you're right on there mike,......play one first and know what you are getting, and make sure that you are able to send it back if you don't like it and try another one. There are lots of different ways of running 'em and still get good sound. the inconsistency of the mass produced calls is unavoidable,...yet they still put them on the shelf. I have some great sounding "mass produced" calls, and they are as real as you can get (both boxes and pots),...but unfortunatley the next 50 i tried fell into the catagory you are talking about mike.......you are right,... sometimes (emphasis on the sometimes)there is a big difference between building a true sounding turkey call and being an awesome wood worker.