open reed vs closed reed

D

Dryfarmer

New member
kind of new at this and am interested about the differences in the open and closed reed callers, other then personal preference is there advantages of one style over the other
 
You may have opened a can of worms. Open reeds have more flexibility in the kinds of sounds that you can make with them, but you must know how to use them, and a little more difficult to use. Closed reed calls are typically distress calls and a some what easier to use, as you just blow in them to make the sound. Know that being said you can use both of them to make a many number of sounds just by the amount of air you blow throught them and how you hold them in your mouth and hands. Jay Nistetter has a video on Coyote Behavior and in that video he goes through the difference and shows you how they work. It was really educational to me. Have fun!
 
Intersteing subject, and you will probably get a ton of opinions.

Yep, the open reed is a bit more versatile, and a bit more difficult to master ( though not inpossibly so). An open reed will also do coyote vocals such as KiYis and howls that you will very seldom see possible in a closed reed.

A closed reed will come to you easier and more quickly.

There are many folks who poopoo the closed reed after they master an open reed.

I personally to not subscribe to that menatlity. I mastered an open reed years ago, yet still call a ton of coyotes/cats with a closed reed...

They produce different sounds. If I need coyote vocals, I go with the open reed. If I was learning, I would pick up a good quality closed reed and get busy with it in the field, while learning the open reed at home or in the truck. Both have their place in my humble opinion, and I still blow a good closed reed about as much as I do a good open reed.

Hope this helps...


Joe
 
I agree completely with Joe. I have a mixed bag of open and enclosed reed calls. One of Kerry's 220 Swift calls has a permanent ride on my lanyard.

I can't add anymore to what he said about the difference in each style, except that in the right situation they are both deadly.

Regards,

Rudy
 
Open reeds have scared off more predators than anyone can imagine. They take a lot of practice, something that some people today do not do because they are too busy or too lazy. Now that has been said, they are the most versatile, and the best choice for a call. You can do a lot with an open reed that you cannot do with a closed reed, but without experience and practice, they can be worthless.

Closed reeds also require practice, not as much as the open reeds, and even if you screw up the closed reed will generally cover for you on your mistakes.

For beginners, a closed reed is the best option to learn the other "tricks" of the trade. Like using the wind, camo, controlling movement and the other million things one need to do. Pull up You Tube and search for coyote hunting, Google is your best tool.
 
I also agree with him badtothebone. In fact, I got my first coyote (that I called) with one of his closed reeds Saturday. So yeah, they work
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Thanks for the advice, will take it under advisement,
one other question I see mention of twin reed calls I am thinking that must be like playing a harmonica.
 
Both have their desired place on my lanyard, but one thing for sure, I have never had to worry about my batteries going bad. Love those hand calls, open or closed reed, they are the ultimate in calling in a varmint. Cooper17HMR
 
Dry,

Those double reed boards do sound a bit like a harmonica, but they're not set 'side by side' like a harmonica is built.

These reeds are two reeds (usually stainless, but sometimes brass or even mylar) stacked. They both impart a different sound when they vibrate and the overll sound ends up a bit raspy.

They're cool, but you can learn to make a normal single reed board break up raspy with a little practice too.

Hope that helped!

Rudy
 
Both open, and closed are great tools. There are a number of sounds in a call depending on the cadence ,or the jet of air pushed through the call.Learn to PLAY your call,not just blow air.Learn the sounds in each and learn to bring any sound up on demand.The feness caller will expeirence vocals,and body language,that the generic caller will never whitness.Picture the whole death of your critter in your head ,then put ALL the sounds togeather.PRACTICE!
 
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Closed reeds can gather moisture and freeze/gum up, happened to mine a few times. Open reeds are easier to wipe the moisture away, and get back to calling. I still use both though,,,
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It all depends on how you take care of your calls ,I hunt sub zero weather,and dont have a problem with freeze up.I do carry 3 calls on each lanyard and when calling in cold weather,keep the call close to your mouth from start to finish,and when not calling put just enough air through the call with out making any sound,then when moving to your next set put your call inside your camo next to your body to keep it warm for the next set,Now moisture build is another thing, thats the reason for the other calls,along with differnt sounds.With a open reed call freeze up is no problem cause once the call is in your mouth everything thaws out as soon as the sound board is in your mouth,no matter the temp.The gum up problem can be solved by staying away from drinking POP,or any sweet stuff while calling,Ichew 1 piece of gum all day once the sugar is gone your good to call.The other thing about moisture,is a good wood call will tolerate more moisture than a plastic one
 
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open reeds have another advantage,, they don't freeze up when its cold out. closed reeds do put out some good sound though.
 
I wish a closed reed worked in cold temps cuz I do feel they sound better. BUT it's open reed for this guy. Just hate it when a call freezes up half way through a stand.
 


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