Did I make a mistake?

brace yourself for a long read, but thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

Little about me:
Started playing back in ~1994 I think. Played until just before High School graduation in 2000.
Havent played much since then, but every now and then I do pick up my old throws and play for an hour. Probably not more than ~20times over the past 11 years. I’m rusty, but I can still do all the tricks I could do then, which is basically all of the Intermediate tricks on this site and a handful of the Advanced 1 & 2 tricks. Some of these I’ve just never heard of and they certainly werent possible for me back then with the yoyos I had and still have.

What I’ve got;
BC Rainbow, cameyo mondial, handquake 1.4b, kuhn sb1 and sb2, no jive 3-in-1, playmaxx bumblebee, aerobie aerospin, a few technics, and some other things. Basically, I’ve got what was hot as of 1998. Dont really have a favorite of the bunch, I like them all for different resons, but theyre all setup responsive. If I was pressed to pick, I’d probably have to say 1.4b, then mondial, then sb2 for the bearing models and without question the technics and bc rainbow for fixed axle looping.

A good friend of mine recently bought a yoyo and brought it over to my place, and got me wanting to play again. I was surprised to see how much things have changed and how different everything has become. This had me in search of my first purpose built unresponsive in an oversized \ wide H-Shape. I know my mondial, handquake, and sb2 can be made unresponsive’ish, and I’ve been fooling with them in that regard, but I’m certain getting a purpose built throw will be a game changer and open some doors I didnt know even existed until recently. I also feel that these old yoyos are just more fun playing them responsive.

Now that we have all of that out of the way, I wanted long spins, high stability, and a “middle of the road” feel so I could try to figure out what I wanted if I were to want anything else. Not interested in grinding, never was back then. Intruiged by hub stacks, but not at the compromise of smoothness. My intent here was to find one yoyo and just one. I dont want to build a collection again. Not yet anyway.

I’m also intruiged by 5a, so maybe thats in my future now too. Looks really fun.

To that end, I started seriously looking at a yyf superstar or genesis. Then I got swayed by all the glowing reviews about CLYW, but those are impossible to get being sold out, and im impatient and wanted something sooner rather than later, and I also didnt mind buying new. That led me down to some very favorable comments about OneDrop. I liked the idea of side effects to help me figure out what weight I liked, so I ordered a Code 1 a couple days ago, should be here soon.

Well, I continued reading, and it seems like the consensus is that the Burnside is the better one between these two even despite (or rather because of) the lack of side effects and a slightly heavier base weight. Then I also like what I see on paper and read some pretty nice things about the Spyy Solaris. Looks similar to the others.

So, did I make a mistake by pulling the trigger on a Code 1?
Should I have gone burnside and got the one that was truly designed around ONE weight?
Does the Code 1 baseweight make too much of a compromise in order to get a nice weight range with the side effects?

Am I over thinking this? (i usually do with these things)
I feel like maybe these are just diminishing returns at this point for someone like me.

thanks for any input

Though I can’t personally speak to the play of the Burnside or the CODE 1, I can say that Onedrop in general puts out some amazing stuff, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Those that I have spoken to personally have had nothing but good things to say about the CODE 1, and it certainly hits all the design points you were looking for. The idea of customizable weight has always intrigued me, and it really seems like a feature that’s great for someone trying to find their weight preferences. The only downside, however, is you can only control the center weight, not the rim weight. Many argue that changing the center weight changes the ratio, therefore giving it more/less rim weight, but that doesn’t change the fact that your direct control lies only around the center weight. Of course, I’m not saying that that is a bad thing by any means, just that there is a big difference in center weight and rim weight.

PERSONALLY, in your position, I would have bought a Code 1, a Burnside, or a CLYW Avalanche (The Avalanche is my all-time favorite yoyo). I know you said they are sold out, but there are a few Fool’s Gold (B-Grade) Avalanches in stock here at YYE. I’m biased, though, being the CLYW fanboy that I am.

All in all, though, I think you made a good choice, I’m sure you’ll love your new CODE 1.

