**** #1 Redondo Talks Thread ****

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by anirut

So, from the the outter-most layer is the grip (leather or synthetic), then the pallet, and then the "raw racket" frame".

Ahh. I've never removed my pallet.
I wouldn't be surprised if they do that stuff internally to balance it though...

[claudioRM]

ref the "mistery" of the BA too heavy:

I've applied to prokennex.com and the answer arrived shortly!

there are two version of the BA:

- the American one which weight 315gr.
- the European one which weight 325gr.

Now I'm gonna have a try: remove the lead weights in the handle taking notes of change of weight and balance and see what happens otherwise I'm gonna sell it! too heavy!!!

[Gee]

Originally Posted by claudioRM

ref the "mistery" of the BA too heavy:

I've applied to prokennex.com and the answer arrived shortly!

there are two version of the BA:

- the American one which weight 315gr.
- the European one which weight 325gr.

Now I'm gonna have a try: remove the lead weights in the handle taking notes of change of weight and balance and see what happens otherwise I'm gonna sell it! too heavy!!!

This may be true but you have the American version that should have a weight of about 315 gr.

The latest Black Ace (with SpiralTech Carbon) has been called the European version which weighs 325 gr.

[claudioRM]

Originally Posted by Gee

This may be true but you have the American version that should have a weight of about 315 gr.

I think I have the European version that weight 325gr the paint job should be the same.

I took the lead weight off and now the racquets is 19,1gr lighter and more head balanced.

Now I have to check the balance and set the racquet not to become heavier than 350gr.

I'll keep you posted.

[claudioRM]

another step done and posted to make it to usefull for whom it may concern

here the slot once removed the lead weight



...it is clear that is has been done with the purpose to customize the racquet. as a friend of mine said maybe both the stick for EU and US version come out from the same production and then customized.

I have filled the slot with silicon to light the head of the racquets

At the end of all the racquets weight 343gr i.e. 15gr less the before (I have replaced the original grip with a babolat one since thicker and heavier, 7gr more)...and the balance should be around 32cm as you can see...





comments?!?!

[Gee]

Originally Posted by claudioRM

I think I have the European version that weight 325gr the paint job should be the same.

No. You have the (so-called American version of) BA98 with yellow precision into the bridge paintjob that contains a 100% graphite composition. I mean this one
The BA98 2012 version is the so-called European version that has a weight of 325 gr. unstrung. This one contains the SpiralTech Carbon composition as well.

I only don't understand why the specs of the BA98 2012 (and the previous BA98 as well) mentioned at TW USA differ a lot from the TW Europe site as they are the same models. I still believe the specs of TW Europe are correct as I checked this with my 2 BA98s. They don't swing nowhere like a 331 SW. Much lighter around a 315 SW I guess.

I never found a BA98 (with the yellow precision) that was that heavy like yours. Where did you buy it? I wished I could find that one as I prefer the weight of my Redondo and I tried to match my BA98 to those ones.

[claudioRM]

Originally Posted by Gee

Where did you buy it? I wished I could find that one as I prefer the weight of my Redondo and I tried to match my BA98 to those ones.

I found it on ****!

Gee... do you want it?

[anirut]

Just my observations ...

I think the PK's QC is sorta going down-hill.

The first time I removed my Redondo pallet ... it was very difficult. Very well-glued to the racket.

My recent experience removing Iceinbangkok's BA93 pallet ... GOSH! So easy! Almost a slid-off.

My two Redondo's are soooo different in SW, yet very close in static weight and balance.

C'mon, PK, fix it. QUICK!

[Gee]

I am considering to add lead at 10-2 o'clock (whole bumperguard area) in order to increase plowthrough and power with my serves because I feel I can handle a higher swingweight than the stock condition.

Did anyone this try this with the Redondo MP and what are your results?

[PKfan1]

Has anyone else purchased a redondo mid in the past year?
I recently switched from mg prestige mid in april and initially purchased one redondo mid from a local shop with out demoing. He said he had to order it directly from PK in California (for all I know he ordered it from TW). When I got the racquet it weighed out to 362g strung static, and I calculated the swing weight out to about 343g. This was actually a good thing as it saved me from having to add weight as I was expecting to have to do. I fell in love at first hit and decided to make the change. I warily purchased a second one from TW and thankfully it came out about the same as the first(364g static, roughly same balance point).
So what I was wondering is if all the mids are in this same ball park and the specs are just wrong on the site or was I just extremely fortunate to get two stick this far from the norm as I am interested in purchasing more.

