44RPM Blues Specs:
Diameter: 62mm
Width: 44mm
Weight: 66.1 grams (w/o rings)
Weight: 71.5 grams (w/rings)
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Center Trac Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
The 44RPM Blues is the second aluminum release from 44RPM, the start-up company from Drew Tetz and 3x World & National YoYo Champion Hank Freeman. 44RPM launched with a load of “flatpack” toys…yoyos, kendamas, and spin tops that are laser cut from a single sheet of wood and then assembled by the player. The Blues is their signature edition yoyo for co-founder Drew Tetz.
PLAY
The 44RPM Blues is a huge, ridiculous yoyo that is almost guaranteed to be the most fun and unique throw in your entire collection. The huge diameter juxtaposed with a totally reasonable weight means that without the wooden weight rings, the Blues is huge and floaty, and plays in a way that is best described as “round”. Add the included laser cut wooden rings and the Blues picks up a little extra spin time and the play goes from “round” to “fat”. Trust me…once you actually play with a Blues, this all makes perfect sense. Only a yoyo this strange and wonderful could be suitable as the signature model for 2014 Trick Innovator of the Year Drew Tetz.
LOOKS
Available in solid colors with art created by Rodrigo “Whip” Yokota, the Blues makes use of laser cut wooden rings to give it a truly unique look. The combination of a rich red anodizing with the burnt wood of the rings makes the Blues look classy and interesting…I can’t speak for how the other colors will look with rings, but I suspect they’ll be fantastic as well. The anodizing is solid, without flaws, and the art is bold and cleanly engraved.
VALUE
The 44RPM Blues retails for $55, which is plenty reasonable for a great playing modern aluminum yoyo, and a total bargain for something that is truly unique in the market. There is no other yoyo available that looks or feels like the Blues, and it’s worth the $$ just to have one handy for the sake of variety.
BUY THE 44RPM BLUES
The 44RPM Blues is available through YoYoExpert.com.
