Foiles Straight Meat "Honker"

I don't use Foiles but ... Practice, practice, practice. If you are switching from another call, you may just need to learn the proper air pressure, as all calls are different.

Tuning 101:
Have you tried sliding the reed so there is less exposed surface of the read in the Barrel (mouthpiece end)? This should ease it up a bit. Try it a little bit at a time as the tiniest fraction can make a difference. When less reed is exposed it will take less air to blow, but it will also increase the pitch of the call. As you slide it back, you will reach an area of no return (Where you won't be able to make it sound right or sound at all. If this is the case you will have to bring the reed back forward.) Before you slide it back. Use a felt tip permant marker to mark the reed at the current location in case you need to move it back.

One other note, if you remove the reed altogether ... and try to put it back in ... place it so that it curves up. In other words place the reed between your index finger and thumb so the that the tip of the reed and not one of the sides is either on your finger or thumb and squeeze downwards(gently so as not to snap it ... just to get it to bend). Whichever way the reed bends you want to place it so to the way it curls is on the upside when setting it on the tone board.

Another way is to shave the reed. I do caution you on this as it is easy to mess it up and ruin a reed. You just want to take a little off at a time. You can use a sharp knife or a high grit nail file. When you shave a reed, I recommend that you place it on a round surface with the tip of the reed curved upwards. Shave the reed closests to the wedge and take very little off at a time, shave it on the top of the reed as explained by how it curves. Usually I leave the tip alone. You don't want to take too much off, especially on the tip. When finished shaving, run a nail file around the edges to remove any rough edges, as these can cause the reed not to function properly when you re-install it.

As you re-install the reed (this is the hard part) You will have to keep adjusting it to find that sweet spot. Once your call has it's guts broken in, it will be easier as you will align your reed with the grooves, but I have a feeling your call is not there yet. Align the reed onto the tone board so the natural curve (as explained above) is on the upside and so that the tip has a little space between it and the tone board. Too much space is not good and too little space will make it not work at all.

I don't know if this is overwhelming, but my first thought is like any instrument, you need to practice. Or go to an expo or show that will have a Foiles booth and talk to them. They will be happy to help you out and tune it to your liking.