Awesome to see someone getting back into this hobby, I envy those of you who got to experience the boom in full swing.

Hope I helped/made you feel better.

^ really appreciate the reply, thanks.

you pretty much nailed my thought process.
I’m with you 100% on rim vs hub weight, but I figure i could add some rim weight easily under the rim as an experiement as well. Still have some weights I think and I can make more easily.

I did see that fools gold, but I guess I wanted to start with something that has a pretty good baseline to compare with other people’s impression. Its my understanding that its somewhat of a mixed bag what you’ll get with the fools gold in terms of vibe. Some are nearly perfect some arent. Though thats not to say that theyre bad it seems. Just more uncertanty here.

also, its not necesarially about feeling better. I can always return the Code 1 when I get it for the burnside if thats the consensus, but you did, infact, make me feel a little better about the decision.

its really cool to have seen the beginning of the boom, as you mention, and not seen anything really until now. Amazing some of the things possible now. Also really dig the new silicone response systems. Always liked the idea on paper, but the execution back then was pretty poor with cork pads and felt stickers and what not. It worked, but not for long, and not very consistently, at least in my very limited experience back then.

Here’s my thought, but first my own little backstory, in truncated form.

I started in 1978 with a Duncan Imperial for either my 7th Birthday or Christmas(they are close together). After I could no longer tie the string together anymore, the broken string equated to the yoyo being taken away and I hadn’t touched a yoyo again until May of 2011. The differences here are you COULD do something, I couldn’t even sleep it or gravity pull it. So, I’m effectively coming from zilch.

It’s rather well know what my favorite yoyo is. The Dark Magic II is an ideal yoyo, although you can do great for less money, but hey, I was swayed by its appearance, and honestly, I think you can agree, if you really want to get into this, you should spend some money, and $41 ain’t that much in the bigger scheme of things.

Like you, I’ve been out a while and an amazed at the chances. I’m probably more amazed than you are because it’s been over 30 years in my case!

Now, let’s just focus on the Code 1:
STOP! Don’t stress, you’re gonna love this thing to death! It’s an amazing throw, and the only thing that looks better than the pictures on the web site is holding it in your hands and throwing it! I got one and it’s my far one of my Top 5 yoyos. I think other than it being a steep “re-introduction”, man, you made one hell of an awesome choice. I still like my DM2 better, but that’s just me. I spent an hour throwing my Code 1 last night and I gotta say that it’s such an amazing yoyo. Don’t sweat the side effects stuff, you can always get side effects later.

You gotta get in somewhere. You could have jumped in with a Legacy II or a dv888 or a Dark Magic II or a bunch of others, something lower in cost, not quite the risk. But no, you gotta dive into the deep end and go “high”. I gotta admire your style. And your choice is excellent. In fact almost all the choices you went through are really good yoyos. Plus, unlike me, you’re coming in with some previous and not terribly distant experience and much more update knowledge.

Since you’re back, just enjoy your Code 1 for a while. Get some VM4 lube and bulk string and just enjoy this yoyo. You can be like many of the rest of us here who keep getting more and more yoyos and your collection will build at your own pace.

Your only regret is going to be “Why didn’t I stay with the yoyo after high school”. And who really cares! You’re back! Wonderful first choice.

You’ll love the code 1. It’s everything you said you wanted and you have an arsenal of responsive yoyos when you feel the need. You will need to learn to bind the code 1 but that wont take you long.

Welcome back!

Honestly in my opinion unless you can do the master tricks I don’t think that you should have a high end yoyo like the code or a CLYW. But most don’t listen to me anyway. The code 1 is a wonderfull yoyo and you will like it (I hope). The reason I say that I hope that you like it is because I bought a high end yoyo and I was not that experienced at the time and I though that it sucked and now that I have alot more experince under my belt I realize that it was an amazing throw. I just hate seeing people do the same thing that I did and buy a high end yoyo before they are ready.

