Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Reviews => Topic started by: petehosk on December 06, 2009, 10:50:09 PM
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Here we go then.....at last!
I spoke to Gary a couple of times to finalise the spec, which went as follows:
Weight: 2-11/12
Grade: Premier (8-10 grains)
Profile: Surefire/Allegiance hybrid
Stickers: Allegiance
Grip: White
Knocked In: Yep
I decided on the Premium level willow – the Limited Edition was tempting, but wanted to test the bat first, so maybe next time!
Delivery:
There was a slight delay on the bat arriving, but this was down to the courier not turning up when he was supposed to. So a day or two later, it came!
The actual spec turned out to be:
Weight: 2-12/13
Grade: Premier (12/13 grains)
The edges are a little smaller than they would be with a full Allegiance profile weighing in at 2lb 12oz, but that’s because I wanted more of the meat on the back of the blade!
It came nicely boxed with a really nice bat cover...in black of course to match the glossy stickers.
Looks:
I’ve seen nicer stickers out there, but they’re not too bad to look at really. And I don’t buy a bat just for the stickers. The bat itself looks really great and is very well finished – obviously Gary is a bit of a perfectionist with a good eye for detail. The grip, for example is perfectly applied with not too much excess at either end. The labels are put on perfectly straight, and the finish on the blade and throughout the bat is immaculate.
Pick-up and Feel
Although this bat is a little over 2lb 12oz, it feels somewhat lighter! More like 2lb 9/10oz such is the quality of the pick-up. The balance is perfect and it feels like it will be easy to get a high amount of bat speed for powerful shots.
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Responsiveness (PING!)
Where do I start with this one! I’ll try not to mention professional ping.....and not even sure where I would compare professional with non-professional ping!
So let’s start by stating that the bat was nicely knocked in for me already, as requested.
I haven’t got a special ping-o-meter mallet, but I have a nice cricket ball mallet which gives me a good indication of the responsiveness of the blade. So when I tapped the bat with the mallet, there should have been a notice on the bat warning me against the bat slamming back into my head, such is the ping! Health and Safety will be onto this one!
I basically get the impression that if I middle a ball, it’s going to be gone before I get the chance to run to the other end! And talking of middle, what a middle it is!! There is no danger of having to spend half a dozen net sessions trying to locate it – it you can’t find the middle on this bat, then you’re either using the bat upside down or the wrong way round! The middle is long and responsive, and I can’t wait to get to the nets to use it.
I can’t really comment on the control or how forgiving the blade is yet, as I will need to play some nets to decide that. But I suspect (judging by the quality of this bat) that it’ll play beautifully!
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Summing Up
Wisden described this bat well when they said that it goes like a barn door in a gale! And I have no reason to doubt that!
Everything I have found about this bat so far indicates that it will be awesome, and that it’ll make me look like a better batsman than I really am! If that’s the case, then bring it on!
With the way cricket is heading, the bat technology is getting better, with bats improving and getting more powerful all the time. And there are some real ‘bad boy’ bats on the market - all raw power with a rough and ready side – like a Ray Winston! But this is not the bad boy I was expecting. This is more like the silent but strong type – it still seems to have the same degree of power, but with more finesse or control and will quietly go about its business of hitting boundaries until it breaks down or dies a splintered death!
But it’s not all good news - I also have some bad things to say about this bat as well! Although it’s bad news for bowlers rather than batsmen –
Cos in the hands of a batsman who is even half competent, this bat will be capable of destroying all but the most accurate of bowlers!
Therefore, I hereby officially announce that this bat must be considered
Public Enemy Number 1...........for bowlers!
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good professional review. I like! pictures?
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(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Face007.jpg)
(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Face005.jpg)
(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Face004.jpg)
(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Profile007.jpg)
(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Profile003.jpg)
(http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii471/petehosk/Redback_Hybrid/RB_Profile002.jpg)
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some excellent shots. Great all round review with top, pro-quality pics. Redback should use these ones on the website instead
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oh just love the rug! shows the bat of very nicely.
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As always Redbacks look amazing..
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Cheers chap. Its hard to show how gorgeous this bat is mate.
Just trying to pick out the nice shots as best I can but the camera isn't brilliant for close ups unless you get it spot in!
Instead of buying bats, maybe I should invest in a better camera???
And thanks Slogger - will use the rug for more reviews then! ;D
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Good detailed review that Pete cheers, looks a high quality bat like you said I think Gary is a bit of a perfectionist as the finish it top draw.
If you dont mind me asking . . .how much did it set you back?
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Normal price for the Premium - 180 sobs. But took the £20 extra option for it to be properly knocked in!
But Gary didn't charge for delivery either.
At the time, I wasn't sure what the bat would be like. But now I feel that it was money well spent.
Would I buy another? On first impressions - absolutely! Might even stretch to the Limited Edition version next time!
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Fair price that Pete looks a stunning bat, plus you got it custom made and knocked in by a very talented bat maker all for £200 plus on top of that a very professional and friendly service.
