Fat Congas CJ11 Segundo Cajon

[bongobro]

I recently saw--and played--cajones for the first time. As a quick review for those who aren't familiar with them, "cajon" is Spanish for "box"--and in the early days of Afro-Cuban music, rumberos (musicians who played in jam sessions) didn't have congas readily available, and they made do with what was available (wooden crates, boxes, and even dresser drawers serving as drums, and spoons banging against skillets serving as another form of cowbell).

There are basically two types: A rectangular box with a sound hole on one side--and snares strung across the back of the other side. This type is played in a seated position, with the player sitting atop the box and drumming on the sides for various effects.

A second type, such as the CJ11, looks like a pyramid (minus its peak), turned upside down--click the link below to see it...



The CJ11 is played as you would play a conga; according to the instructions, you hold it between your knees, with the top of the cajon even with your thighs (its square shape makes it easier to hold than a round conga!)

The CJ11 I played sounded like a cross between a traditional conga and a djembe (a flat-hand hit in the center produces the deep tone of a djembe; playing it in a conventional way--with the fingers about a third of the way between the rim and the center--produces a conga sound; slapping it on the edge produces a sharp slap-crack effect.

I liked that it was much lighter than even the lightest conventional conga I've played; it's easy to pick up and carry anywhere--you could even keep it in the car for an impromptu jam or a drum circle (a matching bag is available to keep it looking like new); and it didn't take long for me to play it as fast and as hard as I play my congas! Best of all, it sounded awesome--this one, pardon the pun, has some real cojones in its bass notes, plus authentic conga sounds and slaps!

Those of you who play cajones know they're fun to play--and now there's a new addition to the b-bro's percussion wish list...!

[32ndHeartBeat]

I've been checking out cajons in Guitar Center. Might pick me one up next time I have the mulah. Thanks for the review, bro.

[STICKSWIZZARDDRAGON]

HOLA como estas BONGOBRO *ARTISTIC ARTIST DRUMMER (DRAGON) ALL I can say IS JUST FANTASTIC I LOVE the SOUND
the FEEL *THEY ARE MUY CALIENTE'***BB-ARTIST DRAGON**ITS ON My LIST of NEW PERCUSSION*

[1DrumBum]

I can't believe I did'nt see this post earlier.

Thank you for the review BB! I am going to have to check one of these out. I have a Meinl cajone that I absolutely love, but it is too big for me to be able to haul around for jam sessions. This just might do the trick. I am starting to see more and more drummers use cajones in acoustic or "unplugged" live music settings. It truly is a great thing....

[coke_can]

finally got some cajones.....lol

[pastor_bob]

Cool BB, and thank you SWD for bringing this back up for us all, because I missed it too!

[Jerry Bembe]

Cajons are out selling congas in Europe today. I have been familiar with Cajons for 20 years now and if you told me this would happen back then I would have laughed. Well times have changed. These Cajons can be quite musical.

[busyflyin]

I made my own cajon and put a snare in it. I was very impressed with the results.. the sound is increadibly like a drum.

[Jerry Bembe]

Cajons are a major reason for conga & drum rhythms to survive the slavery era. In many areas in the "New World" drums and associated drumming was banned. This drum ban happened in Cuba and the US (probably more areas too). There was fear of African religion and communication via drumming. (During this era, many armies had drummers for communication of formations and commands.)

Slaves discovered the musical nature of wooden boxes (or Cajons) during this drum ban. So slave owners would hear drumming and when they investigated the source of the sound a lookout would inform the drummers. All that was found was slaves and boxes. This went on for years and Cajons became part of the musical fabric.

Happy drumming

[Redeye]

Cajons are a major reason for conga & drum rhythms to survive the slavery era. In many areas in the "New World" drums and associated drumming was banned. This drum ban happened in Cuba and the US (probably more areas too). There was fear of African religion and communication via drumming. (During this era, many armies had drummers for communication of formations and commands.)

Slaves discovered the musical nature of wooden boxes (or Cajons) during this drum ban. So slave owners would hear drumming and when they investigated the source of the sound a lookout would inform the drummers. All that was found was slaves and boxes. This went on for years and Cajons became part of the musical fabric.

Happy drumming

Quite true and ditto for the hoe blade. The precursor to the modern cowbell far more than an actual cow's bell. Great history lesson.