Kopf Percussion
@kopfpercussion.bsky.social
My name is Stephen Head. I build percussion instruments by hand. I make custom cajons and acoustic stompboxes, one at a time, with close attention to tone, materials, and long-term quality.
The longer this DeUno Cajon sat on the end of my bench, the more the materials kept pulling my attention back.
Mineral streaking.
Figure.
Small imperfections.
Everything working together instead of matching perfectly.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
Mineral streaking.
Figure.
Small imperfections.
Everything working together instead of matching perfectly.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
May 9, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The longer this DeUno Cajon sat on the end of my bench, the more the materials kept pulling my attention back.
Mineral streaking.
Figure.
Small imperfections.
Everything working together instead of matching perfectly.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
Mineral streaking.
Figure.
Small imperfections.
Everything working together instead of matching perfectly.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
This DeUno Cajon sat on the end of my bench for months with nothing but sanding sealer on it while I worked through customer orders.
The longer it sat there, the more interesting the materials became to me.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
The longer it sat there, the more interesting the materials became to me.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
May 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
This DeUno Cajon sat on the end of my bench for months with nothing but sanding sealer on it while I worked through customer orders.
The longer it sat there, the more interesting the materials became to me.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
The longer it sat there, the more interesting the materials became to me.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
This DeUno Cajon has been sitting on the end of my bench for months while I worked through customer orders.
Every time I walk by it, I notice something different in the materials.
Tomorrow’s video is about that.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
Every time I walk by it, I notice something different in the materials.
Tomorrow’s video is about that.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
May 7, 2026 at 4:09 PM
This DeUno Cajon has been sitting on the end of my bench for months while I worked through customer orders.
Every time I walk by it, I notice something different in the materials.
Tomorrow’s video is about that.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
Every time I walk by it, I notice something different in the materials.
Tomorrow’s video is about that.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion #Cajon
Many people picture a box you sit on when they hear Cajon.
This is a Segundo Cuban Cajon, held between the knees and played from the front.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Segundo Cuban Cajon, held between the knees and played from the front.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
April 28, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Many people picture a box you sit on when they hear Cajon.
This is a Segundo Cuban Cajon, held between the knees and played from the front.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Segundo Cuban Cajon, held between the knees and played from the front.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
I think most people picture one thing when they hear Cajon.
This is a Tumba and Segundo Cuban Cajon.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Tumba and Segundo Cuban Cajon.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
April 26, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I think most people picture one thing when they hear Cajon.
This is a Tumba and Segundo Cuban Cajon.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Tumba and Segundo Cuban Cajon.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
Many people picture one thing when they hear Cajon.
This is a Cuban Cajon setup using a Tumba and Segundo.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Cuban Cajon setup using a Tumba and Segundo.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
April 25, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Many people picture one thing when they hear Cajon.
This is a Cuban Cajon setup using a Tumba and Segundo.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
This is a Cuban Cajon setup using a Tumba and Segundo.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
Spalted maple.
This is what happens when fungus moves through the wood. It leaves behind lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
This is what happens when fungus moves through the wood. It leaves behind lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
April 24, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Spalted maple.
This is what happens when fungus moves through the wood. It leaves behind lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
This is what happens when fungus moves through the wood. It leaves behind lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
Naphtha wipe on spalted maple.
Shows the figure and contrast already in the wood.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
Shows the figure and contrast already in the wood.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
April 23, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Naphtha wipe on spalted maple.
Shows the figure and contrast already in the wood.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
Shows the figure and contrast already in the wood.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
Spalted maple just came into the shop.
This is what happens when fungus starts working through the wood. It leaves behind these lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
This one’s got a lot going on already.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
This is what happens when fungus starts working through the wood. It leaves behind these lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
This one’s got a lot going on already.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
April 22, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Spalted maple just came into the shop.
This is what happens when fungus starts working through the wood. It leaves behind these lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
This one’s got a lot going on already.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
This is what happens when fungus starts working through the wood. It leaves behind these lines and patterns you can’t replicate.
No two pieces ever come out the same.
This one’s got a lot going on already.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion
Looking through the port after the finish is laid in.
Interior sealed with shellac. Label set.
This part stays hidden once it leaves the shop, but it still matters.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #handcrafted #percussion
Interior sealed with shellac. Label set.
