Gongs

Which Gong should I buy?

Gongs vary in size, appearance and sound frequency. The quality of the materials used significantly determines its sound intensity and effect. Before buying, you should therefore carefully check the metal composition and workmanship. You should also be clear about the purposes for which you want to use the gong: Large gongs are generally better suited for therapeutic use and meditations; gongs with a smaller diameter, for example, for energizing small rooms or sound imagery journeys.

Through regular visits to our production facilities, we have gained extensive knowledge regarding the manufacturing of gongs and can specifically coordinate our special sound tunings and quality standards with the gong masters. If you want to buy a gong or accessories such as  gong bags, you can rely on a very high quality with our products.

What distinguishes Hess Sound® Premium Gongs?

The manual production of the gongs involves many forging processes, making each gong unique. After production, the gongs are individually tested and listened to. Only those gongs that meet our high quality standards in terms of sound and appearance in all aspects receive the Hess Sound® Premium Gong seal. The second-best quality, which is still very high by comparison, receives the seal Hess Sound® Classic Gong. The Classic quality is therefore the somewhat cheaper alternative. 

What distinguishes the Nickel Silver Gongs from Hess Sound?

With the addition of our nickel silver gongs, we are expanding our range with hand-forged sound art from Germany – crafted exclusively for Hess Sound. Each gong is meticulously handcrafted in small, family-run workshops, where experience, precision, and dedication are evident. For our Flat Gongs, we exclusively use high-quality nickel silver, one of the noblest and acoustically finest metals worldwide. They are crafted in the renowned Broder Oetken manufactory, known for traditional forging artistry and exceptional sound quality.

What effect does a Feng Gong or TamTam Gong have?

Depending on the size – and the associated frequency – a Feng Gong or TamTam Gong can have a different effect on different areas of the body. Small gongs with very high frequencies primarily address the head area; medium gongs with medium frequencies the chest area; and large gongs with low frequencies the abdominal area.

The frequency is not only influenced by the size of the gong, but also the striking point determines the sound: a strike in the center produces a pleasantly deep sound; a strike on the edge a high sound.

What size should a Feng Gong or TamTam Gong be?

In addition to the striking technique and the  gong mallet used, the size of the gong naturally also has an influence on its sound spectrum. The right size for you depends entirely on how and where you want to use the gong.

The larger it is, the more voluminous and usually deeper its sound. Feng or TamTam Gongs from a size of about 30 cm in diameter already sound very impressive and are often used as signal transmitters. A diameter of about 45 cm also allows for a multifaceted game. Gongs with a diameter of 70 cm and more are particularly suitable for therapeutic use.

Where does the Gong come from?

From a musicological point of view, gongs belong to the metal idiophones. In Southeast Asia, they are among the oldest and most important musical instruments. However, it is not clear where they originated and how they were used.

The main centers of Gong culture are Burma, China, Annam and Java, with the so-called "Kettle Drums", bronze kettle drums, being recognized as the forerunners of Gongs. From this, various forms of Gongs developed, such as the Feng and TamTam Gongs, which spread over the Silk Road to Japan over the centuries.