Gibson Box Calls


Very nice example of a Gibson box. Henry Gibson patented his box caller in the late 19th Century. Gibson boxes are typically made by routing, drilling, or carving out a sound chamber in a single block of wood, then attaching a paddle--as opposed to the early Lynch boxes, which were assembled by gluing and clamping separate parts. Note the unique handle shape, the slanted end, and the trapezoid-shaped sound chamber (which makes the sides different lengths, thereby increasing the call's tonal range), all classic Gibson characteristics. Gibson calls also tended to be quite narrow, as the specs below bear witness.

According to Howard Harlan, the specifications for most Gibson boxes fall in the following range:

  • Length: 9 7/8 - 10"

  • Width: 1 1/32 - 1 1/4"

  • Depth at rear: 2 3/16 - 2 5/16"

  • Paddle length: 10 - 10 7/8"




Gibson look-a-like made by Gerald Howard. Note the nice decoration and Henry Gibson tribute on side.