r/FolkPunk • u/MiddleCriticism6243 • 5d ago

Washboard

I Thrifted a washboard it’s kind of old and I was wondering if the wood in the back if it was shaky wood change the sound of the wash board also, I’m having a hard time getting the symbols to stick on my fingers if I stick something into symbols will it change the sound?

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u/mrspecial 5d ago

Your question is a little confusing. Maybe try and retype it and someone can probably hop in and help.
I think the last question is about using thimbles? If you put stuff over your fingers to help them stay in it shouldn’t change the sound at all. I think you could probably hunt around and find smaller ones if you need to, I’m not sure where people get them though

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 5d ago

Hey sorry I was using talk to text and it really fucked up my message. I got some thimbles and they don’t really fit on my fingers I figured duck tape might do the trick? But the wood on the back of my washboard is kinda wobbly and was wondering if that would change the sound? of my board and some of the grooves are dented.

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u/mrspecial 5d ago

I don’t think the wood being wobbly would affect the sound too much, but it might make it fall apart a lot faster. I’d tighten that up if possible, it all kind of depends on the type of washboard.
Dented grooves will change it depending on how dented, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Whatever you figure out to keep the thimbles on should be fine. I’ve seen people cut up bandanas and put them in there, I’ve seen people tape them to their fingers. I’d probably use electrical tape instead of duct tape. You could also try and put the tape inside the thimbles. As long as they are touching the washboard it will sound the same, doesn’t matter what goes between your fingers and the thimbles.

Good luck with it!

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u/MiddleCriticism6243 5d ago

Thankyou so much!!

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u/KresblainTheMagician 4d ago

I tried thimbles with my washboard and didnt like them, so I use banjo finger picks that I got for my banjo but dont use, those feel a lot better. I've seen players use spoons and plaster knives as well. It doesn't have to be thimbles.