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Was adding a few new calls to my spreadsheet where I keep up with when I got calls, what they're made from, how much I paid, etc. and got to looking at some of the prices I've paid through the years, some great deals and some bad ones, but it got me wondering about the most I'd ever paid for a call. Most I've ever paid was $425 and I'd say that one was worth every penny. What's the most you've ever paid for a call?


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Not even half that. I don't collect or trade calls personally. I either hunt them or give them away. But everyone has their thing.

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The most expensive calls I have are the ones with sentimental value.  You couldn't buy them at any price.

I'm assuming, though, that the actual question is most I've ever paid to buy a call............  $750.   Only reasons I'd pay that kind of money would be that the call has significant historical value AND if I needed to, I could ALWAYS get my money back out of it.  Both of those are the case with that call.

With the SERIOUS collectors paying deep 5-figures for some of the iconic stuff............. I don't feel so bad.

A snakewood pot at $225.00

The grand total of my collection is the most expensive ... LOL... I have enjoyed ever minute of putting my collection together.

Quote from: Greg Massey on December 31, 2021, 10:12:51 AM
The grand total of my collection is the most expensive ... LOL... I have enjoyed ever minute of putting my collection together.

I hear ya !!!

I never had anywhere to display my calls, before.  Just this past week I began getting my accumulation out of the Rubbermaid totes I was storing stuff in as I got it.  I had NO CLUE what my accumulation of calls had become...........until I had them mostly all out.  I've got a problem.................   :z-dizzy:

Quote from: Happy on December 31, 2021, 08:34:41 AM
Not even half that. I don't collect or trade calls personally. I either hunt them or give them away. But everyone has their thing.

Same here.  Never got into the call collecting business, but to each their own.   If I am going to spend several hundred dollars for something related to turkey hunting, it is going to be for a spring gobbler license somewhere and for gas to get there.  To answer the question: I think I paid close to $30 for a call once,...but I was gritting my teeth to do it.   :angel9: ;D

$100 or so. I don't collect them beyond for use with plans to bloody them, but have enough to be embarrassed by it. I've got a few that I wouldn't sell for $10k, sentimental from use or from folks I think a lot of.  I don't knock anyone for collecting them for the sake of collecting.

Quote from: Yoder409 on December 31, 2021, 10:23:19 AM

Quote from: Greg Massey on December 31, 2021, 10:12:51 AM
The grand total of my collection is the most expensive ... LOL... I have enjoyed ever minute of putting my collection together.

I hear ya !!!

I never had anywhere to display my calls, before.  Just this past week I began getting my accumulation out of the Rubbermaid totes I was storing stuff in as I got it.  I had NO CLUE what my accumulation of calls had become...........until I had them mostly all out.  I've got a problem.................   :z-dizzy:

Yoder409 .. I've gotten to meet some awesome call builders while putting this collection together and have made friends with all of them some in person and some by chatting with them on the phone. Great Memories for sure. Looking forward to 2022.. Sometimes it's hard putting a price on a collection, because i can pickup and play a call from some of the best call builders in the business which in my opinion is priceless sometimes, the different woods, combo's and sounds, it's like trying to realize what hen sounds that builder hears in building a call ... History is also important part of all my collection.

I will add, I've got some strikers, that are from pass builder's and those who are still living that are another part of call collecting and playing in the spring turkey woods. Some great strikers that make calls come alive, just another part of enjoying my calls and killing gobblers ...

Quote from: Greg Massey on December 31, 2021, 10:45:42 AM

Quote from: Yoder409 on December 31, 2021, 10:23:19 AM

Quote from: Greg Massey on December 31, 2021, 10:12:51 AM
The grand total of my collection is the most expensive ... LOL... I have enjoyed ever minute of putting my collection together.

I hear ya !!!

I never had anywhere to display my calls, before.  Just this past week I began getting my accumulation out of the Rubbermaid totes I was storing stuff in as I got it.  I had NO CLUE what my accumulation of calls had become...........until I had them mostly all out.  I've got a problem.................   :z-dizzy:

Yoder409 .. I've gotten to meet some awesome call builders while putting this collection together and have made friends with all of them some in person and some by chatting with them on the phone. Great Memories for sure. Looking forward to 2022.. Sometimes it's hard putting a price on a collection, because i can pickup and play a call from some of the best call builders in the business which in my opinion is priceless sometimes, the different woods, combo's and sounds, it's like trying to realize what hen sounds that builder hears in building a call ... History is also important part of all my collection.

All of that !!!

I've also made some very good friends along the way.........call makers.........collectors........SERIOUS collectors........   I've discovered that, to a person, they have ALL been some of the most salt-of-the-earth people you'll meet.

I am 99.9% a box call guy.  To me, they are just such an incredible musical instrument.  If there was a day in the last 20 years that I didn't pick up a box and run it, I was probably either on vacation or in the hospital.

