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[Alvaro]

Well, we've all had chance to digest the 2016 bat offerings from the Big Boys like GN, GM, Slaz, Kook. I'm sure that we've seen a few about at nets and friendlies too.

My questions are: which are the best you've seen or even used; which are the ones you think will be consigned to the room marked GM Sigma/GN Vortex, etc...?

IMO the GN Supernova is a great shape - just the right amount of concaving to give a good pickup but retain a forgiving response. The GM Maxi is a dog. Well, the OLE someone bought at my club is. The middle is very much isolated down at the bottom with jarring a fairly common occurrence.  Might just need more prep though.

[bk]

Have seen a couple of Kookaburra Ghost bats around. They say they're only made in Grade 3 but they look fantastic and seem good value. Other than that have seen a few B3s. The Series DB2 is a great bat for bouncier tracks and indoor nets. Will have to wait and see how it goes on early season wickets.

[Buzz]

I think the GM top end softs are all too heavy and bulky, which I was gutted about.

I had a play with a few Newbery Merlin's in Romida in leatherhead the other day and they were absolutely beautiful - totally wasted on the customers who were all going for the Indian brands - which were at similar prices.
(not that this is a criticism of Indian bats, which are frequently wonderful but these Merlin's were something else.)

[Alvaro]

I agree Buzz. The Merlins are lovely bats. In purely cosmetic terms, it is a shame about the dog-awful stickers!

[Centurion]

I agree Buzz. The Merlins are lovely bats. In purely cosmetic terms, it is a shame about the dog-awful stickers!

How do you not like the stickers?! They look fantastic imo

[shamelessshaun]

I'm partial to a GM Mana. I dont think it will be too long before one works it way into my kit bag.

[liscon12]

I'm partial to a GM Mana. I dont think it will be too long before one works it way into my kit bag.

That and the Paragon look good IMO, you can add the GM Aura to the list of bats that didn't last long too!

[Sitonit]

I had a jaw dropping effect after looking at this
.
.


 

Check this out . a local guy got this made from laver






May look a little odd from pics. But it's massive 3-12 and a big chunk of willow.

Spoke to Tony at L&W but the lightest they could whittle one for me was is 3.4 ... which is quite heavy for me.

And Yes, Merlin bat looks awesome.

[Alvaro]

That's a big old bat, but it's not off the shelf!

[sultanofswing]

Kookaburra Ghost takes some beating for me, saw one and just couldn't resist!

[Batbuddy99]

That's a big old bat, but it's not off the shelf!

I beg to differ
I know of about 3 now, and I think it's highly unlikely they are all custom mades that just happened to be the same

[Sitonit]

I beg to differ
I know of about 3 now, and I think it's highly unlikely they are all custom mades that just happened to be the same

Yep, I have the same feeling. Perhaps they are not custom anymore.

To OP, It's not exactly in 2016 but Warsop's Marlin bat really caught my attention. Loved the shape and class.

[WalkingWicket37]

The H4L Warbird is getting a lot of love on the forum, but we don't really represent the normal bat buying public do we...

From what I saw newly purchased at my club New Balance are definitely popular with the kids.
The new bats I've seen purchased by "grown ups" (used very lightly) have been a New Balance DC1080, a Newbery Kudos 2 and a GM Mana.

My club are all wisteria who don't change their bat every 3 weeks though.... Madness

[Alvaro]

I beg to differ
I know of about 3 now, and I think it's highly unlikely they are all custom mades that just happened to be the same

Great! Do, nice to have a healthy discussion.

NB is a good shout.

[jd163]

Kookaburra Ghost bat & Phantom LE softs are my favorites for this year.