reed sticking problem

[dtwaterfowler]

i have a dmm single reed and when it is dry it works fine but after i use it for a while it doesnt take very long for it to start sticking. it is mainly when i try to do feeding sounds. just wondering why it is doing this, and if a double reed would be better and if it wouldn't stick as much.

[SBE II]

Try not spitting so much into the call. Talk to feetdown20 (Ryan Ashby) or Hunters Ridge Kennel (Barry Bennis) they can talk you through somethings. Some guys use rain x, some scuff tone boards, and some just try changing their feed style all together. I would check with those two guys first

[Stallion1189]

im not prostaff but my buddy found out that if you put just a tiny bit of chapstick on the reed it wont stick on ya. give it a try

[Mallardman9]

A double reeds going to stick more then the single, the most Ive done is run a fine piece of sandpaper lengthwise on the toneboard to scuff it up lighly, still sticks if im runnign the calls for a long time but its alot better then it was, all calls are going to stick from now then.

[Greg Ruark Jr.]

Chances are you call is dirty. Try running some hot water through the reeds and then pulling a dollar bill for it's entire length across the tone board on the underside of the reed. Do the same trick with the dollar bill between the reeds(if it is a double). This will remove any sludge that has built up and could be causing your call to stick. It may take a few passes of the dollar bill. Try this before taking your call apart to avoid any unnecessary alteration to the call.

[dahmer]

Here's a few thing to try to stop call from sticking:
1. When calling try placing your placing your tongue where teeth and gums meet and keep it there. Your able to control your air pressure better and generate alot less saliva this way.
2. Avoid drinking sugary drinks prior to calling, the sugar in your saliva will gum up the reed and make it stick.
3. Rubing rain-x on the tone board will help to keep saliva from building up on the tone board.
4. Lightly sanding the tone board will channel the saliva away from the tone board. I don't recommend doing this yourself. This is something the shop should do.
This should help you, if this doesn't work I would change it to a double reed, you will not have a problem with the call sticking.

[teamburnem]

im not prostaff but my buddy found out that if you put just a tiny bit of chapstick on the reed it wont stick on ya. give it a try

Stallion is my buddy; and he's right.... i was messing around and found out chapstick does the trick. Here's what ya do, if you know how to tune your duck call pull the reed out and lightly put some of that chapstick on the underside of the reed, and also on the tone board, not in the grove but on the board where the reed moves up and down. and be sure to put the chapstick on your finger and not just from the tube, this gives you more contol on putting it on. then just stick the reed back in and your good to go. if you don't how to tune your call, VERY VERY carefully lift up on that reed to expose that tone board and do the same thing as i stated earlier. you'll know if you put to much on cause you'll actually stick the call from having to much on, so if thats the case just take some off. BELIEVE me this stuff works, i normally only put it on about 3 times throughout the season and never have a problem.
i would also not that if you do this, have a seperate chapstick just for your calls, so you dont go back putting it on your lips. lol

[randy fox]

i would try washing the call out, you might have some snickers or some other residue, like soda or if your old enough beer, that has your reed sticking.......................................... ....R

[dirtycletus81]

Mine is usually poptarts.

[Mark Spence]

Greg and Dahmer hit it with their posts....if that doesn't work, shoot me a PM and we'll get it strait!!!

[dtwaterfowler]

thanks alot guys, i will try the chapstick thingy and see how that works

[wingman 61]

I've tried the chapstick and it worked for me.

[BigR]

i have a dmm single reed and when it is dry it works fine but after i use it for a while it doesnt take very long for it to start sticking. it is mainly when i try to do feeding sounds. just wondering why it is doing this, and if a double reed would be better and if it wouldn't stick as much.


I'm not a staffer, but I would suggest trying a combination of trying to spit less, scuffing the underside of the reed (not the tone board), and also making sure your calls are clean. Run a little warm---hot water through them and then set it somewhere to dry completely from time to time, that can make a big difference in sticking as well. I DR will help with sticking issues, however, on a cold day or with some intereference, they will stick as much as a SR in my opinion

[sneakyreaper]

My 2 cent's. Longer reed and think small on the corner cuts at first. I like to cut the corners over water.