First Fiddle Box

Show and tell for call collectors.
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paboxcall
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Joined: February 16th, 2013, 7:16 pm

First Fiddle Box

Post by paboxcall »

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... :thumbup:

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"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer

Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
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Hoobilly
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Hoobilly »

Man that sure looks beautiful
Don't start none, won't be none!

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Limb Hanger
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Limb Hanger »

What makes it a fiddle box? How does it differ from a normal short box.
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el diablo
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by el diablo »

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!
Last edited by el diablo on August 3rd, 2019, 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Limb Hanger
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Limb Hanger »

I can't even seem to get on his list. He told me to call back in the fall
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paboxcall
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by paboxcall »

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.
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crenshawco
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by crenshawco »

Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
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paboxcall
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by paboxcall »

crenshawco wrote: August 4th, 2019, 8:10 pm Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
Excellent advice right there.
"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer

Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
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HartClemson99
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by HartClemson99 »

crenshawco wrote:Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
I’ll second that statement along with a proof is in the pudding picture:
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paboxcall
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by paboxcall »

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.

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"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer

Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
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Hoobilly
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Hoobilly »

That’s a beautiful box!
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
crow
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by crow »

Classy looking call that should be a nice addition to the lineup
tracker8320
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by tracker8320 »

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...
Ayocum00
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Ayocum00 »

paboxcall wrote: August 4th, 2019, 8:37 pm
crenshawco wrote: August 4th, 2019, 8:10 pm Yall reach out to TJ Johnson. Hes making fiddle boxes now too and they are outstanding
Excellent advice right there.

How do you get in contact with TJ?? I’d like to purchase a box call, thanks!
wv mossy oak
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by wv mossy oak »

Very nice work for sure, the engraving is outstanding,
"Mountaineers Are Always Free"
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quackaholic
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by quackaholic »

Nice call.
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paboxcall
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by paboxcall »

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. :thumbup:

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"Sit down wrong, and you're beat." Jim Spencer

Don't go this year where youtubers went last year.
wv mossy oak
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Joined: March 15th, 2022, 6:36 am
Location: Raleigh Co WV

Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by wv mossy oak »

Beautiful box!
"Mountaineers Are Always Free"
Samm4770
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Re: First Fiddle Box

Post by Samm4770 »

Looks amazing
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