BB Melbourne Club

[sphinx780]

Originally Posted by slowfox

Hey Sphinx, what is a good set up for low power with this frame? Since you've experimented a lot, you probably have some good advice. Thanks.

I'm a big believer in using a softer string at a low tension to limit the power. I'd suggest starting out at 48/46 if you're having power issues at a mid tension. If that just feels too mushy for you, then the other option is to go on the higher side, say 65+ but that will give you a very stiff stringbed and with the frames characteristics, I can see someone with elbow or shoulder problems finding this method to be a little aggravating.

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by sphinx780

I'm a big believer in using a softer string at a low tension to limit the power. I'd suggest starting out at 48/46 if you're having power issues at a mid tension. If that just feels too mushy for you, then the other option is to go on the higher side, say 65+ but that will give you a very stiff stringbed and with the frames characteristics, I can see someone with elbow or shoulder problems finding this method to be a little aggravating.

Thanks for replying. I'm surprised by the low tension suggestion, but I will give it a shot. A softer string like a multi? I've been using natural gut at mid+ tension. Was thinking I should up tension to tame it. But now you got me thinking...

[jhusein]

Originally Posted by 10SDad

I'd love to hear how this trial goes for you, so please post back when you have a chance after running through the paces.

The only multi I have at the moment to try is NXT 17 ga. That's a pretty soft string as it is, so with the lower tension I don't know what is going to happen.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I want to give the stick a fair chance, but have never had to change things up this much before.

Out of curiosity, has anyone tail-waited their Melbourne? Since the buttcap appears non-removable and I believe there is already silicone in the handle, a leather grip or lead under the grip are about the only methods.

It has been raining here and will continue to rain for the next couple of days. I may hit with it Sunday evening or for Sure Monday during a league match.

[Brian72]

My Melbourne's just arrived today. Won't have a chance to hit with them till Monday morning. Weighting is good, both have the exact same balance point.

Have played with the PB10Mid and Becker 11 mid in the past. Really enjoyed both those racquets. In fact I think I sold the Becker 11 to Basil

Really dislike multi's and how bad they have frayed on me. Hopefully, this will work with a full bed of poly or a hybrid of poly and synthetic gut.

Maybe I've missed the discussion or comments regarding stringing these racquets with synthetic Gut or at least a hybrid. Any thoughts?

[sphinx780]

Originally Posted by slowfox

Thanks for replying. I'm surprised by the low tension suggestion, but I will give it a shot. A softer string like a multi? I've been using natural gut at mid+ tension. Was thinking I should up tension to tame it. But now you got me thinking...

I've never worked with Gut and everything I've heard is go higher to tame it. I'm not 100% sure that lower would work with Gut. I'm working with multi specifically so my suggestions will be based solely on that at this point. I couldn't get the multi/poly hybrids or full poly's to give me what I wanted from the Melly so off to Multi's I went. Hadn't done that in 15 years.

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by sphinx780

I'm working with multi specifically so my suggestions will be based solely on that at this point. I couldn't get the multi/poly hybrids or full poly's to give me what I wanted from the Melly so off to Multi's I went. Hadn't done that in 15 years.

Any favorite multi's? Maybe I'll go peruse the string section now as well.

[sphinx780]

Mikeler has a great thread on Multi's. Do a QD search for my name and you'll find my multi review thread as well in the string section which all pertain directly to the Melbourne.

[BDAZ]

Maybe it's been discussed somewhere in this thread, but is the Melbourne just a re-painted Volkl Quantum 10 Tour? Same CAP-like bumper that even still says titanium light carbon.

[basil J]

I doubt it? Volkl typically does not recirculate old frames that I know of.

[10SDad]

Really appreciate everyone's feedback and advice over the past couple of weeks. Played two hours of doubles last night, fresh hybrid string job, and could not make anything work. In addition, I felt it in my shoulder and arm and can't afford to continue with that. So unfortunately I will be sending my one remaining new stick back and putting the current one up on the boards. If anyone here is interested on obtaining another 4-3/8", I would be happy to work with you directly. I was careful not to scrape it during play, so it's a 9+/10.

Great group here, and I wish you all continued success with the Melbourne and your games. My search will continue.

