cajon question (no. not that kind)

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turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

cajon question (no. not that kind)

This is not about the artistic merits (or lack therof) of the cajon in flamenco amigos! :)

Rather, I bought one to learn. And a friend recommended I remove the screws at the top corners, to allow the face to come away from the frame a bit, so that I could get a loud crack sound if I want.

Few and far between are the vids where I can see close enough if flamenco cajoneros do this.
Here's one:

And Sabú does not remove these screws.
Does anyone know anything about cajon set up?
I bought a De Gregorio Maestral. And as far as I can tell, it sounds great!

Thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2014 18:30:35

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to turnermoran)

Depends on the specific build, but the true (old) Peruvian cajon you can do this to. The flamenco cajon is modified including the snare and probably there are other design details where it is probably not necessary to do that anymore.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 29 2014 18:35:18

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to turnermoran)

Why you you just take off the 4 screws and see if you like it.
If the cajon, has a lot of snare sound itself (Like this german make) then there´s absolutely no reason to do so exept to be more annnoying and noisy.

If its a cajon with very litlle snare sound and a more full wood box sound, then it might be a good idea. My personal taste, and that of many guitarists, is a cajon that doesnt snare to much, but on the other hand, I like the idea of a tapa that is loose and squeeks and yells a bit when being spanked.

In irish trad, some have started using cajon and all the melody players hate it (me to). You must have very big balls or being very ignorant to go into a session and start playing and knowing and feeling that every one thinks you should stop or leave.

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2014 6:56:39

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to turnermoran)

As luck would have it, Cigala was just in town (missed the shows though -

), but I took a cajon workshop w/ Isidro Suarez - his cajon player. Who advised me to tighten the corners all the way, loosen the screw in the top middle row, and mid way down the top, loosed the middle-most screw on each side. Additionally, to slightly loosen the snares.
Obviously, that means nothing if you don't know this particular cajon, but in short, just like Anders said, it was to produce a sound with a decent amount of snare but not too much, and a balanced sound..

Anyway, Ididro is a mutherf*er!! My god does he have chops and ideas.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2014 4:13:23

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to turnermoran)

Hey, great story. Did you try his cajon?

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 4 2014 7:26:23

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to turnermoran)

Home Depot in Emerville or El Cerrito usually has specials on power saws like the Milwaukee 'Sawzall' or a De Walt cordless reciprocating saw.

Also in the next aisle over are Bi-metal blades for doing home remodeling demo work. The bi-metal blades cut right through screws and nails. The 12" blades are more expensive, but they can almost cut a cajon in half in one stoke.

Good Luck and happy tool shopping!

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https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 4 2014 8:10:47

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: cajon question (no. not that kind) (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

He didn't have his Cajon with him. But of course played my de Gregorio and a cheap LP sitting around and made them sound amazing.
Loud as ****, but amazing.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 4 2014 16:05:31