Exotic woodn call problems

[mallardhunter]

> my calls going "flat" after a couple of seasons.

Depending on how much you hunt, how much you call, and how hard you call, you may well be blowing out the reed. I need to change to a fresh reed at least once a year, twice in a good year, when there's lots of ducks. A worn out reed will make a call sound flat big-time. Happens with acrylic calls, too, it's just not as noticeable, because the acrylics are sharper to begin with - even with a flat reed. I either shim the cork or use a new cork if and when the reed gets too loose. Like someone said above, sometimes a particular reed and cork combo just sounds right together.

[SoftCall]

Wildfowler - my coco call that keeps dying on me is one of Hood's. I love the call, just wish that I could get a full season out of it. Let me know what your recipe for resolution is when you find it.

[Wildfowler]

> my calls going "flat" after a couple of seasons.

Depending on how much you hunt, how much you call, and how hard you call, you may well be blowing out the reed. I need to change to a fresh reed at least once a year, twice in a good year, when there's lots of ducks. A worn out reed will make a call sound flat big-time. Happens with acrylic calls, too, it's just not as noticeable, because the acrylics are sharper to begin with - even with a flat reed. I either shim the cork or use a new cork if and when the reed gets too loose. Like someone said above, sometimes a particular reed and cork combo just sounds right together.

Thanks MH. When you say "shim" the cork, what do you shim it with? I honestly didn't think that a reed could wear out. I've always thought that "blown out" reed was a split reed, and I've never split a reed before. But it would be silly for me not to just replace all the guts, to see if this will fix all these calls.

It's funny, my friends that I hunt with in AR say I don't blow loud enough, my friends that I hunt with here in MS say I blow too loud.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[mallardhunter]

> "shim" the cork, what do you shim it with?

I use anything that works, usually a piece of an old reed, cut to fit, but folded plastic wrap will work in a pinch. Shim it between the cork and the wood, or the call, (NOT between the cork and reed).

Yeah, volume is a funny thing as it relates to a duck call. I have hunted with a lot of folks who blow a call as if their scared the ducks might hear 'em!

[Model12]

"Shimming" the reed can be tricky at best. The fit, or pressure on the reed by the "cork" or wedge is usually critical. I purchase impregnated cork by the sheet at Hut Products, and other places. You can also buy mylar by the sheet for your reeds at Hut. The problem with buying it by the sheet is that you have to cut it. That can be more difficult than it sounds. My shears that I purchased just for that purpose are very expensive. But...it can be done with VERY sharp shears of most any kind. Make sure you measure the thickness of your reed and buy the same thickness. I blow a call almost daily, year round and sometimes I get a year from one reed, sometimes it will fail in a couple of months. Usually a reed fails because someone crimped it while trying to adjust the sound of the call. For the most consistant and long lasting call, I recommend an acrylic or acrylic injected tone board, and a injected wood barrel....

[Wildfowler]

Yeah, volume is a funny thing as it relates to a duck call. I have hunted with a lot of folks who blow a call as if their scared the ducks might hear 'em!

Thanks for the advise fellas.

[bust em]

I was trying to state that it is an old call,probably with all the shellac or protective coating off of it that has been weatherd.I'm sure it has swollen or warped due to being used.It's kind of like a 2 by 4,when new it is a very strong piece of wood but after 10 years its not the same piece of wood.I personally blow acrylic calls for this very reason.Most all callmakers offer a wood call with an acrylic tone board and barrel to prevent this very problem.This way you get the look of your favorite wood with the longevity of acrylic.I wasn't trying to be a smarta$$ when I left my opening comment.I was just trying to state that maybe it is time to put it on the shelf.I have four or five old wood R&T's that are on the shelf myself.Hope I could help.

[Wildfowler]

Hey man, thanks for the well thought out reply Bust Em. I'm sorry, I mis-understood you.

Incidentally, that Carlson call that I have is old, but it's not well used, because I never really liked the way is sounded, so I just threw it in the box of stuff that I rarely look at anymore. Turns out that my other favorite calls seem to have some of the symptoms that you described. I feel like I'm getting somewhere now.

Thanks fellows.