I've noticed several people being fond of a longbox. I have never tried to play one so I have no experience at all. I have been listening to some sound files of various longboxes and I kind of liked the way they sound.
I have a few questions: 1. Is a long box and paddle box the same thing?
2. Are they easy to run, the sound files sound good and I own some boxes that are supposed to be good but I can still tell they are Box calls.
3. Who is a good call maker making longboxes and what wood combination are good for long boxes?
Long box and paddle calls are the same. They are harder to carry afield unless you get a holster. You can get more sounds from a long box due to you can start at different locations and stop the paddle after the roll over. A short box is usually just one stroke that ends when the lid is closed. I think tuning by the maker is more important than wood combinations, but in general it the same as the short box combinations. Look on here and the same short box makers can make you a good long box. Hope this rambling helps a little.
Sure does help. I've been Turkey hunting for 31 years and never got into calls much. Just always used mouth calls and recently started looking at other type calls. I don't think I need them to kill turkeys but I would like to expand my knowledge a bit.
Be careful, acquiring calls is very addictive. These custom call makers make beautiful calls with each by their own style!!
Jeff McKamey of Twisting Creek Calls makes an outstanding long box. I have Kwila/Butternut that's hard to beat.
Marlin Watkins makes a long box that's hard to beat. Either poplar or butternut body with a bloodwood lid is a screamer. Cedar lid make a nice sound to.
Russell Beard, Al Shoemaker, Ed Terefencko, Tim Bullock, Mike Lapp, Chuck Anderson, Ralph Snodgrass
If you're going to get any type box get a longbox. You can do so much more n they sound so much better. Not even close. Twisting creek was already mentioned n SS makes a great one too
I'm just getting into longboxes. Have a Marlin Watkins box and it sounds great. The kee kees sound amazing on it. Got a terefencko headed my way too.
Go to youtube and watch Marlin Watkins showing how to play a Paddle call.That will convince you about getting one
I've been Turkey hunting for 31 years and never got into calls much.
This is an interesting statement....I would have thought having hunted years ago like you started to hear the opposite. At any rate, the guys are right, a long box is very diverse and will with experience running the call, produce all the sounds one might want for a spring or fall hunt. I build box calls both long and short and favor a long box in the spring, but I do carry both. For my LB I simply carry it in a fabric holster and tuck it in the back of my vest, or while running and gunning I carry it in my hand and call every 50-75 steps or so.
Like any call, there are a tons of very talented custom call makers who build them and build them them to sound great. Good luck in your research.
Story is that Neil Cost calls were called paddle calls. (I may need correcting a little here) Along comes Dick Kirby and buys the rights to the paddle call name. I think Neil signed 100 of the Quaker Boy paddle calls that were built like Neil's. Ever since Kirby bought those rights, they have been called longboxes. Kirby promoted them more or less as a locator call due to the high pitch that he tuned into his. Cost's had a little deeper pitch and were used just as a short box would be used. I own, and hunt with, several longboxes; but, personally, I prefer a short box. More and more though, I'm leaning towards the Turpins and hen boxes.
Russell Beard
Lamar Williams
Dan Harris
Darin Dawkins
Al Shoemaker
Mike Lapp
Steve Mann
Jeff McKamey
Scott Witter
Marlin Watkins
just to name a few......
Let me clarify on the previous statement.
My Dad didn't hunt so I got to go with my grandpa and my uncle. My uncle let me make a copy of a Ben Lee cassette. Mouth calls were the cheapest thing I could get and we didn't have much money. I became pretty good with a mouth call so for many years I never even considered other calls.
As I've gotten older I wanted to try a few different kinds of calls. Ive got a few boxes from Mr. Paul. I bought them many years ago after seeing an add in a magazine. They sound nice but I preferred mouth calls so they went on a shelf. Since then I've bought a few pot calls but only one custom, that's from Mr. Trice. I am learning more about calls and am surprised at the various calls guys use. Trumpet calls blow my mind, I had seen wingbones and heard them once or twice. I kind of thought of them as more conversation pieces. There's a lot out there that I'm just getting exposed to, a lot has to do with this forum. Looks like I've missed out on a lot over the years.
Rzrbac,
I by no means meant to come across critical of your mouth call use, but I'm sure you know that, I just found it "interesting" for someone who has hunted as long as you have not to get a fuller experience/exposure of great calls than you have. That said, I would never be able to hold a candle to your mouth call expertise!
Part of my own experimentation with different calls is curiosity and trying to give stubborn birds a different sound than what they have heard the weeks prior. For the most part it has worked and frankly learning and using different calls is FUN
I can tell you from a 35 year turkey hunter, i got my first long box back couple months ago and it's outstanding. Got it from Mike at Spring Creek Calls. Mike makes one of the best long boxes of anyone that sells these boxes. Mike will include sound bits before you even buy the call so you call tell if you like the sound of the box..that's a lot more than some do that sell calls....Mike has a reasonable price on his calls ....my long is Eastern Red Ceder / chestnut....it measures 11 inch long, so its not that much longer than most short boxes
I didn't think it critical about the calls. Wished I would have been more exposed to some of the traditions of turkey hunting. Basically all I could afford was mouth call and had to make it work.
I've got to the point over the past few years I just want to try some new calls and become more of a student of the sport. For me it's all about calling them in (as with most) if I kill it's a bonus.
