Sheila E
Stewart Copeland
Dave Weckl
Naomi DĂaz
Evelyn Glennie
Marco Fadda
Manu Masaedo
Paquito GonzĂĄlez
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Creativo Creativity is at the very heart of music, and now you can release it with the Creativo from DG. This simple DIY kit includes everything you need to build your own custom DG cajรณn, including easy-to-follow instructions from our artisan craftsmen. Outfitted with a 100% birch body and tapa, the Creativo has the rich sound and quality you have come to expect from De Gregorio, at a very affordable price. Get the Creativo and create a cajรณn as unique as you are. 2
Compass For those seeking a top-quality instrument at an entry-level price, we proudly present the DG Compass cajรณn. Made from MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard; an eco-friendly composite made from recycled wood fibers), the Compass features a 3-ply, 3.5 mm Baltic birch front-plate, a two-string tunable snare system, and a beautiful black polyurethane finish. With its rich, powerful sound, the DG Compass will inspire you and bring out the best in your playing. 3
Kiyo The Kiyo has an all-birch plywood body, and it features our patented Pre-Tuned Tapa system, a system unique to DG. We affix 10 snare-wires to the inner-side of the playing surface at optimal tension with high-strength thermic glue, allowing for a great, traditional snare sound without the the worry of actually tuning the wires. Like all DG cajรณns, the Kiyo is entirely hand-made at our factory in Spain. 4
Calima The Calima is a no-nonsense cajón for the novice and the professional alike. With an all-birch body, a 3-ply, 3 mm birch front-plate (tapa), and 2 tunable steel-string snares, this cajón is everything you want with nothing you don’t. The resonant lows, cutting highs, and sensitive snare response of the Calima shine in any musical setting, and its top-quality construction is what you’ve come to expect from DG. 5
Bravo The DG Bravo brings you the sensitivity and response of a professional frontplate, at an entry-level price! The body of the Bravo is made from 100% first-grade birch plywood, and it features a thin 2mm, 4-ply birch front-plate for extra sensitivity (the same front-plate as our top-of-the-line YaquĂ model), as well as a fixed snare-system with two steel-core strings. Available in two different finishes: Makassar and Red Makassar 6
Cigano Cigano is a full birch cajรณn with a professional snare system: two sets of indepently tunable sets of metal strings, which can also be easily replaced in case of breakage, without having to remove the front panel. A solid and reliable cajรณn that is designed to last for a long time. Its sound is typically flamenco, with pronounced mid frequencies, a rotsy character that is perfectly suitable to other musical genres. 7
Yaquí The Yaquí has a very modern tone, reminding the sound of a bass drum and brushed snare, with an added sprinkle of jingles, a sound which can be heard on many recordings, including offerings from flamenco star Miguel Poveda (“Arte Sano”) as well as supergroup UHF (“Bipolar”), both featuring cajón legend and DG artist Paquito González. Featuring a professional snare system and an extra sensitive front panel, it is one of our most versatile models. 8
Chanela The Chanela is the result of years of research and work towards an instrument with extraordinarily sensitive snare response while maintaining the rich sound for which DG is known. This cajรณn includes a specially designed snare mechanism which doubles the number of snare-strings from the standard 4 to up to 8, resulting in breath-taking sensitivity, and the 2.5 mm front-plate is constructed of 5 ultra-thin plies of Baltic birch for unparalleled tone. 9
Tokayo This is a model that sums up the sound features that the Spanish Flamenco scene demands: a powerful and responsive sound, with a pronounced bass tone. Many Flamenco percussionists need extra resonance and sound projection from their cajรณn, in order to compete in volume with dancers, since they often play in venues where amplification for the cajรณn is not provided. Tokayo delivers exactly those qualities. 10
Maestral Rather than using simple wood-screws to affix the front-plate to the body, the Maestral system uses 18 stainless-steel hex-bolts which screw into metal threaded inserts. The Maestral system allows you to easily change the front plate of the cajón for endless times, which allows to try various types of surfaces and thickness of wood. This extends the sound palette of the cajón, as well as its lifespan. Played by percussionists Paquito González and Poti Trujillo with legends such as Vicente Amigo and Paco de Lucía. 11
Zambo The Zambo features a patented throw-off snare mechanism which allows players to quickly engage or disengage the snares depending on the sound they want. One can obtain two different sounds from the cajรณn, with a simple movement. With snares on, it delivers a sharp response, thanks to the newly added extra resistant brass guitar strings. By retrieving the snare backwards, the cajรณn transforms into a rootsy beatbox, with that typical Peruvian wooden cajรณn sound. 12
Kanyero The Kanyero model features an important innovation: the front plate is made with one of the strongest materials in the world, carbon fibre, which guarantees a longer life for the instrument. Moreover, the acoustic qualities of this material provide more volume in comparison to wood, while keeping the same snare definition. A hi-tech instrument, extremely powerful, especially suitable for non amplified musical settings or for open air performances. Best suited for high energy playing styles. 13
