Topic: How about these cajons with fiberglass faceplates?

[TheSpindoctor]

Has anybody played these or had any experience with them?  If you havent seen them they are on musiciansfriend.com

It says that they are for increased volume and durability.

Any thoughts?

[Bart Elliott]

Are you talking about these?


Meinl Siam Oak Cajon with Fiberglass Plate


Meinl Siam Oak Cajon with Fiberglass Front Black

I've never played them. I don't doubt that they are louder. My biggest concern is how if feels on my hands. With the wood there is a certain amount of give to it ... and the thought (initially) of hitting a piece of fiberglass, although unfounded, brings hesitation to my mind. I'm sure it's perfectly fine or they wouldn't be making these instruments. 

[TheSpindoctor]

yeah, those are the ones.  So you think maybe for my first one I should start would a standard woooden one?

[Bart Elliott]

I'll say yes to starting with a Cajon with a wood playing surface first. Why? It's not that it would be wrong to use a fiberglass surface, but if this is your first Cajon ... it just seems right to get a traditional version first. That's just me and how I feel about it.

I feel the same way about Congas. I would want to own a set of wood congas first before I purchased a fiberglass set. I just want to have the traditional sound and feel at my disposal first ... then expand to accommodate my needs, such as having an instrument that will give me more volume.

My first Djembe was a traditional one, rope weave and all. Then I purchased a wood Djembe that was bolt tensioned. After that, I purchased another Djembe, fiberglass with bolt tension. Now I have multiples of the same instrument to choose from based on the sound I need or want.

All of this is just my opinion and personal tastes. If you feel that you want ONE Cajon in your arsenal, and really want the volume and durability that you will get with a fiberglass faced Cajon, go for it! I've not played one to say whether or not the difference is substantial enough to make it my first purchase (if I were in your shoes).

[chilledbongo]

ive tried a lot of the meinl cajons. i wouldn't say the fiberglass front plate makes much, if any, difference in volume. these are not particularly loud instruments by nature.
 as for sound, well, maybe a little. a lot depends on how you adjust the screws that control the corners for slaps.

if you are looking for some more volume, un-miced, and vastly more bass sound than anything posssible with one of the meinls, i recommend checking out the fat conga cajons. i have found them to be the most fun to play for a variety of reasons. they cost about a third more, but they are worth it.