Cajons

[pcs90]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to buy a cajon. I have not owned one before but have played them many times and think I could find a lot of uses for it. However I currently do not have a ton of money to spend on this as I also need some other things. I would like to keep this around $150. I can go over, but I would prefer not to. What is the best-sounding cajon for around that price?

I am also wondering about the Meinl Slap Top Cajon, as it's played more like a regular drum rather than sitting on top of it. Has anyone here actually tried this one out in person? There are videos of it, but every one sounds pretty different and I have read mixed reviews.

[bongobill]

Hi pcs90, I am sure you can find a cajon for that price. Meinl has many in that range. They even have a diy kit. I think you have to make the decision as to what is the best sounding. I personally use the Gon Bop, Alex Acuna signature special and it works for my current needs (church worship music), if I was playing in a more rock focused band I would get something else--more snare sound, louder. You will have to find the cajon to fit your needs.

[Jack Keck]

How are your woodworking skill? If you can cut plywood in a straight line like I can't, make your own.

[longgun]

The Meinl "Headliner" series sounds great at a decent price. Picked mine up last year for just over 100 bones.

[HolyChina]

Meinl has do it your self kits so if you can read directions, paint/stain and other basic wood working stuff and spare $50 then theres your answer. They advertise kids building it. so it cant be to hard

[Jack Keck]

Someone once suggested gutting an appropriately sized stereo speaker and putting a 1/4" plywood front on it. I think I read it here on Drum Chat, but it could have come from anywhere.

[markthechuck]

i got one from RT custom cajons, shameful thing is i've never used it.

[Crusader]

I'm looking too, and I saw some by Newl on Ebay. They have vids on youtube. Same here I want quality at a good price.

[markthechuck]

you can buy cheap ones on ebay that you build yourself, £30-£40 i think.

[MartyM]

I have seen the kits..but i worry about getting the parts for a adjustable snare for these..if of course you are interested in a string cajon like I am.

[Ravenest13]

With the dates posted on this subject I was wondering if the question ultimately was answered... or if entry level to pro level is a concern.

[8beat]

I've not seen anyone use a cajon at a live gig, I don't know why.

[bongobro]

I don't know why either, 8beat....if you know all the right moves, you can coax an amazing amount of sound out of a cajon...and, if you're doing hand percussion in a seated position, it can do double duty as the seat and as the beat!

[pcs90]

Well, I'm finally going to get one of these, and it will be used in a live situation as part of a church percussion set-up. Probably not a lot since we have a set player as well, but I'll find spots for it! Covering drum set beats is not its only use, though cajons are very good for that. Just have to figure out the best way to mic it to get both snare and bass as we only have 1 extra channel.

[Drumbledore]

I've not seen anyone use a cajon at a live gig, I don't know why.

Depends on whether you're talking about an acoustic-based kind of gig or something a bit louder. I'm in the market for one at the moment to do a few café-type of gigs with a couple of people playing semi-acoustic guitars, who've been asking me for ages to do some stuff with them. I'm telling them to hold on until I can get to grips with the basis first! Lol.

[Jack Keck]

I've not seen anyone use a cajon at a live gig, I don't know why.

I have two because of seeing them at live gigs. I bought one on eBay and just finished building a smaller one from scrap I scavenged from the trash. I suppose I should get some pics.

[N2Bluz]

I was never exactly sure what they were, but this thread prompted me to investigate. Now, I want one. It would be great to have for those porch parties where we all sit around and play acoustic Blues and stuff. I think I'll attempt to build my own.

[N2Bluz]

Found an old 24"w x 46"L coffee table with a 5/8"TH oak top. It even has a nice reciprocating grain pattern decorative design in the outer ply. I'm thinking it has "Cajon Project" written all over it.

[8beat]

Aw no don't cut up the coffee table.

[bangbang0417]

I just bought a Meinal brand cajon for $99 at guitar center. Its not bad for my first one that I have ever played. I finally figured out how to get a nice bass sound out of it (not consistently.) It has been really fun to play! I did play one that was really nice... a sonic boom form pearl. It was way out of my price range at $250 but it sounded really nice!

[The_Epsicle]

Meinl by far makes the best sounding cajon's for their price. I own an oak cajon, I have played acoustic remakes of linkin park songs on it before with some friends, but if you're looking for a person who has used it live look up boyce avenue on YouTube, they also have recorded several covers with them and they sound great. If your looking for a snare sound get an oak string snare cajon, if a bassier sound is what want go for a mahogany or cherry with a regular snare, I personally do not like adjustable snares because then you can't really hit the sides which produce more of a bongo sound. Cajon's are great for street performances which if you don't do much on the street I highly suggest you grab a guitarist buddy or another musician and give it a shot, even if you don't know what you want to do or don't have an "act" do it anyway it's tons of fun and people always ask about your "beatbox". Of course if you have skill with woodworking, or even if you don't there are some great videos on making your own custom cajons on the cheap with a good sound.

[pcs90]

The Meinl cajons that I've played generally seemed pretty dead to me, not really any tone. But maybe those were just bad ones. I have a cajon made by X8 Percussion, snare is not adjustable, but I can't see why I'd want to change it. It sounds great and the bass literally has almost no rattle from the snares, the tones are very distinct. The sides also have a lot more tone than most cajons I tried in stores.

[8beat]

I was tapping on an old acoustic guitar the other day and it struck me - is this really so different from a cajon?

There are zillions of old acoustic guitars around, people give them away sometimes.

[drumsetsnide]

One piece of information I have heard by the majority of people I had asked is stay away from adjustable snares. They are unreliable and don't always work as they should. Not something I want to deal with whether playing a gig or just practicing.

[red1]

This is the one I ended up with, the LP Mario Cortes model. Really nice bass tone, decent snare sound. I have heard snappier snares but it's probably my poor technique to be honest! It had the best overall sound out of the ones that I tried in the shop.

I tried to add a picture but it didn't work, will try again!