I just received a new box call and I cannot play that thing to save my life. I assumed that it arrived tuned and ready to go? I'm sure I'm not providing enough info, please ask whatever ?'s may help. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Stefan
I have a Purple Heart/Spanish Cedar box from another maker. One side is higher pitched and sounds best with almost no pressure when added. The other is lower pitched and raspier, but needs a bit more pressure to sing.
If no combination of pressure or even paddle speed works on either rail, check to make sure the paddle is chalked, that the chalk isn't clodded up due to humidity (I assume while shipping), or that that there's not stupid amounts of excess chalk clodded onto the rails.
If none of that is the case, best thing might be to play with the screw a bit until it sounds good.
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Can you post a picture of the box?
Don't start messing with the screw just yet. It should have came out of the box ready to go. David plays all of them before he ships them. Also get someone who plays a box a lot to give it a try. It should be ready to hunt unless something happen to it in shipping.
I hope these help.
I wouldn't mess with the screw.
I would strip it of chalk lightly with a scotbrite and reapply very lightly. I'd play it and continue to apply until you find that amount it likes.
My 2 customs play almost on their own. Took me a while to figure out that I was "trying too hard" coming from numerous production calls.
Good luck.
(https://i.imgur.com/0elEBfy.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/UbdOuQ5.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/21tMYwD.jpg?1)
She should be ready to go.
Start nice and slow. Cant the paddle slightly inward toward the center of the box, do not lift the paddle off the rail, and draw it away to about 50 degrees, then without lifting the paddle off the rail slide it back to center. Apply no pressure beyond keeping the paddle in contact with the rail.
You should hear two distinct sounds if you run it slow - the "kee" on the front end of the yelp, then the back end "yop" of the yelp.
Keeping the paddle on the rail, take it away again, super light pressure, and run it a bit faster this time, and the two notes will begin to blend together.
Keep the paddle canted inward, and do not lift the paddle up off the rail, just slide it back and forth to get the cadence right for a series of yelps.
btomlin - That may be the issue, all I've ever had were inexpensive production calls. That in addition to my lack of experience with box calls, I usually just run mouth calls. Thanks for the help!
Will do paboxcall. Thanks
As others said - do not touch the screw, that should be tuned perfectly from Dave.
And by the way that is a stunning box. I love purpleheart and cedar. Congrats - and be patient. Running a call is like learning to play an instrument.
Quote from: sveltri on April 29, 2020, 05:10:07 PM
Will do paboxcall. Thanks
This will help if you are a visual learner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVdaOqvOZaU&t=279s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVdaOqvOZaU&t=279s)
Is this your first experience with a box call?
Do not mess with the screw, do not. Wipe the chalk off with a paper towel, and reapply some fresh chalk. If its brand new it shouldn't need to be touched with any abrasive material yet, no matter how fine.
The lid should run across the rails with little to no pressure applied to the lid, mostly just the weight of itself. He puts a heavy lid on his calls.
Like paboxcall mentioned draw the lid back to 50 degrees or so, but push it closed with one finger in one smooth motion. Practice that until you get it to yelp how it should, then transition to grasping the lid and running it as you traditionally would.
Most of these guys know more than I do but I normally chalk a larger area myself? Would that make any difference guys?
The box has all the chalk it needs , just take your time and learn to play ..
Quote from: Sir-diealot on April 29, 2020, 06:34:03 PM
Most of these guys know more than I do but I normally chalk a larger area myself? Would that make any difference guys?
No need to chalk the whole lid, the lid only touches a small part of the rail and after running it you can see the area you need to chalk.
I would call and get Dave on the phone and play the call, maybe he could help you.
All David's calls have a heavy lid to aide in calling . the call should play without any extra pressure on the lid . stroke it across and you should get a fair sound , just remember to keep lid in contact going both ways . and only maybe a slight amount of pressure downward on lid . it came ready to play as all his calls do . may take a couple days to acclimate to your humidity levels , and you can scotchbrite the chalk off and reapply after that .
Kinda surprised you find that box difficult. It's a really good, easy to run box. Sounds great too. You tube David Halloran running box calls. Got a box call mistakes video too.
One thing no one is mentioning, the 2nd part of the yelp is when you get to the concave section on the box. If you don't reach that the call won't break into the second part
Quote from: Bowguy on May 11, 2020, 07:54:23 PM
Kinda surprised you find that box difficult. It's a really good, easy to run box. Sounds great too. You tube David Halloran running box calls. Got a box call mistakes video too.
One thing no one is mentioning, the 2nd part of the yelp is when you get to the concave section on the box. If you don't reach that the call won't break into the second part
I agree. I have 3 of his short boxes and 2 long boxes and they're always ready to go right out of the box. Sounds like it just might be a practice thing if you're not familiar with running box calls.
100% agreement with Longbow59.......call David for assistance.
He is an award winning call maker and delivers his box calls tuned and ready to go. I have three of his
box calls and all were delivered tuned and sounding great right out of the box.
I am sure he will assist you if it is related to playing it correctly.....and as a professional call maker, I know if there is some kind of issue with his product, he will make it good.
Call him today!
GunRunner