10SDad

[Meaghan]

Originally Posted by BDAZ

Maybe it's been discussed somewhere in this thread, but is the Melbourne just a re-painted Volkl Quantum 10 Tour? Same CAP-like bumper that even still says titanium light carbon.

The Melly and Legend have oval heads whereas the volkl's are weighted in the shoulders.

[Brian72]

Play 2 sets and 3 games of 21 yesterday with my Melbourne.

A little about my game: I'm a 4.0, I like to serve and volley, I have a solid kick serve that I use most of the time, Hit my groundies with quite a bit of topspin, and I typically get my racquet on most ball. I'm working at getting to tthe net more during baseline rally's and staying out of defense mode when I hang on the baseline.

Having played with Volkl's and Becker's in the past, there are definitely some similarities. I purchased two racquets from TW. They came it with stock dampener and an wilson over wrap at 347 grams each. And they had Identical balance points. I had them strung with the free synthetic gut TW offers at 55lbs. I typically string my own racquets. And in this case, I elected to have TW string them since it was free. Couldn't ask for more. My first impressions.....

1. Solid.....The Melbourne is solid. Hitting volleys, shoe strings, and off center shots all felt great. I loved how solid it felt at the net. I hit several balls out the air from errant balls from my hitting partner and it was just solid. Off center balls still resulted in good directional control.

2. Slices.....I have an ok slice with about 1 out of every 4 sitting up on me. With the melbourne, slicing was fantastic. The solid nature of the racquet made it easy to slice.

3. Touch.....This is something I have missed since selling my PB10 mid and my Becker 11. The Melbourne had great touch, I was able to hit great drop shots, touch volleys and change up speeds with out thinking about it.

4. Topspin.....Frankly, I was concerned about topspin with the 18x20 string pattern. And with all the talk about a hot string bed I was concerned about keeping balls in the court. I was pleasantly surprised by how much topspin I was able to generate with this racquet.

5. Serve.....My flat first serve didn't have as much pop as I am accustom too. And the racquet seemed a bit lethargic on serve in general at first. Never got my flat first serve going, however, my kickers were jumping. And I rarely hit long, which gave me added confidence on second serves. Directional control was great. I'm going to play around with adding weight to the handle to see if I can get a little more whip with my serve.

6. Maneuverability.....This was another area I thought might be an issue. I was more than pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to pick up short hops as well as put spin on low, short balls. And it never felt sluggish at the net. I'm looking forward to playing more S&V with this racquet and coming to the net more often. At one point I came to the net on 8 straight points and winning the point on each.

7. Hot String Bed.....I was really worried about this and it just never seemed to be an issue. With the spin I was able to generate from both wings I never worried about hitting long. I had plenty of power when I swung out, and my backhand felt great.

8. Control.....I've been playing with the Biomimetic 300 Tour and the Prince EXO3 Tour, and I felt way more confident with the Melbourne in every aspect.

I'm excited to play around with different string set ups, especially poly. I've played around with different racquets from time to time, but I usually settle on something and play with it for a couple of years. I really like my Prince EXO3 Tours and I've played with them for 2 years now. They are leaded up to 357 grams. And the Melbourne's have better touch and better control. Not quite as much topspin.

Serving was the only area that I wasn't completely happy with. And like Basil, It usually takes a couple of outing and a couple of baskets of balls to dial that in with a new racquet.

I plan on sticking with this racquet for the foreseeable future.

[basil J]

Brian 72 , great to hear that you are enjoying the melbourne. the serve will come and you will find this to be a very "complete" frame. When I struggle with this frame, it is always me. The stick does what you ask of it. When I am playing well, the stick accentuates my game nicely.
Enjoy..

[basil J]

Took a week off to rest my aching knees and got a chance to play in 75 degree sunshine today in metro Boston. I tried going to a stronger semi western grip today and I was amzed at how much heavy topspin I was producing today.The grip shape really makes the semi western a natural feeling grip and I was hitting out with great confidence today. Great to play outside today!

[Brian72]

So I've had a couple of outings now with the Melbourne. Played for 4 hours last Thursday and then for 2.5 hours today. I had a chance to play around with string setups and have come to a few conclusions.

