This is more for folks who have some extra cash and are new to the hobby. If you want an amazing responsive throw, keep reading… if you hate the idea of modifying limited edition throws, you may want to leave now.
So - Here’s the story. I like quality items. I am happy to pay extra for nicely machined items that do what I want and will last a lifetime. I’m also an engineer and a tinkerer/modder. I can’t leave things alone - I have to take them apart, learn about them, and improve them… or alt least (in this case) customize them to my liking.
There are a lot of folks like myself - older (and younger) that may not be as interested in learning all the tricks on the yo-yo world, but want something very high quality and just want it to do what they want… with the option to make mods later as they progress…
So - I took a gamble - and it has paid off.
I bought a Sovereign. I played a hunch that it would be an amazing throw. and it is - amazing feel and wonderful worksmanship.
But - it is a non - responsive throw… well, it WAS…
Heres what you have to do to make the Sovereign into a fully responsive throw. You see - I wanted a throw that would sleep for a LONG time and still come back with a tug… so I can learn the basic tricks, but still have full control until I learn a bind return.
- Get a 1/2 width bearing. I used the one from my Yotojam classic.
Note - you WILL be modifying your yoyo - but in areas where it will not be seen… i.e. the axel and the axel hubs.
2) You need to file about 1/32 to 1/16 off of the hub length… as-is they will touch before the 1/2 size bearing seats in the halves… You just take a little at a time, checking along teh way, until the bearing will seat without gapping.
- Shorten your axle a bit (I will confirm the exact length later as I need to do some testing so I’m ordering spares) to correspond with the amount you removed from the hub and the new bearing width… Do this a little at a time as well. I took a bit too much off and thats why I’m ordering a spare to fine tune. NOTE: The axle is threadlocked in the half - you will need a 2mm allen wrench to remove it and then you will nee to clean the threads of the hardened threadlock. After shortening - clean up the end of the axle by filing at a 45 degree angle around the circumference to make a lead-in and remove any burrs in the threads from the filing.
When done, you will have the smoothest responsive throw, that feels amazing in the hand. You can always throw the full size bearing and a full size axle back in and go to unresponsive when you learn.
Now - I know this thread will have a ton of people thinking “OHH HE JUST RUINED A SOVEREIGN!!!”
Not at all… these mods WILL decrease the value - so dont do it unless you understand that. But its MY yoyo, and it now does what I want it to do. I’m sure there are others who would like a similar mod.
Honestly - OD - you should consider making a version of the sovereign like this - market it as an executive yo-yo in the high end airline magazines and you will make a TON. The sovereign is amazing in the hand, and folks with a lot of cash will buy it as a “status” symbol toy… it will sell… I know these guys - they are all about braggin rights.
