Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Reviews => Topic started by: Over Gully on August 17, 2013, 09:49:54 AM
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Obviously coming into a new season here down under and today I went down to my local cricket shop Meulemans and picked up this beast, the GN XXX VII Hand Crafted edition, the top-of-the-range make of this bat exclusive to Meulemans:
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zpsc6807d61.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zpsc6807d61.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zpsd86e813d.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zpsd86e813d.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zpsa848dead.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zpsa848dead.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zps09d2c325.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zps09d2c325.jpg.html)
This weighs in at 2lb 8oz and has 42mm edges. Edge size is not something I really care about, I was more concerned with how it picked up, and it picks up very nicely. There is a bit of concaving as you can see from the front-on photo, but there is still plenty of wood near the edge. One thing I noticed is that the handle is very thin, with one grip it felt like I was holding a golf club. I have put an extra grip on but it still feels a bit thin in the hand, and I don't have massive paws.
As you can see from the pics, the grain is immaculate, but more important than that, the ping is astonishing off the mallet. I've got plenty of knocking in to do to get this one ready for the season proper! :)
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Mate that is unbelievable. Well done.
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So the images show up OK then? I can't seem to view them on my iPad...
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So the images show up OK then? I can't seem to view them on my iPad...
Neither can I
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Neither can I
I loaded them up on Flickr. All I did was paste the link with the [IMG] tag, is that correct?
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There we go, remembered I had a PhotoBucket account. All good now, any further queries regarding the bat, let me know.
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Wish Meulemans was is Melbourne not Perth! Very nice indeed.
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i had to put an extra grip as well. the top one was an octopus grip so it gave me that extra cushion. Where do you play
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i had to put an extra grip as well. the top one was an octopus grip so it gave me that extra cushion. Where do you play
Western Suburbs CC (WASTCA)
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i play the peel association with baldivis white knights
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That is a very sexy bat, be interesting to hear how it plays.
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looks amazing. one of the best on here in recent times grains wise. how much did that set you back?
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that's one nice bat. Looks great
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Wish I had bought one when I was in Aus, still some of the nicest bats. If anyone in Perth can mail me and find out how much they are for us please :)
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Looks like an absolute beauty, and it's a GN - my favourite! How much did this end up setting you back if you don't mind me asking?
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That is one of the nicest bats ive ever seen
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They are $700 Aust. I believe, so not cheap.
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Sorry for the delay in replying gents, obviously the time difference between the UK and Aus at play! Lazza is right, this one retails for AU$700, although they did give me a discount because I always buy my kit from there. They do this in a number of grades, the HC is the top line, then they have 1000/750/500. All look to be similar profiled, I also have seen this bat with small twin scoops at the back to improve pick-up. This bat is so good I'm almost tempted to buy one of the take-down versions as a training bat and save this one for games only. I reckon it's better than the GN Legend I've used the past 5 years. Big call, I hope I am right!
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Good luck with it mate, It looks absolutely fantastic! Still can't believe it weighs only 2.8lbs... :)
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I agree over gully. These xxx bats are way better than the legend
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Has no-one picked up on "Tripple"?!
Nice stick, poor stickers imo.
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Has no-one picked up on "Tripple"?!
Nice stick, poor stickers imo.
I pointed that out to them on their Facebook page, and they reckon it was deliberate. Don't know if I buy that, but whatever.
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Looks like a stunner but its very expensive!
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looks like a bril stick, some of the nicest willow i have seen
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Well lads, used the new beast for the first time last night, was really apprehensive at first because you always worry about edges and toe if you end up nicking one or jam down on a Yorker. First impressions... WOW!! I must say the thinner handle is something I really enjoyed, just felt so comfortable in the hand and I felt I had more control and holding the bat was a little more effortless. Performance was biblically good, I'd say the sweet spot is neither high nor low, in a fairly mid-blade location. Hit some shots off my pads that were just a turning of the wrist and it absolutely flew off the bat. Leant on a few straight drives and they went, just nothing more than a good checked swing of the bat, absolute joy to use. Seriously considering getting a take-down model as a training bat because its just so good!!
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My first ever bat was a Gray Nicholls (nearly 20 years ago now) and I'm still a massive fan boy of GN. The pictures of that wand make my nether regions feel a bit tingly.
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My first ever bat was a Gray Nicholls (nearly 20 years ago now) and I'm still a massive fan boy of GN. The pictures of that wand make my nether regions feel a bit tingly.
Hahaha I had turned away from my kit before packing it away at the indoor centre last night when some other bloke picked up my bat and said it was lucky I didn't go too far as he would've nicked it!! Yeah my first ever bat was GN Elite, Kashmir willow, pig skin, David Boon signature, I think it's still knocking around at my parents place!
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Over gully any updates on how your getting along with the bat?
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Over gully any updates on how your getting along with the bat?
