Oh GOD, the ProKennex Black Ace 93
- Thread starter Zachol82
- Start date
D
Deleted member 25923
Guest
Thought I would revive the thread for the BA 93 users.
Still loving the frame alot. Sold off my mgpms and ag100s so the BA 93 is my main stick.
What made you choose the BA93 over the AG100s? How are they on serves?
clover
Rookie
The reason I changed to the BA93 is mainly due to the feel. Other things that made it better, for me, was the stock swing weight and solid material of the racquet.
The good thing about the BA93 and also the AG100 is that they are both lighter player's frames so you can work off of it, but with the AG100 I felt that you needed to add a substantial amount of lead to increase the sw.
The BA93 was tough at first to serve with compared to the AG100, but after getting used to it, flat serves are bombs!
D
Deleted member 25923
Guest
And how are kickers? Also how is racquet head stability, vibrations, and topspin?
clover
Rookie
^^^
Granted, an 18x20 string pattern is more difficult to produce spin, but I feel that spin can be produced with technique and racquet head speed. That being said, it's pretty good for kick serves. It's not the best, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons.
Stability on this racquet is exceptional. There is little to no vibration even without a dampener. The racquet just does not want twist on any shot, particularly volleys.
Granted, an 18x20 string pattern is more difficult to produce spin, but I feel that spin can be produced with technique and racquet head speed. That being said, it's pretty good for kick serves. It's not the best, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons.
Stability on this racquet is exceptional. There is little to no vibration even without a dampener. The racquet just does not want twist on any shot, particularly volleys.
D
Deleted member 25923
Guest
Wow, that sounds fantastic. Did you add any lead?
clover
Rookie
Nope. Even without lead, this racquet has a good amount of swing weight so it is has a very noticeable amount of plow through compared to the AG100.
D
decades
Guest
how is the power level of the BA 98? Is it considered low power? Comparisons?
D
Deleted member 25923
Guest
Oh really? That's great to hear. I'm sure with leather it will be great since it's only 5 pts headlight right now!
clover
Rookie
Actually. If you like the feel of the radical, then you would probably like the BA93. I am a big fan of MG radical, but yeah, as stated previously, I just love the extra swing weight.
clover
Rookie
Yeah. The only thing I have on my BAs are leather grip and an overgrip. They're around 345g and about 7 points head light.
v205
Semi-Pro
Why is the spec here so different from TW?
http://www.prokennex.com/show.php?id=100&type=TENNIS&kind=RACQUETS&kind2=HERITAGE
http://www.prokennex.com/show.php?id=100&type=TENNIS&kind=RACQUETS&kind2=HERITAGE
jwbarrientos
Hall of Fame
HS = 93 = 93
Length= 27 = 27
Weigth = 315 <> 328 (Strung)
Beam = 19 = 19
Stifness = 63 (*) <> 58 (don't know if they are using same method).
SW = 315 <> 331 (dunno, probably strung)
Differences could be explained.
Gee
Hall of Fame
I asked this question several times on this forum as well but I still didn't get a satisfied answer. See this thread.
BTW All specs on the US PK site are unstrung, JW. So you're wrong with your answer about SW. I remember PK mentioned the same specs on their Dutch site re the BA93 and BA98 (2009 version).
I own a BA98 and I must say it swings a lot easier than a 331 SW more like a 315 SW.
Even my customized BA98 with leather grip and 12g lead at 3 and 9 is still very maneuverable. My TF335 swings like a log compared to the BA98 (while TW rates this one as a 320 SW).
Besides on the PK site they gave the PK Redondo that is 20 grams heavier a 10 pts higher SW (unstrung) of 300-312 (vs 290-300).
Actually Chris from TW confirmed this as well. During the TW review of the BA93 he said he prefers the more solid feel of the Redondo version:
For Chris, the Black Ace 93 racquet was good, not great. "I found this to be a very control-oriented racquet from the baseline, but an easy one to use considering it is a mid. I could easily whip it around, yet there was ample stability. The weight and balance were ok and the racquet felt good off both wings, but I actually prefer the more solid and stable feel of the Redondo Mid.
So I think the specs of the PK site are the correct ones.
Nevertheless it is very strange TW mentions very different specs. :???:
Last edited:
anirut
Legend
BA93 & KBT?
Ummm ... In stock form, the BA is much softer and smoother to play with (even at 62 lbs synthetic). To ME, it's a bit too head-heavy that was why I had to mod it to my liking. The borrowed KBT, OTOH, had a better balance. Both have solid feel with the KBT being more "harsh". Not that bad, but kinda harsh for me, inspite of it being strung with multi at mid tension.
Hope this helps.
