PING Scottsdale Anser BeNi "A" in cavity

[Titleist87]

What is the meaning of the "A" in the upper left corner of the cavity of my Scottsdale Anser BeNi? I've used this putter for several years but just noticed this today.

[Titleist87]

From what limited information I can find on other sites, it may be the first casting run of this putter. PING asked I take a picture and send it to them and they will do some research.

[bjackson]

My BeCu Scottsdale Anser has an "A" in the cavity too.

[corky]

Circle A eh?


Think it actually means it was cast in the 'A'mould.....whatever that means.......

[heinenkugels]

There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.

[MattMo]

[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.
[/quote]

Yeah, I chuckle everytime I see that guy trying to get $650 for that putter. He states the earlier "A" mold had a higher % of nickel, which I'd like to know if that's BS or not. My BeNi has a "C' in the cavity.

[corky]

[quote name='MattMo' timestamp='1431538075' post='11552792']
[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.
[/quote]

Yeah, I chuckle everytime I see that guy trying to get $650 for that putter. He states the earlier "A" mold had a higher % of nickel, which I'd like to know if that's BS or not. My BeNi has a "C' in the cavity.
[/quote]

bS I think...... There were 2 different finishes used, the first was produced by tumbling the heads in a rock filled agitator.... I want to call it 'scumballed' but that is probably wrong, the second finish was misted.....

[MattMo]

The 2 finishes makes sense, thanks. There's some I've seen with a more stainless steel looking "grainy" appearance, while others look almost starshot.

For what it's worth, I've had mine for only a month or so and I love it! Great feel and the audio feedback is somewhere between the old sound slot Ansers and the newer milled Ansers. Only thing it needs is a sight line, haha.

[billybaroo]

[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.

[/quote]
Typically, when someone calls out "rare" in the fleabay listing it is the first of many lies in the ad.

[heinenkugels]

[quote name='corky' timestamp='1431541558' post='11553162']
[quote name='MattMo' timestamp='1431538075' post='11552792']
[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.
[/quote]

Yeah, I chuckle everytime I see that guy trying to get $650 for that putter. He states the earlier "A" mold had a higher % of nickel, which I'd like to know if that's BS or not. My BeNi has a "C' in the cavity.
[/quote]

bS I think...... There were 2 different finishes used, the first was produced by tumbling the heads in a rock filled agitator.... I want to call it 'scumballed' but that is probably wrong, the second finish was misted.....
[/quote]
True about the 2 finishes. The non-tumbled ones have a real smooth satin finish to them, which wears and leaves marks.

Here is a pic of the non-tumbled finish:

[heinenkugels]

IMO - Regardless of the condition, finish or any letter from the original casting, I don't know that the value of the putter would be any more than the $75-150 range.

[MattMo]

[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431648922' post='11561058']
[quote name='corky' timestamp='1431541558' post='11553162']
[quote name='MattMo' timestamp='1431538075' post='11552792']
[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.
[/quote]

Yeah, I chuckle everytime I see that guy trying to get $650 for that putter. He states the earlier "A" mold had a higher % of nickel, which I'd like to know if that's BS or not. My BeNi has a "C' in the cavity.
[/quote]

bS I think...... There were 2 different finishes used, the first was produced by tumbling the heads in a rock filled agitator.... I want to call it 'scumballed' but that is probably wrong, the second finish was misted.....
[/quote]
True about the 2 finishes. The non-tumbled ones have a real smooth satin finish to them, which wears and leaves marks.

Here is a pic of the non-tumbled finish:
[/quote]

That's a nice looking BeNi Anser 2. You know, I've been looking for a nice one of those....

[heinenkugels]

[quote name='MattMo' timestamp='1431660809' post='11562006']
[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431648922' post='11561058']
[quote name='corky' timestamp='1431541558' post='11553162']
[quote name='MattMo' timestamp='1431538075' post='11552792']
[quote name='heinenkugels' timestamp='1431456666' post='11546484']
There are a couple of these listed on eBay as being extra extra rare. The one that is listed for $700ish has been relisted for the past 6 months or so.


