make your own cahón

Categories: music, make-your-own

Tags: Music, Flamenco, Cajón, DIY

Date: 05 February 2012 21:37:26

How hard can it be?

Edit to add:

Please note: The finished instrument is not very good.  Even the cheapest bought cahón is better. If you are thinking about building your own I suggest you look elsewhwere.

End of edit.

After all cahón is Spanish for box. And basically that's all it is, a box. Originally used as a musical instrument  in Peru it got taken to Spain where the flamenco musicians added snares. So a box with a thin front, with snares. How hard can it be? So I got some wood, cut to size: 2 pieces 13 inches square, for the top and bottom. 1 piece 18 x 13 inches for the back 2 peices 18 x 12½ inchs for the sides All 12mm ply. 1 piece 19 x 13 inches for the front in 3mm ply (Yes I know I'm mixing metric and imperial measurements.) [caption id="attachment_87" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cajón back[/caption] For the sound hole I drew around a CD then cut a hole with a jigsaw. [caption id="attachment_88" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cajón frame[/caption] Most Cahónes have a glued frame, but because I have no clamps for holding it together I have screwed mine as well, plus blocks in the corners for strength, although these may not be necessary as it is screwed and glued. Then the glue needs to dry, so more later.

Next>