Author: Cody Wilson 7/29/2025

We’ve all been there. You pull out your duck calls after months of collecting dust, give 'em a few toots, and what comes out sounds like a depressed mallard that even the loneliest drake wouldn't hang around. Not exactly the vibe you're going for when the birds are working the decoys.

So what’s the usual fix? You grab a reed tuning kit, swap 'em out, and hope for the best. Most kits are fine, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll burn through an entire $10 pack just to get one call sounding right. That adds up quickly, especially when you’re picky about your tone.

That’s why I started making my own reeds.

The DIY Method That Changed the Game

After wasting more money than I care to admit, I finally decided to try making my own reeds — and it’s been a total game-changer. For less than the price of one tuning kit, I can now make enough reeds to tune over 150 calls.

Here’s what you need:

• 3 sheets of 9x17" 10 mil Mylar – $8.98 on Amazon
  
  

• A paper cutter or sharp scissors
  
  

Each 9x17" sheet gives me around 51 strips. Each strip can tune about 5 calls (depending on your cut and waste). So with 3 sheets, you’re looking at roughly 153 custom reeds — all for under $9 total.

That breaks down to less than 6 cents per reed, which beats the pants off any store-bought kit.

Reed Thickness 101

If you’re new to tuning or just curious about the differences:

• Single reed calls usually take 10 mil Mylar
  
  

• Double reeds use a 10 mil reed in the back and a 7 mil reed up front
  
  

I run a single and a double reed, but many folks run single reeds exclusively for good reason — they’re louder, more responsive, and more customizable once you learn to control them. Plus, you'll only need to buy one thickness, which makes the DIY process even easier.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just starting to mess with tuning or you’re deep in the custom call game, making your own reeds is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s quick, cheap, and gives you the freedom to dial in your calls exactly the way you want.

Got your own tricks or want to see a quick how-to video? Let me know! cody@reigningwaterfowl.com

God bless you all!