Topic: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company? (Read 11678 times)

jonpinson · « **on:** September 26, 2010, 05:26:25 PM »

I'm going back about 13-14 years here, so I don't expect a great response. Back in '96-'97 I had a bat made by the Classic Bat Company, operating out of Keynsham Bristol. It was the Butterly model, so named for obvious reasons. It is a truely beautiful thing, to the point that I never had the heart to use it, let alone knock it in.

Not long after receiving it I remember seeing an ad in Wisden Cricketer (or whatever it was called back then) saying CBC were doing a free pair of gloves with every bat sold, so being a bit cheeky, I got back in touch to see if I should be eligible. I was told I was, and to expect the gloves soon. A week or so passed and no gloves, so I phoned up again to find the number disconnected and CBC was no more.

I always wondered what the actual story was, wasn't bothered about not getting the gloves, but it was a shame that a chap who obviously knew how to make a bat had to stop doing so for whatever reason.

It would be great if anyone could shed some light on this for me, I've never been able to find an answer.

Jon

Howzat · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2010, 05:27:23 PM »

There have been mentions of the company on here before, but can't find any of the specific posts but maybe you could have a look.

Talisman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2010, 05:38:49 PM »

The bats were made by Warsop, the Classic Bat Company was in reality a follower in the market rather than a leader.

jonpinson · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2010, 05:41:15 PM »

Quote from: Talisman on September 26, 2010, 05:38:49 PM

The bats were made by Warsop, the Classic Bat Company was in reality a follower in the market rather than a leader.

That is interesting. I did wonder if there was some link when I saw pics of the Warsop Butterfly and noticed the Butterfly sticker was very similar. Any more info about them?

ppccopener · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2010, 05:45:58 PM »

there is one of these for sale on ebay now,�65.00
apart from this one hav'nt seen one for about 15 years

did'nt know they were made by Warsop thou till now.

Talisman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2010, 05:59:11 PM »

They ran on the theory that they would have an incredibly high RRP and give a discounted sponsorship offer to every single buyer to boost sales. Quite a good idea as every single kid playing thinks they could be a Pro and the cheaper end of the market will always do this as their goods will be cheap. A friend of mine went for it and bought a complete set of kit, the bats were very nice but the rest was pretty poor.

They also had about 1000 items for sale, so many lines that the price list was 3 or 4 sides of A4 in a tiny text.

jonpinson · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2010, 06:03:36 PM »

Quote from: Talisman on September 26, 2010, 05:59:11 PM

They ran on the theory that they would have an incredibly high RRP and give a discounted sponsorship offer to every single buyer to boost sales. Quite a good idea as every single kid playing thinks they could be a Pro and the cheaper end of the market will always do this as their goods will be cheap. A friend of mine went for it and bought a complete set of kit, the bats were very nice but the rest was pretty poor.

They also had about 1000 items for sale, so many lines that the price list was 3 or 4 sides of A4 in a tiny text.

It has just come to me that at the time I got my bat, they were also selling a model that had some kind of tie in to Garry Sobers. Can't remember if it was a copy of his bat style, or whether he'd put is name to it or what. I don't remember about a discounted or sponsored deal, think I paid about �180 so it was top end money back in the day.

Talisman · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2010, 06:13:18 PM »

I think you got a 20% discount for just sending off for the brochure and then all you had to do was ask for a better deal as you knew which end of the bat to hold and it went up to 50% at the end.

Washington · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2010, 06:42:33 PM »

Yeah I think I started a topic on this last year . . . . Talisman is right i got a 33% deal, as did my 2 brothers when we were colt players! Had the whole kit and everytime we were in the local paper (photo or match report) we had to send it to them and we could get upto 50% off with enough exposure! haha. Their bats were ok and softs average but it was the 1st brand i ever fell in love with!! haha

I think Tresco used them at the start of his career??

100 not out · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2010, 08:49:43 PM »

John Wright used to use them. . .

golders · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2010, 09:00:35 PM »

Quote from: ppccopener on September 26, 2010, 05:45:58 PM

there is one of these for sale on ebay now,�65.00
apart from this one hav'nt seen one for about 15 years

did'nt know they were made by Warsop thou till now.

Ridiculous starting price imo!

jaks · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2012, 04:05:54 PM »

Just seen this as I used my double faced bat for the first time in years only using it twice before buying it almost 20 years ago. I now appreciate how nice it is after knocking a ton with it. It was weird using it so long as its not a normal pick up but it had a lovely low middle. I also appreciate how their is none of the having to reverse the bat to knock a ball down to third man. I'm suprised their are not more of them around to play spin its a must benefit in my eyes particularly a leg spinner.

I bought it as part of a deal of 3 bats all of them have been excellent. Sounds like I ought to buy from Warsop now I know who made them!!

Nickauger · « **Reply #12 on:** September 04, 2012, 04:51:20 PM »

For a minute there I though Pinson had returned. Then realised it was a 2 year old topic

Johnny · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2012, 06:51:12 PM »

No chance of a return I'm afraid Nick, though I believe he still reads the forum.

If you really miss him maybe you 2 could become pen pals?

Jaks - welcome to the forum! yes, this is 2 years old!! Please don't be afraid to start a new thread if you want to share your classic bat experiences

Nickauger · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2012, 06:58:27 PM »

Lol, it was meant to be a bit ironic lol. Can't say I miss him really, was just as much of a **** in my direction lol.

Author Topic: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company? (Read 11678 times)

jonpinson

Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Howzat

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Talisman

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

jonpinson

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

ppccopener

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Talisman

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

jonpinson

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Talisman

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Washington

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

100 not out

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

golders

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

jaks

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Nickauger

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Johnny

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?

Nickauger

Re: Does anyone remember the Classic Bat Company?