Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Opsilon experience?
We offer free testing of instruments at our premises in Süßen. This means that you can compare the instruments yourself and find the right one for you. This is a special service, just like our 5-year tuning guarantee!
How can I order an Opsilon?
Order via Online-Shop
Click on the scale you want.
Click on the desired design.
Select "Add to cart".
If you want the instrument to be shipped, you still need to choose a hardcase. If you want to pick it up personally, you don't need a hardcase and you don't pay shipping costs.
Choose a colour and click on "Add to cart".
Now select "Shopping Cart", your shipping option and "Checkout".
Choose your payment method, enter your address and click on "Order".
Please note We charge a deposit of 200€ for special scales. This is non-refundable and compensates for the cost of materials.
In the event of a return at the customer's request, a fee of 200,-€ will be retained for all handpans on order (not for buy-it-now).
Order via E-Mail
Visit our online shop and place the order, or send an e-mail with the subject "Order Opsilon" to shop@opsilon.de. Please state your desired scale with all notes. In case of shipping, please also state your address. After your order has been accepted, you will receive a confirmation email and will be placed on the waiting list. We will do our best to have your instrument ready in 4 to 6 weeks. For custom-made instruments, we will start production as soon as the deposit of 200€ has been paid.
What materials is the Opsilon made of?
The Opsilon Handpan is made of 1mm thick steel that is nitrided under exact parameters. The instrument is covered by a ceramic layer to protect it from rust and erosion.
Who makes the Opsilon?
The main part of the manufacturing process consists of handicraft work and this is done by its experienced creator Rafael Sotomayor. Each instrument is tuned by hand. A smaller part of the manufacturing process consists of various technical shaping processes such as deep drawing, hydroforming and spinning.
What are these "marks" on my instrument?
During the nitriding of the instrument, there may be some marks on the instrument that do not affect the quality. However, removing these marks can damage the instrument, as polishing also removes the nitriding and we would remove our protection against rust.
In which country is the Opsilon manufactured?
The Opsilon Handpan is manufactured in Germany in Süßen, near Stuttgart.
How much does an Opsilon cost?
The current price for an Opsilon (thing plus 8 notes) is 1.555,00 € (excl. the tax rate applicable in your country). The price includes a handpan care set (100 ml "Turtle Care" solution & microfibre cloth). For orders with shipping, the purchase of a hard case is mandatory.
At the moment we offer EU-wide free shipping.
Using the payment method "Klarna" - Which countries are accepted?
Klarna offers various payment options. You can either buy the product directly and pay 14 days after receiving the goods, or finance it with an instalment purchase. In the first case, you have to provide your name and email address and Klarna will pay us the invoice. Klarna will contact you later and you have 14 days to make the payment to Klarna. In the second case, Klarna offers you the following options: Fixed instalment payment: you can choose to pay a fixed monthly amount. Or flexible payment: you can decide how much you want to pay each month (a certain minimum amount, more or the full amount) Klarna performs an identity and credit check to ensure that the information provided is correct. Klarna also wants to make sure that the order really comes from you. In the case of payment by instalment, Klarna is also legally obliged to check the customer's creditworthiness before concluding the contract in order to protect you from private over-indebtedness. If you have any questions, please contact Klarna. https://www.klarna.com/de/verkaeufer/produkte/ratenkauf/ If your payment has been rejected, you can contact Klarna to find out the reason for the rejection, choose another payment method or complete your order with us and transfer the amount with an invoice number.
Accepted countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, UK and USA.
Why is there a waiting list for the Opsilon?
Our instrument is always evolving. We spend a lot of time and money researching new materials and optimising production processes to make more stable instruments that stay in tune longer. Furthermore, one should keep in mind that the instrument is hand-hammered and tuned by a single person. Making a high quality instrument like the Opsilon is a creative and very time-consuming process. We thank all our customers for their patience.
What are the dimensions of the Opsilon?
The Opsilon has a diameter of 53 cm and a depth of about 25-30 cm. The standard thickness of the handpan is 1 mm.
Can I order any scale for the Opsilon?
Tell us your favourite scale and we will tell you if it is possible. However, the Opsilon allows a wide range of scales.
- Lowest note: F#2
- Highest note: F6
Choose a standard scale or create your own. For examples of scales for the Opsilon, check out our video scales directly on our website, or visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5O3cVKau3UyPT4ZuyRsGBA.
Is there a hard case to transport the Handpan?