Now I don’t know your skill level but the only hint you gave as to your skill level is that you can do a few advanced tricks. If you are not past the master tricks then you should not have a very high end yoyo because you can not use it to its full potential nor even use it as it should be. But that is my 2 cents.

I stuck with the dark magic 1 past the master section and I like to think that I am better for it because it is a yoyo that is ment to learned on and alot of people complain about spin times and they want a higher end yoyo for the spin times so they can learn a trick or tricks. What is painfully obvious is that in most of those cases their throw needs alot of work and they are not willing to take that time to get a very straight and powerfull throw. Witch can solve those problems.

I started with a Duncan mosquito and then about the time I got to atomic bomb I could not perform it because of loss of spin time…so then i got a dark magic 1 and stuck with it till after the master section, when I got more higher end yoyos. I got higher end yoyos throughout my learning process in the lower end of tricks (witch was a bad idea) and allways went back to the DM1 becaue it was ment to be learned on and grow with the player.

But you probably don’t want to hear this or you will disregard it so back to your question about the code, burnside, ect, ect. I love my code 1 and I have had 3 of them. But I would recommend the genesis over all the CLYW yoyo and the code 1. My friend that has a burnside is having a tough time deciding between the burnside and genesis so I am not sure about that. Now the avalanche, sasquatch, gnarwhal, and code 1 are all great yoyos but the reason that I pick the genesis is because the genesis has unmatched stability for one and has better spin times that all of those yoyos, even if by just a tad. They all have great spin times but the genesis does beat them just by a tad more and during my long combos, that matters. The genesis is beast for 5A since it is honestly a 5A yoyo, and it can regen, reject, and perform better than the others. I have had 2 Genesis yoyo, 3 sasquatches, 4 avalanches, and 4 gnarwhals. I know my way around them. Others will tell you diffrent but I have honestly never had a better yoyo than the genesis. Also with the changing of weight on the OD yoyos, honestly it is ok but you are only changing center weight…and not rim weight. So basically, rim weight is where it should be able to be changed but changing the center weight will only change the feel and stability slightly. Also I want to point out that I am no YYF fanboy by any means, I absolutly love clyw and the OD companies. They make wonderfull yoyos but YYF and Miguel Correa hit the nail on the head so hard by making that genesis…I honestly think that YYF will never surpass it, no matter how hard they try.

Hope that I have helped in some way. If you want to do what I suggest and stick with a lower end yoyo instead of getting those high end ones before you should the I suggest the following:

Dark Magic 2----------YYJ
Protostar----------YYF-I really recomend the protostar
Di Base----------C3 yoyo design
Lyn Furry----------YYJ
T5----------Magic Yoyo----------try for ebay on these
N5----------Magic yoyo----------" "

With what you described in what you are looking for, I think you will be happy with the Code 1. The SE’s are a plus in my opinion. I just got my first premium with a OD Dang. It’s a sweet throw but feels light to me. With the SE’s I can change that. Got Brass Domes on order. You can change up the weight on the Code one just like that too. Changing the weight can change the feel a little.

The Burnside seems to be the favorite out of the One Drops so far but that is not saying the others are bad. Many are very happy with the other models as well… so am I.

I recently began throwing again myself after playing around quite a bit for a few years back in my middleschool days. Which also happened to be right around the same timeline as you 98-99. This past summer I lost power for a few days at my house from hurricane Irene, and after going through all the books in my collection I searched for something to pass some time that didn’t require electricity. Low and behold I found my old box of throws and started fooling around. That spiked my curiosity as to how much the game has changed since 12 years ago, and the day my power/internet came back on I decided to start investigating. That was about 6 months ago and leads me to where I am now.

Through these past 6 months or so I’ve really determined my preference as to what I look for in a throw, full sized and nice H-shaped profile. So naturally I have both the code 1 and the Burnside in my collection to date. Between the two I must say that I do actually prefer the Burnside, but before you kick yourself on your decision let me first say that I owned the code 1 months prior to the release of the Burnside. That being said it was my go to throw for quite some time. The code 1 is really what helped me discover my personal favorite weight/shape in a throw, and I must say it is quite an amazing yoyo as well. The only reason I prefer the Burnside over it, is 67 grams is right in my sweet spot, and having that weight without the side affects makes the Burnside feel ever so slightly more stable then the code 1.

