Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Title says it all. I've been looking for a slate call that has "that" sound. Anyone who's killed a few turkeys know what I mean. Some calls have that sound that makes birds want to die. I'm searching for a slate that has that. Recently the Cody World Class has come up in my search. So I'm your opinion, is it worth the $175 price tag?

Only you can decide if it's worth that price tag.  If you think it's worth it to get that sound, then yes it's worth it.  But for me it's not worth anywhere near that.

Good question? I've wandered the same and talked to a very well know call builder today about this. He said they are good, very good my next question to him was is there calls as good? He says yes! I said is there better calls? He said yes. He said sound depends on the ear listening, everyone has a sound they like. So is it worth 175.00 to you? That's my question I would like to have a legend but is it with 200.00?

A 100.00 used single shot will kill a turkey why do we pay up to 2000.00 for our setups? Kind because we want too lol.

I would like to know if a Cody call is worth the money as well.


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Kill turkeys with $50 pot call all day long, spend 'em if u got em, then you can tell everyone you have a $175 pot call.


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I have the world class and the spec 1. If I had to do it over , I would buy them again. I believe they are some of the most realistic sounding slates out there to me. The birds agree.

Hey S and D your last few post I have agreed 100%!

Regardless if the call is worth 50, 100, 200 or 400 hundred dollars it really doesn't matter. You need to know how to master the calls your trying to use, it's a device that produces sounds and if you don't understand the reason for these sounds in trying to call a gobbler, it doesn't matter if you have a Cody call, Jim Shelley call, David Halloran, or any of the other great call makers. If you haven't mastered the techniques and effectiveness in speaking the language your not going to be very successful regardless in calling many birds to the gun barrel. It's doesn't take a great caller to kill birds, what it take's is understanding what your trying to do with the call in calling birds clucks, yelps, purrs, cutt, excited yelp, fly down cackle, kee kee, putt and the tree call... Mouth calls, box calls, pot calls and trumpets just to name a few. Not all of these calls are going to make the sounds your looking for it take different calls to master these sounds in the turkey woods. People are going to be different in what they feel makes the best sounds in calling gobblers. I think a person going in the woods with just 2 or 3 call's may sometimes put himself in a disadvantage in calling birds because he just doesn't have that sound that day the gobbler is looking for in delivering himself into gun range. Remember turkeys are just being turkeys.

Read MK M GOBL post. About 10 down.

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Quote from: fallhnt on February 07, 2018, 12:29:31 AM
Read MK M GOBL post. About 10 down.

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Here's the link to my story with CODY calls.

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,78572.0.html

MK M GOBL

To me no, to you maybe. Are some shotguns that are worth thousands more deadly than one that cost $300.00? Only you can decide. I have no problem paying money for something I want. However I do not necessarily believe that it will be more effective. When it comes to turkey hunting my confidence comes from my abilities not my tools. I have killed more birds with a $5.00 diaphram than anything else. Next call with the most kills under its belt cost me $15.00. But if I wanted a world class I would go buy one. But I wouldn't buy it under the impression that is was going to make me a better hunter. It's the Indian more than the arrow in my opinion. I know some old boys with walmart calls, remington shotguns and lead turkey loads that would totally bury most of these fellows with all the pricy calls, high dollar shotguns, tss and $1000.00 worth of decoys with a fancy  tent to shoot out of to boot. They paid the price in years of experience and studying a craft that serves them well. As hard as the industry tries they can't sell that.

Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 06, 2018, 10:23:11 PM
Hey S and D your last few post I have agreed 100%!

Thanks. We may not always agree on everything , but in the end we are always turkey hunting brothers.

Quote from: Happy on February 07, 2018, 06:58:18 AM
To me no, to you maybe. Are some shotguns that are worth thousands more deadly than one that cost $300.00? Only you can decide. I have no problem paying money for something I want. However I do not necessarily believe that it will be more effective. When it comes to turkey hunting my confidence comes from my abilities not my tools. I have killed more birds with a $5.00 diaphram than anything else. Next call with the most kills under its belt cost me $15.00. But if I wanted a world class I would go buy one. But I wouldn't buy it under the impression that is was going to make me a better hunter. It's the Indian more than the arrow in my opinion. I know some old boys with walmart calls, remington shotguns and lead turkey loads that would totally bury most of these fellows with all the pricy calls, high dollar shotguns, tss and $1000.00 worth of decoys with a fancy  tent to shoot out of to boot. They paid the price in years of experience and studying a craft that serves them well. As hard as the industry tries they can't sell that.

well said and I am in full agreement. One thing I will say though is confidence kills alot of birds. if you drop 200 bucks on a call and you have some ability and it gives you confidence , that will take you a long way. It also helps to have alot of birds to hunt lol.

I can remember a few years ago I was in Kentucky hunting spring birds with a buddy of mine we had been working a bird , and he wasn't wanting to make those last few steps,   When all of the sudden I hear this sweet little yelping back behind me,  and I thought to my self. That's a hen that has came in behind us,  with in min the ole gobbler popped his head up, and the rest is history!  Well come to find out my buddy had broke out his old Cody slate,  and started yelping on it...  Iam not a pot call guy,  but I would pay 200 for his Cody as it is the most realistic sounding pot call I have ever heard but he also knows how to run it which helps out a lot.,  I will see if I can find out which one he has.

Take the knowledge of a seasoned "successful" hunter, mix in skills of one who can "Run a Pot Call", and then drop a CODY World Class Slate in their hands. I can tell you the out come!

Now I know a lot of what we talk here does come down to the individual and their skill sets. And no matter what "product" you are using will not overcome the lack of those skills.

