Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: SaadIjaz on September 11, 2013, 07:56:39 AM
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Fellow bat experts and Puma lovers (I suspect not many). Firstly apologies for a long topic here but after breaking my calibre 5000 a few days ago, I went onto PDC and saw the Puma Pro on sale at £179. For the 6000 top end bat, I thought I can't go wrong at that price.
So as I couldn't walk into a shop and try them, I bought 2 sticks hoping I would send one back after choosing the right one.
Below are some photos - I would love for you to share your opinions on the looks of these 2 sticks and share your ideas on which one you would keep.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/null_zps86c8aed4.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/null_zps1dd00341.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/null_zps93538164.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af237/saadsaffi/null_zps313d2e84.jpg)
Apologies if the photos are not very clear, I can try take further pics in daylight to help.
In brief - the bats come at a very similar weight 2.10 (left bat) and 2.96 (right bat) - they both have the same pickup and feel, the major difference I find in the feel is bat (Right) for some reason feels like it has a thicker handle and feels a lot more sturdy and solid when tapping on the ground. When I tap bat (left) on the ground for some reason it feels like the handle is a little flexible and may wobble in the future which is not a good sign but then again makes me feel maybe I am just over-thinking the whole thing.
Looks wise, you can see Bat (Left) has almost 15-16 Ruler straight grains which look beautiful whereas Bat (Right) has 9 grains which don't exactly slide down straight. Makes me wonder would you pay top price for a 6000 top of the range bat with those grains (Bat Right)?
So a few things to consider, tapped them both with a mallet and cannot honestly tell much of a difference, they are both meaty bats with huge middles and you can feel that all the way through. Leads to a question, what should I be looking for when tapping a bat to test it's ping and how should I be able to tell the difference?
Any suggestions and advice will be more than welcome, during my dilemma last night I knew the best place to come to was CBF to help me decide. Thanks in advance guys!
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Go for whichever one feels better in the hands. The one you're more comfortable holding. They will both fly so personally I would get some gloves on and spend some time playing air shots. Just see which feels better in the hands. You'll soon know, it won't take long.
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Keep them both! Keep them Both! Keep them both!
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The one on the left!
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keep the one on the right. even if the wobbly handle is a mental thing, its better to have peace of mind. and in my experience, bats with 8-10 grains last more and play equally well eventually (grainier bats start going from the off, these take more time)
when testing with the mallet, test the toe (see if it gives too much of a shock but don't expect the toe to rebound anywhere close to the middle), edges (see if there is a hollow sound) and maybe slightly higher up the blade (the middle for almost all bats sounds very nice indeed)
hope that helps.
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put your batting gloves on, close your eyes, get someone to pass you the bat one by one and you keep your eyes shut while playing a few shots.
get them to try to trick you by giving you the same bat a few times in a row etc. but do the same amount for each bat. ie 20 each shadow shots of each.
Write down which bat you selected each time and you should hopefully come up with one that FEELS better in your hands.
If you get a similar score go with the one that you like the look of.
Bat on the right for me on looks, but you have got 2 very nice looking bats whatever you choose and for only £179 each!!!
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The one on the right is more aesthetically pleasing. But it is all down to feel. Choose with your hands not your eyes
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Thanks for all the advice guys, I have added a poll at the top which would be very helpful if you can all vote and will help me decide too. I have taken all the advice in and will decide tonight when I get home from work and do a few Air shot tests along with the feel off the mallet. sgcricket your advice is much appreciated. Same to GarrettJ I will definitely do a blind test.
So far more of the votes seem to be going for the one on the right, if it is Grains we are looking at then I thought Bat (Left) had many more and straighter grains. Although the grains seem to be fading, whereas on Bat (Right) the grains are very visible, evenly spaced but not as straight.
As from the advice gathered, I've been told the bats will ping being a top range Puma anyway..
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Went for the bat on the right. Looks better in my opinion.
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Grain lover in me says bat on the left, but the way grains look (somethings about the grains itself and not the number of them or straightness) on the one on the right I would say the bat on the right is better choice (one with less grains) but its just a personal opinion. Also looks like the bat on right has a little less concaving, could be just the pics. In the end its a choice you have based on what feels better in your hands, someone has already mentioned that you put on your gloves, close your eyes and then pick up the bat.
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Thanks Tushar - both bats have the same amount of concaving, I have compared them in all aspects and cannot see any differences but then again you wouldn't expect any differences.
I'm now inclined to keeping the one on the right and that is all based on the feedback received through the forum here! Choosing with my hands will be the final verdict.
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Thanks Tushar - both bats have the same amount of concaving, I have compared them in all aspects and cannot see any differences but then again you wouldn't expect any differences.
I'm now inclined to keeping the one on the right and that is all based on the feedback received through the forum here! Choosing with my hands will be the final verdict.
I reckon pick with what feels best in your hands. If I was going for looks, I'm a guy who doesn't like too many grains, so would go for the one on the right. 8-12 is plenty. I generally find more grains means more maintenance. Both are stunning pieces of willow though, and I wouldn't mind taking either off your hands hahaha. ;)
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I'd be happy with either to be fair.