So more or less what I’m saying in conclusion is that you should be more then happy with your decision with the code 1, because personally without it I feel that I would still be searching for my ideal preferences in yoyo’s.

Also note that even though I do prefer the Burnside over the Code 1, I can still land every trick I know flawlessly on both and it’s more preference then performance which pushed me to my decision.

Just for a reference as to my skill level I am currently working though the master section of the tricks list on this site.

Hope this eased a bit of that I hope I didn’t just waste $100 on something I won’t like feeling. You will definitely enjoy your Code 1.

The Code1 is not my favorite OneDrop yoyo. I just don’t find the shape as comfortable as other yoyo’s. However, I think when you try it, you’re going to love it. OneDrop makes amazingly high quality stuff. When you first throw it, you will be amazed at how smooth it is. The Code1 is nice and stable, great for learning tricks on. Once you start playing with it, I’m sure you’ll be quite pleased with it.

I’m going to disagree with Slade Riggs a little. I get his opinion and I do agree with it to a certain extent. However, I’m not way up there in the skill set, yet I have lots of high end throws. So, I’m going to respectfully disagree.

I do agree with his recommendations, I have some and want most of the rest except for the Magic yoyo ones, as I’m not interested in those ones.

First, I want to say I understand where he’s coming from. The DM2 is a fantastic yoyo, designed to take you from zilch to master tricks and even into competition if you want it to. It is a “cradle to grave” product. You get this one, you don’t need anything else. I also understand the logic of not getting a high end yoyo until you have sufficient skills.

Here’s where I disagree.
Most of the players here are kids. Don’t let me knock you kids, OK? Let’s face it, I was a kid too. But kids these days are different than kids in my day. ADD, short attention spans, jumping from over-priced activity to over-priced activity. Honestly, yoyo has more options in affordable ranges. My idea is “if the kid is really into it, it’s worth the money, otherwise, be cheap and wait and see how it goes”. Now, I don’t think a person should jump from a ONE to a Code 1, especially when they are a kid. It’s best to get something mid-grade and start the process over. Kids can get bored and move on quickly, and the last think you want to do is blow $100 on a yoyo and then that’s when they decide “I’m done”, which CAN and WILL happen more than we’d like to admit.

Let’s take someone like me. Even I got in cheap. I got a Reflex and an Imperial to “start again”. I figured if this wasn’t going to work for me, then quit and cut my losses. Less than $15 is safe. But I went forward with the mindset of “I really want to do this”. Having satisfied my basic “requirements”, it was time to upgrade, and I got a DM2. Progressing along, I too get bored, and I needed variety, so the collection started building.

As an adult player, get what you want. I do suggest something mid-range, like the DM2 because it’s a great all-around performer that can do it all. As a player coming in with previous experience, the options open up. You’ve decided to get back into it, why not spoil yourself.

Also, it’s not a bad thing to put good stuff into the hands of someone willing to work at it. I like to have good tools to work with. I’m getting the Matrix down pretty good, why can’t I have a CLYW?(or 7) or a One Drop(3 of them)?

I’ve seen little kids with expensive metal throws in YouTube videos. Obviously, these kids are fairly serious about their passion for the yoyo. Clearly, their parents have seen this as well and chosen to indulge these kids. I gotta say, if my kids show that kind of skill level, I’d get them stuff like that too, but they want to fight even trying to do “rock the baby”, so why bother?

Now, one thing that nobody can argue with Slade Riggs is the simple fact that he’s pointed out that a good, strong, straight throw is the key to everything here. Some people do look to get different yoyos and bearings to try to make up for this. I don’t. Granted, I buy different yoyos for variety, but I work on my throw being hard, strong and straight ever time I get a chance to throw. But, you know this already.

