Origin and evolution of the flamenco cajón
Everything seems to indicate that the origin of the flamenco cajón is in South America, although this is not entirely true. Why?
Origin of the flamenco cajón
Many claim that the flamenco cajón comes from Peru. This beautiful Latin American country has an instrument that, in appearance, is identical to the flamenco cajón. But the reality is that the flamenco cajón was born thanks to the genius of the flamenco guitar: Francisco Sánchez Gómez, popularly known as Paco de Lucía.
On the other hand, it would be unfair not to recognize that the Peruvian cajón served as an initial reference to shape the current flamenco cajón. In 1981, after a concert in Peru, Paco de Lucia saw this instrument for the first time and was delighted, to the point that at the end of the night he bought it and asked his percussionist, Rubem Dantas, to learn to play it.
Paco de Lucía introduced the cajón in Spain and, in a very short time, it was completely adopted by the rest of the performers of the genre. The guitarist joked that if he had patented the flamenco cajón, he would have earned much more money than “in two lifetimes playing the guitar”.
Evolution of the flamenco cajón
Once back in Spain, Paco de Lucia began giving the guidelines to various percussionists to experiment with the renovations that some luthiers were adding to the cajón. In this way, the instrument went through several stages of testing in which it managed to differentiate itself from its South American counterpart and became the flamenco cajón we know today.
First, strings were added to its interior and for its construction, woods used in the manufacture of Spanish and flamenco guitars were used. Others added a chirriador, while experimenting with castanets to relate it to the ancestral dance accompaniment. And so, after years of research focused on the innovation of the incomparable sound of flamenco, it was possible to build a definitive form that is the one we know today.
What is a flamenco cajón?
The flamenco cajón is classified as an idiophone musical instrument, since it produces sounds thanks to the vibrations of its own body, without the help of membranes or skins like those used in drums, acoustic drums, bongos and other similar instruments. At the same time, it is a percussion instrument because the sound arises as a consequence of the repeated impact (percussion) of the hands on the wood.
Differences between the Peruvian cajón and the flamenco cajón
Only one word sums up the differences between the Peruvian cajón and flamenco: innovation. The flamenco cajón represents the search for innovation that ended up becoming the ultimate expression of flamenco percussion. The current form of the Peruvian cajón has remained unchanged for centuries, while in just 30 years, the flamenco cajón has steadily evolved until it has completely separated from its South American ancestor.
Several technical and material aspects set them apart definitively:
- Design: Luthiers have added flamenco cajón strings, chirriadores, castanets, “palo de agua” effects and other innovative mechanisms to enrich its sound and make it the definitive percussion instrument in flamenco.
- Materials: The Peruvian cajón is made of common Peruvian woods, while the flamenco cajón has a rich diversity of woods, the same woods used to make flamenco guitars, so that its sound has different shades and low, medium and high sound frequencies.
- Playing: While Peruvian percussionists remain faithful to their basic fundamentals, the flamenco cajone player has developed surprising techniques to extract the maximum potential from their instrument.
Parts of the flamenco cajón
The flamenco cajón is made up of a wide variety of parts, such as:
- Soundboard: Front part made of the same woods as those used for the flamenco guitar soundboard.
- Side and back tops: Woods that finish the external shape of the flamenco cajón and are responsible for the volume and sustain of the sound. They are also made from woods commonly used in guitars, such as mahogany.
- Wooden slats: Some luthiers place additional layers of wooden slats that, with the help of an internal mechanism, the musician can bring closer to the top and thus modify the frequency of the sound. This can only be found in high-end professional flamenco cajones.
- Internal mechanism: It has a great variety of designs, although not all flamenco cajones have an internal mechanism and they can only be found in the middle and high ranges. In the low-end, very few manufacturers include it because in most cases it significantly increases the price.
In addition, there are a number of accessories for the flamenco cajón that are not indispensable but add a lot of value to the sound:
- Strings: They are made of metal and are located on the inside of the box, attached to the soundboard, and some have key mechanisms to move them closer and further away from the soundboard, according to the musician's preference. It is necessary to tune a flamenco cajón before plucking its strings, as is the case with a guitar.
