technical features
The type of wood used in cajón making varies a lot according to the area of origin. In South America the choice is endless, in North America, maple is the most common, while here in Europe, birch and beech are traditionally the drum woods. Luckily, birch has the right qualities that suit the character of the cajón; bright, rich in medium to high frequencies with a clear, distinctive tone. Just like the majority of drum shells, these cajones are made with birch plywood.
The body of a DG cajón is made with half an inch thick, nine plies baltic birch. The back side is a quarter of an inch thick, five plies. The front is the most distinctive part, and varies depending on the models. In the Bailaor and Zambo this is a three plies, 3.5 mm thick. The front of the Yaquí, is made with a specially processed four plies birch, 2 mm thick. This wood has an amazing flexibility and resistance, and the special processing, adds aesthetic and tonal qualities. The internal reinforcements are made with solid beech and pine.
All parts are assembled with extra resistent vinylic glues, except for the upper part of the front and the reinforcement internal post, which are screwed on. The finish is made with an eco-friendly water based paint, sprayed with compressor. The snare system is the other main technical feature; on the Bailaor and the Yaquí, it consists of a vertical frame bearing electric guitar strings. On the Yaquí, jingles are attached to the inner support post, in order to enrich the tone.
The Zambo model (Pat.Pend. BO2003A000172), is an original idea, and it features the possibility to have the snares on or off. On the right side of the cajón there is a knob that allows the internal mechanism to slide on a rail, while on the left side, tension adjustment can be made, like in the Bailaor. This mechanism is similar to a snare drum, it can be removed from its place easily, it's simple but solid, and it gives a wide range of sounds for those percussionists who want it.
The sound of DG cajones, is well balanced, with rounded deep basses and tight, crisp highs. These can be enhanced by loosening a bit the top screws, and also with a slap sound, obtained by throwing the palm of the hand on the corner and letting the fingers loose.
Microphoning a cajón is usually made with a drum model, like a Sennheiser MD 421, placed on the back about ten inches from the hole, but not directly on it to avoid big air punches. The equalization usually privileges the high to mid frequencies, because the shape of the instrument gives a very fat tone anyway; however, this is a general rule, and personal taste and musical contexts may require a different solution.
 Zambo model |
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