Diary of a Racketaholic

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by JGads

Actually, maybe. The only one I have left (cracked the other that was perfect) is head-heavier than it should be, which makes it pummel the ball but it gets a bit unwieldy at times. Are yours pretty much on spec? I may have my people call your people.

I may have to go to Power Player's lab and measure the specs. To me they all feel the same. I can tell the difference between various head guard tapes, so I think I'm pretty sensitive to how the frames feel. If you are interested, I can try and get some measurements for you. I've got 3 of them but I already told a local hitting partner he could buy one.

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by mikeler

It's too bad I bought my stringer right before Gamma upgraded their brake. I've done the ports before and just use the hip method. At least the Exo Tour has 2 less cross strings than the 7G.




I think the ports allow you to swing faster but it could be my imagination.

Originally Posted by Power Player

They do. That stick feels really good and solid too. I had trouble getting the tension right when I strung it ,but it is a little tricky on my stringway with O Ports. Half of the hitting partners and coaches I saw at the Sony were using the EXO tour because it is so comfortable.

Agreed. I haven't quite found a mid or MP yet that swings as quicky through the contact as swiftly as the 2009 Rebels. Same with other racket lines as well. Take rackets with similar specs to any of the speed ports and the princes will swing lighter without feeling like a toy. Makes me miss it slightly, but I might just end up weighting up my RDiS 200's.

[Ross K]

Talking of Princes, any of you have any thoughts on a frame entirely unknown to me really but a few ppl are recommending as re my thread on tweenerish frames that won't shred your arm- the Warrior?

[sansaephanh]

IMO, almost all of the prince tweeners wont shred a arm, but that,s cause I've never had a problem with them personally.

The warrior is a great stick. Nice power, great spin, and suprisingly easy for my to flatten out. My friend added a bit of lead to his and it hit really nicely. I think he had pro line 2 in there.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I may have to go to Power Player's lab and measure the specs. To me they all feel the same. I can tell the difference between various head guard tapes, so I think I'm pretty sensitive to how the frames feel. If you are interested, I can try and get some measurements for you. I've got 3 of them but I already told a local hitting partner he could buy one.

No worries, man. I wouldn't want to snag more than two, and I might want the weekend to decide if I really want to add those two anyway... And if so, no need to go crazy measuring them out - as long as they feel ok to you and about the same, then that's fine. It's just the last time I bought two 7G used, they arrived to my hand feeling completely different from one another - I instantaneously recognized that one was way more head-heavy than prior 7Gs, and the other way too light. It was an odd, disappointing Wilson-like quality control spec differential, and it was the first time I'd ever had 7Gs that felt that way.

I'll let you know shortly. (if you get a good offer elsewhere, feel free to take it if you haven't heard from me yet)..

[arrowtowntennisclub]

pp, have you checked out the pics and specs on the new yy vcore xi 98??

beam width/design seems to be very similar to the rdis 200, plus i dont know if its just me but the cosmetics look very similar too, just with the vcore red in place of the goldey orange on the 200

intrigued!

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by JGads

No worries, man. I wouldn't want to snag more than two, and I might want the weekend to decide if I really want to add those two anyway... And if so, no need to go crazy measuring them out - as long as they feel ok to you and about the same, then that's fine. It's just the last time I bought two 7G used, they arrived to my hand feeling completely different from one another - I instantaneously recognized that one was way more head-heavy than prior 7Gs, and the other way too light. It was an odd, disappointing Wilson-like quality control spec differential, and it was the first time I'd ever had 7Gs that felt that way.

I'll let you know shortly. (if you get a good offer elsewhere, feel free to take it if you haven't heard from me yet)..

I got your e-mail and responded. Worst case, if they feel different to you, then just ship 'em back to me. I'll find a home for them.

[Power Player]

Interesting mini debate i have going on as i finally go to hit today after a week.

I have been getting easier and easier power lately since my fitness and footwork has improved and have been craving more control.

Finding that the polybreak is a rather powerful string..the black magic is not as powerful but has that control. I am really going back and forth as i was hitting extremely precise and heavy shots with the BM that I have about 3-4 hours on (strung it up 2 weeks ago).

BM is strung at 42/40 and plays like it is strung much tighter. I am going to string the polybreak at 45 and see if that does anything.

