Buying a Second-Hand Gong or Singing Bowl in Ireland: What to Check

A good gong or singing bowl can last a lifetime, so a second-hand one can be a very good buy. The catch is that you often cannot hear it in the room before you pay. These are the things worth checking first.

Know what you are looking for

Decide what it is for: your own practice, one-to-one work or sound baths. That narrows down the size and the type. If you are new to gongs, our guide How to Choose Your First Gong goes through the main types.

Ask to hear it

Photos show the condition. Only the sound shows the instrument. Ask the seller for a short video with the sound on: struck softly, struck firmly, and left to ring out. A good instrument rings on evenly. A buzz, a rattle or a sudden dead stop is worth asking about.

Gongs

• Look closely around the edge and the hanging holes. Cracks often start there.
• Small marks and tarnish are mostly cosmetic. Dents and cracks are not.
• Ask what comes with it. A stand, a mallet and a cover add up if you have to buy them separately.
• Check the size and the weight. A large gong and its stand need a car, and sometimes two people.

Metal singing bowls

• Tap gently all the way around the rim and listen. A crack often shows itself as a buzz.
• Run a finger around the rim and the base, feeling for dents and splits.
• Ask how long it sings when it is played around the rim, and whether the mallet and cushion are included.

Crystal singing bowls

• Hold it up to the light and look for cracks. Check the rim for chips.
• Ask for the note and the size, and whether the rubber ring underneath is included.
• Crystal does not travel well. Collect it in person if you can, or agree careful packing with the seller first.

Price and paying

Look up what the same instrument costs new, then add anything that is not included, like a stand or mallets. A fair second-hand price takes age and condition into account. If you can, see it and hear it before you pay. If it has to be posted, agree the packing and any insurance before money changes hands.

Where to find one in Ireland

The Sound Exchange is our free board for second-hand sound healing instruments in Ireland. Every listing is checked before it appears, and you deal with the seller directly. If you are after something in particular, post what you are looking for and sellers can get in touch with you.

Selling an instrument? It is free to list and takes about five minutes: list an instrument.

If you would rather hear a range of gongs and bowls side by side first, you can book an instrument consultation at the studio in Raheen.