Instructions

Stand
1. Mount the right and left bottom standing legs on the right and left foot parts.
2. Join the right and left parts with the middle foot part.
3. Slot in and fasten top parts of the standing leg with the bottom parts of the standing legs.

Important

When tightening bolts, screw in both somewhat loosely first, then tighten together.

Tighten properly, as loose bolts will rattle.

Extra

I have added four pegs that can be used to fix the stand to the ground. You can use them if you see the stand
wobbles a bit during play, or when there are heavy winds or storms.

Upkeep

The frame is painted with Sadolin metal paint, an oil based paint. If bare steel parts start to show you can give
it a little touch up by applying some regular black steel paint, which you can find in almost all hardware stores.

Hooks
I’ve added a pair of hooks so you can mount it on a wall. The way you can mount them will depend on the type
of wall you want to insert them into. The thickness of the shank and threading is 12mm. If placing them into a
drywall, you can drill a 12mm hole into the interior beam. The shank is a little tapered, so it ought to sit snug
after twisting it in for a while. If you want to insert it into masonry, I would recommend buying an appropriate
plug to ensure a snug fit.

Gong
Playing the gong

When you play the gong, you can use the mallet to explore the entire surface of it. After a time, you will get a
feel for the different ways you can play it. It doesn’t require much force, but you can build up the sound by
striking the outer edges or a more intimate sound closer to the boss.

Mallet

I have included a mallet for you, it is a good medium weight, but there are other options available. A heavy (0.5
kg) soft mallet is a good addition, as well as a rubber ball mallet, which you can use to stroke the textured
surface. These you can buy online or at a musical instrument store.
Upkeep

Wearing gloves when handling is advised to limit oxidation of the surface. The surface of the gong will tarnish
over time. It is best to polish it with regular copper polish when needed. Please follow the instructions on the
product description of the copper polish you buy. A tarnished gong will lose some of its higher tonal range.

If you decide not to polish the gong and let it tarnish over time, like they do at old Asian temples, this is
possible too. Over the years it will change colour and sound, but is still perfectly useable.

Dear Sandy,

I have greatly enjoyed making your gong.

It was a first for me, making a gong in this size and thus quite an adventure. So thank you for
asking me to make one in the first place and having trust in me.

I wanted to tell you a little bit about this gong and the process of making it.

The old way of making an instrument like this is a spiritual undertaking. And so, the starting
point is asking what the gong ought to be about. It showed itself that it should be a gong
that was to be joined with the sun. The sun is the font of wisdom in our solar system.
Through attuning myself during the forging of your gong, it was connected with forces of the
sun.

If you would like to know more about any this, please let me know.

The gong has had, as you can see, thousands of hammer marks. Ton Akkermans (my old
teacher) and I worked the surface and shape for five days, slowly covering every inch of the
gong with hammer blows. Peening the surface like this imparts great tension to the brass,
which works in a similar way to tightening a guitar string, allowing the gong to vibrate.

I hope you and your husband will enjoy the gong for many years to come.

May it bring you joy and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Jesse Blauwhof

Andromeda Gongs
Blue anvil smithy