This part stays hidden once it leaves the shop, but it still matters.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #handcrafted #percussion
April 16, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Looking through the port after the finish is laid in.
Interior sealed with shellac. Label set.
This part stays hidden once it leaves the shop, but it still matters.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #handcrafted #percussion
Interior sealed with shellac. Label set.
This part stays hidden once it leaves the shop, but it still matters.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #handcrafted #percussion
This is one of the quieter parts of the build.
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Before the drum is ever played, the inside gets sealed.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #instrumentmaking
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Before the drum is ever played, the inside gets sealed.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #instrumentmaking
April 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This is one of the quieter parts of the build.
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Before the drum is ever played, the inside gets sealed.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #instrumentmaking
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Before the drum is ever played, the inside gets sealed.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #instrumentmaking
This is one of the quieter parts of the build.
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Inside the drum before anything else happens.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Inside the drum before anything else happens.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion
April 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This is one of the quieter parts of the build.
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Inside the drum before anything else happens.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion
Just a brush, shellac, and the wood.
Inside the drum before anything else happens.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion
Some of this work looks the same.
Same steps.
Same order.
Every time.
The difference comes from consistency over time—
and trying to improve, even just a little, every day.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
Same steps.
Same order.
Every time.
The difference comes from consistency over time—
and trying to improve, even just a little, every day.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
April 11, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Some of this work looks the same.
Same steps.
Same order.
Every time.
The difference comes from consistency over time—
and trying to improve, even just a little, every day.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
Same steps.
Same order.
Every time.
The difference comes from consistency over time—
and trying to improve, even just a little, every day.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
Glue-up is where everything comes together.
No shortcuts—just doing it correctly.
Same steps. Same order. Every time.
That’s where quality comes from.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
No shortcuts—just doing it correctly.
Same steps. Same order. Every time.
That’s where quality comes from.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
April 9, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Glue-up is where everything comes together.
No shortcuts—just doing it correctly.
Same steps. Same order. Every time.
That’s where quality comes from.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
No shortcuts—just doing it correctly.
Same steps. Same order. Every time.
That’s where quality comes from.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
Maple. Cherry. Walnut. Mahogany.
You heard the difference.
Same shape. Same build.
The sound is in the wood.
Available now:
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #Percussion #Claves #Drummers #Percussionist
You heard the difference.
Same shape. Same build.
The sound is in the wood.
Available now:
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #Percussion #Claves #Drummers #Percussionist
April 8, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Maple. Cherry. Walnut. Mahogany.
You heard the difference.
Same shape. Same build.
The sound is in the wood.
Available now:
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #Percussion #Claves #Drummers #Percussionist
You heard the difference.
Same shape. Same build.
The sound is in the wood.
Available now:
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #Percussion #Claves #Drummers #Percussionist
Maple. Cherry. Walnut. Mahogany.
Four different woods.
Four different sounds.
Nothing about the shape changes.
That’s what you’re hearing.
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #claves #percussion
Four different woods.
Four different sounds.
Nothing about the shape changes.
That’s what you’re hearing.
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #claves #percussion
April 7, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Maple. Cherry. Walnut. Mahogany.
Four different woods.
Four different sounds.
Nothing about the shape changes.
That’s what you’re hearing.
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #claves #percussion
Four different woods.
Four different sounds.
Nothing about the shape changes.
That’s what you’re hearing.
https://www.kopfpercussion.com/professional-claves-set-walnut-mahogany-cherry-maple/
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion #claves #percussion
Mahogany. Walnut. Maple. Cherry.
Same form. Four distinct voices.
A closer look before you hear them.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
Same form. Four distinct voices.
A closer look before you hear them.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
April 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Mahogany. Walnut. Maple. Cherry.
Same form. Four distinct voices.
A closer look before you hear them.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
Same form. Four distinct voices.
A closer look before you hear them.
#TheKopfSound #KopfPercussion
Same redwood burl—first coat of sanding sealer.
Still wet.
Not added color. Same figure from the naphtha wipe, now locking in.
This is where the surface starts to hold what the wood already has.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
Still wet.
Not added color. Same figure from the naphtha wipe, now locking in.
This is where the surface starts to hold what the wood already has.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
April 1, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Same redwood burl—first coat of sanding sealer.
Still wet.
Not added color. Same figure from the naphtha wipe, now locking in.
This is where the surface starts to hold what the wood already has.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
Still wet.
