B-band Ukko Instruction Manual download pdf (Page 9)

Student 23974754 Page 9 Design and Technology MDP: Cajón with Effects

SNARES AND STRINGS

There are two ways to add the buzz sound to the Cajón:

STRINGS

A ‘strings’ Cajón uses guitar strings, either tensioned from the centre top to the bottom corners, or the centre

top to the centre sides of the frame inside the tapa. By using multiple strings, a vibrating snare sound can be

created.

To allow the snare to be adjustable, there is only really one way using strings. This involves connecting the

strings to a ‘floating bar’, which is pulled to the base of the Cajón with either strings or bolts – to adjust the

tension on the Cajón. This is not a good design, as it cannot be adjusted while playing the Cajón. For this

reason, I am unable to use strings, as this means that the Cajón will not comply with the design brief.

SNARES

A snares Cajón uses snare drum snares mounted on a piece of wood or dowel, which rest against the tapa to

generate the buzz sound. Generally, a standard snare drum snare is cut in half, and the two pieces are used

together to maximize the area of the snare. Snare Cajónes are much more flexible and allow for an adjustable

snare. There are three ways to do this:

Foot Pedal

Small (Stationary) Knob

Moving Wing Nut or Knob

This allows the player to adjust

the snare while they are playing

without moving their hands. A

pedal means, however, that the

drum is an odd size. If this were to

be used, the pedal would need to

be easily removable when storing

the Cajón.

This allows the player to adjust

the snare while they are playing

using only one hand – to twist the

knob. This setup does however

mean that the Cajón can be

stored without having to remove

anything.

This is a very easy method to

adjust and tighten, but is more

difficult to use while playing. This

setup does mean that the Cajón

can be stored without having to

remove anything.

Using these different ways as guidelines, I plan to devise my own way to make an adjustable snare.

SNARE MECHANISM

I based my snare mechanism on the moving wing nut design above. I

modified this design to allow the player to adjust the snares while

playing – by having the slot horizontal rather than vertical; it removes

gravity from the equation, and so is changeable from ‘snares on’ to

‘snares off’ without actually tightening the wing nut. Using this lever

mechanism means that pulling the bolt back (right) turns the dowel

clockwise, releasing the snares, and pushing it forward (left) turns the

dowel anti-clockwise, engaging the snares.

The outside of the Cajón will remain with a slit in it, in which the bolt

is able to move back and forth. A knob needs to be installed on the

outside of the Cajón to tighten the bolt. Although there are plenty of

threaded knobs available for purchase, I wish to use a wooden knob,

and so will have to make it using a lathe. I plan to knock-in and glue a

threaded insert into the knob, so that it is able to tighten the bolt.

I have found that using the above design, when the snare is off, it still

vibrates inside the drum. For this reason, I need to staple a piece of

felt behind the snares, so that when they are off, they will rest on the

felt and will not vibrate.

During the construction of the Cajón, I decided to modify the share mechanism. By changing it from a linear

motion to a rotational motion, I was able to reduce moving parts, and thus reduce rattling. This process is

further described in the construction section.

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B-band Ukko Instruction Manual Page 9

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