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Scott Miller Sun-Bleached Bargain Ox Rib Bones
Save $5.00 on these Fully Guaranteed Bones that might show a small ding or chip or repair or minor flaw such as a size, shape, texture, or cosmetic issue, or for some reason does not meet the standard of our regular items. Some flaws might be obvious. Some flaws you might never find at all. But no matter what kind of flaw, you save cash on this pair of bones that plays just fine.
Shape
Musical bones from natural ribs generally come in two shapes: Conical or Flat. Conical bones come from an upper segment of the rib. Flat bones are made from a lower segment. The bones are usually shaped from ribs ranging from Regular to High End.
Flat Musical Bones
We call them flat, but whether musical bones are made of wood or natural bone, the instruments do have an arc. Truly flat musical bones are planks or slats. A 'flat' musical bone looks like a bowed plank. Flat musical rib bones are made from the lower segment of a natural rib.
Conical Musical Bones
Conical shaped bones come from the upper portion of a rib near the vertebra. They are somewhat round at one end, but flat at the other. Some folks prefer to rattle them with the flat ends up near the knuckles. That way the bones are easier to hold between the fingers. But it doesn't matter which end is up for me. That's because I use the 'Irish' or 'European' two-finger grip. This grip makes holding the bones at either end just as comfortable.
Semiconical Musical Bones
Semiconical bones, like their sister Conical bones, come from the upper portion of a rib near the vertebra. But the round end is a little flatter. They are something of a cross between conical and flat bones. You might say they are a conical bone with a compressed snout. I characterize them as a flat bone with attitude.
Humpy Musical Bones
Humpy bones are cool. They are the flat segment of a rib with a slight hump in the bone. These instruments radiate their own distinct personality.
Honeycomb Musical Bones
Honeycomb bones come from the lower segment of an ox rib where the marrow appears foamy and honeycombed. You can see this honeycomb area in the Regular Rib photo below (see end scrap beside Flat bone). The instruments are normal at one end but sometimes a little bulbous at the other. And since the skin surface near the honeycomb end is a little thinner, you get these great sounding easy-to-grip flat bones at a bargain price.
High End Ribs
The best ribs for making musical bones are the upper back ribs (aka High End). They are located next to the shoulder. These premium ribs are prized by experienced musical bone makers because the shape is nearly perfect and requires less sculpting.
Regular Ribs
Regular ribs are longer than High End bones and a tad thicker, wider, and
heavier. They almost always yield both a conical plus a flat musical
bone. Regular bones produce excellent instruments, even though the
edges usually show exposed marrow.
Which is Better: Conical or Flat?
Neither is better. They are just different. But if I had to pick just one design style, I would have to flip a coin. Better yet, I would ask my wife to get me a pair of both—and then I would mix and match 'em.
Make Your Own Musical Bones
Are you handy in the workshop? Want to save money? Then maybe you would like to do-it-yourself. Click here to make your own musical bones.
Can't Decide Which Bones to Choose?
Check out this handy guide: Bone FAQs
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Style: Flat, conical, semiconical or humpy
- Length: 5-1/2" to 6-5/8"
- Width: 1-1/8" to 1-1/2"
- Average Width: 1-5/16"
- Thickness: 1/4" to 1/2"
- Average Thickness: 3/8"
- Composition: Ox (cow) rib
- Weight: 2.0 oz
- Filler: Non-toxic environmentally safe aliphatic resin (aka carpenter's glue).
- Color: Natural bone
- Finish: Tripoli polish
Look What Makes These Sun-Bleached Ox Rib Bones So Special
Prized for their full resonant sound, sun-bleached musical bones are made from the ribs of cattle that died naturally of old age out on the range.
Quality Hand Crafted Instrument
These bones are hand-crafted from carefully selected rib segments. Here's how they are made:
Optimal Size and Camber
First, the raw ribs are selected from carefully graded stock for proper size and shape. Then, each bone segment is aligned against a special 28 degree template where it is measured and marked for correct length and camber (also known as arc).
Crafted in Water
Next, the segment is expertly cut and sculpted by hand in a wet environment that safeguards the bone from excessive heat and also avoids spreading bone dust which is toxic.
Smooth Rounded Edges
Exposed areas of marrow along the sides are filled with a non-toxic environmentally safe urethane compound. All edges are rounded and beveled on a fine wet grindstone for a smooth comfortable grip.
Consistent Shape and Design
During the shaping process each bone is continuously compared against a wooden template to produce well-balanced instruments with a fairly consistent width.
Silky Smooth Surface
But we are not done yet. All surfaces are wet sanded with a fine grit abrasive that produces a silky smooth finish.
High Gloss Finish
Finally, after wet-sanding every nook and cranny, the surface is skillfully buffed to perfection with tripoli polishing compound for a durable high gloss finish that lasts for years.
Full Resonant Tone
Bones from animals that died from old age are harder than bones from young slaughtered animals. These bones were collected in the wild by Jim, an itinerant ranch hand who scours the range for old bones. "They died naturally of old age on a cattle ranch in Wyoming," says Jim. Such bones also have
large open marrow pores, and are highly regarded for the full-bodied, vibrant, echoing tone they produce.
Heavy and Clunky
Bones from old critters are heavy and clunky. They might be too awkward for some beginners. But these fine quality instruments are a must for any serious bone player.
Grip Tip: You might prefer a two-finger grip
with old animal bones.
All Natural
Jim reports that "the bones I find in the field are maybe one or two years old." Jim soaks them in water "until there is no meat left on them," he tells me. Then Jim scrubs the bones up clean and lays them out in the sun to dry. This is a natural product with no bleach or chemicals in the cleaning process. So if you are looking to get your hands on a pair of genuine, bone-a-fide, all natural bone-dry products, then you have come to the right place.
No Surprises When You Open The Box
The best way to buy musical rhythm bones, of course, is to sample them first-hand. Unfortunately, in the world of musical bones, this is seldom possible. And assuming you are lucky enough to find a store that sells natural ox rib musical bones, it is a sad fact that you won't know what you got until you unwrap the package and look inside. But those dark days are over. Welcome to the only shop on the planet that ships your choice of flat, conical, semiconical, humpy, and honeycomb ox rib musical bones so you know what is bundled inside - before you open the box!
Click Larger Photos button above to see additional images.
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Features
- Smooth Glossy Finish: Bones look bright and shiny and are a pleasure to touch.
- Durable Finish: Keeps looking good year after year.
- All Natural: Free from harmful chemicals. Won't chafe or irritate your skin.
- Naturally Sun-bleached: Bone dry, not greasy.
- Produces Broad Tonal Range: Play them soft or loud.
- Free-range Critters: Died naturally of old age.
- Beveled Edges: Makes grip more comfortable.
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