Kala Cajon in Spotted Maple

The Kala Cajon in Spotted Maple (model number KP-CAJON-SPMAPLE) is a popular and aesthetically pleasing percussion instrument from Kala, a company best known for its ukuleles. This cajon is designed for musicians who want to add a versatile and expressive percussive element to their music.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Core Concept & Sound:

• Spalted Maple Tapa (Frontplate): The most striking feature of this cajon is its "spalted maple" frontplate. Spalting is a unique wood coloration caused by a fungus, which creates beautiful dark lines and patterns. This gives the cajon a high-end, custom look.

• Snare Effect with Guitar Strings: The Kala cajon uses guitar strings tensioned to the inside of the tapa. When you strike the top corners of the frontplate, the strings vibrate against it, producing a crisp, sizzling sound that mimics a snare drum. This allows for a wide range of percussive possibilities.

• Birch Body: The body of the cajon is made from high-quality birch. This is a common and excellent choice for cajons, as it provides a solid, resonant tone with a deep bass "thump" when you strike the center of the tapa.

Build Quality & Adjustability:

• Adjustable Snare Wires: A key feature of the Kala cajon is that the tension of the internal snare wires can be adjusted. The cajon comes with an allen key, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of "sizzle" to your liking, from a tight, crisp sound to a looser, more resonant one.

• Non-Slip Rubber Feet: The cajon is equipped with non-slip rubber feet to ensure it stays securely in place while you play, providing a stable foundation for your rhythmic patterns.

• Durable Construction: While Kala is known for ukuleles, their cajons are built with a solid construction that is designed to withstand regular use.

• Dimensions: The cajon typically measures around 18.5" in height, 11.5" in width, and 12" in depth, which are standard dimensions for a full-size cajon.

Overall Impression:

The Kala Cajon in Spotted Maple is an excellent choice for:

• Musicians who want a versatile, portable instrument: The cajon can be played with hands, fingers, or brushes, making it a perfect instrument for unplugged sessions, small gigs, or as a practice tool.

• Players seeking a visually stunning instrument: The spalted maple frontplate makes it a beautiful instrument to look at as well as to play.

• Guitarists and Ukulele Players: It is a natural fit for acoustic ensembles, providing a rhythmic foundation for folk, blues, and other styles.