PLUNKETT PERCUSSION
IRONWOOD BONES

Novice and experienced players prefer Plunkett Percussion Handcrafted Ironwood/Lignum Vitae dihedral angle bones because they're so easy to play and produce rich vibrant tones. The distinctive architectural features and characteristic wood that set this innovative bone design apart from other bone designs are:

1.) The dihedral angle provides optimal precision in the striking area. This is because the bones have less area to travel to produce the actual strike while they pendulum on a vertical axis. The vertical axis of the bones also creates a greater surface area at the point of contact. This translates into less force to produce the strike, greater force transferred to the actual hit and increased sound.

2.) The wider rails and flat rimmed edges on these wooden bones allow for a controlled fulcrum that also provides greater gripping ability. It's easier for your fingers to grip these bones because the side rail surface is flat, (not completely rounded), and is considerably wider. These bones are actually thicker than most wooden bones. This allows your fingertips to gently apply pressure and distribute maximum "purchase" to the edges of the bones while cradling them easily into position.

3.) The weight of these bones is more than other wooden bones, approximately 25% heavier; this factor makes them considerably easier to play. The click is produced by the distribution of force created between two parallel pendulums - bones - that rock back and forth, then collide together to make sound. You can feel a pendulum's reaction much quicker in your hand due to gravity's increased pull on heavier weighted bones.

4.) Lignum Vitae/Ironwood produces an extremely rich, warm and vibrant tone because of the intense density and weight of the wood. Its density is formed by its inherent growing properties which produce very few pockets of air per molecule of wood. This gives Lignum Vitae its strength, signature sound and astounding vibrational qualities.

Combine these innovative design factors and raw elements together and, "voilà", you have an exceptionally nice set of smooth playing, beautiful sounding bones!

How is the wood acquired:
This Ironwood comes from the jungles of South America. Our timber specialists travel the world in search of the finest quality wood and seek only timber from sustainable forests.

How are these bones made:
These remarkable instruments are handcrafted by Aaron Plunkett in his workshop nestled in the magical Valley of Ojai. He works during cycles of the Solstice and uses only old-world tools.

What inspired this extraordinary design:
Aaron desired to improve the tonal quality of wooden bones and make bone playing more accessible to novice and professionals alike. Hours of playing the bones and studying the mechanics and physics involved, as well performing "hands-on" workshops and clinics, have paved the way for this innovative set of designs from Mr. Plunkett.

However, origins of his designs started years ago . . . it came to Aaron as a young boy sailing his Irish Laser in Hurricane Gulch where winds regularly gust above 30 knots. His fascination with the Ocean grew as he sailed on the Sea and became immersed in her immense beauty, fluidity and strength. Attempting to harness the forces of Mother Nature, sailing acted as a catalyst and furthered as a gateway for understanding how architecture makes a world of difference. More specifically, that design and architecture are the deciding factors when arranging materials to stand the test of time.

Further curiosity led him to investigate naval shipbuilding and submarines which are also entirely dependent upon Lignum Vitae/Ironwood. In fact, the entire naval fleet would sink without Ironwood. The Wood is specifically used at crucial breaches in the hull where the shaft of the propeller sticks through the hull and turns 'round.' A very specific type of washer must be made (to withstand a very high "tolerance" degree) in order to allow the propeller shaft to turn freely, yet keep the ocean water from flooding into the engine compartment. The vibration of the propeller shaft spinning round puts an extremely high stress load at this juncture. So intense, that the force literally breaks apart anything else. Hence, it earns its name, "Iron" Wood.

Ironwood has many uses and has been used since antiquity by different cultures from all around the world. Aborigines in Australia use Ironwood to call dolphins/cetaceans and have for thousands of years . . .

Interesting Ironwood Note:
The sawdust produced from Ironwood can be deadly if inhaled, and this wood doesn’t float. So, sanding, sawing and building life rafts from Ironwood is not recommended.

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