Not added color. Same figure from the naphtha wipe, now locking in.
This is where the surface starts to hold what the wood already has.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
This grain is unreal.
Redwood burl. No finish.
The character is already there—the process just brings it forward.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
Redwood burl. No finish.
The character is already there—the process just brings it forward.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
March 31, 2026 at 2:31 PM
This grain is unreal.
Redwood burl. No finish.
The character is already there—the process just brings it forward.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
Redwood burl. No finish.
The character is already there—the process just brings it forward.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood
Redwood burl in its raw state. No finish—just the material as it sits on the bench.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood #redwoodburl
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood #redwoodburl
March 30, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Redwood burl in its raw state. No finish—just the material as it sits on the bench.
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood #redwoodburl
#TonewoodStories #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #tonewood #redwoodburl
Box joint.
When everything lines up, it doesn’t need force—just pressure and it seats clean.
That fit is what makes the whole piece work.
#BuiltAtKopf #woodworking #boxjoint #joinery #cajon
When everything lines up, it doesn’t need force—just pressure and it seats clean.
That fit is what makes the whole piece work.
#BuiltAtKopf #woodworking #boxjoint #joinery #cajon
March 29, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Box joint.
When everything lines up, it doesn’t need force—just pressure and it seats clean.
That fit is what makes the whole piece work.
#BuiltAtKopf #woodworking #boxjoint #joinery #cajon
When everything lines up, it doesn’t need force—just pressure and it seats clean.
That fit is what makes the whole piece work.
#BuiltAtKopf #woodworking #boxjoint #joinery #cajon
Box joints coming together on a cajon build.
Cut clean, tuned by hand, and dry fit.
This is where the work shows.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #handcrafted
Cut clean, tuned by hand, and dry fit.
This is where the work shows.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #handcrafted
March 28, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Box joints coming together on a cajon build.
Cut clean, tuned by hand, and dry fit.
This is where the work shows.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #handcrafted
Cut clean, tuned by hand, and dry fit.
This is where the work shows.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #woodworking #cajon #handcrafted
Box joints being cut on a cajon build.
Clean cuts, careful layout, and getting each joint right. This is where accuracy starts to show—and where everything depends on it.
Simple joinery, but no room for error.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #joinery
Clean cuts, careful layout, and getting each joint right. This is where accuracy starts to show—and where everything depends on it.
Simple joinery, but no room for error.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #joinery
March 28, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Box joints being cut on a cajon build.
Clean cuts, careful layout, and getting each joint right. This is where accuracy starts to show—and where everything depends on it.
Simple joinery, but no room for error.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #joinery
Clean cuts, careful layout, and getting each joint right. This is where accuracy starts to show—and where everything depends on it.
Simple joinery, but no room for error.
#BuiltAtKopf #KopfPercussion #cajon #woodworking #joinery
Just a box.
That’s the point.
No excess. No distraction.
Form, material, and response.
The challenge is in what you don’t add.
That’s what I keep coming back to when I build these.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
That’s the point.
No excess. No distraction.
Form, material, and response.
The challenge is in what you don’t add.
That’s what I keep coming back to when I build these.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
March 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Just a box.
That’s the point.
No excess. No distraction.
Form, material, and response.
The challenge is in what you don’t add.
That’s what I keep coming back to when I build these.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
That’s the point.
No excess. No distraction.
Form, material, and response.
The challenge is in what you don’t add.
That’s what I keep coming back to when I build these.
#CraftOverHype #KopfPercussion
It’s just a box.
That’s what drew me to it.
The simpler something looks, the harder it is to get right. There’s nowhere to hide—every detail shows.
I’ll break this down more tomorrow.
#woodworking #cajon #craftsmanship
That’s what drew me to it.
The simpler something looks, the harder it is to get right. There’s nowhere to hide—every detail shows.
I’ll break this down more tomorrow.
#woodworking #cajon #craftsmanship
March 24, 2026 at 10:59 PM
It’s just a box.
That’s what drew me to it.
The simpler something looks, the harder it is to get right. There’s nowhere to hide—every detail shows.
I’ll break this down more tomorrow.
#woodworking #cajon #craftsmanship
That’s what drew me to it.
The simpler something looks, the harder it is to get right. There’s nowhere to hide—every detail shows.
I’ll break this down more tomorrow.
#woodworking #cajon #craftsmanship