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[leatherseat]

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading the posts, information and opinions on this forum.

I am very tempted to have a bat custom made, but have a query regarding specifying the ideal 'pick-up'.
In the past I have bought my bats by going into a shop, choosing a shortlist (by weight, appearance etc) and then seeing how they 'pick-up'. The one with the stand out 'pick-up' is the one I've bought.

As we know, two similar bats can 'pick-up' differently from each other. Conversely (as best we can tell) the same bat can feel different to different batsmen.  My concern is this - if I get a custom-made bat, there is no 'selecting which feels best'; it is a matter of the bat-maker working his magic to try to meet my spec. in producing a single bat. But, if the pick up doesn't feel quite right to me, what do I do?
Do I -
1) Accept the quality product and trust the bat-maker - persevere, safe in the knowledge I will grow accustomed to the feel of the bat?
2) Reluctantly let it gather dust in the corner,as it doesn't feel quite right? or
3) Stop being paranoid - a good bat-maker will meet your requirements and as there is no bat to compare it with, there is only one preferred 'pick-up'?

I'd welcome your views and experiences on this.

Many thanks,
David

[jamferg]

go to a custom bat maker in person.then you can test pick up along the way through the process. this is what paul aldred did with me . highly recommended!!

[horseman]

I second jamferg.
Paul is easy to deal with, quick to reply to questions and really gets the best out of weight to pick up ratio.
Main points are to maximise your preferred hitting area, whilst retaining a nice airy pick up.

[yogi206]

yeah definitely get one made whilst you are there, you can select the cleft from over 70-80 at least, ask the bat maker for a rough weight range, I actually pick a bat on pick up only. as you say it doesn't matter what a bat weighs at the end of the day it is how it feels and this is something you have to do in person, I never have and don't think I would buy a bat online / not in person and ask for a 2"8 or something..... but personal preference makes the world go round !

[Seniorplayer]

When bat buying pickup and feel to most players are an important consideration find a bat maker who will allow you to be in attendance while your bat is being manufactured or finished that way you can ensure the bat is made to your personal specifications.

[Cumbrian Pete]

I've tried both visiting a bat maker (the excellent Paul Aldred) and buying online (the equally excellent Matt at H4L) and received fantastic bats from both, with equally good pick ups.  I enjoyed the experience of watching Paul make my Aldred to my exact spec and checking the pick up along the way, but given how well my H4L picks up (Matt matched my specs exactly), I cannot honestly say that visiting a bat maker will always give you a bat that picks up better than a bat bought online.  So, if you are nowhere near the bat maker who you have selected to make your next bat (as I wasn't with H4L) then there is nothing wrong with buying online and trusting in the skill of the bat maker to make you a bat that picks up well, subject to your specification.

Pete

[tim2000s]

To add, if you have a shape. That works for you, a good bat maker will be able to make a copy from a few photos.  Due to willow variation, you can't guarantee it will be exactly the same but it should be pretty close.

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