Four German-Made Hang Drum Alternatives

The Caisa HandPan

Produced by ‘Bill Brown’ and ‘Kaisos Steel Drums’, the Caisa, is arguably the most popular German-made HandPan, and Hang drum alternative.  Resembling the PANArt Hang in appearance, and playing style, but with a sound a little closer to the traditional steel pans of Trinidad and Tobago.  The Caisa, has proven to be a popular instrument, with those who have been unable to obtain a Hang, and with those who have been drawn to the sound of the Caisa, under its own merits.  And the Caisa sells for the price of around 900 Euros.  The Caisa

The SunPAN

The latest addition to the German-made family of HandPan instruments, is the ‘SunPAN’.  A HandPan instrument formed from a stainless steel playing surface, and a perforated underside.  Still something of a work in progress, the SunPAN has a very ‘homemade’ look at present.  But as research, and development continues, the SunPAN seems set to establish itself as a real player in the Hang drum alternative marketplace.  By far the cheapest member of the HandPan family (at the time of writing), the SunPAN is currently selling for around the 200 Euro mark.  Although this is likely to rise as the instrument evolves, and becomes more established.  The SunPAN

The Sphaira

Not a HandPan, but a steel tongue drum, the ‘Sphaira’, produced by ‘pronaam’, is (in my opinion) one of the best Hank-style drums currently available for purchase.  Similar in size to a HandPan, the Sphaira features nine precisely tuned tongues, that can be played with the palms/fingers, or with mallets.  And is made from stainless steel.  The Sphaira (at time of writing), can be bought for the price of roughly 250 Euros.  And it has a sound that is sure to please. The Sphaira

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