Cocobolo is a luxurious exotic wood that delivers a remarkably powerful low tone.
Cocobolo ranks high among my favorite musical woods because of the rich full tone they produce. The material is quite hard and dense, and even a large block will produce a clear musical tone when struck. Its fine texture and oily look and feel stand up well to repeated handling.
This beautiful hardwood from Central America is typically orange or reddish-brown in color, often with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving through the wood.
Only relatively small amounts of this prized wood reach the world market which explains why it is so expensive.
Cocobolo is highly favored for fine inlay work, knife handles, musical instruments, pistol grips, veneers, bowls, jewelry boxes, and other expensive specialty items. It is also used in making luxury pens, and has been used as a ballast wood in ships.
Cocobolo wood has a specific gravity of over 1.0, hence it will sink in water.
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
Width: 7/8" to 1-1/4"
Specific Gravity: 1.10
Density: 68 pcf
Hardness: 1136 Janka
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Features:
- Solid Cocobolo Hardwood: Excellent for musical bones.
- Practical Design: Handcrafted by a master luthier.
- Quarter-sawn Lumber: Creates stable tone, won't warp or crack.
- Includes Instructions: Shows how to hold and play bones.
- Hand Rubbed Finish: Non-slip easy grip.
Technical Specs
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Length: Short (7"), Traditional (7-1/2"), Classic Long (8")
- Narrow Width: 7/8" to 1" (22mm to 25mm
- Regular Width: 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" (29mm to 32mm)
- Wide Width: 1-5/16" to 1-3/8" (33mm to 35mm)
- Thickness: 1/4" to 3/8"
- Composition: Exotic hardwood
- Camber (arc): 28 degrees
- Weight: 2.9 to 3.8 oz
- Color: Reddish brown
- Specific Gravity: 1.10
- Density: 68 pcf
- Hardness: 1136 Janka
The Inside Story:
Handcrafted By a Master Luthier with a Graduate Degree in Physics
Whamdiddle bones are magnificent instruments. They are handcrafted from
domestic and exotic hardwoods by Rick Fogel. Rick is a master luthier
in Seattle, Washington who holds a master of science degree in Physics. This
winning combination of top-grade material, brilliant artistry, and
scientific expertise explains why Whamdiddle bones sound as good as they look.
Great Looks, Solid Design, Superior Tone
Take a close look at the marvelous color and fascinating wood grain of these Whamdiddle bones. They are less oval than minstrel style bones. And the "flat" shape fits especially comfortable in your hands. But the first thing you notice when you grab a pair is their substantial heft. Even the lightweight bones feel full in your grip. Best of all, Whamdiddle bones deliver a full rich range of tones when you rattle them.
Crafted From Quartersawn Lumber, the Prime Working Stock for Quality Musical Instruments
Why do Whamdiddle bones reveal spectacular grain patterns,
warp less, and generate better tone? "Because," Rick explains, "they are made from
quartersawn lumber."
Rick
described the technique to me but it is a bit complex. So I looked up
the term in a technical report from the U.S. Forest Service. They
indeed confirm that quartersawn lumber "shrinks and swells less...splits less...and figure patterns and wavy grain are brought out more conspicuously." Another source reports that quartersawn wood "helps prevent warping and also provides the best vibration patterns acoustically." And yet another source tells us "quartersawn wood helps ensure that an instrument's sound remains as invariable as possible."
So
yes, musical bones made from quartersawn lumber are decidedly prime
quality instruments. But the ultimate test, of course, is to try them
yourself.
Largest Selection of Whamdiddle Bones on the Internet
...plus those Famous Laminated Bones!
On this website is the largest selection of Whamdiddle bones on the internet. No other store offers you a larger choice of Whamdiddle bones that you can view and purchase by simply clicking a button.
Please note that each carefully matched pair is expertly hand-crafted, but no two pairs are exactly alike. (i.e. Some pairs might vary slightly from another in width and thickness.)
Where does Rick find the exotic, rare, and domestic species of wood for
these gorgeous bones? "It's scrap wood left over from the dulcimers I
make," he says. So if you see something you really like, get it now.
Because when a species of Whamdiddle bones get sold out, they might be gone forever.
Can't Decide Which Bones to Choose?
Check out this handy guide: Bone FAQs
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