I too gambled on a puma 6000 bat from pdc bit unfortunately seem to have failed. It was down as instock, but when everything else arrived my invoice said out of stock/back ordered.
And pcd customer services currently aren't been the greatest. They said they'd get back to me as they wasn't sure if it be restocked due to nature of product. That was 4days ago and no reply?
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I'd be happy with either to be fair.
I too gambled on a puma 6000 bat from pdc bit unfortunately seem to have failed. It was down as instock, but when everything else arrived my invoice said out of stock/back ordered.
And pcd customer services currently aren't been the greatest. They said they'd get back to me as they wasn't sure if it be restocked due to nature of product. That was 4days ago and no reply?
Why not take the 'reject' from these two then?
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Why not take the 'reject' from these two then?
I'm gonna phone them this afters. I was presuming they was waiting for a returned bat to send to me anyways,
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I'm gonna phone them this afters. I was presuming they was waiting for a returned bat to send to me anyways,
Don't count on it mate, I ordered a pair of the GM gloves they have a couple of months ago and I've not heard or received anything yet :(
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ive already called first dibs on the one he doesn't want. so back off ha
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OK Folks.. I've been Chokka at work all day so haven't had a chance to jump on the forum.
I decided to follow the mass opionion of the forum and keep Bat (Right). The major reason being, the feel of this bat felt a little better but only a little over the other bat. Grains wise, the other one wins hands down, but the bat on the right doesn't have that bad a face either.
deanoknight was in touch with me yetserday and requested that I speak to him about the bat I am getting rid of. So I would be happy to let one of the forum members make use of a good stick like this rather than send it back to PDC. Thank you All for your kind advise and to the voters who helped me decide.
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Don't count on it mate, I ordered a pair of the GM gloves they have a couple of months ago and I've not heard or received anything yet :(
Did they charge you for them?
Genuinely worried now. Will be on the phone daily till I get a bat or refund!
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Did they charge you for them?
Genuinely worried now. Will be on the phone daily till I get a bat or refund!
PDC obviously have a serious reputation problem. The thing I hate the most is their 10p a min number and how no matter what time of the day you call, you will have to wait upto 8 minutes to talk to someone. Wonder how much revenue they generate through their Telephone lines.
Anyway mate, I would personally call them immediately and get a clear cut answer whether they will be getting anymore of these Pros in or not. I got told 2 days ago they are not sure they will get anymore so I would rather pull out my investment and get hold of something else.
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PDC obviously have a serious reputation problem. The thing I hate the most is their 10p a min number and how no matter what time of the day you call, you will have to wait upto 8 minutes to talk to someone. Wonder how much revenue they generate through their Telephone lines.
Anyway mate, I would personally call them immediately and get a clear cut answer whether they will be getting anymore of these Pros in or not. I got told 2 days ago they are not sure they will get anymore so I would rather pull out my investment and get hold of something else.
I phone these companies off my work mobile anyway, so it costs me zip.
I didn't actually order a pro, I ordered a karbon 6000,
The pro is the only 6000 left on there site now though.
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Just checked my account. Not been charged for the bat. Atleast that's a good thing.
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PDC obviously have a serious reputation problem. The thing I hate the most is their 10p a min number and how no matter what time of the day you call, you will have to wait upto 8 minutes to talk to someone. Wonder how much revenue they generate through their Telephone lines.
Anyway mate, I would personally call them immediately and get a clear cut answer whether they will be getting anymore of these Pros in or not. I got told 2 days ago they are not sure they will get anymore so I would rather pull out my investment and get hold of something else.
*cough* 01626 357481 *cough*
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*cough* 01626 357481 *cough*
haha Cheers, that's helpful mate.
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Did they charge you for them?
Genuinely worried now. Will be on the phone daily till I get a bat or refund!
No they never charged me for them, more irritatingly they confirmed the order then nothing after. I've just given up any hope I'll ever see them
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The one on the right
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Neither not keen on either if Im going to be honest sorry
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Neither not keen on either if Im going to be honest sorry
Any chance you could elaborate on why?
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Yes for top grade bats neither looks that big and the grain is neither that clean or evenly spaced because they being sold at a discount and carry a 6000 or pro sticker the wood does not look that great and as for profile it a average profile
Only my opinion though I would be happy with them on looks alone for grade 1 and it in looks I'm looking at.
They may play very well
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Yes for top grade bats neither looks that big and the grain is neither that clean or evenly spaced because they being sold at a discount and carry a 6000 or pro sticker the wood does not look that great and as for profile it a average profile
Only my opinion though
Fair esnuff. Wasn't being an ass by the way, was just intrigued why, I too don't think they are to clean looking,but would happily use either,
I presume puma, or rob pack, dependant on if he made these, may grade his willow differently to others, it may not have to be that light or clean, but your gonna hope for 6000 they go like guns.
And for the price there at, they really are bargains IMO.
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No mate wasn't thinking that at all bud it all opinions good and bad I just wouldn't on looks look at them and go core I want one.
And faI'm no bat snob either