The Saraz was created in 2011 by Mark Garner in the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains surrounding Asheville, North Carolina. As a musician and percussionist with an interest in exotic instruments, Mark discovered the Panart Hang™ in 2009 while living in Switzerland. In 2011, he purchased his first Handpan, a Pantheon Steel Halo, and was immediately captivated by the instrument. In his own words “a little voice in the back of my head said that this thing is going to change your life. I could have never imagined just how much change that voice meant!”
Almost immediately, Mark wanted to purchase another instrument with hopes to collect a chromatic set of handpans to play in every genre of music. In 2011, that was virtually impossible however. Mark was particularly shocked by how little developed the art form was and how few quality instruments were available.
Like many other builders, the inaccessibility of the instrument inspired him to build his own drums. He spent a year of researching and gathering tools while quickly discovering that very little information on how to build handpans was publicly available. He then briefly observed Dennis Martin of Rhythmical Steel, Kyle Cox and Jim Dusin of Pantheon Steel, Victor Levinson, the creator of the SPB, as well as Robbie Davis and Ellie Mannette of Mannette Musical Instruments. While Mark is endlessly thankful to each of these people for the valuable hints that they provided, it was only the very beginning of discovery into the endless journey that is tuned steel. It has taken many thousands of hours of hammering by a family of artists to create the current chapter of the Saraz.
Saraz crew
Mark Garner – Founder, Tuner, Architect and Imagineer (front)
Papa Steve Garner – Co-Founder, Mathematician, Drafter, Shell Sinking and Pressing Maestro (right)
Chet Plant – Port Fabricator, Finer Shaper, and Shell Sinking Magician (center back)
Commitment to Quality & Customer Satisfaction
At Saraz, we strive for the highest quality possible in our work.We focus on stability, precision, and intentional design as we want each Saraz Handpan to last many lifetimes. After 9 years of production, we have safely shipped instruments to almost every state in the USA, every country in Europe as well as all over Asia, South America, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and even Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. As one of the earliest leaders and pioneers in the art form, we have been crafting instruments longer than 98% of the builders today.
Giving Back with the Saraz Foundation
We donate a portion of all profits to promote, raise funds and sponsor music education, environmental sustainability, and most importantly, a healthy, happy, and balanced seventh generation of life on planet Earth.
Magic of the Hand Pan
Like many people, we feel that handpans are not only just musical instruments. There is a magic within them that can touch people very deeply, inspire them in novel ways, as well as provide relaxation and internal healing in the busy world of our lives.
Our customers are collaborators in a journey of creative expression. We feel that each Saraz is a musical paint brush awaiting it’s owner to paint musical landscapes of possibility.
In Stock and Custom order Handpans for Sale
“My handpan arrived today and I'm blown away by the quality of this instrument! Superb and subtle sound. I'm going to enjoy playing this. Thank you.”
