Which one makes "the sound", the slate or the striker?

[deerbasshunter3]

When it comes to using a slate call, which makes the biggest difference, the slate itself, or the striker?

[SteelerFan]

Think of a pot call as an instrument that is "played" with the striker. They go hand-in-hand in the total package. A great slate won't sound the best with a mismatched striker, and a great striker won't be able to do much on a poor slate.

The actual sound, though, is coming from the whole pot / surface itself... the harmonics of the surface and its relationship to the material it's attached to. The striker causes the vibration. That's why hand placement is critical,holding the pot with just the tips of the fingers to allow it to play without your hand absorbing the vibration and the sound. Finding the sweet spot in the outer area, but not the edge will get you the best harmonics and sound. The center will sound "dead" due to lack of vibration. Same with the outer edge. 1/4"-1/2" in from the outer edge is usually a good starting point to find the spot. Play in different areas until you hear it, feel it.

*disclaimer.. I'm no callmaker. They may be able to give you a better answer.

[West Augusta]

A good striker will make a good pot call sound better.  They will add tones to the call.

[SteelerFan]

A good striker will make a good pot call sound better.  They will add tones to the call.

AMEN!

[WillowRidgeCalls]

The surface on the call gives you the pitch you want. The soundboard give you the tone of the call. The striker is your tuning fork for the call, a good call will change sound depending on what striker your running on it. The pot itself is the echo chamber for the call. The combination of all 4 makes a good or bad sounding call.

[blacky]

I agree with everything said above and would like to add my two cents.
The striker is very important to a good sounding call. Depending on how tight or loose the striker is held will change the pitch somewhat. Choking up on the striker will do the same thing. Pressure from the striker to calling surface makes a big difference also.