The last part is preferences. It doesn’t matter how awesome a yoyo is if if just doesn’t “feel right” for you. Price is irrelevant. I can get as much fun out of a $10 ONE or WHIP as I can out of a CLYW or One Drop. Preferences really play a huge factor, which is why there are so many yoyos to choose from. Price is merely a number that can determine if you can or cannot get a yoyo. In 2010, Jensen Kimmit won Worlds with a $35 Northstar, but in 2011, I think Marcus Koh won using a $200 Turning Point Positron. Well, we’re also talking great players. That aside, when people ask for recommendations, a lot of personal preferences get involved. Take the YYF dv888. To me, it’s not amazing, it’s not great, but it doesn’t suck either. It’s a decent yoyo, nothing special. I enjoy it, but it’s not going to be going with me everywhere either. Some people dislike it. Some people hate it with a passion of the fire of a thousand burning stars going supernova all at once. Then again, others love it to death. Because of such preferences, you don’t always get what you pay for. Some yoyos sell for what less than what I think they should, while others sell for way more than I think they should. Many are dead on.

Slade Riggs point of view is equally as valid as anyone else here. While I disagree with him, his input holds merit and value and should be taken into consideration. Another point of view ls always welcome.

Personally though, if i was me, I would have gotten a DM2. Better price point for getting back in. But, hey, sometimes we gotta “go big”, right?

Just throw. Get more yoyos and keep having fun. Having fun is what this is supposed to be about.

wow
thanks to everyone for their very thoughtful and insightful responses!
very impressive :slight_smile:

guess I’ll stand by my decision and play with it…though maybe there’s another throw in my future…we’ll see, but not until after I play with the code 1 a bunch.

I also respect the opinion of not needing a high end yoyo if I cant exploit its capabilities, but by that same regard, I’d rather just buy once and be done with it, rather than buy a DM2 and be left wondering what it might be like to have a nicer throw and then buy something else. Plus, if I dont like it, its probably easier to get a bit better return on a lightly used Code 1 than a lightly used DM2.

Furthermore, in my experience, outside of yoyo’ing, these “pro-level” things, whether is a mtn bike, fly rod, scuba regulator, skis, whatever, they leave you a ton of room to grow and develop and also give you a good hint of what things are physically possible. Having these pro-level things in my life, when obviously not being a pro at any of them, has never held me back in my progression of these sports, and infact, has done just the opposite I think.

It’s also my experience, that entry vs pro level items in those areas and some others, really dont make things any easier to learn so long as you have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of those activities. (I like to think I do)

The pro-level stuff is a little more unforgiving maybe, but its easier for me at least to identify the sweet spot on certain things since the sweet spot is now generally so much smaller.

For examply, mtn biking, I was always frustrated with how some of the entry level frames handled until I got a more “pro-level” specific frame. It was night and day with what happened to how I cornered and attacked trails rather than reacting to them.

In Skiing, the entry levels are just generally soft and floppy and too turny, but the more pro-level skis demanded much more and made me improve and get stronger very quickly.

and then with yoyo’ing
I remember my first ball bearing yoyo. I dont think I’d have been hurt at all to completely skip getting a technics tornado and go straight to my 1.4b handquake, and those two are obviously in different leagues. Well, at least it was obvious back in 1998. Anyway

I could go on, but I think the point is clear.
Both perspectives have merit for sure!
Thanks again to everyone for their great replies!

Good luck. Now just stock up on Side Effects and start messing around

on that note of side effects

where can I get the heavy brass ones?
I dont see them instock anywhere? Maybe im not looking in the right places.

quick recommendation of which side effects I should try?
Sounds like most people like the ultralight aluminums or the heavy brass spikes?

I am waiting on the brass domes. Takes it just over 67 grams. But… thats for my Dang.

