The problem in getting a second hand Hang is to find someone who is willing to sell his or her Hang for a reasonable price. Occasionally there are Hang auctions at Ebay, but the prices are threefold or fourfold of a new Hang bought directly from PANArt. Also it isn’t clear whether the Hang is in good condition and there are attempts to defraud with Hang ebay auctions. Another important issue is that PANArt will refuse to repair or tune a Hang that was bought via Ebay for such high prices.
PANArt will assist in a second hand Hang sell, if the seller sign the agreement, send the Hang to PANArt for a check-up and sell it to you for the original price he or she paid for it.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for that Michael.
December 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Hi there,
Panart answer me that they are unable to sell me a Hang because they have too much request :(
i was ready to wait few years but no hang for me, never…
they just brake my dream…fuck off
who they are to say : a hang for him, but not for this one ?
it is difficult to hire persons and teach them how to make a hang in the right way ? i don’t think so
they can say what they want, they are just egoist.
I am really really really disappointed
happy chrismas
December 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hi Michael,
First, many thanks for you infinite patience and help in setting up and managing this website. Without you I think many of us would never even think obtaining a hang was a possibility.
After I received my email in November, I had a few days thinking about my finances, which are currently in a bad state, and then thought I should still carry on, as I have been dreaming of having one for quite a few years now.
I receved an email saying that they can not sell me a hang. They did not specify if this was due to me taking too long to reply, or if it was due to something in my letter that made them decide that they didn’t want to sell me one? Also, they didn’t say if this means they will never sell me one, or if I have just to wait until they have sold all this generation of the hang, then had another break, and I am still on the list for if they release the next generation in a year or so?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. It has been a very long journey to get to where I now am in my quest to get a hang, and I would really like to know where I am??!?!?
All the best, and Merry Christmas
December 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Hi nohangforme,
I got the same reply you received. I have been waiting for my hang for almost 2 years now. Honestly saying, I had to cry yesterday when reading the refusal. It was more than just a disappointment…
As you did, I asked myself the same question i.e how they select people. After reading for hours on the internet I did not find any answer to this question. Instead, I just saw some “pointers” how the new letter to the hang builders should look like which I will start writing soon.
Well, I advise you to calm down for a few days and start working on your dream again. When you want to achieve a “dream” it takes a lot of time to do so. Failure is just a mean you should learn from to do better next time. So do not let frustration overcome you. Instead, be aware the hang makers regard their instrument as a gift from heaven. Therefore, inform yourself about their philosophy towards the hang and try to understand what a hang really means for them. As you do so, you move towards your goal. All the best.
May your dream come true one day.
Happy Christmas,
Chill
December 21st, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Hi BenJ,
I got also kind of stuck in the quest for a hang and do not know where I am after PANart’s refusal.
I am working on a solution…just wanted to let you know that when I know more I will let you know.
greetings,
Chill
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Cheers Chill,
I think I’m maybe going to write to them, although I would have thought that there must be quite a lot of people thinking the same as us?
Anyway, good luck in your quest, and Merry Christmas,
BenJ
December 31st, 2009 at 4:18 pm
hi i was just wondering what the rough price for a hang is ?
December 31st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
The price for an Integral Hang in 2009 was 1300 Euro and will be for a Free Integral Hang in 2010 1300 Euro too.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:37 am
What’s their address? I’d like to write them a letter ASAP.
Thank you!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Hi Ali,
I’d like that you read the article ASAP.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:18 am
hi micheal, i’d like to thank you for your help , sorry if i seemed reserved/remedial in my previous question . after reading through your blog i am sorry . you are obviously a very patient and well informed person and i thank you for the time and patience taken dealing with some of these erratic, impatient people .i have sent my letter thanks to your help after hours of confusion.
many thanks
james ferry
January 10th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Hi Michael, hope you are well. Just another quick note from me to say thank you for the amazing job you do in keeping this website going! Your place in Hang Heaven is assured! I have just learned of the Free Integral Hang & am hoping to feel one singing in my hands & heart before too long. Wishing you all good things for the coming year, JC / England.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I could strangle my husband. He showed me a video of a hang being played. I was mesmerized. My thoughts immediately flew to my 17 year old brother who has been experimenting with different drums and sounds. It was bummer to learn that it was WELL outside what I could afford to pay.
