toneboard help!! Pic added

[jcz]

this call is kicking my rear end. Actully the last 5 Ive made are all locking on me. The reed is locking in the down position. It has a great tone and the quacks and low end are great. But it locks up when I get into it on the hail call. Sometimes I can blow 2 notes and it locks then other times I can blow 10 note before it locks. Im lost now and dont know where to go with it.

[Prairie Game Calls]

Lets see a picture of your tone channel.

Larry

[BigB]

Like Larry said, show a top view of how the tone channel ends as compared to the length of the reed.


Also, it looks like an upslope type of reed set.  I would imagine those are kind of hard to get to lock down.  What are some of the things that you have tried so far?  Like different reed lenghts, cork lengths, etc?


Brian

[jcz]

Not sure how I posted the same pic but its changed now. I have hammered away on the slope with an emory board and I also sanded under the cork notch. All trying to get the lock out of it. My computer died while posting the pics so I dont have any different pics to show right now. Those 2 are the only 2 I got on photobucket.

[BigB]

Trim the cork to where it is just flush with the end of the cork notch, and tell us what changed with the sound.


Brian

[jcz]

I actually had a shorter cork in it before the pics and it locked. I changed the cork but it sounds and reacts the same. The longer cork is slightly tighter than the other.

[Comeback Calls]

Your tone channel may be just a hair short, you can lengthen it a little at a time (1/32") until it does not stick. Also possible that your tone channel isn't deep enough. Hard to tell without seeing it.

Al

[ben]

Did the toneboard start out as an up-shot or was it flat and progressed to where it is now.??

ben

[Robert A.]

The sticking of the reed in my experience is the tone channel to far back from the down slop at the end of the insert. So when I have a sticker that is where I start making adjustments, but my reeds don't have as much of an up slope as yours. Have you trimmed back your reed further? It is easier for me to trash a few reeds and know I need to work on the tone board before I go back to whittling on it and over correcting ect. Also i like to make sure the reed has a good smooth area to viberate against, IE low spots in the tone channel. Just my 2 cents, i am a rookie so guys if i am steering in the wrong direction correct me.

[jcz]

It started out flat that is just where I have progressed to. I have also tryed longer and shorter reeds. I have played with the cork length. Then I went to town sanding............ in frustration!! In the past I have gotten some of the sticking issues out by taking some of the ramp off but not this time. I also lengthened the tone channel but it didnt help, do you think it needs to be longer?? Im to the point to where Im ready to tear this toneboard apart to learn and just make a new call so suggestions please!         And thanks for the help so far.

[Prairie Game Calls]

Need to see a picture of the top of the tone board with out the reed in place.

Larry

[stumpjumper]

It started out flat that is just where I have progressed to. I have also tryed longer and shorter reeds. I have played with the cork length. Then I went to town sanding............ in frustration!! In the past I have gotten some of the sticking issues out by taking some of the ramp off but not this time. I also lengthened the tone channel but it didnt help, do you think it needs to be longer?? Im to the point to where Im ready to tear this toneboard apart to learn and just make a new call so suggestions please!         And thanks for the help so far.

JCZ,

To me it looks as though th reed is way to long for that insert.  Try cutting the reed to where it is about 1/8" longer or shorter than the tc.  Let me know what that does.
You willing to make a drive to New London????

STUMP

[jcz]

Stump, I had a shorter reed in it and it was way high pitched. The longer reed toned it down. I also think it is too long but the sound is there in the longer reed.
As for the drive......... Id love to sometime!

[MUTT]

JCZ,  holler at me when you get ready to cruise to New London.... I'll be your wing man!

Mutt

[stumpjumper]

Both of you have an open invite to the shop 
Ok, from what you`ve said about tc length, redd and cork changes..... try this one even if you think I`m crazy.  Remove the cork and cut it in half   Yep cut it so the cork sits all the way against the back of the cork notch, but only comes out about half way.  One other thing...with the reed NOT in the call, how tight does a lubed, new cork slide in? 

STUMP