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Tim Reilly Large Handcrafted Cow Rib Bones Guaranteed to play well with sea music Matched pairs of resonant, natural rib bones from free-range animals
Tim Reilly is a real-life sailor and professional ship's rigger who crafts musical bones just one pair at a time.
Using old-world maritime hand tools, the "old salt" transforms raw rib bones into rustic musical instruments.
Beginning with contented free-range farm animals, the bone-making process not only reflects Tim's compassionate nature, but also embraces the true Spirit of the Sea. Always in tune with seafaring customs and traditions, Tim carefully wet sands each musical instrument by hand - and weather permitting, you might see him along the banks of the Mystic River where he dips them into the salty brine to create a nice sanded finish...which is why these matched pairs of musical rib bones, branded in scrimshaw with Tim's very own "TR with anchor" logo are "Guaranteed to play well with sea music!"
Choose from 4 Sizes
You can get Tim Reilly's natural rib bones in 4 convenient sizes:
1. Kid-Size
Kid-Size Bones measure only 4 or 5 inches in length. They are meant for teeny pre-teen hands.
2. Small
Small Bones are around 6 inches in length. They are relatively narrow and work fine for players with any size hands. These are the first choice for players who prefer smaller, relatively thin, or short bones.
3. Medium
Medium Bones run from around 6-1/2 to 7 inches in length. Their traditional size and shape work great for older kids and grownups with any size hands. Generally a little wider than the Small style, these Medium size bones are favored by players who want bones that pack a little extra power and punch.
4. Large
Large Bones are bulkier, clunkier and wider than the other styles. Lengths vary. Adventurous players with medium or large hands might find these bones both a joy and a challenge.
Standard Shapes
Tim produces his musical bones in all the standard shapes (flat; conical; semi-conical; humpy; honeycomb). The shapes available in each size are limited and vary from batch to batch. You can request a specific shape and I will try to accommodate you. But at this time I cannot promise that you will get the shape you want.
Rustic Seafaring Quality
Tim crafts his bones with hand tools only. "No machines," he proudly declares, "Like a whaleman would do."
How...exactly, does Tim produce these seaworthy instruments? First, he sources meatless "dog bones" from a long-time respected local supplier. The bones come from free-range farm animals. "The animals we process have always been free-range," says Salem Prime Cuts owner John Fusaro quoted in a news story published by The Hartford Courant.
Next, Tim lightly boils the ribs in water with salt and dish soap to degrease them. "Not too hot," Tim cautions. "They're done when the meat jacket pops off."
Then he drills tiny holes in the marrow ends so the fluid drains out. That makes them "almost hollow," Tim reveals - and rather resonant, I might add.
After the bones dry for a week or so, Tim wet sands them. He starts with 120 grit sandpaper, then 220, and finally 320. If the weather is good, Tim wet sands them in the Mystic River. "I sit on the dock right next to the river," he tells me. "The salt in the seawater helps dry the bones." Then, looking up slowly, with an old Tar's scowl and a twinkle in this gifted musician's eye Tim adds, "They are guaranteed to play along to sea music."
Honest-to-goodness Natural Products
Tim carefully matches each pair for compatibility. But each individual bone might vary from its mate in length, width and thickness. Not only is this your assurance that these bones are the real deal, but seasoned players know that's part of the charm of handcrafted cottage industry products.
Durable Scrimshaw Artwork
The scrimshaw logo is etched on the striking surface of the instrument. Tim has been making bones this way for many years and says not to worry about damaging the artwork. So don't fret about hurting or spiritually offending the logo. Just enjoy the bones and rattle them like you normally would.
Why Choose these Bones?
If you want a matched pair of rustic rib bones that are bulky, clunky and extra wide that deliver a solid resonant tone; and if you are an adventurous player with medium or large hands who enjoys a challenge; and if you are enchanted by the mystical Spirit of the Sea, then Tim Reilly's Large Cow Rib Bones are for you.