- Squeaker: A set of metal strings joined by a base, the same type of squeaker used in the snare drum of acoustic drums. Not all flamenco cajones have a squeaker, but the mid and high-end ones usually do.
- Castanets: The same castanets used in flamenco dancing. Not all cajones have them.
How to make a flamenco cajón?
The construction of a flamenco cajón is something that almost anyone can do. First of all, it is important to acquire the basic tools you need to make your first flamenco luterie project.
Basic tools for making a flamenco cajón
- Hand and bow saws: There are several models, and any of them can be useful, although those with small teeth are preferable.
- Electric circular saw: The most common is the one with a 6 and 7 ¼” blade.
- Jig saw: It is optional because it is not indispensable, but it can make the work much easier.
- Woodworking hammer: It is important to have two sizes, a small and a large hammer, so as not to damage the wood.
- Tape measure: It is indispensable because with it you will be able to achieve the necessary measurements for your project.
- Electric belt sander: It is not indispensable, but it can make the work much easier.
- Electric orbital sander: It is not indispensable, but, like all electric tools, it makes the work more comfortable.
- Screwdriver kit: It is essential to have a good variety of types and sizes. You must have both spade and cross.
Materials to make a flamenco cajón
You will also need basic or more complex materials to build your personalized flamenco cajón:
- Woods: For the top you can use MDF, cypress, pine or alder veneers if you want to make an inexpensive flamenco cajon. You can also use solid wood, although this increases the price. For the back, you can also use MDF, veneers and solid wood, preferably mahogany.
- Wood glue: The most recommended commercial glue is Tite Bond.
- Drywall screws: These are ideal because they are self-tapping and adhere to the wood, creating solid, tight joints.
- Metal strings: These are optional and can be for acoustic or electric guitar.
- Squeaker: It is optional, only if you want to build a more elaborate instrument.
- Castanets: They are optional.
- Rubber tips: These are for the base, so the cajón flamenco will not be completely on the floor and will not lose sound.
- Mask: A safety measure, so that you are not affected by wood dust and the smell of glue.
- Two sandpapers per type: 80, 150 and 320.
- Essential oil of pine, almond and preferably jojoba oil, as it does not clog the pores of the wood and therefore does not affect the resonance.
Steps to build a flamenco cajón
Before you start taking the measurements to make a flamenco cajón, the first thing you need to establish is a working space. It should be comfortable, spacious and well ventilated, both for wood dust and glue odors, which can be harmful. Once you have a good place to do your project, gather all the tools and materials. You are now ready to get down to work.
Selecting woods
Our recommendation is that you start with 9 mm MDF to learn how to cut, glue, join, screw and assemble your first cajón. As it is your first time, you will depend go through trial and error, so it is advisable not to invest too much money in materials.
Measurements for making a flamenco cajón
The measurements to make a flamenco box are very varied, but the most used is 48 x 30 x 30 centimeters (height, width and depth).
The soundboard, sides and bottom must have the same height and width. The only difference is the thickness of the wood, which in the soundboard can be 4 mm or 5 mm, while the sides and bottom must be 9 mm.
The top and bottom lids are exactly the same size, so the end result will be a perfectly rectangular box. The bottom cover should have a circular hole for sound projection. This opening has a diameter of 10 cm.
There are other aspects to consider, such as the location of the screws. The ideal is 11.5 cm of space between each screw at the side edges and a distance of 7 cm between each screw at the top and bottom of the cajon.
These are reference measurements only. The recommended procedure is to use the tape measure to determine the average distance on the cover to place the center screw and the end screws, and then measure the distance between the end screws and the center screw to place the remaining screws evenly.
You can also use pine wood frames on the inside to reinforce the joints of the lids. But the more wood you use, the bigger the budget. Another thing to remember is to use plenty of glue on the joints before joining them and finally installing the Drywall screws.
