There are many different kinds of cajons and to find out which one best suits you, you need to figure out what you’ll be using it for and what kind of sound you like. Fortunately, the answers to the frequently asked cajon-based questions in this Buyer’s Guide can help out! If you have any more questions, feel free to contact us!
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1. What kind of cajons are there?
While there are countless different kinds of cajons, we generally distinguish three different types:
Peruvian Cajons (traditional, without snares)
String Cajons (with one or more snares)
Snare Cajons (modern, with snare wires like a snare drum)
Peruvian cajons are cajons that aren’t fitted with any snares and produce a warm, ‘earthy’ sound with lots of bass. String cajons, on the other hand, do come with one or more snares fitted inside to the front (playing surface) for a sharper sound. These are mainly used in flamenco and other world folk music. Snare cajons feature snare wires similar to those of a snare drum. This gives them, next to deep bass, a sharp and snare-drum-like sound. Some models even offer the option of turning the snare wires on or off using a handle on the side of the cajon. Snare cajons are by far the most popular and are often used in (acoustic) pop music.
2. Which brand is the best? And does a higher price always mean higher quality?
There’s no clear winner among the different cajon builders out there. In fact, the differences between brands only ever seem to diminish. We can, however, safely say that Sela and Meinl are leading brands in Europe, but that’s not to say that other brands sell lesser-quality cajons. Pricing also isn’t a great benchmark here. In the end, only your ears can tell the difference between good and bad-sounding cajons. Regardless, a £20 cajon won’t sound as awesome as a £500 model but then again, that’s probably comparing apples with oranges!
3. What should I look for when deciding which cajon to buy?
What’s important here is the height. Ideally, you’re able to sit comfortably without having to extend too far forward to be able to strike the center of the playing surface. Most cajons are roughly 45cm tall, which is a good size for adults. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the cajon, the higher the sound. Keep in mind that smaller cajons also have a smaller volume range.
There are also DIY cajon kits available that are especially fun for children. Just how great these sound naturally depends on your cajon-building skills!
4. What’s the easiest way to browse the huge list of cajons?
After you’ve figured out what kind of cajon you’d like to get (see Question 1), you can use the ‘Cajon type’ filter on the left side of the Cajon category page to narrow down the search results, then use the price-range slider to set your budget!
If you’re planning on taking your cajon outdoors or on the road, a solid protective cover is essential. Besides this, you’re free to go out all when it comes to expanding your cajon set-up, as there are lots of different accessories available. If you’d like to play with sticks, brushes are the safest option (other types of sticks may damage the cajon), but effect-percussion such as tambourine effects and castanets also make for a fun addition. You can also change up the sound of your cajon with an extra set of snare wires or a kickport, and most accessories can be easily attached or installed using fastening strips. To improve your skills, there are even special cajon lesson books.
If you’d like to use your cajon as an alternative drum kit, a cajon pedal comes in handy. Using the pedal allows you to keep your hands free while you play the bass with your foot; a style that offers those with a background in drumming tons of fun. Add a hi-hat, set of bongos and a crash cymbal and you’ve got yourself a complete ‘drum kit’.
7. Which type of wood should the cajon be made of?
Each wood has its own timbre, but the most popular wood used to build the body of a cajon is birch. (Here, ‘body’ refers to the entire cajon except the playing surface.) The reason birch is used so much, is that it properly emphasises both the low and high frequencies, which is exactly what you’re looking for in a cajon: deep bass, and fierce highs near the edge. For beginners, the wood used for the build isn’t very important but it can be worth keeping in mind that birch is always a safe bet, whether it concerns the body or the playing surface. For the latter, veneer is also a great beginner-friendly option.
If you’re not quite sure if playing cajon is for you, try out an inexpensive cardboard model first! It makes for a fun instrument to learn the basics and is great for both kids and grown-ups.
