When I got back into yoyoing a few years ago I had a tough time trying to find a new yo that I really loved, but I couldn’t figure out why. I tried V shapes, W shapes, big yoyos, wide yoyos, and then I finally picked up a Parlay. There was a familiar feel and playability that I couldn’t explain. It felt like home on the first throw.
When Aaron asked me to join Static it wasn’t too long before we opened up the discussion of a signature yoyo. Equipped with a newfound understanding of what I looked for in a yoyo, I quickly sketched up a design with measurements and design cues. I knew I wanted to make a fun, slim, highwall organic. While it is only 41mm wide, I gave it a slightly larger diameter make it feel more like a full-size. Our good friend Emmanuel Robinson (GWAY) put us in touch Patrick Dressel who was eager to help us with the design. Within a few days Patrick had turned my rough sketch into a digital 3D model and we were ready to prototype.
We loved the initial prototype, but it was missing a few playability features we were looking for. Aaron added half a gram of rim weight for a little more spin time. I asked to widen the flat on the inner rim. This thinned out the midwall which let the yoyo sing a bit more when spinning, while giving it that signature deep-dish look. After some additional aesthetic tweaks we sent out another round of prototypes. We spent several months throwing the new version, and eventually made the call to produce the full production run.
Each wave comes with a 3 x 3” letterpress print of our Aficionado logo. Brian printed these at @coeurnoirspecialtyprinters on a 1971 Vandercook Universal III proof press.
Why wave? Well, I don’t really have a straight answer. It could be an homage to the ocean I grew up near, or the soundwaves that make up music, or the vaporwave aesthetic Aaron, Gethin, and I enjoy so much. In the end, I think we made a really great yoyo that fits perfectly in the Static Co. lineup. We hope this yo taps into the nostalgia of the mid 2000s while maintaining the machining and build quality you’d expect in a contemporary yoyo. Have fun!
Don’t know anything about printing but a 1971 Vandercook Universal III proof press has me intrigued. Trying to figure out if i’m going with clear or the pink/black is tough.
I just wanted to add that for those of you who don’t know Brian, he is no stranger to the game of Yo-Yo! He is an Anti-Yo Alum and has placed 5th at the 2006 World Yo-Yo Championships 1A Division and has been riding the WAVE ever since! (Pun Intended)
My claim to fame is that I sold Brian a few Parlays in the past. The Sudo is probably my most played yo-yo ever, this one is probably the one I’ve been most hyped about. Super glad to see Static Co + Brian back!
I was just texting with @yoyodave42 on Wednesday of Dave’s Skill Toys. His online shop been closed for a while, but he still has boxes of yoyos in his garage.
If so, i couldnt be happier. I was told, being in Germany, like 20 yrs ago, that he was supposed to have had a heartattack and passed. Was kinda shocking, obviously.
SORRY for that, honestly. Wasnt my intention to tome across with such bad news. Was just. Eant to give him honor, since i really believed he passed….
