The POCKET! Washboard
The Drum Set that fits in your Backpack
Loved by percussionists and beginners alike! Play a full percussion set in an acoustic environment - any groove, anywhere.
Who we are
We are Cincinnati Washboards, driven by a passion to build the most versatile and mobile percussion set ever.
What started as a quick fix for a gig in 2015 became a mission to create a musician’s washboard, crafted from patent-pending designs and sustainably sourced materials. Since launching the first-ever washboard designed specifically for music, we’ve been embraced by musicians from around the world.
Designed and Handmade in Argentina
Every washboard is carefully crafted to ensure superior sound, durability, and portability, making it more than just an instrument—it’s a tool of creative expression.
By blending traditional techniques with modern design, and using only the finest acoustic materials, our washboards deliver an unmatched musical experience, wherever the rhythm takes you.
Learn to Play with Ease
Getting started with the Cincinnati Washboard is simple and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or picking up an instrument for the first time, you’ll be able to create rhythms and grooves in no time.
G
I am a swing dancer from South Korea, and I purchased this based on the recommendation of a well-known Korean swing dancer, 'Moon'.
Playing this washboard is incredibly fun and absolutely fantastic! I bought it to enjoy swing jazz even more, and it has turned out to be the most perfect choice.
I’ll be continuously uploading photos and videos of my washboard playing on my Instagram, so check out @gold_Kim_log! Thank you for making such an amazing instrument.
A
Love the bundle! The quality is fantastic, such fun to play. The preinstalled hotel bell locations weren’t working for me, and Cincinnati kindly gave me clear instructions on how to relocate the bells without damaging anything — even included labelled photos to help me out. Great washboard, wonderful support, can’t fault!
E
I use the washboard to improv with other musicians. It allows for a lot of expression, and is just a lot of fun to use! The craftsmanship is great. My only issues were that all of the thimbles are too big for me, and one of the bells arrived damaged. It was fixable though!
A
Good sound !
There's a problem with the cymbal mounting system! It's hard to secure it so it doesn't move during a performance. There's also a screw missing from the woodblocks! Considering the price, it's a bit of a letdown.
D
I love my Big Ol Rusted Cincinnati Washboard, and have attached many fun additions, playing over 100 shows a year with my band MoonCats! We perform all over the USA with plenty of washboard songs in our catalog! Before this one, I went through many others that would break and I wound need a quick replacement. Thanks to Cincinnati I've been able to keep the same board which is huge for me. Pro tip-keep in a hard shell luggage case for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our washboards are crafted for versatility—whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, reggae, or hip-hop, you can create grooves to fit any genre. Think of it as your mini drum set that travels with you and adapts to whatever beat you want to play!
Each washboard size has its perks. The Big gives you more space to work with, ideal if you want room to experiment with more accessories. The Small is compact yet powerful, while the Pocket is ultra-portable, delivering big sound wherever you go. You won’t go wrong with any option you pick!
Cincinnati Washboards are customizable, so you can set yours up with a range of percussion accessories to create a setup that fits your style. Play it standing up with the included shoulder strap, using thimbles or spoons, or play it seated, placing it on a snare stand and using brushes. Add our Washboard Jam Blocks, Washboard Cymbal (or get both included with the Road Trip or Big Boss bundles!), or nearly any percussion accessory to make it truly yours. Experiment and find the perfect setup!
Not at all! Our washboards are designed for everyone, from beginners to seasoned musicians. It’s easy to pick up and start experimenting with rhythms, making it a fun choice for all ages and skill levels.
Absolutely! The washboard’s natural resonance makes it an ideal instrument for acoustic sessions. It complements guitars, ukuleles, and other unplugged instruments perfectly, creating a rich, organic sound for spontaneous jam sessions.
Versatile, mobile, and powerful—Cincinnati Washboards are the ideal percussion set to play any genre of music, anywhere. While traditional drums require setup and space, our washboards are easy to carry and quick to play, letting you take your rhythm wherever you go.
Our washboards are crafted for making music, not laundry. We use sustainably-sourced materials and modern manufacturing methods to create a product that’s simply better for playing. Our passion to make the washboard the most versatile and mobile percussion instrument ever drives us to innovate with washboard-specific accessories like our washboard cymbal, cymbal support, jam blocks, and the Pocket’s unique, patent-pending resonator box design.