Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Salix => Topic started by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 08:22:46 AM

Title: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 08:22:46 AM
Morning all,

After seeing a Pod available for £210 from Pro Direct Cricket - I decided to have a punt.

I know Andrew and the guys at Salix would not leave a 'sub-standard' bat to leave the factory under the players brand so had a punt.

This is what I got;

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/841/bzoem.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/842/10suo.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/819/9o3u.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/849/njr4.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/834/2eb88.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/822/ifd8.jpg)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/855/uyfu.jpg)

The bat is a big boy - 2'10.5, 12 grains, 39mm edges, 60mm spine and has a good pick up for a mid/low sweet spot position.

For me, the jury is out - I know some of you will be put off by some of the marking but I actually think the 'mottling' is well outside the optimum hitting zone (probably what Salix think too), so will not affect performance in anyway, and that the grains are nice.

Please feel free to let me know your opinions.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Manormanic on June 26, 2014, 08:26:22 AM
the shape is a work of art, the little bit of mottling just adds character (and saves you circa a ton!)
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Number4 on June 26, 2014, 08:28:10 AM
I love the graping and other speckled markings on it.... Looks a big stick
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: AlanB on June 26, 2014, 08:33:06 AM
If it's the last one left in a sale it is perhaps not surprising it won't have the best cosmetics, simply because other bats would have been selected purely on looks ahead of it, either by retailers or their customers.

Benefits are the price versus new particularly as its still only half way through the season plus a cleft that otherwise offers the potential to perform and has low density.

The bat certainly looks impressive from the toe upwards.

Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 08:51:02 AM
If it's the last one left in a sale it is perhaps not surprising it won't have the best cosmetics, simply because other bats would have been selected purely on looks ahead of it, either by retailers or their customers.

Benefits are the price versus new particularly as its still only half way through the season plus a cleft that otherwise offers the potential to perform and has low density.

The bat certainly looks impressive from the toe upwards.

I agree with you Alan.

Baring in mind that Pro Direct were selling these for £420 and this is 50% off - I would have been very annoyed if I had brought this for the original price. With 50% off, puts it in the same range as a M&H Original or HitsHard...

It certainly is a very big bat for it's weight and I personally think the grains look good through the optimum hitting zone.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on June 26, 2014, 09:22:03 AM
Looks like a lovely bat mate, and like has been said huge for the weight. The markings are not on the playing surface so this will not effect grading, clean straight grains that run through the toe on the playing surface. For that price mate it's a cracking deal.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 09:27:48 AM
Looks like a lovely bat mate, and like has been said huge for the weight. The markings are not on the playing surface so this will not effect grading, clean straight grains that run through the toe on the playing surface. For that price mate it's a cracking deal.

Hi Chris,

Was hoping you would post as the resident Salix man-in-the-know.

I am pleased with it - especially the size for the weight. Very impressive.

Can I ask - is all the absolute blemish free willow reserved now for the 'finite' range of the Pod?

I would expect so as they are a touch off £500 - but how does this players rate to the ones you have seen?

Cheers.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Blank Bats on June 26, 2014, 09:34:49 AM
Nice stick and meticulously finished.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: mujju on June 26, 2014, 09:38:29 AM
Fantastic bat for that price mate .. Lovely
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: MD2812 on June 26, 2014, 09:47:13 AM
Not often it happens but I have major bat envy!!

What is the PJH on the edge by the toe?
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: IWTUK on June 26, 2014, 09:50:43 AM
Stunning value for that price, looks a corker!
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 09:56:13 AM
Not often it happens but I have major bat envy!!

What is the PJH on the edge by the toe?

My Initials. Pro Direct have the option for free personalisation
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on June 26, 2014, 10:55:17 AM
Hi Chris,

Was hoping you would post as the resident Salix man-in-the-know.

I am pleased with it - especially the size for the weight. Very impressive.

Can I ask - is all the absolute blemish free willow reserved now for the 'finite' range of the Pod?

I would expect so as they are a touch off £500 - but how does this players rate to the ones you have seen?

Cheers.

In a nut shell no, we do get blemish free willow that doesn't make player grades as the density or indeed performance is not deemed to be players grade . The completely white, blemish free light density are finite clefts yes. This is a lovely looking players grade and is inline with most of the players bats I see. The grains are tight and straight that run even through the toe . The playing area is completely free of marks. The graphing towards to the shoulder I have seen in players grade before and would not be downgraded due to this as long as it's not in playing area.

All in all makes from my experience looks like a great bat and one I would happily pay a players price for .
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 26, 2014, 11:04:14 AM
In a nut shell no, we do get blemish free willow that doesn't make player grades as the density or indeed performance is not deemed to be players grade . The completely white, blemish free light density are finite clefts yes. This is a lovely looking players grade and is inline with most of the players bats I see. The grains are tight and straight that run even through the toe . The playing area is completely free of marks. The graphing towards to the shoulder I have seen in players grade before and would not be downgraded due to this as long as it's not in playing area.

All in all makes from my experience looks like a great bat and one I would happily pay a players price for .

Perfect!

Cheers mate.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: ppccopener on June 26, 2014, 11:38:20 AM
good deal for that looks a nice bat....the only way to get an affordable top of the range bat sometimes is pro-direct.there is always the return option if you dont like it.

i dont think the marking make much differtence,it's clearly grade one
good bats Salix...when bought at this price
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: tushar sehgal on June 26, 2014, 12:30:58 PM
I would say a good deal at 210. Looks a good bat and big for weight, i also think this is last year's model when finite range did not exist but I could be wrong.

This is what my Torque players looks like.

(http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/tusharsehgal/2014%20Kit/IMG_4113_zps8006fccc.jpg) (http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/tusharsehgal/media/2014%20Kit/IMG_4113_zps8006fccc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: tejasapatel on June 26, 2014, 01:01:49 PM
The bat looks really nice and is a bargain for 210.
Title: Re: Salix Pod Players - From Pro Direct Cricket
Post by: AlanB on June 27, 2014, 12:13:11 PM

Incidentally, the Praestantia Players from the same source and priced at £180 is confirmed as 2011 vintage (description to be amended by PD).

http://www.prodirectcricket.com/Products/Salix-Praestantia-Players-Cricket-Bat-BlackSilver-Salix-Natural-Finish-Bat-32606.aspx (http://www.prodirectcricket.com/Products/Salix-Praestantia-Players-Cricket-Bat-BlackSilver-Salix-Natural-Finish-Bat-32606.aspx)

Making the far more recent Pod here seem the best deal for sure.