A question for you call makers and call experts

[Shellwaster]

Is there a safe way to tune a box call? I've got a box that I don't hunt with because to me it is too raspy, almost like a jake yelp. Is there a way to tune the call so it doesn't have as much rasp? Would thinning the sides or lightly sanding the lid help?

Of course I could keep it on display as I've acquired a small collection of other, and better, boxes but it'd be nice to have all of them sound good.

Thanks.

[WillowRidgeCalls]

Before you try changing the sound of the call, take it hunting for a day and see what the birds think of it? Even though it may not be a sound you prefer, the birds may love it? The human ear hears things different than a birds ear does, and they are the ones that matter.

[larry9988]

If it already sounds like a jake, thinning the sides is not the answer. Usually the thinner the sides the raspier or lower pitched it will be. The sound you are getting is probably because the sides are already thin. Thicker sides usually produce higher pitch. The lid also plays a huge part in the sound. Try it in the woods, the turkeys may love it.

[L.F. Cox]

The human ear hears things different than a birds ear does, and they are the ones that matter.

That might be true of human ears that are tone deaf.

[turkey john]

Hunt with it first. I have a call that sounds terrible to me but I've taken close to 40 toms with it, including two of the four I've killed this yr........... As far tuning, start with the lid using really fine sandpaper. Keep it smooth and even... For the sides just brush the edges lightly. You can ruin a call by taking too much out on the edges.... I think a lot has to do with the type of wood. Also what kind of chalk are you using? You want a dry carpenter's type. .........All friction calls have a "sweet spot" and it's a matter of tuning and playing with it. When you have it down, you won't even have to look at it when calling... Good Luck.

[Turkey Trot]

I bought a relatively new Foolproof from the Lynch successor company and it sounded like shyte right out of the box.  I tuned it to a friend's Liberty, MS Foolproof with sandpaper.  That project entailed less money than most customs.

Does choking up on the call with your hands by bringing them up from the base and onto the sides make a difference?

[Bigspurs68]

Hand placement is very important. You can easily change tones with a finger.

[Shellwaster]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I may leave it as is and see what she does in the woods. Holding the sides while running the call doesn't do anything or the rasp, just quiets it down a bit due to less vibration.

[pappy]

There is another way without changing the box at all. Insert a piece inside the box. Where it will apply some pressure to the sides. I am guessing if you place it about an inch from the back, it will help reduce the raspiness ....pappy

[WillowRidgeCalls]

You can also adjust the screw to help take some of the rasp out of it, by tightening the screw a little bit, about an 1/8 turn you can soften the rasp in it, so it's not so pronounced and over rides the sound of the call. Pay attention to where the screw is at the start just incase you want to back it out to where it was before you started.