Siroco The Siroco marks a collaboration between two of Spain’s most revered cajón craftsmen: J. Leiva percussion and DG DeGregorio. Combining the collapsible cajón design with the tunable/ interchangeable front-plate system, the Siroco represents a new level of portability and versatility. When collapsed, the Siroco measures 12x30x50 cm- only one-third of its original size- and can easily be placed in an airplane carry-on rack or under a seat. Take it wherever you go. 14
DrumBox The DrumBox takes our top-of-the-line Maestral cajón with its patented tunable, replaceable front-plate (“tapa”) and adds another non-stringed bass-plate to the side of the instrument. Using our patented DG Direct-Drive Cajón Pedal, you can play the bass-plate as an entirely separate kick drum, opening up a whole word of new sonic possibilities on the cajón. Play the front-plate with your hands and use the pedal for accents, or set up a snare drum and hi-hat to create a unique, compact travel drumset. 15
DrumBox Travel Want even more portability from your DG DrumBox? The DrumBox Travel is always ready to go. By using an ingenious removable back panel, we’ve designed an entire storage system for your DG Direct-Drive Cajón Pedal inside the body of the DrumBox. Now you can take everything you need for the gig in one compact, incredible sounding package- no extra hardware bags needed. 16
Chincha
DG De Gregorio honors the Peruvian roots of the cajรณn with the Chincha. Made in the traditional Peruvian style with no snare, the Chincha is the very essence of the cajรณn. Apart from playing a traditional Landรณ or Festejo beat in the most faithful Peruvian tradition, the Chincha can be used in many diverse musical contexts, whenever a rootsy, soulful vibe is needed. 17
Kongo Designed after the traditional Cuban cajรณns made by the great Pancho Quinto, the Kongo is larger than our standard flamenco cajรณns and does not feature a snare system. It has a low, earthy tone which is used in folkloric Cuban percussion ensembles for specific Rumba styles, laying the foundation patterns for the improvisations, therefore it can be used in drum circles iand s also equally at home in pop/rock settings., whenever a special darker tone of percussive element is needed. 18
Siboney Along with its larger brother Kongo, the Siboney complements our line of Cuban style cajรณns. Made in the traditional way without a snare, and with a cut-pyramid shape, the Siboney is played using conga technique as well as modern finger techniques. Being high pitched. within the Rumba ensembles it is used for soloing improvisations. Its sound opens up in the same way as a conga, but with a far woodier tone . 19
De Luxe The “De Luxe” edition aims to elevate the standard of the professional models Chanela, Yaquí and Kanyero. The main added value is the material used for the body of the cajons, which is solid wood (a variety of Mahogany known as Sipo), and it is built with state of the art, digitally controlled machinery. Thanks to this technology, the solid wood panels are thinned and profiled in such a way that they are both lightweight and rock solid. The inner joints of the De Luxe models are specially contoured in order to eliminate the 90 degrees angle; this gives a mellower tone, more “rounded”. The warmer tone is also achieved because the width of the De Luxe version is bigger than the standard models. The beautiful look of solid wood adds up to its tonal qualities, creating a product that is very hard to improve. 20
Yaquí De Luxe 21
Chanela De Luxe 22
Kanyero De Luxe 23
Centaur Centaur is an hybrid electro acoustic cajon which is the product of a cooperation between DG De Gregorio and ErmanitoPlay. This is a top of the range acoustic cajon, with an impressively tight, powerful and precise tone. On top of that, it features an electronic part consisting of three trigger pads, that act as launching module for a set of thirty digital sounds, contained in an sd card. The card can be easily edited and customized by the user, offering the potential for an endless sound palette. 24
Paquito Gonzรกlez Signature Maestral This special signature version features a coated circular area applied to the front panel. It is a permanent material that allows the hand to be used as a snare brush, adding a further colour to the cajรณn soundscape. This process also has the effect of reducing the harmonics of the Maestral, creating a drier sound. This makes its amplification very easy, therefore it is especially suitable for those percussionists who like to play with controlled dynamics and enjoy the art of accompanyment, just like Paquito. 25
Manu Masaedo Signature Those who are familiar with Manu’s style, know that it is caracterized by spectacular technique and extraordinary power, which often ends up breaking a front panel during a solo. For this reason we needed to develope a model that could take this kind of impact, yet at the same time deliver a cristal clear sound. After many attempts, we made it. This instrument responds perfectly to all kind of dynamics, from “pianissimo” up to “destroyer”. The special panel composition, and the reinforced structure, make this model the “heavy weight” champion. 26
Ziryab The Ziryab model is a unique work of art, made according to the highest workmanship and technological standards. Using the best materials available, we wanted to produce a sort of symbol representing the long path that we undertook since we started manufacturing cajóns. Solid maple, genuine rosewood venneer and hand placed marquetry are the precious ingredients that make this magnificent object. A true collectors´item. 27
GarbĂ Designed for kids between 4 and 7 years, this model is smaller than the standard cajĂłn, measuring 22,5 x 20,5 x 37 centimeters and it features a fixed and pre-tensioned snare device, which makes its use and maintenance really simple. Made with the same materials used for the Kiyo model, available in red or blue finish. Ideal for a first approach with the cajĂłn.