Bummer. It is fascinating though. It’s nice to see handcrafted items being appreciated. Just stinks that there are a lot talented musicians (especially very young ones) who won’t be able to afford one.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:42 am
hello …awh i will never forget the first time i heard the hangdrum being played it was a few years back in dublin …i heard it on the street and before i knew it i was sitting listening to it for hours just trying to absorb it all in …it simply was the most beautiful sound i have ever heard…its just so peacefull and unique … its my only wish to obtain one someday . I just dont know where i would start writing them a letter .i really hope they wouldnt refuse me
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Today I heard the Hang for the first time in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, played by Jaro Trip on the street. Back home I found his CD on the internet . I found out that e has a website and two movies on YouTube (”hahahang”). For anyone who enjoys the Hang, check out : hahahang on YouTube. I really enjoy this website and this forum about the Hang and it’s magnificent sound.
February 6th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
I learned about hang from the internet and watched all the videos I could find, I want to play this instrument very much. I’ve read above, that to get a hang, I need to send a letter to PANArt and they will make an appointment, does that mean, that it is nessesary for me to come to Switzerland from Russia to that appointment? Another question is how will PANArt respond to my letter? I mean, will they write me a letter back or I can communicate with them in some other way if I ask them to do so?
February 10th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Michael,
I think it is time to update this section of the HangBlog to indicate both the existence of the new Free Integral Hang and to indicate the changes to the sales process (no longer a waiting list).
February 12th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Hi Vanya,
currently PANArt has made some hundreds appointments for spring and autumn 2010. They still receive many requests day by day. I don’t know how all the new requests will be handled. I also don’t know whether it is necessary to travel to Bern in any case, but I think it is strongly recommended to chose the Free Integral Hang personally.
Hi Robert,
you are right, an update is necessary. I’m working on a main update of the article. It is most important to understand, that it is not possible to ORDER a Hang. You only can INDICATE your interest to buy a Hang. And it is important to consider carefully whether the Free Integral Hang is the adequate instrument for one’s interests.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:14 am
hello michael pls if u can tell me what is the difference between the hang drum and Pantheon or BlackBells
http://pantheonsteel.com/
since the pantheonsteel is made in usa so we can purchase it easily here
thax a lot
March 6th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hi ant-one,
the BlackBells never existed. As I understood Mark Campion tried to produce a ready Hang like instrument by engineering and then let it tuned by a tuner in the final step. Obviously he failed. He closed his website http://www.blackbells.com several months ago.
To understand the difference between the Halo and the Hang you must listen to them and play them in real life. Then you can decide whether one of these instruments is what you are looking for. Perhaps it will help to read the information at http://pantheonsteel.com and the newest communicaton from PANArt. It also is important to understand, that the Hang is not a “hang drum”.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Hello, i was wondering what is the absolute best way to contact the Hang makers, and what are their names?
March 8th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Hi ben osheroff,
there isn’t an “absolute best way”. Firstly you should read the article above and the recommended PANArt publications. The names you can find out by yourself.
March 12th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Hi I recently wrote a letter to PANart asking to be put on a list to buy a hang drum, waited with excitement to receive a reply and when I did I was gutted as they said I couldnt buy one!! not sure if this was just to me or in general but I find this is really quite rude as there are hundreds of percussionists who would loved to play and own a HANG but due to the long winded way of wanting to buy one it has become very elitist, of which I am very sad about. I found an alternative called Hapitones, not excatly the same but really accessible and lovely people to boot who are enthusiastic and helpful when wanting to buy one of there drums, unlike PANart.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
So I have to send a letter, politely indicate that I am “interested” in a Hang, wait an unknown amount of time for a reply from “the artists”, and if I’m lucky (and my chakras are properly aligned) I just might be granted a personal audience in their studio. Then after paying a couple thousand dollars to fly overseas to travel to their studio in Bern, I will be allowed to see which instrument I have a spiritual connection with, and then finally spend the 1200 euros for the Hang?
