Hey, Boneheads! Saddle Blanks?

[jedzep]

Howdy, all. 

I have to cut and shape a couple new saddles.  Can anyone recommend a reliable source for bone blanks (camel, cow, buffalo, human), emphasizing consistency and density.
 

Big thanks!   Dave

[LJey]

There is a guy I met in the Cigarbox guitar world. He carves a lot of bone. He helped me out years ago. Look him up on Facebook or Cigarbox Nation. His name is Randy Bretz. Hope this is helpful. 

[Sgt. Pepper]

On 2/6/2022 at 5:39 AM, jedzep said:

I have to cut and shape a couple new saddles.  Can anyone recommend a reliable source for bone blanks (camel, cow, buffalo, human)

Human? If Jeffery Dahmer was alive he could help. You serious, human?

[jedzep]

I'm never serious...and getting worse by the day.

[Dave F]

I bought a few dozen years ago but don’t remember who from. The luthier I use told me he gets cow bones from the local butcher.  I never paid attention to the consistency and density. I’ll have to check them out. I keep some unbleached ones on hand for that old time yellowish look.  I also keep some ivory and Fossil mammoth ivory ones on hand for the special guitars. 

[Dave F]

Here's my stash 

 

[jedzep]

I expected nothing less.

[Leonard McCoy]

Any hunter (deer antler) or butcher (cow) will do for a direct source, and that you will then have to cut down to rough shape with the right power tools. Apart from that, there is ample blanks supply at StewMac, of course, of various type and quality.

Edited March 2, 2022 by Leonard McCoy