Meinl PercussionPickup Turbo Slaptop Cajon - Back-friendly T-Design with 3 Forward Facing Sound Ports - Playing Surface Walnut (PTOPCAJ2WN)

This instrument is so much fun to play! I bought the acoustic turbo slaptop last year and then joined a band. I learned that the first challenge for me was keeping the instrument on my lap. While seated on another, more traditional cajon, I had problems with the slaptop falling forward, especially when I tried to use a foot tambourine. I resolved this by buying a yoga belt and strapping the slaptop around my back while I was seated. This method allows me to move freely without it falling off my lap. Problem solved, and that also allowed me to start using a foot pedal to keep the kick beat going on the other cajon.But I also had another problem : getting enough volume so the audience and my bandmates could hear the great sounds coming out of the thing. I had tried using a mic that I patched through a Bose S1 Pro amp before sending it to the band's soundboard, but had very limited success. I finally decided to spring for this model with the pickups, and it made all the difference.However, I also had an issue similar to another reviewer when, during a gig, the cajon suddenly sounded as if there was a crack in the top. It sounded flat instead of resonant, and I can only assume there was a defect inside of it with one of the pickups. I returned it to Amazon within the return window and immediately ordered another, and this time I also purchased a 3-yr protection plan. Despite the troubles, I think Meinl has come up with a winner, and I don't see anything on the market that can compete right now with its convenience, versatility and sound.

My son loves this cajon. It sounds great with, or without the amp. He is constantly picking this up and playing it. Sounds is awesome. This is a great drum, love the bass and snare sound. To hear the snare really good, he said to turn the snare tone knob all the way up on the cajon, and the high tone knob on the amp. This allows you to hear it real good along with the bass. We love this instrument and recommend it.

Bought the used one. Has a scratch in it but still works fine. Was worth the money I paid for it. Fun to play.

I’ve been playing the straight acoustic version with a traditional celtic band for years. The sound is astounding. People can’t believe the low end coming out of this thing. I bought the pre-amp version to plug it into a PA. Sound isn’t even close. No resonance in the low end. Snares don’t crack like the acoustic version. Pickup and switches inside are probably soaking up the sound. Haven’t plugged it in yet. We’ll see.

It makes good sounds but to get the snare sounds you really need to slap hard. Also the volume controls are not reliable. The sounds fade away in and out. Decided to return it