Sceery AP-6 trouble, solutions?

Arcticfox

Arcticfox

New member
I just got some new stuff in the mail. Last night I took my new AP-6 out and really liked the sound of it, but only on the second stand the reed stuck. Because of the special design of the call it was hard to get un-stuck and once it started to stick I never got more than a few seconds out of it anyway. Is this problem familiar and does it have a simple solution? I sure liked the sound of the call before it started giving me trouble.
 
The AP-6 has also been a favorite of mine and I have encountared the same problem, even with other simularly contructed calls made by other call manufactures. The problem seems to be to much saliva getting between the mouth piece and the reed. A solution that sometimes works is to turn the call around, blow from the horn end and blow several times hard through the call to try and blow out the saliva and wiping between the reed and mouth piece with a handkerchief. I hope this may help.
 
The AP-6 is a great sounding call, but the sticking reed can be a problem... I try to keep my call series short, like 5-10 seconds to help me get thru a normal length stand without locking up. Try to keep from putting any more saliva than necessary into the call. I'll blow air on it between stands to dry the reed out again. If the reed tends to go to one side, I'll take it out and straighten it so it rides as close to center as possible.

I remember Ed Sceery addressing the AP-6 problem several years ago on one of the now extinct boards. I can't remember if there was a good solution to the problem though? Good luck
 
Sand the reed! You can sand the reed and edges to get it to were it wont stick as bad. Just take some 400 grit sand papper and sand both sides of the reed a little at a time. Try it then sand again. You wont take all the stick out of it but it will get alot better. Just dont sand to much off one side at a time with out trying it.

Every bit you sand changes the sound a little.

Brent
 
And have a second one on the lanyard. The AP-6 is my absolute favorite handcall, I've used them for years. They will "spit up" fairly quick and in cold weather that can freeze the call.

Turn it around and blow back through the call helps. But that is a pain in the rear on a stand, it requires more movement and sometimes more noise. You can bite down several times on the reed, working it up and down, to help free it up without much commotion on the stand. You can turn the call sideways and blow air through the reeds from the side.

Or, you can have a second AP-6 on the lanyard and if/when the first cause to much of a problem, let it slip down and use the back up to finish the stand. After the stand is over, tend to the calls before making the next stand to ensure they're ready.

I know it's a lot of trouble, but the versatile AP-6 is worth it all in my opinon.
 
Thanks for the input, I'll try the sandpaper and keep working with it, I can see that this call is worth it. The sounds it can make are very very interesting!

We won't have sandpaper graded in stuff like 400 grit, though. Is that towards the coarse or fine end of the scale?
 
400 grit is more on the fine side as far as sand paper goes.
I have two AP-6 and absolutely love them, many a fox and coyote have been put down because it lured them into deadly range of my 22-250! Good Luck !! BOBTAILS.
 
Lowes has 400 or 600 grit sand paper. Or about any home improvemnt store. If you use a heavy grit just sand light! It will take off alot of surface fast. Start with the edges on both sides first.


Brent
 
I almost always start my my stand with the ap-6. Usually I can get through ten minutes or so before the reed sticks. Then I switch to another call if there was no response.When I get seated for the next stand and while letting things calm down I take the call apart and dry it out.It kind of sucks to have to do this but judging by the replies to this post many callers still think it's a great call.
 
I've sanded the reed and now remains only to try the call out again. The more I play with it the better it sounds. I haven't had much sticking while doing my homework on it, so I lean towards buying another one and give them some serious chances.
 


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