Turtlerock Forum

I'm rather keen to pick up a decent quality cajon. There seem to be plenty out there ranging from $120 to $700 or so. Just wondering if anybody on the forum has one and has any tips on buying one. There's a guy in Manly NSW that makes them, I have my eye on his base model ($350 approx):

http://www.cajon.com.au

but really, open to any experienced user's advice! I should add that I'm interested in it from the recording side of things, rather than for live shows.

thanks

Steve

It's good to see an Oz manufacturer of these doovers - the deluxe dove-tailed version looks the goods to me ;-)


fyi checkout Clayton Cameron using brushes on a cajon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcUmff3dxCo

You really need to try them to assess their sound.
When I was looking for one, I tried a number of different ones, but many didn't have the low bass I was looking for.
The ones made for flamenco tend to be a bit light on the bass.
I ended up trying all the ones they had at the old Billy Hyde's in Surry Hills and bought an LP, which is OK, but I have heard some better ones since. The best mass-produced one I have tried is a Pearl.
There are a number of makers/sellers in Sydney who have very good ones. I haven't tried the ones from the Manly guys, but this guy from Parramatta makes good ones:
http://rodrigopercussion.com/rodrigopercussion.com/Home.html

Also you should check out Claudia in Coogee who teaches Cajon and imports them:
http://www.learncajon.com/

Thanks for the info Blair and Ian.

Steve

if you're handy with wood, surely you could make one yourself, and safe a boat load. Use the right wood and you're laughing!

I reckon you could make one pretty easily out of an old nylon string acoustic guitar - just don't sit on it