If You Own a Hang or Wish to Own a ''PanArt Hang'', You Are Either Highly Misinformed, Very Elitist, or Both!
June 24, 2016
The ''PanArt Hang'' is a novelty instrument that has peaked.
The proof that it is a novelty instrument that lacks legitimate legs upon which to stand lies in the reality of production of the instrument literally being halted to a trickle for some years now. In addition, while it was once considered ''new'' and interesting among those who failed to realize that it was simply a re-packaged regurgitation of the steelpan, as the market becomes saturated with handpan makers, the novelty surrounding the PanArt Hang has significantly diminshed.
PanArt may retain its status as the ''Robber-in-Chief'' among handpan makers, but it is safe to say that Felix Röhner realized some time ago that if he was not original enough to come up with a true, unique invention (as he mislead many to claim he did through his modified steelpan regurgitation called the ''Hang''), it was very unlikely that he would have the actual creativity required to push the envelope of the instrument enough that it would have true staying power in the long run.
A brilliant method used by Felix Röhner to save face while increasing the legend surrounding the Hang after undoubtedly realizing the severe limitations of ''his invention'', was his decision to highly limit output and production of the Hang. Subsequent production was strictly slowed down and geared strictly towards individual customers who were personally approved by Mr. Röhner himself on a case-by-case basis. This approval process would include among other things, a personal invitation to the PanArt worshop in Switzerland, where Mr. Röhner would apparently personally decide if that customer was even worthy enough to own one of ''his inventions''.
As this is a Swiss person living in Switzerland we are talking about here, the apparent elitist attitude of Mr. Röhner should come as no surprise! Especially as Switzerland has one of the highest per capita income rates in the world and is undoubtedly a tax haven and shelter for criminal multi-millionaires and billionaires, along with the title it holds of being one of the most exclusive, snobby country in the world with a highly xenophobic and racist population to boot.
Apparently, there are many eager fools who would jump at the opportunity to visit Mr. Röhner in Switzerland and win his approval and gain the ''privilige'' of owning a Hang.
Mr. Röhner himself recently contacted us through our website and extended an invitation to us to pay him a visit in Switzerland. He as well as offered to send us some books to read about pan, as if Caribbean people like us did not teach him everything he knows about pan, and as if we Caribbean folks did not write the ACTUAL book on pan (despite what some pan vandals in Stockholm, Sweden would like people to believe).
Needless to say, we turned down Mr. Röhner's invitation and offer with a resounding, ''No'', as our values concerning the business of pan and overall socially conscious and ethical business practices are directly opposed to the PanArt business model which is based on theft and exploitation.
Mr: Röhner in fact has a guilty conscience. Without prompting, he went on record in his propaganda-filled documentary on the Hang and stated that, ''I am not a thief.''
Oh yes you are, Mr. Röhner, yes you are!
I will delve into this topic a little more later in another blog post entitled, ''The PanArt Hang Documentary: A Neo-Colonial, Propaganda-Filled Dissemination of Lies''
However, in light of history, this is not the first time we have seen a European attempt to re-write and re-package the history of the negro for the betterrment of the European to the detriment of the negro, steelpan aside. The steelpan may have been invented in T&T, but it was strictly the NEGROES of T&T who invented and developed the steelpan for the most part. I just want to make it perfectly clear that T&T is a republic comprised of many different ethnic groups, but it was the negroes of T&T specifically, who are primarily responsbile for the birth and subsequent development of the steelpan.
Currently, I would have to be blind not to see that Europeans have essentially swooped in and and are lamely attempting to put a Swiss twist on a negro invention (steelpan) while claiming that it is European/ Swiss in origin!
It may be dissatisfiying to many to be reminded of the huge role that race plays in all of this, as many would prefer not to touch the issue with a ten foot pole. But the fact is that the steelpan is an instrument that was born out of slavery, oppression, and colonization of Caribbean Negroes in T&T. Slavery, oppression and coloniazation imposed upon them by European colonial powers. This fact will never change and I imagine it is a point of cognitive dissonance regarding many Europeans who become involved in steelpan who will never truly feel at home within the steelpan world due to this ugly reality. Thus, it is clear that this cognitive dissonance on their part is the impetus which drives European hang/handpan makers like Felix Röhner who come from steelpan backgrounds, to be able to have a steelpan of their own in order to build their own Eurocentric community which allows them to feel at home.
As I mentioned in a previous blog posts, the hang/handpan community is overwhelmingly comprised of Europeans who have a Eurocentric point of view regarding the hang/handpan. In other words, most members of that community have bought into the lies spread by Mr. Röhner, as he is apparently revered as some sort of foward thinking guru in the hang/handpan world. These lies are self-serving to the community on the whole, a community for the most part who is seeking to belong to something steelpan related that is reflective of them (Europeans) and not reflective of their former slaves/current negro neo-colonists.
But like most of the gurus in India past and present however, Mr. Röhner is a patent fraud!
I am afraid I am digressing too much now since I want to save more of these bits about race for the next blog topic that I mentioned above!
Replies
Stay tuned for our next blog post:
''The PanArt Hang Documentary: A Neo-Colonial, Propaganda-Filled Dissemination of Lies''
5 years+ as an active member of WST and still no one actually knows who you are.
What is your name again?
Tell the kind people here why you are really mad!
My record speaks for itself and my name is next to my record.
So again, you are overwhelmingly outmatched so for the sake of the reputable members of WST, please do not resort to another one of your profanity filled rants, in which you plead for the moderators to delete your posts because you, as a highly incompetent troll, cannot sway legitimate discussions here even if you tried. All the reputable members here including myself smell you a mile away.
It's time for you to resort to another alias because you ruined this one you are posting under now. You have no credit left.
Dial tone.
