Why should I buy my handpan from you?

In doing so you’re buying an instrument from the guy who dreams about handpans, speaks handpan, and lives handpans. I get to live my passion to its fullest extent every day, and Xenith owners both support me in doing so and benefit because of it. It allows me to continue exploring what this art form has to offer and enables me to share it with those who are interested.

I have made instruments from hand sunk shells, hydroformed shells, drawn shells, and explored raw steel, nitrided steel, and stainless steel. I have re-tuned, repaired, refurbished, and restored everything under the sun. I have worked on instruments for Cirque du Soleil and Manu Delago and have performed alongside Kabeção and David Charrier.

I am a small one-person company that is fueled by pure passion. I am in it for the love of the art form and thrive off sharing that love and passion with those who engage me about my favorite thing, handpans!

I am ready to place an order but I can’t decide what scale to get?

If you are unsure of what scale you want but are ready to place an order now select “I’m Still Deciding” and I will check in with you before I start your Xenith (or you can email me when you decide).

What’s the difference between all the Xeniths? What do the different numbers mean?

The Xenith7, Xenith8, and Xenith Expanse are made with nitrided steel. The Xenith7 Clarity is made with stainless steel.

Traditional layouts only have notes in a circle around the center note and thus only those notes are counted. For example, the Xenith8 is a traditional layout having 8 notes around the center note, for a total of 9.

The Expanse features a non traditional layout and has notes on the bottom. In this case, you count all the notes, including the central note.

How do I care for my Xenith?

I typically say to treat them like a baby. Wipe them down occasionally, don't leave them in a hot car, don't hit them, and if you can have it not live in its case, that's good too.
In reality, there's not much care to do. Wiping them down after play ensures that the playing surface is clear of any skin oils and/or environmental moisture. Having it live outside of the bag ensures that any moisture that is in the case doesn't then live directly on the instrument. And if it can be avoided, best to not let them roast in the sun.

Heat-treated steel is designed to be non-corrosive and should not rust, but if it is scratched or gouged deep enough the instrument could rust in the affected area.

For daily cleaning, you can use a dry, untreated microfiber cloth. As for oiling, it was oiled before it shipped and should be good for a long while. I tend to re-oil once every year or so. Before oiling, clean with rubbing alcohol. Don't worry if it seems like the rubbing alcohol changes the color of the metal, this is normal. Apply oil in little amounts and spread and buff in as much as possible with a paper towel. Remove any excess with a clean paper towel.

I recommend Phoenix Oil. It’s natural and has little to no scent. Spray one area and buff it in. Repeat.

Why so many different brands?

Branding has been an important factor in giving distinction to my different chapters of making handpans. Each chapter represented a drastic change from previous methods used in production and as a result, I felt that they couldn’t be branded the same. Handsinking vs hydroforming vs deep drawing vs how the Xenith is made are all drastically different production methods. “But the RADIX just felt like a small Æther, why call it something different?” This is a comment I have received and my answer is, “That’s great to hear as it was really hard to make that happen!” My end goal has always been to make a high-quality instrument and to achieve that across four different production methods over the last 8 years has been a great challenge. The Æther was very challenging to make and its sale price reflected that. Branding helped honor those specific chapters and the period of time in which they were produced.

How can I get an instrument?

You can place an order for an instrument anytime. An estimated wait time is listed on the ordering page.

Do you have any handpan stand recommendations?

While I prefer to use my lap, there is a convenience to using a stand. For stands check out the Pantam Stand and Sounds Inspiring.

How do I get on the waitlist?

There currently is no waitlist. There is an ongoing production list for orders placed.

Can I request a custom handpan scale or a scale from another builder?

I am currently exploring and refining my process so at this point I am not open to custom orders.

Can you ship it to me? Internationally?

Yes and yes

Where are you located?

Sonoma County, Northern California, USA.

Will you make 9 noters?

Although I have made a few 9 noters, I stick to 7 and 8 noters only.

Does your instrument have a name?

