So u gonna make the shells and all from scratch? I was looking at some sites not to long ago and they were all about construction materials and the effects of the sound. Like the shape of the rim and the wood used. Solid staves verses plys. I made a set of bongos with maple staves and birch ply heads that sounds pretty darn good. I also have made many cajons and tongue drums. I'll try to find you some links. Or were you gonna order the shells and install the hardware and do the finish? I think incorperatating bananas would be cool. Even if it looked like a banana leaf was wrapped around it. I was wondering what to put on my cajons! lol
Bongos:
See the papaya seeds drying in the background?