We ship the pans in thick foam on the bottom, top and sides. Each pan
is then snugly placed in it's own double thick box. We highly recommend,
for an additional $25.00, choosing our custom made, reusable, wooden
packing crate that will ensure your instrument arrives in tune, retaining
it's delicate harmonic balance.

        optional custom made packing crate

Can anyone learn to play pan?

Yes! I've taught many people and have never found anyone who
couldn't learn. Many instruments require great effort and practice to
produce an acceptable sound, but pan has the advantage of sounding great the
first time you play the notes, so in that way it's easier than most
instruments to learn. Because there are many different instruments in
the steel drum family, many people are faced with the decision as to which
instrument to play. The most common is to start with the lead (also known
as a tenor although it's not in the tenor range).  It's portable because
it's only one drum and plays melody and is a little less costly than  the
other instruments. It has a range something like a trumpet, flute, violin
or sporano sax. If you prefer the sound of a tenor sax or baritone sax to
a soprano sax, or a cello rather than a violin, you might want to consider a
"double second" or "cello pan" instead of the lead or soprano pan. The
double second is 2 drums and has more ability to play harmony while still
being high pitched enough to be an effective melody  instrument. The
cello pan is 3 or 4 drums and has a warm, rich sound most suited to harmony
and counter-melody. You would only choose a cello if you were going to play
with others. The overwhelming majority of people in your situation choose
the Lead pan because it plays melody, is less expensive and more
portable.

What are the advantages of a chrome finish?

Chrome is a very long lasting finish, -the instrument will last decades if
cared for properly. Chroming imparts a little more brilliance into the sound
and overall a chrome pan (chrome steel drum) has a much more desirable sound
than a painted pan. This is partly because the paint restricts the free
movement of the notes. resulting in a slightly clunky sound, but also
because with a chrome pan, the entire instrument has to be retuned after
chroming. The more time spent tuning results in a better sound.

Are VistaPan pans considered full size?

Yes, VistaPan instruments are all full size, which is approximately 22 and
1/2 inches. Most pan people do not consider the smaller diameter "midi"
and "minis" suitable for learning pan except for very small children.
Sometimes children under the age of six or so take musical rhythm classes
and the small diameter pans might be good  for this use. The small pans
don't have the necessary range and sound that a steel pan instructor
requires and are regarded as more of a memento or souvenir than a real
musical instrument. For just a little more money a full size, full range
instrument can be purchased.

How long will it take to receive my lead pan?

Painted Lead pans can take up to one month from time of order. Chrome
Leads are usually in stock and would take only a few days to arrive to you.