If your instrument needs readjustment or has a problem covered by the warranty, please contact me directly via our contact page or by email (charles@bapst-handpan.com). I’ll give you all the information you need to arrange shipment of your handpan. I’ll deal with your request promptly, so that you can get your instrument back to its best!
Frequently asked questions
The FAQs are divided into two sections: “I’m a beginner” and “After-sales service”.
I'm a beginner
The handpan is a saucer-shaped musical instrument made of metal, with several notes distributed around a center. When gently struck with the hands, it produces a soft, harmonious and often haunting sound. Each handpan has its own range of notes, which can be relaxing and meditative or more dynamic, depending on your style.
No, the handpan is accessible to everyone, even beginners with no musical experience. There’s no need for music theory or complex technique. In just a few minutes, you can already produce harmonious sounds by lightly striking the instrument’s various notes. With a little practice and patience, you’ll soon be playing melodies that sound just like you.
Handpans are tuned according to different scales, which influence their musical mood. Each scale brings a unique tonal color, allowing you to explore different emotions according to your style and mood. Here are some of the most popular scales:
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D Minor Amara: A soft, immersive scale, ideal for deep, meditative melodies. It invites calm and relaxation, perfect for moments of introspection.
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Kurd: The Kurd scale is extremely expressive and versatile, ideal for deep, emotional tunes. With it, you can play melancholy melodies or more rhythmic ones. It’s often chosen for its ability to combine introspection with subtle dynamism. D Kurd is a common, balanced and soothing scale, much appreciated for improvisation.
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Celtic (or Celtic Minor): The Celtic scale is renowned for its magical, melodic atmosphere. It produces haunting tones reminiscent of Celtic legends and landscapes. Very accessible, it’s perfect for creating relaxing, dreamy atmospheres. Ré Celtic is a popular variant for soft, introspective melodies.
The handpan requires regular maintenance to keep it in good condition:
- Cleaning: After each use, wipe with a dry cloth to remove fingerprints.
- Oiling: Once or twice a month, apply a light coat of special oil (such as Ballistol oil, or Jojoba oil) to protect the metal from oxidation.
- Storage: Keep your handpan in a dry place, away from humidity and extreme temperatures. For example, in its protective case
The handpan is played with the hands only. This gives greater control over nuances and a softer sound. The touch of fingers and palms allows you to explore a wide range of sound possibilities, with strokes, slides and taps. You can also try using chopsticks, but I personally find this less stylish.
For beginners, a 9-note handpan (8 notes around and 1 note in the middle) is ideal. It gives you a good variety of sounds without being too complex to grasp. As you progress, you’ll be able to explore handpans with additional notes, but 9 notes is more than enough for a promising start. After that, no matter how many notes you choose, you’ll be able to play melodies quickly and easily. It’s all about practice and consistency.
The handpan is sturdy, but sensitive to bumps and scratches. It’s best to avoid bumping it against hard surfaces and carrying it without a protective cover. With a little care, it can accompany you for many years without worry!
You’ll be able to create beautiful harmonies right from the start. With a few days’ regular practice, you’ll be able to play more fluid sequences. Playing an entire piece can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how much time you devote to it and how familiar you are with the instrument.
When it comes to handpans, it’s true that low prices can be tempting, but beware: they often conceal compromises in quality. Many low-cost handpans, especially those made in China, suffer from tuning problems, limited resonance and inferior materials. Although models as low as €800 can be found, these instruments can lack sonic precision and durability.
For a satisfying first experience, the ideal is to invest in a European instrument, where quality and craftsmanship are much higher. At Bapst Handpan, we work with an Italian manufacturer renowned for its manufacturing excellence. Our handpans, designed to offer exceptional sound quality and durability, are available from €1,890. This manufacturing process guarantees a reliable, precise instrument capable of accompanying your practice for a long time to come.
By way of comparison, other European manufacturers such as Ayasa Instrument offer their handpans from €2,500, underlining the added value of a European-made instrument. At Bapst Handpan, we’re committed to making this handcrafted quality accessible, so that every beginner can start out with a reliable, harmonious handpan.
There are lots of online resources to help you! On YouTube, you’ll find tutorials for beginners and basic exercises. You can also join enthusiast groups and forums, or even consider taking a course with a teacher to make rapid progress.
Yes, the handpan is easy to transport. With a protective cover (included in all our offers), you can take it on a trip or even in the cabin of an airplane. It can be the perfect companion for sharing musical moments in nature or with friends.
