Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => B3 Cricket => Topic started by: rockymoghal on April 30, 2016, 05:35:51 PM
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Okay so I've finally made my decision and decided to get myself a B3 custom bat. Never owned a custom bat before so this will be interesting. I've booked an appointment with B3 in late May. Just wanted to ask people here on their absolute No.1 bat shape. Need some ideas as I've never really thought about bat shapes and design. Just picked a bat up on feel and bought it. I'm hoping you guys can help inspire my perfect bat.
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1271 - trott profile .
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Interesting, I've read a few things about the trott profile and how it is an 'absolute gun'. Do you have any pictures by any chance?
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Probably best to look at your old/used bat and see where you hit the ball. Best to get something that suits your game.
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Oh okay so I basically need a bat with no middle and 50mm edges :) Not been the best batsmen. Tore my ligament in my knee so I'm hoping to use the season and winter to try to be more of an all-rounder and not just a bowler who swings the bat.
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Custom bats are great when:
a.) you absoutely know the specs you want or have a model/shape you want to replicate;
b.) want to experiment with shapes.
c.) visit the bat maker's workshop and can have an interactive experience while your bat is being made.
If none of the above are true, then you are gambling with your money. You may get a bat that you think meets your specs but until you play with that shape, you wouldn't know if it is right for you. I speak from experience after wasting thousands of dollars.
In my experience, the best way to get a custom bat made is by either:
a.) visiting the bat maker yourself and discussing what you want while trying out some bats/shape present in the workshop.
b.) work thru an agent (forum sponsors) who can look after the kind of pressing and shape of the bat and will work closely with the bat maker to ensure your needs/specs are met.
If you are looking for a off-the-shelf bat, try out some models off your friends/team mates. If you like a model in a given weight, reach out to an agent (forum sponsor, friend, anyone who knows about bats more than you do) and have them pick a bat for in your desired shape or weight. Several forum sponsors handpick bats and have excellent bats in stock.
If it sounds like I am dissuading you from getting a custom bat, I am not. I am sharing my experiences. If I knew 5 years ago what I know now, this is what I would do. Basically, this is what I have done (i.e following my own advice) with the current bat acquisitions I have made. And, I have some serious battage ( :D ) in possession. :D
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Very well written post^^^^^^
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@InternalTraining Thank you for the brilliant advice. I think I am half deciding on a custom bat just because I like the idea of having a bat I can design. The only problem is I am not exactly sure what it is exactly that I want. The only bat I have ever truly loved was a Kookaburra "Diablo" which may not have been 100% authentic shall we say. Since that bat broke I have just used most of the asian brand bats from team mates or my dad, which in my opinion aren't always ideal for the pitches here. I will take your advice and try my best to make a decision. Thank you for sharing and sounds like you have a impressive bat collection :D
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Custom bats are great when:
a.) you absoutely know the specs you want or have a model/shape you want to replicate;
b.) want to experiment with shapes.
c.) visit the bat maker's workshop and can have an interactive experience while your bat is being made.
A very well thought out & compiled post. If point c can be met, the rest should automatically fall in place unless you are not at all sure about what you require.
If point b is the priority, the best and sometimes the only option will be a custom made bat.
On a personal front, visiting a bat maker is impossible for me as I reside outside UK but I have still got a few bats made to my specs. They are all very nice but some of the specs. though mostly minor have got missed out almost always. Won't blame the bat maker alone, I too had to learn to communicate the specs. to them (without leaving out even those which may seem insignificant at first).
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A very well thought out & compiled post. If point c can be met, the rest should automatically fall in place unless you are not at all sure about what you require.
If point b is the priority, the best and sometimes the only option will be a custom made bat.
On a personal front, visiting a bat maker is impossible for me as I reside outside UK but I have still got a few bats made to my specs. They are all very nice but some of the specs. though mostly minor have got missed out almost always. Won't blame the bat maker alone, I too had to learn to communicate the specs. to them (without leaving out even those which may seem insignificant at first).
Might warrant a separate thread ... What all details did you give to get a bat maker to do an exact copy of the design you are looking for ? With B3, i can understand since they provide CAD diagrams which clearly show the all the measurements. How about others ? How did you work with them ? What are those details which seemed insignificant at first ? Just curious .... :D
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@rockymoghal - Getting to visit bat maker in person is the best option possible. If possible carry your current favorite bat. You can use that to compare with the new bat ...
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@avkrish @sanredrose I think going to see B3 at their workshop will give me the best chance to look at and try out different bat shapes and weights. I have what's left of my favourite bat so I can take that as some starting point. I have certain features I want in my bat E.g. Minimal concaving and mid-low middle. Hopefully the guys at B3 can help me with the rest.
