Gongs
Handmade gongs from small manufactories in top quality - true sound wonders and highly decorative. In addition to their use as musical and therapeutic instruments, as yoga and meditation companions, gongs also do very well in the private sphere. As a sound sculpture for the garden, as a indoor sound picture or as a visual and sonic highlight in the wellness area, to name just a few ideas.
Now you ask yourself, which gong should I buy? Which gong is right for me?
You can recognize the right gong for yourself and for your private life by the sound. Sound conveys emotions. And that's what's special about a gong. It touches and fascinates with its sound. Then you should choose. The sound should always be the deciding criterion. If you are looking for a gong for an institution or for special applications (meditations, sound journeys, orchestra, therapy...), let us advise you personally. There is a lot to consider and consider and we will be happy to help you with our many years of experience.
What is a gong?
To put it simply, a gong is something like the original form of the loudspeaker box. A metal membrane (metal idiophone) that is caused to vibrate by mechanical excitation (striking, rubbing) and thereby produces sound. The exciting and fascinating thing about it is the complexity of the sounds and the variety of frequency ranges that are present in every gong (larger ones than smaller ones).
Gongs have been around for centuries in Asia (especially in China) and from there they have spread in various variations and forms of production, especially in Southeast Asia. There are different assumptions about the exact age, with predecessors of today's gongs dating back to long before. It is estimated that they date back to the grave finds of flat gongs (discs) in China around the beginning of our Christian era.
They arrived in Europe from the 16th century through trade from Asian areas and also military campaigns from the East (Turkish Wars in the 17th century) and it took a few more decades before they were first used in European music. Since the 20th century, the gong, especially the Tam Tam Gong (Chau Gong), has had a permanent place in Western classical music (such as in compositions by Richard Strauss and Modest Mussorgsky). In Asia, gongs have been used for thousands of years both as ritual instruments and in traditional orchestras (e.g. the gamelan orchestras in Indonesia).
It was only in the middle of the 20th century that musicians like Karlheinz Stockhausen introduced the gong into modern music (Microphony I, 1964) and since then it has been used as an effect instrument in everything from brass bands to rock music (for example with Pink Floyd in the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” or Queen). found its place just as much as in film music or our own gong concerts.
What makes our gongs different from others?
At GongZeit you will only find handmade, unique pieces with top sound quality. Every gong is manufactured exclusively for us according to clearly defined quality specifications. This is the only way we can ensure our high standards for the sound and appearance of each individual sound object.
We know each of our current three manufacturers personally and for many years. Thanks to the good collaboration over long periods of time, friendly relationships have developed with all three, which means that customer requests such as special sizes, special engravings or designs can also be realized.
Grotta Sonora Gongs from near Rome is an internationally established and sought-after premium gong brand from near Rome/Italy, which, in addition to gongs, realizes various reinterpretations and further developments of gongs and also develops their own instruments. Take a look at the range and browse the exciting sound universe of these lovely and fantastic instrument makers - Madhava Carrara and Margherita Cioffi.
Galaxy WOM Gongs come from near Florence/Italy and are all made by Tashi Fabbrucci for GongZeit. WOM gongs are works of sound art. Pictures “painted” with a hammer and heat, or - properly staged - sound sculptures. Tashi specializes in flat gongs, which he always brings perfectly into the characteristic Galaxy WOM Gong timbres. A very unique, beautiful cosmos of sound that is only available with the gongs he made for us.
GongZeit bronze Gongs are our own production from the country of origin of the Gongs - China. We work closely with a small factory in WuHan, which we visit regularly and which, in our opinion, produces some of the finest gongs in this old traditional craft. To get an idea of how work is done there and what it takes to produce a bronze gong in GongZeit quality, we will take you on a tour through the forging process of the gongs with photos, descriptions and soon videos. Afterwards you will see our gongs again through new eyes.
What types of gongs are there?
There are many, many types of gongs. Especially in Asia, the country of origin of today's gongs. From kettle gongs, navel gongs, plate gongs and the very common hump gongs, which are also used in the Indonesian gamelan orchestras.
The gongs we know best are also the most musical - our GongZeit “classics”: flat gongs and tam tams or chau gongs. They differ in their construction. Flat gongs (Feng Gong) are forged into a disc with slight curvatures and have a very external sound character. The sound builds up like a wave, usually coming from the depths and radiating outwards. Tam Tams/Chau Gongs are characterized by an edge that is forged all the way back, which determines the character of the sound. The sound is voluminous and is reminiscent of layers of sound that lie on top of each other. Bass frequencies and clearly distinguishable overtone choirs that combine to form a sound structure. They keep the tone sequences relatively stable and long-lasting, thereby creating a very meditative overall sound.
What size should a gong be?
Here too, please focus on the sound and of course what the gong is used for. Should it serve as a signal generator or do you want to relax to the sound or should it be able to do both? Should it also have a decorative visual and sound effect as part of your living space, or do you want a kitchen gong? So the size is not the deciding factor, but the idea of what you want to do with it. Does the combination of look and sound appeal to you? We would be happy to give you many more ideas why a gong (no matter what size) would work well for you :). Feel free to get in touch!
How do I care for and clean my gong?
Play a lot :)!
Depending on the material, there are various proven polishes and cleaning agents. With bronze gongs you can either polish out spots in the golden area of the gongs with a brass/bronze polish or with a special car painter's fleece (please contact us if necessary).
Grease stains can always be removed with pharmacy alcohol or metal cleaners (without scratch elements). For stainless steel gongs, you can use the stainless steel cleaner from the hardware store or even pharmacy alcohol.
What do I have to pay attention to when buying a gong?
If you want to buy a gong, be sure that the sound is right. If at all possible, make an appointment with the dealer of your choice and choose your gong yourself. Each quality gong is handmade and sounds different. Of course, the material, size and weight of the gong also significantly influences the sound. The origin or production (cold forged or hot forged...) is also a factor that determines the sound. If it is not possible for you to choose one personally, have us send you an audio sample or a high-quality video of your favorite gongs and get personal advice over the phone. Please take a closer look or listen to used pieces.