I've built an inexpensive cajon

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Graham_B

Posts: 283
Joined: Jul. 10 2007
From: Leigh, Lancashire, UK

I've built an inexpensive cajon

Building a guitar is a little beyond my woodworking skills so I thought I'd try something a more modest - a cajon.

As I have a woodburning stove there is always timber hanging around.

I used 21mm ply from an old desktop for the body, much too thick I know, and 3mm ply from the back of an old wardrobe.

The finish is courtesy of my wife's cutting board oil - no expense spared

Total cost: £1.75 - fancy screws for the soundboard are SO expensive.
The top corners of the soundboard has been left unscrewed to give a "slappy" effect.

I thought you might like to see my array of "soundports". I didn't have a big enough holesaw.....

The result is a very heavy, loud and percussive cajon.
Its cheap too!!

Does this mean I'm nearly a luthier?

Graham_B

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2009 13:12:42

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to Graham_B)

nice work!
it's probably actually good that you didnt make one huge hole. having too big of a hole, and the bass will suffer. any snares inside?

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2009 13:16:32

Graham_B

Posts: 283
Joined: Jul. 10 2007
From: Leigh, Lancashire, UK

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to at_leo_87)

The plan I used gave a soundhole diameter of 120mm. My array of holes has a similar area and does give a variety of tone depending on where you strike the soundboard.

I'm going to use some old guitar strings tensioned behind the soundboard to see if that gives a reasonable snare effect. If it doesn't work I'll buy some snare material

The unintended benefit of the smaller holes is that the plugs produced make excellent feet!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2009 13:31:45

Graham_B

Posts: 283
Joined: Jul. 10 2007
From: Leigh, Lancashire, UK

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to Graham_B)

I've replaced the bases on Louis_B's new guitar, I like the ease of re-stringing 12 hole bridges by the way, and tensioned them behind the soundboard on my cajon build from top to bottom with a couple of blocks of wood.

No cost snare effect courtesy of D'Addario!!

I'll add another set when I next re-string a guitar to increase the snare effect.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2009 11:28:27

gardenshed

Posts: 140
Joined: Jul. 31 2006

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to at_leo_87)

Old speaker cabinets are good. Almost all the work has been done already, and they are designed with acoustics in mind.
The face and the 'give' in it are a matter of fine tuning. Hardwood or perspex can do the job. And the snare sound can be duplicated with some strategically inserted drawing pins or staples.
A perspex front also creates the possibility of some fabulous lighting effects, with the help of a birdie focused through the back, projecting the hands of the player across the stage.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2009 1:57:25

minordjango

Posts: 918
Joined: Feb. 26 2005

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to Graham_B)

thats totally excellent , i think you can sell them for like 9.95pounds ?

haha lot more , look great and a wonderful way of getting into rhythm you have just given me an idea !

you should upload amigo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 3 2009 2:42:02

Stoney

Posts: 132
Joined: Nov. 6 2009

RE: I've built an inexpensive cajon (in reply to Graham_B)

Hi,

New to the board. This was the first post that I saw that grabbed my attention. I am also thinking about building a cajon but the thing that holds me back is the snare.

Check out this page.

Cajon Construction and Plans

Is it imperative to have screws that allow you to tighten the snare?

I'll be watching this post. Thanks for going first.

Stoney

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 6 2009 8:06:26