I call elk all the time alone. I hunt a true spike area, so I mainly call for fun.
My best advice is just try it and see what happens. I dont think you really need the best bugles, etc. I have tried some horrible bugle sounds and have called in quite a few. I even called in a 6X with a coyote howler (tried to sound like a bugle) last year. I've had my best luck with just cow elk calls....
Good luck, im no expert, so take it with a grain of salt.