Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => B3 Cricket => Custom companies => B3 Cricket => Topic started by: skip1973 on April 09, 2014, 11:41:47 AM
-
My new B3 custom crown, very pretty, slightly disappointed in profile, pressing is very similar to GM. Hard to judge rebound, off the mallet is not great but like GM it would improve I imagine. This seasons bat in comparison, both 2lb 6oz, I tried to design the B3 similar with a bit higher middle.
(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd414/skipper1973/photo5.jpg) (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/skipper1973/media/photo5.jpg.html)
(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd414/skipper1973/photo89-1.jpg) (http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/skipper1973/media/photo89-1.jpg.html)
-
For a crown the bat is tiny no offence, considering they are both 2'6 the original bat dwarfs it and looks very concaved!
-
Profile looks very different!
-
If you don't mind me asking how much does these 'crown clefts' cost? Obviously the grains are nice but I've seen plenty of bats bigger than that even at 2lb 6oz
Hopefully it'll open up nicely for you though!!
-
That's is a custom, so is designed using there on line tool, with limited options. Not a bespoke one(done by david with unlimited capabilities). So it's understandable the profiles don't match.
But as said that is one small looking bat for crown. I know it's a 2.6 so you can't expect it to. Be massive, but the original must have been one lightweight cleft!
-
Aren't Crowns around £350/£400?
-
That's is a custom, so is designed using there on line tool, with limited options. Not a bespoke one(done by david with unlimited capabilities). So it's understandable the profiles don't match.
True, I'm not that au fait with B3 bat options to be honest
-
One big difference seems to be towards the top of the blade - B3 could've cut down the amount of willow around the shoulders/top of the spine and put it where it should be to make a more powerful bat in the right areas.
I guess this is the downfall to their system, whereas a batmaker hand making a bat would be able to see this and alter it whilst shaping the bat.
-
Aren't Crowns around £350/£400?
Ouch... still can't justify that much for any bat, no matter how special it's bigged up to be.
Especially after seeing that Aldred Players earlier for £250!!
-
So is the other bat a Kingsport or a GM?
-
One big difference seems to be towards the top of the blade - B3 could've cut down the amount of willow around the shoulders/top of the spine and put it where it should be to make a more powerful bat in the right areas.
I guess this is the downfall to their system, whereas a batmaker hand making a bat would be able to see this and alter it whilst shaping the bat.
Agree on the shoulders and I would of done similar, but if pickup was a concern then I would understand the thicker shoulders. To be fair Streaky could of done this at the CAD stage, if the client wanted it
-
Seen David Lloyd from Glamorgan using a B3 Custom!
Looked a beauty!
-
Agree on the shoulders and I would of done similar, but if pickup was a concern then I would understand the thicker shoulders. To be fair Streaky could of done this at the CAD stage, if the client wanted it
Then that would be a bespoke not a custom.
Customs are cheaper than bespoke as it entails less time in the design stage. You get a chose of a few set spines, edges, and concaving. And then add your weight, the density of cleft And it's is calculated to size. And then cut.
Bespoke, is designed form the off on cad, to your spec.
And this why I have paid the extra for bespoke on my bats as I get to see a 3d cad drawing off said bat, and say "hmmm take some wood from here, move to there, make this bigger, that smaller. Etc until I'm happy with the design.
-
Seen David Lloyd from Glamorgan using a B3 Custom!
Looked a beauty!
Bumble has come out of retirement?? ;)
-
How much extra is it for a crown cleft does anyone know? I saw the price on the website for a custom v bespoke and for the extra IF you were paying that amount of money anyway then a bespoke sounds like the right route to take.
I think the wife might boot me out if I said I were getting a bespoke B3.
Anyone have the good doctors phone number? ;)
-
This may be a slight flaw with their business model - as I'm sure the last thing they want is for their customer to not be happy with their purchase, especially when using the best of the best clefts.
So maybe it would suit them and the customer better if these crown clefts(which I presume are limited) were saved only for bespoke orders - so that the customer is getting something that they are completely happy with. I don't know what the price differences are, however if you're paying a lot for a crown cleft then the customer should expect the bat to be impressive.
-
Aren't Crowns around £350/£400?
yes they are.
-
£400 I think they are, was mentioned on another thread which is not bad when off the shelf bats cost £400+
-
Then that would be a bespoke not a custom.
Customs are cheaper than bespoke as it entails less time in the design stage. You get a chose of a few set spines, edges, and concaving. And then add your weight, the density of cleft And it's is calculated to size. And then cut.
Bespoke, is designed form the off on cad, to your spec.
And this why I have paid the extra for bespoke on my bats as I get to see a 3d cad drawing off said bat, and say "hmmm take some wood from here, move to there, make this bigger, that smaller. Etc until I'm happy with the design.
Stand corrected :)
To get a big bat for 2'6 is a real ask. The other bat looks a freak! I'm pretty sure the b3 will open up. Most I have seen go really well.
