Ebony (black) was the wood of choice for Mister Bones during the minstrel era. It is one of the world's hardest woods. Ebony is a dense resonant wood that holds a reputation among woodcrafters as a saw buster.

Boxwood (beige) is a hard, close-grained and heavy exotic evergreen native to England and Turkey that delivers a strong sharp tone.

Padauk [pah-DOWK] (salmon) is a very durable exotic wood from central and tropical west Africa that delivers a highly resonant medium tone.

Historically Accurate Design
The most popular woods during the American Minstrel Era were Ebony and Rosewood. Some folks made their own bones from local hardwoods.  

Now you can treat yourself to rare budget-priced "Tri-tone" rhythm bones made from exotic Ebony, Boxwood and Padauk. They're patterned after vintage Percy Danforth Minstrel Style Bones made by the late master woodcrafter, Ray Schairer (1922 - 2011).

• Ideal for Medium or Large hands: Significantly wider width than vintage Danforth Bones.
• Brawny Shape: Provides more heft...creates a powerful presence.
• No two are exactly alike.
• Your item may vary from photos.
• Thickness, length and width of each bone might differ slightly.
• Width of laminations might vary.
• Smooth glossy finish.
• Durable Wood: Guaranteed not to crack or your money back.
• Protective Natural "Bob" Polish: Keeps bones looking new.
• New Innovative Style: Variable "tri-tone" design.
• Colorful laminated wood patterns.
• Historically accurate shape--but non-period "new-fangled" minstrel design.
• Fun for living history minstrel band performers.
• Conversation piece for Civil War reenactors jamming around the camp fire.
• Professional Quality...Budget price.

Welcome to the only store on the planet where you can get minstrel style bones in rare budget priced exotic woods and 3 standard widths.

Narrow
Narrow Pea Patch Minstrel-style bones are just 1" (2.5 cm) in width. The slim width makes them relatively light in weight and easy to grip. These bones are perfect for smaller hands or players who prefer narrow instruments. 

Regular
Regular Pea Patch Minstrel-style bones are a moderate 1-1/8" (2.9 cm) in width. The traditional design is perfect for most hand sizes and the shape delivers a superior dynamic tonal range.

Wide
Wide Pea Patch Minstrel-style bones are a broad 1-1/4" (3.2 cm) in width. The brawny shape provides substantial heft and creates a powerful presence. They feel quite stout and burly.

Why Choose these Bones? Living history musicians who perform at Minstrel era and Civil War gigs should choose Pea Patch Minstrel-style Bones for their historically accurate design. You will also appreciate the sharp powerful tone that cuts through the clamor of festival crowds--and so will curious onlookers! So if you want historically accurate minstrel style bones that are brawny and powerful; ideal for medium or large hands; fashionably styled, colorful to watch & fun to play; professionally handcrafted one at a time from exotic hardwoods and yours at a budget price, then Wide Pea Patch Minstrel-style Laminated Bones are for you.

Pea Patch musical rhythm instruments bring back the traditional downhome sound of days-gone-by. Always keep a pair handy and ready to play...like grandpappy did when he was a boy.

100% Pure Natural Old-time Rhythm Instruments.

Here's What You Get:
One pair of closely matched bones.

Did you order enough pairs? One pair of bones is enough for one hand. If you want enough bones for two-hand playing, then you need to get at least two pairs--

1 Pair = 2 bones (enough for one hand)
2 pairs = 4 bones (enough for two-hand playing)

Features

1. Wide Width: Brawny shape provides substantial heft, creates powerful presence.
2. Laminated Ebony-Boxwood-Padauk Hardwood: Handcrafted one-at-a-time.
3. Smooth glossy finish: Fine heirloom quality instruments.
4. Durable Hardwood: Guaranteed not to crack or your money back.
5. New-fangled Minstrel Style Design: Still popular over 150 years.
6. Protective Natural "Bob" Polish: Keeps bones looking new.
7. Historically accurate shape--but non-period "new-fangled" laminated minstrel design.
8. Fun for living history minstrel band performers.
9. Conversation piece for Civil War reenactors jamming around the camp fire.
10. Budget priced.

Technical Specs
Figures are approximate (but pretty darn close)–

• Length: 7-1/2" (19.1 cm)
• Width: 1-1/4" (3.17 cm)
• Thickness: 3/8" (9.53 mm)
• Composition: Laminated Ebony-Boxwood-Padauk hardwood
• Weight: 2.64 oz (53.86 g)
• Style: Tri-tone
• Shape: Significantly wider width than vintage Danforth Bones
• Camber (arc): A smidge shallower than standard 28 degrees
• Finish: Natural "Bob" Polish
• Country of Origin: India

Ebony
• Color: Jet Black (black licorice)
• Specific Gravity: 1.12 (Strongest Tone)
• Density: 65 pcf (Strong Tone)
• Hardness: 3220 Janka (Sharpest Tone)

Boxwood
• Color: Pale Yellowish Beige (Creamed English Tea)
• Specific Gravity: .91 (Stronger Tone)
• Density: 57 pcf (Medium Tone)
• Hardness: 2730 Janka (Sharper Tone)

Padauk
• Color: Reddish brown. (Smoked Salmon)
• Specific Gravity: .72 (Medium Tone)
• Density: 48 pcf (Mild Tone)
• Hardness: 1725 Janka (Medium Tone)

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How to Play the Bones Videos

Learn the ancient art of bone playing from an expert...

How To Play The Bones With Percy Danforth

Folk Rhythms Instructional Video