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Mini Cajón Made with the same material of a professional cajón, and featuring a fixed snare system, this miniature instrument was originally conceived as a gadget or a souvenir, but it turned out to be a mini cajón that can be effectively used to play as a sort of “bongo cajón”. It can be held between the legs and played with fingers,so that the technique for bongo, tabla, or fram drums can be effectively used. Ideal for informal music jams between friends. 29
Caj贸n Pedal Unlike cable-driven pedals which can feel slow and lack finesse, the DG Caj贸n Pedal uses a telescoping linkage to join the remote-pedal to the beater assembly, resulting in no loss of energy and a lightning-fast feel. Add to that our specially designed foam-rubber beater, and you have the first pedal to truly allow you to play your caj贸n like a bass drum. This pedal can be used to hit either the side or the front of the caj贸n, therefore it can be used in four different ways: for a right footed player, either on the side or the front, just as well as for a left footed player. 30
Culture of the cajรณn The main source of motivation behind our work, is true passion and love for this instrument. Coming from a musical background, we focused our interest on the music scenes that gave birth to the cajรณn. We were fortunate to establish close links with some of the best professional cajรณn players, and while we got precious first hand information that helped improving our instruments, we also started to spread this knowledge as much as possible. To homage the history and the state of the art of this instrument, we produced a documentary, two tuitional dvds and a record, which feature many performances by world class musicians. These works have been reviewed very positively all over the world, and in some cases were even awarded, so we believe that they give a great added value to our products. 31
The Ways of the Cajรณn An on-the-road musical documentary consisting in previously unpublished live performances from the masters of Afro-Peruvian, Flamenco, Afro-Cuban traditions, as well as a selection of artists from the rest of the world. 32
El Cajón Flamenco The Flamenco Cajón by Paquito González focuses on Andalusian music, with analytical explanations and amazing live performances by real musical legends, like Vicente Amigo, Joaquín Grilo, Miguel Poveda, Giovanni Hidalgo and many more. 33
Cajรณn Power Cajรณn Power is a real encyclopaedia, where Marco Fadda plays and explains both traditional and modern rhythms, with the aid of 34 world-class musicians, among them Billy Cobham, Joey De Francesco and Giovanni Hidalgo. Nearly four hours of precious information. 34
"23" by Manu Masaedo We are proud to introduce as executive producers and record label, the first record by Manu Masaedo, a young and brilliant 35 players in the world musician, one of the best cajón nowadays, who also happens to compose, sing and play guitar. Special features by artists such as Alain Pérez on bass, Dani de Morón and Rycardo Moreno on solo guitars, Carlos Sarduy on trumpet, Nino de los Reyes on Flamenco zapateo dancing and Kike Terrón, who plays cajón on“Fuego en el 23”. 35
Sol Jung
Hiro
Isaac Vigueras
Gerçek Dorman Shawn Kok Hamid Drake Crystal Fighters
Kike Terrón
John Blackwell
Ed Moreira
José Montaña
Pablo Gómez Nacho Tsuru
Franco Bianco
Poti Trujillo Shayan Fathi
David Nooi
Cho Jae Bum
Marco Meneghin
Tom Chapman
Alex Wu
Ulysses Owens Jr. Markus Ostfeld
Hector Aguilar
Silvia Pérez Cruz
Jordan Migues
Satoko Suganuma Doremi
Senri Kawaguchi
Kim Jin Hwan You Hatakeyama
Max Castlunger Kozo Suganuma
Simone Padovani Steve White
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Mohamed Shabani