23 August 2010
article by Rattlebrained
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Uh-oh, this week I noticed that I had rubbed through a few ribs of one of my Zinc King 703s! Not surprising if you use them like I do, but unfortunate nevertheless…
First things first: take the washboard apart and reassemble it with the backside forward, so that the rubbed through “top of the ribs” holes will become “inside of the rib holes”, if you get my meaning. The only issue with doing this is that thin brushes can get caught in the holes…
20 April 2010
article by Rattlebrained
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Piezo mic, volume pot, guitar output jack, a bit of work and presto: electric washboard!
But why? you may ask. Because… why not? For fun? A spark of the old punk spirit? Perhaps. Last fall, friend Blaise gave me a piezo mic that he had soldered via some wire to an output jack. A fun thing to have around since you can stick it on to whatever you what with a piece of tape and see what sounds you can make. And it was to put on my washboard but till now, the nagging question: then…
1 February 2008
article by Rattlebrained
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When I first started playing the washboard, I though it would be fun to use magnet to stick things that make noises to it. But with it being made of zinc or aluminum, not sure, I was forced to glue magnets on the washboard behind the metal. This was fun but it was never really that convenient.
17 November 2007
article by Rattlebrained
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Last week I decided that I needed a new washboard, after all I only have four. The fact is that I have now been spoiled by my Zinc King National 703, before which my only reference was the old super heavy duty Swiss scrubboard that I first picked up. Made of birch wood the whole thing is as strong as they come, a fact that unfortunately does not translate into exciting sound.
24 June 2007
article by Rattlebrained
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We played last night for the private party of an aerodrome club in nearby France. It was fun even if I still drag along a feeling of not playing well enough for the rest of the band. Uselessly stressful and probably somewhat the cause of my not playing as well as I can in a relaxed setting. Something to work on in any case.
Since I would like to do some street playing with Dave…
24 January 2007
article by Rattlebrained
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About two years ago my life was considerably changed by sheer chance: I was asked to replace the rhythm guitarist in a blues trio for a gig in a local bar. Having not touched my guitar in more years than I care to say and with only had two weeks to get ready it was a crazy idea. But my friends, bless them, were insistent and playing music with other people a life long dream so…
It was a disaster waiting to happen…