If I ever had to replace my CODY I would in a heartbeat!!
I'll pick performance over pretty every time.

MK M GOBL

Don't get me wrong, i have more calls than most and more gadgets than most, i'm a sucker and already have a list started for the nwtf convention and booths i have to stop by. I pay $10/shell for turkey loads.  All i think about 10 mos out of 12 is turkeys (elk the other 2). I have heard 10yr olds call in turkeys with a diaphragm that sounded like a dying rabbit and it's hard for me to think a $200 piece of slate sounds better than a $50 piece or that you would need it. I am 1 bird away from an unguided public land grand slam. And turkey hunt about 25-30 days a year. However, i have never picked up one of these calls because i do not want to drop $200 on a pot call, i may pick one up at the convention just due to this thread......thanks!


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Sure it is a great call, but I would not pay $150-175 for any slate call.

Quote from: Spitten and drummen on February 06, 2018, 10:14:53 PM
I have the world class and the spec 1. If I had to do it over , I would buy them again. I believe they are some of the most realistic sounding slates out there to me. The birds agree.

x2

Y'all got my wallet itching


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It's not the CALL that makes the hunter, it's knowing how to RUN a call that make a turkey response to the call, if that call doesn't have a turkey in that call your odd's are going to be a lot less in being successful. Sure everyone has killed a turkey with some kind of a call at some point, it was just meant for that turkey to die. But a good persistent turkey hunter will tell you a call has to have a turkey in the call and you have got to know how to run the call. Some people think just buying a call and running out the door is going to kill them a turkey, in most cases this is not true... you need to listen and learn what hen turkeys sound like and practice with good calls that have a turkey built into the calls - box call, mouth calls, pot calls it can go on and on with different type calls... the CALL just has to talk turkey ...

I like to kill em with no cAlls and
No decoys just setup where the travel through and stalk em


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Quote from: Greg Massey on February 07, 2018, 11:05:29 AM
It's not the CALL that makes the hunter, it's knowing how to RUN a call that make a turkey response to the call, if that call doesn't have a turkey in that call your odd's are going to be a lot less in being successful. Sure everyone has killed a turkey with some kind of a call at some point, it was just meant for that turkey to die. But a good persistent turkey hunter will tell you a call has to have a turkey in the call and you have got to know how to run the call. Some people think just buying a call and running out the door is going to kill them a turkey, in most cases this is not true... you need to listen and learn what hen turkeys sound like and practice with good calls that have a turkey built into the calls - box call, mouth calls, pot calls it can go on and on with different type calls... the CALL just has to talk turkey ...

Very well said Greg!

I can't run a call, or even shoot a gun. I am just glad God will put a big turkey in front me every once in awhile.

Biggest bird I killed was with no calls or decoys just sitting by a tee waiting on him to head towards his roosting ground. Been watching him for weeks out of binoculars.


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Quote from: TheBigSnood on February 07, 2018, 11:11:56 AM

Quote from: Greg Massey on February 07, 2018, 11:05:29 AM
It's not the CALL that makes the hunter, it's knowing how to RUN a call that make a turkey response to the call, if that call doesn't have a turkey in that call your odd's are going to be a lot less in being successful. Sure everyone has killed a turkey with some kind of a call at some point, it was just meant for that turkey to die. But a good persistent turkey hunter will tell you a call has to have a turkey in the call and you have got to know how to run the call. Some people think just buying a call and running out the door is going to kill them a turkey, in most cases this is not true... you need to listen and learn what hen turkeys sound like and practice with good calls that have a turkey built into the calls - box call, mouth calls, pot calls it can go on and on with different type calls... the CALL just has to talk turkey ...

Very well said Greg!

I think this is a great philosophical, old timer statement, but doesn't explain the thousands of turkeys killed every year by novices, etc. in my opinion, like you said, it's just the turkeys day. My first turkey, 24 years ago, i was calling with a diaphragm call, more whistling and choking than calling. Set decoys up wrong, he came out 90 degrees to my left in a wide open field, 3 hens came to my decoys, they went back to him and they are walking in the wide open and he is turning to leave i turn 90 degrees 3 hens between us, with regular 6 shot lead through a modified choke at 40yds walking away.  The neighbors said they heard someone whoopin and hollerin 3-400 yds away. It was his time to die. Patience and time will kill as many turkeys as a call. To my point, i really don't want to pick up a $200 call because I know i will buy it, just trying to give myself an excuse not to by remembering this hunt.  And, if you want to sound the turkiest, get the best call, i just don't think you have to, to kill turkeys. But as you can tell, i want to, can't hurt. Anybody got $200 i can borrow so my wife doesnt know i'm spending it?


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I'v said this before and hope its not taken in a wrong as I'm not trying to self promote or offend. When you reach a certain calling aptitude the call chosen does make a difference. Many turkeys it does not but some it does. Its like playing a high end instrument you need to reach a certain level of ability to truly start appreciated the subtle differences.

As I'v said before probably 80% of birds ready to commit can be called in equally as well by a 20 dollar primos jackpot as a cody from a descent caller. This is hard to prove other than 1000s of hours of observation there comes a time where having a very premium call in the hands of a skilled caller will call that bird in when nothing else would even the same skilled caller with a lower end call. A side benefit is its also just fun to run a well tuned Cody World Class Slate. Some of you guys with think of I am full of BS and a few of you will understand exactly what I'm saying.

Once you get one you'll sell your others. But at the end of the day to kill birds you simply need consistent time to scout and hunt and some birds in your area.

