Hand Pan Care

Thank you for supporting our creative efforts. Your new instrument is a significant investment. The following are a few recommendations for promoting a long and healthy life of your hand pan.

Warranty

Each Saraz Handpan is backed by a warranty that covers damage within reason. If you care for your Saraz and play it properly, it should not need repairs and may only require a tune up every couple of years. Our warranty does not cover drops or damage from handling or tune ups.

Repair

If your Saraz has been damaged, please email us the following:

• Photographs of the damage
• A video of the Saraz being played so we can hear how the sound has been compromised by the damage

Once we receive this information, we will work to determine an estimated timeline and cost for repair. However, please note that we will not be able to give you an absolute until we see the instrument in our shop and begin repairs.

Cost for repairs is determined on a case-by-case basis. Minor repairs that do not require opening a Saraz tend to range between $100 and $200; more serious and labor-intensive repairs will cost more. Customers are responsible to pay shipping both to and from our shop in Asheville, North Carolina.

Insurance

If you are an avid player and/or someone who travels regularly with your Saraz, you may want to consider purchasing insurance for your hand pan. This is a relatively inexpensive option offered by many major insurance companies.

Scratches and Blemishes

Because each Saraz is unique, you may find blemishes or even scratches on the surface that were formed by the hammers used in production. Each Saraz is hit with tens of thousands of hammer strikes while it is being formed, so blemishes are not uncommon. Each blemish and scratch will not affect the sound of the instrument or it’s rust resistance.

Cleaning and Rust Prevention

If something is spilled on your Saraz, use rubbing alcohol to remove the substance. Once the surface is dry, coat it with a product such as Pure Sound Pan Wax, Froglube or Phoenix Oil. You can learn more about these products and how and when to apply them on our Rust Preventative page.

Your location will impact how often you need to use a rust preventative on your Saraz. If you live in a humid climate or near the water, you will have to use a rust preventative more frequently than someone who lives in a more arid or dry climate.

In addition to humidity and salty air, skin oils are the leading cause of rust on the surface due to the acidity of sweat. It is recommended that you wipe down your Saraz after each playing session with the provided microfiber cloth.

Storage and Temperature

The best place to store your hand pan when it is not in use is in its bag. Ensure that it remains dry. Do not store your Saraz for prolonged periods in a hot vehicle or in other hot or humid environments as this can affect the overall sound quality. Short exposure to cold and hot temperatures will not have a long term effect on the instrument.

How to Play

The Saraz Hand Pan is not like a traditional drum. The best way to play is softly with your individual fingers. Not only will this preserve the integrity of your instrument, it will also yield the best sound.  We strongly discourage the use mallets and sticks on a Saraz.

No experience is required to learn how to play a Saraz Hand Pan. There are very few “wrong” notes, which means that even a novice player can enjoy making music on these sound sculptures. We encourage people to “play first and think later,” emphasizing a more kinetic and emotional approach, rather than an approach that stems from technical correctness.

If you would like to receive more formal instruction on playing your instrument, visit Hand Pan Lessons to learn more about our favorite educational program Master the Handpan, by David Charrier.