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I would think you won't have any problem selecting your bat & specs, whilst I haven't been myself, by all accounts they have quite a few pre made bats to look at to clarify your thoughts and a mutual understanding between you and them as to what you are wanting. What I can say is that they certainly know their stuff and produce very well performing bats, so I would be surprised if you aren't happy with your bat when all is said and done.
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@Bats_Galore Yeah I'm really looking forward to it. Never actually owned my own bat so this will be a special moment. What are people's opinion on grading? I know there is quite a jump in price between 2 stripe and 3 stripe. Anyone had both? Is it worth spending the extra or is it purely for people who just want the bat to look better? I think that is the last decision I need to make. I wouldn't say looks are the only criteria but when you're spending more than I ever have on a bat I guess you do want it to look nice.
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Ive currently got a 3 stripe and given the chance again id probably get a 2 stripe to save a little cash. Theres been plenty of cracking bats across all grades from b3 on the forum, you wont be dissapointed.
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If it were me I wouldn't spend the extra, I am not convinced that the higher grade of bat will play better, and given that AOC gear test had the B3 bats in reverse order from their grading, I would go with the lowest grade. Also since you are there and see your cleft, you should be able to get one you like the look of even if its in a lower grade, just might have some specs of marbling etc.
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@Bats_Galore Thanks for that. I have seen some cracking 2 stripe bats which could easily be graded a 3 stripe in my opinion. From what I've heard the most important thing for a bat to ping is the pressing. Is there anything else I should keep in mind?
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If it were me I wouldn't spend the extra, I am not convinced that the higher grade of bat will play better, and given that AOC gear test had the B3 bats in reverse order from their grading, I would go with the lowest grade. Also since you are there and see your cleft, you should be able to get one you like the look of even if its in a lower grade, just might have some specs of marbling etc.
My view on our grading (or for that matter) anybodies grading whom is transparent with their grades;
1 Stripe - entry level bat, wont look the prettiest, in terms looks but will play well - generally heavier (density)
2 stripe is a great value for money bat
3 stripe will look nice and play superbly
Crown - you know all aout these beasts
I disagree with the AOC test;
Not sure how you can compare bats of different weights, as the heavier the bat, the better the bat will play, so to compare a 3lb bat with a 2lb 10oz bat is not right. In my opinion you need to compare apples with apples and set a weight range for each catergory.
Also, how can you score on pick up, as one mans ferrari will be anothers fiat.....
Streaky
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completely agree, the weight ranges in the gear test vary massively. it is like putting a heavy weight with a feather weight boxer. I think for future tests weight ranges for each categories would make it much fairer. The pick up and balance test, different shapes will always pick up differently, so maybe categories for different shapes such as high middle mid middle mid to low and low, will help level the playing field.
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I disagree with the AOC test;
Not sure how you can compare bats of different weights, as the heavier the bat, the better the bat will play, so to compare a 3lb bat with a 2lb 10oz bat is not right. In my opinion you need to compare apples with apples and set a weight range for each catergory.
Also, how can you score on pick up, as one mans ferrari will be anothers fiat.....
Streaky
I have been trying to figure out how AOC ranks bats that have different profiles, weights and other specs. As the bats are tested by players with different styles and preferences, maybe they have a way of averaging the score and decide on overall rating. Not too sure that someone who buys a brand /model that is ranked no. 1 in the AOC tests will be happy with his purchase though, as his personal preferences could be completely different.
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It's scored the same as any other subjective test, multiple scores averaged out. All those doing testing will have different views and it's averaged to give a rough idea to the reader.
I agree that the weights should be standardized though, leaning forward to drive a few underarm feeds is always going to make a 3lb monster look better than a 2'7" wand.
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My view on our grading (or for that matter) anybodies grading whom is transparent with their grades;
1 Stripe - entry level bat, wont look the prettiest, in terms looks but will play well - generally heavier (density)
2 stripe is a great value for money bat
3 stripe will look nice and play superbly
Crown - you know all aout these beasts
I disagree with the AOC test;
Not sure how you can compare bats of different weights, as the heavier the bat, the better the bat will play, so to compare a 3lb bat with a 2lb 10oz bat is not right. In my opinion you need to compare apples with apples and set a weight range for each catergory.
Also, how can you score on pick up, as one mans ferrari will be anothers fiat.....
Streaky
Regarding the AOC test, did you not supply them with bats of the same weight?
