Tuning is definitely something where having experienced fliers around can really help. Hard to know what a 4c sounds like until you hear one. I've always liked this hobby because the "old salts" are always willing to teach the newbies like me without making me feel like an idiot. There is no substitute for experience, but you're not born with it.
I've only had 3 brands of engines, O.S., Tower Hobbies, and Thunder Tiger. The O.S. by far has required less tuning and fiddling with than the others. I guess it's a case of you get what you pay for. Have fun with it!

Rufcut