I'm working on making a cajon for my woodshop class, but I'm not too knowledgeable about tone woods and their characteristics. The available options are Walnut, Oak, Cedar, and Poplar. I'm planning dimensions of 14"W x 15"D x 21"H, and I'd like to incorporate a forward sound port instead of the usual back-facing one, similar to this model: meinlpercussion.com/en/products/subcaj5wn-m11596.html. My main goal is to achieve a deep bass tone with a good pop on the high end. Any tips or insights would be appreciated!
3 Answers
From my experience, if you want solid wood, walnut is a top choice for its sound quality. Oak can work too but walnut is stiffer, which means better sound transmission. Remember to choose wood that's knot-free to enhance the clarity of the tone.
I made one out of birch plywood with my son during his high school years, and it's still going strong today—he's recorded several albums with it! If you can get your hands on good quality plywood, that can work well too. Otherwise, I suggest going for walnut; it has an awesome look and sound. Best of luck with your build!
I've built a cajon for my son as well, but I made a mistake using 3/4" ply for the body—should have gone for something thinner like 3/8" or 5/8". It's all about getting a good resonance. Just keep those wood thicknesses in mind for optimal sound!