To make the call the issue of $50 will be a problem, I cannot think of any wood that costs that much for a deer grunt. I would skip the dollar value and look at what he wants for the sound. A very low tone will require extra length and a softer wood. An all wood call is my choice, forget the plastic tube for a low tone. My first choice would be zebra wood, definitely unique, and it is hard enough but not so hard that it wouldn't muffle the sound. Second choice would be mesquite, unique but I think to dense and will not give the lowest tone.
Length? I would make a set of parts for an all wood call, first make it like you always do, then make another adding length to the mouth piece and the exhaust end. This way you have 2 of each and you mix and match to see what produces the lowest/best tone. Use a wood like walnut or better yet cedar for the practice versions I would guess it is close enough to zebra wood to be a good match. Test using the long mouth piece and the regular barrel, then test using the regular mouth piece and the long barrel and so on and so forth.
The total cost of the wood is nowhere near $50, but you can add antler for bands, or some other exotics like horn, but that still will not reach $50. Then there is ivory, that will reach the $50 plus, or a nice bundle of cash.
Marvin
