Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Wickets-then-runs on August 31, 2016, 09:13:03 AM
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Just watched Pauls video introducing his new branding. Looks very nice! To me, it looks very much like the retro Laver branding...?
It reminds me of when Paul launched the Spectre model and claimed he didnt know that Marcus at Affinity had model named that for a couple of seasons already.
The power of subliminal advertising maybe... :)
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Looks identical to Lavers' branding - personally I prefer the old labels, not a fan of these at all. The font doesn't seem right, just looks like a rushed word art job...
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They definitely look like lavers and I agree they don't quite look right. They also look very basic just standard laminated vinyl stuff where as I think if he added some chrome and or embossing they would look much better
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It also looks like a generic microsoft word-art shape, so I doubt there is any copyright. I see the simulatity and the Laver retro stickers immediately sprung to mind. I'm sure you could pull up photos of label designs circa 1920-1930 and find this style. I guess this is the whole point, simple, retro and elegant.
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Retro - I guess
Elegant - Not the first word that sprung to my mind!
Very Lavery I agree, but Laver & Wood is two words so it sort of works in this style.
For me Aldred is only one word and not enough letters, so doesn't look quite right in this font. The random word underneath the main sticker also removes the (intended) elegance I feel.
Am I being overly harsh? Probably
I have a feeling these are a bit marmite though...
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From what I gather the feedback on this new branding has been positive (in general) however I am yet to get my hands on one so cant really comment on what they look like in the flesh. As soon as I do though I will give you a review.
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He 'trained' with laver and wood if I recall you correctly so if there is any copying I doubt it's an issue with either party.
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Copying seems a bit strong. I really like this new branding. The font and formatting a different to the lavers. If you look at early cricket bats they were all fairly similar in branding format. Given its more traditional it was likely to be similar to something already done. I think it is much more in keeping with him and his character than the other labels. I for one am happy to see something much simpler. I can't stand most of the branding, chrome embossing and every other useless gimmick.
Fundamentally everything is influenced by somethings else and the more traditional in nature the more influences it will received, hence as much as everyone likes to feel that they have come up with something new one way or anther there will be influences that help create writhing the field or out.
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Retro - I guess
Elegant - Not the first word that sprung to my mind!
Very Lavery I agree, but Laver & Wood is two words so it sort of works in this style.
For me Aldred is only one word and not enough letters, so doesn't look quite right in this font. The random word underneath the main sticker also removes the (intended) elegance I feel.
Am I being overly harsh? Probably
I have a feeling these are a bit marmite though...
Elegant was more in reference to the Laver retro sticker desigh. That font appeals to me in maroon .... because I just purchased a TR Original in them lol.
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There are things in life to get your knickers in a twist about ...
This doesn't strike me as one of them.
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There are things in life to get your knickers in a twist about ...
This doesn't strike me as one of them.
I think people are just sharing their opinions, which is the intended purpose of a forum, rather than getting their knickers in a twist
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haha, probably
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I saw the video and well, stickers are stickers and don't bother me much. So, that's that. But...the bat in the video looks sweeeet! He does a great job of finishing his bats. I am a big fan. :)
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Like the stickers
And the bat in the vid looks a stunner!
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After reading most of the thread before i watched the video, i was expecting something horrendous!!
Although they aren't the best stickers i've ever seen, i really dont think that they are that bad. Paul obviously takes a lot of pride in the quality of finish and craftsmanship that he puts into every bat and i think the main reason he likes these stickers is that they show it off!!
Rather have these stickers and a properly fitted handle than nicer stickers covering up a bodge job!!
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After reading most of the thread before i watched the video, i was expecting something horrendous!!
Although they aren't the best stickers i've ever seen, i really dont think that they are that bad. Paul obviously takes a lot of pride in the quality of finish and craftsmanship that he puts into every bat and i think the main reason he likes these stickers is that they show it off!!
Rather have these stickers and a properly fitted handle than nicer stickers covering up a bodge job!!
My thoughts exactly, if people really hate them I'm sure Paul would substitute them for another type of sticker he makes.
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Personally not a huge fan of the stickers. However Paul make a fantastic bat.
A former teammate who works at M&h criticised my Aldred Supreme as he claimed the stickers weren't put on straight. I can't say I could see what he was talking about. I said that he has much more practise stickering bats than making bats and so perhaps he would know best. He wasn't happy.
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Personally not a huge fan of the stickers. However Paul make a fantastic bat.
A former teammate who works at M&h criticised my Aldred Supreme as he claimed the stickers weren't put on straight. I can't say I could see what he was talking about. I said that he has much more practise stickering bats than making bats and so perhaps he would know best. He wasn't happy.
