What I had in mind when I designed the Novato was simple: I wanted to create a cajón that was accessible for beginners but built to a professional standard—both in sound and in construction.

There are a lot of entry-level instruments out there, and to be honest, most of them aren’t worth the money. They’re built to hit a price point, not to serve the musician. I didn’t want to make another throwaway drum. I wanted to create something that could grow with the player—something that would sound great on day one and still hold up as their skills developed.

That meant stripping the design back to its core. I wasn’t trying to impress people with gimmicks or adjustable features. I was focused on what really matters in a drum: tone, response, and build quality. There are no screws in this build. Every joint is glued—tight, clean, and permanent. Even the faceplates are glued on. I didn’t choose that approach for looks. It just made the most sense for this particular design. Gluing the faceplates directly to the body created a solid, unified structure, and it let me squeeze every bit of tone I could out of that Baltic Birch. The way the surfaces are bonded lets the wood speak more naturally—nothing rattling, nothing interrupting the vibration path. It’s a subtle decision with a big payoff in how the drum responds.

The Novato has two playing surfaces—one with snares, and one without. That gives the player two distinct voices in a single drum. You can switch from a snappy, articulate slap to a warm, open tone just by turning the drum around. It’s versatile without being complicated. I designed it that way so a beginner could explore different sounds without having to buy two instruments.

The sound hole is placed on the side, not the back, which deepens the resonance and enhances the bass response. It’s a subtle design choice, but it makes a big difference in the way the drum breathes and responds to low-end strikes. One of the things I’m most proud of is how well the snares are isolated from the bass. When you hit the low tones, you won’t hear any snare rattle. That clean separation gives the Novato a clarity that’s often missing in starter-level cajóns.

The snares themselves are responsive and crisp. They speak when you want them to but stay out of the way when you don’t. That kind of control makes a big difference when you're learning to play dynamically, and it’s something I paid close attention to during the voicing process.

I also added steel-reinforced rubber feet to every Novato. They isolate the drum from the floor, preventing sympathetic vibrations that can muddy the tone, and they help keep the drum planted while you play. It’s one of those small details that might not seem important until you’re in the middle of a set and realize your drum keeps sliding. I build for real players in real situations—even if they’re just starting out.

As for materials, the Novato is made entirely from Baltic Birch plywood. Now, if I had my pick, I’d always go with solid tonewoods—no question. I use them in many of my other drums. But for this build, I chose plywood on purpose. I wanted the Novato to be more accessible, more affordable—but still built to last. And if you’re going to use plywood instead of solid wood, Baltic Birch is, in my opinion, the only real choice. It’s dense, has no internal voids, and it projects beautifully. It gives me the consistency I need to make sure every Novato sounds like it’s supposed to.

Ultimately, I wanted to create a drum that was honest. One that didn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s not flashy. It’s not trendy. But it works—and it works well. It gives players a reliable, great-sounding instrument that doesn’t need upgrades, adjustments, or apologies. Just sit down and play.

That’s what the Novato is about: intentional simplicity. No frills. No filler. Just a well-made instrument with a clear voice and a solid foundation.

Want to learn more or get one of your own?

Visit the full product page for specs, pricing, and availability:

To learn more about my approach to drum building and why I like simple designs, read my blog post

Simplicity Isn’t Basic — It’s Intentional