Topic: Getting A Custom Bat Made (Read 5068 times)

Johnny · « **on:** August 12, 2010, 01:37:03 PM »

I have a custom made bat which is pretty much perfect for me.

I decided the spec I wanted, gave these to a batmaker and he has produced the best bat I have ever used - the balance and profile seem to suit me so well. However after 3 years use I am looking to get a replacement lined up.

I intend to get another custom bat - however, interested to hear people's views on how I should go about this. I'm tempted to send the bat away and ask for a copy to be made.

However, as I will be using a differet bat maker this time around (for various reasons), I could go to the batmaker with the same spec again and see how he interprets my request, giving him chance to produce the bat he thinks will work for me. It might be a different profile to my current bat, but might work just as well or better?

Please feel free to vote for an option above and leave any opinions or thoughts on the thread.

It would be especially interesting to hear the views of some of the actual batmakers on here - do you prefer somebody to be very specific and perhaps send a bat to be copied, or would you prefer the freedom to create the bat that you think would suit the batman best?

Howzat · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2010, 01:39:15 PM »

Dont let Solitaire decide the bat for you!

Colesy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2010, 01:40:50 PM »

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

procricket · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2010, 01:41:55 PM »

i would get another firefly bud

if your happy with your current bat why change the dimentions of it in any way only thing i say is to get the same pick up will be hard but no impossible at the same shape....

if you know your game and the wickets you play on fulwood (not too shabby) go with your own gut trust yourself i say

Johnny · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:14:54 PM »

Quote from: procricket on August 12, 2010, 01:41:55 PM

i would get another firefly bud

Would love another Firefly, but exchange rate isn't too hot at the minute, making them even more expensive than thy were, plus I made the decision that I wanted my next batmaker to be based in the UK, so that at some point in the future I could go and visit if required (either to get another bat made or maybe for repairs etc..) I got my current bat on a bit of a special deal too, so it didn't really as cost as much as a regular Firefly - I couldn't really afford one at �230 3 years ago - I definitely can't at �280 - I thought about maybe getting a Churchill instead, but even the're at �160 at the minute!

SillyShilly · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:18:11 PM »

You might have had a very good bat off James, but who's to say you wont get someting even better from the likes of SAF, Hell4Leather, Redback, Vantage?

Johnny · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:24:35 PM »

Quote from: SillyShilly on August 12, 2010, 02:18:11 PM

You might have had a very good bat off James, but who's to say you wont get someting even better from the likes of SAF, Hell4Leather, Redback, Vantage?

Exactly Dom - I don't doubt they could all make as good a bat, but how much control to I exert over what they give me?

Howzat · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:25:50 PM »

Maybe tell them weight, handle and middle position then see what they come up with?

thaman303 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:31:47 PM »

send some pic's and exact spec's

Johnny · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:34:28 PM »

Quote from: Leo on August 12, 2010, 02:25:50 PM

Maybe tell them weight, handle and middle position then see what they come up with?

I'll either do that....

Quote from: thaman303 on August 12, 2010, 02:31:47 PM

send some pic's and exact spec's

Or rather than mess about with pictures, I'd just send them the bat.

Outlaw · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:56:00 PM »

I'd say most UK batmakers would be able to replicate the bat for should you send it them. Probably a case of taking your pick the likes of Redback etc all seem to produce a lot of quality bats on here. I know you said you want UK based but have you considered Marty Graham? I'm not aware of the prices of his bats so I don't know if they fall out of your budget like the firefly does now, but Marty was trained by James so will most likely have produced the firefly shape on numerous occasions, and from previous experience from talking to him he is quite reasonable with sorting you out a deal! Might be worth a shout..

ianbuchanan · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2010, 04:50:59 PM »

i agree with colesy, if the shape, weight, size etc. is doing you well then i wouldnt change a thing! however if you are having trouble, i would get some advice from a batmaker...

Talisman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:05:53 PM »

I find that James Laver is poor at copying shapes and weights from descriptions, but his pressing is superb. I would order a bat from him on purely weight and grains, then correct the handle shape here.

I'd suggest either going to a batmaker and watching them press and shape the bat exactly as the Laver was or put your faith in someone to create something based on your spec's as the top 3 makers in my books are unavailable to the public.

procricket · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:08:09 PM »

andy at saf has had a few firefly i think he will know the shape unless war has broken out

marty is the same price as james there top bat is 600 bucks�280

Talisman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:10:54 PM »

Too much for a standard bat.

Poll

What should I do for my next bat?

Author Topic: Getting A Custom Bat Made (Read 5068 times)

Johnny

Getting A Custom Bat Made

Howzat

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Colesy

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

procricket

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Johnny

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

SillyShilly

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Johnny

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Howzat

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

thaman303

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Johnny

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Outlaw

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

ianbuchanan

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Talisman

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

procricket

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made

Talisman

Re: Getting A Custom Bat Made