Meinl AETLLI Artisan Tango Limba Wood-Cajon

Meinl Artisan Edition Cajon Tango Line Limba — Handmade Spanish Cajon

This model pairs a 7-ply, 9 mm Baltic birch body with a textured Limba frontplate for a punchy, warm voice. Two groupings of three pre-tuned micro-coiled steel strings span the playing surface for a crisp flamenco-style snare response. It is the most affordable entry into Meinl's handmade Artisan series, built in small batches in Spain.

What makes this cajon unique in its category

Each unit is hand-built in Spain by master luthier José "Pepote" Hernández Diaz. The frontplate is sanded together with the resonating body so the two form a perfectly flush, 1-to-1 match — a level of fit normally reserved for more expensive cajons. Specially formulated soft rubber feet protect floors without colouring the bass tone, and thin fabric strips behind the strings eliminate buzzing for a clean snare response.

Construction, tonewoods and string layout

The wood combination shapes this cajon's voice: Baltic birch delivers a focused, punchy bass, while the Limba frontplate adds warmth and a sensitive response to finger taps, ghost notes and slaps.

• Body construction: 7-ply, 9 mm Baltic birch (Betula pendula) — the same tonewood used in high-end drum shells, giving a focused low end.
• Playing surface: Limba frontplate — textured hardwood that responds cleanly from soft finger rolls to heavy back beats.
• The instrument features 2 sets of 3 pre-tuned micro-coiled steel strings, hand-wound in the style of master luthier José "Pepote" Hernández Diaz.
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 48 × 28.5 × 30 cm
• Weight: 4.8 kg
• Specially formulated soft rubber feet — preserve the cajon's clear tone by absorbing surface vibration on any surface.

Players upgrading from entry-level cajons

The instrument is the right choice for acoustic guitarists, singer-songwriters and percussionists who want a handmade Spanish cajon with a real snare response without stepping up to the €500+ Soleá or Cantina lines. Its 4.8 kg weight and 48 cm height make it easy to carry to small gigs, street performances and home-studio sessions.

Meinl Percussion and master luthier José "Pepote" Hernández Diaz

Artisan Edition cajons are produced in Spain under the care of master luthier José "Pepote" Hernández Diaz, who personally tests wood combinations, varnishes and string designs. The Tango Line is the most affordable entry into his handmade Artisan series, built in small batches with no assembly-line shortcuts.