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The Wah Wah tubes (top left) produce an eerie sound when hit with a rubber-tipped beater

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Meinl might be better known for its genre-defying range of cymbals, but the German giant has designed and developed a staggering catalogue of hand percussion as well. Many of these products have won trade awards and the company's innovative approach has garnered an impressive artist endorsement roster.

Meinl has not only produced a comprehensive set of mainstream percussion instruments, but has sought out interesting new innovations. So what has it got to tempt us with this time?

Build

First up is the Palito, which is basically a scaled-down string cajon. While offering many of the features of Meinl's full-size models, it definitely isn't designed to be sat on. Measuring just 30cmx20cmx13cm, the Palito's body is constructed from Meinl's generic rubber wood with an exotic and attractive makah-burl tapa (playing surface).

The side opposite the tapa has four rubber feet, so you can even play the instrument on a tabletop. Even better, two steel guitar strings lie against the inside of the tapa, giving your strokes a subtle snap.

"As far as shakers go, Meinl's UFO is the star, with a bigger sound than standard eggs but the same controllability"

Following the Palito, Meinl's professional series 10"-headed tambourines are offered in various depths. They both feature a beautifully responsive fixed goat-skin head and a choice of various different jingle sets.

Mighty Wah Wah

Next in line are the ghostly Wah Wah tubes. These surprisingly weighty steel tubes are sealed with a plastic plug at one end and are easy to play by striking the other end with the rubber-tipped beater provided.

Developed exclusively for Meinl by percussion artist Bill Saragosa, the Spark shakers consist of perforated black metal casings containing fairly substantial shot. They're easy to cup and can produce many tones and effects as a result.

A variation on this model – the Spin Spark shaker – features a regular Spark shaker joined to a circular metal base that radically changes the pitch.

The third shaker on offer, Meinl's innovative Wah Wah, is small enough to be cupped in the hand, made of wood and constructed with two chambers joined by a plastic membrane.

Finally, we have the curiously entitled UFO shaker (above) – so called because of its ergonomic shape. It's an effortlessly playable instrument, whether held in the palm or by its edges. Made from black plastic, extremely light and with a featherweight filling, this would be a great choice for subtle live usage but is perfect for the studio.

Hands on

After playing full-size cajons, you may wonder what the diminutive Palito can offer, but if you think more bongo-like you'll be in the right ballpark. The Palito possesses reasonable bass tone in the middle of the tapa, with mids and slaps being responsive and controllable if you fine-tune the screws on the top.