Did he have a SStrop? ;)
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He was livid, especially when I told him hiSS batSS were overpriced.
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I am a big fan of Paul's work and got 3 bats from him but i think these stickers looks very similar to Laver & Wood. The honest logic behind the new stickers makes sense but he needs to come up with a different design.
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Personally not a huge fan of the stickers. However Paul make a fantastic bat.
A former teammate who works at M&h criticised my Aldred Supreme as he claimed the stickers weren't put on straight. I can't say I could see what he was talking about. I said that he has much more practise stickering bats than making bats and so perhaps he would know best. He wasn't happy.
Gold Jerry, It's Gold! :D
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I am a big fan of Paul's work and got 3 bats from him but i think these stickers looks very similar to Laver & Wood. The honest logic behind the new stickers makes sense but he needs to come up with a different design.
Having now knocked a Aldred, Newbery(s), Blank Bats, B3(s), GM, GN(s), Kookaburra and many others and reviewed recently reviewed Phantom, Laver I can recommend Aldred bats without any hesitation. Pressing and willow selection on his G1 bats is outstanding and the handle fitting is top class.
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I'm sure the bats are guns based on the reviews I've seen from people, but for me the brand just isn't appealing to my eyes
On the stickers this topic is about, at a glance I would say they are the least worst of the lot, but I've never seen an Aldred in person before so if I see one my opinion could change
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The Sovereign stickers are really nice, these really aren't imo. @Batbuddy99 if you get hold of one you'll change your mind, no question!
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Seems like Paul isnt happy with the forum's opinion on his new stickers looking at Facebook and neither are a few on his Facebook fans happy with forum opinion's
As stated look ok but nothing more to me exactly how i feel about the Aldred bat I owned and others Iv used
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I think, unfortunately, Paul's opinion of the forum's opinion is less than objective these days due to a few unfortunate comments.
Good luck to any small brand that's forging it's way in a crowded marketplace, ultimately a good bat should outweigh any of it's stickers.
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As I said on there I would not be happy with the way the forum seems to attack people and brands of late
It's all Greek to me as I can't see why anyone buys bats based on stickers but I'm old fashioned like that and bats are for destroying not looking good
Might get these stickers when I get mine refurbed to see what they are like
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Youre not wrong Fattus, plus it's pretty clear from his post that he hasnt read this thread himself. What can you do, man makes great bats but doesn't like forums.
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He doesn't take criticism very well at all.
Stickers have clearly taken inspiration from Laver as do his photos on wood shavings. No need to deny it, don't even comment on the matter. Photo's and new retro stickers look great as always.
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I don't think he has taken from laver with stickers
I'm sure with most soft or bat designs and even stickers if you look hard enough you could say it's been done somewhere else
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The new stickers aren't appealing to me, however the sovereigns & other ranges i really do enjoy. Im not quite sold on pauls attitude, but if you make a mean bat, you make a mean bat.
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Paul makes a great cricket bat, unfortunately his customer service and attitude I'm not a fan off.
The bat I bought was no good for me, but the guy I moved it on to loved it last I heard and it's going well for him.
His finishing is top notch. Not sure that can be questioned.
His stickers in my opinion are on the good side out there, the previous ones were superb, and I personally don't mind his new ones.
Yes they look like lavers retro range and chances paul took some inspiration from them, but look into the world of cricket bats, hundreds of times stickers have been copied. Names re used etc.
Unfortunately there isn't a finite style to make the stickers and a few ideas will be rehashed. Hell if it works and looks nice do it!
Is the forum hyper critical? Yes. Hell how boring would this place be if we just liked everything and praised constantly.
And I presume that's why paul is no longer on here, he doesn't take critism well, and does not like being questioned.
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The forum has never been a hippie fest but it has got to mob mentality on here and if you can take criticism or not I know of 4-5 brands that have stopped coming on here as too many people not willing to discuss only criticise
people cannot have cake and eat it too
Can't attack the way it does then moan that brands don't post anymore or contribute
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Bought a bat from Paul, when I visited him the UK in the spring, a Gold sovereign with no stickers. Haven't used it yet. Seems like a no none sense type of bloke. Extremely well made bat, stickers personally no matter the brand don't really hold much appeal for me, but then I'm an old git.
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I'm having an interesting conversation with someone on the Aldred Facebook page about fake grain sheets. He reckons Gray Nicss use them in the same way that those con artists at CX do. I've never seen a GN with a fake grain sheet except cheap Kashmir ones but I'm open to what he's got to say. Having seen hundreds, probably thousands of GN bats, I'm pretty confident I'm right but we'll see where it goes.