Quote from: Greg Massey on February 07, 2018, 11:05:29 AM
It's not the CALL that makes the hunter, it's knowing how to RUN a call that make a turkey response to the call, if that call doesn't have a turkey in that call your odd's are going to be a lot less in being successful. Sure everyone has killed a turkey with some kind of a call at some point, it was just meant for that turkey to die. But a good persistent turkey hunter will tell you a call has to have a turkey in the call and you have got to know how to run the call. Some people think just buying a call and running out the door is going to kill them a turkey, in most cases this is not true... you need to listen and learn what hen turkeys sound like and practice with good calls that have a turkey built into the calls - box call, mouth calls, pot calls it can go on and on with different type calls... the CALL just has to talk turkey ...

That's almost exactly what I was trying to imply with the original post. I'm looking for that slate that has a turkey penned up inside it. Not to sound arrogant, but I've been running all styles of calls for many years. Mouth calls, boxes, pots, trumpets, etc. I've reached a level of proficiency in the past few years that I simply wish to run higher quality calls. A professional musician could take a 100 dollar guitar and make good music, however he is at the height of his potential and confidence with the 2000 dollar guitar. Kind of the same principle.

There's a lot to be said with the effectiveness of sounding drunk and slutty.
That's the approach I take.

Quote from: bghunter777 on February 07, 2018, 12:32:10 PM
I'v said this before and hope its not taken in a wrong as I'm not trying to self promote or offend. When you reach a certain calling aptitude the call chosen does make a difference. Many turkeys it does not but some it does. Its like playing a high end instrument you need to reach a certain level of ability to truly start appreciated the subtle differences.

As I'v said before probably 80% of birds ready to commit can be called in equally as well by a 20 dollar primos jackpot as a cody from a descent caller. This is hard to prove other than 1000s of hours of observation there comes a time where having a very premium call in the hands of a skilled caller will call that bird in when nothing else would even the same skilled caller with a lower end call. A side benefit is its also just fun to run a well tuned Cody World Class Slate. Some of you guys with think of I am full of BS and a few of you will understand exactly what I'm saying.

I agree 100%, i also think it sucks to have a friend calling with u that can't call.  But when i have a friend calling that knows what he's doing and to listen to that conversation between gobbler and caller is the hunt, it's what i'm out there for! Makes me wonder which friend i am when hunting with others!I've just never seen a turkey that cared what a call cost.  I'm not trying to self promote of offend anyone either, hope i didn't come across that way.  It reminds me of the day i realized that walmart didn't sell the best calls! I went from primos to Pittman, wow, what a difference! Then to non mass produced calls, another huge step up! To be able to get those subtle tones and breaks and consistency all in one call is amazing.  I think you hit it spot on with the 20%. And that 20% is what keeps me spending money and the turkey industry in business. So, is the call worth the money to kill turkeys, it depends on the person i'd say, in the right hands the call is probably worth $1000.


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Quote from: idratherb on February 07, 2018, 12:33:43 PM
Once you get one you'll sell your others.


It's comments like this that keep me spending money.  I would offer one suggestion though, before anyone buys a $175 call, go somewhere quiet and try it out with different strikers etc. there is sbsolutely no way to compare what a call is going to sound like in the woods if you are testing it out at the nwtf convention.


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Every year one call or another is pushed hard.  Many of those calls are great calls, but you will see loads of people go buy them and then in 3-4 months the classifieds will be overloaded with them.  Works out for some of us, but play the call or find someone who has it and can play it, send you a sound file. 

Quote from: Happy on February 07, 2018, 12:53:56 PM
There's a lot to be said with the effectiveness of sounding drunk and slutty.
That's the approach I take.

Amen Happy , i trying to tell these guys, but i think it goes in one ear and out the other... my opinion..

WOW THIS POST IS ON FIRE ................
Very very interesting

I am a absolutely hard core turkey hunter. I say this to point out that I do not mind spending money on a sport I love. I have enough calls to equip a battalion and will have more. I know calling is not everything but I put 100 percent into anything I do. I practice calling year around , I am always tinkering with my reloads and so forth. I strive to use the best sounding calls that I like the sound of and have the confidence in. You can call a bird in with a rusty nail on a piece of tin on some days. I believe when you are hunting highly pressured birds , then realism comes more into play to seperate you from the average guy. I have 20 dollar production calls i have killed birds with and I have some calls that are very expensive that has killed birds. In the end , it is what you want and what gives you confidence.

Along the same lines as what S&D is saying.   People overlook the age class of the gobblers.  Any bird can be called to the gun on any given day.  But a couple things do put the odds in favor of the gobbler.  Pressure and age. 

But even knowing that, I'm not dropping a buck seventy five on a Cody.   But fully understand a man thinking they are worth it.  Perception is reality.   So if you think it's worth the asking price then it's worth it to a least one person.

Quote from: guesswho on February 07, 2018, 03:33:36 PM
Along the same lines as what S&D is saying.   People overlook the age class of the gobblers.  Any bird can be called to the gun on any given day.  But a couple things do put the odds in favor of the gobbler.  Pressure and age. 

But even knowing that I'm not dropping a buck seventy five on a Cody.   But fully understand a man thinking they are worth it.  Perception is reality.   So if you think it's worth the asking price then it's worth it to a least one person.

Good post


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Quote from: guesswho on February 07, 2018, 03:33:36 PM
Along the same lines as what S&D is saying.   People overlook the age class of the gobblers.  Any bird can be called to the gun on any given day.  But a couple things do put the odds in favor of the gobbler.  Pressure and age. 

But even knowing that I'm not dropping a buck seventy five on a Cody.   But fully understand a man thinking they are worth it.  Perception is reality.   So if you think it's worth the asking price then it's worth it to a least one person.

well said.

