Well my Gold Sovereign has arrived, it's gorgeous. It's absolutely superbly finished and I don't think the butterfly stain even looks ugly, it gives it character. I wonder if I should have gone for a tiny bit lighter pickup, I can feel it's a tad heavier than my usual 2-8 but I'm splitting hairs. Can't wait to use it, must be patient! Been getting some funny looks playing air shots in the office.

One question Paul (and might help other customers), you say they'll take a bit longer than some bats to "open up", I don't have the luxury of being able to spend hours in the nets, so would loads of extra knocking in with the mallet concentrating around the butterfly mark help to get it ready quicker?