Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: Chalkie on May 07, 2017, 08:54:24 PM
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Sublime and ridiculous
Initially when the XP80 came out I wasn't really interested as big edges were my thing, also they were way beyond what I would consider paying for a bat. But reading glowing review after glowing review I became convinced I needed one. I did explore having a replica made by one of our sponsors, and thanks to those that tried to help me with this, especially John who managed to come up with a viable option.
However, the end of season sales in Aus brought the price down, and after selling a couple of decent but surplus bats, I took the plunge and ordered this amazing piece of willow.
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o744/alasdairwhite/IMG_1617_zpssl8qesz0.jpg) (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/alasdairwhite/media/IMG_1617_zpssl8qesz0.jpg.html)
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o744/alasdairwhite/IMG_1618_zpshg0oaiy8.jpg) (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/alasdairwhite/media/IMG_1618_zpshg0oaiy8.jpg.html) :D
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o744/alasdairwhite/IMG_1619_zpskurugnif.jpg) (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/alasdairwhite/media/IMG_1619_zpskurugnif.jpg.html)
I asked for 2'10, and they delivered 2'10.6
6 fairly straight grains, couple of brown specks, but no graping or other marks.
Spine is around 81m
Edge max is 25mm
Toe min 18mm, max 22mm
Shoulder min 14mm
Minimal concaving, but as with other examples the handle is pretty skinny and bound with tape.
As others have said the pick up is outstanding and the willow responds across a wide area.
Haven't decided yet whether to use it or frame it.
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I noticed you only took photos of the decent edge stamp!
The one on the other edge was doing my nut in when I saw it...
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Cracker!
You sound quite disappointed with it so if you want to move it on in the future ... ;)
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Haven't decided yet whether to use it or frame it.
(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/FRCCWoody/IMG_20170507_224022_zps6yidtfbd.jpg)
This.
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That looks like an absolute monster. Haven't seen one of these in the flesh yet but boy does it look fantastic
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Serious piece of willow Chalkie! I bet it will have a rather superb and generous middle!!
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Looks a cracker again mate!
Glad you bit the bullet and went for it in the end?? You won't be disappointed!!
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Glad you pulled the trigger on it in the end. Now wait till you use it. It gets even better
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Serious piece of willow Chalkie! I bet it will have a rather superb and generous middle!!
You must be convinced by now @petehosk ? :D
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Looking at pictures like these makes me sad that they're restricting bat sizes. :( Absolute works of art, looks incredible. Please put it to good use!
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You must be convinced by now @petehosk ? :D
You never know! ;)
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([url]http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r659/FRCCWoody/IMG_20170507_224022_zps6yidtfbd.jpg[/url])
This.
@Woodyspin can you do a tutorial on how to make a bat shelf ? I could do with a few of those ( god knows I've got the spare bats to do it too ) .
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@Chalkie - XP80 is an amazing bat. I tried the one from @jd163 and it was super light to pick up. Didn't really feel the weight at all ...
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Mine was 2.9 and it had one of the lightest pickup i have seen. Absolute monster in the sweetspot.
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@Chalkie - XP80 is an amazing bat. I tried the one from @jd163 and it was super light to pick up. Didn't really feel the weight at all ...
Mine is 2-11 (or 2-12, have to weight it again), double gripped and it does feel its weight. The bottom part of the handle is also thick (oval) for my hands. I know people love XP-80s, but I can't say the same about it. Toe is prone to cracking too.
I think they are good conversation pieces because of the high spine but out of all GN big bats, I don't like it much.
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Mine was 2.9 and it had one of the lightest pickup i have seen. Absolute monster in the sweetspot.
I think 2.9 is the right weight for that bat.
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The bat looks great for sure, but from utility perspective, would have been better if the 70/80 spine is lower down the blade...with the peak being so high, wonder how many balls would be hit off the middle and so high...if most of the balls are being hit off the lower part of the spine where spine is maybe 60 or lower, the bat is not really being used to its optimum...was seeing one of the opposition players recently using the xp70, and except for the cross bat shots, the drives didn't have any power at all, could be the batsman but i also think it is due to almost no wood at the driving area..
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Mine was 2.9 and it had one of the lightest pickup i have seen. Absolute monster in the sweetspot.
That's too light for you @jd163. Perfect for me though :D.