Meinl PercussionTurbo Cabasa with Sound Ports for Extra Projection, Medium Size-Wooden Handle with Padded Soft Grip, Steel Cylinder and Chain, 2-Year Warranty, Black, (CA5BK)

I bought the large sized cabasa. I was hesitant due to reviews that said it was too heavy, and most importantly some said the chains were too tight. It sounds great. Chains are easy to shake and spin. Meinl did a great job on this.

I picked the small one from bad experiences with other bigger cabasas. This is the perfect size, is plenty loud and has a looseness that has made it more expressive than any other cabasa I've played. Superior product. I am super-sized pleased!

This is a fun little instrument, I've used it in several recordings as well as playing it live.Pros:* it's compact.* it's bit lighter than a full-size wooden cabasa, so it's easier to play more complicated rhythms.* I like the foam-covered handle. More comfortable than wood, easier to hang on to.* For such a small thing, it's LOUD.Cons:* When I compared to a full-size wooden cabasa, the sound is a little thinner due to fewer beads rubbing less surface area and a smaller body (so less resonance). That said, you may find the tone more appropriate to whatever you're doing.* Be careful the top doesn't unscrew while you're playing. I don't have this trouble, but one of my kids ran into this while playing. It was simple to put back together, but obviously you don't want this in a performance.Overall this is a decent instrument.

This is well made, it has a nice weight. My only problem is that I don't use the wrist strap but I keep it on for hanging, then I always catch my finger in the loop when I use it. (That's just me, lol) It would be great if the strap was on the bottom. I like this!

This Cabasa's strength is its volume. I have two complaints about this instrument that keep me from using it frequently - it's heavy and tight. 1.5 pounds doesn't sound like a lot, but it feels much heavier after playing through even a short song. If you look at competitors products, they all weigh about the same, so I'm not sure another brand would feel any lighter. When I need a Cabasa sound and don't want the stress of the added weight, I use a lighter gourd Shekere. My second issue is the tightness of the beads. I'm hoping they will loosen with use, but right now I can't get much action shaking or spinning without using both hands. That being said, this is the best Cabasa I have ever played... just not perfect.

A nice addition to my sound baths and I can’t wait to take it to drum circle too.

I was trying to recreate the song "Barbecue" from Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. I bought a high quality washboard on Amazon and it didn't sound at all like Harvey Beaver scratching on it in the movie. So I bought this and I'm able to recreate a beaver scratching claws on a washboard. It's crucial to the song as it's at the very beginning. Love it!

Product is exactly what I was looking for. Will be an incredible addition to any band or musician.

This is a really good quality item but has a metallic sounding you might want to think about a wooden one to go with it

The rings are quite tight so it requires a lot of effort to move them, which means my forearm muscle gets tight quickly - the foam handle is OK but offers no real advantage. Overall a bit of a disappointment given the price, so I will be returning it as it is nothing special even with 5 sound holes...

A great present for Xmas, good value and prompt delivery. Thanks

Very good great sound

Great product for the price