My BeCu Scottsdale Anser remake has a "C" in the cavity. Maybe I should ask $700 for it... Nope.
[/quote]

Yeah, I chuckle everytime I see that guy trying to get $650 for that putter. He states the earlier "A" mold had a higher % of nickel, which I'd like to know if that's BS or not. My BeNi has a "C' in the cavity.
[/quote]

bS I think...... There were 2 different finishes used, the first was produced by tumbling the heads in a rock filled agitator.... I want to call it 'scumballed' but that is probably wrong, the second finish was misted.....
[/quote]
True about the 2 finishes. The non-tumbled ones have a real smooth satin finish to them, which wears and leaves marks.

Here is a pic of the non-tumbled finish:
[/quote]

That's a nice looking BeNi Anser 2. You know, I've been looking for a nice one of those....
[/quote]

I wish I still had it myself. I don't think I'll ever find one that MINT again.

I polished another another one for a chap across the pond, and once his father saw it, he had to have one for himself. So with much regret, here's what happened to it:

Money Talks!

[corky]

Looking.....always looking......

[URStillAway]

Mine has the "A" and the factory sight line in the flange like the one several posts up.

Nice putter. Great feel and sound.

[Titleist87]

[Titleist87]

Response from Jeff at PING:

[size=2]This is the following answer I received from our historian:[/size]
[size=2] [/size]
[size=2]That “A" is a mold identification mark, so that we know which mold a head was cast in. That could be important if we ran into a quality issue. There is no further significance of this marking.[/size]
[size=2] [/size]
[size=2]It was introduced in 1996 with an unknown date of discontinuation. Approximate head weight is 316 grams in the MgBrz version, with undetermined published head weight of the BeNi version.[/size]
[size=2] [/size]
[size=2]Thank you for your inquiry. [/size]

[MB_Viking]

Hmmm, I have two BeNi Ansers. One has the A, the other doesn't. Interesting!

[Techgolfer1]

This dude is a con artist...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Stock-PING-BeNi-SCOTTSDALE-ANSER-Putter-Beryllium-Nickel-A-MOLD-CAMERON-/161825426514?ssPageName=ADME:X:BOCOR:US:1123

[EE1719]

Joining this thread late but just picked one of these up found at a thrift store. @Titleist87 did you find anything else from Ping? Having difficulties finding info on this putter besides the limited descriptions on EBay 

[PickSicks]

i used to have a few of these putters and am currently looking for another one now. the higher % of nickel is total made up BS for eBay sales. I used to see that same line like a decade ago, its tired and old. 

[cristphoto]

I have two nickel Scottsdale Ansers. One has the A in the cavity and the other has nothing. Curious if anyone has ever seen a B or C mark in the cavity. Anyway, both of my putters look identical and feel the same.  Amazingly soft and durable material. My Ansers are over 25 years old and look in better shape than my two-year-old Scotty Cameron.  

[MattMo]

Ironic this thread came back up as I took my BeNi out for 9 at my local par 3 course last night. Super light, but felt is just like I remembered. Back-to-back birdies had me drinking the nostalgic Kool Aid wondering if it should see more playing time, LOL.

[cristphoto]

5 hours ago, MattMo said:

Ironic this thread came back up as I took my BeNi out for 9 at my local par 3 course last night. Super light, but felt is just like I remembered. Back-to-back birdies had me drinking the nostalgic Kool Aid wondering if it should see more playing time, LOL.

I wouldn't say the Nickel's are super light. Mine is noticeably heavier than my bronze slotted Anser and my copper Anser 2 models. The Nickel (35 inch) swingweights the same as my Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport and is just a few grams lighter. I'm somewhat captivated by the thought of a $60 putter (30 years ago) playing as well as a $400 one.  

Edited July 23 by cristphoto

[MattMo]

 

Correction, compared to the PLD Tyne I've been rolling, it was super light. But you're spot on with the weight vs. the older Pings. Interesting the SW is the same as the SS Newport, never would've guessed that.