Construction of the flamenco cajón
This is the most delicate part because you must place the screws and, if you do not have enough experience, you can isolate the threads or drill wrong when joining.
Therefore, the right thing to do is to take the measurement, mark the center of the thickness of the side wooden slats and draw a line on the lid from the bottom lid to the top.
Thus, you already have as a reference the center of the thickness of the side covers and you can place the screws right in the center, no more and no less. The rest is just a pulse. For the thread to be straight, do not tilt the screwdriver and when the whole screw goes in, drive it with your hand, without over-tightening.
Although it may not seem like it, screwing also requires a technique. You can help yourself with a drill with a screwdriver tip.
- Screw the upper and lower lid to the sides, until a rectangular box without lid or bottom is obtained.
- Now it is time to screw the soundboard to the box you have created, but first tighten the corners.
- The last thing to screw together is the bottom with the hole already drilled. Remember to start at the corners and continue with the rest.
- With a regular or electric sander, start filing the edges to match each of the caps. Use the orbital sander to polish the surfaces of all caps, starting with the lowest grit sandpaper. Polish the entire surface of the caps twice with 80 grit, twice with 150 grit and twice more with 300 or 320 grit.
- Apply the essential oil with the help of a cotton cloth. It is not recommended to paint or apply varnish because these substances deafen the sound of the wood and if you do not have experience with paint you could damage your custom flamenco cajon.
Valuable tips to keep in mind when building your flamenco cajon
- Measure and draw the reference line for the screws.
- Use plenty of glue before joining and screwing.
- Drywall screws create their own threads, so you don't need to drill into the wood with a drill bit to drive the screws.
- Screw the corners first, making sure everything is flush, edge to edge.
- Screwing should be straight, as if your hand were a drop level placed perfectly in the center.
- Screwing must be done by hand, without over-tightening so as not to isolate the threads in the wood.
- If you want to add strings, a squeaker, castanets or other items that add variety to the sound, you must attach them to the soundboard before attaching the side covers.
- You can trace the bottom hole with the help of a compass and using the measurements for making a flamenco box provided in the images above. The easiest way to drill and cut this opening is to use a jigsaw.
How to play the flamenco cajón
To play the flamenco cajón and make the most of its sound, it is possible to use a wide variety of techniques. First, the musician sits on the cajon and uses both hands and the heels of the shoe to manipulate the sound.
- The hands: Striking with the palms produces one type of sound, while striking with one, two or three fingers produces another sound frequency. Using the knuckles stimulates high frequencies, i.e., produces high-pitched sounds.
- The feet: If you strike with your hands while your feet are touching the side covers, the sound will be drier and lower, but if you strike the cajon with the heel of your shoe, the sound acquires a different frequency.
The best brands of flamenco cajones
Some of the best manufacturers of flamenco cajones are:
- Thomann: A great company that makes the best instruments for beginners.
- Millenium: Another company that stands out for the quality of its cajones for beginners.
- Schlagwerk: German company that has specialized in the manufacture of mid-range cajones that are really good.
- Calamón: This family has in its catalog some of the best custom flamenco cajones to satisfy all the needs of a cajoneador.
- HectorBox: Luthier that manufactures professional flamenco cajones, high-end and of the best quality.
- Corona: One of the most recognized Spanish brands for its high quality and unique sound.
- Sela: German company that manufactures some of the best mid-range cajones, with a wonderful and interesting selection for all users.
- La Rosa: La Rosa flamenco cajones are very popular and have a great value for money.
- Soler: A Soler flamenco cajón is synonymous with quality, beauty and Andalusian authenticity.
The best flamenco cajones for beginners:
The best intermediate level flamenco cajones intermediate:
The best flamenco cajón professional:
The best flamenco cajon for children:
The best flamenco cajones for beginners
A good flamenco cajón for beginners should have good quality and still be affordable for beginner cajone players. Read on and discover the best options on the market for beginners.
Thomann Cajon Construction Kit
Unbeatable value for money.
