Virtuoso

Virtuoso

First released: April 2019

Description

It’s always intriguing to make a signature yo-yo.  We always invite the player to contribute as much as possible to the design so that this important moment for them is the best it can be.  A good measure of success is if the yo-yo is a reflection of the person. Ethan Cheung is a player on our team who is focused on competitive yo-yoing, but he doesn’t sacrifice any artistry in this pursuit.  This rare combination makes Ethan stand out.

If you watch Ethan Cheung’s performance at Worlds 2018 in Shanghai you will notice precision, artistry, clarity, mastery.   If you look at his signature yo-yo, the Virtuoso, you will notice the same characteristics. The 7075 aluminum alloy design is very focused towards function as a hard core competitive yo-yo with all the performance you would expect.  If you look closely, you’ll also see the artistry with the clean flowing lines, the minimalist cup, the light bead blast, and the beautiful “projection profile” on the face of the rim giving a small nod to our first yo-yo, the Project.

Ethan explains his thought process on designing his signature yo-yo:

“At a glance, the design is reminiscent of the Format:C: which was the yoyo that allowed me to push my own boundaries and place 10th at Worlds in Iceland. But if you look more closely, you’ll notice the grooves on the rim - a tribute to the original Project and the roots of One Drop. For this signature model, I wanted a yoyo that would allow me to explore more styles of movement, that complements any style of play thrown at it. It is this balance of comfort and performance, of minimalism and detail, that makes us proud to present: the Virtuoso.”

Specifications

  • Weight: 64.7 grams
  • Width: 45.30 mm
  • Diameter: 56.60 mm
  • Stock Response: One Drop Flow Groove
  • Gap Width: 4.39 mm
  • Bearing Size: Large (C) stainless steel (One Drop 10 Ball Bearing)
  • Alloy: 7075 Aluminum
  • Finish: Bead Blast
  • Axle System: Tapped, 8mm