BB Melbourne Club

[OldButGame]

317 Sw ??...I love the sound of that,..but how do they manage it with a weight of 11.99 and balance 6pts HL,...seems like that would lend toward much higher swingweight??

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by OldButGame

317 Sw ??...I love the sound of that,..but how do they manage it with a weight of 11.99 and balance 6pts HL,...seems like that would lend toward much higher swingweight??

As I've mentioned before, the upgrade to the Melbourne from the Legend is in the lay-up, and with some additional material in the bridge/throat area. This more evenly balanced stick makes for less of a SW than that of its predecessor.

[OldButGame]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

As I've mentioned before, the upgrade to the Melbourne from the Legend is in the lay-up, and with some additional material in the bridge/throat area. This more evenly balanced stick makes for less of a SW than that of its predecessor.

They pull that off and that would be one sweet stick!!!
(Tx Mav!!!)

[pepka]

Some nice, demanding sticks coming... time to hit the gym

[Murray_fan1]

Is the release date for this racquet still supposed to be February ???

[1hbhBUX]

Available for pre-sale now on TW site:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Beckerracquets.html

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

Is the release date for this racquet still supposed to be February ???

TW is listing March 7.

[OldButGame]

TM,..the specs look a LOT like the BB11...(maybe I'm Hoping it to be),....is in NO way like the BB11??...(The London is a 16x19 and I'm 'stuck' on 18x20s)

(sorry, I know I've beat that BB11 comparison thing to death...)

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by OldButGame

TM,..the specs look a LOT like the BB11...(maybe I'm Hoping it to be),....is in NO way like the BB11??...(The London is a 16x19 and I'm 'stuck' on 18x20s)

(sorry, I know I've beat that BB11 comparison thing to death...)

The big difference between the Melbourne and its predecessor, the Legend, is in the lay-up, with the extra material in the throat area. In no way did the Legend and the BB 11 play alike, at least stock. Even as heavy as the BB 11 SE was, it still didn't have the dwell time/spin access that the Legend has. Are you looking for the feel of 18 mains, or the pop of the BB 11? Either way, if you string the London with gut or multi in the mains and poly in the crosses, you will accomplish both.

[OnyxZ28]

TM, I've been using the Legend for the last 8 months. My beef with it is its balance -- I'm a former Trisys 260 user and there are times where the Legend feels more unwieldy than ye olde bumblebee MP. However, having tried the Quantum 10 Tour, I liked its balance but felt that it was too light. Will the Melbourne play like a hybrid of the DCL and the Q10T?

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by OnyxZ28

TM, I've been using the Legend for the last 8 months. My beef with it is its balance -- I'm a former Trisys 260 user and there are times where the Legend feels more unwieldy than ye olde bumblebee MP. However, having tried the Quantum 10 Tour, I liked its balance but felt that it was too light. Will the Melbourne play like a hybrid of the DCL and the Q10T?

Agreed. So did Volkl. That's why they beefed-up the center of the frame. It is supposed to be better balanced, so you shouldn't feel that clunkiness.

[djNEiGht]

copy and paste fr a a duplicate thread made by mistake.

Originally Posted by djNEiGht

Maybe this racquet will have a following...possible Melbourne Club?

I'm a current BB London user but have been eyeing heavier racquets like the Head YOUtek Prestige MP/Volkl PB 10 MP/Redondo. TW has the BB Melbourne available for pre-order.

My London is weighted to 342 g and is 9 pts HL all thanks to a BB leather grip.

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632.26 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 69cm
Strung Weight: 12oz / 340g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 322
Stiffness: 64
Beam Width: 21mm / 21mm / 21mm /
Composition: Graphite / Delta Core
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Compact
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White / Black / Orange
Grip Type: Boris Becker Synthetic
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T, 10T, 8H, 10H
Two Pieces
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds



I haven't noticed on other racquets spec list but this has "stroke style: compact" but then states a fast swing speed. Any ideas as to what this translates to?

Has anyone had a chance to get their paws on this?
I wonder if this is worth considering or maybe some of the others mentioned above (all worth a play test)

[TennisMaverick]

I hit with the Melbourne today.

It is more solid, is better balanced, and has more plow thru than the Legend. The stick also feels smaller than a 98in2 as you drive the ball, but feels all of its size when applying spin. It still volleys and half-volleys incredibly, and if you hit below center as you apply topspin, the frame's response is still very lively. Its dynamic and static balance is good, with or without the vibration dampener, but the plow thru is better with it, and you lose nothing in racquet head acceleration speed. Also, the ball cupping has been improved in this upgrade.

Be mindful that this stick is more demanding than the Organix 10 325 and the BB London. If you're a player and you prefer old school feeling sticks, it's this or the PB 10 Mid.

[zumzool]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

I hit with the Melbourne today.

It is more solid, is better balanced, and has more plow thru than the Legend. The stick also feels smaller than a 98in2 as you drive the ball, but feels all of its size when applying spin. It still volleys and half-volleys incredibly, and if you hit below center as you apply topspin, the frame's response is still very lively. Its dynamic and static balance is good, with or without the vibration dampener, but the plow thru is better with it, and you lose nothing in racquet head acceleration speed. Also, the ball cupping has been improved in this upgrade.

Be mindful that this stick is more demanding than the Organix 10 325 and the BB London. If you're a player and you prefer old school feeling sticks, it's this or the PB 10 Mid.

awesome, thanks for the review. can you compare to the PB10? and with all it's positives, is there any weaknesses?

[zumzool]

also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by zumzool

also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?

I'm not a big fan of much of the TW reviewer's POVs, because they are always subjective; always comparing the reviewed stick to what they play with or what they do, rather than delivering an objective review, stating what the stick does or can/cannot do.

If this stick is designed for compact strokes, then tell Boris with his long strokes. He's been playing with that stick and its different iterations since '99, even while promoting the BB 10 and BB 11s, which were both specifically designed for him. Hit with the Melbourne and hit with a Puma Super, and you will know why.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by zumzool

awesome, thanks for the review. can you compare to the PB10? and with all it's positives, is there any weaknesses?

The PB 10 is very precise, but many complained that it did not have enough pop. I didn't feel that it lacked pop, but the ball quality lacked the heaviness that I prefer and get with my fully leaded PB 10 Mid. The PB 10 also requires more effort to hit spin; the Melbourne is just as precise when driving the ball, but it provides for the ability to hit spin with less effort, as its ball cupping ability is awesome. The Melbourne also works better on low balls and second serves because of the ball cupping action.

If you have a larger repertoire, go with the Melbourne. If you have more traditional strokes/shots, go with the PB 10, because its string bed is more uniform when you hit off center.

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by zumzool

also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?

I think TW made an error in the description page. I don't think this racquet suits the type of player with compact strokes.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

I think TW made an error in the description page. I don't think this racquet suits the type of player with compact strokes.

They also listed its beam width as 21mm, when it is clearly written on the stick and in the catalog to be 20mm.

[grover]

this racket. Question for TM.