Where to Buy a Good Tibetan Singing Bowl?

You’ve decided! You want to treat yourself—or a loved one—to a Tibetan singing bowl to enjoy the relaxing effects of this musical instrument. Not sure where you can buy one with confidence? What are the different options available between online shops and brick-and-mortar stores?

I’ve been passionate about Tibetan singing bowls for about ten years, so I’ve had plenty of time to explore the topic and try out different ways to buy several of them. That means I can help you find the best way to get the instrument of your dreams.

The most convenient way to buy a good Tibetan singing bowl is through specialized online stores, which offer a wide selection. Physical stores are often very limited and more expensive.

By reading this entire article, you’ll learn about all the advantages and disadvantages of:

• Buying a Tibetan singing bowl online
• Buying this instrument in a physical store
• Buying a singing bowl on the second-hand market

You’ll discover which option best matches your goals, and you’ll even be able to guide friends who also want to buy a Tibetan bowl.

Let’s take a closer look at where you can buy a Tibetan singing bowl.

Where can you buy a Tibetan singing bowl online?

Online stores are undoubtedly the best way to buy a Tibetan singing bowl, mainly thanks to better prices and a much wider selection than physical stores. There are specialist shops, general retailers, and platforms for buying second-hand models.

Buying a Tibetan singing bowl from a specialist store

As the name implies, these shops are experts in their field. You’ll often find informative articles that explore the topic in depth and guide you toward the best Tibetan bowl for your needs. Do you need a bowl made of a 7-metal alloy or quartz crystal? Which musical note should you choose for your future Asian percussion instrument? What are its benefits and virtues? You’ll be dealing with enthusiasts who can give you the best advice on purchasing your singing bowl.

What’s more, the range of models available will be much wider. You’ll be able to choose the diameter you want, a specific frequency like 432 Hz, or unique, distinctive engravings. For example, the Instruments du Monde store has more than 200 different Tibetan bowls that you can view by clicking on the image below:

Choose from over 200 Tibetan singing bowls to find the one that’s right for you

4.6/5 — 400+ Reviews

Browse the full selection of Tibetan singing bowls

Choosing a specialized online store is currently the best option. You’ll benefit from accurate, valuable advice while having a huge choice when buying your future Tibetan bowl. It’s true that hearing the sound in person before paying is ideal, but in France, online purchases come with a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period, so you can return the item and get a refund if it doesn’t meet your needs. This right is honored at Instruments du Monde without any justification required.

Choose a general retailer to buy your singing bowl

Generalist stores sell Tibetan bowls alongside items that have nothing to do with music, such as vacuum cleaners, chairs, and even toothbrushes. Don’t expect the same level of expertise you’ll find in a specialist shop. Their staff handle questions about hundreds of unrelated products and can’t offer the accurate answers you need.

In addition, the number of Tibetan bowls available for sale will be far less than in a specialist store. You will generally have little choice in comparison, as it is important to understand that these general stores buy in huge quantities, i.e., several thousand items, in order to obtain better prices in the hope of selling them. As a result, they can’t match the selection of a specialist shop, which may charge a little more but offers more unique and authentic singing bowls.

Choosing a second-hand percussion instrument

You can also find second-hand Tibetan bowls online, particularly on platforms such as Craiglist. However, good deals are rare, as sellers often overestimate the price of their instrument by attaching sentimental value to it. In addition, metal alloy singing bowls often show signs of oxidation or rust because they have not been stored or preserved properly. Finally, the selection is very limited, so you may not find the model that suits you best, and if you ultimately don’t like the Tibetan bowl, you probably won’t be able to return it.

Generally, this method of purchase is recommended for connoisseurs who regularly check the available offers to try to find a good deal. If you are looking to buy your first singing bowl, the second-hand market is not recommended, except in exceptional cases.

Where can you buy Asian musical instruments in person?

Online stores are not your only option. You can also purchase a Tibetan singing bowl in a physical store, whether it’s in France or elsewhere.

Looking for a Tibetan singing bowl in a store

Specialty stores that carry singing bowls are still relatively rare, as this instrument is not yet widely known among the general public. You may find them in esoteric and spiritual shops that also sell incense, crystal healing stones, candles, and divination pendulums. Again, the choice will be very limited, and you will only find a dozen or so models at best. The huge advantage is that you can try out the instrument. On the other hand, you will need a larger budget, as the prices inevitably include the fixed costs of a store, such as rent and employee salaries.

Travel to Nepal to get a singing bowl

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Nepal—especially Kathmandu—you’ll find an incredible opportunity to shop for a Tibetan bowl. While this is no guarantee of quality, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Be wary, however, of unscrupulous sellers who will not hesitate to lie to you in order to sell you their wares. It is not uncommon to come across singing bowls that are supposedly made from metal taken from a meteorite that fell deep in the Himalayas, which is hard to believe given how many “meteorite bowls” you’ll see in the area.

It’s worth noting that Nepal isn’t the only place where you’re likely to find singing bowls; Bhutan, India, China, and of course Tibet also offer many opportunities to purchase them. Other countries where Buddhism and Hinduism are well-established may also be worth exploring. The main drawback is that traveling to one of these distant lands just to buy a Tibetan bowl may not be cost-effective; however, if you’re already planning a trip to the region, it’s definitely worth considering.

Try to find a Tibetan bowl at markets

While browsing various markets or garage sales, you may sometimes come across a Tibetan singing bowl. The prices will often be low, but so may the quality. Nevertheless, it can be a great opportunity if you have some experience in this area.

Treat yourself to a singing bowl from a trusted store

Tibetan singing bowls are not commonly found in Western countries. This means that it can sometimes be difficult to find a high-quality bowl from a reliable professional or private seller. Now that you have read this article, you have all the information you need to find your future singing bowl.

However, there are many tempting offers online, and it’s not uncommon to encounter unscrupulous individuals who try to sell low-quality products at premium prices. To purchase a Tibetan bowl with confidence, you can count on the French store Instruments du Monde, which offers, among other things, this small model that is perfect for beginners.

Buy this Tibetan singing bowl now by clicking on the image below:

Discover Tibetan singing bowls with this excellent model—perfect for beginners

4.6/5 — 500+ Reviews

View the singing bowl

So you’ll have no trouble getting your hands on a Tibetan singing bowl. But do you really know which model you want? Check out our guide to choosing a singing bowl to make sure you don’t make a mistake based on your criteria. To learn more about this mystical object, take a look at our comprehensive file on this Asian instrument. If you have any questions about it, you’re sure to find the answer.