FAQ

It’s simple, just visit our webshop and place your order 😊

By placing an order in our webshop, you get several paying options. We accept payment through; Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard & American Express), PayPal, Bank transfer (SEPA), iDeal (Netherlands), Sofort Banking (Germany) and Bancontact (Belgium). Your order will become final once the full payment is made.

If there are any problems regarding your payment, please contact us at info@ayasainstruments.com

Please note that we only accept full payment upfront in order to secure your order and the shipping date mentioned on the instrument page. If there are any problems regarding your payment, please contact us at info@ayasainstruments.com

We offer a warranty that your instrument arrives safely to your home when you are having it shipped. It very rarely happens that an instrument gets damaged on the way. However, once you receive the instrument we ask you to check the box and instrument for damage. If the instrument is damaged it is important to send us pictures straight away and/or make a sound sample if you feel your instrument is out of tune.

We also give a warranty that your handpan stays in tune for at least one year. The one-year warranty on tuning is voided if the handpan is out of tune because of physical impact (e.g. dropping(something on) the instrument).

Your instrument should stay in tune for much longer than one year, taking into account the instrument is handled with proper care.If you feel your instrument has gone out of tune please send us a sound demo where you play the note(s) that you think are affected for at least 15 seconds continuously.

With every new purchase of an Ayasa handpan we include the “Ayasa Care Kit”. The kit includes a microfiber cloth and the Ayasa care sheet.

On top of that, we also include a free Ayasa T-shirt with every order in your desired size.

Yes, it is possible to pick up your new handpan at our workshop. If you wish to do so, please mention it in the “Notes” section when finalising your order.

Of course, you won’t have to pay for shipping costs if you choose to pick up your instrument at our workshop. These costs will be refunded at the moment of pickup. We will reach out to you once your instrument nears completion.

Due to high demand and high quality standards for every instrument we build, lead times may be high. Please make sure to check the current shipping times in our web shop.

If you order directly from us, you can be sure about the authenticity of your Ayasa handpan 😉 However, if you buy a second hand Ayasa, you can easily verify its authenticity by the engraving on the bottom shell, stating the scale name, the year of production and the series.

Ralf engraves all Ayasa handpans by hand.

We decided to only make our instruments in 440 hz because we have experienced too many disruptions in our building process if we try to make instruments tuned to a different frequency.

We have decided not to take on custom orders anymore and only produce sound models that we have tested and know that work and sound well. You can find all the models that we are taking orders for including prices and lead times on our webshop.

We only produce Ayasa handpans in Ember steel. Therefore, it is not possible to order instruments in nitrided steel anymore. You can find all the models that we are taking orders for including prices and lead times on our webshop.

There are different elements that you should keep in mind when deciding on your first handpan scale.

The most sold instrument is the D-Kurd 10 (D-Minor). The pro of this scale is that it is very versatile. Once you learn a bit how to play the scale, you can play in different moods. Moods ranging from sad, dark, melancholic to happy and euphoric! There are also many chord possibilities. What also has to be noted is that 95% of the online courses are recorded with this specific scale. Often for beginners that do not have a clear preference, or other reasons for deciding on a scale, we recommend the D-Kurd 10.

If you want to play together with a friend that already has a handpan, it is important to pick a similar scale, otherwise the instruments will sound dissonant when played together. You can tell us the scale that your friend has and we can let you know which scales will fit together.

In case you want to play together with other musicians, for example guitar players, it is often best to go with a natural C-Major, E-Minor or D-Minor scale. Our favourite is the D-Kurd 10 (a natural D-Minor scale), it is also the most popular handpan scale. This means that if you might want to play with other handpan players in the future you have a good chance for a match! E minor is also great, especially when playing with guitar and concert flute. The E-Amara 13/20 is perfect for this.

If you do not particularly have the interest of playing with others we recommend checking out all the scales in the Our Instruments tab in the menu bar. Listen carefully if there is any scale that resonates more with you. Please note: not all sound models listed here are currently available to order. You can also search YouTube, usually the scale and the corresponding notes are mentioned in the description of videos made by handpan players.

