How to buy your
first steelpan

Your first steelpan

Choose with confidence.

If you’re ready to learn steelpan, buying an instrument can feel like the obvious first step. Give yourself a little time to choose well. This guide will help you have a useful conversation with a teacher or maker before you order.

Start with the pan you will be learning on

Before comparing prices, ask your teacher which type of pan and note layout you’ll use. Then ask the maker to confirm exactly what they’re quoting for. A photograph and a price are not enough to tell you whether the instrument suits your lessons.

Understand the finish

You’ll come across painted, powder-coated and chrome-plated pans. Those names describe the finish. They don’t replace checking the individual instrument.

Compare the whole purchase

Ask for an itemised quote and check:

• The pan type, note layout and finish
• Whether sticks, a stand and a case are included
• The total cost of getting the instrument to you in Barbados
• Any deposit, the remaining balance and when each is due
• The expected completion or delivery time
• What happens if the instrument arrives damaged or needs attention

Don’t build your budget around an old price or someone else’s purchase. Ask the seller for a current quote for your exact order, with the currency clearly stated.

Hear the instrument before you pay

If you can, try the pan with an experienced player or teacher. If you’re buying remotely, ask for a clear recording of the actual instrument being offered, with each note played on its own as well as a short piece of music. Ask who made it, who last tuned it and whether it has needed repairs.

Start your maker search

MITTCO and Augustus Peters are two makers from my original buying guide. MITTCO’s official website is mittcott.com. Ask me for my current shortlist and introductions before you order, especially if you’re planning a trip to Trinidad.

Your before-you-buy checklist

• I know which pan and layout I need
• I have heard or tried the instrument
• I know what accessories are included
• I have the total cost and currency in writing
• I have checked delivery timing and the seller’s terms
• I know who to ask about tuning and care