Sorry for the tardy reply Spanky. Made 77 with it on the weekend, absolute belter. I never generally play straight drives, but I got a ball in the slot and for whatever reason I decided to give it a bit more bottom hand, right out of the screws for a straight six (anyone who's played at Rosalie Park in WA will know its a big ground)! At the drinks break the umpire asked if he could pick up my bat, and even some of the opposition had a look at tea! The way the ball came off just from flicks off the pad, and the pull shots I hit, even the shot I got out on, absolutely creamed a pull out of the middle but straight down deep square leg's throat. Best bat I've used, I'm going to get a take-down model as a net/bowling machine bat because this is too good to use against training balls.
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this bat looks amazing!
Some of the best grains i have ever seen and then size for the weight is very very impressive
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very very nice indeed, is this model only available in Australia?
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very very nice indeed, is this model only available in Australia?
It's only available from a shop called Meulemans over here in Perth. Apparently GN wanted to release this into their mainstream range but Meulemans refused to keep it exclusive to them. One thing I will say is that the sticker quality isn't great, I've already got the side stickers that wrap around the edge near the spliced area starting to peel, so I've had to tape them down. Annoying...
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I had one of these a couple of years back (think it's an XXX IV or V) that went to a friend. He reckons it's the best bat he has ever had.
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Well lads, I caved in. Although I really didn't need another bat, I decided to spend some of my tax return money on a 2nd/training bat. Went to Meulemans again and got another XXX, this time the 1000 LE, which is the model down from the top of the line one:
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zpsde4dd0d7.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zpsde4dd0d7.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zps39725fe0.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zps39725fe0.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zps39b6c2bf.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zps39b6c2bf.jpg.html)
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u638/ABETTS5/image_zpsf1e9350e.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/ABETTS5/media/image_zpsf1e9350e.jpg.html)
For a back-up/training bat, it's probably too good, but I was drawn to it as soon as I saw it. Eight straight grains evenly spaced, weight very similar to the #1 (2lb 8.5oz). Currently working the mallet and it responds very nicely, maybe slightly harder pressed, the Hand Crafted one feels a tad softer, but it's still an absolute gem and I'm really looking forward to using this in the nets when it's ready!!
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Do they still have much stock? Thinking about going for a visit but won't worry if they don't have much left. What sort of weights do they do jn the xxx range?
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Yeah plenty there when I went. I was at the Joondalup store but I'm sure the Sth Perth store is well stocked too. As far as weights go not sure, I'm pretty much a 2lb 8-9 guy, but they pick up really nicely, even the heavier ones.
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These are the best of GN bats by a long way. Designed by Justin Meuleman which is why they want exclusivity. You should see how quick the test and state GN players get the stickers off and a set on of the range they endorse......
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Amazing how a bat like that is still not classed as a top of the line bat. It's a stunner! Am definately suffering from grain envy right now!
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really nice bat.
I had the GN XXX last season and it was a beauty.
Very tempted.
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This is another beauty. what is the edge size and how much is this?
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How much are these?
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really like the quality of the bat, anyone know if you can order from internet? shame i wont be going to aussie so couldnt go visit the shop myself!
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really like the quality of the bat, anyone know if you can order from internet? shame i wont be going to aussie so couldnt go visit the shop myself!
Yes you can. Also ask for gst reduction.
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really like the quality of the bat, anyone know if you can order from internet? shame i wont be going to aussie so couldnt go visit the shop myself!
http://www.meulemans.com.au/product-category/cricket-bats/gray-nicolls/?orderby=price-desc (http://www.meulemans.com.au/product-category/cricket-bats/gray-nicolls/?orderby=price-desc)
I'm quite tempted myself... You get around 20% off I think if you order overseas. I would get it sent to HK, so you're not hit by the customs in the UK!
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Aren't three brand new LEs enough? :o
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[url]http://www.meulemans.com.au/product-category/cricket-bats/gray-nicolls/?orderby=price-desc[/url] ([url]http://www.meulemans.com.au/product-category/cricket-bats/gray-nicolls/?orderby=price-desc[/url])
I'm quite tempted myself... You get around 20% off I think if you order overseas. I would get it sent to HK, so you're not hit by the customs in the UK!
AU GST is only 10% Chad.
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AU GST is only 10% Chad.
Ah right, cheers for the correction. Not nearly as tempting now! :D
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Aren't three brand new LEs enough? :o
Haha yeah just very tempted!
Ah right, cheers for the correction. Not nearly as tempting now! :D
Come on chad u can get it so i can have a look at it then decide :D
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Haha yeah just very tempted!
Come on chad u can get it so i can have a look at it then decide :D
10 bucks says u'll get it before Chad does...
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Sorry for the tardy reply guys, had a big couple of weeks at work before Xmas holidays.
The 1000LE I got was AUD550, it weighs around 2lb 8oz - 2lb 9oz (added an extra grip and put a facing on there) and has 44mm edges. I also measured the spine height and that is 65mm. If you look at the Hand Crafted XXX in the opening post you will see there is some concaving there, and the 1000LE has exactly the same profile. I've done about 2-3 hours on the mallet collectively and she feels right to go, already feels a little softer since I first got it and I reckon it will ping nicely from ball one.
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That's def. one of the nicest looking willow
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That's def. one of the nicest looking willow
Got anything to sell any time soon?