how often do you switch rackets?

[spectastic]

does it take you a while of demoing to realize what exactly you want your racket to be like? Or do you just pick one up, lead it up, and go? I've tried hitting around with the aeropro drive before, as well as the pure drive, and I think they're not so different, and the prince o3 white is very similar to their specs.

I'm considering pairing up my leaded prince o3 white with a new one from tw, but a part of me is wondering if there is a better racket out there for me.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by spectastic

does it take you a while of demoing to realize what exactly you want your racket to be like? Or do you just pick one up, lead it up, and go? I've tried hitting around with the aeropro drive before, as well as the pure drive, and I think they're not so different, and the prince o3 white is very similar to their specs.

I'm considering pairing up my leaded prince o3 white with a new one from tw, but a part of me is wondering if there is a better racket out there for me.

The entire tennis racquet industry is geared to make you always think that for the rest of your life. They have to or else they'd go out of business. LOL

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

The entire tennis racquet industry is geared to make you always think that for the rest of your life. They have to or else they'd go out of business. LOL

They've tried with me but they failed miserably... Though I guess it was Wilson's own fault for going downhill since the K90. The BLX Prostaff is a reasonable consideration, but it feels too good in stock form for me to want to mess with it, though a leaded up K90 is the racket for me.

[Dgdavid]

twice since you started this thread.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Whenever there's a new world #1, or whenever that world #1 gets a new paintjob. Faith in the equipment is all one needs.

[Delraco]

Originally Posted by Say Chi Sin Lo

Whenever there's a new world #1, or whenever that world #1 gets a new paintjob. Faith in the equipment is all one needs.

That's a very good point...pedigree of a racquet tends to make resale value sky-rocket.

I tend to buy and sell racquets pretty frequently...at any given point I will use two or three on court in one session just for kicks. Although my pure storm ltd gt tends to get the most attention and it's a great stick, I'm not keen on sticking with just one flavor..

[gmatheis]

I had my last rackets for over 15 years, switched a little over a year ago and probably wont switch again for several years minimum.

If you spend some time demoing a bunch of rackets and find one that you like, why 6 months or a year later would this racket suddenly not be good for you anymore?

The only exception I can really think of is a beginner (2.5-3.0) who advances their game (say to 4.0) may now need different things from their racket( like less power, smaller head, heavier frame etc).

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by Say Chi Sin Lo

Whenever there's a new world #1, or whenever that world #1 gets a new paintjob. Faith in the equipment is all one needs.

I beg to differ, I wasn't swayed to pledge allegiance to Pure Drives or Aero Pros when A-Rod or Rafa was world number 1. However, I have always liked my VS NCT Tour minus the much commercialized and dedicated racquets of A-Rod and Rafa.

[Sreeram]

Originally Posted by Vcore89

I beg to differ, I wasn't swayed to pledge allegiance to Pure Drives or Aero Pros when A-Rod or Rafa was world number 1. However, I have always liked my VS NCT Tour minus the much commercialized and dedicated racquets of A-Rod and Rafa.

There will always be exceptions. I never got interested in Pure Drive or APD. I never know why I dint like APD, spec wise it should suit me but seeing it in every jacks hands has bored me to try it.

In general, the racquet played by latest sensation in ATP circuit sells more. I am sure IG RAD PRO would have sold more after Andy Murray Won the US open.

My regular hitting partner moved from APD to Speed after Novak became no1.

[NickJ]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

twice since you started this thread.

HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!! Me too!

[Sander001]

Many before 2006 but none since.

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

twice since you started this thread.

Bravo

[Long Face]

Once every 8-9 months.....

[CaptinStiff]

Most people's games evolve over time, and their equipment should follow suit. If you have a good equipment setup and you're happy why change? Although if you change your mechanics and swing path, you may want to look at a new racquet setup that adjusts for it.

The only other time I would consider new equipment change is if a new generation of technology came out that alters the competitive balance of play. This hasn't happened in quite some time.

[edman9898]

It took me about 3 years to find exactly that right stick, the YT Prestige Pro. Then my stuff got stolen and I got a used Microgel Prestige Pro and like it even more because of the extra heft, more flex, and more muted feel.

[Winners or Errors]

I'm on my fourth racquet model in 4 years. One of those was almost instantly abandoned, and has since been sold. The second was in the bag for 3 years. The third lasted a year. The fourth and most recent... a month. All the racquets I like are similarly spec'd, so I don't see myself getting rid of any of the three iterations I currently have. The most recent combines the strengths of the other two and avoids their weaknesses. Closest to a holy-grail since I came back to the sport four years ago...

[PBODY99]

3 times in the last 12 years.

[floide]

3 times since 1993. But playtested a lot of frames in the way.

[Tyler91]

It definitely depends on the individual. I haven't been playing long and my skills are improving pretty quickly...I've changed sticks 3 times since March (probably unnecessary...equipment gets too much credit, right?) My pro who's been teaching for 25 years probably hasn't switched 3 times in ten years.

[FoldingChair]

I was using a microgel extreme pro for two years until the destructive mixture of a stiff frame and poly strings started destroying my elbow. i demoed the 4d300's in my sig and I've been in love ever since going on three years now I think(?)

[Vertiz]

Used wilson ksix1 for about 2 years, then blx for 1 year then made the switch to head and used the speed/igspeed for 2 years....now i'm using the ig prestige MP. As my game has evolved and i've become more in tune with my game I've switched rackets accordingly. Most of the rackets I use are in the ballpark of eachother (fairly hefty at 11.5oz+, easy to swing with SW around 320, very headlight at btwn 5-7.) I never make huge jumps from say....a 12oz 6pt headlight racket with open string pattern to a 11.3 oz 3pt headlight racket with close string pattern. YOu sort of know when your game has evolved to the point where you need to switch a racket. It's a weird feeling where you feel like the racket is holding you back from making some shots. As your rate of improvement slows down dramatically after awhile and eventually you find yourself the stick you will use probably for the rest of your life.