41 replies to this topic

[itzDirty]

Ok I have been tinkering around in the shop to see what I can come up with. I made a couple so far. They are not show room stuff but I am getting better with each one. This howler is English Walnut. I am sorry the picture stinks. It was the best I could manage till the batteries went dead. I will try to update with a better picture, if I can get one. I am lacking some tools to finish one completely. The toneboard is also my own. Thanks Prairiewolf on that delrin source. First one that is totally finished quality will be yours. I will pm you when it is ready..... no I do not have to...... yes you have to take it! Much obliged sir.

Also I put a few sound files. I am looking for honest opinions. (smart arse remarks are welcome too if honesty is offered with them)

 DSCN0321.JPG   3.16MB   3 downloads

 longhowl.mp3   145.8K   25 downloads
 shorthowl.mp3   120.9K   9 downloads
 bandc.mp3   116.41K   10 downloads
 kiyi.mp3   76K   11 downloads

Yes Don this is what I have been working on instead of those floors.

[youngdon]

Nice looking, and it sounds good too ! I only listened to 2 of them as my dogs said there was something dying in here and they wanted it !

[220swift]

itxDirty, good stuff...

[Rich Cronk]

That is one good call! The coyotes are in deep trouble now.

[prairiewolf]

Pretty good call , itzDirty. Glad I could help and tell your wife the floors will have to wait you have a new hobby now ! LOL And I will be honored to have the first call. Thanks

[youngdon]

Ok I listened to the other two...Does bandc. (the third sound) stand for "One time at band camp " ?

[bones44]

Ok I listened to the other two...Does bandc. (the third sound) stand for "One time at band camp " ?

That's what she said...

[bones44]

Sounds great !! Got my dogs attention too. Especially the ki-yi. Sounds like a winner. Kudo's to your "helper" as he knows a thing or two about them calls....

[220swift]

That's what she said...

darn, I was afraid that would get out.....

[Scotty D.]

sounds great!!!! : )

[itzDirty]

No band camp for this guy. I missed that weekend. Thanks for the kudos fellas.

Looks like I am done tuning this board then?

This has become a new hobby for sure. I bought the lathe after selling some old tools I don't use anymore (golf clubs). While learning how to make the toneboards I also had to learn how to use the lathe. It took about a week to start making the shape I wanted. It took about a week to get them sounding the way I wanted and about a week of playing with finishes till I came across the CA finish method. Still learning how to do the CA finish though. In total about a month to make one that I would show you guys. I made a few that are much deeper but they probably won't fly for most folks. If the picture was a little clearer you would see that the top end of the call is not fully finished and their are a few white specs hear and there in the CA finish. Getting that finish right is tough. When you get it there is nothing like it though.

[Antlerz22]

Sounds real good to me itzy, and its probably like sharpening a knife--whenever you feel a real sharp edge but want to take it a bit further? DONT, you invariably dull it more than what you had brought it up to that last time. At least for me--and Im thinking it applies to calls as well. Just an opinion!

[bones44]

No band camp for this guy. I missed that weekend. Thanks for the kudos fellas.

Looks like I am done tuning this board then?

This has become a new hobby for sure. I bought the lathe after selling some old tools I don't use anymore (golf clubs). While learning how to make the toneboards I also had to learn how to use the lathe. It took about a week to start making the shape I wanted. It took about a week to get them sounding the way I wanted and about a week of playing with finishes till I came across the CA finish method. Still learning how to do the CA finish though. In total about a month to make one that I would show you guys. I made a few that are much deeper but they probably won't fly for most folks. If the picture was a little clearer you would see that the top end of the call is not fully finished and their are a few white specs hear and there in the CA finish. Getting that finish right is tough. When you get it there is nothing like it though.

Looks great in the pic. Sometimes the deeper tones give a very distinct sound that the predators haven't heard from everyone out there. Might be a winner. I like the deeper tones myself at times because you can get a really good bark or growl out of them. That's the beauty of turning the wood, being able to tune the housing the way you want it. I'd love to have a lathe at home. My boss would frown on me using the one at work to make calls...lol

[hassell]

Played the first two not going through the head phones and they didn't sound too good to me, Cindy even asked what that sound was suppose to be, the dog lifted her head on the first one and never moved for the second. Seems too sharp on the high end and the length of each sequence not quite long enough. Just listened to the last on the headphones and have the same opinion, Not saying they wouldn't work But just comparing to what I've heard out in the field over the years some of the similar tones just aren't there.

[Rich Cronk]

Played the first two not going through the head phones and they didn't sound too good to me, Cindy even asked what that sound was suppose to be, the dog lifted her head on the first one and never moved for the second. Seems too sharp on the high end and the length of each sequence not quite long enough. Just listened to the last on the headphones and have the same opinion, Not saying they wouldn't work But just comparing to what I've heard out in the field over the years some of the similar tones just aren't there.

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I heard the same thing hassle, but I don't think the call is at fault. Operator needs more practice is all.

[itzDirty]

Nail on the head Rich. I am new to using open reed calls (I got my first one in December). If you read/remember some of my other posts, prior to this year I had some old knight and hale closed reed calls from way back. I bought a bunch of calls this year and have been learning the open reed. I became proficient with them which prompted me to try making one of my own. However this is proving to be my struggle when trying to tune a toneboard though. Being new to open reed calls makes it difficult to tell if it is me or the call that is the issue.

Hassell Thanks for breaking the ice. I was thinking that some folks may have been being a little too nice. I was thinking it sounds pretty good but could be better.

Any advice is good for me guys. I am not asking for criticism just for the sake of criticism but if you think it needs help I would like to hear it. You won't hurt my feelings.

Thanks again everyone.

[itzDirty]

Also I recorded these in my basement. Think that might mess with the sound? I usually test them outside. I did not want to annoy the neighbors any further yesterday by repeatedly blowing the calls out back. I live in the city so the neighbors are in close proximity. I will rerecord these today along with another one that is a bit deeper, but outside if you guys think that might make a difference.

[Rich Cronk]

Nail on the head Rich. I am new to using open reed calls (I got my first one in December). If you read/remember some of my other posts, prior to this year I had some old knight and hale closed reed calls from way back. I bought a bunch of calls this year and have been learning the open reed. I became proficient with them which prompted me to try making one of my own. However this is proving to be my struggle when trying to tune a toneboard though. Being new to open reed calls makes it difficult to tell if it is me or the call that is the issue.

Hassell Thanks for breaking the ice. I was thinking that some folks may have been being a little too nice. I was thinking it sounds pretty good but could be better.

Any advice is good for me guys. I am not asking for criticism just for the sake of criticism but if you think it needs help I would like to hear it. You won't hurt my feelings.

Thanks again everyone.

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The tone of your call is good! Just make sure that the reed won't stick when a lot of saliva is under it.

[itzDirty]

Thanks Rich. It will do that after I blow on it 20 times or so. I have not figured out how to get that to stop though

[220swift]

itzDirty, I think on any given day we all need improvements in our calling techniques and I admire you for taking the time to make your own calls. There's no doubt in my mind you will get the sound you're looking for and keep relying on the feed back here. It will bring you to your goal quicker.

I'll bet the call sounds better than the recording........