About Us

Boney Fingers Washboards manifested from a need.  As a drummer and percussionist for decades, I found a need for a different type of percussion instrument, one that can replace a drum set, but not just portable drums.

I think cajons are great, drum kits and percussion instruments too, but what I needed required something unique, nostalgic and would really grab peoples attention.

Boney Fingers Musical Washboards was started  in 2012, while I was in a Dixieland band.  It was a doosey!  I called it "The Monster!"

Made from a full size National Washboard Company Brass King, I ripped a Zinc King lingerie model in half (longways) and mounted it on top of the full sized Brass.  It was a huge hit!  If i played drum set and didn't break out the washboard for a show, i heard about it from the spectators!

I'll never forget how scary it was taking apart my first 80 year old washboard to refurbish it.

Before long, I was building a custom musical washboard for every group that I performed with (even if i played drum set in the band) for every need that arose, including beach or campfire jam nights!

I spent years banging on things to get the right sounds and building washboards.  It took years before i knew what types of things sounded good when mounted to a washboard instrument. 

I got more and more creative.  I built and mounted a small, sensitive snare on a washboard and wow!  Now i had a whole new sound!

After having neck issues from wearing the monster, i shopped for a full sized video harness.  It was expensive, but it did the trick!

I realized I also wanted a lighter, smaller, more portable washboard, so I started building with Zinc King Lingerie models.

I loved the simplicity of the smaller models and how I could just wear it over my shoulder and walk around town and shop before a gig.

It sure is a conversation starter!

I never planned on building these to make money.  In fact, for years I said i would never do it, because they are not cheap to make and take up way too much time to build to be profitable.  But then I was approached by another washboard player to add pickups to her washboard.  It was a great feeling to work on a washboard for another musician and make it stronger, more playable, more ergonomic and plug and play ready!

Now I want others to benefit from all of the years I spent buying parts, failing over and over, learning one thing at a time and finally getting it right.  

I realized how great it would feel to see one of my washboards on stage, being played by someone other than me.

Not only that, I want other drum set players to know that there is another option to being the hardest working person in the band and moving tones of equipment; a musical washboard instrument!

Combine this with a cajon kick drum and you have the ultimate portable drum set!

I moved drum sets for decades and realized how amazingly liberating it is to be able to carry everything i need to perform!

Drum set players take to washboard instruments like a fish to water.

in fact, anyone who bangs on tables or taps on their chest almost automatically becomes a washboard player!

A washboard is simply a great way to add percussion to a band, as well as add diversity, interest, and flavor.

Be sure to read "About Our Products" to learn about the differences in the washboards and how they compare.