Why these three?
All three Blacksteel gongs have a diameter of 60 cm, yet they sound completely different. The difference stems from the unique shaping done by handpan and gong maker Florian Schmähl. He decides how long the steel stays in the fire, how deeply it is hammered, and where the tension is applied.
This process creates the lustrous patina you see in the pictures. It’s not a coat of paint, but rather the result of the interaction between heat and steel. That’s why no two gongs are exactly alike. What you’ll receive is a one-of-a-kind piece, handcrafted by Florian.
The Worlds of Sound
Discover each stainless steel gong, including its fundamental tone, character, and audio sample. If you're unsure, the comparison chart below directly compares the gongs side by side.
The Depth
A depth that resonates throughout the room. Unusually deep for a 60-cm gong—normally, you’d need a much larger gong to achieve this. Purple-gray fire patina, well-defined fundamental tone.
690.90 € including tax
The Balanced One
A warm sound that builds slowly. First the fundamental tone, then the overtones build up on top of it. Ideal for opening a session. Its solid tone can be combined effectively with vocals or singing bowls .
690.90 € including tax
The One Who Moves
Blue-red fire patina, 69 Hz. For meditation and sound baths. A detailed description of the sound follows.
690.90 € including tax
Not yet available for purchase
Which Blacksteel gong is right for your work? Fundamental pitch, character, and uses of the three gongs side by side.
Color comes from fire
No paint. No printing.
What looks like colored light is actually the surface of the gong. When heated, the stainless steel forms an oxide layer that shimmers violet, gold, or blue, depending on the temperature. Even a difference of just a few degrees creates a different pattern on the Blacksteel gong.
That's exactly why no two Blacksteel gongs are exactly alike. Yours will look similar, but the fire leaves a slightly different mark on each gong.
The Workshop
Handcrafted by Florian Schmähl – Blacksteel
Flo is a locksmith and blacksmith by trade. In 2018, he came across a tongue drum in a music store, was fascinated by it, and decided to build his next instrument himself. After nearly a year of experimentation, his first handpan was complete.
Ever since then, he has been crafting handpans and gongs out of stainless steel in Freilassing, less than 20 kilometers from Salzburg. Making handpans is precision work: for each tone field, he tunes a fundamental tone and two overtones, hammers the metal, and repeatedly heats the sheet metal in the furnace—otherwise, the tuning won’t hold. This keen ear and patience are reflected in the newly developed stainless steel gongs.
"I still can't stop researching, experimenting, reading, and listening."
Before You Order
Tell us what you want to use the gong for. We'll give you our honest opinion on which of the three is right for you.
Tell us what you want to use the gong for. We'll give you our honest opinion on which of the three is right for you.
Due to a new EU packaging regulation, we are currently unable to ship directly to Germany. We are working hard to find a solution.
Part of our product range is still available for order at thomann.de.
We'll be happy to notify you by email as soon as we can resume shipping to Germany.
We've noted your email address and will let you know as soon as we can resume shipping.
