What would you choose (Pics Added)

[Whitelightning]

If you had a choice between purchasing a custom Tube and scratch box call or for about the same price a custom Long Box call.

I do not have a scratch box or tube call and my box call is a plastic fantastic.

[yelp]

I love box calls..scratch box calls are reasonably priced depending on the maker.  If your intention is collecting them then you would want rare, old or unique.  If your looking for field models both are affordable.  Something about cutting on a long box that I love.  Tubes are also nice to have..If I were you I would buy all of them..LOL   

[BPturkeys]

Yelp is right...just buy'em all.
But if you must choose first lets make sure we're talking about the same thing.
This is a scratch box:


This is a slate call:


They are both great calls and I think preferable to a tube(for sure easier to use). But if I had to choose just one, make it a nice Slate call.

[Whitelightning]

BP,
I already have a custom friction call crystal over aluminum. I have a plastic box call, don't own a scratch box or a real long box call.

So I am getting that the scratch box would be preferable over the long box?

[yelp]

Go to Midwest Turkey Call supply


Scratch box link - http://www.midwestturkeycall.com/prodlist.asp?dn=1&cc=T&cat=Scratch~Boxes

Long box link or Paddle box -   http://www.midwestturkeycall.com/prodlist.asp?dn=1&cc=T&cat=Paddle~Box~Call

[Wacenturion]

What is the plastic box call you have...curious.  Personally I like tube calls.  The ability to run one properly and be proficient on a tube call however, can be a problem.  They do have the advantage of making wonderful yelps like a diaphragm, but somewhat sharper or louder ( hard to describe until you compare), fantastic gobbles when and if you need to, like waking up friends sleeping in camp, and last....is a different sound than other folks out there with the Primos this, Knight and Hale that, Quaker Boy whastamacallit.  When you get good on one, they are a great call to have in your arsenal.

As far as a scratch box..........I never saw a need for one if you have a good box call and a good friction call, as they will do everything as good or better than the scratch call....

If you decide to eventually go tube call, now or later, figure about $40-$60 for a good one made by someone who knows how to make them.  Like any other call, you get what you pay for.  If you like I can even point you in the right direction.

[PA BEN]

I'd go with the box call. If it's wet out you can use it inside a bread bag. Also, you can make a gobble with a box call too.

[fishunt247]

Before you buy a long box, just make sure you have a spot in your vest to carry it that isn't in the way and won't fall out every ten steps. Personal experience.

[Whitelightning]

Wacenturion,
The box call I have is a Primos Graphite Prospector. I guess its not all plastic, the paddle is some sort of wood and the scratch board is a wood of some sort, the rest of the box is plastic. It has a real weird high pitched sound. I have had no luck with it even as a locater.

[Wacenturion]

Without breakin the bank, if you can, pick up one of the following.  They are $29.99 at Cabelas.  Both the Lynch 101 World Champion and the 102 Foolproof are great calls and sound good.  They've been around along time...and easy to get good turkey sounds out of them.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003288220206a.shtml

[yelp]

Without breakin the bank, if you can, pick up one of the following.  They are $29.99 at Cabelas.  Both the Lynch 101 World Champion and the 102 Foolproof are great calls and sound good.  They've been around along time...and easy to get good turkey sounds out of them.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003288220206a.shtml

Also pick up a croaker call, they are awesome!

[Whitelightning]

Thanks for all the advise guy's.
I ended up ordering an custom Checkered box call with inlays. I should have it some time late next week. 

I decided that a guy needs a good box call in his arsenal.
I also decided I needed a new turkey vest

[Wacenturion]

Who did you order your custom call from...............make sure you post some photos.

[Whitelightning]

Well it finally arrived today My Checkered Box Call.

I ordered it from RUTnSTRUT game calls. I have a crystal over aluminum friction call and a set of locator's from also. He said he only makes 6-10 box calls a year. I really like the sound of this one its SWEET. 

The box is Butternut with Walnut inlays, Walnut lid with Sinker Cypress inlays and 20 check's

[Wacenturion]

You did good.  Have a few from Tim myself.............here's one of his personal ones I twisted his arm to get last spring.  He had made it for himself and called in and killed two gobblers with it before it headed west.  He misses it...lol.

[turkeydancer]

Very nice looking calls guys ... glad they sound great too !

[Intruder]

Long box all the way for me.  Not a big fan of tube calls... just my own thing there.  Scratch box is nice but not real versatile.  A long box has saved the day for me on many occasions.  Their volume and pitch make birds gobble sometimes when nothing else does.

[Whitelightning]

Wacenturion, That is a darn fine looking call you got there, is that spalted Maple? what surface is on it? I like Tim's calls and he is a good guy to talk with. Thanks for sharin that.

[Wacenturion]

Wacenturion, That is a darn fine looking call you got there, is that spalted Maple? what surface is on it? I like Tim's calls and he is a good guy to talk with. Thanks for sharin that.

Desert Ironwood burl, crystal over glass.  That box call you got is beautiful....Tim does nice work.  Those kind of calls just get better with age.  Bet you can't wait to hit the woods with it.  Good luck.

[bearpaw]

The Lynch World Champion was the first call I bought back about the late 70's.

Glass is my favorite and works the best for me, but sometimes the birds like my diaphram better. On a rainy day, the slate is better than the glass though, so I leave the glass home if it looks rainy.

That is a nice looking call you have Wacenturion...

[Wacenturion]

Bearpaw...........I bought my first turkey call in Charleston, South Carolina in 1966.  It too was a Lynch World Champion.  Still use it, and it's remained pretty mint over time...just aged to perfection.  I have also added a few of them to the collection over the years.  As you probably know those early Lynch's with the Birmingham, Alabama address on them are worth a whole lot more than what we paid for them.

Probably my favorite call and most realistic sounding is a custom glass over slate from a gentleman in Tennessee, who unfortunately doesn't make them anymore.  It's like having a pet hen with me.

In case you didn't know about the value of the early Lynch's, I just don't want you to get taken in by some fast talking turkey hunter who might try to take advantage of you while guiding him to a gobbler...lol

[Whitelightning]

Wacenturion, That is a darn fine looking call you got there, is that spalted Maple? what surface is on it? I like Tim's calls and he is a good guy to talk with. Thanks for sharin that.

Desert Ironwood burl, crystal over glass.  That box call you got is beautiful....Tim does nice work.  Those kind of calls just get better with age.  Bet you can't wait to hit the woods with it.  Good luck.

I sent Tim a note asked him about that wood, he said that wood is one of a kind but he has some left that would make a good call not as striking as the one you have. I think I am going to have him make me one

[Wacenturion]

Good for you..........I'm sure you'll love and it will be beautiful.  Like I said that was a call he made for himself from a unique piece of wood he saved.  You might want to consider a copper call from him down the road.  Got one last year....and although my hunting was limited due to a medical problem, it's magical in the way it sounds in the woods.  Did have a gobbler responding, but with a honey and I wasn't able to relocate on him like I would have.  His honey liked it too.

Here's a slate over glass I also picked up from Tim.  Had a couple others I got for my son and Yelp, but can' find the photos.  This one is Ambrosia Maple.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Awesome looking custom calls guys.  These are something to leave behind when our last turkey call is made..........................

Thanks for sharing.  My favorite calls are a box call for locating birds and a Backwoods Purpleheart Glass over Slate that seems to help seal the deal when I am calling for someone else. 

I'm still struggling with making various realistic calls from my mouth diaphrams!