KaribPan out.
Five years as an "active member"? No no, five years a member and, as the majority of members here not active, just one who mostly reads along.
I dont see how I am "overwhemingly outmatched" in this discussion.
I can see were you are just that though. Lol, thanks for the laugh.
And when you sell pans, make sure they go out with at least the octaves in pitch, nevermind the second partial.
Tell me if you'd like an example, I'll post some or your videos again, for all to hear. Lol
If you are not getting paid for your trolling then you are a lot more pitiful than I thought!
Again, you are here attempting to derail legitimate internet discussions by spewing lies with the intention of promoting Europeon culture vultures like Felix R., which has been your modus operandi Since you joined.
Of course an Agent from Pantard Inc. would utter nothing but lies and say the disparaging things you do!
it's a company totally built on lies, just like PanFart.
However, earlier you claimed I would "not sell one pan" yet you posted a link to a video that a SATISFIED CUSTOMER posted, not me!
Haha, what a hypocritical idiot you are. I don't need to prove it, you do It yourself!
And that satisfied customer who posted that video only paid €1050 for that pan with Fedex Intl. Priority shipping included and he lives in the Philippines, so if you ask me, he got a great value for his money. Premium FedEx shipping from Germany to the Philippines is expensive.
As he paid, €1050 and not €5000 (hang prices) I fail to see the validity of your point, especially since that customer is SATISFIED to the point of making a video thanking me!
The only person who is mad is you!
And you actually think your words here have any credibility even after the numerous times you have been dragged and exposed on here by others and myself included!
Thanks for providing me the opportunity to talk about my SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, however, and our ethical business practices which provide our customers VALUE for money.
For someone who never comes with facts and only conjecture and agendas, it's funny that you accuse me of being emotional and personal when I never was. I would not expect anything other than lies like these from a troll such as yourself anyhow, it would not be becoming of your trolling ways!
Again, come with facts because we don't believe you, you need more people!
Claude,
I see you are passionate about recording. Why you cannot find a decent player to record is beyond me, especially as I am sure you know many pannists and have access to decent recording facilities.
If you are that hard pressed to find a decent player to record, I hereby offer my playing services to you for free. The catch is, you will have to make it over to Berlin as my No Cal days are well behind me and I do not expect to be revisiting them anytime soon although it is a beautiful part of the States.
Feel free to take me up on my offer anytime.
But if your customer is happy, good for him.
Those who paid, in the early days just 350 euros for a Hang, then later 500, then 880, then 1200 etc etc, and they are happy, good for them?
What's your problem with that?
Ok, I dont know how much Fedex charges for shipping to the Phillipines, but say they charge 700 bucks, you still got 350, for what I would call an untuned, miserable sounding, sunk steeldrum, with a couple notes, half of them your happy customer doesnt even play because they are worse than bad.
I wonder if only me sees that you talk nonsense...
Oh, and Hang were NEVER sold for 5000 euros, as you claim. This claim of your again goes to show that you know shit!
The last instruments that PANArt sold, well a decade after working, improving and researching in many fields were going out the shop for 2300 euros.
There then was speculation on these instruments, and private owners cashed out, because, apparently these high prices reflected the value that people put into them. Get it?
Get out!!!
Well this is real madness!!!! We have the C PAN the D PAN the E-PAN the G-PAN the KAT-PAN (pan kat) the PHI PAN the CHROMATIC PAN the FOURTHS AND FIFTHS PAN the SPIDER WEB PAN the SOLID HOOP PAN and nobody could make a decent PAN RECORDING.
Now these fellahs coming to this forum and bring the HANG PAN and THE HAND PAN (I know the two are the same -- a little hyperbole) and the KARIB PAN.
More and more PAN and nobody still cyar use any of the instruments to make a DECENT PAN RECORD. However, I must say that I heard some really nice tones coming out of one of those HANG PANS so maybe somebody could take one to a studio and light up the airwaves with the SWEET SOUNDS OF PAN.
"Weird" is an understatement for the thievery and lies that the Handpan/hang/regurgitated convex Steelpan industry is based upon.
Agent Panplayer46,
I'm still waiting for a response from you that is based on facts for once, but seeing that you're a troll who has been exposed on here numerous times by other members excluding myself, I won't hold my breath!
Adam, if you took any of my statements personally, please do not as this is nothing personal to me. It's just business and as someone who takes the business of pan very seriously, I do not let emotions/personal feelings get involved when discussing the business of pan.
There is no animosity towards you on my part, so don't take me the wrong way. I'm glad we can agree on something, however.
A response to what exactly, Rudy? A response to you racism?
Hmm, a response to your article? Ok, let me see...
Someone who is repeatedly not capable of even spelling Felix Rohners name properly, doesn't deserve too much attention.
As for your talk about your own handpans over at KaribPan, well, they are just badly made and tuned bins.
Hear for yourself:
https://youtu.be/OrjFf-BSoZA
And compare to a Hang:
https://youtu.be/Uj-kHy5b5mo
Any person will hear a great difference, between the two. And especially realize that Hang has a distinct different tone than steelpan.
If you would know the history, you wouldn' talk about Felix Rohner the way you do.
You know nothing about the man.
These are facts and I can prove that anytime. But that would only expose you for what you are.
I doubt there is need for that. You're achieving that all on your own already...
As for your reply to Adam Mold, where you say "I do not let emotions/personal feelings get involved when discussing the business of pan", I go bawl out laughing... To use Glenroys word: WEIRD!
The amount of emotions and personal feelings you are putting into all this is simply phenomenal. Just listen to yourself, and understand that you have issues. Problems.
Wow - Rudy - I never thought I would say this, but *gulp* I agree with you..... (btw - I refuse to get into another scrap, at least on this post about race and stuff like that)
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