Air dried vs's kiln dried wood.

[oldschoolboxcalls]

What is best for building box calls? I remember reading that air dried wood has much better tonal properties than kiln dried wood. However many call makers say mahogany is one of their favorite woods to use. Many builders use a lot of exotics for lids now also instead of the traditional walnut, cherry, maple. I have calls from mahogany and ones with exotics for lids and think they sound great. So is this not true? I've also heard that solar kiln dried wood is a good compromise to regular kiln dried. Any input?

[Spring Dragon]

bud your questions have been asked, answered and debated hundreds of times over the years on the forums.  Everyone has an opinion and seems no-one has a concisive answer.  The ol'timers will tell you air dried only and todays call makers as you mentioned use it all/both with good results.  Most all of your exotics or imported woods have been kiln dried as it is law.  Don't know that you'll get the diffinitive answer you are hoping for.---Jason

[ferocious calls]

I use both as well. Old air dried wood is often pretty special from my expierence.