I have seen and used several GMs from 404s to 909s from about 2012 models to last years and haven't seen a single plank, even the 404s/505s were absolute guns..Was really impressed with their consistency of pressing irrespective of willow grade. One difference I found between bats like SS/SG and GM is that with GM, if you "punch" the ball or try to use brute force, it will feel dead, but the moment you try to time it, it feels completely different like a gun. Even the tiny edge bats like the flare at 2-7 weights went ballistic. With SS however, "punch" will feel responsive . I think it is due to the harder pressing on the GM. And this is not a bad thing at all with GM/harder pressing as I found it forced me try to time all the balls which is actually a good thing, while with SS, I would be tempted to just brute force hit sometimes. Not to mention it will lead to more durable bat as long as you continue timing it...Interestingly, I once had a SS knocked in by a guy who used a lignum vitae mallet and really knocked it hard. And that particular bat also felt like the GM where timed shots would go well, but punch would feel dead. Maybe another thread for a discussion on this but an interesting observation to me on the difference in pressings and behavior.