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Discussion: MIKEN ULTRA 2 WITH ASA2000 / ISF HAS A "W" MELTED IN THE END CAP

had the above bat for a few years, still in wrapper, just noticed it has a "W" MELTED INTO THE END CAP...

what does that mean ????
Not trying to be funny but if you turn that w upside down it is a M which could mean Miken
I was once told that the "W" designated the bat as a warranty replacement preventing the owner from getting multiple returns off of a single purchase.
The above is true. Before S/N stickers that you now have to keep to send a broken bat back, that was how they marked warranty returns.
If it's still in the wrapper, it doesn't sound like it has been returned due to warranty. Besides I've seen that stamping on a couple of my old Mikans and they weren't warranty returns.

Sounds like an old wives tale to me.
Nope Wayne, not a wives tale. UII had warranty, sent in cracked, return bat is a brand new in the wrapper with a melted "W" like a brand melted into the end cap. This kept you from sending in a second bat(the one with the "W") for warranty with the same receipt.
Hmmmmmm I never sent one off and they had
The engraved lettering. So color me cofused.
Yes the melted W on the endcap stood for no warranty. Most of us got this when we returned a broken bat.
somebody else mentioned that when the first batches of ULTRA 2 'S CAME OUT, THEY WERE SELLING FOR 299.00.

WITH A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT WARRANTY..... WHEN THAT FIRST BAT BROKE YOU COULD RETURN IT FOR A ONE TIME NO CHARGE REPLACEMENT, AND THIS REPLACEMENT WAS STAMPED WITH THE MELTED W........

AFTER THAT, ULTRA 2'S PRICES DROPPED TO 199.00 WITH NO REPLACEMENT...

SO, IT APPEARS I MAY HAVE ONE OF THE EARLIST ULTRA 2, WHICH HAD THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY.....

SO, ANOTHER QUESTION, IF IT'S OLD COMPOSITE MATL , DOES THAT MAKE THE BAT STRONGER OR WEAKER ?
Just my opinion but the bat is definitely stronger and will last way longer than the current Ultra II. I had and OG Ultra II when they 1st came out around 2003. Bat lasted a couple years hitting .47 core softballs had over 2000 swings on it. 1st Ultra II I got when I turned 50 playing senior ball got around 200 swings out of it. Now most Miken reps will tell you it is the same composite I call BS. Anyway that is my opinion.
Frank, some people would pay big money for a Miken Ultra II with the ASA stamp in the wrapper. However, I think they're outlawed just about everywhere though.

I remember when they first came out. If one player had one, the whole team used it. They seemed to be very durable.

Now I do have bats with the W burned into the end cap. I suppose they must have been bats that were stamped as return bats, but when they stopped with the one year warranty they sold them to the public.

You've got a piece of history mi amigo.
When I was in my late 40's (now 59) and knew I was going to be playing senior ball at 50 I bought a bunch of thiese off local players who had no place/league they could swing them in. I believe I currently have 6-7. Split evenly between ASA stamped and no stamp. Couple general questions in case anyone knows. I have heard that the first number in the serial number indicates year it was produced? When did they start senior stamping them?
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