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.
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.
R
I'm a drummer by trade.
A friend pointed me to your website, https://cincinnatiwashboards.com.
I watched a few videos and was quickly impressed.
After unpacking it, I naturally wanted to try out the board as soon as possible.
I took it to a rehearsal that evening.
Playing and experimenting with the board is instantly fun.
Since then, I've been using it as often as I can at jam sessions, and it's already planned for future band projects.
Thank you! It's a blast!
Best regards, Reinhard from Vienna
J
I had a long wait to get my Road Trip Washboard due to customs and some shipping mishaps, but Tim was quick to respond to my emails when I let him know there was a problem he would need to resolve. Excellent customer service!
When I unpackaged my washboard, one of my bells was inconsistent, but I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to unscrew the top, adjust the beater, and put it back together. This gives me confidence that the instrument is easy to repair and maintain if any issues arise down the road. +1 for a user/player-friendly construction.
Onto the actual washboard. The sound is excellent, with a tone that is both dark and bright, the bells are full and resonant, the two woodblocks are bright and punchy, and the cymbal is great for hits or to ride on. The neck strap is easy to adjust, there is a little bag for your thimbles, and a couple of spots where you could easily mount another item. Plus a carrying bag!
5*, can't recommend enough.
B
I’ve been using the Classic Big Boss Bundle from Cincinnati Washboards and picked up the Small Lil’ Rusted Washboard to add a contrasting voice—and it does exactly that.
The smaller surface shifts the playing approach toward more wrist and finger articulation, making it ideal for tighter patterns, ghost notes, and dynamic control. The “rusted” texture isn’t just visual—it produces a drier, more compressed tone with a pronounced midrange and sharper attack compared to the fuller, more open response of the Big Boss.
Articulation with thimbles is especially clean, with great tactile feedback for nuanced sticking (drags, flams, syncopation). It sits in the mix more like an auxiliary snare—focused, controlled, and texturally distinct—rather than a full wash.
This isn’t a replacement for a larger board, but a highly musical complement. If you’re looking to expand your tonal palette and gain more precision in articulation, it delivers.
B
I came into this purchase already familiar with the washboard — I had been playing one I found at a local antique store for some time, and it served me well. But once I got my hands on the Cincinnati Washboard Big Boss Bundle, there was simply no comparison. This is a serious step up in every respect.
The first thing you notice is the wash surface. It is noticeably tighter than what you get on a vintage find, and that tautness translates directly into sound quality — the tone is crisper, more resonant, and far more dynamic. Whether you are working soft rhythms or laying into it hard, the instrument responds with a clarity and projection that my antique board just could not match.
The additional features included in the bundle are equally impressive. They are thoughtfully designed, feel substantial in hand, and integrate naturally into your playing. Nothing feels like an afterthought — it is clear that real musicians had input in putting this package together.
And then there is the customer service. In my experience, great customer service is rare, but Cincinnati Washboard delivered. Responsive, friendly, and genuinely helpful — the kind of experience that makes you feel good about a company and keeps you coming back.
If you are on the fence about upgrading from a vintage or bargain board, stop deliberating. The Big Boss Bundle is the real deal.
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.