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Most turkey hunters eventually acquire several different types of calls for basically the same purpose - to fool the next gobbler. Some newcomers no doubt hope to find a magical Super Call that works every time, and they'll load their pockets with calls before they realize that there is no such thing. However, having a wide variety of calls on hand does give you a range of choices so you can vary your approach depending on the circumstances that arise and your mood of the moment. Sometimes diversity helps immensely, but that's another story.

Some calls will make better sounds than others, at least to your ears, and chances are good that you'll eventually find that you have more confidence in one or two of them than all the rest combined. You may prefer diaphragm calls but find that three- or four-reed models are more to your liking than less raspy single or double-reed offerings. And you might choose a slate or glass friction call over a paddle box or settle on a basic box to the exclusion of all other friction calls. It's largely a matter of personal preference.

So, what is a confidence call, really? That's the call, or calls, friction or air-operated, that you turn to most often when you hear a gobbler and want to get serious about calling him in.

Whether you build or buy your calls is up to you, though I hear the satisfaction from calling in a tom on a call built by yourself is one of the greatest rewards in turkey hunting.  I personally am happy just to call them in.