You will have to assemble it yourself. Although it's simple, it doesn't come with an instruction manual.
Technical Characteristics:
- Wood: Birch.
- Sound: Acceptable and within design intent.
- Size: 44 x 29 x 30 cm (height, width, depth).
- Weight: approximately 9 kg.
Thomann is a company that always seeks not only to satisfy the needs of its customers, but also wants them to learn how to design their own instruments. That is why it offers a complete kit so that you can assemble your own flamenco cajón. Let's take a look:
Materials:
This is a great kit for you to build your own flamenco cajon. It comes equipped with entry-level birch wood veneer because it's for beginners. Birch veneer has good resistance to breakage and, in this case, the top is 4 mm thick, while the rest of the tops are 9 mm thick, the standard size for a cajon of good strength.
Design:
The Thomann company has given it measures close to the standard for making a flamenco cajon: 44 x 29 x 30 cm. With these dimensions, it works very well as a flamenco cajon for children.
Moreover, it's not only designed for potential young and adult users alike, but the Thomann family has created it so that you can assemble it with your children and stimulate bonding. It's also a valuable playful exercise for children, both at home and at school, to unleash their creativity while creating something of cultural value that can become an important trade in the future.
Sound:
The sound of the birch wood veneer is round, with good sustain, but little volume. However, the bass sounds are its forte, and are really useful to practice even the queen of soleá singing.
The frequencies of the medium sounds in this wood are usable for bulerías. However, we must say that the sound limitations are evident and we should not expect much from this box. But it still does a more than acceptable job in sound, especially considering that we are dealing with a very affordable flamenco cajon.
Conclusion:
This is an excellent kit because it's adapted to children's learning as well as adults. It's a great way to start building your own flamenco cajones. It's also a good option to learn to play the first flamenco palos, so we recommend it for parents who wish to stimulate the cognitive development of their children, but it's also ideal for young people and adults to experience the luthier's craft by creating their first instrument. You can find the best price at Thomann.
Millenium BlackBox
Very good punch.
The strings are not adjustable.
Technical Characteristics:
- Woods: Maple and willow.
- Sound: Very good bass.
- Size: 48 x 30 x 30 cm.
- Weight: 3.6 kg.
Millenium is one of those brands that develops low-end, but respectable quality instruments that are perfect for beginner musicians. This is a good, inexpensive flamenco cajon, made of MDF and that, despite being low-end, has elements that are medium / high range. What are they? Continue reading.
Materials:
Millenium has designed an entry-level cajon with a soundboard made of willow wood, an unusual material in the manufacture of musical instruments but one that surprised us, because it gives a good response in some frequencies.
The wood of the sides is maple, a delicate material, not very resistant to shocks, but has a good response at certain frequencies and is quite good considering the price of the instrument. In its interior it has strings that, although we do not know what kind of metal they are made of, we believe that they must not be stainless judging by the low price of the instrument.
Design:
The Millenium house has used the standard 40 x 30 x 30 cm size of most entry-level cajones. One thing we like is that the company has placed two metal strings on the inside to have a sizzling effect, which gives it a mid- to high-end feel. However, the strings are not adjustable and so it isn't possible to tune this flamenco cajón. This is totally understandable for such an affordable instrument.
Another interesting aspect is the black finish given by the manufacturer. Although it looks good, it's an element that we do not like very much, as the paint impairs the quality of the sound.
Sound:
The sound of this instrument is what convinces us the most because it has an impressive bass response, it's round and it sounds better than some mid-range cajons. The punch of the mids is very good and has an excellent response. But the same is also true of the maple wood, which provides a really nice sheen that gives a more than acceptable balance between the bass and the mids.
Likewise, the sound of the strings gives it a good feel and the bulerías sound great. Although, because they are not adjustable, they are perhaps a nuisance for tientos, fandangos and alegrías.