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one. I think they look sharp and if nothing else I'll look like I know what I'm doing in the woods :)
Quote from: Rzrbac on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one.
A quality paddle caller will most run itself. It just needs someone to carry it around the woods.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 02, 2017, 07:30:18 PM
Quote from: Rzrbac on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one.
A quality paddle caller will most run itself. It just needs someone to carry it around the woods.
Very, very true statement.
:agreed:
It's the one call, that I don't go hunting without..... :newmascot:
Quote from: Rzrbac on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
I didn't think it critical about the calls. Wished I would have been more exposed to some of the traditions of turkey hunting. Basically all I could afford was mouth call and had to make it work.
I've got to the point over the past few years I just want to try some new calls and become more of a student of the sport. For me it's all about calling them in (as with most) if I kill it's a bonus.
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one. I think they look sharp and if nothing else I'll look like I know what I'm doing in the woods :)
I used straight mouth calls for years. Nothing but proud of that. Lots of birds taken w em. Longboxes are way easier to use. In fact imo all friction is. Nothing taken away from friction type calls but mouth calls are ones most guys find the hardest n some don't take the time to master. I didn't consider myself even decent for a couple years
The more I listen to the long Box sound files the more tempted I get to buy one. I just about bought that tiger maple/paduak this morning. It went fast, somebody got a good sounding box.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 02, 2017, 07:30:18 PM
Quote from: Rzrbac on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one.
A quality paddle caller will most run itself. It just needs someone to carry it around the woods.
:camohat: X3 My favorite paddle call makers are #1 Mr Billy Bush
#2 Mr Marlin Watkins
#3 Mr Ralph Snodgrass
I'm still on a learning curve and don't sound near like the sound files on here but I still call turkeys in pretty close and have done it enough to know it isn't by accident, Mr Bush says a good long box is a musical instrument and you can't sound good unless you practice. Just like a guitar or piano, gotta practice to sound good. :z-twocents:
Buckle up!! It's gonna be a fun ride!
I've hunted turkeys for a long time. Got into spring season heavy in 1984. I would kill my bird, and "guide" for my buddies. My standard was the mouth call. Hate to think of the numbers over the years. I was always armed with 1/2 doz mouth calls, a Roger Latham box, and whatever pot-du juor I used (sparingly) for that year or two.
I would still feel very confident walking into the woods with just a mouth call or two in my pocket and my gun. But what fun is that? LOL
This site in particular has caused me to expand my horizons - and challenge myself to become proficient on as many types of calls as possible. Don't need to for killing birds, but it is fun.
Now, I have a tube call, 4 scratch boxes, 3 or 4 short boxes, a long box on the way, 3 trumpets, 1 wing bone on order from Mr. Sharpe, and more quality pot calls than I'm going to count. Curse you internet!!!
Hello, I'm a SteelerFan and I like turkey calls...
:gobble:
Quote from: Rzrbac on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
I didn't think it critical about the calls. Wished I would have been more exposed to some of the traditions of turkey hunting. Basically all I could afford was mouth call and had to make it work.
I've got to the point over the past few years I just want to try some new calls and become more of a student of the sport. For me it's all about calling them in (as with most) if I kill it's a bonus.
Long boxes have me intrigued just wonder if I could even work one. I think they look sharp and if nothing else I'll look like I know what I'm doing in the woods :)
I think it's commendable that after hunting for years you want to experiment and try different calls. For me it adds to the fun of turkey hunting and it's neat using one call and not getting a response,switching to a different type of call and having them respond. It's just adding more tricks in your bag and for me has lightened my wallet. Usually always have a call I still think I need..Lol...
Yes, getting on this website has cost me a little money. :D. Likely gonna cost me more, there's a long box in my future. May have to visit the get together call makers have in GA too. I'm taking my son to an archery tourney there next weekend. Too bad they don't coinciede, I'll just be sitting around for a couple of days while he's shooting.
Custom turkey calls are a very bad addiction. If it weren't for them, I would have a nicer house and a couple Porsches. :toothy12:
Reality is, I wouldn't trade my meager collection of calls for either. I love the art, craftsmanship and history that Turkey calls are.
I carry a Steve Mann PADDLE Call on every hunt. I won't leave the truck without one.
You can't go wrong with a long box from Mike at spring creek. I bought that cherry/tiger maple and it sounds great as do the other long and short boxes i have from him.
So it looks like in no particular order:
Jeff Mackamey
Billy Bush
Marlin Watkins
SS
Steve Mann
Russell Beard
Are all quality call makers. If a guy was going to get on a list and try to have one by next spring, who would that be. In other words, wait times around a year. Thanks.
If you order a call from SS you probably won't have to wait very long. I've always got calls quickly from Al and Josh and they are all very good. Pretty tough to beat their quality and turnaround time. If you're content to wait until next spring then you have several good options. I think Russell Beard will get you a call fairly quickly too, McKamey may as well. I think Steve Mann's wait list is around 2 years right now, not sure about the others on your list.
I would put Ralph Snodgrass (Lightning Strike) on that list.
He may have some made up on hand, he also makes a shorter boatpaddle that are very good.
X2 for Ralph Snodgrass
SS usually has a fast turn around time could probably get one for this season from them, I have 3 of their short boxes and maybe 5 scratch boxes from Al.
only long box I have is a Frank Kruer but it runs