Optionally, you can order a TurtleCase (hard case) for your Opsilon at an additional price of 230,00 €. We offer a variety of different colours. If you choose the shipping option, please note that the hardcase will automatically be added to your order - this is the only way we can guarantee safe shipping of your Handpan.
Can the Opsilon really be sent safely by post?
So far, thanks to the hardcase, we have not had any problems with the safe delivery of our instruments. Please notify us if your instrument arrives damaged so we can begin the claims process.
What mail carrier do you use?
All products on the Opsilon store are shipped either with DHL or UPS - fast and carbon neutral.Can the Opsilon be repaired in the event of damage?
We hope that you will take care of your Opsilon Handpan, but we also know that something can always happen. If your Opsilon is damaged, a repair is possible, depending on the degree of damage. The tuning of the instrument is possible at any time and is offered by us free of charge, as long as the guarantee is still valid. The repair costs for severely damaged instruments must be discussed individually.
Why do we give you a guarantee?
Because we have great confidence in our instruments, we give you a five-year guarantee (starting October 1st, 2019) on all our instruments. Prior to this date, the warranty was limited to three years. This includes a five-year tuning guarantee. This voting guarantee is limited to once a year. As already mentioned, careful handling of your Opsilon is obligatory. Rust is not covered by the guarantee as it can easily be prevented by taking good care of the instrument and especially by following our care recommendations.
Can I have my Opsilon tuned by you?
The instrument can stay in tune for years if played and cared for "correctly", as the material is very robust. However, it can happen that the instrument gradually becomes out of tune over time. With us you have the possibility to have the instrument tuned free of charge, as long as you have a valid guarantee. Please be careful, when buying a second-hand product, always ask for the guarantee slip.
I bought an (Opsilon) handpan on the second-hand market, it has rusty spots, what can I do?
If you buy a handpan on the second-hand market, there is always a risk. You can minimize this by having pictures sent to you. If the instrument has rusty spots, the instrument has not been optimally cared for and caution should be exercised.
How can I take care of my Opsilon?
Avoid direct sunlight for long periods of time. The heat can have a negative effect on the tension of the instrument and thus change the tuning. If your handpan has been left directly in the sun, wait until it cools down before playing.
Always store your Opsilon Handpan in a dry bag. Never store a wet instrument or a dry one in a wet container or you will get a nasty surprise. Sometimes it rains and sometimes it takes a while to find a dry place. Don't panic! Just take your handpan out of the bag as soon as you are back in your tent, hotel, castle, etc. Clean your instrument thoroughly and leave it to dry. Clean your instrument thoroughly and let it dry before playing. The same goes for the bag; let it dry before using it again.
Always store your Opsilon Handpan in a dry bag. Never store a wet instrument or a dry one in a wet container or you will get a nasty surprise. Sometimes it rains and sometimes it takes a while to find a dry place. Don't panic! Just take your handpan out of the bag as soon as you are back in your tent, hotel, castle, etc. Clean your instrument thoroughly and leave it to dry. Clean your instrument thoroughly and let it dry before playing. The same goes for the bag; let it dry before using it again.
- Clean your Opsilon Handpan after each session. Use a microfibre cloth to remove excess oil, dirt and acids from your fingers and palms. It is advisable to do this cleaning dry.
- Do not expose your instrument to damp and salty environments for long periods of time. This does not mean that you cannot take it to the beach. Travelling is part of the Handpan experience, so optimal care is essential. Unfortunately, high humidity and salt are not ideal for metal. Clean your instrument thoroughly after a session at the seaside, always keep your hard case closed so it doesn't get wet, and put your instrument in the case right after you're done playing.
- Store your Opsilon Handpan in a dry case. If it rains and your handpan gets wet, don't worry - just go back to your tent, hotel, Airbnb..., wipe it dry and store it back in the case.
- If you are going to be in areas with high humidity, you may want to consider buying a humidity absorber. There are already some good products on the market specifically designed for handpans and handpan cases.
- Oils and anti-corrosion sprays (e.g. gun oil, WD-40...) can protect your instrument. However, all oils affect the harmonics. That's why Rafael developed "TurtleCare" together with a chemist - TurtleCare is not an oil, but a coating with ceramic content that protects your instrument perfectly, but does not affect the sound.
- Use dry paper to apply TurtleCare or a microfibre cloth for dry cleaning
- Put a few drops of TurtleCare on your handpan and apply it to the surface of your handpan with a piece of dry kitchen paper. After a short time, a protective coating will form on your instrument, protecting it from dust, dirt and corrosion.