That "sand block" sound is a relatively new technique in string playing called "chopping". Check out Casey Driessen - the God of Chopping here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WStSTeLWg38.html and here's a live version ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O3PUrkVQZ3c.html