My first duck call

[Aaron Wingert]

I made my first duck call this morning. Technically I made my first duck call barrel, as the insert is commercially made. The wood is curly claro walnut. The finish is numerous applications of BLO on the lathe, and I sanded between applications with 1200 grit to slurry-fill the open grain. The brass band was sanded to 2000 grit to shine it up and then it was laquered. I wrote my website address on the wood between the band and the insert...Some subtle advertising that doesn't detract from the appearance of the barrel. After some tuning of the reed it sounds incredible and the shape seems to work well on my mouth.

Opinions and suggestions welcome!!!

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a beauty. Really nice looking wood.

[ROY DICK]

Very nice. I really like the wood you used.

Roy

[Steve Schlumpf]

Aaron - I have to admit that I do not believe I have ever said this before....... Man, that is a beautiful duck call! Really nice looking wood! Good form and I really like the clear mouthpiece! Very nice work! Thanks for sharing!

[Aaron Wingert]

Thanks guys!

[Steve Mawson]

Very nice piece, hope the ducks like the sound as well.

[Brian George]

Great looking call - Beuatiful choiec of wood. That BLO sure popped the grain, eh!

[Skip Spaulding]

Beautiful call, must be some high class ducks you hunt or at least they are going to think they are if it sounds as good as it looks! Very nice work.

[Aaron Wingert]

...must be some high class ducks you hunt or at least they are going to think they are if it sounds as good as it looks!

That's all part of the strategy!

[Aaron Wingert]

I made calls number two and three today...

The first is African blackwood. I went to Woodcraft for a pen kit and walked out with a small blank of blackwood and a Beall buffing system for the lathe. Danged Woodcraft!!! This one was sanded to 1500 grit then buffed and waxed.

I was hoping it would be blacker than it is. Maybe gaboon ebony is what I need...

[Aaron Wingert]

And this one is cocobolo, also buffed. Not a great piece of cocobolo unfortunately. Too light colored for my liking. Sounds good though.

[John W Dixon]

Aaron those are beautiful. Really nice. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your duck call kits?

John

[Wayne Kuhn]

Some of these are in my future. How do you tune a duck call?
Beautiful work by the way.

[Aaron Wingert]

Some of these are in my future. How do you tune a duck call?

Practice and experience, as well as a lot of experimentation. I buy pre-made inserts and keep plenty of reeds on hand so I can screw with them until they sound the way I want them to...Been doing that for years on off-the-shelf calls. Take paper thin cuts at a time...Tiny amounts can make a big difference. The positioning of the cork plays a part as well.

If and when you decide to do it, shoot me a PM and I'll help you get started. There are some great resources online as well.