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What is a Hefty Rib Bone?
Musical Ox Rib Anatomy 101
An ox has 13 rib bones on each side of the rib cage. Take a look at this
whole ox skeleton.
It shows an enlarged view of the rib cage separated into four categories so you can better understand the raw material we are working with.
Since every critter is different, the bones don't always fall neatly into each category. And I am not an expert on ox anatomy, so the grading of the actual rib you get is rather subjective. But I think this page gives a fairly good idea of what you are ordering so there will be no surprises when you open the box. In any event, this is superb bone-making material and I guarantee that you will be happy with the instruments you craft from them. But please take the rib numbering and descriptions with a grain of salt.
High End
The best ribs for musical bones are the upper back ribs. 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 little sculpting. These are the 'prime rib' of musical bones. At least that's what some bone makers claim. Yes, High End ribs are easy to make into musical bones. (But I prefer Regular ribs because you usually get a conical plus a flat bone out of them.) You can make one musical bone from a single High End rib. You can't play just one bone. That's only half a pair. You need to order two High End ribs to make one full pair of musical bones.
Yield:
One bone.
Advantage:
Requires less sculpting.
Disadvantage:
More expensive. Few in stock.
Hefty High End
These rib bones fall between High End and Hefty. They are somewhat heavier and wider than High End rib bones.
You can make one musical bone from a single Hefty High End rib. You can't play just one bone. That's only half a pair. You need to order two Hefty High End ribs to make one full pair of musical bones.
Yield:
One bone.
Advantage: Full resonant tone. Good value.
Disadvantage: Requires substantial sculpting.
Hefty
Behind the High End ribs are Hefty bones. These ribs are too thick and massive for musical bones. I suppose a skilled craftsperson could shape these 'big bad boys' into decent instruments. But the task would certainly offer a challenge. They are great, however, as presentation ribs. Next time someone asks what your bones are made from, just raise a Hefty bone in one hand to show what the 'before' looks like, and a pair of your usual musical bones in the other hand to show 'after.'
Yield:
Zero playable bones (unless you like them extra wide, extra thick and extra heavy).
Advantage: Good presentation rib or "cowboy" back scratcher.
Disadvantage:
Requires substantial sculpting.
Hefty Regular
These ribs fall between Hefty and Regular ribs. They are somewhat heavier and wider than Regular rib bones. Hefty Regular ribs can be a good deal because sometimes they yield a full pair of bones.
Yield:
One bone, sometimes two if you are lucky.
Advantage: Full resonant tone. Good value.
Disadvantage:
Requires substantial sculpting.
Regular Ribs
Regular ribs are kind of a cross between High End and Hefty bones. They are long like Hefty bones and just a tad thicker, wider, and heavier than High End bones. You will need to shape them here and there with a saw and rasp. Regular bones produce excellent instruments, even though the edges usually show exposed marrow. They almost always yield both a conical plus a flat musical bone. That means you just need to order one Regular rib to make a full pair of bones for one hand. So Regular ribs give you the most for your money.
Yield:
Almost always two bones.
Advantage:
Produces full pair. Synergetic combination of conical and flat bone. Best buy for the buck.
Disadvantage:
Requires moderate sculpting.
Scrawny Regular
Bridging the Regular and Scrawny ribs are Scrawny Regular ribs. Some Scrawny Regular ribs might actually be Scrawny ribs from the hindmost end of the rib cage. But if the rib is flat and large enough to yield one (or two) playable music bones, then I grade it as Scrawny Regular instead. Although they might be somewhat curvy, Scrawny Regular ribs can be an especially good value as they sometimes yield a full pair of bones.
Yield:
One bone, sometimes two.
Advantage:
Requires less sculpting. Good value.
Disadvantage: Some ribs are a bit round and curvy.
Scrawny
The hindmost ribs are rather round and scrawny. You might get a musical bone out of one, but don't count on it. What good are Scrawny bones? Some craftspeople carve jewelry and other natural trinkets from them. If nothing else, you can stick one in your bones bag and use it as a lightweight presentation rib.
Yield: Zero playable bones (unless you like them round like thick pencils)
Advantage: Useful for craft projects, and as a "cowboy" back scratcher.
Disadvantage: Narrow, round and curvy.
Which Should I Make: Conical or Flat?
