Custom calls... how do they rate?

L

Lance H

New member
I see a lot of discussion about which calls work best in recent weeks. Probably a lot of guys spending mad money as they gear up for next hunting season. Me, too.

I encourage any of you that are relatively new to calling coyotes to strongly consider custom calls. Most of the guys on this forum that fashion their own calls do so because they thought they could produce a better, more accurate sounding hand-held call than what is being mass-produced otherwise. For reasons such as those outlined in Jay Nistetter's recent piece on tuning JC reeds in T&PC, that may often be true.

One such call I'd like you to consider is the K-Kall by Kevin Lukens. You'll find his banner ad at the top of this page if you hang around here long enough. Kevin is a heck of a guy and has designed a unique sounding, sturdy predator call. I've got several in my gearbox and have called Kansas coyotes with every one of them. In fact, the first time out with a K-Kall, I made a kill.

One of the features I like about the K is its durability. The darned thing is made of aluminum and is stout enough to take any kind of abuse I may put it through in the field. All the talk about exotic hardwoods being better for call building because of the better tone found with harder woods becomes a mute point when you see how Kevin has taken this issue to its logical conclusion by making them from metal.

With predator calls, you get what you pay for. Custom calls may cost a few bucks more, but each one is unique in its appearance and, in some cases, sound. Each call has been fine tuned and tested to produce what the maker's experienced ear tells him is the best sound for coyotes, or whatever species of predator you might be after.

If I could give you one piece of advice based upon what I've learned in the past several years, it would be to consider custom calls like the K Kall as your best option. I make my own predator calls and I will tell you now that I don't leave the truck without a K Kall around my neck, too.
 
Ummmm was that just an advert for the calls or what???? are we aloud to comment on this thread about other calls or is this really only a talk up the advertise type thread??
 
I say go custom or go home, and this is mostly for sound reasons. They fellas that can tune a reed, not the ones that say they can, but the ones that can actually do it sure make a nice sounding call.

I can't speak for K-Kalls because I have never used one, but Al Lux makes a mean aluminum call that is killer for fox up here. The kicker for his call is the options that you can get with it. It is a two piece call that screws together. Mine came with two different barrel sizes and four voice insert cartridges. It changes kind of like the Weems All-Calls....Rumor has it that there is even an open reed attatchment for this call :eek: , but I so far I have seen two UFO's and a Bigfoot, and still no open reed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Great call though!

AP Jones also sells a metal type call on his web page, but I have yet to use this one either.

Its all in how the reed is tuned for me.

Todd
 
Wayne,
If you have an opinion, let's hear it. I think it's ok to talk about almost any call you have or have used. Chances are that All Predator Calls carries it anyway, and they advertise here. So let's hear what you have to say.

Paul
 
I have to agree about Als calls. I have two of AL Luxs calls and the open reed attachment. I love these two custom calls! Sound great and super versatile. Called quite a few coyotes with them. So pretty I don't use them as much as I should. I show them off a lot though! Thanks Al! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I need to get that book! (Need to get back to work first though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Don't have one of Kevin's calls but I bet is good as well. Love to get one of Jays calls one of these days. Heard nothing but good and they are beautiful too. I like precision crafted calls and the above mentioned fit in that category.

I have had one custom call that was a big disappointment frankly. Just did not perform as advertised and was sloppily made. Most factory calls were superior to this one.

There are a couple factory calls out there that are a must have too.

Good calling to you guys!
 
Actually, Wayne, if this thread was intended as an advertisement for one custom call in particular, I'd have been talking about my own. But I think Kevin makes a unique and innovative call that's well worth the attention of anyone looking to buy something that sounds, looks and performs differently than what you find hanging on a hook at the sporting goods store or Wally World. My calls speak for themselves. So do Kevin's. And I don't have a problem speaking for them as well. His kisser buttons are second to none. I actually brought a coyote four hundred yards with one this past season. I do like the go custom or go home philosophy. I've gotten the point.
 
Well the calls that have been working well for me recently have been my RG Custom Calls. Richard sent me one last year and almost immediatly started using it over my other calls i have.......it was working really really well until the reed chipped, i emailed richard and within days he sent me not one but two reeds.....this is for a call that was sent to me for free as a trade for a couple of really cheap button whistles i have......then to kick things off further richard sent me another call to try out.....which also worked well...not as well as the first one but i also havent used it as much because the first one was working so well.....and above all they look really good. On my webpage i have a short review of the calls i have and in some of the videos on my page the foxes have been called using the RG Custom Call.

The other call that was working good around Feb/March was a Crit-r-Call sent to me by another forum member.........but one night we were out and shot 13 foxes called in with the RG custom call......we called in quite a few more that didnt get close enough or present for a shot......at one point we had stopped and could see 12 sets of eyes coming in.....some fast and some slow.....we shot 5 foxes from this spot before the other foxes decided it wasnt a good idea to continue inwards.