Ok guys I talked to MR. Bill today that owns and builds Cody calls he said out of his own mouth to me just play one. He said I wouldn't spent 200.00 on a legend either unless you played one and see how fine a violin it is.

So I have made a new thread in the general section here wanting folks to post sound files of their Cody calls. I want to hear it. I want to hear what the fuss is about.

I havnt heard or held one or ran one.

Also I agree with others I want to hear a call outside not in an arena. Sometimes this is hard to do at like say the nwtf convention.


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So what is it about this calls build that makes it so expensive?  Type of slate? quality of build? or I'm guessing it just has that "sound" that enough people like so they can charge more.  Never seen or heard it so I'm in no way bashing it.  Just wondering why the price?

Quote from: Gobspur on February 07, 2018, 04:15:32 PM
So what is it about this calls build that makes it so expensive?  Type of slate? quality of build? or I'm guessing it just has that "sound" that enough people like so they can charge more.  Never seen or heard it so I'm in no way bashing it.  Just wondering why the price?

Bill said his legend and world class is built like no other pot call. It's not your normal 1 piece call and takes allot of time to build it ain't out together in one day. He only can make so many a year because they take so long to build unlike just turning a pot out of 1 piece of woods and putting a playing surface on it. Now that's what I was told, who knows. Anyone want to buy one and we will tear it apart and look at it?

I just want to hear one...
These guys say they have em I want to hear a sound file of one. If they are that good I believe we would hear sound files and guys just raving over em. That's my opinion. If they are that good sure I would spend the money. No different then getting a high end box call built.

Why the cost? I suppose the time, the engineering that went into it, possibly even its just that good.

I hear it's a 2 piece pot not a 1 piece he said he sales 1 piece pots and that's exactly what you get and they are in the 50.00 range.

I don't know much about all this but h e been around an excellent call builder and watched him turn pots and it does take time and know how, for example the depth and the holes, the soundboard and the playing surface all the way up too the glue used. All of those variables go into building a nice pot call.

No two calls are identical, wood grain varies even in the same chunk of wood, playing surfaces varies depending on micrometers of thickness, sound is different depending on holes and depth of sound chamber along with how the sound board is glued in. It ain't no fly by night operation. Guys who have figured it out have spent years learning and it's a passion not a profit making business. And when someone has something good it sales itself and there is no need for advertisement.

When I a rookie pick up a pot and run it my friends watch my eyes and can tell if I like it.

Every one likes a different sound, the birds may not like what sounds good to you or to me. Just what I've learned and sometimes they don't like anything we have to offer because they got what they want and that's a real live hen walking around with them.

Hey I got a good wife I ain't going out looking for another one that's hollaring for me and ain't coming. I got best one she alive and she's with me, why leave her to find one that someone else didn't want..... wow that's a good illustration.


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I'm lucky that I live about 10 minutes from Bill and have been to his shop many times.   The World Class , Spec1, and Legend are unique calls.   He shaves down walnut into long thin strips.  Bottom is one piece and side is wrapped numerous times.    Takes about 2 months to make a batch when he makes them.   I have calls from lots of well known call makers, Codys just seem more Realistic to me. 

Quote from: Happy on February 07, 2018, 12:53:56 PM
There's a lot to be said with the effectiveness of sounding drunk and slutty.
That's the approach I take.

HAH!!! It works sometimes!!!   :drool:

Quote from: guesswho on February 07, 2018, 03:33:36 PM.   People overlook the age class of the gobblers. 

Please expand on this, I will openly admit that have no clue as to the age class bird that I'm working. Sometimes I know or strongly feel it's a jake, but for the most part I'm clueless.

Here are my observations and keep in mind I am not as knowledgeable as many on here. An older tom is used to the hens coming to him as a rule. He gobbles and struts and waits. He has also been run through the ringer by humters (unless he is one of those special low hunting pressure birds). This combines to make him a tougher nut to Crack so to speak. Now there are many different theories as to what hunting pressure and calling to birds does but from my experience he is a whole other animal than an unhunted bird. On most days anyhow. Some birds I can tell are older just by the gobble but it isn't a sure thing. There is a depth to an older birds gobble that I can pick up on once in a while. You can almost feel it. Just because a turkey gobbles and doesn't come does not mean an older bird. Could be a two year old with hens or just stubborn that day. 

Bottom line is that it's worth it if you want it. Who cares what we think. Its all relative

Quote from: dirt road ninja on February 07, 2018, 07:05:41 PM

Quote from: guesswho on February 07, 2018, 03:33:36 PM.   People overlook the age class of the gobblers. 

Please expand on this, I will openly admit that have no clue as to the age class bird that I'm working. Sometimes I know or strongly feel it's a jake, but for the most part I'm clueless.

I'm not claiming to know what age gobbler I'm up against.  I have no idea until I have my hands on him. I'm saying some folks never think about the age of the gobblers they encounter.   I mentioned earlier anybody can kill any gobbler on the right day.  But typically the importance of your calls and ability to use those calls goes up along with what age group gobbler your on.  A new hunter can probably tag out on two years with a basic sounding call and knowledge.  But that same guy is going to struggle if he runs into a 4 or 5 year old that has seen and heard it all.   That's why some hunters have such up and down years.  Two years after a good hatch they're as good as anybody around.  Have two or three years in a row of bad hatches and they don't fare so well and can't figure out why.  They' were using that same killer call they tagged out with last year.   It never crosses their mind that older gobblers Tend to be less forgiving.

I guess I was making a point that the importance of a good sounding call depends on what your up against.

Iam not sure which Cody slate this is,  but this is the one I was talking about that my buddy used that day in KY.  I had him send me a picture of it.  I have bought several codys since then but none has the turkey tone that his call has that's for sure,  he said he knew he didn't pay over 60.00 for the call.