Neither is better. They are just different. So if your rib can yield just one playable bone, then you must decide whether it will be conical or flat. Can't decide? Then order at least two ribs and make both. Personally, I like to mix and match. Besides, ordering more ribs saves on shipping.
Matched Pairs
If you are one of those people who craves matched pairs, then you are in for a real treat.
It doesn't matter to most folks, but some players prefer a carefully matched pair made from opposing sides of the rib cage. Others prefer them from the same side of the rib cage.
Left rib cage, right rib cage...what's the difference?
The difference is how the bones feel in your hand. If you are not sure which side you want, then either side will probably be fine.
Some folks like to mix and match. I just checked my favorite natural musical bones. The right-hand pair of bones are from opposing sides of the rib cage. But the left-hand pair are from the same side of the rib cage. And to further complicate matters, each hand pairs a rib from a critter that died of old age with the rib of a young animal.
This store caters to persnickety players. But for the rest of us, if the left side is out of stock, just order from the right.
Awesome Raw Material
Only a few ribs in the collection display good-size cracks, but I tend to keep those specimens for myself. (Sorry, there's not enough to go around.) But if you look real close at the rib you receive, you might see scores of tiny hairline cracks running though the surface. You might think these cracks are a defect. I did at first. But after making quite a few sets from these bones, I now view them as an appealing feature. But to each his or her own.
Since these are natural products, no two are alike. The ribs are sheathed to varying extents by a chalky thin natural protective membrane. The membrane is relatively easy to sand and finish, and does not impair playability.
Color
These are naturally sun-bleached ox ribs collected on the open range. Some ribs are nearly white in color. Some are dark brown. Some show various degrees of natural staining. The color or staining has no impact on the sound these extremely hard-to-find bones produce. The ribs are graded strictly by shape, not color. But if you need ribs matched by color, then let me know and I will try to accommodate you.
Limited Supply, Order Now
Remember, Jim sends me just one major shipment each year. Make no bones about it, when these bones are gone, they're gone. So if you want to try this excellent musical bone material, then order today.
Bone Crafter
Guarantee
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You must be absolutely delighted with the finished musical instruments created from these Whole Sun-bleached Bones. If you are not happy with the finished musical bones you craft from these bones for any reason - or for no reason - then just give me a holler and I will send your choice of an immediate full refund or free replacement bones absolutely free. And the shipping is on me. So if the bones you make don't turn out how you like them, then just keep 'em and try again.
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All the risk is on me. So what are you waiting for? Order this first-rate raw material now and get rattling.
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Length: 18"
- Width: 1-3/4"
- Thickness: 1/2"
- Composition: Ox Bone
- Weight: .43 lb
- Camber (arc): 28 degrees, more or less
- Finish: Natural Bone
What Makes These the Best Darned Musical Rib Bones this Side of the Rocky Mountains?
Once each year I get a shipment of whole, uncut, naturally sun-bleached bones from an itinerant ranch hand out
West.
All Natural
Every autumn Jim travels across the Rockies to work on a cattle ranch. While there he scours the range for old bones. He identifies each bone by species, then soaks them in water "until there is no meat left on them." Next he scrubs them up clean and lays them out in the sun to dry. Finally, after the bones are looking their best and the winter snows thaw, he crates them up and ships the entire lot to me here in Saint Louis. And in case you were wondering, Jim uses no bleach, no chemicals, and no heat in the cleaning process. "Yes, it is all natural," he assures me.
Full Resonant Sound
Bones from animals that died from old age are heavier and harder than bones
from young slaughtered animals. "They died naturally of old age on a cattle ranch in Wyoming," says Jim. Bones from animals that died of old
age have large open pores in the marrow. Such bones 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 a novice. 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.
Naturally Bleached By the Sun
The bones in this collection have aged under the sun for a good stretch of time. Jim reports that "the bones I find in the field are maybe one or two years old." So if you are looking to get your hands on genuine, bone-a-fide, bone-dry products, then you have come to the right place.
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Features
- Naturally Sun-bleached: Bone dry, not greasy
- Uncut: Make the length you want
- Large Open-Pore Marrow: Gives full resonant sound
- Free-range Critters: Died naturally of old age
- Pre-cleaned: No scrubbing or picking off dried meat
- Free from Bleach, Chemicals and Heat: All natural, won't chafe skin
- Smooth Finish: You might see some thin natural protective membrane, but all-in-all the bone is ready to cut, sand and buff
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