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Narrow Lignum Vitae (aka ironwood) Bones
World's Hardest and Densest Wood
Great for People with Small Hands
These narrow bones are just like Aaron's regular lignum vitae bones but narrower and a half-inch longer. They are around 7/8" wide. That is just under an inch in width, which makes them ideal for players with small hands.
Why did Aaron decide to make narrow lignum vitae bones? "I've had numerous requests from ladies, and people with smaller hands," he explains. "They need a bone they can wrap their fingers around with greater ease." What do folks say about them? "The ladies, and young lads, who have utilized these at my workshops tell me the smaller size has made a considerable difference in their ability to play the bones!" reports Aaron.
Gives you Better Control...Fits Comfortable in Pocket or Purse
Check out this glowing testimonial from one of Aaron's Irish percussion workshop students--
I am so happy that I experienced your Irish percussion workshop. Your teaching is professional, and you are very enthusiastic. I am so motivated, especially with my new Ladies Lignum Vitae dihedral angle bones, that I am practicing every day now!! The ladies size bones fit nice in my hands, and I have better control of the positioning. Also, they fit nice in my purse.
With much appreciation, sincerely, Kimberly R.
These extraordinary bones are designed and handcrafted by Aaron Plunkett. Who is Aaron Plunkett? Aaron is a multi-instrumentalist known throughout the world community of musical bone players for his Irish-American technique. You might have seen him as the bone-playing percussionist with the Irish Steerage band in the epic film, Titanic.
Spiritually Enriched Bones
Aaron is a metaphysically attuned person who handcrafts his distinctive instruments during cycles of the solstice in his workshop nestled in the magical Valley of Ojai (pronounced oh-high) in Southern California. "I use old-world tools, such as scrapers and sanding blocks, as well as various cooper techniques to shape my wooden bones," says the culturally aware bone maker with an avocation for chasing prehistoric fossilized whales.
So why does he choose lignum vitae? "Ironwood is amazing stuff!" declares Aaron. "It is denser than ebony," he explains, "and hence gives a much richer, deeper and warmer sound."
Aaron's mystically enhanced lignum vitae bones are the perfect choice for Irish music - especially on Saint Patrick's Day. Why? Because Aaron is kinsman to "The Honorable Druid and Catholic Priest, Oliver Plunkett, whose bones were chopped into bits," he discloses. Aaron invites you to "check out the bones of an interesting Irish saint and relative of mine - Saint Oliver Plunkett - may his bones rest in peace!"
Handcrafted from the World's Hardest and Densest Timber
Lignum vitae is reddish brown when freshly cut, with pale yellow sapwood. As it oxidizes, the color turns to a deep green, often with black details. The sapwood is pale yellow or cream colored. The heartwood ranges from dark greenish brown to almost black and is naturally resistant to decay and attack by termites and marine borers.
Aaron reports that "this ironwood comes from the jungles of South America." As a conscientious environmentalist, Aaron says the only wood he crafts is "timber from sustainable forests."
Lignum vitae is very finely textured. The wood is especially waxy because of high guaiac gum content which accounts for about 30 percent of the weight. The timber emits a slight aroma when it is warmed or rubbed. Aaron tells me "the smell is great, similar to sandalwood."
Lignum Vitae Facts
Lignum Vitae is regarded as the hardest commercial wood. With a hardness of 4500 on the Janka scale, it is roughly three-and-a-half times as hard as red oak. Not only is the wood extremely hard, but it is also extremely heavy. And with a specific gravity over 1.0, it sinks in water. In fact, the specific gravity of lignum vitae can exceed 1.4. Compare this with black ebony which has a specific gravity from 1.0 to 1.3. Yes, both woods sink in water.
This hardest of hardwoods is ideal where durability is crucial. "Historically it has been used for making things such as pulleys and propeller bushings for boats," reports the woodworker's information website, Sawdust and Shavings.
Another woodworkers site, Woodfinder.com, reports that "lignum vitae is most commonly used for mallet heads, bearings and rollers. Because of its durability and natural lubricants, it is the preferred wood for propeller bushings and other underwater applications."