The first 50 instruments, which were made using hand-sunk shells, used my name, CFoulke. From that point on my hydroformed instruments took on the name Æther (aether). In 2020 I produced a small batch of instruments that were made from deep-drawn shells, branded RADIX. In 2021 I launched an instrument made with a new process, the Xenith.

Why were they named Æther?

The instruments were made using all 4 elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire. Æther is the 5th element.

How do you pronounce your last name?

Similar to how you would pronounce ‘hulk’ but with an ‘F’.

Are your shells hand sunk, rolled, deep-drawn?

For the first 50 instruments I made, I sunk the shells by hand (with the assistance of air hammers). From that point on I have used shells that I made using my hydroforming method to make the Æther. RADIX was deep drawn. Xenith uses a new process.

Do you plan to put notes on the bottom of your instruments?

Although I have explored it and see the value in bottom notes, I will likely not implement them.

Do you tune your ports?

Yes. The ports are typically tuned in a full major or minor chord relative to the sound model. Occasionally, I will tune unison frequencies in the port if needed.

Is your Helmholtz resonance tuned?

On the Æther it was E2 which works very well with sound models whose central notes are C#3 and E3. On the RADIX and the Xenith, it is F2, which works very well with sound models whose central notes are D3 and F3.

Do you tune the shoulder tones/rim tones/higher partials on your instruments?

Yes. Tuning higher partials is one of the most challenging aspects of tuning. Going beyond controlling the first three partials makes things exponentially more complex. At the very least, I look to control the higher partials. At the very most, I tune them into the scale; this can mean intentionally tuning 4-7 frequencies in the central note. On E3/F3 central notes, I usually look to tune unison E6’s or F6’s along the rim. On C#3/D3 central notes, I typically look to tune a D#6/E6 on the four corners of the central note. On tonefields A3 and lower, I look to keep the primary shoulder tone at or above the triple octave. This will absolutely vary from instrument to instrument.  

Are there any notes you don’t make?

A4 and Bb4 on the Æther. B4 on the RADIX and Xenith.

Inpex/Apex? Innie/Outie?

Although I have both explored it and see the value of a central note inpex, I prefer apexes.

Can I pick up a handpan by CFoulke in person?

Yes!

Can I barter or trade for an instrument?

Barter or trade is not accepted.

What comes with an instrument?

The Æther came with Evatek Hardcase from Hardcase Technologies. The RADIX and Xenith come with a soft backpack.

How big is the instrument and how much does it weigh?

I have made 20” and 21” diameter instruments. The 2019 Æther is 21.5” in diameter. The RADIX and Xenith are 20”.

Does each instrument have a serial number?

Each instrument has a serial number, the date it was glued, and is signed with "CFoulke".

Are there hard cases available for the instrument?

They can be ordered. Otherwise, they come with a soft backpack.  

How often does an instrument need to be tuned?

Depending on how hard it is played, a tune-up is recommended every 12-24 months. At the time of writing this, my first instruments are now over six years old and are aging very well. I do extensive relaxing and tempering to ensure they’re stable.

Can an instrument be repaired if it is damaged?

Within reason, although there may be lasting change or damage. Contact Colin directly.

What should I do if I decided to sell my instrument?

You are welcome to sell your instrument but any sale for profit will be highly frowned upon. There is an active second-hand market on FaceBook.

Where else can I find more information about the instrument?

More information and discussions can be found on handpan.org under CFoulke

http://www.handpan.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=57

What is the best way to store a handpan when it is not being played?

It is best to keep it out of direct sunlight. It also recommended that it is not stored in its soft bag. Find a safe place away from unruly children, large pets, or randomly falling objects.

If you do plan to store it in the soft bag ,I recommend that the bag be left OPEN to prevent moisture from being trapped in the bag with the instrument.  

How many instruments do you produce a year?

I made 40 instruments in 2015. I made 60 in 2018. I made 70 in 2019.

Do you cover import fees and VAT?

All import fees and VAT are the responsibility of the buyer.

What is your return policy?

I have a 14-day return policy. Exceptions are made if there is a defect in the instrument.