|
|
C3YoYoDesign Initiator 2018 - BLACK signature |
Exhibit #3358 |
|
|
Type | Signature |
Shape | Modified |
Axle | Bearing |
Packaging | Display Boxed |
Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
Response | Starburst |
Diameter | 58 mm |
Width | 35 mm |
Gap | Adjustable - Spacers |
Weight | 54 gm |
Condition | Mint |
Date | 2018 |
Owner | Rick Brough |
Compare | |
|
|
The C3yoyodesign's Initiator yo-yo, repurposed for the Japanese professional yo-yo performer known as BLACK and players around the world. This is the coloring and basic design of the yo-yo he has used since 1998 (BLACK started his career using the Yomega Raider EX model with white rims). This model is the first public release of his design.
This special Initiator design was exclusive to c3yoyodesign and was available only through YoYoRewind Japan. It was first released on a limited basis, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at one of Black's performances in Japan. It was officially released for sale to the public, on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
About the yo-yo's design...
Several smalls details to note with this special signature release. The body color of white has been the yo-yo color of choice by BLACK since 1998. White is a color easily seen by an audience especially against a dark background. Also, yo-yos, by their very nature, appear quite small from a distance such as when you are performing on stage in front of a lot of people. White gives the viewer the illusion that the yo-yo is larger than it really is. You may be familiar with the fashion notion that white clothes make most people look larger/fatter compared to black clothes. Likewise, a white yo-yo appears larger and is more easily seen by the audience when you are performing. White also helps people to clearly see the speed of the yo-yo's movement. It's high visibility also helps the performer themselves. White is also a popular color in the trick performance industry, such as jugglers.
A silver print was adopted as the center print design of each yo-yo halve. The print reflects light like a mirror on the stage. Under stage lighting, the effect is dramatic and dazzling; under the sun outdoors, the effect is equally beautiful.
Prior to this yo-yo's release, BLACK applied the silver design by hand to the Raider EX using slim, cut-out wedges of light refracting material and wedges of glossy black material, then completely overlaid with a clear layer of tape to protect the design during a performance when the yo-yo would collide or when they were stored in an equipment bag. With this release, however, the black and silver wedges are now conveniently printed onto the halves. BLACK has posted a blog on how to cover the Initiator design with a clear laminate of tape, if desired. See
https://lineblog.me/officeblack/archives/967426.html (use the Google Translate web site if you do not read Japanese).
BLACK states that the reason for the silver, wedge-shaped cross is because it makes it easier to see the rotational effect of the yo-yo. As he states, "When you slowly move the yo-yo up and down, the start and stop of the rotation becomes easy to understand by the movement of the cross part. If you manipulate a yo-yo that is rotating at high speed, you may ask, 'Are you really using yo-yos while you are performing the trick?' In such a case, it is a function that you can see the movement by raising and lowering in front of you. I also stick to the proportion of the area of silver and the area of black, and when it is rotating it gives off a shiny radiance like gunmetal and chromium."
Prior to this yo-yo's release, BLACK was customizing the Raider EX spacer that was designed for fast looping (the Raider EX came with 5 varying sets of spacers depending on how wide or narrow you wanted your string gap). The default spacer from the Raider used a spacer with an inner (center) wall that was higher which BLACK sanded down to lower its height. This process narrowed the gap width more, making it even more ideal for looping. The height of the outer wall of the spacer was also adjusted to his own specifications. This tedious process of sanding and measuring the spacer wall height with calipers took a great deal of time and patience. After repeating this process and making minor adjustments each time, BLACK arrived at the ideal dimensions that he found best for his looping. The BLACK Initiator comes with gold spacers made to the exact specifications by BLACK himself! The spacers mean that you do not need to make modifications to the yo-yo halves or alter them in any way to obtain the best looping performance.
Uses a size K ball bearing axle which is fairly common/standard among modern looping yo-yos.
Original retail price: $19 US. | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|