All seems to be quite civil and amicable, I'm sure it's the sort of chat that could have taken place on the forum, a shame Aldred felt the need to leave.
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I personally think the old supreme stickers were the nicest he's done, these new ones don't quite work for me.
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I'm having an interesting conversation with someone on the Aldred Facebook page about fake grain sheets. He reckons Gray Nicss use them in the same way that those con artists at CX do. I've never seen a GN with a fake grain sheet except cheap Kashmir ones but I'm open to what he's got to say. Having seen hundreds, probably thousands of GN bats, I'm pretty confident I'm right but we'll see where it goes.
All seems to be quite civil and amicable, I'm sure it's the sort of chat that could have taken place on the forum, a shame Aldred felt the need to leave.
GN have used fake grain sheets at times, the plastic type though not being deceptive like CX and only on very entry level bats.
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I've been reading the recent FB posts where Pauls having a whinge about the CBF. He fails to mention or address the claims of poor customer service and attitude that caused this drama in the first place.
He clearly doesn't handle criticism well, whenever one person says they don't like something on here he immediately posts on FB about how much everyone in that group likes them. The only reason the opinions have been more positive since he left the forum is because that FB group is for fans of his bats, and they won't say a bad word abut them, reckon if someone did they'd get blocked and removed from the group.
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He clearly doesn't handle criticism well, whenever one person says they don't like something on here he immediately posts on FB about how much everyone in that group likes them. The only reason the opinions have been more positive since he left the forum is because that FB group is for fans of his bats, and they won't say a bad word abut them, reckon if someone did they'd get blocked and removed from the group.
I had a poor experience with Aldred bats but didn't have chance to post on FB (not that I would have TBH) he deleted me straight away... Paul does not deal with criticism well as others have said.
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No one enjoys criticism but he dose come across overly defensive and aggressive instead of explaining his reasoning, the whole dead weight vs scale weight argument did me. His attitude seems to be because he played a reasonable level of cricket as a bowler that averaged 11 with the bat his opinion on what feels right for you should be up to him. Still, it's his business and he is entitled to run it how he sees fit, a little bit like IJC in terms of like hanging it out there for praise but don't like it the other way.
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All this surprises me as I had a problem with a bat but it was fixed no quibble really
Paul did say give it a try as he thinks it will be fine, it wasn't then he fixed it no quibble
Both my match bats are aldreds and I must have been lucky I guess as had 4 off him and all great bats and great service
I just hope we don't scare off all the brands and makers with our "hyper critical" we are kings attitude as it will be a boring place without them
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It was the debate over dead weight and pick up that I had with him, agreed a 2.10 bat which came just over 2.13, to cut a fairly long story short it eventually went back to him for some weight reduction when it arrived back to me the bat was approx 2oz lighter but also an inch shorter!!
Can I add that the spectre I got looked amazing and tapped up really really well, I would have loved one but couldn't accept it under the circumstances, maybe another time in the future but I would visit to get it that's for sure.
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All this surprises me as I had a problem with a bat but it was fixed no quibble really
Paul did say give it a try as he thinks it will be fine, it wasn't then he fixed it no quibble
Both my match bats are aldreds and I must have been lucky I guess as had 4 off him and all great bats and great service
I just hope we don't scare off all the brands and makers with our "hyper critical" we are kings attitude as it will be a boring place without them
I don't think anyone was questioning his bat making ability.
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All this surprises me as I had a problem with a bat but it was fixed no quibble really
Paul did say give it a try as he thinks it will be fine, it wasn't then he fixed it no quibble
Both my match bats are aldreds and I must have been lucky I guess as had 4 off him and all great bats and great service
I just hope we don't scare off all the brands and makers with our "hyper critical" we are kings attitude as it will be a boring place without them
I am not doubting his quality but the attitude did turn me off trying one. I agree with the hyper critical thing, all the "experts" out there can wear you down.
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Its potato potaato to me as some rave about certain brands on here and I can't stand them due to crap service or crap product
I think people find their fit with people and brands but maybe people expect too much from customer service but maybe some brands need to have more patience
oh well it seems the forum hasn't exploded and Paul is doing great business so all good
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To be honest this thread was clearly started to draw attention to the stickers. Now some are shocked he has defended his positon on his group page and going in for a second hit on customer service etc. Not really the greatest read.
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Personally I love the new stickers, less is deffinately more in my eyes, and I can't fault the quality of Paul's work, would I buy again based on stickers? I don't know, once bitten and all that..