Can't Decide Which Bones to Choose? Check out this handy guide: Bone FAQs
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)--
- Shape: Varies (flat; conical; semi-conical; humpy; honeycomb)
- Length: Varies
- Tapered Width: tbd
- Flat Width: 1-1/2" to 2"
- Average Width: 1-3/4"
- Thickness: 5/16" to 5/8"
- Average Thickness: 7/16"
- Composition: Free-range farm cattle (cow) ribs
- Weight: 4 oz
- Camber (arc): 28 degrees
- Color: Natural bone
- Fine 320 grit finish: Wet sanded by hand, sometimes in Mystic River
- Country of Origin: United States
Handcrafted by Tim Reilly "The Bone-Shander"
Who is Tim Reilly?
Tim Reilly is a living-history musician who specializes in the musical heritage of the sea. In real life Tim works as a professional ship's rigger at Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea, located in Mystic Seaport, Connecticut. If you want to know anything about tall ships and the Whaling Era, then Tim is your man.
In addition to working on historic sailing vessels, Tim gives evening lantern tours at Mystic Seaport, demonstrates maritime skills, and performs "Music of the Sea and Shore" with the museum's Chanteymen.
Accomplished Percussionist
As you would expect, Tim is a masterful bones player. He is also an accomplished percussionist on triangle, bells, and Irish bodhran. Plus he sings, plays the penny whistle and is a skilled kit drummer.
Tim performs regularly throughout the area and enjoys giving workshops on how to play - and make - musical bones. The multi-talented musician is also a vocalist who specializes in sea chanties. He is a regular workshop presenter at the Rhythm Bones Society's annual "Bones Fest" get-togethers. Tim is a long-time member of the Celtic-nautical musical group Barnacle, which "Uses the sea as a launching pad for the exploration of musical styles such as klezmer, Swedish, Cajun, French Canadian, Celtic, early American and Scots baroque."
The Tradition of the Bones is in Tim's Soul
"We who do traditional music keep it alive," declares living-history musician, Rick Spencer. "Percy Danforth was the guy who kept the concept of rhythm bones playing alive after the minstrel shows died, and now Tim Reilly carries in his soul the tradition of the bones."
Tim demonstrates the bones at Steve Brown's bones workshop at NEFFA (New England Folk Festival Association) in Mansfield, Massachusetts. (Steve is Executive Director of the Rhythm Bones Society, and All-Ireland Bones Playing Champion.) On the box (concertina) is Ken Sweeney, another fantastic bones player. Playing the fiddle is bones player, Jonathan Danforth (grandson of bones playing legend, Percy Danforth). Video recorded by Mary Audette, herself and son Liam both bones players.
Tim Reilly is a consummate percussionist and bones player. He was featured as a Mystic Seaport ship rigger in the February 2008 issue of "Martha Stewart's Living" and has appeared on a number of folk recordings including "Shipmates" by Compass Rose.
Tim started playing bones in 1988 at Mystic Seaport after hearing and meeting Martin Fay of the renowned Irish group, The Chieftains. Since that time, Tim has performed with such luminaries as Benoit Bourque, Skip Healy, the late Mike Shorrock, and Mel Mercier. He has even rattled the bones at the Providence Performing Arts Center in an encore set with, yes...The Chieftains!
Tim often performs with fellow drummer, sea chantey singer and bones-making buddy, Kenny Wolin. Kenny is a professional percussionist with the "President's Own" Marine Corps Band. Watch them get the crowd going with a bones duet at the Mystic Sea Music Festival on June 11, 2011.
An Old Salt and a Really Nice Guy Not only is Tim a real-life seafaring old salt who makes and plays musical bones, he is one heck of a nice guy - and clearly among the salt of the Earth. That is reason enough to order yourself a set or two of Tim Reilly's handcrafted bones.
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Features
- Fine 320 Grit Hand Sanded Finish: Provides secure grip.
- All Natural: Free from harmful chemicals. Won't chafe or irritate your skin.
- Crafted with Maritime Hand Tools: Rustic whaleman quality musical instruments.
- Fluids Drained During Production Creates Hollow Chamber: Enables resonant tone.
- Produces Broad Tonal Range: Play them soft or loud.
- Made from Free-range Animals: Socially responsible product.
- Scrimshawed Brand: Genuine Tim Reilly "TR with anchor" logo guarantees quality.
- Embraces the Spirit of the Sea: Guaranteed to play well with sea music!
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