“Excuse me sir, will you be paying with the fat roll of cash in your pocket, or the Platinum Visa?”
Are you kidding me? Sorry, but I’m not part of the Jet Set, with a few thousand dollars and a week of vacation to spend on a metal drum (excuse me, “work of art”). This is another form of conspicous consumption, to provide the wealthy with another way to flaunt their wealth. The Hang is a beautiful sounding instrument, but please PANart, get over yourselves.
March 13th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Hi Jesse,
PANArt shall get over themselves? What are your concrete proposals? Perhaps leaving Switzerland and settle down in California or New York? So you could save your traveling costs.
But will that work? What about all the Europeans moaning that they have to spend a lot of Euros to travel to the US?
It’s just bad luck that you was born in America and not in Europe. And this has nothing to do with PANArt or the Hang.
And look at the Ebay prices paid for used Hanghang! 1300 Euro for a brand new Free Integral Hang is a very cheap price!
So what does “get over yourselves” mean concrete? Your realistic proposals please!
March 16th, 2010 at 1:57 am
I have read through the handbook and letters, and was wondering if you could explain how the angle of the legs affects the pitch.
Thank you!
Rachel
P.S. This website is great – it satisfied a very frustrating need for information
March 16th, 2010 at 5:14 am
What happens If you do get rejected can you send another letter?
March 16th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Hi Rachel,
the angle of the legs doesn’t affect the pitch of the tones of the Ding side of the Hang. It affects only the frequency of the Helmholtz resonance (look at the explanation in the Hang Lexicon). On this webpage you find an animated figure showing the comparison of the function of a Helmholtz resonator and and a mass spring system. The frequency depends on the volume of the air in the cavity (F) and the mass of the air in the neck of the Helmholtz resonator (m).
With a little angle of your legs you make the neck of the Gu longer and the mass within this longer neck bigger. This slows down the oscillation of the mass in the neck.
Hi Truckerhucker,
I don’t know what will happen, if you send another letter. And I’m not able to give any reliable advice.
March 20th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Hello Michael,
Primarily I would like to express my gratitude for you patiently keeping this blog open; regardless of certian ignorant ranting or rude comments. I would also like to ask about certain aspects of this purchasing process. I have read the entire article, but I have not read all of the comments; just most of those in 2007 or 2008. What is the difference between the intregral hang and the free integral hang? Also, if I were to send a letter asking about purchasing a Hang Drum, and I were accepted; would it be necerssary to go straight to Bern? Is it possible to just have an acceptance letter, and arrive at your leisure; one or even two years later? I don’t quite have the money to pay for one yet, and I was just wondering about the possibility of getting through the waiting process, so that when I want the drum; I can just get it instantly. (relatively speaking)
March 21st, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I think that some people dont understand the specialness of something unique, and the old and unique way of aquiring hang. Hand writing a letter is a beautiful request that is personal and true.maybe in the mystical earth you might have a chance at the journey to travel to burne switzerland, to aquire something unique. what a beautiful notion.. I will try my chances with the best letter I can write.. Ryan Sapach in Vancouver Canada
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
hola michael. no se si me entiendes al escribir en español pero yo no se ingles… sorry…
en primer lugar te felicito por tu gran trabajo, eres la primera persona que me aclara algo en esto del hang.
me muero por conseguir uno y creo que voy a mandar la carta, solo me gustaria saber si no pasa nada por escribirla en español, y si tu crees que tendre mucho tiempo de espera para que me contesten, o pueda tenerlo en mis manos.
solo era eso. gracias por todo amigo.
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Hi Benjamin,
it isn’t possible to get a Free Integral Hang “just in time” when you want to have it. If you currently have not enough money I recommend to lean back and learn more about the Hang in the meantime. Perhaps it is a good idea to meet Hang players, play a real Hang and find out whether it is really the instrument you want. Look at http://www.hangforum.com. It is not possible to purchase a “hang drum”. Read the recently published Letter from the Hangbauhaus November 2009 to understand why.
