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Scott Miller Bison Rib Bones from the Ice Age, pair #4
Scott Miller Ice Age Bison Rib Bones
10,000-year-old extinct bison ribs from The Ice Age. Now this is what you call an old-time musical instrument!


 
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Be the first kid on your block to rattle bones older than the hills.
  • Made from extinct Ice Age bison rib bones.
  • Excavated from a peat bog in central Minnesota.
  • Ribs date from the Ice Age (Pleistocene Epoch): At least 10,000 years old.
  • Spiritually Enhanced: Well, maybe...
  • These are natural products, no two are alike.
  • Order now: When they're gone, they're gone. (If sold out, forget about the "Email me when Back-In-Stock" link. They're gone.)
Why shop here?
Sold! $132.97 pair

Quantity in Stock:(Out of Stock)

Product Code: 100-101E-4
Note:
This item has sold, but is still posted for visitors who want info about them.

Product Specs Story
 
Scott Miller Bison Rib Bones from the Ice Age, pair #4

Bison antiquus
Extinct Ice Age Bison Rib Bones from the Pleistocene Epoch

These extinct Bison Rib Bones from the Ice Age were unearthed around 10 years ago from a peat bog in central Minnesota by paleontology researcher Patrick Cherney. Originally acquired in 2006, I finally got around to fashioning the whole ribs into musical bones this past summer (2010).

How Do they Sound?
Bison ribs are pretty much the same as ox (cow) rib bones. Like most large animal rib bones, they deliver a distinctly resonant tone.


Spiritually Enhanced?
Of course, some folks might say these bones embody a certain primordial spiritual quality. But mystical attributes go beyond the scope of this product description. On the other hand, if you close your eyes and sense a measure of enchanted energy radiating through these spiritually charged Ice Age bison bones...


Who Should Buy These Bones?
The best reason you might want a pair of Ice Age musical instruments is because you think the idea of rattling a pair of extinct bison rib bones is an intriguing experience. Well, I can tell you - it is. Are they worth 100+ bucks a pop? Depends how you value them.

The tone they produce ain't any different from other natural rib bones. So if you are expecting some special sound from them - forget it. Not only that, but each pair of these extinct bison rib bones is somewhat challenging to grip because of their clunky shape. What's more, pair #2 and #3 show open marrow along the edge which you might find a tad scratchy.

But for shear uniqueness (not to mention the time required to acquire the ribs, turn them into rhythm bones and prepare them for sale), the price is quite a bargain. If your dentist made them, they would cost around $2,000.00 per pair.

So if rattling a pair of extinct bison rib bones from The Ice Age is on your bucket list, then these bones are for you.


Pairs #1 and #2 are smaller, thinner, lighter in weight, and less resonant than pair #4. Also, pairs #1 and #2 each have a long crack in one bone which is a cool feature, but might fracture over time. The bone in pair #1 that is relatively thin & flat is kind of paddle shaped.

Pair #3 is composed of one bone made from the same whole rib as pair #2 and one bone made from the same rib as pair #4.

Pair #4 is thicker and heavier than the rest.

All the bones feel round and bulky except for one of the bones in pair #1 which is relatively thin and flat.

My personal preference goes in reverse order. That is, my favorite pair is pair #4, followed by #3, then #2, and finally #1. All the pairs (except the paddle shaped bone) are rather round, so you might get better results using the 2-finger grip rather than the traditional American minstrel-style (1-finger) grip.


Original Whole Uncut Ribs

Original Whole Uncut Ribs Pictured right are the original whole uncut bison rib bones. Pair #1 is made from the two short ribs top right. Pair #2 is made from the long dark rib on the left. Pair #3 is composed from both ribs on the left. Pair #4 comes from the longer rib, second from left. My hand gives an idea of the scale.

Original Whole Uncut Ribs w/regular ox rib
Original Whole Uncut Ribs w/regular ox rib This is another view of the same group of ribs. For comparison, the white rib on the left is a regular ox (cow) rib.

Group of Finished Bison Rib Rhythm Bones
Group of Finished Bison Rib Rhythm Bones These are all the finished rhythm bones. Pair #1 is on the left, followed by pair #2, #3, and #4.

Can't Decide Which Bones to Choose?
Check out this handy guide: Bone FAQs
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 Aged: Bone dry, not greasy.
  • Produces Broad Tonal Range: Play them soft or loud.
  • Beveled Edges: Makes grip more comfortable.
  • Extinct Bison: Rib bones excavated from Minnesota peat bog, now an urban drainage pond.
  • 10,000+ Years Old: Dates from Pleistocene Epoch, so these are really "old-time" instruments.
  • Extremely Rare Rhythm Bones: Among the very few musical instruments composed from Ice Age material.

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