Hambone Calls

[SoftCall]

I just bought a walnut burl Hambone call that was turned by the late Howard Amaden of Lonoke, Arkansas. Does anyone know anything about these calls and how can I tell how old it is (style, materials, etc.). Any info would be appreciated. It has a brass band (some of the later calls did not). There is no decal on the call (some did and this one may have at one time) so I do not know what grade it is.

[Old Griz]

I have a green bois-de-arc Hambone with a brass ring and a decal. According to the letter in the box with the call, Mr. Amaden sent it to me on 8/23/81. Hope this helps to narrow it down a little.

[Old Griz]

SoftCall, I just dug a little deeper in the box. The 1981 price list that came with my call lists:
Standard Call; cherry, walnut, cedar and other native woods $12.50
Custom Call with metal band; same woods as above $15.00
Custom Call with metal band; boise-de-arc, rosewood, exotics $20.00
Custom Deluxe; cherry, cedar, walmut $20.00
Custom Deluxe; boise-de-arc, rosewood, and other exotics $25.00
Green boise-de-arc and coco bolo $30.00

Griz

[SoftCall]

Thanks Griz. It's cool to know he sent those letters with his calls. My guess is that my call is a Custom or Custom Deluxe. Does anyone know when he quit turning calls?

[Hambone]

Softcall, I might know just a little about Hambones. And you have seen firsthand what they will do in the cypress brake! I think that Howard Amaden died in the 1980s. I bought the call that I still use today in 1978 from the old York Arms store in Memphis. As I recall, it cost about $20.00.

[SoftCall]

Hambone - that's good to know. The only info that I have found on Howard Amaden is that he passed away in 1996 at the age of 82. I don't know when he stopped turning calls.

here is a pic

It looks like one of his earlier calls...

[Old Griz]

I saw a Hambone call listed on ebay yesterday and the current bid was $152. It was in good shape but did not have the metal band. Don't know what kind of wood it was. I think the listing expired last night as I couldn't find it this morning.
Griz

[Hambone]

Softcall, that one looks just like mine! How does it sound?

[bigwater]

how does it sound?

with softcall blowing it... aint no doubt how it sounds! damn fine and ducky... them central flyway ducks aint gotta a chance!

[SoftCall]

I am checking the mail box every day...should be here any day. I'll post up a report ASAP. The dude I bought it from said it had a good cork and reed and was in great working condition. I'll totally change all of that out and tune it to my liken'