Wikipedia states that "Lignum Vitae is the hardest, densest wood in the world." More from Wikipedia-- - Lignum Vitae is the heartwood of species of the genus Guaiacum, the trees of which are also called guayacan. The name is Latin for "wood of life", and derives from its medicinal uses. Other names are palo santo, holy wood, greenheart and ironwood (one of many ironwoods). The wood is obtained chiefly from Guaiacum officinale and Guaiacum sanctum, both small, slow growing trees.
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The lignum vitae is the national flower of Jamaica and the national tree of The Bahamas.
- Shaft bearings on the WWII submarine USS Pampanito were made
of lignum vitae, as well as the after main shaft strut bearings for USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear powered submarine. Also, the bearings in the original 1920's turbines of the
Conowingo Hydroelectric Plant on the lower Susquehanna River were made
from lignum vitae.
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It was the traditional wood used for British police truncheons.
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The resin has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions from coughs to arthritis.
- Wood chips can be used to brew a tea.
Lignum Vitae Legends and Lore
According to T.H. White's version of the King Arthur story, The Once and Future King, lignum vitae, from which the staff of Merlin is made, has magical powers.
The belaying pins aboard the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") are made from lignum vitae. Despite the severity of typical marine weathering condition, they rarely require replacement because of its high density and natural oils.
Dreaded by Woodcrafters
Lignum Vitae is excellent for wood turning (i.e. making poles and bowls), and it takes a good polish. Unfortunately, however, not only is lignum vitae a rare wood, but woodcrafters dread working with it.
Why is the species feared by woodcrafters? Because the wood's extreme hardness and density combined with its high rosin and gum content make the material difficult to plane, drill, bore, router, mortise, carve, sand or glue. And although it doesn't matter much to us players, the wood is arduous to work because it is both oily and waxy. What's more, the dust is toxic.
Unique Dihedral Design
The initial thing you notice when you pick up a pair is they just feel right. At first, the "bent" shape might seem a little unusual (eccentric might be more accurate). But they are a delight to grip and you immediately discover these bones are quite formidable to play.
What is the advantage of the dihedral design?
Aaron cites three benefits:-
Improved tonal quality of the click (actual point at which the bone tips strike each other)
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Superior speed and balance (re-bound and kick back response).
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Better dexterity (fluidity of motion).
Low Powerful Tone
Thickness is a significant, but easily overlooked tone factor. Thick bones generate a lower tone, thin bones generate a higher tone. Surface texture is also significant. A rough texture generates a lower tone than a smooth texture. Since Aaron Plunkett's Lignum Vitae bones are relatively thick and rough textured, they produce a lower, but powerful tone.
Why Do These Bones Cost So Much?
Bones made from the hardest of hardwoods come to you at a premium price because the wood is scarce, the material is grueling to work with and the sawdust can kill you (well, not you, but the woodworker).
But whether these bones are high-priced or a bargain depends on your outlook. I don't know about you, but for me, sixty bucks is a lot of dough for one pair of bones. So how are they a bargain? Because if you compare the price to ebony bones, which run from $30 to $70+ plus per pair, then these exceptionally rare lignum vitae bones (which you are not likely to find anywhere else online or off), are an exceptionally good value for the money.
The real question is "why do these bones cost so little?"
The reason for the modest cost is because the market for musical bones is too teeny-tiny to support the production of high-end (expensive) goods. So count your blessings that Aaron keeps crafting lignum vitae bones at this relatively - and ridiculously - low price.
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
Width: Around 7/8" (just under an inch)
Thickness: 1/4"
Specific Gravity: 1.0 to 1.4+
Density: 79 pcf
Hardness: 4500 Janka
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Length: 7-1/2"
- Width: Around 7/8" (just under an inch)
- Thickness: 1/4"
- Composition: Lignum Vitae hardwood
- Shape: Dihedral-like, similar to aircraft wing
- Camber (arc): Might be a hint shallow, or greater than 28 degrees
- Weight: 2.8 oz
- Color: Golden olive. (Green Caramel Apple Ripple)
- Specific Gravity: 1.0 to 1.4+ (Strongest Tone)
- Density: 79 pcf (Stronger Tone)
- Hardness: 4500 Janka (Sharpest Tone)
What Makes these Remarkable Bones so Formidable to Play?