Finally, we always invite you to come to our workshop to freely try out different scales and ask any questions you would like to ask. In that way you can make a decision much more on your own gut feeling when you actually touch an instrument, you are also free to leave the workshop without buying an instrument of course!

This is a question that we get very often. But before we are able to give you a clear answer we must first determine what your wishes are for this second instrument. Would you like to have the second instrument complement your first one and increase the range that you will be able to play by combining both? Would you like to be able to play chromatically (use all 13 keys of an octave) by combining both instruments? Or would you like to be able to play together with a friend or family with both instruments? The answer to this question will drastically change the outcome of what your second instrument will be.

If you would like to extend your first instrument with the use of a second instrument you will need to determine if you want to go lower or higher with your notes in relation to the first instrument. So taking the D Kurd 10 as an example with the notes: D3) A3 Bb3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 C5 a good option might be the C Ashakiran 17 with the following notes:

By combining these two scales together you will be able to extend your D Kurd 10 scale with the C3 F3 G3 E3 D5 and E5 that are on the C Ashakiran 17. If you want you will also be able to swap between playing the B3 instead of the Bb3 to change scales if you would like.

This is just one of the examples that will be possible to extend scales. If you have any specific questions about a scale that you currently own, and how to extend it, we will be very happy to help you to research which scale would suit your needs the best. Be sure to send us an email at info@ayasainstruments.com .

If you want to play together with a friend that already has a handpan or want to buy a second instrument so you can play together, it is important to pick a similar scale. Or at least a scale that has almost all notes the same as the one the other person is playing. Otherwise the instruments will sound dissonant when played together. You can tell us the scale that your friend has by sending us an email at info@ayasainstruments.com and we can let you know which scales will fit together.

If in general you want to play together with other handpan players but you don’t know which scale they have, we would recommend going for the D-Kurd 10. It is the most common handpan scale out there!

When you would like to make your set chromatic (have all 13 keys of an octave) it is important to first look at what notes your current instruments have and then find a scale that has all the notes that you are still missing. An example of this would be the combination of the D Kurd 10 with the notes: D3) A3 Bb3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 C5 and the E Asha 10 with the notes: E3) A3 B3 C#4 D#4 E4 F#4 G#4 A4 B4 by combining these two scales you are able to play all the notes of the octave starting on the A3 till A4 and adding more notes lower and higher.

This is just one of the examples that will be possible to extending scales. If you have any specific questions about a scale that you currently own, and how to extend it, we will be very happy to help you to research which scale would suit your needs the best. Be sure to send us an email at info@ayasainstruments.com.

In case you want to play together with other musicians, for example guitar players, it is often best to go with a natural E-Minor or D-Minor scale. Our favourite is the D-Kurd 10 (a natural D-Minor scale), it is also the most popular handpan scale. This means that if you might want to play with other handpan players in the future you have a good chance for a match! E minor is also great, especially when playing with guitar and concert flute. We currently produce the E-Amara 13 and 20 (Celtic Minor).

However, it is important to know which scales the musicians play that you want to play with. In that case ask them what the scales are that they usually play.

We only ship with express carriers; UPS, DHL Express and FedEx

Yes, once your instrument is shipped we will send you a track & trace link. Please make sure to regularly check the track & trace link, since additional actions from your side may be necessary.

Delivery time is usually between 2 and 5 working days. However, this may vary due to several reasons.

Shipments within the EU costs €75,-. Worldwide shipping outside the EU costs €150,-. Packaging, insurance and a track & trace link is included in the price.

It is mandatory to buy a case with your handpan if you decide to get it shipped. Without a case, the instrument might get damaged while being shipped. We have several options available starting from €75,-. All of our cases are suitable for shipping.

An Ayasa handpan should hold its tuning for at least two years. For whatever reason, your handpan may sound out of tune. Make sure to send us a video at info@ayasainstruments.com of the notes you feel are out of tune. Play the note(s) for at least 15 seconds by tapping them at normal strength. We’ll be able to check the tuning with our software. If your handpan is out of tune, we will make an appointment for a re-tune. Usually you can wait for your instrument to be re-tuned. If you are living far away you can ship the instrument back to us or we can recommend you a local maker who can re-tune your handpan. Please do not search for a tuner yourself as we trust only a handful of makers that are able to retune the Ayasa without damaging it.

