Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Turkey Calls => Pot Calls Forum => Topic started by: SteelerFan on April 03, 2015, 07:01:44 PM

Title: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 03, 2015, 07:01:44 PM
Just a quick "shout out" for Mr. John Sinclair out of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. John is another quality call maker, and a great guy to deal with. He makes some beautiful calls, and his strikers are great too. He sells on ebay, and will offer up new selections after each night's auction. Sometimes he'll list just his strikers, in addition to his pot calls. The Titanium call is pretty awesome, as is his copper. I've heard good things about his brass, but haven't tried that, yet...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/upanddownpar/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p2047675
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: greentag on April 03, 2015, 10:34:20 PM
i got one of his one piece purpleheart strikers a few months ago,lucked out and won it on ebay shipped for ten dollars,i had never heard of him,but that striker is now one of my favorites on slate calls,its really nice,been wanting to get a few more but he's not put any strikers up in awhile.im going to try one of those titaniums one of these days,they look beautiful......
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: mgm1955 on April 04, 2015, 02:06:20 AM
Fine calls from a really nice guy!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 04, 2015, 09:30:24 AM
How is that titanium as a surface and what would you equate it to? How is it conditioned? I have admired his calls for a long time but never pulled the trigger on one yet. I love his choice of exotic woods.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 04, 2015, 11:01:18 AM
I have just about everything he makes....

The titanium is just a fantastic surface...very "grippy" for being so hard. Purrs and clucks effortlessly and the yelps are pure turkey...nice amount of rasp....it is a very unique surface, I can't quite equate the sound to any other call I've heard, but the birds love it!
It's not overly high pitched....you can get loud if you need to, and quite soft as well.

With a couple different strikers, it could be the best all around call!

you condition the titanium with the red scotchbrite, same as his brass and copper, and just about everything else...lol


For now, my cocobolo brass call is my favorite....it sounds like an old hen that has a 3 pack a day habit!

I have 6 or 7 of his calls, and all are pure turkey.

And to top it off, he's a heck of a nice guy and a true craftsman!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 04, 2015, 11:37:17 AM
Thanks for response.  Very good answers to all my questions.  Looks like I'm sold. 
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 04, 2015, 12:11:25 PM
Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 04, 2015, 11:37:17 AM
Thanks for response.  Very good answers to all my questions.  Looks like I'm sold.

Just don't bid on the cocobolo 3" brass calls he has on there now..... :funnyturkey:

I need a spare!!!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: captin_hook on April 04, 2015, 06:01:53 PM
Awesome , first I've heard his name on here. I have a coco bolo call he made for me with my pic in it with the first bird I called up for myself. He not a big name call maker but makes a heck of a call. Nice to see him mentioned on og!!!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 05, 2015, 09:30:11 AM
I just talked to John.....he's ramping down for the season, so get them while you can.

The Mun Ebony calls he has are really special....all his calls are perfect, but he says these mun ebony are a very limited run and sound amazing!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 06, 2015, 09:38:10 PM
Quote from: MDTOM84 on April 06, 2015, 07:51:57 PM
Got one of John's copper calls in the mail today and all I can say is WOW!!!!!
what kind of wood is it???

I have a macasser ebony copper that is really sweet...
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: MikeStaten on April 06, 2015, 09:57:46 PM
I've got his copper in Bolivian rosewood pot with a bubinga striker.  The pot is among the best copper calls I've heard.  The bubinga striker is also really nice.  Sounds great on many different surfaces.  His calls are also some of the best looking calls out there. 
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 06, 2015, 11:28:49 PM
Did you steal that 3" brass cocobolo from me tonight?!?

you're gonna love that call!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 07, 2015, 06:59:02 AM
He's not kidding...it sounds like a hen with a 3 pack a day habit...nice and raspy.
I bid on that one, and went out to the garage and lost track of time....came back inside and saw that I lost it....haha

I have the same call already.....i just needed a spare!

You just need a titanium and you'll have the sinclair trifecta...
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 07, 2015, 12:50:45 PM
Quote from: MDTOM84 on April 07, 2015, 10:08:38 AM
Yea I'm going to get one soon! I asked him what his raspyist call was and he told me the brass coco. The birds where I live love a real raspy call.
are you in MD?
I hope we're not close to each other, the birds will be very confused if the hear both our calls at the same time....lol
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 07, 2015, 02:48:13 PM
I'm up in frederick....not a ton of birds around me, but it's getting better.

Been seeing a lot more around lately.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 07, 2015, 06:23:21 PM
Some nice looking Titanium pots going tonight. 3.25" might get a slightly higher pitch than the 3.5" - but either would be a safe choice in any of the exotic woods...

:newmascot:
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 09, 2015, 07:23:44 AM
 He added a few more yesterday.....and a couple went for a really good price!

Just when I thought I was done buying calls for the year, he does this!!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 09, 2015, 09:57:58 AM
I got the 3.5" titanium bocote headed my way.  You guys twisted my arm!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 09, 2015, 11:41:05 AM
Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 09, 2015, 09:57:58 AM
I got the 3.5" titanium bocote headed my way.  You guys twisted my arm!
hehe...you're gonna love that one!
I tell ya, his calls are quite addicting....once you buy one, you suddenly realize you want more!

i have the wife convinced that I need a different call for every time I hunt...lol
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: Strick9 on April 10, 2015, 10:08:55 PM
Now I know who outbid me on that call, you guys!!! Don't really need another call but his titaniums have me wanting!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: Stickbow98 on April 10, 2015, 11:43:52 PM
John makes some terrific calls and is a pleasure to deal with. I have gifted several friends and family members with his glass "photo" calls.
My personal favorite call is a Bocote w/ Brass beauty he made for me that I call "Suicide"... for the fact that's what happens more often than not to the Toms that hear it's notes!  :z-flirtysmile3:
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 11, 2015, 12:51:37 PM
The cocobolo brass was too much for this guy....i called 5 Jakes away from a bunch of hens!

