Looks and Sound VS Cost

During the planning for this site in 1998, we looked at a broad range of Steel Drum instruments. We documented the Physical and Sound Quality differences. We then did a Quality vs. Price analysis to establish a general pricing range across the Internet. We found that the preponderance of full sized Steel Pan instruments, depending on how they looked and performed, were priced between about $500 and $1,600 for Lead Pans.  By early  2008 this basic range for the "real thing" increased to $900-$5,000+. 

 You, the market place have consistently demanded increasing quality and better tuning over the years.  In addition, the price of steel has well over doubled and the price of a once-used, quality barrel in Trinidad has increased by three fold.  Additionally, good used barrels are becoming very difficult to find at any price.  These factors have supported our decision to build all of our instruments on New Barrels.  The increase in quality we have experienced has proven that we made the right decision.

Prices well over this range are commanded by the more famous of the tuners and the waiting list's are very long. Quality varying between Junk Level and Professional Level instruments is available within the range we chose to plot, so we intentionally ignored the higher priced (purchase the name) products. We found a near linear Quality vs. Price relationship similar to say Flutes by Yamaha (a couple hundred bucks to many thousands), all are Flutes! Remember, it's not who built it, it's how it looks and sounds! Each pan must stand on its own. With no rating system, how do you know until it is yours?

Why we even have a Rating System...

Knowing exactly what you are buying is all-important when purchasing Hand Made musical instruments. That is why we introduced the first and only system for evaluating and rating the Steel Pan instrument! Every Pan on this site is a true musical instrument!.  We do not sell Junk or Tourist Toys and we guarantee your satisfaction with everything we sell! Our rating system simply lets you understand what you are purchasing. Please Be Careful when buying... (You always get what you pay for and sometimes you pay too much!) Here is what to remember, "it is not WHO built the pan, but HOW does it look and sound? It's is our goal that you will get the pan you need and you will have it for the best price on the Internet!

Every Pan Is Unique!

Every Pan or Set is unique; all hand made instruments vary in Appearance and Sonic Performance! The difference between a first experimenter?s effort and a true work of art made by a master craftsman is great. This is the reason our customers benefit from our rating system. Our system removes the guesswork for the Internet buyer. Simply put, our customers know the exact grade of instrument they are receiving from the Steel Drum Shop. Also, you can use the system to define the level of steel pan just right for you.  You choose.

What Is The Steel Drum Shop PAN RATING SYSTEM?

A Pan builder?s goal is perfection in both Appearance and Sonic Performance. The reality is that each completed instrument will vary in some respect from every other instrument in existence. Our goal is to quantify the difference and build in some level of pricing guideline.

All pans in our Products Catalogue are measured using this system.  At the Steel Drum Shop we guarantee your success.