Mouth call duds

[jdl80]

I'm pretty loyal to the mouth calls and call maker that seem to work best for me. I generally keep a good stock of them(3-5 of each type), in various conditions from season to season. Lately I've noticed some of them just sound absolutely horrible. Is it common to have one that's just a dud, coming from a pretty big and well known call maker? I'll buy multiple of the exact same calls and break them in all together most of the time.

[jdl80]

The duds arent old worn out calls either. It takes me a few weeks of practice to get them broken in to my liking.

[CALLM2U]

That's been my experience. 

Sometimes getting the powder that's on the latex cleaned off makes a difference.  You can run them through water to flush it, or of course just keep using it and it will clear out. 

[Yoder409]

I know production diaphragms are hit or miss.  Mostly miss.

Years back, I got a diaphragm from a big-name company.  It was freakin' awesome !!!  Killed every bird that year with that call.

So, my Mrs found me a 3-pack of the same call.  When those calls arrived, it was a matter of 10 minutes or less that thsy were ALL 3 in the kitchen garbage can.  Junk from brand new.

Bought a call from a guy named Gooserbat.  Been a user ever since.  The calls last.  And one bought this year sounds the same as one bought 5 years ago.   Quality control.  CONSISTENCY.

[callmakerman]

I know production diaphragms are hit or miss.  Mostly miss.

Years back, I got a diaphragm from a big-name company.  It was freakin' awesome !!!  Killed every bird that year with that call.

So, my Mrs found me a 3-pack of the same call.  When those calls arrived, it was a matter of 10 minutes or less that thsy were ALL 3 in the kitchen garbage can.  Junk from brand new.

Bought a call from a guy named Gooserbat.  Been a user ever since.  The calls last.  And one bought this year sounds the same as one bought 5 years ago.   Quality control.  CONSISTENCY.

I totally agree with the big name stuff. When I use a mouth call it's a Gooserbat as they hold up and are always consistent in sound from one to another.

[runngun]

I have learned over the years to get my mouth calls on here. Sadler McGraw ghost cut is what I use. I will order 10 or so from him, he has several awesome cuts!!! Gooserbat as well, I guarantee that you will get your money's worth!!! And you will save money in the long run!!!

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

[bigwoodstom]

Woodhaven run consistent for me. Some others do not.

[eggshell]

I actually think only one in 5 are good calls. I have a pretty high standard and most don't meet it. I only use woodhaven (most consistent) or custom calls. Woodhaven is generally ok right out of the package, but in the last couple years I have thrown a few of them in the trash too. Gooserbat is good, don't ever change what your doing Sam. It's a shame that you can't trust the production calls, it's a lot of wasted money. I hope some company reps are watching this thread.

[jmart241]

I only use gooserbat calls very consisent used same call last 2 years

[GobbleNut]

Anybody that uses mouth calls has had the same experience: find a call that you really like, buy some new ones of the same type, and find out that they do not sound the same. It is a problem that is as old as the very first day mouth calls were invented. The fundamental reason for this is because, with the way mouth calls are made, it is very difficult to precisely replicate the various "factors" involved in consistently reproducing the same sound in each call.

Here is a list of the variables...
1) Consistency in the reed materials used:  the typical 1"X2" pieces of latex used for making turkey calls are cut from sheets of latex manufactured for other purposes. The idea that each of those pieces of latex (regardless of the thickness and color used) will have the same "tonal qualities" when used in a turkey call is questionable to begin with.
2) Reed layering: multiple reed calls are generally staggered. That is, one or more reeds are "set back" from the others. If that set back in the reeds is not exactly the same, there is the chance that the reed vibration in the call will be different, causing changes in the tonal quality.
3) Reed tensioning: although tensioning meters eliminate some of the problems with this variable, if that reed tension is not precise in each call made, it can/will result in changes in tonal quality.
4) Reed cuts: Here is the biggee. For tonal quality to be consistent in a call (with all of the other factors being equal), the reed cuts have to be made with a precision that cannot be obtained in the way those reed cuts are made in the call-making process currently being used. Very, Very, VERY miniscule variations in the reed cuts can cause significant changes in the tonal quality of a call. To my knowledge, there is no call maker that has developed a method of making those reed cuts such that they are EXACTLY the same. If they aren't, the call will very likely sound different.

The bottom line is that in every call any of us gets from ANYBODY (or make for ourselves), there is very likely going to be some variation in the sounds that call will make, as well as the basic tonal quality of the call. FULL. STOP.

Unlike other types of turkey calls, mouth calls can't be "tuned" by someone prior to their delivery to the buyer. The reason for that is obvious. None of us wants someone to be sticking the call in their mouth before we get it. The good news is that MOST calls can be tuned after YOU get them by going through a process of making very, very, VERY slight changes in the call...changing the cuts, removing portions of reeds, stretching reeds, etc...to find the "turkey" you might be looking for. 

[Lcmacd 58]

I just ordered my annual 10 from Sadler. I get duplicates ....especially Judge and Jury.
But I always have him send me some various other cuts to try. You never know there may be a sleeper in there.

[paboxcall]

Gooserbat and Gulvas, and you won't need to worry about duds ever again.

[jdl80]

Thanks for all the help! I mainly run the woodhaven toxic orange and their ninja ghost calls. I absolutely love them, but about 1 in every five or six is just a dud. I'm going to give small batch custom call makers  a try now just to broaden my calling horizons. Good luck to everyone this season!

[jdl80]

Anybody that uses mouth calls has had the same experience: find a call that you really like, buy some new ones of the same type, and find out that they do not sound the same. It is a problem that is as old as the very first day mouth calls were invented. The fundamental reason for this is because, with the way mouth calls are made, it is very difficult to precisely replicate the various "factors" involved in consistently reproducing the same sound in each call.

Here is a list of the variables...
1) Consistency in the reed materials used:  the typical 1"X2" pieces of latex used for making turkey calls are cut from sheets of latex manufactured for other purposes. The idea that each of those pieces of latex (regardless of the thickness and color used) will have the same "tonal qualities" when used in a turkey call is questionable to begin with.
2) Reed layering: multiple reed calls are generally staggered. That is, one or more reeds are "set back" from the others. If that set back in the reeds is not exactly the same, there is the chance that the reed vibration in the call will be different, causing changes in the tonal quality.
3) Reed tensioning: although tensioning meters eliminate some of the problems with this variable, if that reed tension is not precise in each call made, it can/will result in changes in tonal quality.
4) Reed cuts: Here is the biggee. For tonal quality to be consistent in a call (with all of the other factors being equal), the reed cuts have to be made with a precision that cannot be obtained in the way those reed cuts are made in the call-making process currently being used. Very, Very, VERY miniscule variations in the reed cuts can cause significant changes in the tonal quality of a call. To my knowledge, there is no call maker that has developed a method of making those reed cuts such that they are EXACTLY the same. If they aren't, the call will very likely sound different.

The bottom line is that in every call any of us gets from ANYBODY (or make for ourselves), there is very likely going to be some variation in the sounds that call will make, as well as the basic tonal quality of the call. FULL. STOP.

Unlike other types of turkey calls, mouth calls can't be "tuned" by someone prior to their delivery to the buyer. The reason for that is obvious. None of us wants someone to be sticking the call in their mouth before we get it. The good news is that MOST calls can be tuned after YOU get them by going through a process of making very, very, VERY slight changes in the call...changing the cuts, removing portions of reeds, stretching reeds, etc...to find the "turkey" you might be looking for. 

That's very interesting, I have a pile of calls that I just couldn't huff on properly or they're duds. I'm gonna see what I can "recycle" out of them.