SERVICE
If you order from outside the European Union, customs duties may apply. These charges vary from country to country and are payable by the buyer. We recommend that you contact the customs authorities in your country to find out about any import charges. For orders delivered within France and the European Union, no additional customs duties will be applied.
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If the handpan is in stock :
- The product is dispatched within 5 to 6 working days of receipt of payment.
- Delivery by express courier usually takes a further 5 to 10 working days.
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If the handpan is not in stock :
- Waiting times are indicated directly on the product sheet…
My supplier is liable for any lack of conformity that appears within two years of delivery of the product. All products purchased are covered by a warranty.
The warranty covers free repair or replacement of the instrument in the event of a manufacturing defect. Scratches, color differences, marks of blows on the instrument necessary to tune the notes and any slight asymmetry are due to the handcrafted nature of the products and cannot be considered defects. All instruments are heat-treated. However, the possibility of rust cannot be ruled out, and the acrylic coloring may gradually fade over time. Retuning an instrument costs between 50 and 200 euros, depending on the number of notes to be tuned. Shipping costs are your responsibility.
You also have 14 days to retract your purchase.
Correct tuning is essential to get the most out of your handpan. As soon as you receive it, I recommend that you test the notes to get a sound reference of the initial tuning. To help you, there are several free apps you can download to your smartphone, such as Panotuner, Tunable or DaTuner. These apps allow you to check each note and record its frequency as soon as you receive it, giving you a valuable reference base.
If you notice a tuning problem within 14 days of receipt, please contact me so that we can take action under the warranty. After this period, retuning is always possible, but will be billed at between €50 and €200 inc. tax (depending on the handpan), with shipping costs at your expense.
By using these applications right from the start, you’ll have a reliable reference to compare notes over time and keep your handpan in perfect condition. I’m here to help you keep your instrument sounding its best!
Once your order has been shipped, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. Use it to check the progress of your order on the carrier’s website. If the estimated delivery time has passed and you still haven’t received your handpan, please contact me via Whatsapp or e-mail (charles@bapst-handpan.com). I’ll do what’s necessary to keep you informed and resolve the situation.
Once your order has been shipped, you’ll receive an email containing a tracking link. Click on this link to follow the progress of your parcel in real time on the carrier’s website. If you haven’t received this email, check your spam folder, then contact me if necessary.
Handpan cancellation and return
- Before shipment: You can cancel your order as long as the handpan has not yet been shipped.
- After receipt: If you have received your handpan and wish to cancel your purchase, this is possible under certain conditions. The return will be at your expense and must comply with the following procedure:
Withdrawal procedure :
- Contact me by e-mail at charles@bapst-handpan.com to open a retraction file. You’ll receive all the necessary instructions and return authorization.
- Prepare the following items:
- The original packaging, complete and undamaged (with all parts).
- The original invoice.
- Once authorization has been received, send the handpan back:
- In a suitable package to protect the original packaging.
- To the following address:
BATTILORO HANDPAN Srl,
Via del Fosso del Torrino 19/66,
00144 ROMA (ITALY). - At your expense, within 10 days of return authorization.
Important information:
- I can refuse the return if :
- The original packaging or accessories are missing.
- You return the handpan without my prior consent.
- The return does not follow the indicated procedures.
- If the return is refused, all transport costs (outward and return) will be charged to you.
Exclusion :
Customers who have ordered a customized handpan cannot benefit from the right of withdrawal.
If your handpan arrives damaged, take photos of the instrument and packaging as soon as possible, and send them to me by email or WhatsApp with a description of the problem. I’ll assess the situation and guide you through the steps to repair or replace your instrument. Please also note that if your package arrives damaged, you must refuse it.
If you think your instrument is out of tune, use a tuner application (such as Panotuner, Tunable or DaTuner) to check the notes. If you notice a problem within 14 days of receipt, contact me to benefit from the warranty. After this period, retuning will be charged.
For all returns, please contact me first via WhatsApp or email (charles@bapst-handpan.com). I’ll give you instructions on how to prepare your instrument for shipment. Please note that only returns of unused products in their original condition are accepted.
If the return is due to a defect covered by the warranty, we will pay the return shipping costs. In all other cases (change of mind, request for re-tuning outside the warranty period), you will be responsible for return and forwarding costs.
If your order has not yet been shipped, please contact me as soon as possible with the new address. I will do my best to update the address before shipping. Once the order has been shipped, I won’t be able to change the delivery address.
Of course you can! Your invoice is available in your customer area. Log in, access your orders and download your invoice. It’s also attached to your order emails. If you have any problems, just let me know and I’ll e-mail it to you.
