Tuning a Tube Call

[jwp0020]

Any advice for tuning a tube call?  I can't seem to get it right for whatever reason. 

[Tarheel]

I've watched this post sit with no response...and that is surprising. The tube call requires the most trial and effort...and creates the most frustration for me....even more than a trumpet yelper. There are so many variables with a tube call that can impact sound and tuning, and you have to diligently work your way through those variables one by one.  First, you need to find the tube call that fits you....small, medium or large tube w/baffle or without w/lip rest or without....which requires you do the research.  There's no shortcuts. Not all tube calls are equal. When you find the tube call you like and that fits you, buy at least 2 more after you are sure what you have really works for you. Next, you have to find good latex for your tube call that you like. Again, you have to do the research. Finding good latex is more difficult than most realize. If you hunt a tube call, you will always be looking for sources of good latex. Then once you find a good source of latex, you can really begin thinking about tuning. The problems you are having with tuning may not always be user caused. Not all latex is equal. And just because someone else uses .004 or .006 or something else and is happy with it doesn't mean you will be. IMHO, Trojan latex from the local pharmacy is the easiest to adjust and tune to start.  I was taught once you get the latex positioned with the tension you want where you want it on the tube, then pinch the latex at the top side of the tube opening(side opposite the lip rest) and give it a little pull to create a series of 2-3 wrinkles at the very top of the tube. BTW, if you go the pharmacy route, make sure to give the wife a heads-up and let her know ahead of her finding the Trojan package in your truck....LOL!!!  If the Trojan latex doesn't work, then buy .002, .0025, .003, .004 and .006 latex until you find the tube/latex combination that sounds like the turkey you have in your head.   

I apologize if this is too much unnecessary information and not the advice you were looking to receive, but I have spent a lot of time and frustration messing with a tube call.  I had finally reached the point I really thought I was at least decent running a tube call......that is until I went to Unicoi this past January 2023 and listened to Mark Prudhomme run a tube call.  Now I'm not really all that confident I know how to tune a tube call.  When I get a chance, I'm going back to the pharmacy and buy another pack of Trojans........

[tal]

 Good response. After playing with them for decades I tune by trial and error. I don't have a systematic way to convey to someone steps taken along the way. I think it was Kenny Morgan that had a video out at one time giving measurements and an exacting way to put latex on a tube call, you might could still find it. Find the turkey in it sounds too simple, but it's what you're doing.

[RiverBuck]

Cuz has a decent vid... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oLWfMNUWeQ

[runngun]

Tarheel and tal both definitely know what it takes. I have a bunch of tube calls, but the one that I used and carried every day this season is one I got from Tom Osmer of Possum Fork turkey calls. Good Lord willing, I will be toting it for years to come. It's a good one. You have to keep playing with it until you get it like you want it.  And the best advice I can give you is to LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!

Have a good one, Bo

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[jwp0020]

I've watched this post sit with no response...and that is surprising. The tube call requires the most trial and effort...and creates the most frustration for me....even more than a trumpet yelper. There are so many variables with a tube call that can impact sound and tuning, and you have to diligently work your way through those variables one by one.  First, you need to find the tube call that fits you....small, medium or large tube w/baffle or without w/lip rest or without....which requires you do the research.  There's no shortcuts. Not all tube calls are equal. When you find the tube call you like and that fits you, buy at least 2 more after you are sure what you have really works for you. Next, you have to find good latex for your tube call that you like. Again, you have to do the research. Finding good latex is more difficult than most realize. If you hunt a tube call, you will always be looking for sources of good latex. Then once you find a good source of latex, you can really begin thinking about tuning. The problems you are having with tuning may not always be user caused. Not all latex is equal. And just because someone else uses .004 or .006 or something else and is happy with it doesn't mean you will be. IMHO, Trojan latex from the local pharmacy is the easiest to adjust and tune to start.  I was taught once you get the latex positioned with the tension you want where you want it on the tube, then pinch the latex at the top side of the tube opening(side opposite the lip rest) and give it a little pull to create a series of 2-3 wrinkles at the very top of the tube. BTW, if you go the pharmacy route, make sure to give the wife a heads-up and let her know ahead of her finding the Trojan package in your truck....LOL!!!  If the Trojan latex doesn't work, then buy .002, .0025, .003, .004 and .006 latex until you find the tube/latex combination that sounds like the turkey you have in your head.   

I apologize if this is too much unnecessary information and not the advice you were looking to receive, but I have spent a lot of time and frustration messing with a tube call.  I had finally reached the point I really thought I was at least decent running a tube call......that is until I went to Unicoi this past January 2023 and listened to Mark Prudhomme run a tube call.  Now I'm not really all that confident I know how to tune a tube call.  When I get a chance, I'm going back to the pharmacy and buy another pack of Trojans........

This is exactly what I was looking for.  I apologize for my question being vague.  I appreciate how in-depth you went with positioning, as well as materials.  I may be reaching out again in the near future after some trial and error.  Again, thank you. 


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[mspaci]

everyone is different, like the idea of the wrinkles in the top, havent tried or heard of that one before & Ive been running tubes a very long time, sounds like the no back tension on a diaphram, Mike

[Snoodslammer]

There is an excellent video on YouTube from K. Morgan around 2012 that shows his process of tuning a tube call. I use this same exact process when building tube calls today, however I ran across this video well after I started building calls. It's just ironic that we both use the same process. "This is assuming that you are using a 1" inside diameter call".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_pOk4TrKHI

[howl]

That's the Catch-22 of tube calls. You can't run one if you can't tune it. You can't tune one if you can't run it.