Hi sergio,
you can write in Spanish.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:17 am
word up. i fell in love with these metal drums that make such nice sounds when i first saw them on youtube a few days ago, i couldn’t stop watching them be played by such great players. so i just bought plane tickets to Berne. Michael can you tell me where is their storefront?
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!!? HA! … but seriously …
Michael. You have the heart of a lion – a very large-maned and muscular lion. I know few to none who would continue to put up with what you do on this wonderful website. Thank you so much for your patience and continued apportioning of information about these beautiful instruments. I would say God bless, but since you already own a piece of hand sculpted heaven, it appears that you are indeed blessed by God – I’ll say it none the less, God bless!
March 31st, 2010 at 9:40 am
Hi Jeffrey,
even I understood the irony after a second reading ;-) Just a little hint for the many readers who are no native English speakers like me (is it correct to write “me” here? Or is it “I”?).
April 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Michael,
For the fax number do we need to put switzerland’s country code when we send the fax? I know that the code is 41 and you put 41 already in their fax number so do I need to add 41 to the number you put on your website? Thanks!
April 4th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
It is the complete international fax number. The meaning of the + is explained for example in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_call_prefixes
April 6th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Hello again. So i sent my fax and I’m wondering if I sent it to late to get spring 2010 update from PANArt? If you don’t know that’s fine. Thank you very much!!!!
April 8th, 2010 at 5:59 am
I feel like a visit to Switzerland is in order, glad i took the time to learn German, makes traveling in Europe easier.
This article was great, I’ve been obsessing with the hang for the past year or so. Steel tongue drums sound differant, they wont do. I love this sound too much.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:39 am
hi Michael.
I’m from indonesia..
i’d like to buy a hang drum..
what should do then?
is it possible to buy a hang in indonesia?
where do u bought it?
thank you very much..
ow. 1 thing.. it’s not not a hang drum.. it a hang.. ;)
April 8th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Hi mario,
no it is not possible to buy a Hang in Indonesia.
Read the article above.
April 11th, 2010 at 12:26 am
hi michael, maybe you can tell me where can i buy a hang..
haha sorry i had to do it. i’d like to think im as patient as you are, but after reading through the comments im not sure id be so patient after three years since the article was written.
nonetheless i wanted to tell you this is by far the best article on obtaining a hang that i have yet to see on the internet. i really do appreciate all the work that you have put into the whole site in general, much appreciation.
after reading the extreme lengths and waiting times it takes to acquire the hang i have better come to terms with the fact that i will not be getting a hang anytime soon. instead i will be trying out a cheaper alternative for the meantime (while still keeping an eye out for a panart hang) and see where it takes me, see if i even enjoy or spend more than a month playing it.
initially i was little upset that the hang wasnt more easily obtainable. but after doing research on this instrument i am happy to know that i will not being seeing one of these in a chain music store or even in a walmart anytime soon.
April 12th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I wana make an order where is the direct booking site or email ? I looked through but cant fint it…
April 12th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hi TIMMY,
I also looked through but couldn’t fint a direct booking site. ;-)
May 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I heard that Hung is no longer produced. Is it true?
May 15th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Hi Artemiy,
this is not true.
By the way: The name is Hang not Hung.