-
Stand corrected :)
To get a big bat for 2'6 is a real ask. The other bat looks a freak! I'm pretty sure the b3 will open up. Most I have seen go really well.
If the other bat is as per its stickers then it's an Indian made G3 bat made for Kingsgrove... Their bottom of the range bats.
Not sure if that's what it is though that's why I asked
-
This may be a slight flaw with their business model - as I'm sure the last thing they want is for their customer to not be happy with their purchase, especially when using the best of the best clefts.
So maybe it would suit them and the customer better if these crown clefts(which I presume are limited) were saved only for bespoke orders - so that the customer is getting something that they are completely happy with. I don't know what the price differences are, however if you're paying a lot for a crown cleft then the customer should expect the bat to be impressive.
Agree - it's an extra £25 for a bespoke over a custom. That's not much to include on a crown cleft. Then again it's a personal service and time is limited. Don't remember GN/Kooks/GM offering bespoke design as standard their £350/400+ bats.
-
How much extra is it for a crown cleft does anyone know? I saw the price on the website for a custom v bespoke and for the extra IF you were paying that amount of money anyway then a bespoke sounds like the right route to take.
I think the wife might boot me out if I said I were getting a bespoke B3.
Anyone have the good doctors phone number? ;)
It would be an interesting convo if you phoned him this week. He's on a stag do in Vegas, so I'd guess he be highly intoxicated. Lol
-
Don't remember GN/Kooks/GM offering bespoke design as standard their £350/400+ bats.
Of course not, however B3 base their business model on making custom bats where they don't have to take the retail mark ups in to account and these are the issues that come with producing custom bats to order which I found out with Vantage. As the grading of willow was mostly down to looks of the blade and there was a minimum amount of grains that a bat would have - which I guess is similar to these crown clefts, being the perfect clefts. Whereas when you're making bats with a limited supply of the best clefts - it's hard to produce big looking bats at low weights constantly due to the natural make up of the clefts.
So to get the best out of their best blades, I think it would be better for them to solely make bespoke bats with their best clefts - mainly to keep customer satisfaction at its highest, as that is likely to bring returning custom.
-
Remember guys that the bats is only 2.6 (2.3 without stickers and grip), it would depend how much concaving there is in comparison to the bat along side. The spine and edges are also a lot thicker at the top.
I'll drop the office an email and see what they say.
-
at 2.6 it looks like a beast of a bat size wise, even if it is a bit hard off the mallet it will come good eventually.
-
The kings bat is a GN and not an off the shelf one.
Don't get me wrong, I designed the shape of the bat, I just assumed crown willow would be similar to legend willow here and that even at that weight would still achieve a biggish bat without being huge. It's not a huge drama as I bought it more for a look than something I expected to use. I am not bagging the brand because I can see the passion they have for it and some of the products look terrific, it's just not for me I don't think.
-
Thought it looked a bit more special that a Kingsport ;)
-
Kingsport went pretty well for Craig Simmons, just hard to find in my weight.
-
Bumble has come out of retirement?? ;)
Haha! Younger version I'm afraid! Has a bright future of him but needs to perform this season!
-
Looks like two very different bats, both size wise and profile?
And it doesn't tap up that well?
Think I'd be a little miffed!
-
Looks decent stick. My b3 crown post is locked by admin, don't know why.
-
Looks decent stick. My b3 crown post is locked by admin, don't know why.
Probably due to it going off topic and unnecessary comments about other peoples bats. I do like the choice of title though, it is a very special bat :)
-
Probably due to it going off topic and unnecessary comments about other peoples bats. I do like the choice of title though, it is a very special bat :)
Probably you are right mate but not my fault, i am really annoyed that because of someone posting stupid comments and going off topic my post was locked. :o
-
Remember guys that the bats is only 2.6 (2.3 without stickers and grip), it would depend how much concaving there is in comparison to the bat along side. The spine and edges are also a lot thicker at the top.
I'll drop the office an email and see what they say.
Hello sorry been playing cricket so I will tie this up quickly the office already know about this bat I brought it up to them
Thank you Matt ref business model some great ideas mate.
All in hand I have a 2-7 crown I is big I would also like to say the crown or light dw city is not just at b3
I know of other people getting very big bats and even cheaper than the price of that bat you show there which I'm sure you get the pick if I'm not mistaken you work for the company.
As Chris has said Streaky is currently in Vegas so please do get in touch but I have already alerted to him you dissatisfaction from a earlier post.
-
Don't sweat it too much mate, as I said it was more for a look to compare with our top range in Aust and I like collecting bats. It's not a major issue.
-
It would be interesting to know how B3 ensure the bat's finished weight. Is each custom bat of a specific shape, so same spine/convex/swell number the same volume of wood, irrespective of the weight required and the right weight is achieved by picking a cleft of the corresponding weight. Or do their weigh a cleft and the spine/swell etc dimensions are adjusted to achieve the required finished weight, with is effectively what's done on a handmade bat.