When your handpan gets damaged, please contact us at info@ayasainstruments.com. Send us a picture of the damaged handpan and include a sound sample. Each damage is different, that’s why we ask you to send us pictures and videos of the instrument. We can then give you an estimation on what the repair cost and time would be.

We always prefer to have your instrument tuned by one of the Ayasa main tuners, if you can come around to our workshop in Almere, Netherlands that would be best. Make sure to contact us at info@ayasainstruments.com if your Ayasa handpan needs a re-tune. You can also ship the instrument back and forth. Send us a sound sample in which you repeatedly play the note in question for 15 seconds straight, we can then use our tuning software to determine if the note is out of tune or not.

Alternatively, you can have the instrument re-tuned by another maker. Tuning a handpan is a very delicate art, one wrong hammer strike and the instrument could be damaged beyond repair. Getting your Ayasa handpan re-tuned by another maker is always at your own risk.

Yes you can take your Ayasa handpan to the beach. Ember Steel handpans are fine to take to the beach. However, caution is advised for taking a nitrided handpan! At the beach the air is usually extra humid and salty. Humidity and salty air are the main causes of rust on a nitrided handpan. Therefore follow the guidelines for nitrided handpans listed below when you go to the beach:

• Make sure that your instrument is clean and oiled well before taking off to the beach.
• Make sure that your moisture eater is always dry and charged (you can put it in the microwave or leave it in the hot sun for a couple of hours) and is in your case.
• Make sure that the inside of your case is dry.
• When you get to the beach, leave the case closed until you decide to take out your instrument
• Once you take out your instrument, close the zipper of your case immediately, this will prevent the foam inside the case from absorbing the salty humid air and getting wet from that.
• Play your instrument for as long as you like.
• Once you finish playing, rub your instrument with the microfiber cloth (make sure that there is still some Phoenix oil soaked up in the microfiber cloth or pour a few drops of Phoenix oil on to the instrument). Make sure the instrument is really clean and has a new thin layer of Phoenix oil on it.
• Open the zipper of the case, put the instrument back inside, close the case immediately after.
• Once at home make sure to take the instrument out of the bag, check if it is still nicely oiled and if not make sure to give it a nice extra rub down

Even though it’s shaped like a U.F.O., it does not fly like a U.F.O.… 😊

Jokes aside… We highly recommend that if you want to take your instrument on a plane you take it on board as a carry-on luggage. The flight personnel will probably tell you it’s too big to fit in the overhead compartment, however the Evatek Medium case that we sell with our instrument fits in every overhead compartment of planes that have at least three seats on either side of the walking aisle. This is much safer than checking in the instrument.

Try your best to convince the staff that your handpan is a very delicate and expensive instrument and that by checking it in it can get damaged really easily.

Most of the time, and especially on long distance flights, it is not a problem to bring it on board. Budget airlines like Ryanair or AirAsia are usually the most difficult airlines to take a handpan on board.

When you do have to check it in, make sure to use a case designed to fly with. We strongly discourage the use of an Evatek or soft case. When checking in your handpan, wrap your case in a few layers of bubble wrap, especially protecting around the zipper where the rim is. Alternatively place the case with the handpan in a box with foam padding.

When you play in the sun for a while the instrument slowly starts to de-tune due to the heat. Make sure to get out of direct sunlight once you hear your instrument going out of tune and let it cool down. It will get back in tune when the instrument cools down. Also, be careful, as playing your instrument in the sun may cause it to get very hot.

Phoenix oil is our all-time favourite oil to protect and clean your nitrided Ayasa.

