THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Goose Calls => Topic started by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 19, 2013, 03:41:31 PM

Title: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 19, 2013, 03:41:31 PM
made these for a good customer out on the west coast.  in the right hands, they are deadly.  decided to take the pics without the latex

Cocobolo
(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/cao5599/9bd4980d-1592-49e9-8663-6c09b7db2dce_zpsf70e4a07.jpg)

Bocote
(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/cao5599/bfbc825f-4712-445b-ba18-18017f94c25c_zps5f624f3c.jpg)
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 19, 2013, 05:07:36 PM
How the heck do you make goose noises out of that??!

They look great! I'm just curious as to how they work?
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Lon @ First Flight Game Calls on February 19, 2013, 07:58:00 PM
 :stickman1:  I don't get it either.  They look like great turkey tubes. Help us understand. :eek:

                     Lon
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 19, 2013, 09:20:57 PM
sorry guys.  been away from the computer today.  goose tubes were used back in the day before short reeds were developed.  I think Harold Knight used one to win World's back around 1982.  when short reeds came out, goose tubes took a back seat.  most newer hunters don't even know what they are.  it is played similar to a turkey tube, but it's kinda hard to explain.  here's a quick video from my buddy showing some basic sounds you can make with them. 

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/cao5599/th_IMG_1152_zpsaae8e8a9.jpg) (http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/cao5599/IMG_1152_zpsaae8e8a9.mp4)
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Lon @ First Flight Game Calls on February 19, 2013, 09:44:44 PM
That sounds pretty good. There are more vids on youtube, but I couldn't find a tutorial on how they make them work? Got any basics for us? Looks like something I might want. 
Thanks

                          Lon
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Craig Lorence on February 19, 2013, 10:23:30 PM
Very nice job on them. Love the shine on them. :bigup: They sound really good.
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 19, 2013, 10:35:33 PM
that's awesome!!!!

I have been wanting to make some goose calls for my friend's dad, who lets us hunt on his land.. he's gotten really into goose hunting and this would be a great thank-you gift!
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris @ STW Outdoors on February 20, 2013, 11:30:08 AM
I gotta have one. I am with the other guys, we need a how to on this one. Great looking calls.
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Callen on February 20, 2013, 03:05:50 PM
I've heard that story of Harold Knight winning the World's with one. They say he sounded better than most guys do with a short reed today. I've tried to find a video but no success. So, every time I've tried making the noises with one of my tubes, I get too high of a pitch. I've tried letting the latex slack some, and that seems to help, but makes it harder to control. Would more length help also?

Cody
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 20, 2013, 04:27:59 PM
Guys, I am certainly not an expert playing these things.  However, I will attempt to do the impossible by putting into words how you play them.  Bare with me as I try my best.  I have included a quick illustration to help those who need something to visualize.

 A goose tube is set up a little different than your ordinary turkey tube.  My dimensions on the inside as well as the outside are different as well as the latex I use.  There is no half wooden mouthpiece like turkey tubes have.  It is a complete hole at the mouth end that extends to the bell.  Most problems with sound in a goose tube are from 2 things: latex placement, and latex tightness.  You don't want the latex stretched tight as a drum, but you don't want it loose either.  Snug with no wrinkles.  You want the latex coming across the hole straight, not curved like a turkey tube.  Start with 3/4 of the hole covered by latex and adjust from there.  May need to cover more, may need to cover less of the hole.  It's all personal preference.  In the illustration, the red color serves as the latex.  The black is what is left of the hole after covering it with the latex.  The blue star serves as a general location of where you put your top lip.  And the green diamond is where you put pressure with your bottom lip.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/cao5599/96f8a182-5947-4f91-a016-a07b822c2872_zps83961d44.jpg)

Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 20, 2013, 04:31:27 PM
Place top lip on latex and introduce air into the call until you get a sound.  Your bottom lip should not touch the latex at this point.  You are looking at trying to achieve a low hum like that of a train whistle (or blowing across a soda bottle).  As you make this low sound, you introduce your bottom lip to the latex (green diamond) until the pitch changes or breaks over into a higher note.  This is the basic honk.  Practice this until you can do it with few mistakes.  You can use your hands to add back pressure like a short reed call as well.   Hope this helps get you started. 
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Marshall's Custom Calls on February 20, 2013, 06:27:04 PM
So it's a 3/4 hole all the way through, and then a piece of latex stretched across the top 3/4 of the hole?? looks like i've got some experimenting to do!!!

thanks a bunch for the help!
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on February 20, 2013, 06:42:18 PM
3/4 or larger. Again, it's personal preference
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: BLKDOGS on February 20, 2013, 10:13:52 PM
I remember seeing them befor i started goose hunting and had not seen any since.  You really have my attention with this a bit of old school with a good sound.    maybe a hard sell these days with all the short reed stuff.    Where do you get the latex? Cut up gloves?   

hhhmmmmm  :huh:
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Lon @ First Flight Game Calls on February 20, 2013, 10:52:37 PM
Chris, Thanks for the short tutorial. Makes good sense and your description is rational as well.  Now I gotta make one so I can try it out.

                                 :thanks:                              :bigup:


           Lon
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: Drake Dropper Calls on February 21, 2013, 12:22:09 PM
Wow this is intriguing! Very nice job bringing something back in to the light.
-Phil
Title: Re: goose tube calls
Post by: VECtor Calls on August 20, 2015, 05:04:28 PM
Big bump  for a cool find by B Hoover.