The Top Notch #701 washboard sports a metal rubbing surface with "corn row" furrows and distinctive herringbone pattern corrugated flutes. This texture is favored by players who prefer these large instruments made by the National Washboard Company. The design is great for players who need to drive home a more robust and solid tone than the diminutive Zinc King Lingerie #703 can deliver.
Large Family Size
The Zinc King Top Notch #701 washboard is a large family-size washboard. It is significantly larger and heavier than the legendary Zinc King Lingerie #703.
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. The Zinc King Top Notch #701 is a large family-size washboard.
Broad Selection
About the only way you can latch onto a genuine vintage Zinc King Top Notch #701 washboard nowadays is at an antique shop, flea market, garage sale, estate auction or granny's attic. Beware of 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 zinc metal must be largely responsible for the distinctive warm tone.
2. Wooden Back Ribs Resonate Sound
The five wooden ribs on the backside form a partial enclosure behind the zinc rubbing surface. This creates a resonating chamber that adds tonality and helps drive the sound - kind of like a drum. These five ribs are standard on all large open back National Washboard Company products in our shop.
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 six 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 Top Notch #701 washboard we sell is a fine playing vintage instrument. All parts, including the five back ribs, are intact and in good working order. For all practical purposes each Zinc King #701 washboard plays just as good 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 back ribs. 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 or soap residue. Ink color and print quality usually good, but not always.
Mint
Appears unused. Ink color and print quality usually good, but not always. Little or no corrosion. 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.