First, I gotta say, you get out of this racquet what you put in. I have really enjoyed not worrying about my racquet. The Melbourne's power level has been a great match for my game. And it's been a fantastic transition from the Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16x18. Topspin has been the biggest surprise, and it's only gotten better since I played around with string setups.

I have four Melbourne's strung up. The first two have a full bed of Synthetic Gut at 55 lbs. I strung up the other two yesterday.

1st setup: Poly cross at 57 and a Synthetic Main at 60.

2nd setup: Synthetic cross at 60 and Poly Main at 57.

I preferred both these setups to the Full bed of Syn Gut. They both had more power and spin. The extra power was nicely offset by the extra topspin I was able to generate. However, the 1st setup was my favorite as it generated the most topspin and my hitting partner felt like I was just hitting a much heavier ball. I felt like I had more control as well on half volleys and I was able to hit short low balls with more pace and confidence.

All in all the honeymoon continues. Serves are getting better. I would like to still tail weight one just to see how it performs.

Note: String that I use is Goldenset Power Cord 17g and Hex Poly 17g for the poly and their Synthetic Gut in 17g.

[Brian72]

Originally Posted by basil J

Brian 72 , great to hear that you are enjoying the melbourne. the serve will come and you will find this to be a very "complete" frame. When I struggle with this frame, it is always me. The stick does what you ask of it. When I am playing well, the stick accentuates my game nicely.
Enjoy..

Basil, I've got to agree with you. This stick does do what you ask of it. When I hit long, it's because of my crappy footwork.

As for the serve, I've gone from a continental grip to an Eastern Back Hand grip for my topspin serves and the adjustment has increased my consistency quite a bit. Still working on the flat serve. Much prefer just hitting Topspin on first and seconds as my first serve percentage goes way up.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. Glad I finally pulled the trigger.

[jhusein]

Originally Posted by 10SDad

Really appreciate everyone's feedback and advice over the past couple of weeks. Played two hours of doubles last night, fresh hybrid string job, and could not make anything work. In addition, I felt it in my shoulder and arm and can't afford to continue with that. So unfortunately I will be sending my one remaining new stick back and putting the current one up on the boards. If anyone here is interested on obtaining another 4-3/8", I would be happy to work with you directly. I was careful not to scrape it during play, so it's a 9+/10.

Great group here, and I wish you all continued success with the Melbourne and your games. My search will continue.

10SDad

I am bowing out as well and will stick to my PB10 MID for now. If anyone here is interested, I have two in excellent condition (9+), one in 4 1/2 and one in 4 3/8 ( will sell or trade).

[basil J]

I started hitting with a pro twice a month recently. I will be turning 52 in january and although I maintain excellent an fitness level I just can't rely on my endurance and foot speed anymore to outlast 30 somethings anymore. I have been working on moving to a true 'all court game" meaning that I need to tighten up my volleys, overheads, approach shots and short ball game. My pro stopped me in the middle of our last outing and asked to look at my frame. I asked why and he said that my shots had so much spin and weight that he wanted so see what my set up was. Gut/poly is working real well indoors for me right now with no shoulder issues. He was familiar with Volkl frames and thought that this was an excellent set up for me. I want to really work on an attacking game over the winter so I can shorten up points and lengthen my singles ability a few more years before my body starts to let me down and I move to purely doubles.

[Kot_Bigemot]

Originally Posted by basil J

I started hitting with a pro twice a month recently. I will be turning 52 in january and although I maintain excellent an fitness level I just can't rely on my endurance and foot speed anymore to outlast 30 somethings anymore. I have been working on moving to a true 'all court game" meaning that I need to tighten up my volleys, overheads, approach shots and short ball game. My pro stopped me in the middle of our last outing and asked to look at my frame. I asked why and he said that my shots had so much spin and weight that he wanted so see what my set up was. Gut/poly is working real well indoors for me right now with no shoulder issues. He was familiar with Volkl frames and thought that this was an excellent set up for me. I want to really work on an attacking game over the winter so I can shorten up points and lengthen my singles ability a few more years before my body starts to let me down and I move to purely doubles.

Nice to hear that string job is still alive man.

[basil J]

Mike it is inches away from popping. I will be calling you within a week for a stringing on two frames.