First Fiddle Box
First Fiddle Box
Hard to believe it took this long to finally get a Watkins fiddle box, but here it is. Recently traded for this mac over pear fiddle box, and I'm blown away.
If you read the forum posts about Marlin's fiddle style, everyone notes they have quite the unique sound, and this truly does. Like a two-pack-a-day kind of raspy which I like. Of course it is super easy to run - either loud and raucous for locating across big timber ridges on those quiet mornings, or more importantly this little treat of a box will run smooth and quiet for birds up close.
Marlin's calls get a lot of attention, but I think one can't fully appreciate his craftsmanship until you hold one in your own hands. I've run his long boxes but never a fiddle box, and I totally get it. Makes me want more...
If you read the forum posts about Marlin's fiddle style, everyone notes they have quite the unique sound, and this truly does. Like a two-pack-a-day kind of raspy which I like. Of course it is super easy to run - either loud and raucous for locating across big timber ridges on those quiet mornings, or more importantly this little treat of a box will run smooth and quiet for birds up close.
Marlin's calls get a lot of attention, but I think one can't fully appreciate his craftsmanship until you hold one in your own hands. I've run his long boxes but never a fiddle box, and I totally get it. Makes me want more...
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
- Hoobilly
- Gobbler Nation
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Man that sure looks beautiful
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Re: First Fiddle Box
What makes it a fiddle box? How does it differ from a normal short box.
Re: First Fiddle Box
Beautiful fiddle! Great sounding combo too!
A Fiddlebox is a Marlin Watkin's short box design. Not sure of all the differences except for the concave sides, sure there are more.
My favorite box call maker!
A Fiddlebox is a Marlin Watkin's short box design. Not sure of all the differences except for the concave sides, sure there are more.
My favorite box call maker!
Last edited by el diablo on August 3rd, 2019, 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: First Fiddle Box
I can't even seem to get on his list. He told me to call back in the fall
Re: First Fiddle Box
Heard he's trying to catch up on the backlog, not taking new orders at this time but will later in the year.
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
- crenshawco
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
Re: First Fiddle Box
Excellent advice right there.crenshawco wrote: ↑August 4th, 2019, 8:10 pm Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
- HartClemson99
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Re: First Fiddle Box
I’ll second that statement along with a proof is in the pudding picture:crenshawco wrote:Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Well, didn't take long for me to add a new Marlin Watkins to the vest. The mac ebony/pear I have above is an incredible call, but I wanted something just a bit higher and touch less rasp. Enter Marlin's chakte viga over black limba misfit.
I'm a box call hunter, my preference is a long box or a mini boat because there's nothing you can't do with a well tuned long or mini. Kee-kee, young hen yelps, jake yelps, gobbler clucks and yelps, and gobbles. Not unusual for me to have a short box in the vest and a paddle call or mini boat in a holster on the belt. Sometimes I take all three because each is a different animal when it comes to replicating turkey talk.
So I gravitate to handled boxes, and my turn came on Marlin's list for a misfit style, which is his fiddle-style short box with a handle. His fiddles, fiddle paddles and fiddle misfits are all tuned with precision, and this misfit has a more clear yelp on the left rail and a touch more rasp on the right rail, just perfect. This thing covers all the fall flock and spring turkey talk, and its a short box.
Its beautifully designed and crafted and will be in the vest from here on out.
I'm a box call hunter, my preference is a long box or a mini boat because there's nothing you can't do with a well tuned long or mini. Kee-kee, young hen yelps, jake yelps, gobbler clucks and yelps, and gobbles. Not unusual for me to have a short box in the vest and a paddle call or mini boat in a holster on the belt. Sometimes I take all three because each is a different animal when it comes to replicating turkey talk.
So I gravitate to handled boxes, and my turn came on Marlin's list for a misfit style, which is his fiddle-style short box with a handle. His fiddles, fiddle paddles and fiddle misfits are all tuned with precision, and this misfit has a more clear yelp on the left rail and a touch more rasp on the right rail, just perfect. This thing covers all the fall flock and spring turkey talk, and its a short box.
Its beautifully designed and crafted and will be in the vest from here on out.
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
- Hoobilly
- Gobbler Nation
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Re: First Fiddle Box
That’s a beautiful box!
Re: First Fiddle Box
Classy looking call that should be a nice addition to the lineup
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Marlin is a class act. Great to work with. I have 3 fiddles and 1 misfit. They're hard to put down and what's even worse, is deciding which one rides in the vest...
Wounded big game tracker with dogs...
Re: First Fiddle Box
paboxcall wrote: ↑August 4th, 2019, 8:37 pmExcellent advice right there.crenshawco wrote: ↑August 4th, 2019, 8:10 pm Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
How do you get in contact with TJ?? I’d like to purchase a box call, thanks!
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Very nice work for sure, the engraving is outstanding,
"Mountaineers Are Always Free"
- quackaholic
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Nice call.
Re: First Fiddle Box
Marlin's boxes are addictive.....added another misfit the other week. The new addition is mora over black gum, and has an incredible range of turkeys on each rail.
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
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- Posts: 23
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Re: First Fiddle Box
Looks amazing