I have a Mallardtone M295 in which the reed locks up and becames silent, when I blow it really hard (as when attempting to reproduce the 'fighting call' per Bob A. "from the diaphragm" I know, Bob...lol).
I like this call's sound and tone. I like it better than my Gibsons (in all three configurations) and I like it more than any of my other calls and I have them all; or just about... Except that the reed locks up and mutes up just when I need it the most, thereby spoiling the moment. lol
The Question: I know Mallardtones are modular, in that one can take them apart to replace various parts, like the mouth piece and reed, etc. So I would like to take it apart to adjust the length of the reed (which I think might be the culprit). How do I take it apart?? how do I take the mouth piece out of the barrell?
Or what else I can do to this call to prevent the lockup of the reed at high air pressure... (I run, I box, I have lotsa lung capacity... ) Please advise.
Get yourself a punch in either wood or metal and come in through the back end of the barrel of your call and you can tap out the mouthpiece. A very quick remedy if your call hangs up is to hold the call sideways and blow hard sideways through the mouthpiece, this will clear the reed of any saliva that has built up on your reed. If you call a lot with a mouth call you can carry two calls around your neck and when one hangs up blow it out and stick it in your top shirt pocket to let it dry out while you use the other call. This problem happens more in colder weather.
Bob A.
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To listen to this radio talk show go to episode 12, Bob Aronsohn
While you have your call apart, rub a thin coat of olive oil (used for cooking, so it is harmless) on each side of the reed, and also on the side of the mouth pieces that contact the reed. Don't put too much on the pieces, as this will cause sticking also. If you happen to get too much anyway, you will know this when you try to blow them, just take a thin piece of cotton cloth, and slide it in between the reed and mouth pieces and rub off a little of the oil.
Also, thoroughly clear your mouth of saliva before you blow the call.
I used the olive oil trick on my three calls, and had no problem with sticking for about six months. I then simply "changed the oil" by re-applying olive oil, and was good to go for about 4,000 miles...er blows that is!
