I am having a couple of slate calls built and I don't know the differences in the various types of slate. Any recommendations on what type of slate and what to use as a sound board?
I am a firm believer of good, old-fashioned gray/black slate over a glass sound board.
I've been using a walnut pot one I built myself for about the last 20 years. No idea how many turkeys it's caused to die. I also have a great walnut "Professional Series" by Hally Caller (good luck trying to find one, now), a figured canarywood by Redbeard (DUDE !!), and a recently acquired bubinga one from Lon Trice, which is OUTSTANDING !!!
I use a Buster Halford persimmon red slate with JLH canarywood and frogwood strikers that is pure turkey!
I love a good slate call of all colors of slate in a controlled environment.. But most of the time the weather in my area doesn't like slate calls in the early spring season. So my go to calls are ceramic and crystal ... But now I do have all the flavors of slate pot calls regardless ...
My favorite is a Bill Lyman grey double state, next is a Buster red slate and next would be a Townsend purple slate, I have another from a guy here in Ms. I can't even remember his name but it's a good one, has that mellow tone!
IMO, I believe a hardwood pot with Pennsylvania gray slate and a glass sound board makes the most realistic turkey sounds. Pair this call with a laminated striker, like JLH's Frog wood, and you'll have a DEADLY combination. If you want to tone down the slate and have a KILLER finishing call, use a cedar pot with a wood sound board.
I definitely prefer grey slate over a glass soundboard but it would be followed closely by grey slate over wood soundboard.
On board with gray slate over glass, with Tuscarora Legend "Jake-Taker" being my favorite.
I'm fine with a double gray slate, the older & darker the better.
Buster red slate
Platz cherry/maple grey slate
Lonzo birdseye maple or yellowheart grey slate
green slate in cedar pot
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I don't know that I have a favorite wood to have it in, I do not have enough experience to say that yet but I am rather partial to green slate myself.
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My favorite is a grey slate over grey slate in a black walnut pot by Jimmy Schaffer. 2nd is a tie between a green slate over glass in wormy chestnut pot from Paul "Bubba" Hicks Jr. and Buster's red slate over slate in a Persimmon pot.
Excellent choices
Favorite is a Buster red slate
I have a sycamore grey slate over slate from Travis Wyatt that's killer. Also really, really like my Brad Roberts green slate in cedar pot. And my first pot call still sounds great. The old Primos Battey slate.
To my ear and the best slate and one I use the most is Busters green slate. Most guys green slates I like but I think Busters is the def number 1.
My Platz Maple Slate over glass plays real nice and soft.......
I like red slate over glass in walnut pot John Sinclair, also have a red over aluminum and green over brass, all great calls! My go to is red over glass with ipe striker.
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I've got a gray slate over copper in a black walnut pot with a purple heart striker that sings.
Quote from: Yoder409 on January 18, 2024, 09:14:43 AM
I am a firm believer of good, old-fashioned gray/black slate over a glass sound board.
I've been using a walnut pot one I built myself for about the last 20 years. No idea how many turkeys it's caused to die.
Words of wisdom right there! I like them all, but something about a grey slate over glass - and the majority of mine tend to be in a walnut pot. I have a lot of other different woods with the same setup, and while they at times may be a prettier wood as for as the eyes - there is just something about walnut that tends to make it a good turkey killing pot.
I have a Lonnie Mabry grey slate over a cherry soundboard in a walnut pot that I might be willing to turn loose of if anyone wants one (Love his pots - I have four - thought I had three but found an extra one when going through my calls last week after selling two to another gentleman off of Old Gobbler). I use Trumpets more and more and can probably make it with just the remaining three till I am too old to hunt. You can Private message me if you are interested.
I asked Buster to build me an old-school black/black slate soundboard in a walnut pot and very happy I did...
Cody slate, and a wynne persimmon slate
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Buster red slate in a persimmons pot is absolute turkey its the best slate I've herd
I have a red slate over glass in a walnut pot that is always in my vest, it just has that pop to it.
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My favorite is Buster's green slate over slate in a Mahoe pot.