Quote from: Chad Snyder on February 07, 2018, 06:38:03 PM
I'm lucky that I live about 10 minutes from Bill and have been to his shop many times.   The World Class , Spec1, and Legend are unique calls.   He shaves down walnut into long thin strips.  Bottom is one piece and side is wrapped numerous times.    Takes about 2 months to make a batch when he makes them.   I have calls from lots of well known call makers, Codys just seem more Realistic to me.

side wrapped in what, not sure I understand

Quote from: Fieldturkey on February 07, 2018, 07:39:09 PM
Bottom line is that it's worth it if you want it. Who cares what we think. Its all relative

I hope your not getting upset because we are discussing calls on this forum. I was thinking this is what this forum is for and i think a lot of people care...

Quote from: mspaci on February 07, 2018, 07:51:02 PM

Quote from: Chad Snyder on February 07, 2018, 06:38:03 PM
I'm lucky that I live about 10 minutes from Bill and have been to his shop many times.   The World Class , Spec1, and Legend are unique calls.   He shaves down walnut into long thin strips.  Bottom is one piece and side is wrapped numerous times.    Takes about 2 months to make a batch when he makes them.   I have calls from lots of well known call makers, Codys just seem more Realistic to me.

side wrapped in what, not sure I understand

I think the side wrap is just laminating the call with several layers of wood... it takes time gluing all these layers...

Why would I be upset? We are discussing whether it's worth the money. That's a personal decision. It's all relative

Quote from: mspaci on February 07, 2018, 07:51:02 PM

Quote from: Chad Snyder on February 07, 2018, 06:38:03 PM
I'm lucky that I live about 10 minutes from Bill and have been to his shop many times.   The World Class , Spec1, and Legend are unique calls.   He shaves down walnut into long thin strips.  Bottom is one piece and side is wrapped numerous times.    Takes about 2 months to make a batch when he makes them.   I have calls from lots of well known call makers, Codys just seem more Realistic to me.

side wrapped in what, not sure I understand

Bottom of call is one piece of wood.   The whole side is thin strips of wood wrapped around the bottom and glued together.   It's a laminated pot unlike any other I've ever seen.   If you look at pic I posted on page 3, the legend has a Oak bottom.  Sides are Walnut

Personally I have never heard a Cody World Class Slate. It's probably a great call from all that I've heard & read about it. I myself would never pay that much for a turkey call. I just don't think you have to pay that much to get a great sounding turkey call. But if it sounds good & it gives you more confidence than other calls you may have than it may be worth it to you. I have an old $20.00 aluminum/slate call that I bought from Bill Cartwright years ago that I've called in more birds with than any other call I have. To me it's just easier for me to run it well & I have lots of confidence in it. If you have confidence in your call you will play it better.

Thanks for the explanation.

All you guys who say you have one we want sound files please


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Quote from: Turkz39 on February 07, 2018, 07:44:02 PM
Iam not sure which Cody slate this is,  but this is the one I was talking about that my buddy used that day in KY.  I had him send me a picture of it.  I have bought several codys since then but none has the turkey tone that his call has that's for sure,  he said he knew he didn't pay over 60.00 for the call.

I believe that's an Envy.

I have a World Class and a Spec 1. They're two of the most realistic sounding slates I own and they've accounted for a pile of dead gobblers. I've had mine for a good many years and I didn't pay near today's price for them.

If you want an excellent sounding call without breaking the bank, don't overlook Bill's original Woodsman slate.

I had a Cody Spec I . Nice call.

Quote from: bobk on February 08, 2018, 06:44:59 AM
I had a Cody Spec I . Nice call.

What happened to it?


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Bill just posted a video of a CODY Spec 1 Legend Slate Call on FB

https://www.facebook.com/CodyTurkeyCalls/videos/1257358394395900/

MK M GOBL

Apparently I poked a hornets nest with this post. Interesting discussion. Here's a thought. Why do we balk at 175 for a top shelf pot call, however a box call of the same quality often goes for 150-200? Many of us on this site have spent that or more on a well made box.

Just listened to the video.  Good sounding call, Yelps sound great.  But still worth nowhere near $175 to me.  Not with all the other calls out there that match or exceed what I'm hearing in the video for far less.   But again that's just me, some may feel it's worth every penny.  So if someone feels that way then it would be money well spent.

Yes lots of talk going on here, to me the price doesn't matter as long as the product performs!

I bought my first CODY after hearing one, never heard of the name or call until I bumped in to a guy playing one at a "show" 20 some years ago and he wasn't even selling or promoting the call.

I just posted that story a few days ago, it's a good read :)

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,78572.0.html

MK M GOBL

I'd have a hard time spending that when you have some of the best custom call makers who sell calls for around $100.

Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2018, 02:01:33 PM
Yes lots of talk going on here, to me the price doesn't matter as long as the product performs!

I bought my first CODY after hearing one, never heard of the name or call until I bumped in to a guy playing one at a "show" 20 some years ago and he wasn't even selling or promoting the call.

I just posted that story a few days ago, it's a good read :)

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,78572.0.html

MK M GOBL

Agreed. IF the call sounded better than others for half the price then I would spend the extra money.

Took me a bit to find this, I was doing a talk for some kids at a Learn to Hunt program I volunteer for.

I am running a diaphragm at first then get to running my CODY World Class Slate.

one more from FB

https://www.facebook.com/GaysMillsSportsmansClubLearnToHuntProgram/videos/vb.596872750328387/1670146359667682/?type=2&theater

MK M GOBL

The caller does sound good.

