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[jonny77]

Anyone any experience using a Gunn & Moore Signiture grade? I'd found this on the net, says grade 2 but seems cheap - https://www.cricket-hockey.com/gm-zelos-l555-signature-cricket-bat-2018?gclid=CjwKCAjw7frPBRBVEiwAuDf_LVt0w8MPfJvPGxDwusHWkHlupXm3-yEXOFHR3ifvJFfaixaGqPaovxoCYZcQAvD_BwE#/4-cricket_bat_size-short_handle/14-weight-2lbs_9oz

[Vitas Cricket]

A signature is slightly above a 606

[jonny77]

Thanks Jake. I'd seen that on the site as it gives a guide ti the grading. Just wondered if anyone had used one and how they performed?

 I picked up the Focus Evo G1 In the 50% sale and it seems nice,  but was looking at the GM Chrome as a back up/net bat as it's a similar shape, then came across this.

[jonny77]

yeah I like the Chrome shape, the ones I've seen pick up nice too. This just seemed cheap for a grade 2, but I've never gone anything but Grade 1 bats before. I'll keep an eye out for a Chrome maybe at a decent price.

[Uzi Sports]

We have both zelos and haze range in stock , all these are available in store and online
I have already posted photos of few of these on the forum
Any questions plz dm

[Neon Cricket]

The Chrome Signature I picked up from Uzi last season was good value for the performance - can't really go wrong at that price IMO.

[jonny77]

Thanks for the input. As i said I've always gone top end with bats but the more i read the more i think there's probably better value lower done the grades (if i stopped being a snob!). Did you find it massively different from a top end/G1 bat performance wise?

[Neon Cricket]

Honestly, not really at all. It took longer to get going, but I think that's more a GM thing than the grade. Once fully knocked/played in it was as good as anything in my collection.

I'm a firm believer that grade is largely just aesthetics, I've seen plenty of G3s perform as well as G1 - it's all in the pressing!

[jonny77]

Good to know. Haven't played in a while but starting again next year and the best bat I ever had was a GM Canon, but was the Original model. Maybe need to look at other options/grades too then.

[Neon Cricket]

Main issue is the tool on the end of the bat though

Don't say that out loud Dan, sacrilege!

[jonny77]

Agree with @Neon Cricket regarding grading, especially GM who for example instantly downgrade heartwood and all bats of all grades will be the same size and shape.

I'd judge a bat as an individual bit of wood and be open to all grades.

I've got a 15/16 grain, 50/50 heartwood sapwood 404 and initial impressions are that it is at least equal to other G1's I have for how it goes. Even if it isn't phenomenal it will be more than ok for variable quality balls in nets! The grains are a bit wavy and the heartwood slightly darker at one edge with a hard bar under the sticker... does it make it a bad bat? I've had 2 GM Originals which didn't go as well and currently have an 808 which is better in terms of ball rebound than all of these.

You might also find it interesting to look up the white paper linked recently where the subjective mallet response was compared to actual ball rebound across different grades and models of GM's. The 808's performed best across all models tested with the 404's being worse and the OLE's being slightly worse than the 808's... few years old now but it does go to show it can pay to keep an open mind

Main issue is the tool on the end of the bat though

Ha ha, very true! I'm working on that too though  After 10 years out of the game it'll be interesting to see how I go but always like to have confidence in my gear first. I've got down to play off 6 at golf over the last 10 years and one thing I've learned is paying big bucks for gear will not solve issues caused by bad technique. However if only psychologically it helps to be happy with the gear you've got I reckon.

[jonny77]

Just seen the Chrome Original is available for 248 quid at Allrounder Cricket. Hmmmmm 

[jonny77]

Yeah they do look nice. The websites not great really but have some decent gear. The Chrome Original is decent value, just can't justify it. I'll look lower down the spectrum i think.

[Neon Cricket]

If you're set on a GM, stick to your guns and go for a signature - you won't get better value across the range imo.

A number of the forum sponsors stock these so worth having a chat with them, much better getting some solid advice/pictures of the actual bat than just buying blind off the internet (even if it sets you back another few quid it's definitely worth it).

[jonny77]

Sounds like good advice, if anyone has anything which fits the bill let me know.

I have the Focus Evo from the Vitas sale which feels nice when knocking in, but for some reason I have an urge to buy another bat, just to have an different option/net bat.