Help with surface selection?

[wisconsinteacher]

I have a few Brookside precut pots that I don't know what do to with.  They are 3.25 purple heart, 3.25 padauk and 3.5" zebrawood.  When I first made them, I used copper in the padauk and aluminum in the other two.  Well to be honest, they do not sound good at all.  I used class sound boards on all 3.  My question is, should I put new soundboards and surfaces in them?  I have them empty and clean of old glue as of now, or should I just forget about them and move on?

If you were to retry something, what combos would you go with?

[Kevin6Q]

If you are ready to put them in the wood stove there is nothing to lose by reclaiming the pots and experimenting a bit. Just write it down. The best way to learn is to fail and then find a bit of success.

I've suddenly found a "thing" for scratch boxes and am having a blast  making up a variety of wood combos, soundboards (thickness, shape, wood, other materials, etc.) and striker.  I have learned a huge amount.  When a call just sucks I can experiment with it. Some are saved and many became kindling or ornaments.

[Brantley]

I don't make pot calls, but if I were you I'd try another sound board. I'm assuming you got the copper and alluminum discs from Brookside as well? If so, they should be the right thickness. I build troughs out of slate and it's pretty reliable. I guess I'd probably try slate over a walnut sound board. If you've never seen Ken's Custom Sawing, they offer some pre-cut soundboards as well as various kits and blanks. Again, I don't turn pots and I'm no expert on the matter. I would definitely try another surface and see what the result was before I scrap them. Let me know how it works out.