Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon 

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

This is an enjoyable instrument to play with good variance of sound generated by the player and the box. If looking for a cajon this is one to consider.

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

I received this cajon in the mail today and am presently surprised by the responsiveness of the drum. It has great sound when playing lightly or firm. Also the differences in sound between the base and snare is substantial. I love this cajon already!!

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

Already performed twice with cajon! Always gets rave reviews and comments about the inlay finish!
Used with early musical education classroom. Kids really liked both the appearance and experience of sitting and playing on a new style drum!

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

I was pleasantly surprised with the workmanship of this cajon. It sold for a good price, and the sound is fabulous! I was looking for something for my sons to use in their youth praise team, and this fit the bill . It is easy to move around, much easier than a full size drum set, and the sounds on the cajon fit well with the acoustic guitar. It is definitely a good buy!

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

What a great surprise when I opened the shipping box - looks better than on screen.

Don't expect this to sound like a drum-kit-in-a-box, like what I think Schlagwerk is going for. The snare sound is not as prominent as the Schlagwerk 2inOne or Meinl snare cajons I have heard.

Played it for weeks without any adjustment to the faceplate screws. Decided to untorque the top 2 middle screws by a quarter-turn once, then twice, testing each time. Loosening these gave me a little more pop and conga-ish tones when playing on the top edge (as expected), but the strings come through more lively now, too, which I like.

I can't make it sound like Alex, but I can get still a great variety of sounds, given that the wires are only in the corners. I personally don't care for the lower tones having the snare sound mixed in all the time, which is the main reason I chose this cajon. But you can easily get a bass tone with some snare in it, if you like. The faceplate is very responsive, playing quietly or when going for volume - it takes it all without any rattle or distortion.

I do not find it as easy to play cajon, finding it real easy to sound bad. I have an easier time striking my djembe or the congas. So no instant gratification here ;)

I must admit, this instrument sounds a little different to me when I sit on top and play, as compared to mic'ing it or standing out front to listen. I'll just have to get used to that.

The unit feels terrifically solid, and the top panel has not bent under my weight...yet. The feet are just the right height, to allow you to tip the cajon without rubbing it into the floor.

Overall, honestly, where are you going to get an all-solid, exotic tone-wood instrument like this, that sounds better for the price? Other cajons "feature" forms of plywood comprising the shell and cost more. Sorry, not good enough. Go with Alex Acuna & Gon Bops!

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

This is my third cajon--I also own a LP Aspire that I picked up cheap as a lark a few years ago, and a Meinl Ebony Frontplate with pedal release (which was my main cajon until I got this one), and neither holds a candle to the tonal qualities and aesthetic looks of the Acuna cajon. It's solidly built, with great bass tone down low and tight, responsive snare attack in the upper corners. I also find that I don't have to play as hard as I'm used to with the Meinl ebony--the Gon Bops box seems to project much easier and more responsively, but that could be my imagination (or my technique improving). The only downside is the lack of a snare on/off adjustment, but honestly I don't miss it much, and I've found that over time the adjuster on the Meinl lost sensitivity anyway and I was having to constantly adjust the snares manually for them to retain their snap. It would be great if this could double as a bajo cajon, but it's a great piece of equipment despite that.

If I'm playing out with a PA, I usually mic the hole with an Audix D6 and the front with a SM57 or a condenser mic, and once they're dialed in it sounds fantastic--just enough room tone and upper response from the front mic and all the bottom end thump you could want from the back.

It's also GORGEOUS to look at. The photos on the web don't really do it justice--the butcher block inlay really pops, and the whole instrument shines but doesn't seem to hold onto fingerprints. The included gig bag is a great bonus too--it's not top of the line, but it fits and has adequate padding; I'm not sure why more cajon manufacturers don't jump on this bandwagon and include a bag of some kind, particularly since the size variations are so great.

Overall, a great value at this price point!

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

I bought this so I could make my own simple rhythms when I record on Garageband. I put a Shure dynamic mike on a small towel inside the cajon and adjust the volume and whammo - I am a percussionist! The deep bass is awesome and the snare has a clear snap. The unit is striking in it's appearance and finish. The gig bag/case is an added plus. Love it. Now I need to practice.

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

Get this cajon if you love great sound and beautiful craftsmenship!
The Alex Acuna Signature S.E. cajon is a basic Flamenco cajon, beautifully and well constructed. It has a solid feel and is very well made.
The inlay work is superb and is a real eyecatcher.
With the lowered price, this premeire cajon is a terrific value.

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

I played a cajon that was lent to me for a few months to get a feel for it. It had snares the entire height of the box, instead of across the top corners like the Acuna. The resonance was no match for the Acuna, and the price difference was about $50. I still want to hear the Pearl cajon with the two sets of jingles.
I had ordered the Pearl cajon with the two sets of jingles, but it was back ordered. I cancelled the Pearl and bought the Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition. Glad I did. Snappy snares on both sides and deep resonant bass. Played my first job with it last night with a trumpet lead at Urbanna Oyster House in Virginia. Had to spank it pretty hard. No one in the room had seen anything like it. Huge charisma just sitting on the stage by itself. When I got it home I wanted to sleep with it. Expect to fall in love the first time you take her out.
So far, excellent. The finish is like glass. I wipe it down to remove body oils.
The construction is butcher block, not inlay. Very strong. Top Drawer.
Unbelievable. Someone asked me what I paid for it and I didn't want to tell him.
The MSRP+ is what it looks and plays like.
So I just told him he would't believe it and let him wonder.
But I told him where I got it. He'll get a nice surprise.

Comments about Gon Bops Alex Acuna Signature Special Edition Cajon:

You won't be disappointed if you buy this cajon. It is well-made and has a very nice sound. It is more conducive to its design as a Latin instrument than as a substitue for a snare-and-bass set-up, although it will work fine for that too. I'm glad I bought it.
Nice-sounding instument, although a little quiet. Has a very rich sound. Snare sound is ok, but you have to be careful about where you hit because the snares are in the corners.
Beautiful design, extremely well made. Sturdy, high-quality.
Very nice instrument for the price.