Diaphragm calls?

[Crow Hunter]

Up to now I have only used box and pot calls, but would like to get a diaphragm and start getting familiar with it. Looking in a catalog with all the choices is making me dizzy. I could really use some recommendations on one or two to start with. Also, is the only way to tell if you need a full-frame or small frame to buy one of each and see what seems better?  Thanks for any help.

[DonBo]

The two reed models are easiest to start with. Forget all the fancy cuts you see on so many these days. Brand names? Guess your best.

Small frames are usually a waste unless being used by kids or smaller women. The tape on standard size models can easily be cut with a scissors if need be.

FWIW, I buy a few every year and try them right away. I know right off what will work for me and what won't. Many of these get tossed right away.

Also, DO NOT practice these at home where family and pets can hear you. Practice in your car only when alone. Follow along to the music before even trying to sound like a turkey. Start now. It will take weeks to get really good with a diaphragm. Once mastered, you'll wonder how you ever got by without one. (or 2 or 3 or 4, as with all other calls)  Good luck!

[Crow Hunter]

Great advice, Donbo. Thank you.

Yes, I can visualize the looks on my wife's (and dog's) faces if I practiced in the house.

[Illini Walli]

i agree, 2 reed or 2.5 reed calls the easiest to learn in a 'classic cut' or 'hen cut' like in the picture

i'd stay away from fancy cuts to begin with

raspy old hen by hs strut is what i learned on and hs is among the best of the production calls

all i use now are woodhaven and gooserbat for mouth calls, both have the classic and hen cuts. gooserbat's classic hen is an easy diaphragm to run

 

[Barbelboy]

+1 what the other guys said. I usually buy a mix of them every year. I probably have 10-12 in my vest at any time. Try 'em out and see which ones I like. Chuck the ones that I don't and buy another of the ones I do like. Much like your other calls, you will find one or two you will gravitate towards more.

Also get one with one of the instructional cd. there are some good tips on them and you can practice in the car to real turkey sounds which will help your calling.

and I think Phil Robertson summed it up best on his video "the art of calling ducks" when he was talking about practicing duck calls, "practice outside, there is something about the sound of a duck call that hurts a woman's ears."

Edited February 8, 2016 by Barbelboy

[Borch]

I like the calls that have a little texture to the taped portion when starting.  Seems that they stay in place a little better and conform to the shape of your palate.  Everything else already said is good info.  Just remember you don't need to sound like a championship caller to kill a bird.  Worse turkey calls I've ever heard have come from real live wild hen turkeys.  Some of them are just awful!

[Powerstroke]

On 2/8/2016 at 11:37 AM, Borch said:

 Just remember you don't need to sound like a championship caller to kill a bird.  Worse turkey calls I've ever heard have come from real live wild hen turkeys.  Some of them are just awful!

Truer words have never been spoken. You can tell a fake turkey call a mile away, not because it sounds bad, but because it sounds completely perfect and repeats itself over and over. Practice your cals and practice different tones and cadence.