The handpan is an instrument whose craftsmanship is evident in every stroke. The material from which it is made determines the tone, durability, and character of the instrument. I offer two types of steel: Premium stainless steel (Mystical Series) and regular stainless steel (Professional Series). In this article, I show how they differ—based on what I hear when testing each finished unit.
What is Premium Stainless Steel?
Premium stainless steel is a specialised type of stainless steel that has been designed for the manufacture of musical instruments such as handpan. This material has unique acoustic and mechanical properties that make instruments made of premium stainless steel stand out from the rest. It's approximately 1.1–1.2 mm thick and has a higher alloy purity than regular stainless steel, which translates directly into longer sustain and more stable tuning.
Premium Stainless Steel Properties
- Long sustain
One of the most distinctive features of premium stainless steel is its ability to resonate for a long time. Sustain, or the time a note remains after being struck, is significantly longer than with standard stainless steel. This allows musicians to create more meditative and profound compositions. - Warm and velvety sound
The sound of premium stainless steel handpans is warm, velvety, and full. Notes are pure and precise, and their harmonics are rich and clearly audible. - Diversity in sound
It's worth noting, however, that Premium Stainless Steel can vary in sound depending on the batch of material used to produce the instrument. Each batch of steel has subtle differences in its molecular structure, which influences the character of the handpan's sound. Therefore, even two tools made by the same manufacturer may have a slightly different sound.
What is regular stainless steel?
Regular stainless steel is a material commonly used in many industries due to its corrosion resistance and durability. It has become a popular choice for handpans due to its acoustic properties and ease of maintenance—it's the basis of my Professional Series.
Properties of ordinary stainless steel
- Bright and metallic sound
Handpans made of stainless steel have a brighter sound than those made of premium stainless steel. The sounds are more metallic and expressive, making them ideal for dynamic playing styles. - Long sustain
Although the sustain of stainless steel is not as long as Premium Stainless Steel, it is still impressive and allows for the creation of spacious musical compositions. - Corrosion resistance
The chromium content in the alloy gives stainless steel increased corrosion resistance. This makes instruments made from this material easier to maintain and less susceptible to damage from moisture.
Differences in harmonics and aliquots
Harmonics and aliquots play a key role in the sound of a handpan. They are additional sounds created when a tonal field (note) is struck. Harmonics are usually an octave or fifth of the main note, while aliquots can be more subtle and more difficult to pick up.
Premium stainless steel
- Instruments crafted from premium stainless steel have exceptionally rich harmonics. Octaves and fifths are clearly audible, giving each note depth and fullness.
- The aliquots are more subtle than with stainless steel, but their presence adds warmth to the sound of the instrument.
Regular stainless steel
- The harmonics in the stainless steel handpan are brighter and more expressive. This makes the instrument sound dynamic and energetic.
- Overtones are more metallic and may be less subtle than in Premium Stainless Steel, giving the instrument a distinctive "metallic" tone.
Tuning process
Customization Handpanning is an incredibly complex process that involves precisely adjusting each tonal field to a specific note and its harmonics (octave and fifth). The material used to make the instrument has a huge impact on the ease of tuning and pitch stability. Before I ship the finished instrument, I check its tuning myself and listen to how it responds to playing—the difference between the materials is audible at this stage.
Premium stainless steel
- Due to its molecular structure, Premium Stainless Steel is easier to tune than stainless steel.
- Instruments made of this material remain tuning stable for a longer period of time, even with intensive use.
Regular stainless steel
- Tuning regular stainless steel has slightly different characteristics due to the greater flexibility of the material - it requires a slightly different approach on the part of the maker.
- Instruments made of this material may require slightly more frequent tuning under greater fluctuations in temperature or humidity.
Summary of the Differences Between Premium Stainless Steel and Regular Stainless Steel
| Feature | Premium stainless steel | Regular stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Warm, velvety | Bright, metallic |
| Sustain | Very long | Long |
| Harmonics | Rich | Expressive |
| Aliquots | Subtle | Metallic |
| Corrosion resistance | Very high | High |
| Stability of the outfit | More stable | Less stable |
| Price | Higher School | More affordable |
Which material to choose?
The choice between Premium Stainless Steel and Regular Stainless Steel depends on your musical preferences and expectations from your instrument:
- If you are looking for a warm, velvety sound with rich harmonics and maximum tuning stability, choose the Premium Stainless Steel Handpan (Mystic Series).
- If you prefer a bright, dynamic sound and are looking for a more affordable starter instrument, the regular stainless steel (Professional Series) will be suitable.
- If you are planning a model with more than 10 notes on one dome, Premium steel is a technical requirement, not just a sound choice: with this number of fields, ordinary stainless steel does not provide sufficient stability.
Resume
Handpans are extraordinary musical instruments with versatile uses. Choosing the right material—premium stainless steel or standard stainless steel—is crucial to the instrument's tonal character and durability. However, remember that each handpan is unique, and even slight differences in material can affect its sound.
If you want to learn more about this magical instrument or are looking for the perfect handpan for yourself, visit our Miłość i Spokój blog, where you'll find lots of inspiring content dedicated to meditation music! 🎵
Ready to choose a material? See sample projects in Miłość i Spokój store — Many product cards feature a recording of the instrument's sound, recorded by the maker and/or me. Would you like to chat first? Text me — I will help you choose material for your playing.
FAQ
Premium stainless steel is 1.2 mm thick and has a higher alloy purity, resulting in longer sustain, richer overtones, and more stable tuning. Regular stainless steel sounds clean and modern, but with shorter sustain and fewer harmonics.
It depends on your expectations. Premium produces a warmer, deeper tone with a long sustain—a good choice for meditation and low-frequency tunings. Regular stainless steel offers a bright, clear sound and a lower price, making it a good starting point.
Professional Series is made of ordinary stainless steel, and Mystical Series — Premium stainless steel, approximately 1.1–1.2 mm thick. I select the material based on the instrument's scale and intended use.
I run the Miłość i Spokój brand and personally test every instrument before shipping—playing it, checking its tuning, and listening. I work with handpan as a musician, a sound healing practitioner, and someone who simply can't stop playing.