# Wooden Hang Risks

| Risk ID | Category | Risk | Verification Test | Mitigation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WHG-RISK-001 | Acoustic | Wooden note fields may produce short decay or unclear pitch compared with the target playing concept. | Record decay and spectral clarity on at least 12 coupons across two wood systems. | Pivot toward larger fields, stronger cavity support, or a tongue-field hybrid identity. |
| WHG-RISK-002 | Acoustic | Plate-style formulas may miss real pitch by a large margin because of anisotropy and glue-line behavior. | Compare predicted vs measured pitch for each P0 and P1 geometry change. | Build an empirical correction table before a full layout. |
| WHG-RISK-003 | Acoustic | Adjacent note zones may cross-talk too strongly in a circular layout. | Build a three-note sector and measure sympathetic ringing between notes. | Increase spacing, deepen isolation, or reduce note count. |
| WHG-RISK-004 | Structural | Thin top zones may crack or sink under hand strike or clamping load. | Static load and repeated strike test on a sacrificial field. | Increase local thickness, widen radii, or move hardware farther outboard. |
| WHG-RISK-005 | Structural | Removable-top hardware may buzz or damp the instrument. | Sweep strike tests with and without gasket and with different screw torque levels. | Use gasket isolation and move fastening outside active modes. |
| WHG-RISK-006 | Ergonomic | A nine-note handpan-style reach may be too crowded once note fields are sized honestly for wood. | Mock up the full layout in cardboard or MDF and test seated hand reach. | Start with a five-note or three-note playable subset and enlarge spacing as needed. |
| WHG-RISK-007 | Supply | Stable thin hardwood plate stock may be hard to source consistently. | Source-check at least two suppliers and compare flatness on arrival. | Keep laminate and birch options alive as parallel branches. |
| WHG-RISK-008 | Fit/Finish | Finish may damp the response or shift pitch unexpectedly. | Compare raw vs sealed coupon measurements before finishing a full top. | Keep strike zones raw or minimally sealed during early iterations. |
| WHG-RISK-009 | Transport | Bowl and top assembly may be vulnerable to drop or edge damage during normal handling. | Build and test a padded cradle and support ring before off-bench use. | Add a dedicated cradle, padded case insert, and protected rim geometry. |