Genesis HandPan
Genesis Symphonette
(!) This post may now be out of date - but has been left published for archive purposes. It may still prove to be of interest, but some (or all) details may now be out of date (!).
An increasingly sweet sounding ‘brand’ of HandPan, ‘Genesis HandPan’, are produced by ‘Dave Beery’, of ‘Daves Island Instruments’ (and SmartyPans). Dave Beery is a professional Pan maker, and tuner. With over fifteen years of experience in his trade. Dave specialises in custom pan creation, and pan tuning. And is also the author of the comprehensive instructional videos: ‘How to Make Your Own Steel Drum’, and ‘Tuning, Tuning, Tuning!’ And the Genesis HandPan has fast become something of a rising star within the world of HandPan.
Not to be confused with the Genesis model of ‘Halo’ produced by ‘Pantheon Steel’, Dave’s Genesis HandPan are (I believe) Crafted from 55 gallon steel barrels, in the manner typical of traditional steel pan. And in addition to the full barrel-sized Genesis HandPan, Dave Beery also offers a smaller, more travel-friendly ‘Symphonette’ model - my personal favorite of the more diminutive-sized HandPan available.
At time of writing Genesis HandPan do not utilize the ever popular heat treatment known as ‘nitriding’, (!update - recent instruments are nitrided) with Dave instead favoring such finishes as brass-plating, and powder-coating. Sized at approx 23.5 inches in diameter, and 11 inches deep for the ‘full-size’ model,(with the Symphonette having an 18 inch diameter), Genesis HandPan are priced around the $1100-$1500 mark (depending on size, finish, and scale). And while custom scales may be possible by contacting Dave, they are as standard, offered in three different sound models:
1. Earth (D) A, Bb, C, D, E, F, A
2. Gypsy (E) A, B, C, D, E, F, G#
3. Asia. (E) A, C, D, E, G, A, C
You can find more information by visiting the Dave's Island Instruments Website:HERE, or you can watch more videos over at their YouTube channel: HERE
Or alternatively, you can usually keep up-to-date on the latest developments over at the HandPan.org forums: HERE