Got Cajon?

fixxxer · #1 07-26-2007, 04:34 PM

I was at this bar the other night watching two guys doing an acoustic set. One on acoustic guitar/ lead vocals and the other playing a cajon as well as vocals. At first I was a bit dissapointed because I was hoping to watch a full band that night but these guys were really good and it didn't take long to start enjoying the simplicity of what they were doing.
Anyway, I had never seen anyone play the cajon before and I was amazed at the sound that was being made from it. At one point the cajon player left (kind of abruptly for some reason) as the guitarist started playing Nivana's "All Apologies". He asked if anyone wanted to come up and "beat the box". I didn't hesitate as I walked up and sat in on the song. I have to say...I WANT ONE!!! It was alot of fun and just had a great sound.
Anyone else have much experience with this wonderful "musical box"? Anyone made one before?

wy yung · #2 07-29-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixxxer

I was at this bar the other night watching two guys doing an acoustic set. One on acoustic guitar/ lead vocals and the other playing a cajon as well as vocals. At first I was a bit dissapointed because I was hoping to watch a full band that night but these guys were really good and it didn't take long to start enjoying the simplicity of what they were doing.
Anyway, I had never seen anyone play the cajon before and I was amazed at the sound that was being made from it. At one point the cajon player left (kind of abruptly for some reason) as the guitarist started playing Nivana's "All Apologies". He asked if anyone wanted to come up and "beat the box". I didn't hesitate as I walked up and sat in on the song. I have to say...I WANT ONE!!! It was alot of fun and just had a great sound.
Anyone else have much experience with this wonderful "musical box"? Anyone made one before?

Yes, I play cajon.

You may find this site to be of interest.

http://www.cajondrumming.com/

hauk · #3 07-29-2007, 07:41 PM

I've recently had an urge to get one as well. I really enjoy playing them. I'm looking at the Meinl bass pedal cajon.

masonni · #4 07-29-2007, 07:47 PM

I have played them before, but I don't own one. It's really cool all the sounds you can get out of the box. I am looking into a few of them right now.

PreppieNerd · #5 07-30-2007, 04:56 AM

I got a meinl cajon with a thick padded case for $150

I like it a lot.

spartacus1989 · #6 07-30-2007, 02:16 PM

Is it possible to use them as a throne??

I thought it would be handy from switching from loud metal to acoustic sets.

konaboy · #7 07-30-2007, 02:54 PM

I saw a guy about a year ago using one in a large venue and was absolutely blown away.

Check these out.

http://www.salwender.com/Cajon.htm

voldak · #8 07-30-2007, 08:09 PM

They are very interesting instruments. I would love to play one. The thing is, i'm fat...I haven't seen any weightlimits on it, but I bet if I bought one i would crush it instantly and be out a lot of money....

Garvin · #9 07-30-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konaboy

I saw a guy about a year ago using one in a large venue and was absolutely blown away.

Check these out.

http://www.salwender.com/Cajon.htm

Wow, those are some nice and expensive cajons. Cool page, I've never seen it before.

Deathmetalconga · #10 07-30-2007, 08:38 PM

Cajons are very expressive instruments. I have a segundo from Fat Congas but it's about the size of a dumbek and tapered. You don't sit on it, but rather put it between the legs and played like a djembe. It sounds closer to a conga, but has the very sweet sound of a wood cajon. See www.fatcongas.com

#11 07-30-2007, 08:42 PM

since this is a big cajone love thread (pun) .... i probably shouldn't put in my minority opinion but i gotta say....maybe they sound cool ... but they sure as hell don't look cool!

And I've always got something else I'd rather spend my money on... like another Zildjian K

I'd like to watch a female play one....but for the men.... they all look like their tryin' to pinch a loaf while simultainiously slappin' their nuts (cajones?)

Not a good look!

as for it also being a drum throne....that also looks like a bad idea.... they ain't height adjustable or comfortable....

a dufus lookin' contraption.... wouldn't be caught dead playin one!

voldak · #12 07-30-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullerBrushMan

since this is a big cajone love thread (pun) .... i probably shouldn't put in my minority opinion but i gotta say....maybe they sound cool ... but they sure as hell don't look cool!

And I've always got something else I'd rather spend my money on... like another Zildjian K

I'd like to watch a female play one....but for the men.... they all look like their tryin' to pinch a loaf while simultainiously slappin' their nuts (cajones?)

Not a good look!

as for it also being a drum throne....that also looks like a bad idea.... they ain't height adjustable or comfortable....

a dufus lookin' contraption.... wouldn't be caught dead playin one!

hahahahaha. Funny post. I do agree with you that there are plenty of other things to spend money on. That's one reason I haven't fully bought my tabla set yet. I need to expand my cymbals. I only have 1 usable crash right now :(.

All things aside, I'd still play one of these. I would especially look funny. Being 6 foot 4 and being fat, it would at least be funny (or disturbing) for everyone watching.

I was actually looking into making my own. It doesn't seem alll to hard. ANybody got any good links for DYI cajones or pics of your customs?

Deathmetalconga · #13 07-30-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullerBrushMan

since this is a big cajone love thread (pun) .... i probably shouldn't put in my minority opinion but i gotta say....maybe they sound cool ... but they sure as hell don't look cool!

And I've always got something else I'd rather spend my money on... like another Zildjian K

I'd like to watch a female play one....but for the men.... they all look like their tryin' to pinch a loaf while simultainiously slappin' their nuts (cajones?)

Not a good look!

as for it also being a drum throne....that also looks like a bad idea.... they ain't height adjustable or comfortable....

a dufus lookin' contraption.... wouldn't be caught dead playin one!

You're thinking of "cojones" - 'nads in Spanish.

Like many ethnic instruments, cajones descended from poor people or slaves trying to use found objects for instruments. In this case, the cajon descended from a packing crate. I think a cajon would make a great drum throne. But I'm always looking to add something exotic, unusual or different to my drum and percussion setup.

I know someone who found a big pallet with thin plywood on each side, about four feet square. It was a pain to move, bit it was like a bass cajon. You had to stand behind it and hang your arms over it to play.