I'm beginning to wish I'd gone with the MR-8 instead of the VF-80. I'm still trying to navigate my way around the owner's manual to figure out how to do stuff.
I did take a cue from your efforts, dyoub. This afternoon I went to the local Ace Hardware store and purchased a washboard. Then on my weekly trip to the evil Walton empire store I purchased some thimbles.
Over time I hope to also acquire some bodhrans in different sizes and a guiro. Then my percussion selections available will be versatile, easy to store, easy to play, cheap, and less noisy than a full-blown drum kit [since I live in an apartment].