To preface: When you get right down to it, the combinations of latex/proph, thickness, colors, layers, stretch, reed stagger, and cuts are endless in making calls. Sorting all of it out to find the combinations that work best for each of us can seem to be overwhelming.
Having attempted to go through that process for years now, here are a few generalizations I have found:
>> The thinner the material used, the less reed tension/stretch is needed and the easier it is to "blow" and make turkey sounds. Conversely, the thicker the material, more reed tension is needed.
>> Assuming you have put the right initial reed tension for the material you are using in a call, you can usually find the "turkey" in pretty much every call by going through a reed cutting and modification process. Often, that involves very, very minute adjustments to the reed cuts.
>> I personally very rarely make a call that I am satisfied with the initial sound of the call without going through that reed cutting/modification process. It is also very rare that, after going through that reed cutting process, I will not end up with a call that I am perfectly satisfied to take to the woods to call turkeys with.
Based on your comment about getting close to the sound you want but not quite, I think you will find that learning to make those modifications to the cuts will often get you to where you want to be with any call you make...regardless of the initial sounds you get from a newly made call.
