It’s just flat tough to go wrong with any Phelps Game Calls diaphragm elk call! I have yet to find one that I just don’t like. There are some that I like more than others of course, but all of the Phelps elk calls are easy to use, and offer varying degrees of difficulty, volume, and range of cow and bull sounds.
One of the things I love the most about the Phelps Game Calls diaphragm elk calls is the nasally sound you can get from them. It is simply awesome! There’s a reason so many top elk calling competitors use these calls. They sound amazing!
How to Choose a Diaphragm Elk Call
How in the world do you choose a diaphragm elk call? There are a million on the market and Phelps Game Calls makes some of the best! Do they REALLY sound that different from each other? In this diaphragm elk call review, I tested out 24 different elk diaphragm calls (8 from Phelps Game Calls) side by side to see, hear, and feel the differences. So, here we go. Let’s see what makes these calls different.
Phelps Game Calls’ Differences
Phelps Amp Dome
A quick look at these calls and you’ll notice that they feature an aluminum dome. The Amp frame is a classic, well-liked frame that fits well in most people’s mouths and produces a fantastic sound.
Phelps Amp Frame
The other major difference between the smaller Phelps Amp and Rocky Mountain Calls vs the Native By Carlton calls is the frame size. The Amp frame as well as the Rocky Mountain frame are both smaller than the frame on the Native By Carlton. This means the Phelps Amp and Rocky Mountain Calls are placed further up in your mouth vs. further back for the Native by Carlton Calls.
Latex Thickness and Stretch
The thickness of the latex used affects the sound the call makes as well. A thicker latex is a little more difficult to use, but can get some more mature sounds for you. Additionally, the degree with which the latex is stretched also affects the tone that can be made by that call.
Phelps Game Calls – Break Them In!
An often forgot about part of finding the right elk diaphragm call is making sure you break in the call before you decide if you like it or not. Pulling it out of the package, doing a few cow calls and deciding it’s not for you just doesn’t cut it. Some diaphragm elk calls need more break-in time than others depending on the thickness and stretch of the latex. Make sure to give the call a fair chance before throwing it aside. You just might be giving up on a call you would love!
Want ALL the details and info on ALL the elk calls we tested in this review series? Download my comprehensive spreadsheet with my notes on every call. This will help you easily find the call that best fits what you are looking for! Become a Backwoods Pursuit Exclusive Member (TOTALLY FREE!) and get access to this and much more in my Backcountry Library. IT’S FREE!!
Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, let’s talk about the sound and tone differences.
Phelps Amp Series
Phelps Game Calls: Orange Amp
The Phelps Orange Amp is the easiest of the Phelps Calls to use and gives you those cow/calf sounds with ease. This one is so easy to use, it’s a fantastic beginners call. It’s also a great call if you want to be super quiet when the bull is closing in.
Phelps Game Calls: Black Amp
The Phelps Black Amp is an easy-to-use call that gives you moderately nasally cow sounds and easy loud rag horn bugles. I found it to have a great smooth transition from low to high. Awesome high end, especially for a call that is easy to use.
Phelps Elk Addicts Red Amp
The Elk Addicts Red Amp is flat out easy to use, sounds awesome, and gives you that amazing nasally cow sound. One note. The latex is easily over-stretched, so don’t go too crazy on this one or you’ll wear it out quickly, a downside to being so easy to use. Use the Code “BP10” to get 10% off anything from the Elk Addicts Store!
Phelps Game Calls: Green Amp
The Phelps Green Amp is a great all-around call. It has a moderate nasally rasp, is fairly easy to use, gives you great low and high end tones, and can also be nice and loud when you need it to be.
Phelps Game Calls: Signature Series
The Phelps Signature call is slightly more advanced, (takes a little more air) but offers awesome loud high end tones, moderate rasp, a great low end, and medium to large bull/cow sounds. The transitions are very smooth from low to high.
Phelps Game Calls: Grey Amp
The Phelps Grey Amp takes more air, but gives you awesome, big bull sounds. This one has an amazing range and is CRAZY LOUD on the high end. Rip one on this and you could lose your hearing.
Phelps Game Calls: Maverick
The Phelps Game Calls Maverick is one of my favorite calls. Super nasally, low end cow sounds with a great high end range and a lot of volume, you’ll absolutely love this call. Thanks, Dirk Durham and Jason Phelps!
Phelps Game Calls: White Amp Elk Call
The Phelps White Amp is similar to the Grey Amp in that it requires more air to use. With great, deep tones and high end notes, you’ll need to use your lungs to get this one rolling, but it has some amazing sounds!
Up next we are going to go through the diaphragm elk calls offered by Native By Carlton.
Check out our reviews on Rocky Mountain Game Calls Elk Diaphragms or Native By Carlton Diaphragm Elk Calls!
Don’t miss Part 2 of this series where we look at a handful of external reed elk calls from Native By Carlton, Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls, Phelps Game Calls, Primos, and Mossback!
In Part 3, check out our Elk Bugle Tube review where we put 5 different bugle tubes side by side!!
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