Sun Gong by Raven Sounds, Handmade Bronze Wind Gong, Free Mallet

Authentic Handmade Gong
Each gong is unique, and the one you hear in the sound file is the exact gong you will receive. While there may be slight variations in appearance, your gong will have the same overall look and feel as the one pictured.

How Our Gongs Are Made
Raven Sounds gongs are designed and tested in the USA and handmade from bronze — 80% copper, 20% tin. We specify a thicker gauge than a typical traditional-style gong; the added mass gives a deeper fundamental, more intricate overtones, and a wider dynamic range from a soft touch to a full strike. Each one is individually recorded before it ships.

Sun Gong Characteristics
The Sun Gong is a versatile and unique version of the traditional Chinese Wind Gong. Its distinctive concentric lathed design on the front surface brings out a rich tapestry of overtones and a wider range of sounds. Compared to traditional Wind Gongs, Sun Gongs generally offer a deeper tone and greater control over the sound and are less likely to "crash."

Sun Gong at a Glance
Style: a wind-gong body with concentric lathing on the front face — flat, no raised lip
Sizes: 18" to 32"
Note: every Sun Gong is one of a kind, so the note belongs to the individual gong, not the size. The gongs we've stocked have generally fallen between about C#2 and C#3, with larger sizes usually — not always — lower. The current note for each size is shown in the size selector, and the recording on this page is that exact gong.
Material: handmade bronze, 80% copper / 20% tin
Includes: a Raven Sounds Cosmic Tones gong mallet and a hanging cord

How a Sun Gong Sounds
A Sun Gong shares the wind gong's quick response, but the concentric lathing on the front changes the balance: the center tone sits deeper, the overtones are more layered than shimmery, and the gong stays under control at volumes where a plain wind gong would crash. Played softly it's warm and round; struck hard the wash builds without breaking up, which is what makes it a forgiving gong to play. Listen to the recording on this page — it's the exact gong for the size you select.

Sun vs. Wind vs. Chau
If you're choosing between our three most common styles: the Sun Gong sits between the other two — a wind-style body with concentric lathing that adds control and depth and makes it less likely to crash. The Wind Gong is brighter and quicker, with the widest, fastest-blooming wash of high overtones. The Chau Gong has the deepest, most controlled center tone and a slower swell, which is why it's the traditional choice for sound baths and meditation. Every one is recorded, so hear all three before you decide.

Sun Gong FAQ

How is a Sun Gong different from a Wind Gong?
Same body, different face. A wind gong is fully lathed front and back; a Sun Gong adds concentric lathing on the front surface, which deepens the center tone, layers the overtones, and gives you more control before it crashes.

What note is a Sun gong?
There isn't a single answer — each handmade Sun Gong carries its own fundamental. Ours have mostly fallen between C#2 and C#3, generally lower as size goes up. The note for the current gong in each size is in the size selector, and the recording is that gong.

Which size should I get?
As a starting point: 18"–22" for personal practice, small rooms, travel, and as an accent gong alongside larger gongs or in a set. 24"–28" is what most studio and smaller sound-bath practitioners choose, and it also works well as an accent gong. 30"–32" for larger rooms and as the centerpiece of a set.

Does a bigger gong just mean a lower note?
Not only. In our experience the larger the gong, the more versatile and dynamic it tends to be — a 32" gong can give you many more distinct sounds, from a soft whisper to a full crash, than an 18" can. Every gong is unique, so this isn't an absolute rule, but it's the main reason practitioners size up beyond what the room needs.

Does it come with a mallet?
Yes — a Raven Sounds Cosmic Tones mallet and a hanging cord ship free with every Sun Gong.

How do I hang it?
By its cord from a stand rated for its diameter, with the face free to swing.

Complimentary Cosmic Tones Mallet ($49 Value)
Enhance your gong playing with a complimentary Raven Sounds Cosmic Tones Gong Mallet when you purchase any gong. Our mallets are designed for optimal sound production, offering a more nuanced and expressive playing experience compared to the standard mallets often included with gongs.

A Note About Gong Sizes
Each of our gongs is a unique, handmade item. Because of this, the actual size may vary slightly. We typically find that most gongs will be approximately 1/4" to 1/2" smaller than their stated size.

Fundamental Notes
The listed note and octave represent the gong's primary center tone. While we do our best to capture an accurate representation of this note, the actual tone can vary based on volume and overtones. Please refer to the sound file for the best example of the gong's sound.

See the full Raven Sounds gong collection for other styles, or browse additional gong mallets.