May 21st, 2010 at 2:56 am
Micheal,
Are there examples available of letters sent to PANArt that have resulted in an approval and appointment? I am curious as to what level or style of communication is most inspiring to the artists to approve a candidate. I am sincerely interested in having a hang in my daily life and am willing to travel from the US to Bern to receive it. I have simply read many reports from potential hang users that their requests were either turned down or not answered at all. I would like to fall into the category of approved and do not mind waiting a couple of years if necessary. Any direction in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
May 22nd, 2010 at 10:13 am
only there wanted to know which is the approximate price of the hang drum and i want to congratulate you as that you have a great instrument that costs gold in the whole world the truth i remained impressed when here in mexico i saw an israeli touch a harmonious melody it wanted to know if you can sendme the address in swiss to send the letter and do contact with the hangmakers i listen the hang drum songs every day
May 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
Hi Daniel Silva,
you will find PANArt’s address in the article above.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Felix et Sabrina ont inventés un instrument fantastique rendant la possibilité à tous le monde de jouer de la musique sans aucun cours, juste avec le coeur / l’oreilles / et les mains. je pratique depuis 4 ans et a chaque fois que prend mon Hang, il me surprend. L’attente est longue pour recevoir son bijoux, ce sont aussi des oeuvres d’art, alors nos geniaux inventeurs les distillent aux plus patients qui restent en contact avec eux regulierement ! donc restez zen, 10/12 mois d’attente !
voici quelques video.
http://WWW.youtube.com : rechercher : Hang drum flow
ciao
June 20th, 2010 at 4:07 am
Michael I may only imagine you as an arch archangel and levied key holder to many gates! Your patience is not fleeting and there for good fortunes will fol!ow.
I have began drafting my indicative letter last week. Three times now I have made revisions. My feelings to posses a hång, if only for the duration of this life before ît is relenquished to the next, run deep into complexity and deserves to be fully examined so that I may find proper reasons as to why I can trust myself to responsibly use one of these tools for what they are.
I ask only for your prayers as I begin my waiting for such a beautiful marriage made in heaven; if for that day comes to pass then I may be closer to the great reality that can be discovered through this resonance. Any relief that you may afford is none to small~•
June 20th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Hi Joshua,
I don’t pray. And I don’t have a key to anything.
June 24th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
as demand has far outstretched supply, PANart should sell the license for these instruments to be manufactured by a large percussion company.
That was normal people could own one of these wonderful instruments, rather than only a chosen few.
I’m sure they would be very well paid for the license and they could no doubt retain a large element of creative control in instrument design.
If they don’t willingly license the project to someone like Paiste / Zildjian it’s only a matter of time before they get hold of one, cut it open and design their own version.
The instrument design is wonderful, but the business skill are terrible
June 24th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Hi AdamM,
Paiste wouldn’t be sucessful if they tried to mass produce the Hang. Even a company with a lot of money needs the tuners, who have the experience of millions of hammer blows on the special material, the Pang. It is not a question of business skills.
There currently are two manufacturers who try to build a Hang alternative, Pantheon Steel and Bellart. But both productions are significant lower than PANArt’s and the quality of the instruments doesn’t meet the Hang.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Paiste was an example off the top of my head. I don’t know anything about percusion design and production. My point is, there are experts out there perfectly capable of reproducing this instrument.
There’s clearly a very strong market for this product, but under producing and expecting people to travel to switzerland to choose an instrument is just absurd.
I’ve been playing guitar 20+ years and am pretty useful.
If someone had told me before I started that I would have to spend £1000 plus air fair and accomodation to go and try one out, before I’d ever played a note on any guitar ever, do you think I’d be playing now. Even if I did have the money to travel and buy one, assuming I was lucky enough to be ’selected’ to own an instrument, how would I know which instrument matched me as I haven’t learned to play yet.
To carry the analogy to it’s conclusion, imagine Gibson were the ONLY guitar producers in the world, they told you if you could have an instrument or not, you had to travel to memphis to try one out and only then could you start trying to learn to play.
It is ABSOLUTELY a case of poor business skills. The worst business model I’ve ever heard of.
License the product, or loose it. Up to them.
June 25th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Hi AdamM,
I’m very interested getting to know the “experts out there perfectly capable of reproducing this instrument.” Can you refer to just three of them?
