Oh GOD, the ProKennex Black Ace 93

[Agent Orynge]

While this thread has a heartbeat again, any new thoughts on the Black Ace 93 vs 98? I have the 93, absolutely love it, and am intrigued enough to see if there's even more to be had with the 98. So is it essentially the same stick but more forgiving, or a different beast altogether that's not hugely comparable?

Oh, they are certainly different beasts. I hated by BA98 for the longest time, but, after adding 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9 o' clock, it's since become one of my favorite sticks. When I take it on the court I feel like it does all the work for me, and when I lend it to my friends I have to return a much, much heavier ball. Still, I was a little shocked to find that it now weighs a solid 12.4 ounces, with the only additions being a TW leather grip and the aforementioned lead tape. At 10 points head light, the combination of maneuverability and plough through distinctly reminds me of my first experiences with the ProStaff Classic 6.1, albeit with a much softer feel.

I won't use poly with my BAs anymore, though. Polyester completely ruins the exquisite feel of these frames.

 

[anirut]

I won't use poly with my BAs anymore, though. Polyester completely ruins the exquisite feel of these frames.

Same here.

 

[JGads]

^^^
So what string are you guys using?

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Had a hit with a Black Ace 98 last night, didn't take to it, strangely enough.

It should have been a lot like my biomimetic 200 but I just didn't like it.

Only exception was serving, it was nice to serve with...

 

[anirut]

^^^
So what string are you guys using?

I've been using Gamma Wearguard 17 @55. Testing out Ashaway Dynamite 17 @48 tonight.

 

[Live Wire VS]

What string were you using?

Prince Original Synthetic Gut 16 at 56lbs. This is the most comfortable string for me and the tension is in the middle of the recommended range.

 

[Agent Orynge]

^^^
So what string are you guys using?

Tourna Quasi Gut @ 58 lbs.

Had a hit with a Black Ace 98 last night, didn't take to it, strangely enough.

It should have been a lot like my biomimetic 200 but I just didn't like it.

Only exception was serving, it was nice to serve with...

I'm telling you guys, add 4 grams at 3 and 9 o' clock and give it a try. Just 4 grams, and it makes a world of a difference.

 

[jatnut]

Played with it strung @ 60 and it was great just not as much power or spin (which as was expected) as my second stick with the hybrid . Ball pocketing was still good and man oh man this stick serves flats almost as good as my AG100 did.

When I first started playing I had on a dampner but something was missing. I took it off and all was well again so I guess no more elastic bands for me.

What I really enjoyed about this stick was its consistency. You get exactly the same results everytime with no hot spots. Its like a better tour 10 VE mid but be warned proper footwork and a nice long relaxed swing is critical.

 

[JGads]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread for the good of humanity. Anyone else besides me still playing with this little dynamo of a stick?

I've gone through everything, and nothing matches the sublime feel and consistency of the Ace Mid.

 

[anirut]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread for the good of humanity. Anyone else besides me still playing with this little dynamo of a stick?

I've gone through everything, and nothing matches the sublime feel and consistency of the Ace Mid.

I still do. And will get another Mid (and mod it up) soon.

 

[JGads]

I still do. And will get another Mid (and mod it up) soon.

What are your current mods? I find it plays perfectly in stock form, except that I replace the grip (only fault of the frame is the grip it comes with) with Wilson Pro Hybrid for just a TOUCH of added heft at the handle, but that's all. Haven't even tried leading up the hoop since it already has a decent swingweight and I'm just in a groove with it as is.

 

[anirut]

Here were the original mod:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=306737

I've changed the mod a bit now, but still yielding very similar results and about 3 grams less weight

 

[thug the bunny]

Hey, yeah the Redondo mid is underpowered, but that's actually one of it's strenghts if you look at it in a certain way. You know you can take a full cut at the ball, and this promotes good timng and mechanics. Powerful rackets tend to make me shorten my swing and 'guide' the ball, which promotes bad timing and mechanics.

I just put poly on my Redondo mid, 18g @ 54#, and I love the feeling that I can haul off on the ball and as long as I am watching it well it's going to go where I planned. And when you hit it in the middle like that it's gonna go fast I don't care what setup you're using.

 

[JGads]

The Redondo was too underpowered when I tried it. And a little mushy/soft for me. The Ace has a little more inherent juice to it and also feels crisper to me, so I prefer it to the Redondo by a lot. But that's just me. I think the Redondo is pretty sweet for a very flat-hitting kind of control player.

 

[Roadway]

Difficult to string ......

I found my Black Ace 93 to be the most difficult racquet to string that I have ever encountered. Blocked holes on the last crosses made it almost impossible. I have never had this problem with any other racquets.

I found the same problem, too, especially when stringing multis. I had to use awl to make the hole a little bigger.

 

[4-string]

Resurrection of the Month. [emoji769]

 

[Roadway]

I got a sencond-hand BA93 yesterday and now just finished stringing. I strung it a 18G multi @62 lbs, good feel. Hope to play tomorrow.

 

[Roadway]

It indeed swings a little easier than Redondo and has more pop