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 Building a Cajon		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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Sharklaar
Advanced Contributer

United Kingdom
1839 Posts
Posted - 20/02/2012 :  13:03:36  Show Profile  Visit Sharklaar's Homepage  Reply with Quote
My mate's dad lost his job recently and is a carpenter by trade, as he's got some spare time he offered to build me a cajon if I could get the specs for him.

Anyone know of any decent guides on the tinterweb? I've looked at a few which are quite good for wood selection and dimensions, but I can't find any good solid info on how to go about constructing the snare assembly...?
http://www.blackhawkdown.org.uk

Keith Thom
Very Active Contributer

United Kingdom
102 Posts
Posted - 08/03/2012 :  19:50:59  Show Profile  Visit Keith Thom's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Any way that works is good.
For a non drummer to make one might be a challenge to convey the right ideas but I can offer the following;
Normally the snare sound is required at the top. The tapas should not be glued to the otherwise air tight box (except for the 100mm dia hole in the back) it should be screwed on and the scrfews at the top and first ones down the sides can be backed off half a turn or so to get a slight gap (thick as sheet of paper) This helps get a snap or slap sound.
Four options for snare, 12inch drum snare wires supported by wood blocks at the side and cords to tension.
KT
Still building bit by bit
http://www.turninglace.com
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Keith Thom
Very Active Contributer

United Kingdom
102 Posts
Posted - 08/03/2012 :  19:58:34  Show Profile  Visit Keith Thom's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Any way that works is good.
For a non drummer to make one might be a challenge to convey the right ideas but I can offer the following;
Normally the snare sound is required at the top. The tapas should not be glued to the otherwise air tight box (except for the 100mm dia hole in the back) it should be screwed on and the scrfews at the top and first ones down the sides can be backed off half a turn or so to get a slight gap (thick as sheet of paper) This helps get a snap or slap sound.
Four options for snare, 12inch drum snare wires supported by wood blocks at the side and cords to tension.
Half a set of snare wires screwed to the top or side of the box and bent against the playing surface
Two (or more) guitar strings secured in a v shape top to bottom against the tapas, they can be tensioned by a bolt threaded through the bottom of the box and an allen key.
There is a chap on eBay selling cajons that have strings of plastic or wooden beads tensioned by a cord and springs and they work extremely well and give a number of very different sounds.
Back to the top! anything that works, its your cajon, get creative. After all they started out life in Peru as empty packing crates, so yours will be special and unique.
KT
Still building bit by bit
http://www.turninglace.com
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Sharklaar
Advanced Contributer

United Kingdom
1839 Posts
Posted - 14/03/2012 :  00:20:32  Show Profile  Visit Sharklaar's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hey Keith, only just seen your reply - it went for ages unanswered... Thanks for the ideas mate!
http://www.blackhawkdown.org.uk
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