FAQ

General Questions

Can I buy instruments directly from Sela?

All Sela Instruments can be ordered in our on-line shop www.cascha.com . Upon agreement you can additionally pick-up your orders directly from our warehouse in Illschwang (Amberg-Sulzbach).

Is it possible to order from outside Europe?

Sela collaborates worldwide with music retailers and distributors who carry our products. If there is no retailer in your country, please send us your shipping request via email.

How can I become a Sela retailer?

To become a Sela dealer, call us at +49 9154 91694-0 or feel free to send your inquiry via email to info@selapercussion.com. Our Sales team will be happy to help you.

Can I become a Sela endorser?

At Sela, we enjoy collaborating with artists who appreciate our instruments and identify with them musically. Feel free to send your endorsement request to info@selapercussion.com. We look forward to it!

Questions about Handpans

My handpan is out of tune. What can I do?

Just like any handpans, Sela handpans can go out of tune as a result of intensive playing and severe temperature fluctuations. If your instrument has gone out of tune, you can use our retuning service. We will take care of the entire process. After returning the handpan to us, this will be tuned perfectly and sent back to you in just a few weeks. The costs is at most 249,90 € net price (including the shipping process) per handpan tuning, exclusively for Sela Handpans. When sending and returning the handpan, the transfer of risk takes place when it arrives at our leaves our premises respectively.

What maintenance does my handpan require?

The handpan must be cleaned after every use. In particular, dirt and other residues such as water and sweat should be wiped o  carefully, and the instrument should then be carefully oiled/waxed. The handpan must never be subjected to pressure or knocks on one of the tone fields. It must never be dropped, as this can cause substantial damage. The handpan must exclusively be put down on the underside. You should also avoid:

• moisture
• extreme heat (>30+ degrees Celsius / 84 degrees Fahrenheit)
• direct sunlight
• extreme cold (<-5 degrees Celsius / 23 degrees Fahrenheit)

We normally recommend for the maintenance Phoenix-Handpan Oil, WD-40 or Ballistol oil to treat the surface.

How do I properly use the handpan while playing?

The handpan should only be played with the fingertips by tapping gently. Please avoid beating them firmly with several fingers, the entire surface of the hand or even with mallets/sticks. This can cause the handpan to go out of tune, which will require it to be reworked by a professional handpan tuner. For this there could incur costs up to 249,90 € net (depending on the effort required). Additionally, please never allow your customers / visitors to play the instrument unsupervised. Rings and other items of jewellery must be removed when playing the instrument to prevent damage.

I am not sure, which Sela handpan is the best for me. Is there any assistance available?

Of course! Our expert team is available for personalized consultations and will help you find the right handpan. Just call us at +49 9154 916940, and we will be happy to assist you.

Can I order a custom handpan from Sela?

Sela offers your dream handpan with 9 or more notes. Contact us and share the specifications of your desired handpan. For custom handpans with more than 9 notes, there is an additional charge of approximately €200.00 per extra note. The delivery time is approximately 3 months from the order confirmation date. A 50% deposit of the total amount is required.

Can I purchase a handpan in installments?

Payments in installments are possible upon agreement. Just get in touch with us so we can find the right solution for you.

Questions to Kalimbas

How are Sela Cajons manufactured?

Sela Cajons are manufactured and inspected in Germany to the highest quality standards. Production takes place in state-of-the-art woodworking facilities, and all Cajons are carefully inspected by our professionals before shipping.

Can I replace a playing surface of a Sela Cajon?

The playing surfaces of the CaSela & CaSela Pro models can be replaced by the customer. For the Varios Cajons, the playing surfaces must be replaced by our team because the edges need to be finely sanded afterward.

How do I play the Cajon?

To play the Cajon you sit comfortably on it and strike the playing surface with the hands. Depending on where you strike, it produces higher (snare sound) or lower (bass sound) tones. For beginners, we recommend 'Cajon - Learn to play quick and easy" by Cascha Verlag. Show all Cajon Books.

Can the sound of the Cajon be adjusted?

The sound of our Cajons can be easily adjusted using basic methods. For instance, placing a pillow or some foam inside the body can be used for damping.

Is it possible to install a second snare traverse inside the cajon?

Yes, an additional Sela snare traverse can be installed in any Sela Cajon. Sela snare traverses are available as accessories in our on-line shop and at Sela music retailers. Show Sela Cajon Accessories.

Why does the playing surface stick out at the top corners?

The raised corners are known as 'Clap Corners,' allowing for an additional, castanet-like sound variation.

Questions to Kalimbas

How can I tune my Kalimba?

If a tongue of your kalimba ever slips, you can correct it using the included tuning hammer or a tuning device or app. Sela recommends N-Track Tuner or the INS-Tuner.

What is the difference between Kalimbas with 10, 17 and 21 tongues?

The difference lies in the number of available notes and musical flexibility. Variants with 10 and 17 tongues are based on the C major scale, covering the range from the fundamental note C to the 10th or 17th note. The 21-tongue models additionally provide four lower notes below C, offering a wider musical range and more melodies. When choosing a kalimba, consider both the musical requirements and desired diversity of sound.

What is the difference between Kalimbas with Hollow Body and Solid Body?

Hollow-body and solid-body kalimbas differ in their body construction. A solid-body kalimba is made from a solid block of wood, providing a clear sound with direct response, while a hollow-body kalimba has a resonant chamber with a sound hole, similar to an acoustic guitar, which enhances the volume and resonance. Both types produce the typical kalimba sound, but with subtle differences in tone color and resonance. The choice depends entirely on your personal preferences.