@Danny C,

What Tony described is not a Cajon - as it doesn't produce a pentatonic scale. Typically a Cajon will produce two different timbres, a low thump sound and a slap.

I've been researching them - considering purchase, but also thinking about a DIY project.

The two timbres are produced by hitting two different parts of one of the sides of the box. This particular side is screwed down tight along the bottom edge, about 2/3 up both the side edges, and about the center 1/3 of the top edge. Low thump is typically played with a somewhat cupped hand down in the center of that panel, and the 'slap' side up on the unscrewed corners.

Sometimes guitar strings are strung along the inside edge near those corners to empasize the slap timbre, giving it a snare-like sound.

I've delayed making mine as it seems the better cajon drums are made with high-count-ply birch plywood which is pretty pricey per sheet - then I heard a kid from a local worship team playing one that was well-mic'ed; sounding quite nice, and he just kind of made up his plans and built it out of easily available scrap from Home Depot. Shows what a little determination can do.

Planning on it for a winter project this year.

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