Novice and experienced players really like these bones because they are so easy to play and produce rich vibrant tones. Detailed below is how Aaron explains what sets his innovative musical bones apart from the rest.
Easy to Grip
The wider rails and flat rimmed edges on these wooden bones allow for a controlled fulcrum that also provides greater gripping ability. It's easier for your fingers to grip these bones because the side rail surface is flat, (not completely rounded), and is considerably wider. These bones are actually thicker than most wooden bones. This allows your fingertips to gently apply pressure and distribute maximum "purchase" to the edges of the bones while cradling them easily into position.
Easy to Find Sweet Spot
The dihedral angle provides optimal precision in the striking area. This is because the bones have less area to travel to produce the actual strike while they pendulum on a vertical axis. The vertical axis of the bones also creates a greater surface area at the point of contact. This translates into less force to produce the strike, greater force transferred to the actual hit and increased sound.
Greater Kinetic Energy
The weight of these bones is more than other wooden bones. They are approximately 25% heavier. This factor makes them considerably easier to play. The click is produced by the distribution of force created between two parallel pendulums - bones - that rock back and forth, then collide together to make sound. You can feel a pendulum's reaction much quicker in your hand due to gravity's increased pull on heavier weighted bones.
Rich, Warm and Vibrant Tone
Lignum Vitae (Ironwood) produces an extremely rich, warm and vibrant tone because of the intense density and weight of the wood. Its density is formed by its inherent growing properties which produce very few pockets of air per molecule of wood. This gives lignum vitae its strength, signature sound and astounding vibrational qualities.
By combining these innovative design factors and raw elements together - "voila!" you have an exceptionally nice set of smooth playing, beautiful sounding bones.
Inspired by a Hurricane...Submarines...and You
Hurricane Gulch and the Irish Laser
The origin of his designs first came to Aaron as a young boy sailing his Irish Laser (sport sailboat) during Hurricane Gulch. Aaron's fascination with the ocean would grow as he attempted to harness the forces of Mother Nature to sail the seas. Yes, sailing acted as a catalyst to develop objects that withstand the test of time.
Naval Ships and Submarines
Further curiosity led Aaron to investigate naval ship building and submarines, which he says, "are entirely dependent upon lignum vitae." It is a fact, he declares, that "the entire naval fleet would sink without ironwood."
Bone Players Just Like You
Aaron wanted to improve the tonal quality of wooden bones and make bone playing more accessible for all levels of players, from novice to professional. Aaron has spent many years playing the bones and studying their mechanical & physical properties. During that time he has also given numerous hands-on workshops. This combination paved the way for the development of Aaron's lignum vitae bones.
The Spiritual Wood of Choice Among Ancient Mariners
"Ironwood is as ancient as it gets," says Aaron. "The Australian Aborigines have been playing big, oval-shaped ironwood bones to call dolphins for thousands of years." Thus you walk among a primordial presence...empowered by the musical soul of lignum vitae transcending time and space and rattling your inner rhythmic spirit.
Lignum Vitae Bones in a Nutshell
"Ironwood is amazing stuff!" says Aaron, adding, "These puppies sound outrageous, feel good in your hand, deliver great balance, look beautiful and smell great."
Get your bargain priced Lignum Vitae Bones now while supplies last.
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Features
- World's Hardest Wood: Durable, will last virtually forever.
- World's Densest Wood: Guaranteed not to crack or your money back.
- Genuine Lignum Vitae: Denser than ebony. Gives a rich, deep, warm tone.
- Unique Dihedral Design: Easy to grip. Easy to play. Easy to find sweet spot
- Extra Thick and Heavy: Helps kinetic energy work for you.
- Handcrafted during Solstice using old-world tools: Spiritually enriched bones.
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