Conclusion:
Thanks to the good bass response of the soundboard, the punch of the mids, the sparkle of the maple wood and the sizzling effect of the strings, the Millennium BlackBox is an excellent affordable proposition, fully recommended for beginner players. It can also be a good choice for professional musicians who want to carry a cajon everywhere without risking their high-end instrument. It's not a La Rosa flamenco cajon, but it's one of the best you will find in this range. If you want to find the best Thomann prices, follow the link.
Thomann CAS-100
Stable sound at all frequencies.
You have to assemble it yourself.
Technical Characteristics:
- Woods: Maple and willow.
- Sound: Balanced.
- Size: 48 x 30 x 30 cm.
- Weight: 3.6 kg.
Thomann has always sought to be at the forefront of musical instrument manufacturing. In addition to offering a flamenco cajón that you can assemble, it also has this excellent model with features that position it as one of the best options on the market.
Materials:
Thomann has manufactured the CAS-100 in woods identical to those of the Millennium cajon: willow for the top and maple for the sides and back.
However, the internal snare system is of high quality and allows you to use the strings of your choice, resulting in a better option than the Millennium.
Design:
It uses the usual dimensions of 48 x 30 x 30 cm, which is the ideal size for musicians from ten years of age and upwards, so it's a good flamenco cajón for children.
As far as the finish is concerned, it's the natural color of the wood and this is really good because paints undermine the sound quality. Inside, the company has included a snare system that is not adjustable, but it does allow for the strings to be changed, which is good news because the musician can change them as desired.
As a bonus, the company includes a flamenco cajon case that keeps the instrument protected.
Sound:
The sound is what we like most about the Thomann CAS-100 because, despite having identical woods to the Millenium cajon, this one has a better sound. The bass is good, as are the mids.
The highs are also of better quality than on the Millennium, while the twenty-string snare system (squeaker) is excellent and varies with the intensity of the playing. This is due to its proximity to the harmonic top which is better thought out. In short, its sound is the best among the affordable flamenco cajones.
Conclusion:
This is an excellent flamenco cajon for any beginner musician starting out in the art of flamenco percussion. It has a rounded sound, with good punch, responsive bass, mids and high notes, along with the snare system. It's reminiscent of mid-range cajones, but for half the price. Intrigued? Find the best Thomann prices.
Our recommendation:
If you want to buy the best cheap flamenco cajon for beginners, the Thomann CAS-100 is the best choice. It has everything a beginning percussionist needs in construction, sound and versatility thanks to its snare drum. We also recommend the Thomann kit for those who wish to learn and get started in the beautiful art of luthiery.
The best intermediate level flamenco cajones
Intermediate flamenco cajones go a step further in sound, versatility and build quality. This is due to several aspects: the woods used are superior, they usually have extra accessories that the entry-level ones do not have (strings, squeakers…), among other elements that you will discover in this selection. If you want to buy a medium level flamenco cajón, here you will find the ideal one for you.
Thomann TCA 501R Multi Cajon
Excellent sound.
None.
Technical Characteristics:
- Woods: Constantinople acacia and birch.
- Sound: round and powerful.
- Size: 48 x 31 x 30 cm.
- Weight: 3.8 kg.
Thomann has hit the nail on the head with this beautiful flamenco cajon that stands out for its silky smooth and volcanic sound. It also has other really interesting aspects that influence the quality of its sound, such as the woods it uses, its snare system, among other great features.
Materials:
The top of the Thomann Multi Cajon is made of excellent quality Constantinople acacia wood that was hand-selected to ensure that it's top-notch, even though it's an inexpensive mid-range flamenco cajon.
Its body is made of birch wood, very resistant to breakage. Although not as strong as mahogany, birch is a good wood for an instrument in this range.
Inside, it has a beading system made of high quality steel to guarantee its durability. Overall, this is a robust instrument in every part.
Design:
The Thomann Multi Cajon measures 48 x 31 x 30 cm, which is a slight variation from the standard. That single extra centimeter is enough to modify the sound. It also incorporates a double squeaker snare system that can be adjusted by means of a heavy-duty external knob.
For the finish, the company has thought to leave the beautiful natural colors of the wood on the top and we love it. In addition, a practice pad and a good quality flamenco cajón case are included for transporting the cajón anywhere.
