Here’s some shots of my newly renovated washboard – when you compare it to the original, I hope I’ve made it better and not simply ruined a true antique. I decided to make any amendments to the piece as in-keeping as possible, using galvanised bits of metal where appropriate (rather than brass or copper, say) and keeping to one additional colour of black for the strap and add-ons.
After rubbing down the wooden frame, I gave it a couple of coats of Danish Oil – the wood proved to be a really nice colour under all that dirt and mold! The frame is pretty rotten in places unfortunately, but should hold together given careful use.
I also scrubbed down the metal washboard itself with some wire wool and soap. Again, it came up looking pretty good once a lot of the corrosion had been removed. It’s a bit dented, and has even corroded right thought in a few tiny spots, but again I think it will hold up ok in it’s new usage.
I decided not to replace the curved struts on the back – the board is clearly not going to get as much pressure from simply being played as an instrument compared to its original role. I also decided not to replace the thin piece of wood that used to sit behind the uppermost parts of the frame – it didn’t seem to serve much purpose and was so rotten I’d have had to had made a new one that may not have matched the overall look too well?
I added a strap (made from a very old belt of mine – never throw anything away!) held in place by between galvanised crimping plates, screwed into place.
For added interest whilst playing, I’ve added two bells (both sprayed black) on to one of the sides – one from an old alarm clock and one from a bicycle bell. Such additions to washboards seem common (having done some internet research) and I’m looking out for something else for the other side – any suggestions? (I’ll paint the screw heads black too at one point – I realise from the photo how rubbish they currently look!).
Finally, I bought four metal thimbles from an excellent local sewing shop (I asked if anyone had ever been in to purchase thimbles for this purpose and both assistants looked pretty perplexed!). I bought two size 18s and two 17s to fit my different sized fingers – did you know thimbles came in ‘sizes’, because I sure didn’t!? I’ve added four pieces of dowel to the inside of the upper strut so the thimbles can be slipped into place when the board is not being played.
All in all I’m really pleased with the final outcome – now I just need to learn how to play it!! Not being a percussionist of any sort, I luckily have some friends who play in Cajun bands who I am hoping will give me a few pointers!? I’ll also aim to record it / use it in a piece of music soon so will post up the results asap…
Hi Clive,
You did a real nice job renovating your washboard!
I have a web page called “Jazz Up Your Washboard” (http://www.squidoo.com/washboards) and it would be great to have a link to this article from the comments/guestbook if you where willing to.
I’ve been playing the washboard for about 4 years now, it’s a great instrument I hope you have fun with it too!
Best wishes,
Steve – Evets – Rattlebrained
Dear Steve,
Hi there and thanks so much for your nice comment! I’ve just had a quick look through your site and it’s fabulous – I wish I’d known about it before I’d done my renovations!! Really interesting stuff on there…
I’m glad you think I did an ok job on the board – I was a bit nervous about ruining it!! Will definitely add a link to your site (and vica versa if you fancy!) and I’ll stick you in the Blogroll also… Keep in touch – I’ll let you now how I get on with learning to play the board!
Cheers! Clive
…(and vica versa if you fancy!)…
That would be great!
You’ve turned that old rotten washboard into a real instrument! ;-)
Also, from what I can see the metal on yours has a real nice profile, which so far I’ve only seen on washboards from England, and it (the metal) looks in fine condition. I had a similar one but unfortunately the metal was so old that it started to fall apart after I had played on it for only a week or so.
In any case you don’t really need that many add on’s, many folk and blues music washboard players don’t have any at all or just a cymbal or bell.
For instance Walker T/Papa Soul, (http://www.myspace.com/walkertryanpapasoul) a blues duo fro Oregon, Papa Soul just has a bell that he hits with his brushes which adds a cool little “ping” here and there.
To tell you the truth, the better I get at playing the less I use most of the things I’ve put on mine…
Cheers,
Steve
Dear Steve,
Thanks again – have added your site to my Blogroll! Thanks for that other info too…
Weirdly, this evening I went to see Fairport Convention play, and as their encore they did this new strange tune all on ukes – their drummer Gerry Conway came on stage with a washboard!! It must be fate!
Thanks again and stay in touch!
Cheers
Clive
[…] it should be the first in my range of ‘Peculiar Percussion’, but I’m thinking my washboard project probably deserves the Number 1 […]
[…] 29, 2009 by clivebatkin Anyone who read this old post on my washboard renovation project, will recall that I was looking for an additional bell/chime/noisy thing to add to the right hand […]