Bill just added sound files for box call and Woosdman glass make out of heart pine.   Darn work IPAD isn't letting me share the links. 

Quote from: guesswho on February 08, 2018, 01:57:33 PM
Just listened to the video.  Good sounding call, Yelps sound great.  But still worth nowhere near $175 to me.  Not with all the other calls out there that match or exceed what I'm hearing in the video for far less.   But again that's just me, some may feel it's worth every penny.  So if someone feels that way then it would be money well spent.

Agreed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cody World Class Slate..Worth the Money?

So this thread started with a simple question and we all "value" things different. It's like having a pair of Swarovski Binos, DSD Decoys or a Double Bull Blind. You put your money in to what you believe in and if it lives up to what you spent and when asked was it worth the money, my answer is yes!

Even sat down and did the math, that call has cost me less than .75¢ a bird :TooFunny:

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2018, 07:28:41 PM
Cody World Class Slate..Worth the Money?

So this thread started with a simple question and we all "value" things different. It's like having a pair of Swarovski Binos, DSD Decoys or a Double Bull Blind. You put your money in to what you believe in and if it lives up to what you spent and when asked was it worth the money, my answer is yes!

Even sat down and did the math, that call has cost me less than .75¢ a bird :TooFunny:

MK M GOBL

Man that's cheap... i don't want to figure up what all my turkeys have cost...just a guess around 1000 dollars each.... :TooFunny:

Its not the $200 call you guys are talking about, but i bought a Cody Drop Dead woodsman slate last year. Called Cody and ordered it directly from Bill Zearing. Was a great guy to do business with IMO. The Drop Dead Woodsman was actually his recommendation as i was originally interested in another call. Its a green slate over laminate wood soundboard that comes with a carbon tipped striker. Its the real deal. Sweet sounding slate that pretty much does it all. It was pretty much my go to call guiding hunters last year. Best playing slate in humid , real world hunting conditions that ive ever had.Very consistent playing slate and requires very little conditioning.Id personally rank it above my Sneed Hot Hen and thats saying alot. Im no expert but Cody has been around a long time and have been making top quality pot calls for a lot longer than anyone else that im aware of. I think the $175-$200 price tag is fair for the work and time that goes into making those calls, as are top of the line box calls selling for the same price. Can the same be said for a $15 woodhaven mouth call? Now, we also have to realize its a custom call company, who has a lot more overhead and will never be able to keep prices low like a many of the 1 man operations. Good customer service from a shop thats turning out calls year round. Now is it worth it? Its all relative. Id have to say yes. In a world where we have a lot of reallly good custom pot call makers id put Cody in the top 10 if not the top 5.

is a benelli sbe 2 worth 1800.00 or a sbe 3

probaly to most no but to me yes

same way with a call depends on your wants

Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2018, 07:28:41 PM
Cody World Class Slate..Worth the Money?

So this thread started with a simple question and we all "value" things different. It's like having a pair of Swarovski Binos, DSD Decoys or a Double Bull Blind. You put your money in to what you believe in and if it lives up to what you spent and when asked was it worth the money, my answer is yes!

Even sat down and did the math, that call has cost me less than .75¢ a bird :TooFunny:

MK M GOBL

Not really. DSD, Double Bull, Swarovski are the best at what they do. They are clear front runners in their industries. They can charge more and customers will pay it because they are the best. Is Cody CLEARLY the best pot call maker, based on those sound clips no. Great sounding call no doubt about it, but at roughly double the price of their competitors (Lights Out, Halloran, Hooks, and others), they clearly need to be the best for me to justify double the cost.

I'm hunting for another pot at the NWTF show. It's between slate and aluminum. Maybe that Cody call will wow me when I hold it and I'll eat my words and drop the $200, but I doubt it.

Quote from: Gobble! on February 08, 2018, 11:21:24 PM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2018, 07:28:41 PM
Cody World Class Slate..Worth the Money?

So this thread started with a simple question and we all "value" things different. It's like having a pair of Swarovski Binos, DSD Decoys or a Double Bull Blind. You put your money in to what you believe in and if it lives up to what you spent and when asked was it worth the money, my answer is yes!

Even sat down and did the math, that call has cost me less than .75¢ a bird :TooF

MK M GOBL

Not really. DSD, Double Bull, Swarovski are the best at what they do. They are clear front runners in their industries. They can charge more and customers will pay it because they are the best. Is Cody CLEARLY the best pot call maker, based on those sound clips no. Great sounding call no doubt about it, but at roughly double the price of their competitors (Lights Out, Halloran, Hooks, and others), they clearly need to be the best for me to justify double the cost.

I'm hunting for another pot at the NWTF show. It's between slate and aluminum. Maybe that Cody call will wow me when I hold it and I'll eat my words and drop the $200, but I doubt it.

It is a matter of opinion. Not bashing Wendell of lights out but I haven't ran one of his pots that I really thought sounded phenominal. It all comes down to the sound you think sounds best. If you have a call like that , your confidence goes up and you will use it a lot more resulting in more positive feed back from birds. A call you don't think sounds that good will not see the field very much resulting in less gobbler encounters. Simple math really.

As usual, I really don't have anything constructive to add to this conversation,...but I will chime in anyway... :toothy9:

All the bases have been covered here,...in summary, use what you wanna,...if it feels good, do it.

From my personal perspective, I have heard enough turkeys called in by the worst sounding calls to ever be concerned enough about spending more money than I am comfortable with to get the best sounding call(s).  Perhaps more importantly, if I ever get to the point where I think my calling is the reason I am not killing turkeys, I might change my perspective on that.