As far as "value"............. Monetary value is most accurately determined by (like it or not) eBay.  ALL the collectors watch it like a hawk.  As for personal value......... THAT'S where it's at for me.  The art and the craftsmanship of a fine custom.  The history of a vintage production call.  The sentimentality of a gifted call or one that was your dad's, etc........   

$350 is the most I've spent for a single call followed by some $250s. Funny thing is the very best calls I've purchased have been in the $40-$125 range.

Quote from: packmule on December 31, 2021, 05:35:50 PM....... the very best calls I've purchased have been in the $40-$125 range.

^^^^^

MUCH truth right here.

The best sounding calls..........the best looking calls........don't ALWAYS carry the biggest price tag OR have the most famous name written on them.

I never really looked at any of my calls in terms of dollars spent for them. A call is priceless if it is made with high quality craftsmanship and calls turkeys to the end of our barrels. I understand serious collectors paying high dollars for historical/rare turkey calls. I do have what I consider to be a strong "Hunters" collection that I enjoy and love to add to. Happy New Years...

I think the most I've paid is a little over $100. I'm sure there maybe some $200+ calls that sound better or play easier, probably not with my hand or ear.

But as others have stated some calls are priceless. My later fathers Lynch World champion. The pot call I harvested my first S. Dakota Merriam turkey with. Last call I used to harvest a turkey in my home state of PA. Will have these till my dirt nap.

I do hunt with all my calls.

Is this a trap?

$25 but that was a pack that included a slate, crow, mouth call all together.

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

You watch how quickly high dollar calls disappear from the classifieds on here for higher prices than what's been named and you know the real spenders are keeping quiet


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Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

Wanna know what's funny ??   My wife, most times, is my enabler.  She's even bid on calls for me when I was at work.........

:you_rock:

Quote from: Yoder409 on January 01, 2022, 08:51:04 AM

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

Wanna know what's funny ??   My wife, most times, is my enabler.  She's even bid on calls for me when I was at work.........

:you_rock:

She's a keeper my friend.....

I am not a "collector" of calls, I have given a lot of my old calls away to friends and newbies but there are calls I have kept for sentiment and what I value, my collection of calls is based on that.

As for expensive calls I actually won a set of calls from a custom call maker and the value of those far exceeds anything I have bought.

Over 25 years ago I bought a CODY World Class Slate for $125.00 and there is a story with that :icon_thumright:, my buddies thought I was nuts at the time and have ended more turkeys with that call than any other call I have ever used/owned combined. It now sits on a display I made, and its successor has earned that spot! A friend of mine bought me a call and had that call customized for me, The Cody® "SPEC I" Legend Slate is pure turkey and has been a killer.

http://www.codyturkeycalls.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FanaticTurkeyDisplays


MK M GOBL

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

:morning: that's funny

I'm not a collector but I did pony up $14.99 for a old Lynch box call a few years ago. It was from a thrift store and still in the box with instructions. It said foolproof on it so I new it was the one for me.

Quote from: MK M GOBL on January 01, 2022, 08:54:37 AM
I am not a "collector" of calls, I have given a lot of my old calls away to friends and newbies but there are calls I have kept for sentiment and what I value, my collection of calls is based on that.

As for expensive calls I actually won a set of calls from a custom call maker and the value of those far exceeds anything I have bought.

Over 25 years ago I bought a CODY World Class Slate for $125.00 and there is a story with that :icon_thumright:, my buddies thought I was nuts at the time and have ended more turkeys with that call than any other call I have ever used/owned combined. It now sits on a display I made, and its successor has earned that spot! A friend of mine bought me a call and had that call customized for me, The Cody® "SPEC I" Legend Slate is pure turkey and has been a killer.

http://www.codyturkeycalls.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FanaticTurkeyDisplays


MK M GOBL

Amen, nice display. The Cody Spec 1 is an absolute Turkey killer. I got mine in 1994, #168 and it is always in my vest......Expensive at the time, but priceless now.......

Quote from: lacire on January 01, 2022, 09:39:34 AM
I'm not a collector but I did pony up $14.99 for a old Lynch box call a few years ago. It was from a thrift store and still in the box with instructions. It said foolproof on it so I new it was the one for me.

Great call there.......stands the test of time......

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

;D

Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on December 31, 2021, 08:29:45 AM
What's the most you've ever paid for a call?

Too much.

Quote from: Yoder409 on January 01, 2022, 08:51:04 AM

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

Wanna know what's funny ??   My wife, most times, is my enabler.  She's even bid on calls for me when I was at work.........

:you_rock:

She have a single sister?  :z-flirtysmile3:

All I'll say I have a LOT of calls that I keep in a safe, and leave it there.

Work of art there, congrats

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 08:53:16 AM

Quote from: Yoder409 on January 01, 2022, 08:51:04 AM

Quote from: Tom007 on January 01, 2022, 07:39:48 AM

Quote from: Bedge7767 on January 01, 2022, 12:20:54 AM
Is this a trap?

Never thought of this, maybe the wives are monitoring this post???

Wanna know what's funny ??   My wife, most times, is my enabler.  She's even bid on calls for me when I was at work.........

