FAQ

 Q:  How do I choose with so many options?

We know all the scales can feel like a lot, but choices are good!  The BEST way to find the right drum for you is to play through the scales on our steel tongue drum, watch our product videos, and notice which ones make you perk up a bit and bring some sweetness to your ear.  Everyone's personal preferences are difference, so the Virtual Drum is really the most hands on way of trying a scale before you buy it.  

Q:  What is the difference between 440hz and 432hz tuning?

440 hz tuning is the international standard tuning used in commercial music and instrument tuning.  Having an international standard means that we can share music globally, and our ears will recognize it as "sounding good".  If all the countries in the world were on a different tuning frequency, the music we share globally might sound very different, if not completely bizarre to the average ear.  

432 hz is said to be the frequency at which planet Earth resonates.  An instrument tuned to 432 would then be in harmony with the earth and producing the same energetic frequencies, which is thought to effect the human psyche in positive and healing ways.  It is for this reason that 432 hz is often used by sound healers to stimulate energy moving through the body and break up energetic blockages.  

432 hz sounds only slightly difference than 440 hz, but for the most part you wouldn't be able to hear a difference unless you listened to them side by side.  You may feel a difference though, especially if you are more intuitive.

Q: How long before I receive my tongue drum?

We want to get your new drum to you as soon as possible.  We do make all of our custom steel tongue drums to order, so this really depends on how many new drum orders have come in. 

We can usually make and ship your drum to you within 15-25 days of placing your order if you live in the continental US.  Delivery time may vary for international orders, in which case we will get it to you as fast as possible.  

Q: Do all drums come with mallets?

Yes, rubber mallets are included with every drum.  The drums make the purest tone when the mallet hits the surface and bounces off immediately.  We use rubber to ensure you can get the bounce and the best tone possible :).

Q:  Do you have any recommendations of what scale to choose for a beginner or non musician?

All of the scales are diatonic which means that there are no wrong notes! You can hit them in any order and you will sound great. That being said, each scale is really a different vibe and mood to choose from.  Some drums feel bright, happy, and energetic, and some drums feel more calm, introspective, and meditative.  Some drums lend themselves to different styles of playing, like jazz, pop, latin, and classical, or for meditation.

Here are some of our favorites based on resonance and a good range of notes:

F Peace, F Big Bear, Kurd 10, Aeolian 10, Spanish Gypsy, E Ake Bono,

Super Pygmy, F Mixoctonic, E Mixotonic, Eb Melog.

All of the drums are awesome and theres no wrong choices.  Just choose one that resonates most with you. 

Here are links to some articles more in depth articles & description of a few of the different more obscure scales:

E akebono - A japanese pentatonic, erie, meditative, complex, deep, dark.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akebono_scale

Eb Hijaz - Crunchy middle eastern sounding. Two half steps.

http://pianoencyclopedia.com/scales/hijaz/#

Q: What is your return policy?

Historically, we’ve done very few full refunds because these are custom pieces of art that require a great deal of time and materials to create, and cannot generally or easily be resold. Therefore, we do not offer returns or refunds under most circumstances.

Of course, if there’s a major problem we somehow overlooked, or the drum is damaged during shipping, these are circumstances that we can address.  If you aren’t satisfied, we’ll work with you to make it right!  

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We want to make sure you get exactly what is right for you. We’d rather spend plenty of time working with you ahead of time, making sure it's what you want, than to have to decline a request for a return for avoidable reasons.  

Gift cards are also non-refundable.

More FAQ's coming soon!