[movdqa]

That is crazy heavy for a stock Redondo - about a 0.7 ounce difference. When I got mine, they were both correct on weight - 12.1 oz strung - spec was 12.06. My scale was only accurate to the nearest 0.1 oz. I think that most of the folks I knew with Redondos had the same experience.

Probably plays nice at that weight though.

[PKfan1]

Originally Posted by Gee

I am considering to add lead at 10-2 o'clock (whole bumperguard area) in order to increase plowthrough and power with my serves because I feel I can handle a higher swingweight than the stock condition.

Did anyone this try this with the Redondo MP and what are your results?

I didn't add lead, but my stock weight and swing weight (362g and 343g) seem to be what you're going for and it is amazing. I would definitely suggest giving it a try if you can handle the weight without messing up your stroke.

[Gee]

Originally Posted by PKfan1

I didn't add lead, but my stock weight and swing weight (362g and 343g) seem to be what you're going for and it is amazing. I would definitely suggest giving it a try if you can handle the weight without messing up your stroke.

I just added about 5-6 grams of lead. My Redondo is now 360 grams. Curious how it 'll play. Tonight I 'll play a match with it.

[PKfan1]

I too was thinking to myself that I could handle more swingweight. So I added 7 grams total @ 10 and 2 that brought my weight to about 370. I had drill this morning and I was just crushing balls on my groundies. It added a lot of stability at net as well. I didn't have a chance to serve any yet but I'm going to play tonight if it doesn't rain. I'm excited to see how this extra pop will help in a match.

[Gee]

I used to play with Head RIP Control 17 that I like a lot. I only think it feels a bit too soft and too muted into my Redondo MP.

What strings do you recommend that gives the Redondo MP a bit more crisp feel?

[PKfan1]

Have you tried hybriding with poly to stiffen it up a bit?

I play full poly with the Redondo mid and it still feels very comfortable to me.

[PKfan1]

Also how did leading up work out for you?

[movdqa]

I don't think that you want the crisp feel unless you are leading it up. Going to stiffer strings drops the power level and I think that most would prefer more power. I wish that I had played around with lead when I had my Redondo - I gave up on it because I couldn't crank the serve, and because I had problems with balls falling short if I was pressed on shots.

[Gee]

Originally Posted by PKfan1

I too was thinking to myself that I could handle more swingweight. So I added 7 grams total @ 10 and 2 that brought my weight to about 370. I had drill this morning and I was just crushing balls on my groundies. It added a lot of stability at net as well. I didn't have a chance to serve any yet but I'm going to play tonight if it doesn't rain. I'm excited to see how this extra pop will help in a match.

Lately I did a side-by-side serving test with my BA98 and Redondo MP.

My BA98 setup: about 7 grams of silicone into the handle, lead from 4 to 8 o'clock and Babolat leather grip with Yonex Super Grap Overgrip. Total weight: 360 grams.
My Redondo MP has 5-6 grams at 12 and a Yonex Super Grap Overgrip. Total weight: 360 grams.

First I hit some with the BA98 with good results. It has a lighter and therefore easier swing than the Redondo.

Then I took my Redondo. I was struggling to find the rythm first but after that I produced a few good serves. Only not as consistent as with the BA98. It also felt too muted to my taste.

I hoped the Redondo MP 'll serve better because I prefer its more solid feel with the other strokes.

[Gee]

Originally Posted by PKfan1

Have you tried hybriding with poly to stiffen it up a bit?

I play full poly with the Redondo mid and it still feels very comfortable to me.

Originally Posted by PKfan1

Also how did leading up work out for you?

Originally Posted by movdqa

I don't think that you want the crisp feel unless you are leading it up. Going to stiffer strings drops the power level and I think that most would prefer more power. I wish that I had played around with lead when I had my Redondo - I gave up on it because I couldn't crank the serve, and because I had problems with balls falling short if I was pressed on shots.

Last week I played a match with 5-6 grams of lead at 12. I served better than my previous match and the feel also improved. I only lost the match so I was a bit disappointed but it wasn't due to the Redondo. We started our match outdoors and I was leading with 4-0 until the lights went off by accident. Then we had to finish the match indoors but I didn't have my indoor shoes so I was a little afraid to run fast.