Tuning a Box Call

[MattinIdaho]

Walk me through the do's do nots of tuning a box call. How often are you adjusting the screw? I have always been a little apprehensive about messing with them. But I have several that the screw has backed out on and need adjusting. Also anything on rails or paddles? Very light run over with scotch pad?
Thanks!!

[Spring Creek Calls]

Sounds like your second question will take care of the first. If your screw has loosened to where running the call backs it out, you could push some saw dust down the screw hole or tip your screw with wood glue. Adjust and play it until you get the sound you're looking for. The glue will break loose if you ever want to adjust it down the road. I find this more often with the lighter wood calls.

As far as the rails, I would use scotch brite to remove any build up chalk. Sanding can and will change the tone, but can go the wrong way quickly.

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[paboxcall]

Another option is to snap a piece or two off a tooth pick and drop them into the screw hole. Drop the screw back in and turn until you get the sound on both rails your ear likes.

[boatpaddle]

Send it back to the callmaker & let them fix & retune your call..

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[Greg Massey]

I own a lot of box calls of all types and I have never had a screw back out on its own from playing it. To be honest I've never had a problem with a box call or screw, now I have had one as it got older it started sounding terrible. But I contribute that to the wood not being dried right before it was used in the making of the call.  Interesting post ...

I don't mess with the screws either on a box call of any type or turning them ... IMO

Now sometimes if the screws / spring makes a squeaky noise, I will use some Carmex Classic lipe balm and take a toothpick and put very little under the screw head where the spring makes contact with the wood. It doesn't take much of it.. So start out with a very small amount and add as needed.

[Yoder409]

You sure someone isn't messing with you ??  Loosening your screws ??

Out of....a LOT... of box calls I've owned, I have had a grand total of ONE with a loose screw.

Nearly EVERY production box I get, the very FIRST thing I do is check screw adjustmemt.  The one loose call I do have, I simply shimmed the hole with a couple toohpick pieces, like Paboxcall suggested.  Works well.

[bnew17]

I use #10 screws and haven't had that problem yet with any calls, but what I would do (if you don't send it back to the call maker to fix). I would position the lid where the back left corner of the lid is in line with the bottom right corner of the call. Turn the call to the side and see where the lid is sitting on the rail. You want it to be just forward of center. Adjust your screw to get to this point and play it. You should be close at this point and only need fine tuning from there.