Vintage Zinc King Lingerie Washboard, #703
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 seem to come in two sizes: Full-size and small. The Zinc King 703 is a small 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 eBay. But none of those places offers you as broad a selection than 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.
Good
Might show wood scuffs and scratches, minor cracks, missing or faded ink, conspicuous corrosion, or other imperfections. No significant cracks in frame, no ruts or serious dents, and no 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. Minor corrosion.
Near Mint
Light wear. Hardly used. Usually good ink color. Little or no corrosion.
Mint
Appears unused. Don't know why you would want to scrape up a fine antique relic like this to play music on it though.
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 screws.
Grading Scale in a Nutshell:
The weathered ones cost less, the clean unblemished ones cost more.
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