Buying a new call, Custom or Production

[culpeper]

When you have decided that it's time for a new call or calls, for whatever your reasons might be, and you are considering retail production calls and custom calls, what is your single most important criteria/parameter for evaluation and your subsequent purchase?

[joker]

#1) What it sounds like.

Custom all the way. A production call can sound ok but most of the time not even close to the sound of a custom call.

[Spitten and drummen]

If it sounds good played softly. the yelp  needs to roll over effortlessly no matter how soft or loud you play it.

[packmule]

If it sounds good played softly. the yelp  needs to roll over effortlessly no matter how soft or loud you play it.

X2

[KentuckyHeadhunter]

Sound first. Then beat the crap out of it and dump water on it.  Now how does it sound?   

[Bolandstrutters]

I've got a few customs, but nothing has killed as many birds as my primos frictionite slate.  I can get so soft on that thing. 

[Bowguy]

You heard it, the sound.

[strutnrut]

I beleive everyone has a turkey sound in their head an will search high an low looking for it. I beleive that a callmaker will do there were best to help you were a production call is looking for sales. IMO

[MK M GOBL]

I have my custom Cody World Class Slate and was totally bought because of "Sound", the other pot call I carry is a $10 production call and again was bought because of it's sound...

There are custom calls not worth the money, same with production. It's all about the call, "I don't pick Pretty, I pick Performance" and I always play/hear a call before I buy. (Meat Calls)

Might be a different thing if you are  buying for Collector Status.

MK M GOBL

[greencop01]

We all buy according to our ear, but it is all in the ear of the gobbler, what does he like?  I've had calls that I thought sounded good but gobblers luke warm on it. I've had calls I did'nt like the sound but the gobblers would answer with gusto and come in when I used it. Guess what calls I would keep and go in my vest?

[strutnrut]

I'm not saying that all calls weather it be custom ? or production build sound great far from it but most Store don't have calls setting out for you to try so you are buying a pig in the poke. A callmakers shouldn't get mad if you return the call because it doesn't suit you. Not everyone hears the same. You ever hear a recording of your own voice? Sounds different doesn't it. So what is the true sound a turkey hears and do all turkeys hear the same? Do they all sound the same?  Does a Yankee sound the same as a Southerner but we all respond when spoken to. Again everyone has a sound they are looking for and will keep hunting for that sound until they find it. I have killed a many turkey just scratching the leaves and clucking with my mouth. If a turkey wants to come they will come if not then you may as well go home.

[greencop01]

I'm not saying that all calls weather it be custom ? or production build sound great far from it but most Store don't have calls setting out for you to try so you are buying a pig in the poke. A callmakers shouldn't get mad if you return the call because it doesn't suit you. Not everyone hears the same. You ever hear a recording of your own voice? Sounds different doesn't it. So what is the true sound a turkey hears and do all turkeys hear the same? Do they all sound the same?  Does a Yankee sound the same as a Southerner but we all respond when spoken to. Again everyone has a sound they are looking for and will keep hunting for that sound until they find it. I have killed a many turkey just scratching the leaves and clucking with my mouth. If a turkey wants to come they will come if not then you may as well go home.

Amen ! 

[M Sharpe]

Try out production calls customer service....

[Meadow Valley Man]

There are no guarantees that the production call you buy will sound good once the package is open.  The great thing about custom calls is that the reputable call makers will make sure you are happy with the sound.