As of now, however, I fool one just often enough with my crummy old calls that I am content to accept the fact that there may be one once in a while that I could call with a high-dollar call that I can't call with my low-dollar ones.  I have just come to accept the fact that I can't call every stinkin' one of them in that I call to. 

One learns to accept one's limitations....   ;D :toothy12:

You know it's funny we will spend 200 - 300 dollars to load 6 - 8 Tss shells from pound of shot , but we complain about calls costing 200 dollars.. That call will still be around regardless if you don't loose the call.  If you shoot that 6 dollar plus shell it's gone forever... Buy what you want and use what you want.. Life is way to short not to be happy...opinion ...

Quote from: Greg Massey on February 09, 2018, 10:30:50 AM
You know it's funny we will spend 200 - 300 dollars to load 6 - 8 Tss shells from pound of shot , but we complain about calls costing 200 dollars.. That call will still be around regardless if you don't loose the call.  If you shoot that 6 dollar plus shell it's gone forever... Buy what you want and use what you want.. Life is way to short not to be happy...opinion ...

I'm not complaining about the cost. When someone asks if something is worth its cost, the way to answer that question is to look at its performance vs its competitors. My point is its hard to justify that price when other calls of equal or better quality cost half as much. Now again if someone picks up that call and thinks its better than the other calls they have tied that clearly makes it worth its cost.

I purchased a call on a well known turkey auction page on Facebook last year.  Call was $100 and only thing custom on that pot was the pot itself.   All internals and glass came from Brookside game calls and put together.    Think I paid around 75-100 for my Codys years ago and I know Bill cut and made every part of those calls.   So today I'd pay 200 to replace it.   Don't use decoys or blinds and my old 870 with handmade paint job get a the job done without TSS loads

I will say this. My Cody world champion and Spec 1 will be in my vest again this year.

My Cody World Class is probably 20yrs old & called in a bunch of birds. It's the call I compare any new call I get to. Is it worth the money....that's up to you!

If it's sounds anything or better than the Cody ll it's worth every penny. Before I started to tweak some of my own calls I used a Cody and it has many encounters. I compleated two single season slams with it and it's my go to call. With that said you haft to have confidence in any call and know how and when to play it. It's not just the call that makes a call sound good thier like an instrument you need to know how to play it to make it sing.

Very interesting thread. I know that a two hundred dollar call for me is one every 3 or 4 years maybe. I work for a livin and money comes in one hand and out the other pretty quick. That said the bottom line is get whatever floats your boat. Just like I always say huntin turkeys ain't about the killen its about the total experience, and yes killen is PART of it not the whole thing. We all do it cause it grabs us way down deep. Things we do like that keeps us comin back year after year. The calls are PART of it. Its up to the individual. We got a great sport and its a way of life. If a Cody World Class is what puts you in the zone I'm glad for ya. If a Spring Creek Call does it or a Tony Ezolt Wingbone does it fine. As long as it gets you in the zone that's all that counts. I hope you all hear the rattle this Spring.    :icon_thumright:

Quote from: BottomLand54 on February 07, 2018, 06:09:34 PMI just want to hear one...

1.) Leave terminal after work
2.) Come to Home Depot
3.) Ring bell on door at receiving dept.
4.) Play Cody call for yourself.......

:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:

Lol I was headed there today but they put it on another guy


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Quote from: davisd9 on February 08, 2018, 04:26:18 PM

Quote from: guesswho on February 08, 2018, 01:57:33 PM
Just listened to the video.  Good sounding call, Yelps sound great.  But still worth nowhere near $175 to me.  Not with all the other calls out there that match or exceed what I'm hearing in the video for far less.   But again that's just me, some may feel it's worth every penny.  So if someone feels that way then it would be money well spent.

Agreed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It sounds decent but nowhere near 200 to me

Quote from: bghunter777 on February 07, 2018, 12:32:10 PM
I'v said this before and hope its not taken in a wrong as I'm not trying to self promote or offend. When you reach a certain calling aptitude the call chosen does make a difference. Many turkeys it does not but some it does. Its like playing a high end instrument you need to reach a certain level of ability to truly start appreciated the subtle differences.

As I'v said before probably 80% of birds ready to commit can be called in equally as well by a 20 dollar primos jackpot as a cody from a descent caller. This is hard to prove other than 1000s of hours of observation there comes a time where having a very premium call in the hands of a skilled caller will call that bird in when nothing else would even the same skilled caller with a lower end call. A side benefit is its also just fun to run a well tuned Cody World Class Slate. Some of you guys with think of I am full of BS and a few of you will understand exactly what I'm saying.

Well said

Quote from: Happy on February 07, 2018, 06:58:18 AM
But if I wanted a world class I would go buy one. But I wouldn't buy it under the impression that is was going to make me a better hunter.

I agree with this...

If I could afford to do so, I would have a room full of calls and shotguns...  Nothing wrong with owning some nice things that give us pleasure, as long as we can afford them.

Clothing, I will save up for if need be.  Good clothing is a must for remaining comfortable (especially for duck hunting, which is my passion).

Nothing wrong with owning one and paying the price of the Cody call... BUT ... it don't take one of them to kill turkeys ... lot's of low cost pot calls and other type calls have killed a lot of turkeys along with the old single barrel shotguns ....

I bought both a Cody World Class glass and slate many years ago. I have several other pot calls but these are the only two in my vest. Wouldn't go out without them.

