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Turkey Calls => Pot Calls Forum => Topic started by: Meleagris gallopavo on March 12, 2021, 07:29:17 AM

Title: Gray/black slate
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on March 12, 2021, 07:29:17 AM
You don't see a lot of offerings in gray or black slate as the main pot call surface anymore.  Admittedly I have only one pot call in gray/black slate.  I do see it on the back side on double sided calls.  I imagine it's better for more controlled soft calling and the other surfaces are higher pitched for reaching out there.  Is that the reason? 


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Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: twyatt on March 12, 2021, 08:26:42 PM
I don't make many anymore because every time I order it, it comes in not perfectly round and drives me bonkers aesthetically. Plus some is softer, some is harder, and some looks like a truck ran over it. 
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on March 12, 2021, 08:35:13 PM
Quote from: twyatt on March 12, 2021, 08:26:42 PM
I don't make many anymore because every time I order it, it comes in not perfectly round and drives me bonkers aesthetically. Plus some is softer, some is harder, and some looks like a truck ran over it.
Thanks Travis.  It's one of the few pot surfaces I don't have.  Thing is, that's what most pot surfaces were made of many years ago.


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Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: callmakerman on March 13, 2021, 08:16:19 AM
For me when it comes to hunting and killing turkeys I want to be using a black slate call. To my ear it has the best sound with great soft talk.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: PEte_A on March 13, 2021, 02:16:33 PM
One of my Eddie Wynne grey slates is almost always the first call out of my vest.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: jmart241 on March 13, 2021, 03:23:54 PM
I really like my Lonnie Sneed Hot Hen gobblers like it to
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: BTH on March 13, 2021, 04:37:15 PM
Agreed on the older harder slate vs some you see and run today.

I do like my wynne persimmon (black) and an older Halloran laminated slate (harder gray) I have. 2 completely different content soft talking hens. But you can get more agressive on the Halloran without creating a bunch of dust/residue on the slate.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: M,Yingling on March 13, 2021, 05:23:27 PM
IMO i dont think a lot of guys are in to that soft mellow sound anymore ,, lots slate sound files out their run like sound like a glass call
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: mspaci on March 13, 2021, 06:31:55 PM
exactly what Bill said, Mike
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: callmakerman on March 13, 2021, 06:41:26 PM
Quote from: M,Yingling on March 13, 2021, 05:23:27 PM
IMO i dont think a lot of guys are in to that soft mellow sound anymore ,, lots slate sound files out their run like sound like a glass call
I agree with what your saying Mike but the way I look at it if I wanted to hunt a glass call then I would use one. I prefer the mellower black slate tones and kill plenty of birds that way. Just what I like may not work for everyone.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: Loyalist84 on March 13, 2021, 06:55:57 PM
I love my black slate cedar pot - I find it the purrs and clucks sound "birdier" than my other slate surfaces, but I like the harder slates for locating or rasp. For calling to a Tom from the roost first thing in the morning to bringing him to my lap after flydown though, it's black with a B&W Ebony striker.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: M,Yingling on March 13, 2021, 06:56:21 PM
yep couldn't agree more you want a call sound like glass buy a glass dont have deal with moisture issue with slate ,, lol  i pretty much stick with softer woods for gray slate  i like that mellower tone

was messing with this one few years back in the yard lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJSHyMwFV54
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: mspaci on March 13, 2021, 07:59:31 PM
3.5 in. regular slate over glass in walnut pot, my favorite, surprisingly high pitch if you crank on it.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: owego on March 14, 2021, 07:22:53 AM
 Been making calls for 40 yrs & all I use is glass sound boards in all calls, Hard black PA. in slate calls, frosted glass in all glass calls & top quality hard aircraft aluminum in all aluminum calls. All rest of the stuff you hear about I have tried & did not like it If you are buying a call for hunting, stick with these combos & you will be good to go. If you are a call collector mix it up & have fun. click link for my slate call.    http://www.enticerturkeycalls.com/shop/turkey-calls/power-slate/
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: callmakerman on March 14, 2021, 08:54:07 AM
Quote from: Loyalist84 on March 13, 2021, 06:55:57 PM
I love my black slate cedar pot - I find it the purrs and clucks sound "birdier" than my other slate surfaces, but I like the harder slates for locating or rasp. For calling to a Tom from the roost first thing in the morning to bringing him to my lap after flydown though, it's black with a B&W Ebony striker.
I have two cedar slate pots that I still hunt. Built them some time back but they will see use every year. Also built a black locust double slate last year for myself. Love hunting this call as it sounds so nice. All three have black slate in them. To each his own as we have all said before "everyone has a different hen or two running around in their head".
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: Ol timer on March 18, 2021, 08:33:24 AM
There has been a shift in the gray slates over the last 5 years. I found that when I install a glass soundboard to my pots it increased the higher pitch sounds more than in the past. I started removing the glass on some of the pots I make depending on the type woods used and  i get that old mellow sound you are accustomed to. I for one have been enjoying the smaller 3 1/4" slates more and more.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: PALongspur on March 18, 2021, 08:02:42 PM
Quote from: callmakerman on March 13, 2021, 08:16:19 AM
For me when it comes to hunting and killing turkeys I want to be using a black slate call. To my ear it has the best sound with great soft talk.

Positively could not agree more!!
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: Layne on March 22, 2021, 08:53:44 AM
I carry glass, aluminum and slate, for early morning soft calling IMO, you just can't beat a good slate call.
Title: Re: Gray/black slate
Post by: Meleagris gallopavo on March 22, 2021, 09:34:19 AM
I think the double-siders have reduced the necessity of grey slate being the main calling surface.