SS Custom???

[STP22]

Hello, all.

Well, I decided to get a SS Custom field grade box call. I see quite a few guys here like them.
What wood combination do you prefer? I have no idea how different woods sound.
I like Poplar/Maple and Mineral Poplar/Maple based solely on looks which is not a a reason alone to choose a call.

Also, at the risk of sounding stupid...are certain wood combinations designed for a certain subspecies of turkey? I assume each subspecies has some variations in their sound. I will be hunting the Eastern.

Thank you.

Steve

[West Augusta]

You won't go wrong with a field grade from Al and Josh.  PM him,  call him and have him run some for you and get what you think sounds best.  They are good people.

[STP22]

That's the thing, West Augusta...I don't really know what to listen for let alone decide which would be best.
I do know whatever call I get, it will take some practice to truely get the most out of a call.
Steve

[paboxcall]

You won't go wrong with a field grade from Al and Josh.  PM him,  call him and have him run some for you and get what you think sounds best.  They are good people.

Listen for what your ear likes, and that will translate to confidence when you run it.

[STP22]

I suppose there is a lot of wisdom in that statement, paboxcall. Confidence is a definite requirement.
I guess no two turkeys sound alike.
I think I'm partial to box calls. For me, they are the easiest to make decent turkey sounds when starting out. Something about the craftsmanship and feel in the hand.
Steve

[mgm1955]

Call Al. He'll guide you to a great box!!

[Will]

Check the sound file portion of the forum. I heard one made of limba and kwila short box that hunter22 had posted and within 6 weeks I had me one. I haven't put it down since. You cant go wrong with kwila and butternut.
The craftsman ship of the box I received from them is top nothch. The call is well built and looks great. Its a hunter for sure!       

[STP22]

Thank you, mgm1955 and Will!
Steve

[KentuckyHeadhunter]

Kwila butternut would be my choice for your first one from SS.  Just let the weight of the lid do all the work, don't push or force it down. You may never need another box!

[TauntoHawk]

I have 3 of Al's short boxes and I'll probably get a few more next year.

Kwila over black limba. Mid-high front end that drops into chatty rasp. Great pop in the clucks and cuts

Paduak over mineral poplar - a very light weight call because of wood this is the best out of the bunch at toning down quite and will do soft tree yelps and clucks better than any of my boxes. Can get loud as well and has a very pronounced two note yelp that's all turkey with excited higher pitched cuts.

Yellowheart over mineral poplar - high pitched clear front and nasty rasp on the finish, this is the loudest most aggressive sounding out of the trio and makes a good locator box it packs a ton of volume for a short box.

[turkey stew]

All my SSCustom short boxes run easy and are all turkey. You can run it loud or soft and get several different yelps out of her. The boxes cut, cluck and purr with ease. The caller also produces a good gobble. Give Al a call and he can make any combo work for you.

[Full strut]

My vote goes to butternut kawila, but I am biased. Only SS box I own, but it is a good one!

[kjnengr]

I bought my first custom box call from Al this February.  I called him on the phone to discuss which wood to choose.  Like you STP22, I really don't have a preference as of yet for sound.  Al told me that his favorite was the kwila/butternut.  From the positive reviews and sound files on this site, I decided to go with Al's suggestion.  I received it within a few weeks and was certainly pleased.  It is capable of make all kinds of turkey sounds and can belt out some loud yelps and cuts with the right pressure.  I will probably buy another for my dad before too long.

[drum817]

I own seven SS box calls and they are all GREATsounding calls!!!  I have a butternut / kwila call that I hunt with most of the time.  Al would be GLAD to talk with you ... Just give him a call.

[STP22]

Thank you, all!
I will give him a call.
Steve