Your Code one without SE’s should be 60 Gram’s (thats taking off the Code 1 SE / Axle)

From One Drop:
Side Effect Design: Mass
Aluminum Ultra Light: 2.5 grams
Aluminum Lego: 2.7 grams
Aluminum Dome: 2.9 grams
Aluminum Spike: 3.2 grams
Aluminum Stunt Peg: 4.0 grams
Aluminum CODE1: 4.0 grams
Aluminum Dietz: 3.0 grams
Aluminum Anti-Yo: 4.7 grams

Brass Ultra Light: 5.2 grams
Brass Lego: 5.8 grams
Brass Dome: 6.6 grams
Brass Spike: 7.2 grams
Brass Dietz: 6.7 grams

Well my burnside should have came today but it went from massachusets to orlando and hopefully tomorrow to indiana. It has done this before and makes no sense it is like 7 statres ou of the way to indiana from Massachusets. But I did get my Special Edition colored side effects today for my code 1. I am absolutly loving my code 1 with my brass side effects. This is because I found it far too light before. But I have played a burnside and am sorry to say, it is better than the code 1 in my opinion. But keep in mind that this is because I like heavier throws. I also found because of the rims the burnside had very stable, long spin times.

If you can afford it, I think a high end yoyo is great for learning on. High end on a yoyo doesn’t necessarily mean ‘just for experts’. Even if you’re just getting into yoyo-ing, you will easily be able to notice the difference in quality between your Code1 and a budget yoyo. You will love how smooth it is. Don’t think of it in terms of performance equipment, think of it (in this case) more in terms of luxury. I don’t know a lot about cars, but when my rich friend (company was bought out by Yahoo long ago) took me out for a spin in his Jaguar, when I sat in it, I thought…wow…this is nice.

The more you enjoy your yoyo, the more you will play with it. The more you play with it, the better you’ll get. So if you don’t mind spending a little extra to get an ultra smooth yoyo that you’ll really enjoy, then go for it.

Now, there are some budget yoyo’s out there that I like a lot. But for you, if you can afford it and know that you’re going to be using it, I think starting out on a OneDrop is fine.

As for side effects, my favorites on the Code1 are the ultralights. They make it nice and zippy. I don’t like anything heavier than the stock Code1 SE’s. If you got a set of ultralights, it would make a nice change of pace for you. Use the stock SE’s when you’re learning tricks to slow things down a bit. Switch to the ultralights when you just want to speed things up a little.

Just thought I’d quickly reply back now having a little time to play the code 1.

Not even going to attempt to give a meaningful review, but this thing is like cheating compared to what I’ve had experience with.
So fun.

Took a few mins to feel out the sweet spot for binds and how to throw a yoyo that’s essentially 3 times wider than anything I’ve thrown, but its putting a smile on my face.
Side effects are on their way as well!

Thanks again to everyone.

Quick question tho
How loud should this beating be?
It’s similar to my other bb throws but I was under the impression these newer bearings were supposed to be fairly quiet. Or does it just need to break in?

Get some of the V4M Lube. Just a tiny drop will knock out the noise. My Dang started making noise after a few hours of playtime. I just took off one of the shields and ran a drop down a straight pin. Spun the bearing on a sharpened pencil for a couple of minutes, reshielded. Now I almost have to check to make sure the yoyo is spinning. So quiet and smooth.

As far as yoyo’s go you can’t get more right than the Code 1. I have played many companies and throws and the Code 1 is easily in the top 5 over all. From One Drop’s arsenal I have owned the 54, Dietz, and Code 1.

In order of my liking:

  1. Code 1 - I like the 56mm size with the (grooves/rings?) in the catch zone
  2. Dietz - Plays very fast and stable. Red is the sickest color
  3. 54 - Good yoyo, nothing out of the ordinary. Special because it was the first to have the side effects.

Until you know what you like, the Code 1 will get you through anything you wish to accomplish. Only thing it doesn’t have going for it is if you like undersize (dietz got you covered there).

I think you’re good. The Code 1 is one of my top 3 favorite yoyos, and I’d like to think that I’ve tried a lot of yoyos in my short time throwing.

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