Why Are Hang Drums So Expensive?(9 Key Reasons)

Hang drums are percussion instruments that originated in Africa. They are made up of three or four metal tubes, which produce different pitches when struck with the hand.

These drums were previously only played by tribal drummers, but now you can find them in popular music worldwide. Hang drums have gotten more expensive as their popularity has increased; You may be wondering why are hang drums so expensive. Here are reasons for their increased cost.

They are Made of Extremely Expensive Raw Materials

One of the main reasons for hang drums being expensive is that they are made up of costly raw materials. The metal tubes are formed into a special alloy, making them exceptional instruments with long-lasting durability.

When it comes to creating these exotic metals, most manufacturers rely on recycling processes because it’s cheaper than obtaining the raw materials from the earth.

The Process to Make Hang Drums is Difficult

There are three different types of hang drums that manufacturers have created; each one is manufactured differently. How the raw materials are used also affects the price. These instruments are difficult to make because they require a lot of time and effort from the manufacturer. This means that any errors made during production will increase the cost too.

They are in High Demand

Hang drums have become very popular all over the world. The demand for hang drums is so high that manufacturers can’t meet up with it.

The companies that produce these instruments have to use many resources to keep up with the high demands. This increased demand also increases prices because manufacturers don’t want to sell their products for less than they’re worth.

They are Sold in a Limited Market

Handpans by Panniverse | 9 Note D Kurd Minor in Gold, Silver or Blue | Soft Case included (12 Note Silver)

As mentioned before, hang drums are not as popular as other instruments, so they are not found in music stores everywhere. This limits the number of people who have access to these products and makes them even more expensive. If you’re looking for a hang drum, your best bet is to search online because that’s where you’ll find the widest variety.

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They are Custom Made

Most hang drums are custom-made, which means that the buyer gets to choose their specifications. This includes the color, size, and the number of tubes that are used in the instrument.

Not all companies offer this service, so if you’re looking for a specific type of hang drum, then you’ll have to search harder. The manufacturer’s custom-made hang drum will increase the instrument’s price because it costs more to create a one-of-a-kind hang drum.

Transportation and Insurance Costs

"Lark Music" hand pan in D Minor 9 notes steel hand drum (22.8" (58cm), Brozne Surface (D Minor) 9 notes D3 A Bb C D E F G A)

Since hang drums are a high-end product, the transportation and insurance costs for these instruments are also high. When purchasing a hang drum, you’ll have to factor in the price of getting it to your home.

This is especially true if you’re ordering one from another country. In addition, most insurance companies will not cover the cost of damages or loss for a high-end instrument like a hang drum.

The Profit Margin is High

When it comes to saving money on a product, most people will search for the lowest price. However, this is not how manufacturers and shop owners work because they want to get as much money from their products as possible. When it comes to high-end musical instruments like hang drums, you can expect them to be sold at higher prices. This is because the profit margin is high, and the manufacturers want to make as much money as possible.

They are Handcrafted

As mentioned before, hang drums are difficult to make because they require the manufacturer’s lot of time and effort. This means that any errors made during production will increase the cost too. In addition, hang drums are handcrafted, which also increases the price. Because each instrument is made by hand, it takes longer for the manufacturer to complete each one.

[Related Article: What Are Drum Triggers?Everything You Need To Know Today]

Research and Development Costs

When it comes to creating a new product, the manufacturer will have to incur many costs. This is because they need to research and develop the product before being sold to the public.

In the case of hang drums, the manufacturers had to create a completely new type of instrument. This means that they had to spend a lot of money on research and development. This cost is passed on to the buyer, which means that you’ll have to pay more for a hang drum that’s brand new.