Regarding the grading, I agree that the grading is based on looks, and to a lesser degree density. To my understanding the grading is initially set by the willow merchant, and whilst wood maybe downgraded if it isn't as responsive, I have never seen a top grade bat with faults all over it, because it performs outstandingly. As such if you are worried about the looks of the bat whether that is the size of the bat or grain structure, it is worth buying a top grade bat, but if you are only worried about the performance, I cannot see that it is worth spending the extra for the higher grade.
I am fully willing to accept that I may be the exception, but I haven't found that the best performing bats are necessarily the highest grade. I have had butterfly bats that are exceptional, and I have had average top grade bats.
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I would go for a 2 stripe, that way it hasn't cost too much when you go back sooner than you think with a tweak to the design.
I never go on looks, they get covered in cherries and marks, I always prefer performance.
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I guess it's something I can talk to B3 about. I don't really play at a high level but this will most likely be my only bat of the season so price isn't an issue for me. I just find contradicting information about whether the upgrade in willow is worth the extra price. @LDifa have you ever had to return a bat for tweaking? I wonder how easily it can be done if I do want the bat tweaked. So many decisions to make. I guess the problem with grading and price is that everyone will have a different opinion based upon their own personal experience. I know players who use £60 bats which absolutely ping, and have also seen players with £400+ bats that seem like absolute planks. I guess only my own experience will guide me and maybe in the future I will have an answer to my own question lol. I do respect a lot of the opnions on here as the combined knowledge on this forum is vast. @The Doctor I do agree with you about the grading process in the AOC test. I would much rather here what people who have used the bats for an extended period of time have to say about it. I will say that the great reputation that B3 has must show that they know what they are doing. Just need to decide on the grading. Decisions, decisions :) :D
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Hey Rocky,
although I didnt pop in with a few tweaks to make I did have an old bat mapped with tweaks being made as well as having some weight taken from a couple of other bats.
The bat map was brilliant as I asked for the old bat to be modernized and made a little bigger, in terms of what streaky did - he asked me if i wanted bigger edges, spine or both and then we discussed how he would make the shape even better. Even the smallest of details were discussed.
Closer to tweaks being made with the weight reductions - i tasked B3 with trying to get 3oz out of one bat and 3 and a half out of another. We took some time to discuss exactly how we could do it as it is quite a significant reduction. Everything i asked for was listened to including a double binding, changing the toe from square to rounded and much more, so i have no doubts if you took your bat in for tweaks B3 would be able to change even the smallest thing.
In terms of grading i've had two very early 1 stripes from B3 and an offer 3 stripe and I would say the performance is quite a bit better the higher the amount of stripes. This could also be that B3 have had a few years to improve the process or better willow these days. Im not sure, not quite an expert.
So to sum up - im pretty sure B3 will be able to sort even the smallest of your tweaks and ive experienced a significant improvement with a higher stripe ( I also really want to try a crown out)
Hope this helps :)
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Hi @ch1p,
Thanks for post. I am really looking forward to my visit with B3. Sounds like you had a great time designing your bat. I will see what Dave says and it may just be that I go one off and just jump in with a higher grade bat. If not I'll probably be asking myself what the higher grade bat was really like until I manage to get another bat lol. Thanks for the information though, it gives me an idea of the process and what to expect. You mentioned rounding off the toe, what does that achieve? Is it simply to help the pickup? I'm trying to learn as much as I can so I have some knowledge when I visit B3 :D
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Hi Rocky, on a second visit Gavin shaved a bit more weight out of my bat for me, and it is an absolute gun, just felt a tad heavy.
I have had two butterflies and they pinged for fun, you can always get wood taken off, just a bit hard to put it back on!
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@LDifa That sounds like excellent customer service. How long is the tweaking process? Was it a same day job? Also how long did it take for you to receive the bat from design to end product? I am really intrigued by the "crown" grade, it doesn't seem to be on their website. Does anyone have any experience with the crown grade and what is the difference between crown and 3 stripe? I think I'm just going to go for it and get myself a top of the line bat. Obviously if it goes well for me then I can always add to my growing bat collection :D :D
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Rocky I am really sorry - I cannot remember how long it took to receive, it wasn't long, speak with Streaky @B3 he will be honest about timescales. As for customer service they are exceptional, the tweaking was done in front of my eyes and I took it home with me, an absolute pleasure to watch.
On key birthdays we all have a whip round at my club and have bought 3 or 4 bats (one stripe), the last had orange stickers for a Blackpool fan. We took one chap down on a road trip for the full experience, under guidance he worked on the gentle hand finishing of the handle and loved it.
Crown willow is expensive, it is - and a cheap ball can put a crack in any bat, my advice is 2 stripe all the way, then use the money savedfor B3 pads and gloves