-
First of all you ask for a design or finished weight. To achieve the correct finished weight they need a suitable cleft for the volume of wood you have put into it. So David measures the clefts and has a programme on his computer where the volume of wood is took into account with the weight of the cleft giving a very accurate reading on what the finished weight of the bat will be...obviously this is before stickers etc which add about 3 ounces
-
Toenails is correct, it's fairly simple maths but they use computer programmes so it's very accurate. Once finished, they weigh it and if it isn't quite right ie 1 or 2 oz they will adjust it very slightly by hand
-
So it's the same as at Gm where for a specific model a 2lb6 bat is exactly the same volume as a 3lb bat, so edge size, spine height is identical. It would be possible to have the CAD system take into account the density of a cleft and automatically adjust the edge and spine height by a certain percentage to maximise the volume of the bat say if you had a low density cleft. I suppose that is what happens if you go for a bespoke B3 bat.
-
This is my misunderstanding I guess, I am thinking with the shape I chose even just a grade 1 or 2 cleft would come out exactly same size?
-
This is my misunderstanding I guess, I am thinking with the shape I chose even just a grade 1 or 2 cleft would come out exactly same size?
The shape would always be as youve specified. The depth of edge however would depend on the density of the willow and finished weight requested. If the willow was more dense than the cleft used then the edge would be smaller, less dense and the edge would increas in size.
I'd suggest calling the office next week and speaking to Streaky when he's back so he can answer any questions you may have.
-
So is Crown willow the best low density willow and "as rare as rocking horse do do" which isn't openly sold as has been previously quoted or is this just another hyped up grade of willow as there seems to be a lot of rocking horse do do around?
-
The shape would always be as youve specified. The depth of edge however would depend on the density of the willow and finished weight requested. If the willow was more dense than the cleft used then the edge would be smaller, less dense and the edge would increas in size.
That's how I understood it.
-
So is Crown willow the best low density willow and "as rare as rocking horse do do" which isn't openly sold as has been previously quoted or is this just another hyped up grade of willow as there seems to be a lot of rocking horse do do around?
you can get a cleft that weigh 3.5lb or one that weighs 4lb and they are the same measurements.
Crown clefts are just light clefts thats all, they have been around for a long time. Like Procricket said, they are not exclusive to B3 its just B3 call them Crown. I presume GM and GN call them Players bats .... those ones with the signature on them and a £500 price tag.
-
So they aren't rare as rocking horse do do as previously described then? Also previously quoted as not being openly sold by B3 due to rarity?
Sorry back on topic
-
its not a load of marketing rubbish .... they are rare, probably 1 in every 500/1000 G1 clefts ..... so they come with a big price. They certainly arent exclusive though.
I dont know the exact number, maybe Procricket can give a better idea. They dont sell them openly as they are saved for the sponsored pros due to their rarity.
-
See the clefts on the top shelf in this pic.
http://s750.photobucket.com/user/wilkie113/media/IMAG0042_zps1ac462fd.jpg.html (http://s750.photobucket.com/user/wilkie113/media/IMAG0042_zps1ac462fd.jpg.html)
Thats the crown willow shelf. And is probably the fullest ive ever seen it.
They dont usually have many at all in. Hence not really advertising. They need to keep the shelf full for when the pros knock.
It is probsbly only due to this forum the crown is as known as it is.
-
So they are for pros but anyone can buy them?
-
I think Smiley is 100% right in saying its only because of ProCricket getting a superb bat that he loved (and rightly so) that the forum is aware. Ive seen, held and tapped up a 1273 NB (think thats the no) and it was a very special weapon.
-
Last weekend (from memory) we had 4 clefts left which have been graded as Crown, the reason they are not openly publisised is that this week they may all go and not receive another one for 2 months.
-
And the fact there a few left is you never quite know who might come in and ask for 5.
Your right I brought them to the forum with the 1271 profiled bat.
They are very special but of course other have them some don't even out them in there special bats and at times people get very lucky
-
Bit of an update on this bat.
I had a net with it tonight after a fair bit of knocking in, middle is ok but quite small, I suspect like most English pressed bats it will take longer to open up. Handle shape doesn't suit me because I hold it quite low, very similar to GM in shape.
Its not a bad bat, but it's not a $700 bat either.
-
Thats a bit disappointing for you mate.
-
I still like to see all types of bats so I can tick B3 off the list. As I said bats are subjective, like a lot of things one mans trash is another's treasure. I've been a GN fan since I was a boy, I love trying all different bats but always seem to come back to them. I am getting a bat made by Stuart when I visit next month, I will post some pics to compare when I do.
-
Throwing this on ebay for any Aussie guy's that want to see what B3 are like in the flesh but don't want to pay full fair.
-
What's the link?
-
Not on yet, will do tonight. Don't think there will be many B3 bats on Aussie ebay.
-
There aren't :). I just want to have a look, but won't buy it, unless if it is at a ridiculous price.