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Scott Miller Sun-Bleached Bargain Ox Rib Bones
Save $5.00 on these Fully Guaranteed Bones that play well, but do not meet the standard of our regular items.
These Bargain Bin bones are made from Scrawny, Regular, or Hefty ox ribs. You can see Scrawny, Regular, and Hefty whole ribs on the rib cage photo below.
Some of these Bargain Bin bones are too curvy. Some are too round. Some are a tad twisty. Some reveal too much marrow. Some are thin skinned or exhibit other shape or cosmetic issues. Their shape might be Flat, Conical, Semiconical, or something in-between. But no matter why the instruments are in the Bargain Bin—these bad boys play just fine!
Please be aware that Bargain Bin Ox Rib bones are a grab bag "luck of the draw" item. No promises, but if you let us know your preferences during checkout (Add Order Comment), we will try to accommodate you.
Below are more details about our Flat, Conical, and Semiconical ox rib bones.
Three Shapes
Musical bones from natural ribs generally come in three shapes: Flat, Conical, and Semiconical. Flat bones are from the lower segment of a rib, which is relatively flat. Conical bones are from the upper segment, which is rounded. Semiconical bones are also from the upper segment, but the round end is more oval. Their shape falls between conical and flat.
Why do we offer three different rhythm bone shapes? Because players like to mix and match. Happily, offering single rib bones gives you more control over what you get. But there might be some overlap, so please take the difference in shape with a grain of salt. And yes, we test the mix before shipping to make sure they play well together.
Flat Musical Bones
Flat bones are rectangular and relatively thin, so there is little marrow. For that reason they are quite solid.
We call them flat, but whether they're made from wood, natural bone, or any other material, flat bones are curved. More accurately, they're bowed planks.
So why are they called flat bones? Because the striking surface is flat. Well, sorta. The striking surface of wooden Shooting Star Bones is indeed flat. And truly flat musical bones, such as slate bones, are literally planks. But by and large, the striking surface of a "flat" rib bone is crowned, like a road—and that's good enough for us.
Incidentally, flat bones pair really well with conical and semiconical bones.
Conical Musical Bones
Conical shaped bones come from the upper portion of a rib near the vertebra. They are round or oval at one end, and flat and rectangular 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 players who use the "Irish" (aka European) two-finger grip (i.e. 2 fingers between the bones). This grip makes it easy to rattle the bones no matter what their size or shape.
Semiconical Musical Bones
Semiconical bones, like Conical bones, also come from the upper portion of a rib. But the round end is more oval. You might say they are a conical bone with a compressed snout. They're not quite conical, and they're not quite flat. I characterize them as a flat bone with attitude.
Which is Better: Conical, Semiconical, 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 get at least one of each—then mix and match.
Oxen have 13 rib bones on each side of the rib cage. We characterize the whole ribs as Scrawny, Regular, Hefty, and High End.
Whole regular rib showing conical and flat segments, with end scraps.
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 link to Make Your Own Musical Rib Bones (pdf).
Can't Decide Which Bones to Choose?
Check out this handy guide: Bone FAQs
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Style: might be flat, conical, or semiconical
- Length: 6-1/2"
- Width: 7/8" to 1-3/8"
- Average Width: 1-1/4"
- Thickness: 1/4" to 3/4"
- Average Thickness: 3/8"
- Weight: 1.5 oz (43g) to 2.9 oz (83g)
- Average Weight: 2 oz (60g)
- Composition: ox (cow) rib
- Filler: non-toxic environmentally safe urethane compound (Loctite PL3x Premium Construction Adhesive)
- 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 Curve and Length
First, the raw ribs are selected from carefully graded stock for proper size and shape. Then, each whole rib is positioned against a template and aligned for proper curve. Depending on the shape of the rib, it is marked into one or two rhythm bone segments.
Crafted in Water
Next, each segment is carefully cut and sculpted one at a time by hand. The length is cut using a wet saw, and the shape is sculpted using a wet belt sander. This wet environment safeguards the bone from excessive heat—and also avoids generating bone dust which is toxic.
Good Comfortable Grip
The sides are sanded smooth. Any exposed areas of marrow are filled with a non-toxic environmentally safe and durable urethane compound that provides a good comfortable grip.
Consistent Design and Width
During the shaping process each bone is continuously compared against a wooden template to produce a well-balanced instrument 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 striking surface.
High Gloss Finish
Finally, after wet-sanding every nook and cranny, the surface is skilfully buffed with tripoli polishing compound to produce a high gloss finish that lasts a lifetime.
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 ClunkyBones 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 the two-finger grip with old animal bones. The grip works especially well for hard-to-grip bones that might otherwise be too big, too small, too long, too short, too heavy, too bulky, too curvy, or too whatever. Essentially, the 2-finger grip enables you to play virtually any bones regardless of their size or shape.
What's the difference between the 2-finger and 1-finger grip? The traditional American minstrel style (1-finger) grip separates the bones using one finger. The 2-finger grip separates the bones using both the index and middle fingers.
What does the 2-finger grip sound like? Virtually every tune in this
Playing the Bones play list features the 2-finger grip.
Jim reports that "the bones I find in the field are maybe one or two years old." Jim soaks them in water, he says "until there is no meat left on them." Then he 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 is to try them first-hand. Unfortunately, in the world of musical bones, this is seldom possible. Even if you are lucky enough to find an online shop that sells natural ox rib musical bones, you likely won't know what style you got until you unwrap the package and look inside. Thankfully, those days are over. Welcome to the only shop on the planet that ships your choice of Flat, Semiconical, Conical, and our budget priced Bargain Bin bones so you know what is bundled inside—BEFORE you open the box.
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Features
- Take a Chance & Save: generates strong tone.
- Comfortable Grip: gratifying to hold.
- Smooth Glossy Finish: bright shiny surface 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.
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