Diaphragm Call Question

[VGJ5]

I have a question about a couple mouth-calls that I bought today, but first the back-story.  Well, I've somehow gotten away with not using mouth calls my whole life, up until the last couple years.  My younger cousin (who uses mouth-calls almost exclusively) has been picking at me about it, so I need to show him up. 

I started with a Pittman Black Diamond (3-reed) just before the season, and I loved that thing the second I put it in my mouth.  It feels good and makes great turkey talk.  The only problem is that it didn't even make it through half the season before a section of the top ('v') reed ripped-off.

I decided to try a couple other brands, so I bought a Woodhaven "Classic V3" and a Tom Teasers "Redneck Hen" (pretty much the same calls, with different names).  Now, I read the little piece of paper with the WH and put it in my mouth as directed; the same way as the Pittman, with the colored/v-reed on top and the two shorter/straight-reeds on the bottom.  The sound I got was alright, but I could make much more realistic hen sounds when I flipped the "Woodhaven" side down.  I then moved on to the TT and had the same results.  It also sounds better when I use it with the colored reed down.  So, my question(s) is:  Has anyone else had this problem?  Does it even matter if I use them upside down?  Thanks in advance!

Gaines

[GR8CALLS]

 The problem you are experiencing, is a common one. Not everyone stretches their rubber at the same tension and not all rubber is the same thickness. You will just have to try different make calls to find one you prefer. I would suggest you contact Pittman to see if they would replace the call or check and see how long it was on the shelf before you purchased it (from whomever). Taking care of a mouth call is very important, if they are to last. Some mass produced calls have what I term as, built in obsolescence.

Bill

[3CB]

The Red neck hen is one of the easiest calls I have ever used. That said, I have used a mouth call a long time. Practice is the best thing, keep working on it. But like Bill said maintenance is key, keep it in the fridge as much as possible when not in use. I also use pieces of plastic from coke bottles to keep the reeds separated. 

[TRKYHTR]

You can use the call either way. The calls are made to use with the long reed on top or the different colored reed/cutt reed on top or up against the roof of your mouth. Usually if you turn the call upside down it will still run but is usually higher pitched. One tip is you can flip over a raspy call and kee kee with it most of the time. It's hard to get rasp out of a call that is flipped over but there is no law that says you cant use it that way. They are just more versatile when used the proper way. Good luck,

TRKYHTR

[VGJ5]

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I washed the Pittman with water after each use, but the latex just seems a lot thinner, compared to the other two.  As far as those two go, they just sound too deep and raspy for me on the correct side (like a gobbler); more so than any other call (of any type) that I have.  However, they sound awesome backwards.  They are definitely much higher-pitched upside down, but they still have a bit of rasp.  Maybe my mouth is just messed up, or I'm pushing too hard on the reeds with my tongue.  I'll keep working on it and try some field tests-let the gobblers decide, 

Gaines

[Jake St. John]

Both myself and the fellows that I hunt with used to use the Black Diamond triple reed.  We had the problem with the call changing due to the reeds sticking together.  Loved the call when first used but would not last long.  We have been getting ours from guy in Grenada, Ms. that I know that calls in competitions and does very well.  He makes a lot of calls for competition callers.  His last a lot longer and the reeds do not stick together as bad.  He makes the whatever cut you like. 

Mr. E

[VGJ5]

Both myself and the fellows that I hunt with used to use the Black Diamond triple reed.  We had the problem with the call changing due to the reeds sticking together.  Loved the call when first used but would not last long.  We have been getting ours from guy in Grenada, Ms. that I know that calls in competitions and does very well.  He makes a lot of calls for competition callers.  His last a lot longer and the reeds do not stick together as bad.  He makes the whatever cut you like. 

Mr. E

Jake,

Do you have the contact info. for your guy?

Thanks!

[Turkeybuster]

Contact Al or Josh at S.S. Custom Calls they can  fix you up with some very good calls that will last are very easy to run and are all turkey.

Jon

[professorwingbone]

One important thing to do with your diaphram when not using it is to wash it under the kitchen faucet. Put the call back in the plastic box (wet of course) and place it in the freezer. The next morning take it out stick it in your pocket or mouth and as it thaws, the reeds will already be wet and will not stick together. Anytime the diaphram sits out in dry or hot air, the reeds will stick together. Only rehydrating them will get them to come apart.

I have diaphrams that I sell for $6.00 each. If any of you guys want to try one for $4.00 plus shipping, send me a check for $4.50 to cover shipping and I'd be glad to ship you one. Give me your preference as far as how many reeds, cuts, etc. and I'll try to match it up as well as possible. This offer is good one time only and through the month of April.



Fred Cox
1476 Sherwood Dr.
Reidsville, N.C. 27320

[icdedturkes]

Why not purchase another Pittman if you liked the sound and comfort.. Depending where you bought the call the latex could have degraded from sitting on the shelf a while in the flouresent lights and high temps.. Also did you happen to have the top reed stuck and pulled the center of the V to get it unstuck?

[VGJ5]

Why not purchase another Pittman if you liked the sound and comfort.. Depending where you bought the call the latex could have degraded from sitting on the shelf a while in the flouresent lights and high temps.. Also did you happen to have the top reed stuck and pulled the center of the V to get it unstuck?

Yeah, I'll probably end up getting another one, but I just want to try out some different brands.  I'm going to try some from people on here, instead of grabbing anymore from the store.  The top reed wasn't stuck, it just split (while calling, I assume) from one corner of the V to the edge of the call.