This is just my experiance with the RG Custom call which i have nothing but praise for.
rgcustomcall.jpg
 
I've got a set of the K-Kalls, the new and old style (slight tone differences) full-size and the squeaker. They make a beautiful sound. The aluminum bodies are nice as they are durable and have a good weight to them.

Kevin (of K-Kalls) will even build a call body for a call that you send him. So if you want an open reed caller, I'm sure he can accomidate ya.

Whatever custom call you go with though, the nice thing is that they have been tuned by the maker. Cheap plastic calls sound like cheap plastic calls. It's like listening to an alarm clock radio vs. nice home stereo. Do the dogs care? I believe the educated dogs tend to be much more discerning in what they will come in to.
 
Curt,
Please send me that email again on how to get hold of you.

I have been fiddling with my email filters and filtered myself out of everything. I have tried to change it back so please try again. You could also try calling me. Get the # off my website.

I am reinstituting an old promotion program for you but couldn't list it here due to advertising restrictions.
 
I hunt in Northern Utah almost exclusively on public land this past season I felt that the calls on my lanyard had become stale because they were available everywhere. I came across mention of Lance’s Calls they were reasonably priced so I ordered two. When they arrived I tore open the package. They are beautiful. I went to the back yard and called in three ravens and a hawk. I haven’t had them out where a coyote will hear them yet, but if the ravens like it the coyotes will love it. I have some plastic off the shelf calls that lock up after extended use. I have been playing with these Predatr calls on the way to and from work and have yet to experience a lock up, even when I’m really letting it all hang out. It’s going to be a long summer if I can’t get out where the coyotes are soon. Follow this link to the pictures.

www.coldnosed.com/predatrcalls.htm
 
Morning Jay,

I re-sent the e-mail. I know what you mean about messing with the filters. Been getting a deluge of spam the last year or so.

Take care, Curt
 
OK Curt. Your emails aren't making it through. I don't know why. You don't mention Viagra or septic tanks anywhere in your text do you?

Try calling 623-979-2563 and leaving me your information and I'll get back to you on the Rhino Bucks program. It'll be the best money you never spent.
 
Jay,

I was wondering if you have a website you can e-mail me so I can check out your calls.

Curt,
I was wondering if you could e-mail me Al Luxs website as well.

Thanks for your help guys! New to this site and predator calling! Still have alot to learn so please bear with me.

Barry
 
I'm probably Kevin Luken's biggest fan. I use several sounds, both vocalizations and distress, on every stand and a K-Kall is the anchor. I call in about 300 coyotes a year and the K-Kall shares the bulk of the burden. Material influences sound qualities. Listen to the difference in the woodwind and brass sections of an orchestra. Kevin uses aluminum, with those dandy 3 stage sound chambers, for the same reason I use metal inlayed in my cowhorn howlers. It imparts a clear, solid tone to the distress cries. Very effective. I appreciate the talent and the care that goes into custom calls and own most that are offered here. RG calls, Rhinos, Luxs, and Lance's Predatr call are among the best and I'll rotate most of them but the K-Kall is on every stand with me. If I sound like an "advert" to you, do not despair, it's just joyful enthusiasm for something I truly appreciate. In Mo. when calling near goat farms I used a Brass Rhino, best for the job. When calling ducks I use a Cronk Howler, best for the job. (sorry Rich, couldn't resist)When calling any predator now I use a K-Kall, one of the best for the job and probably the least expensive of all the customs.
 
Jay,

When does the second edition of The Book come out... I missed out getting into the first one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Curt,

I am sorry to hear of your feelings on customs... I hoped one of mine would maybe someday hang from your neck... other than me, there's nobody I would rather have a coyote come in to one of my call's songs!
I know I probably ate a calls worth of your awesome burgers, at the last N.W. Rendezvous!

Rich,

When you are ready to call in some hippies, lemme know, I may have just the call for the job!

Lance,

Thanks for bringing this topic to light... now let's see a couple of your calls!
As a call builder, I am interested in different styles... I heard yours have a distinct look about them, and I never have seen one in the flesh....
We may have to remedy that...

To all you guys who make calls,

WANNA TRADE?

Jeff
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I also must attest to the fine product affered by Kevin Lukens. I bought one of his calls the last time we were in Benson, AZ and it is definately my go to hand call. The only problem is I keep leaving at the stand and have to go back and pick it up.

I would also love to have a Rhino, but alas Jay doesn't seem to want to sell me one. I guess I'll just have to keep on killin coyotes with Kevins K-Kall.
 
There are calls and then there are super GOOD calls. If you like predator calls with enclosed metal reed, there is none that can hold a candle to Jay Nistetters RHINO calls.

Now if you are interested in taking photo's or getting video footage of owls, then nothing works better than a Higgins Howler. Take a look at this beautiful closeup of an owl which I may have called in with a Higgins. Well no I didn't but the one I called in looked like this one anyway.
wf_scops2_rm_.jpg
 
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