Help???

[mrliveoutdoors]

  I am fairly new to turkey hunting and using pot calls. I purchased a slate call from a renowned custom call maker and it recently came in the mail. The 'help' part is that I can't get good sound out if it? To me it sounds like a wooden chair sliding across a floor, literally, I don't mean to sound harsh. There is 'no rasp at all' and more of a soft squeaky turkey; I have used other over the counter pot calls and got what I thought was good raspy sound out of them; so it's not entirely operator error. I have used scotch brite to condition the slate and 120 grit sandpaper on the striker; still not quite right. Is it possible something is wrong with my ear and it is just difference in calls; does this description sound typical of slate? Any suggestions?                 

[Hognutz]

Try a different striker angle, less or more pressure on the striker, holding the pot by fingertips only, or a different striker, altogether. Sometimes the striker doesn't match slate/soundboard/wood combination. If none of this works, have an experienced caller try your combo. That should tell you if it is pilot error or not. If he cannot make it sound decent, send it back. If they are "renowned" as you say, they will replace it with no qualms. Hope this helps.. Let me know if it does..Mike

[gwa]

As Mike said, it could be the striker.

I had my slates out yesterday messing with different strikers, most of the slates I got some decent sounds out of depending on the wood the striker was made of but I had one call that was just dead. It did not matter what striker was used, there was no turkey whatsoever in that call.

[mrliveoutdoors]

Thanks for the info guys. I have tried different angles and pressures. I can work at it and get it closer, but still not quite right; to me. As above stated sounds kinda dead, actually sounds like two surfaces rubbing together slightly more than a turkey. The callmaker has had nothing but good reports and seems to be a real nice guy. He seems busy so I'd hate to bother him out of my own ignorance. The striker was supposed to be the best match for the call and was turned specifically for it; anything is possible though; could have even sent a wrong one by accident. So I guess my plan of action is to find someone with experience for a second opinion and/or buy another striker or two and try on it. If that don't get it I will contact the callmaker. Thanks again guys.   

[TRKYHTR]

Contact the callmaker and run it for him over the phone. He will be able to tell if there is something wrong with the call. If the soundboard comes loose it will sound dead. Good luck,

TRKYHTR

[WillowRidgeCalls]

Sometimes slate has it's problems, I had gotten a bunch that came apart after you started playing them. the slate started to crumble in the center and just fell apart, they looked fine but wouldn't play no matter what striker you ran on it. When they cut it the saw must of got too hot and destroyed the surfaces, heat will do that to slate.
I'd do what Joe said, contact the builder and play it for him. The call isn't much good if it will only play with one kind of striker.

[mrliveoutdoors]

I talked with the call maker today n played the call for him on the phone. He responded "I didn't hear anything that would keep him from hunting with it. And that different ppl can use a call and make them sound different." I fully agree but on further thought the point is I don't like the sound I'm getting with it. I told him I will call back later and listen to some of his other materials for a possible upgrade to aluminum, copper... I went to the local corporate sporting store and purchased a Pirimos Lucky 777 striker for 10 bucks and it is a slight improvement over the stock striker. I will get a second opinion before proceeding.

[maineguide]

Take a Scotch Brite pad and sand your pot (sand only 1 way and just enough to scratch the surface) with it and see if that makes a difference. Also do your stricker with it (1 way)..

[CallMaker]

Everyone above has given you good advice.  If you bought it from a renowned callmaker he should make it right for you if it doesn't sound right. If Imam ask, what kind of wood is the pot made of and what material is the sound board made of ?  If the slate is not properly glued to the pot due to slight warping of the pot, it will have dead spots.

[Turkey Call Maker]

you might want to try a different striker...  also a turkey would never win a calling contest....   the best "judge" is the turkey you are trying to call in. BUT it also depends on the turkey