Turkey pot call pitch

[ksheridan]

Hey all,

So I'm a new pot call turner. Ive currently made 4 pot calls and I'm curious, what controls a calls pitch? My calls seem to have some variation in pitch as I've been changing little things. Is it the distance between the soundboard and the surface? The depth of the call?

 

[Nature Man]

Appears you are new to Woodbarter. Please introduce yourself under the “Introductions” tab. Chuck

 

[scootac]

Fairly new to pot calls too, and from I've learned and found......it's everything!
Dimensions may have a small range to stay within, but not sure there are any absolute values. Sound is judged by the user, so what sounds 'good' to one hunter may not to 10 others. Rhythm or the different sounds are probably more important than actual sound.
Would also say that the looks of a call are just as important as the sound.....within reason.
Good luck!

 

[Steve in VA]

What @scootac said is spot on - it’s everything.

Inside and outside diameters, wood type, hole size and positions, depth, etc.

When I got into it, I took 10 of the name brand calls I have and measured everything on all of them. I then took those measurements and created a min - max range and an average. I used that as a starting point and in general was very pleased with most of the calls I made.

The other thing that may even be more important is the striker and how that matches up with any specific call. I probably have 30 strikers and every one will sound different on any one call. Over the years I’ve come to carry less calls and more strikers for that very reason.

 

[ksheridan]

Okay wow great stuff here. I just made three slate calls. The first I used exactly 1 soundboard thickness, and the other two I went a hair under 1 soundboard. The the last two are certainly higher pitch, but the first is black slate and other two are are green and purple slate. All over glass. I would think that the distance between soundboard to surface distance (let's calls it STS) alters the wavelength of sound, getting high and low pitch? Closer together high pitch, farther apart low pitch? But like Steve said, if I switch strikers I also get different pitches, but they seem to stay within a specific range relative to each call. For example, if I use a maple striker on my black slate and green slate, the back slate is lower pitch that my green slate, and then if I switch to a locust striker, although I get a different sound out of that striker, I still have a lower pitch black slate, and higher pitch green slate. I suppose the different types of slate also make difference too. I guess I just need to start making more calls I'm making some calls for people for super cheap while I figure them out so maybe my next two will be exactly 1 soundboard thick STS and then slighter over 1 soundboard thick STS, both same woods and dimensions otherwise.

 

[Nubsnstubs]

I suppose the different types of slate also make difference too.

How thick are the slates you use? ............ Nubs

 

[ksheridan]

How thick are the slates you use? ............ Nubs

1/8"

 

[Steve in VA]

The only thing that will drive you crazier than a gobbler is trying to make a call that you think a gobbler is going to love.

 

[Nubsnstubs]

1/8"

have you ever thought of using slabbed rock(colorful) in place of slate?? ................. Nubs

 

[Eric Rorabaugh]

Stone Playing Surfaces - Ghost Logging

Stone Surfaces – We are extremely excited to offer a truly unique pot call surface you will not find offered by anyone else in the business. That’s right, we are the first, and only supplier of pot call surfaces, to offer such rare, one-of-a-kind, highly sought after, stone surfaces. These...

www.ghostlogging.com

Here is a place that it can be bought. Some is to the moon on price. Would love to find a supplier for it wholesale. Don't know where he gets it. This is the only place I have found with it.

 

[ksheridan]

have you ever thought of using slabbed rock(colorful) in place of slate?? ................. Nubs

I have not, how does it sound? I've used glass and slate so far

 

[ksheridan]

Stone Playing Surfaces - Ghost Logging

Stone Surfaces – We are extremely excited to offer a truly unique pot call surface you will not find offered by anyone else in the business. That’s right, we are the first, and only supplier of pot call surfaces, to offer such rare, one-of-a-kind, highly sought after, stone surfaces. These...

www.ghostlogging.com

Here is a place that it can be bought. Some is to the moon on price. Would love to find a supplier for it wholesale. Don't know where he gets it. This is the only place I have found with it.

Wow that stuff looks awesome!

 

[ksheridan]

The only thing that will drive you crazier than a gobbler is trying to make a call that you think a gobbler is going to love.

Gosh no kidding. Especially now that turkey season is over. I did call in and kill a bird with my first homemade pot call. Glass over slate in cherry. I got real lucky on that first call cuz it sounds great.

 

[ksheridan]

I'm not gonna lie I'll have to try that stone stuff it looks insane. I suppose crystal is a stone so I cant imagine why any of those wouldnt work. I just turned up a pot in black limba that would look insane with any of those stones.

 

[Nature Man]

I'm not gonna lie I'll have to try that stone stuff it looks insane. I suppose crystal is a stone so I cant imagine why any of those wouldnt work. I just turned up a pot in black limba that would look insane with any of those stones.

Pics?

 

[ksheridan]

Here the black limba/ slate over glass. Would look cool with that stone.

 

[Nature Man]

That's a beaut!