• Thanks to a special formula Phoenix Handpan Oil protects your instrument from rust and leaves a shiny finish on it.
• Phoenix Handpan Oil is skin safe, non-hazardous and made with 99,5% of raw vegetal material.
• Phoenix Handpan Oil is not sticky and can be removed easily from your instrument and from the cloths used to clean
• Phoenix Handpan Oil doesn’t leave residue and helps to eliminate dirt from the instrument. After using Phoenix Handpan Oil your instrument will sound clear without any alteration.
• The pleasant scent of lemongrass is the natural smell of some ingredients in our secret formula

Alternatively, coconut oil or even olive oil may also help to protect your instrument, but we have less experience with these other oils.

At all times you want to prevent rust. However if your nitrided Ayasa handpan did start to rust it is important that you take action.

First, make sure to clean your instrument thoroughly with Isopropyl alcohol >70%. Every pharmacy, paint store or DIY store sells this. After cleaning. use the Ultrafine Grey Scotch Brite hand pad that you got with your nitrided Ayasa handpan and lightly start sanding the rust affected areas. Make sure that you get as much of the rust off as possible without taking off too much of the dark nitriding layer. Once the pan started to rust, you will always see these marks, but that is okay. Just make sure that the top layer of the rust has come off.

Clean the nitrided handpan again, using alcohol and paper towels again. Clean the whole pan with as many paper towels and alcohol until the next paper towel stays white when you wipe the pan. Then you can use a few drops of Phoenix handpan oil to cover the handpan in a small layer of oil.

If the rim of your nitrided instrument started to rust, use Scotch brite to remove the rust. If this doesn’t work, use sanding paper with grain 400 to sand off the rust. After sanding with 400 grain sanding paper, make sure to clean it carefully with Scotch brite and alcohol and then with paper towels and alcohol.

For further instructions on how to take care of your handpan, read the Ayasa Care Sheet for nitrided instruments (printed version included with every new nitrided Ayasa).

We are located in Almere, it is very close to Amsterdam.

Navigate to Almere Centrum train/bus station and then take the M1 bus to Almere Haven. Get out at "de Steiger", from where it is a 5 minute walk. Check out 9292.nl for best travel options by public transport.

Ralf, the founder of Ayasa Instruments, started building his first instrument in 2014 in his father’s garage. After a few weeks he finished his first instrument. After making more instruments, and posting some videos on YouTube, Ayasa became one of the pioneering handpan builders out there and to this day we keep pushing the limits of the instrument.

Yes, we always welcome players and beginners to come and test our instruments first hand. There is no better way to select an instrument than coming to our workshop. We welcome you with a cup of coffee or tea and the time to try different instruments.

Please email us at info@ayasainstruments.com to make an appointment. Making an appointment is mandatory if you want to visit us. Unfortunately, if you show up unannounced, we will not be able to help you.

You can reach us by sending an email to info@ayasainstruments.com or filling out the contact form on our website. We only reply during weekdays, please allow at least 24 hours before we answer you.

The process of making the Ayasa handpan is a very extensive one, mainly for the purpose of note stability. What this means is that our notes become so stable, that they hardly ever need a retune. It is what differentiates the Ayasa from many other handpans. We know of instruments that even after more than six years still did not need a retune.

The handpan is a very intuitive instrument. Anyone can play the handpan by simply tapping the notes over and over again. After some time you can start to develop the sound of your touch, rhythm and melody.

If you feel you are getting stuck, it could be a good moment to find yourself a teacher. Either online or offline. There are teachers readily available in most big cities worldwide.

Alternatively we often have great players coming over to give concerts and workshops at our headquarters. You can subscribe to the Ayasa Events mailing list to keep updated about our future events.

Another great way of learning to play the handpan is by taking an online course. There are three great online handpan courses that we can recommend at the moment:

• Maltemartenmethod.com
• Masterthehandpan.com
• Handpandojo.com

Sorry, we don’t sell t-shirts without the purchase of a handpan.

Sorry, we don’t sell any of our cases without the purchase of a handpan

We believe that our instruments have a fair price. Considering our costs, our employees and our high quality standards we don’t give a discount on your handpan.

However, sometimes we do have instruments available at a lower price, like prototypes or instruments with small imperfections.