Should be getting my LE Excel off Matt from H4L soon so will be intersting to see the comparison . . .
Plus one from Roger over at Solitaire.
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Have heard good things about Matt and Roger has his fans too.
Make sure you do reviews.
I have loads more reviews I need to do - so will aim for one a week for the next few months if I can.
But I wanted to start with the Redback, as it will set the benchmark for other bats!
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Yeah I already have an LE 666 that I bought off CD on this forum and its great . . .im at an advantage as i run a leisure centre so on quiet days (today :) ) i can pop in and have a net early impressions are fantastic. I think it will come to life more as i use it!
Im quite excited about the Solitaire I spoke with Roger again today and he is sending pics of clefts either 2moro or tuesday for me to choose from . . .which i think is great!
Sorry for waffling and hijacking your review mate :)
Hope it goes like sh*t off a shovel for you :)
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Dammit - I must earn more money and stop spending it on beer. I need to get me a couple more Redbacks! Lovely looking bat Pete - hope it scores you as many as mine has for me!
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i'm now making a promise to myself that my next bat will be a redback!
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pete, i have seen the LE willow. your next redback simply must be an LE, some of the sticks he has are immense.
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Whats the difference in price between his premier and LE?
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£50 i think..
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If the L.E. will be even better than my Premium, then it will be mental!
Has Gary EVER made a bad one??
And yes - the L.E. is £230, cos we discussed it at the time.
I was tempted but as it was my first Redback, I thought I would stick to the Premium to start with.
And Gary really didn't push the more expensive option either, which I found refreshing!
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The premier looks mint i wonder what you get for the extra £50?
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Stunning !!!!!!!!!!!
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I believe you get the even better willow!
I guess pretty perfect grains. But also the lighter weight willow.
So that there is even more willow to each bat.
Its crazy really cos this Premium feels like it will put the ball into the next county.
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Ping-o-meter mallet now there's an idea... get working norb
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Pete, great review mate, your enthusiasm really shines through! The bat looks amazing- I know one thing for sure, the days of me spending loads with generic, mass production companies is long gone!
If LB is reading this, and I hope he is, I dont think you need to look any further for your bat mate, get in touch with one of the companies discussed above (H4L, Redback, Solitaire) and do the right thing!!
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Can hardly compare a bat that looks this good to a solitaire!
Its strange how warsop and fusion seem to be less popular on the forums now.
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I think its because you get such a good personal service from these guys, and you build relationships which equal trust. As I wrote, my next bat is definitely going to be from one of the forum members that we hear from day in day out. Similarly, my next lid will be an Ayrtek!
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The service is a massive factor. The quality is undoubted, but it's the service that has had me recommending Gary's bats to team-mates, and has led to me buying an indecent amount of soft goods from him!
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Thanks for your comments guys.
I enjoyed writing the review, as it was easy to find lots of good things to say about the bat!
Its important to keep the custom batmakers (Redback, H4L, Solitaire, SAF, Bulldog, Blackcat, Vantage, etc) in the limelight so that people realise that there's a real choice - that we dont need to go to the big manufacturers in order to get decent bats! ;D
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Profile on that looks great and nice review as well.
The rug gives the bat a great look to it too!
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Can't wait for the rest of your bat reviews. You'll have a but of writing to do..
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i'm now making a promise to myself that my next bat will be a redback!
I'll join you with that :)
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I think a lot of us will be making that promise . . .every Redback ive seen has been amazing!!
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Absolutely kicking myself, just brought a Gn pro performance and while its decent enough, it just cant be compared to the Redback. Im saving already!!!!!!
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Don't beat yourself up Will!
Just save up whilst you're using your GN PP bat.
Then you can get a Redback and use the GN as your net or practice bat!
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can't say more than pete has about redback just started using my le in nets and only blocking and pushing at min and ball still fly's so looking forward to actually hitting the with a bit more power
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Who should I talk to, to get a custom made LE bat?
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For sure Gary is the bat maker - very friendly guy and will advise you well.
Just click on the Members tab at the top, and go to a member called 'Redback Cricket'
Either drop him a PM or an email. Other than that, you can go to his website and contact him from there!
I have been using my Redback in the nets for a couple of weeks not, and there is no way I could ever part with it!!
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Okay I will try. Maybe on they I will make a reveiw on a custom LE then :)
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Would be great to read another review about a Redback - although I would be a little jealous as it would be an LE!!!
I phoned Gary and spoke to him, although he may have to return your calll, as I would imagine he is somewhat busy!
But let us know how it goes.
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I hope he will answer my mail, it is expensive to call from denmark to uk :)
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He will answer, he normally got back to me within a day, he is well worth the wait for getting that email back, pete I'm with you on the L.E wood, my premium looks and plays amazing, I dare not think how good the l.e feels and plays.
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well just started hitting properly with my le and must say is a dream fantastic pick plus good size for the weight,exact shape i wanted and ball fly's off with ease looking forward to the season now