:you_rock:

She's a keeper my friend.....

She's still here.    :icon_thumright:

Quote from: ol bob on January 01, 2022, 11:08:06 AM
All I'll say I have a LOT of calls that I keep in a safe, and leave it there.

Just as long as you get em out and play them from time to time...........    ;)

My most expensive, a 1990's Lamar Williams checkered walnut and butternut.

A Zach Farmer trumpet is by far my most expensive


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Quote from: Terry on January 02, 2022, 09:26:37 AM
A Zach Farmer trumpet is by far my most expensive


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Most monetary value too.  I'm in the same position. Rare and finely made Indeed.

Probably my Billy Buice Matched set. Not even going to say how much but if you know you know! lol. Will say I do have some that I paid less for and have gotten for free that have no price on them. Can't be replaced to me.  Bubba

Quote from: Spring Creek Calls on January 02, 2022, 07:11:57 AM
My most expensive, a 1990's Lamar Williams checkered walnut and butternut.

Timeless classic call, right there !!!

You know one of my most Cherished times was sitting beside Marlin Watkins, Jeff Mckamey and T J Jonson and we were all playing and handing each other calls back and forth between us, that day i purchased calls from all 3 of them and in my opinion these calls are priceless, sometimes you can't put a price on a call after it become your after meeting some of the best in the call business .. Same goes with Lama Williams, Darrin Dawkins and Steve Mann... You can get old school hens sounds and some new style hen sounds, some apprenticed under Neil Cost.... Sure a 30 dollar call will kill turkeys, but a 300 dollar call will also kill turkeys ...it all depends on what you want as a turkey hunter same with guns and shells. It don't necessarily take the best, but why not take some of the best, your only on this earth for one lifetime so do what makes you happy and enjoy turkey hunting. IMO

Well put Greg, amen.....

 I have ran the same world class for almost, if not, 30 years now. Did buy a Legend 2 years ago, but traded it for another world class. I gave it to my son.

Mine seems to be going dead and I am wanting to replace it now, and even add a Spec glass with it.

On a side note, been trying to get ahold or Cody Calls, tried phone "Left message", email, facebook. Anyone have any info on them? They doing all right?

Quote from: WV Flopper on January 02, 2022, 12:47:27 PM
I have ran the same world class for almost, if not, 30 years now. Did buy a Legend 2 years ago, but traded it for another world class. I gave it to my son.

Mine seems to be going dead and I am wanting to replace it now, and even add a Spec glass with it.

On a side note, been trying to get ahold or Cody Calls, tried phone "Left message", email, facebook. Anyone have any info on them? They doing all right?

I think i heard they close the old shop and are in the process of building a new one or relocating ...

 Just received a message from Debbie, they do not have their new shop set up yet for production.

Quote from: WV Flopper on January 02, 2022, 03:02:01 PM
Just received a message from Debbie, they do not have their new shop set up yet for production.

Thanks for letting us know...

I don't think I ever paid more than 30 bucks for one?  Fortunately I have been gifted from a few call makers themselves some fine calls that are not cheap!

All are Pot calls, basically use a mouth call 90 percent of the time, mixed with a pot.

I don't have any idea what my "most expensive" call is but I have many that are priceless. 
Calls made by true friends.  Many of the calls didn't cost much monitarily.  Some were gifts and some were purchased.  None can be replaced.  The list of great call makers that I call friends that I have calls from is long and I thank the good Lord for them. 

$50 for a Sneeds Outlaw hen.

I paid $3000 for a cost call once from Dick Kirby's collection.  Actually bought two of them for a total of $5000



Neal


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Enough to buy a nice macro lens for my camera.

$29 for a box call I bought from Neil Cost in 1979.

  I have a Turpin Box that,I paid 150 Bucks for. Teak solid Box and a Beech Paddle. Extremely  Raspy.

Quote from: Turkeyman on January 04, 2022, 12:00:50 AM
$29 for a box call I bought from Neil Cost in 1979.

Talk about a wise investment!  I suspect that if you decide to part with it, you will probably be able to sell it for a little bit more than that!   ;) ;D

Quote from: Turkeyman on January 04, 2022, 12:00:50 AM
$29 for a box call I bought from Neil Cost in 1979.

I got $100 to triple your money and then some.    :)

Great piece of history to have!

Quote from: quavers59 on January 04, 2022, 01:10:34 AM
  I have a Turpin Box that,I paid 150 Bucks for. Teak solid Box and a Beech Paddle. Extremely  Raspy.

$150 for a Turpin ????    :o

You better go to confession !!!    :TooFunny:

Quote from: Yoder409 on January 04, 2022, 06:21:21 PM

Quote from: quavers59 on January 04, 2022, 01:10:34 AM
  I have a Turpin Box that,I paid 150 Bucks for. Teak solid Box and a Beech Paddle. Extremely  Raspy.

$150 for a Turpin ????    :o

You better go to confession !!!    :TooFunny:

I'm guessing a Turpin style box or maybe Billy Bob Turpin.


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