The hens were all fired up...cutting and yelping like mad! And the young guys were eating it all up!
Finally I must have said something they liked cuz they came running in.
my girl shot the best one at 22 yds...with the xbow and no blind....Maryland youth day success.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g382/jlhoverkill/IMG_20150411_085221.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/jlhoverkill/media/IMG_20150411_085221.jpg.html)
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 11, 2015, 06:38:37 PM
Well... you've done used all the hen out of that call - time for another!

(Congrats to the young lady, awesome accomplishment right there!) :happy0064:
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KY-Hunting on April 11, 2015, 06:46:35 PM
What is the best way to condition the titanium call?
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: rosharb on April 11, 2015, 07:12:39 PM
All the talk about these I had to bid on a copper one on e-bay and won the auction. Can't wait for it to get here.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 11, 2015, 07:46:41 PM
Quote from: KY-Hunting on April 11, 2015, 06:46:35 PM
What is the best way to condition the titanium call?

John sends the calls out "pre-conditioned", and recommends the 3M pad (red) for field touch up (one direction) - he sends one of those along with the call...

Not much to it, really.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KY-Hunting on April 11, 2015, 09:34:50 PM
Quote from: rosharb on April 11, 2015, 07:12:39 PM
All the talk about these I had to bid on a copper one on e-bay and won the auction. Can't wait for it to get here.

I got out bid on a 3.5 Bocote tonight but trying my luck again in 2days I really like the design of the wood he uses.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 11, 2015, 10:00:26 PM
If there is a particular call...wood/surface/soundboard combo you really want... you can contact him and I'm sure he will make it for you and sell direct.... (if he has the wood now)

As I said, he is slowing down for the season....he's been cranking out calls all winter, and I'm sure he's ready to sit in the woods on the weekend, instead sitting in front of his lathe!
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KY-Hunting on April 11, 2015, 10:09:20 PM
What's the best way to get in contact with him?
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 11, 2015, 10:26:20 PM
Quote from: KY-Hunting on April 11, 2015, 10:09:20 PM
What's the best way to get in contact with him?
I just sent you a pm...
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: Stickbow98 on April 12, 2015, 12:20:20 AM
JLH,

Congrats to both you and your girl on the gobbler. NICE photo! :icon_thumright:
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 15, 2015, 07:18:11 PM
Quote from: JLH on April 11, 2015, 12:51:37 PM
The cocobolo brass was too much for this guy....

What's your favorite striker combo for the brass call?
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 15, 2015, 08:48:10 PM
I can't find a striker I don't like on that call....
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 16, 2015, 06:50:30 PM
Got my 3.5 bocote titanium today.  First thing I will say is the craftsmanship is the best I have ever seen.  It is flawless and superbly crafted.  The striker is just as regal however I'm not a fan of flare tips and the bubinga wood is really high pitched.  The surface is very high pitched and metallic sounding as expected. Very grippy and great for purrs, clucks, yelps, you name it.  Not for the novice because its finicky on consistency when clucking and cackleing.  I find a straight tip helps control this.  The pot can be played quiet and soft or super loud.  Its like a megaphone when you want it to be. Very acoustically designed!  My Mike Yingling zebrawood striker is my favorite one to play on it so far.  It seems to condition easily with the maroon scotch brite and doesn't need it much.  I give the call a 10 out of 10 on quality but its not my favorite surface so far.  I am proud to own it and it can definitely call and kill birds.  Just my two cent review.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on April 16, 2015, 08:07:03 PM
Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 16, 2015, 06:50:30 PM
Got my 3.5 bocote titanium today.  First thing I will say is the craftsmanship is the best I have ever seen.  It is flawless and superbly crafted.  The striker is just as regal however I'm not a fan of flare tips and the bubinga wood is really high pitched.  The surface is very high pitched and metallic sounding as expected. Very grippy and great for purrs, clucks, yelps, you name it.  Not for the novice because its finicky on consistency when clucking and cackleing.  I find a straight tip helps control this.  The pot can be played quiet and soft or super loud.  Its like a megaphone when you want it to be. Very acoustically designed!  My Mike Yingling zebrawood striker is my favorite one to play on it so far.  It seems to condition easily with the maroon scotch brite and doesn't need it much.  I give the call a 10 out of 10 on quality but its not my favorite surface so far.  I am proud to own it and it can definitely call and kill birds.  Just my two cent review.

I have found on the Sinclair calls there are no real "dead spots", and allows you to go a little more towards center for a little deeper rollover. So far, Tulipwood and Dymonwood "play" best for me.
Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: JLH on April 16, 2015, 08:55:05 PM
I must add.....the more you play them, and condition them with the scotchbrite...the better they sound....i don't know if it's a matter getting used to the surface or using the surface.
all I know, I just love the way they play....and so far the turkeys seem to agree.

Title: Re: John Sinclair Custom Calls / Strikers
Post by: SteelerFan on May 06, 2015, 03:41:55 PM
FYI -
Contact info for John Sinclair now available on this site, as he is now a member: