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Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Length: 15" to 22"
- Width: 3/4" to 2-1/2"
- Thickness: 3/16" to 1/2"
- Composition: Ox Rib
- Weight: 3.2 to 8 oz
- Camber (arc): 28 degrees, more or less
- Color: Natural Bone
Which Rib Bone Is Right For You?An ox has 13 rib bones on each side of the rib cage. Take a look at this
whole ox skeleton.
It shows 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. So take the numbering with a grain of salt.
High End (out of stock) 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.
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.
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.'
Regular (out of stock) Next in line are Regular bones. These 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 and give you the most for your money.
One Regular rib almost always produces two musical bones. That's a full pair. So you just need to order one Regular rib to make a full pair of bones for one hand.
Scrawny (out of stock) 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.
Bone Maker's Sample Pack (out of stock) Not sure which rib bones to try? Then order our sample pack. The sample pack is a good way to test all four ribs...Plus at 25% OFF, you save a few dollars in the bargain.
These are the four bones you get-- 1 High End Rib 1 Hefty Rib 1 Regular Rib 1 Scrawny Rib
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 chaulky thin natural protective membrane. The membrane is relatively easy to sand and finish, and does not impair playability.
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 | 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.
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