But I think you will not be able to do it. And if you can’t, the rest of your statement is meaningless. It is the main difference between a guitar and a Hang: There are thousands of experts out there capable of building a guitar, but by now there is no one who was able to reproduce the Hang. There are a few persons who are able to build an instrument like the Halo or the BElls. But these instruments don’t meet the quality of the Hang. PANArt isn’t interested in low quality Hanghang. To meet the quality of the Hang it needs PANArt’s technology AND tuning skills. The technology could be shared but not the tuning skills, that need years of experience. To license the Hang technology is not the way. It would need capable persons willing to stick to the hammer and the Pang for years and interested in collaboration with PANArt. But even this would never make a mass production of the Hang possible, which would be necessary to meet the demand.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
you are being very naive to think that only these few people are capable of making this instrument.
There are many expert instrument manufacturers around the world who could reproduce this instrument and eventually they will, once they realise the market demands it. If PANArt cared about their invention, they would want to be involved in it’s global development. Instead they seem happy to let other people develop alternatives. The non-PANArt products might not be as good as the hang now, but they will improve, with or without their involvement.
If they are not prepared to license the product, do you know if PANArt are taking steps to train people to make the instrument within their company to increase production?
June 28th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Hi AdamM,
What do you know about how a Hang is built? Currently there are only two persons in the world who work with the special material the Hang is made of. Steel pan tuners work with different material. They have no experience with the Pang sheets. Pang is much harder than the sheet steel steel pans are made of. There were attempts of several persons to learn how to tune the Pang. But they didn’t succeed. So perhaps it is you who is a little bit naive knowing nothing about tuning Pang blanks.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:16 am
:Sigh:
There may be only two people who CURRENTLY know how to make Hang.
There are not only two people CAPABLE of making them.
If there is a strong enough market, there will eventually be an alternative product of similar quality for a lower price. That’s just a fact of life. It’s how the world economy works.
These people are apparently so clever that they are the only people who can make this instrument, but are too stupid to work out how to run a business capable of getting it to the people who actually want one.
June 30th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
reading all the comments above, i see I am oe of many to voice the same opinion.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Hello to ALL
its interesting reading these commnets
the fustration is real & very apparant
there are very good reasons to both sides of the debate.
However im sure as Adam states, there will be others ,…these will be copies
these will sell
and a diluted form will be on the market,
its business forces ….that simple
i first felt the vibrations,.. this fantastic instrument emits in Spain years ago.
i too wrote & requested to be placed on the waiting list
alais , still to no avail !
ive read most stuff on the net , i have come across the two other sites selling their own version of the Hang.
They wont be , the same as PANart…………..to me that is clear
but with thousands of requests for access to the instrument , then developers will be creative,….and will enter this market.
personally i just hope ill live long enough to be lucky enough to actually have one
…and no it will never be sold on,…some things in life are Special
Eric
July 28th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Aloha Michael~ Mahalo for all you diligent work on keeping this blog going~I too am in search of the illusive Hang and feel blessing that I have heard this wonderful ethereal sound in person~There is another company called Pantheon Steel that makes a knock off called “halo”~But it certainly IS NOT the same as a Hang~The Hang is special in ways that it can not be copied by others~The way the sound vibrates through your entire being as you listen to or play a Hang can no way be reproduced….Any one who has had the pleasure of listening to a Hang in person understand that this is TRULY a special gift……
July 29th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Hi
a very interesting blog, I cant resist adding a few comments of my own
I’m a sax player, I play a japanese copy of a french masterpiece, so do many other sax players, including a great many professionals, and I say it is the player rather the instrument that matters in music.
I also play low D whistle and have owned Overton and MK whistles that I have had to wait on a list for, but I find that my mass produce Susato whistle is just as good for most applications, since it is my level of skill that is crucial, provided that the instrument is reasonably well made.
I accept that sax and whistle isnt the same as hang, but it’s all music at the end of the day, I also suspect that the best made hang in the world isnt going to make a person a musical genius.
I can accept that a hang variant from a different maker may not be as good as a PANART one at the present time, BUT provided it is good enough to enable the musician to express themselves then I say it is good enough.
In any case in a couple of years these alternatives could exceed the PANART hang in quality, I have no doubt that the makers of similar instruments share the passion and the energy, all they lack is the time and the practice.
critiscm invited – please do your worst( or best!), cheers, Jim