Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => B3 Cricket => Custom companies => B3 Cricket => Topic started by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:06:42 PM

Title: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:06:42 PM
I wanted to a do quick review of my custom B3. I happened to be very close to Nottingham last month, so figured I would pop in to see the Dr. and his team. We had exchanged some emails a prior to my visit. I was hoping to get a replica of my trusty NB Thruxton as you'll see from the pics. The Dr. designed a few profiles and we finally managed to settle on one I thought was close enough.

Bat Specs:
Weight: 2.9
Willow: Grade 1 - Crown Willow
Minimal Concaving
Single Grip - but double binded so it feels as if there are two grips.
Semi Oval Handle.
Edge Size: 40 MM.
Initial Tap up: Sounds amazing, but will give a full update once i use it in a match.

Have to say the service from the guys at B3 is really amazing. Went out of their way and showed some great hospitality. I had a tour of the setup, played around with some pros bats, and had a go at binding a handle. I think i was there first Non professional international visitor. It was a great experience for bat geeks - i'd encourage all of you to visit, you will have a great time and definitely will not leave empty handed.

Enjoy the pics.

(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_8.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_8.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_1.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_1.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_2.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_2.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_3.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_3.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_4.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_4.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_5.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_5.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_6.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_6.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/b3_7.jpg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/b3_7.jpg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/image-1.jpeg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/image-1.jpeg.html)
(http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy256/ca_gold/image1-1.jpeg) (http://s797.photobucket.com/user/ca_gold/media/image1-1.jpeg.html)



Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: justnotcricket86 on July 16, 2013, 09:10:04 PM
Need to get me one of these.

Looks class mate. Can I ask what you paid please?
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: procricket on July 16, 2013, 09:12:13 PM
Glad you like it mate the crown willow is so very special in weight to wood density and everything

Glad you went with it mate good stuff

Dave

Tour still running if anybody fancies it
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: King pair on July 16, 2013, 09:13:32 PM
I really like the look of B3, just abit nervous where it's concerned and I really don't know why. I think it's the machining, I don't know why though.
Us crown willow their 'LE' so to speak?
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: procricket on July 16, 2013, 09:17:07 PM
It the willow they tend to keep in a special place and do not advertise it

Best of the best mate
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: wayward_hayward on July 16, 2013, 09:18:59 PM
My next bat will be a B3, been highly impressed with the examples on this thread.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:19:36 PM
yes the crown is the best of the best. the bat is really big for the weight. at least from bats i have seen - i am impressed.

Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:20:32 PM
Glad you like it mate the crown willow is so very special in weight to wood density and everything

Glad you went with it mate good stuff

Dave

Tour still running if anybody fancies it

thanks dave - was really encouraged by your post and pm's. glad we had a chat about it before hand.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: procricket on July 16, 2013, 09:22:20 PM
As you saw mate that wood is reserved they are gentleman there great blokes it is a good day out for sure

Looks a stinker that one mate you got to be happy looks a big bat as well
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: smilley792 on July 16, 2013, 09:24:23 PM
Lovely bat mate like the sticker grip combo you chose.

I wanted a crown unfortunately my bat weight preference, meant non in stock could make a bat heavy enough. Doh.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:25:50 PM
As you saw mate that wood is reserved they are gentleman there great blokes it is a good day out for sure

Looks a stinker that one mate you got to be happy looks a big bat as well

def very happy - the quality and the service is exceptional. you guys in england have it great - so many quality bat makers and retailers to visit.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 16, 2013, 09:28:27 PM
Lovely bat mate like the sticker grip combo you chose.

I wanted a crown unfortunately my bat weight preference, meant non in stock could make a bat heavy enough. Doh.

thanks mate. actually got a second set as well of black ones. these stickers look much better in person - i wasn't planning on picking these until i saw them there. there are a ton of good choices for sticker/grip options. not that it will help you score more runs - just a nice touch.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: Timed-To-Perfection on July 16, 2013, 09:30:15 PM
The toe on this is huge!
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: GarrettJ on July 16, 2013, 09:40:26 PM
Looks like a very nice bat, the key to this is the size of it for its weight!!! The grains are nice, a little blemish/line but who cares at that size!!!

Price £325???
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: shoab68 on July 16, 2013, 10:10:12 PM
That looks a belter !!
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: LEACHY48 on July 16, 2013, 10:14:36 PM
Hi mate, do you mind telling me how much you paid for it please? looks a belter...
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: mattw on July 16, 2013, 10:15:05 PM
Nice piece of willow.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: i12breakfree on July 16, 2013, 10:53:19 PM
That is a Huge bat
...just saw the pictures again on my laptop (earlier on the phone)
Amazing bat
worth the high price
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: Chad on July 16, 2013, 11:01:31 PM
Look what you have done to the forum procricket! ;) B3 is churning out some beautiful bats, I really like how the toe on this Crown and Dave's one are really meaty, beautiful pieces of timber! :) Are all B3 bats flat face pressed, or can you specify?
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 17, 2013, 04:53:45 AM
they are all flat faced with a very gentle bow - you can not specify.

Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: smokem on July 17, 2013, 05:05:52 AM
That's a very nice bat mate! I love my Thruxton but this bat takes it to another level!
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: ca_gold on July 17, 2013, 05:12:25 AM
That's a very nice bat mate! I love my Thruxton but this bat takes it to another level!

thanks mate. i am still not ready to move on from my thruxton, it was the best bat i've ever owned. it has scored about 2500 runs and is now finally losing a bit of its magic hence the need for a new one. i am hoping this will be just as good.
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: smilley792 on July 17, 2013, 06:07:21 AM
thanks mate. actually got a second set as well of black ones. these stickers look much better in person - i wasn't planning on picking these until i saw them there. there are a ton of good choices for sticker/grip options. not that it will help you score more runs - just a nice touch.

Yep, all about the player, hence me scoring very few runs(well on a few weeks poor form)

I just love the fact the sticker choice is ours, not "ooh it's a custom they have to be blue". The customer is always right after all.

Let us know how you get on with it. Cheers,
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: jamielsn15 on July 17, 2013, 06:13:39 AM
Greta looking bat, absolutely huge and love the stickers (I went with blue).  Can't speak highly enough of them, I love my B3, it just pings and is getting some very positive remarks from teammates (haven't let any of them near it though!).

I just wish my form this season was doing it justice - I'm having a Regi Blinker!
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: procricket on July 17, 2013, 02:25:26 PM
they are all flat faced with a very gentle bow - you can not specify.

You can specify the bow mine does not have one at all and I know a few players bats didn't either
Title: Re: B3 Custom - Crown Willow
Post by: jamielsn15 on July 17, 2013, 02:41:28 PM
You can specify the bow mine does not have one at all and I know a few players bats didn't either

I agree.  In fact I was encouraged NOT to have a bow other than from the natural shaping process.  The good Dr isn't a fan of extreme bowing of a blade.

Mine doesn't have a flat face either...