Sound:
The sound of this flamenco cajon is stable, precise and has a wonderful response in the lows as well as in the mids and brightness. In addition, if the musician has a good technique, the woodwinds allow him to play with different nuances.
The snare system has twenty metal strings each. It's excellent and has a fantastic response, but what we love the most is that it's adjustable. You can decide whether to use it or not, as well as the intensity of its function on the soundboard.
Conclusion:
It's a great flamenco cajon that has almost everything to be high-end, and its adjustable snare system is of very good quality and allows you to play with the sounds. We recommend it for flamenco cajone players who want an affordable mid-range instrument but with some high-end features. Find the best prices at Thomann.
Schlagwerk CP404RED Cajon Red Edition
Solid sound with good bass.
More expensive than the Thomann Multi Cajon.
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Technical Characteristics:
- Woods: All birch.
- Sound: Solid, good quality.
- Size: 50 x 30 x 30 cm (height, width and depth).
- Weight: 4.2 kilos.
Materials:
This is a flamenco cajon made entirely of birch wood. The soundboard, sides, back, top and bottom: its entire body is made of birch and therefore we can say that its resistance is uniform.
The snare system is made of good quality steel , but not stainless steel. In the seat, the company has incorporated a non-slip surface that is useful for those percussionists who dance on the lid while playing the cajon.
Design:
This German-made cajon measures 50 x 30 x 30 cm, which makes it taller than most cajons, and this has a significant influence on the sound.
The snare system is adjustable, just like on the Thomann flamenco cajon. Other accessories that this flamenco cajón incorporates are two removable bells and a fully adjustable string system .
Sound:
The sound of this flamenco cajon is the most rounded in this range, because the bass has a good response, while being balanced with the mids and the brightness is intensified by simply adjusting the snare and snare system.
The snare is very good and has a high quality tuning configuration, so you can play with various interesting nuances. The included rattle provides some funny effects that have been popular among users.
The Schlagwerk family has intentionally left the bass sound centered and this is a good thing. In addition, the sound of the box is fully adjustable.
Conclusion:
This is a great professional flamenco cajon for intermediate levels, because its sound is the most rounded within this range and its manufacture is of high quality, very careful and with the possibility of improving significantly. Interested? Find the best price at Thomann.
Our recommendation:
Although the two mid-level options are excellent, we have to vote for the Thomann TCA 501R Multi Cajon . Although the Schlagwerk CP404RED Cajon has a more stable sound, this doesn't mean that it's superior to the Thomann. In addition, the snare system of the latter has a tuning configuration that we like better.
If we add to these aspects that the Schlagwerk costs twice as much, then the Thomann is definitely the way to go. They differ very little in what they offer, but the Thomann is way cheaper.
The best flamenco cajones for professionals
Flamenco cajones for advanced musicians must be instruments with the most excellent build quality, versatility and sound. At culturasonora, we have already done the research work for you and have selected the best.
Schlagwerk CP430 2inOne “deluxe” Wenge
Its touch and sound are of the highest quality.
None.
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Technical Characteristics:
- Wood: Wenge, alder.
- Sound: High quality.
- Size: 30 x 30 x 50 cm.
- Weight: 5.2 kg.
This flamenco cajon from the German manufacturer Schlagwerk has a lot to offer, such as peculiar woods, rich sounds, excellent accessories and more. Find out why this is the only option we have selected for the high end.
Materials:
This Schlagwerk cajon has a top made of wenge wood, which is completely atypical and more of an experiment in innovation. The good news is that it works great. This wood is as resistant as mahogany, but is more stable in sound frequencies.
In addition, for the sides and back, the company has used a veneer worthy of aristocracy: a wood composed of seven layers of alder. What stands out the most is its 15 mm thickness, which immediately reveals its high resistance and sound capacity.
Inside, a snare drum (squeaker) of 84 metal spirals that are almost eternal has been added. You can be sure of the extra durability of this flamenco cajon.