 I was a kid, about 19 or 20 I think. Went to Harrisburg PA to the sports show and Bill was set up there. I stayed there and ran his calls for an hour, then, threw down my money. He started to bag up one of the world class calls and I said "OH no, I want this one." He was like its the demo. "I want this one", He bagged it and the striker I was running it with.
Ten or so years down the road I dropped it, the sound board broke loose inside the call. I used it, still killed birds with it for a few years. Sent it back and they fixed it free of charge- Life Time Guarantee.
Two years ago I started to get squirrelly, what if I loose it? break it? someone steals it?  So I ordered a new call, Spec Legend. They aint cheap. Well it was a really nice call. A friend of mine was here one day, he gets to telling me he has a world class that was given to him. I think whatever, so where's it at? Well he goes to his truck and returns with a pristine old world class. I get to running them two calls on my back porch, they sounded somewhat alike. I could tell a difference but he could not. I liked the world class sound better, granted I have been running the same world class call for 25 years.  So, I look at my buddy and said, "Hey, want to trade?" No! Well, I got to thinking I have to have this call. Ok, I will give you the NEW Legend plus a crisp bill. No! Crap... About an hour goes by and I have kind of forgot about it. He looks at me and says, get the bill. Sold! Done deal.
Now, I think I paid 225 for the Legend? and gave the man 100 to boot, for a 195$ call. Yes, all of you reading this are shaking your head at my admitted stupidity, right fully so. The sound I have heard for 25+ years now lives in my house in its own special case if it ever is to be needed. I have a spare.
I have read many times over, slates do not produce the volume. I don't understand that? Mine will ring your ears when I open her up and let her go. Cant call in the house unless to make some soft clucks and purrs.  Breaks unreal, smooth as silk, yelps unreal. Yea, I think I could kill a turkey with another pot if it were even half a decent call, but it aint the same. I love that Cody, it has been the death of wayyyyy over 100 gobblers, probably 150, without exaggeration.
I have bought several different brands over the years to try out. Haven't ever ran one on a hunt yet. If they make it to my vest, they don't come out for action. I don't know why I even carry them. I have 3 pots in my vest now, World class, Sneed, and some other free plastic pot that really sounds ok when wet. Those other two don't see the light of day. I have had a Cherry something or another, gave it away. Zink, gave it away. Hardy, gave it away.
Find someone that has one, and if he can run it proper, get him to let you try it!
I took a coworker on my sons youth hunt this year. He is a turkey hunter/killer. He has been running a Zink that he really liked, told me he sanded through it. Really, never heard that before. He only had the call for three years! Well at 10:46am my son dumped a gobbler. We had set up a total of three times before finally being able to get it right. After we took some pictures he asked what call I was running, told me he loved the call. Now he has heard about 4 hours of calls out of this call along with mouth calls in the woods. He went home and ordered a World Class and a Envy!
If I heard Bill were going to stop making calls I would buy 5 of them today! Pony up the money and get one

Quote from: WV Flopper on May 11, 2019, 11:29:08 AM
I was a kid, about 19 or 20 I think. Went to Harrisburg PA to the sports show and Bill was set up there. I stayed there and ran his calls for an hour, then, threw down my money. He started to bag up one of the world class calls and I said "OH no, I want this one." He was like its the demo. "I want this one", He bagged it and the striker I was running it with.
Ten or so years down the road I dropped it, the sound board broke loose inside the call. I used it, still killed birds with it for a few years. Sent it back and they fixed it free of charge- Life Time Guarantee.
Two years ago I started to get squirrelly, what if I loose it? break it? someone steals it?  So I ordered a new call, Spec Legend. They aint cheap. Well it was a really nice call. A friend of mine was here one day, he gets to telling me he has a world class that was given to him. I think whatever, so where's it at? Well he goes to his truck and returns with a pristine old world class. I get to running them two calls on my back porch, they sounded somewhat alike. I could tell a difference but he could not. I liked the world class sound better, granted I have been running the same world class call for 25 years.  So, I look at my buddy and said, "Hey, want to trade?" No! Well, I got to thinking I have to have this call. Ok, I will give you the NEW Legend plus a crisp bill. No! Crap... About an hour goes by and I have kind of forgot about it. He looks at me and says, get the bill. Sold! Done deal.
Now, I think I paid 225 for the Legend? and gave the man 100 to boot, for a 195$ call. Yes, all of you reading this are shaking your head at my admitted stupidity, right fully so. The sound I have heard for 25+ years now lives in my house in its own special case if it ever is to be needed. I have a spare.
I have read many times over, slates do not produce the volume. I don't understand that? Mine will ring your ears when I open her up and let her go. Cant call in the house unless to make some soft clucks and purrs.  Breaks unreal, smooth as silk, yelps unreal. Yea, I think I could kill a turkey with another pot if it were even half a decent call, but it aint the same. I love that Cody, it has been the death of wayyyyy over 100 gobblers, probably 150, without exaggeration.
I have bought several different brands over the years to try out. Haven't ever ran one on a hunt yet. If they make it to my vest, they don't come out for action. I don't know why I even carry them. I have 3 pots in my vest now, World class, Sneed, and some other free plastic pot that really sounds ok when wet. Those other two don't see the light of day. I have had a Cherry something or another, gave it away. Zink, gave it away. Hardy, gave it away.
Find someone that has one, and if he can run it proper, get him to let you try it!
I took a coworker on my sons youth hunt this year. He is a turkey hunter/killer. He has been running a Zink that he really liked, told me he sanded through it. Really, never heard that before. He only had the call for three years! Well at 10:46am my son dumped a gobbler. We had set up a total of three times before finally being able to get it right. After we took some pictures he asked what call I was running, told me he loved the call. Now he has heard about 4 hours of calls out of this call along with mouth calls in the woods. He went home and ordered a World Class and a Envy!
If I heard Bill were going to stop making calls I would buy 5 of them today! Pony up the money and get one

Well said. I have 2 CODY world class slates and a spec 1 legend on order.