Ummm ... In stock form, the BA is much softer and smoother to play with (even at 62 lbs synthetic). To ME, it's a bit too head-heavy that was why I had to mod it to my liking. The borrowed KBT, OTOH, had a better balance. Both have solid feel with the KBT being more "harsh". Not that bad, but kinda harsh for me, inspite of it being strung with multi at mid tension.
Hope this helps.
D
decades
Guest
is the ba just a stiffer redondo?
anirut
Legend
Not exactly. But in a way, yes, yet soft. It's crisper and has more pop than the Redondo.
anirut
Legend
IMO, the so-called "modern game" seems to be like a game that's played more from the baseline, using a lot of heavy topspin. And a racket that 'helps' a player play that style of game easily could be said as more suitable.
And since I don't play that style of game, but liking the feel of the BA93, that's why I moded the racket to suit my style.
And since I don't play that style of game, but liking the feel of the BA93, that's why I moded the racket to suit my style.
anirut
Legend
For ME, in stock form (OK, plus overgrip), I'd use the Redondo with full gut at 52 lbs.
v205
Semi-Pro
Martingale
Rookie
The R93 is heavier than BA93 (in stock US version), more headlight, and softer. It feels a bit more substantial compared to unmodified BA93. Redondo are somehow very special, they make the user aware of swings and timing that other rackets do not. It is a refreshingly different feel.
I love both, for different reasons. Anirut's opinions are spot on, but I dare to disagree on one point, which is that for me the Redondo is not an ideal volleying racket (unless one is very quick with perfect reaction times), and it is therefore not a natural doubles racket in a way the BA is.
I love both, for different reasons. Anirut's opinions are spot on, but I dare to disagree on one point, which is that for me the Redondo is not an ideal volleying racket (unless one is very quick with perfect reaction times), and it is therefore not a natural doubles racket in a way the BA is.
Gee
Hall of Fame
I always wondered how the PK Redondo plays. Unfortunately it is hardly to find a demo available in Europe.
That's why I purchased a BA98 last summer but actually I am a little disappointed about it. I think it is not as solid as I am used to. My Tecnifibre TFight 335 feels much more solid.
Is the PK Redondo, that is 20 grams heavier than the BA, more solid like the TF335 as the specs are very similar? They are both 335 grams, 12pts HL and have a 320-ish SW.
anirut
Legend
Hehe ... I (usually) don't play doubles ... hahahaha.
The stock BA is lighter and would give you good reaction time. But since it's stock balance is more towards the head than the Redondo, I feel kinda awkward. But, yeah, the BA has more puch at volleys than the Redondo for sure, probably due to the higher SW and being a bit stiffer.
Talking about balance of the BA ... I'm about to "remod" my BA and make it somewhat lighter and may be something around 10-11 pts HL. Right now it's like 13 pts HL.
The stock BA is lighter and would give you good reaction time. But since it's stock balance is more towards the head than the Redondo, I feel kinda awkward. But, yeah, the BA has more puch at volleys than the Redondo for sure, probably due to the higher SW and being a bit stiffer.
Talking about balance of the BA ... I'm about to "remod" my BA and make it somewhat lighter and may be something around 10-11 pts HL. Right now it's like 13 pts HL.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
In singles, drop volleys, soft angles and controlled shots are much more effective than in doubles because many of the people that you play are not used to coming up to net whereas you're expected to be at the net most of the time in doubles. With the Redondo, you have to really punch the ball to get pace and depth - the default is something fairly short. With stiffer frames, you get power by default and have to really cup the ball or otherwise take speed off of it to hit something short. The latter is more useful in doubles because you just have to get the racquet to the ball to hit a volley.
v205
Semi-Pro
clover
Rookie
Very similar to Dunlop. Though not as round as Wilson.
As for your previous post, I play with the BA93 in singles as well as doubles.
javierjavier
Rookie
agree. i've always felt a polarized lay-up suits the doubles game. polarized rackets allow you to maintain a high swing weight while feeling more maneuverable. these benefits are most realized around the net and when serving.
regarding the grip - i would agree with others and say it's similar to dunlop, but i love the butt cap. it feels slightly larger compared to other manufacturers.
anirut
Legend
clover
Rookie
Most comfortable racquet I've used. Haven't tried the redondo or the copper ace which I hear is even softer, but I think the specs of the BA fits better for my game.
Good luck with your new Black Ace!
clover
Rookie
Gamma Zo Tour 17g/55lbs. I will be trying co-polys at low 50s and high 40s eventually.
javierjavier
Rookie
^ it's a pretty low powered racket with the small head size, flex, and dense string pattern. Allows you to drop the tension pretty low and still maintain a lot of control.
Im stringing mine with Msv focus hex at 45lbs. Started at 55 and had been dropping tension a few lbs each time i string one.
Im stringing mine with Msv focus hex at 45lbs. Started at 55 and had been dropping tension a few lbs each time i string one.
