Zinc King #703 Lingerie Washboard
The "Stradivarius" of musical washboards
Antique washboards for traditional folk percussionists. Featuring the legendary Zinc King #703, the rub board serious rhythm artists long for and desire. Over 200 Sold!
We constantly scour the planet for these boards. If sold out, click "Email me when Back-In-Stock" link to get notified when a board enters the inventory. (Link is below "add to cart" button on product page.) You might also check theBargain Bin.
Genuine Vintage Zinc King #703 made by the National Washboard Company This is "the Stradivarius of musical washboards," says Grammy award winning songster, storyteller, and multi-instrumentalist, David Holt. He should know. After all, his Folk Rhythms DVD is the definitive video for learning how to play the washboard (plus bones, spoons, hambone and even the paper bag).
David Holt learned to play the washboard from 123 year old Susie Brunson.
"She said this was the only instrument they had in the black community of Bamberg, SC when she was a little girl in the 1870s. Susie was very insistent that most of the rhythm was made with tapping rather than scraping."
Small Compact Size
He describes his washboard as "a Zinc King Lingerie model from the 1920s." Yes, David Holt is talking about our model #703. And although some washboard artists prefer larger models, "The size of the washboard," he insists, "does not improve the sound."
So just to be clear, washboards come in two basic sizes: Large and small. The Zinc King Lingerie #703 is a small pail-size washboard.
David Holt shows how to play the Zinc King #703 Washboard
Broad Selection
About the only way you can latch onto a genuine Zinc King #703 nowadays is at an antique shop, flea market, garage sale, estate auction or granny's attic. Beware of phony 703s, makeshift versions, hidden damage and missing parts - especially on eBay. (I've got a pile of bad eBay boards in the basement.) Of course, none of these places offer you the broad selection of specially selected vintage musical washboards you can get right here on this web page.
What Makes This Washboard So Special? You can boil it down to three factors:
1. Zinc Rub Surface Creates Appealing Tone The ribbed and textured surface produces a full rich euphonious sound. Unlike other boards that are shrill or ringy, the timbre is relatively mellow and understated (at least for a washboard). I suppose the galvanized (zinc coated) metal, which is probably tin, must be largely responsible for the distinctive warm tone.
2. Wooden Back Panels Resonate Sound The two wooden panels on the backside form an enclosure behind the zinc rubbing surface. This creates a resonating chamber that adds tonality and helps drive the sound - kind of like a drum. Model #703 is one of the few washboards that sport such a chamber.
3. Brilliant Floating Construction Boosts Harmonics The frame design is elegantly simple and compact. The metal rubbing surface floats - and resonates - within a deceptively simple tongue & groove and rabbeted framework. So the entire unit is amazingly sturdy yet flexible. That's why the whole darn structure rattles when you play it. And it is all secured in this vibratory state with just four small strategically placed nails. What's more, no elements stick out, fall off, or snag at you.
Which Washboard Grade is Right for You? Every Zinc King #703 washboard we sell is a fine playing vintage instrument. All parts, including the two back panels, are intact and in good working order. For all practical purposes each washboard plays just as well as the next. The difference in price merely reflects the outward appearance of the wood, the rubbing surface, and the ink.
Washboards in all grades below are antique objects that might show signs of age, wear or inconsequential damage such as small chips, water staining and paint spots from long term storage or display.
Good Might show scuffs, scratches, minor cracks in wood. Ink might be faded or missing. Might show conspicuous corrosion, soap residue or other slight imperfections. No significant cracks in wood frame. No pin holes, cracks or breaks in metal rubbing surface. No serious ruts, dents or substantial scratches (i.e. washboard was not a musical instrument in former life). No missing panels. No missing parts. Framework is sturdy yet flexible. Washboard has been around the block a few times but is eminently playable.
Better Overall better condition.
Near Mint Light wear. Hardly used. Little or no corrosion. Ink color and print quality usually good, but not always. Might show signs of age and wear from storage or display.
Mint Appears unused. Ink color and print quality usually good, but not always. Might show signs of age and wear from storage or display. Belongs in a museum. Don't know why you would want to scrape up a fine antique relic like this to play music on it though.
How to Attach Accessories: The wood on vintage washboards is bone dry and brittle with age. So avoid hammering nails or tacks into the washboard because the wood is likely to crack. The safer way to add accessories and hardware is to drill holes with a sharp wood-cutting bit, then attach with bolts (preferably) or screws.
Grading Scale in a Nutshell: The weathered ones cost less, the clean unblemished ones cost more.