Design:
The German company has continued with the line of tall cajones, by manufacturing this model with a size of 50 x 30 x 30 cm, so it's not suitable for children. On the other hand, the box shows the manufacturer's characteristic lettering on the front and this gives it a youthful and original design.
An innovation of the Schlagwerk family is the 2inOne technique that provides an excellent balance between bass and snare.
Sound:
The sound of this flamenco cajón has pleasantly-surprised us thanks to the excellent wenge veneer on the soundboard. We like it a lot because the bass response is wonderful and the transition to the mids is almost seamless.
In addition, the natural sheen of the seven layers of alder is sensational and can be varied by playing with the different snare settings. We can say that this flamenco cajon has a compact, solid sound that competes with the ranges that many consider high.
Conclusion:
We are aware that there are many high-end flamenco cajones that are excellent, but we also know that they are expensive and that the difference they offer is not really substantial.
After listening to this flamenco cajon, we have compared its sound and the quality of its snare drum and have concluded that, being so affordable, it's the best choice for musicians who want a professional flamenco cajon with high-end features, but for a significantly lower price. Follow this link to find the best price at Thomann.
The best flamenco cajon for children
In culturasonora, we have also thought about the little ones and that is why we have chosen the best option for them: a flamenco cajon worthy of the eager little learners who, in the future, will surely become the giants of flamenco percussion.
Thomann Junior 1
Excellent value for money.
None.
Technical Characteristics:
- Wood: Solid alder.
- Sound: Good quality.
- Size: 33.5 x 20.5 x 21.5 cm.
- Weight: 2.4 kg.
Thomann has managed to cover the entire spectrum of potential users by designing a flamenco cajon for children from the ages of three and upwards, that has excellent features. If you want to buy a flamenco cajon that will allow you to introduce your children to the world of this wonderful musical genre, the Thomann Junior 1 will not disappoint you.
Materials:
This cajon has surprised us because it incorporates solid alder in the soundboard, and only high end cajons use solid wood. The side covers and bottom are also made of alder, but veneered, although of excellent quality and with great durability.
Design:
Thomann has designed this flamenco cajon especially for children from the age of three, measuring 33.5 x 20.5 x 21.5 cm. However, despite weighing only 2.4 kg, the Thomann Junior 1 is able to support the weight of an adult thanks to its solid wood.
Sound:
The sound of this flamenco cajón is also very good because, as we already said, its top is made of solid alder and this gives it a very balanced sound, with good bass and mids, although the high notes have some shortcomings.
Conclusion:
The Thomann Junior 1 is the best flamenco cajon designed especially for children. That is why we recommend it without hesitation, so that the little ones get their hands on the best instrument to learn and become excellent flamenco percussionists. You can find the best price at thomann.
Visit our culturasonora page. There you will find complete reviews of the best percussion instruments, such as handpans, güiros or timbales. Also, any kind of instruments, such as accordions, didgeridoo, guitars, basses, etc.
Technical Characteristics of Cajones flamencos
MODELS | Woods | Sound | Size | Weight |
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| Thomann Cajón Construction Kit | Birch | Acceptable and within design intent | 44 x 29 x 30 cm | 9kg |
| Millenium BlackBox | Maple and willow | Very good bass | 48 x 30 x 30 cm | 3,6 kg |
| Thomann CAS-100 | Maple and willow | Balanced | 48 x 30 x 30 cm | 3,6 kg |
| Thomann TCA 501R Multi | Constantinople acacia and birch | Round and powerful | 48 x 31 x 30 cm | 3,8 kg |
| Schlagwerk CP404RED Cajón Red Edition | Birch | Excellent quality | 50 x 30 x 30cm | 4.2 kg |
| Schlagwerk CP430 2inOne “deluxe” Wenge | Wenge, alder | High quality | 30 x 30 x 50 cm | 5.2 kg |
| Thomann Junior 1 | Solid alder | Good quality | 33,5 x 20,5 x 21,5 cm | 2.4 kg |