solo4652 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Hi folks, I'm interested in trying my hand(s) at Cajon, with a view to acoustic sessions alongside our singer and lead guitarist. I'd welcome any advice on: What's a good make to look for? What's a good material? (I've seen some advertised made of MDF!?) Any particular features to look for - padded seat? well-rounded edges and corners? adjustable snares? Let's say there is £120 available. Which would you buy? Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romberg Bevel Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 I got a De Gregorio 'Bravo' model which is great. I originally had my eye on something else but went and checked a few out at a drum shop, and I liked this one the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 [quote name='Romberg Bevel' timestamp='1348584778' post='1815549'] I got a De Gregorio 'Bravo' model which is great. I originally had my eye on something else but went and checked a few out at a drum shop, and I liked this one the best. [/quote] our band has one too they are very good - have you tried micing yours? i suggested try it with some piezos - might be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 A superb drummer friend has a Meinl, it sounds excellent and is within your range, I just checked on Amazon, they have some nice finishes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romberg Bevel Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1348584965' post='1815553'] our band has one too they are very good - have you tried micing yours? i suggested try it with some piezos - might be interesting [/quote] I've not been in a situation where I've had to use a mic with it. If I did I'd probably go for a more orthodox approach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 (edited) If you fancy building one there's some plans posted by some of the guys in a thread I started in the other instruments section. The builds are easy enough, Im working on my forth at the moment. When it comes to playing I reckon the secret is to not over complicate things. I use one at acoustic sessions and usually try to play basic patterns which mimic the baseline. Edited September 26, 2012 by Mog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 [quote name='Mog' timestamp='1348620847' post='1816180'] If you fancy building one there's some plans posted by some of the guys in a thread I started in the other instruments section. The builds are easy enough, Im working on my forth at the moment. When it comes to playing I reckon the secret is to not over complicate things. I use one at acoustic sessions and usually try to play basic patterns which mimic the baseline. [/quote] I'd entirely missed the Other Instruments section - dooh. I can borrow a cajon for the next couple of weeks, so I'm going to do that just to see how I feel with it. Looking forward to it. Better forewarn the neighbours. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 £120....for a box.....with a hole in it? Yes I know someone is now going to quote the price of MIA P bass and go 'for a piece of wood with four bits of wire attached'. So I've done it for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Our drummer uses one, and another friend plays them often. Great little things and apparently sound best when mic'd with an SM58. Have a play with a few and what you like best, from what I've seen they start from about £70 and go way upwards, so you should have plenty of choice. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Our drummer just built one, I'd recommend it doing the same to save a bit of money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveO Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 self built here too. It really is easy and cheap - about a tenner for the bits and that included the snare. lots of plans on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 [quote name='SteveO' timestamp='1348675252' post='1816808'] self built here too. It really is easy and cheap - about a tenner for the bits and that included the snare. lots of plans on the web. [/quote] Build?! Make?! From scratch? Sorry, I'm not with you. For me, DIY = Destroy It Yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 First go with cajon last night at rehearsal. Two guitars, two singers, all going through the PA. They referred to it as an "acoustic" session. Me and the cajon were not miced. I think the cajon was a fairly cheap one. It lives in the rehearsal room. I watched a few videos beforehand just to get the basics sort of right. I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. The snare sound was OK but the "bass" sound was thin and indistinct to my ears. Of course, it was my first ever go so my technique was awful, but I'm left wondering if a decent, deep-ish bass tone is possible with a cajon. I came across an "extra large" cajon on the web that was supposed to give a deeper/richer bass tone by virtue of its size. Can this be true? Or am I expecting too much from a box with a hole? Enjoyed it anyway. Made a nice change to root, 3rd, 5th. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1348856064' post='1819254'] Enjoyed it anyway. Made a nice change to root, 3rd, 5th. [/quote] You advanced bass players I have played a cajon at a few jam nights. Quite good fun if you take them in the spirit they are made in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 You do have to hit them quite centre to get a thud out of them. You can get deeper ones as it were, I've seen ones that are primarily used for hip hop type stuff which are way deeper. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyd Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 An interesting,but more expensive,alternative might be a marimbula. It's like a giant bass thumb piano :- http://www.thomann.de/ie/mobile_prod.html?AR=164445 I haven't tried one but they're used in some older Cuban music and they sound nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapiro Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1348674335' post='1816794'] Our drummer uses one, and another friend plays them often. Great little things and apparently sound best when mic'd with an SM58. Have a play with a few and what you like best, from what I've seen they start from about £70 and go way upwards, so you should have plenty of choice. Dan [/quote] What you need to do, is put it at an angle so that it isn't pointing straight into the hole then you can get a nicer sound without the air going straight onto the mic (like blowing) Hard to explain, but hopefully makes sense. Of course, really you want two mics, one at the back one at the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1348863417' post='1819378'] You advanced bass players I have played a cajon at a few jam nights. Quite good fun if you take them in the spirit they are made in! [/quote] First time ever I've been referred to as an "advanced player"! Just bought this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cajon-Cajon-Sonor-Cajon-Grande-Pro-Range-Cajon-Drum-Free-Sonor-Cajon-Bag-NEW-/180962800039?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item2a223931a7&nma=true&si=nu7zue8rrkLZqNy2QWnkuVYy4JA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cajon-Cajon-Sonor-Cajon-Grande-Pro-Range-Cajon-Drum-Free-Sonor-Cajon-Bag-NEW-/180962800039?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item2a223931a7&nma=true&si=nu7zue8rrkLZqNy2QWnkuVYy4JA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='gapiro' timestamp='1348873644' post='1819493'] What you need to do, is put it at an angle so that it isn't pointing straight into the hole then you can get a nicer sound without the air going straight onto the mic (like blowing) Hard to explain, but hopefully makes sense. Of course, really you want two mics, one at the back one at the front. [/quote] Brilliant! I'll be recording in the next couple of weeks, ill give that a shot. A good friend who plays cajon a lot has had good results from putting the mic inside, but if this gets better results! I'll post the recorded piece up when it's done. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1348904529' post='1819570'] First time ever I've been referred to as an "advanced player"! Just bought this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cajon-Cajon-Sonor-Cajon-Grande-Pro-Range-Cajon-Drum-Free-Sonor-Cajon-Bag-NEW-/180962800039?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item2a223931a7&nma=true&si=nu7zue8rrkLZqNy2QWnkuVYy4JA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cajon-Cajon-Sonor-Cajon-Grande-Pro-Range-Cajon-Drum-Free-Sonor-Cajon-Bag-NEW-/180962800039?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item2a223931a7&nma=true&si=nu7zue8rrkLZqNy2QWnkuVYy4JA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557[/url] [/quote] Ah I stick with root so you are very advanced That looks like a nice cajon. I am even tempted to get one myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 (edited) [quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1348904871' post='1819574'] Brilliant! I'll be recording in the next couple of weeks, ill give that a shot. A good friend who plays cajon a lot has had good results from putting the mic inside, but if this gets better results! I'll post the recorded piece up when it's done. Dan [/quote] Yes please - it'll be interesting to hear how it turns out. I always think of this: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4aeowB_YE[/media] with BC's own jakebrown fella on bass. Edited September 29, 2012 by solo4652 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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