Figured Cajons

Two new cajons.

The boxes are solid African Mahogany.

I find a round sound hole boring so decided to cut other shaped holes.
The raging bull and flamenco dancer go with the Spanish theme.

Each cajon has a highly figured veneered front tapa.
I am not sure what they are as I found them amongst other timbers.
The burl was very rough and brittle. I softened it with a 10% glycerine mix to make it workable. It flattened and joined well. Unfortunately to surface to too badly cut to get a good surface without risking sanding through the veneer.
Even with the defects I think it is interesting enough to have used.

Great Job. what's the sound like?

Lighter veneer is Poplar Burl,

Darker one from the photo looks as if it could be Figured Spotted Gum.


Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve.
They are the species that I had written down but I wasn't confident enough to say so.

These boxes have a big strong base.
I use the thin aeroplane bendable ply and find it works best for more base. The veneers give it enough stiffness.

The solid wood boxes give a nice sharp "clack" when you hit the tapa against the box. They are better than the more common plywood boxes that you see on the market.

I used to make a slightly smaller box that was the traditional size. Then a friend brought me a cajon back from Peru recently and it is a bit wider, only 3cm wider. But it gives a much stronger sound.

Nice work. I especially like the look of the Poplar burl one. (Well spotted, Steve.)