Box Call / Running / Style

[Greg Massey]

What do you look for in a good running box call? Does style / maker of the box play a difference in how you play the box? Lid handle do you look for a style of lid that has more straight taper lid handle like Marlins fiddle boxes or do you look for the ones that have the cut out sides on the lid with like a tear drop shape lid? Do you feel that after you receive the call, it needs a break in period and it's like you need to get acquainted with how it wants to be played chalk at first / to pretty much over time no chalk needed. I do feel a good box doesn't really need much chalk at all, but i like adding chalk sometimes to just change the tones of the call. Let's talk about lid pressure, i also think different combos need manipulation of hold of the call and the amount of pressure you apply to the lid to the box. I like a lid myself with less cutout tear drop lid / style. I want the box to pretty much run itself with me just lightly finger tip gripping the box. In my opinion if you can take one finger and slide the lid across the rails and get a good yelp, then you have the start of a good running box call. Note: Take for example Marlins Misfit box with handle you hold this style of box in a different way, i just hold the small box handle. I use very little hand hold on a box while still controlling the call.   Share your opinions of what you look for in a good box call.

[ferocious calls]

I want a 5 yr old girl to be able to play it in under 5 minutes.  Boys generally take longer. Like you say, I want it to play with very little pressure. A high front end with good rollover. A call shouldn't need chalked often.

[runngun]

I am left handed. I run a box call "jacked up" so I am told!!! LOL but it works for me. I run them upside down.  Lid is in my right hand, box in my left, again upside down. I work the box, holding the lid still. I I use very little pressure holding the box. And let it work "itself".

Have a good one, Bo

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[Paulmyr]

I'm finding as I work these boxes I been attempting to build, If I run them upside down like rungun except moving the paddle instead of the box, I have better control in the mid to soft range. If I want it to bark, so to speak, for distance calling I'm better with what would be considered the normal way.

[runngun]

Awesome!!!! I ain't all alone anymore!!!

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[Sir-diealot]

I'm finding as I work these boxes I been attempting to build, If I run them upside down like rungun except moving the paddle instead of the box, I have better control in the mid to soft range. If I want it to bark, so to speak, for distance calling I'm better with what would be considered the normal way.

This is how I am most comfortable playing, I am sure you are better at it than I am though, everyone is.

[Tom007]

Great post Greg, very informative.. I do not use boxes often, but on real windy days, I'll carry a long box. They seem to cut through the wind, especially my Primos Battleship. Like you, I don't put a lot of pressure on them. I guess you could say I am an under-handed player, paddle handle down towards ground. I have a special place in my heart for them though, killed my first few gobblers on an Old Lynch 102.......thanks for sharing your knowledge here.......

[Kylongspur88]

I'm finding as I work these boxes I been attempting to build, If I run them upside down like rungun except moving the paddle instead of the box, I have better control in the mid to soft range. If I want it to bark, so to speak, for distance calling I'm better with what would be considered the normal way.

I've owned several box calls but they're probably the least used call in my vest. I've decided to get better on them and this is how I'm comfortable running them. I'm not as good on the box call as I am with a diaphragm or pot but I'm sounding pretty decent and I'll be running one this spring.

[HookedonHooks]

I play a box with an inverted hold, that's just how I do it for some reason. The standard hold seems weird to me, even when trying to relax the wrists as much as possible and letting the call do it's thing.

When wanting to get super soft I'll go inverted and upside down, working the call more like a scratch box.