Reeds sticking ????

steelheadslayer · 11-15-2006, 02:31 PM

I have a terrible time with my reeds sticking on my double reed duck calls. Do any of you have a simple solution to remedy this. I haven't had much of a problem with it until just this year, it's really confusing and frustrating. THANKS

bp97211 · 11-15-2006, 02:36 PM

I've heard of people keeping a folded dollar bill (in a dry place), and sliding it between or underneath reeds to try them and clean them. Not sure how this would work on a day like today when it's blowing sideways. I seem to have more problems with my single reeds sticking; I just make a succession of powerful bursts of wind through the instrument until it produces a note again--when I do this, I take caution that the first note isn't too loud because it sounds terrible, but it seems to unstick the call. Lately this has been happening at the wrong time, so I quickly switch to another call if one sticks and birds are working. Another thing--they say to replace reeds and corks every so often.

Drakeblake · 11-15-2006, 02:41 PM

I've never tried it but I hear if you whipe down your reed and insert with RainX it will help.

-blake

quackerjack · 11-15-2006, 03:19 PM

I was having this same problem earlier this year. I would sugest plunging your call in hot soapy tap water three or four times, this seemed to stop my problem. After the soap water do it in fresh water to remove the soap from the call and let dry...should be as good as new.

P.S. don't take the call apart to do this!!!

QH's Paw · 11-15-2006, 04:21 PM

When the problem is moisture, I usually blow real hard through my call backwards. It doesn't always work but most times it does.
The idea of rain-x sounds good in theory but would require a disassembly wouldn't it?

Drakeblake · 11-15-2006, 04:45 PM

I think I would take apart the call to apply it, but I bet it's possible without disassembly.

-blake

Tak3Em007 · 11-15-2006, 06:39 PM

works real well if you floss it with dental floss, gets all the little junk out of there.

adobe wall · 11-15-2006, 07:12 PM

same problem, I seem to spit alot into my calls.

There are some calls made to prevent reed sticking- the Primos Wench is one. The design of the board (the part under the reed) is what helps. I haven't seen a "premium" call yet that blows well wet, though, and won't spend $100+ for a call unless I know it will blow wet. I'm sure there are some out there, but I don't know which ones.

The simple solution is to take the call apart- they're made for this- and wipe the spit off the board under the reed and out of the call's barrel. For me I'm good if I do this about once an hour.

It only takes a few seconds and doesn't require removal of the reed. The bad part about this is you will need to double lanyard your call, or you will end up losing half of it like I did Saturday. If the call is loose enough to pull apart easily, it will fall apart at some point.

It's also nice to be able to quickly pull your call apart in case you blow it full of cheetos like I did yesterday.

hth aw

007SPRIG · 11-15-2006, 07:31 PM

You might try waxing the reeds. What type of call? Years ago I bit the bullet and bought an RNT original. It is a single reed call. It would stick. I sent it back. They shaved the sound board. Haven't had it stick since. Good luck.

nitrobass · 11-15-2006, 09:03 PM

If its dirty thats one thing...if its moisture then you need to learn to manage your spit when you're calling. Get in the habit of lifting your tongue when you inhale..that helps a lot.
Find some articles by Jim James - he breaks it down really well.

steelheadslayer · 11-16-2006, 07:14 AM

Thanks guys. It seems to be every call I have even the single reeds now that I think about it. I have a wench coming so hopefully that one will be able to blow when the others lock up. I do think it's a moisture problem because as my dentist says, "you have overactive salivatory glands". I'll work on your suggestions and see what comes of that. Thanks again.

thehunt · 11-16-2006, 07:15 AM

Olive Oil

Hunt'nFish · 11-18-2006, 01:09 PM

You can use a dull rounded nail to press a small dimple in one or both the reeds to keep them sticking together. If you look a lot of call makers put a dimple on the top reed to keep a little gap between the reeds.

Becareful, start w/ a very small dimple. It doesn't take much to maintain a gap and you wouldn't want to alter the sound too much.

I'll see if I can add a pic....
Hunt'nFIsh