These are both such great strings for the price. It is a tough decision..may have to get some more BM and just figure it out.

I know there has been a Black Magic revival lately on the boards, but I feel like it really is one of the best polys out there with polybreak. That pocketing feel really does it for me...of course polybreak has incredible comfort and crispness as well...decisions..

[JGads]

PP, tried your suggested setup on the PS95. About 5.5 grams spread evenly up top from 10-2, plus overgrip, took weight out of the handle.. Cracked a solid, solid ball, but felt a tad sluggish, so just peeled off a bit of the lead on each side at the ends, leaving it spread out between 11-1. Probably about 3 or 3.5 grams now, and I added a second overgrip. Total weight of 12.3 and, last night, absolutely loved it. Beat a hitting partner 1 and 1 with (rare) crazy consistency on serves and moving the ball around like crazy.

My lone beef with this 95 is slices just float a bit too much too often, and I love the slice, it's one of my go-tos. Need to see if I can figure that out with this one, or if it's just not there with the slice. But, all in all, still oddly loving the 95 experiment.

[Power Player]

Gads..nice..very nice. I was curious if you were going to do that. Did you find it easier to hit with weight and finish points now?

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Gads..nice..very nice. I was curious if you were going to do that. Did you find it easier to hit with weight and finish points now?

Yeah, though I probably still don't rip through an open court quite like I do with the 7G or Ace, but I'm serving so well with this frame and the maneuverability I'm feeling at its current 12.3 weight is just ridiculous for 12.3, and so I'm getting crazy angles and opening up the court so well. And the feel for the ball is just sensational. On the maneuverability side, I'm hitting the ball aggressively into the left corner so much more with this stick, whereas with my heavier-in-the-head 7G I'm always pummeling inside-out forehands because it just pummels that shot so deep so easily, but then sometimes I get gunshy going for the left corner. With the 95 lately I'm hitting the ball a bit more out in front and sending it to both corners, and have really been yo-yoing the opponent from corner to corner. Honestly I'm playing so well in set play with this stick lately that, believe it or not, I've got a playoff match tomorrow and am going in with the 95. We'll see.

Grabbing a couple of Mik's 7Gs because I need to get that frame in its normal weight and balance again, one that previously allowed me to even put a tiny bit of lead up at 12 with no issues... The one that's left in my bag just has too much weight in the head that robs me of that key maneuverability you need to pop it into the left corner with confidence when under pressure, plus gets a bit sluggish on serve.

[Power Player]

That is awesome. That 95 sounds a lot like the 200. I can hit crosscourt hard when pulled to my right off the court.

My main thing is that balance between power and control.the better I am getting the more control I want in a stick. The 200 has it but you know when you get to the 95 size it can be rather perfect.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

That is awesome. That 95 sounds a lot like the 200. I can hit crosscourt hard when pulled to my right off the court.

My main thing is that balance between power and control.the better I am getting the more control I want in a stick. The 200 has it but you know when you get to the 95 size it can be rather perfect.

It's extremely 200-like. Really the same characteristics, but personally the crisper box-beam feel is more to my liking than the 200's pillowy plushness, and I just love how this thing serves.

Funny that you mention that running cross court shot. I actually had a ball last night that pulled me off the court and I just went for broke cross court (thinking my partner was following the ball into the net).. Ripped it with all I had and looked up, and the ball actually managed to zing through the opposite corner even though he was still at the baseline and had not come in... He was just leaning toward the sideline and I was able to get it past him the other way as he flailed but couldn't quite get there. It was a Chris Edwards fist-pump moment.

[sargeinaz]

The more I look at the 2006 Kneissl Red Star, the more I want one. I hope to buy one sooner than later. I want to try a 27.5 inch frame as well and I cant lie, it's one of my favorite paint jobs of all time. Any holics used the frame and want to give me some input? Ive already searched and read the threads from the past, just want to see if anybody here had some thoughts.

[Meaghan]

Bumblebee c10pro arrived (thanks mate )......easy mod to match my yellow version, this was a little more head heavy so it needed a leather grip. Otherwise to match I added 5g top of handle and 8g in the hoop, feels more powerful than my other stick but that may be the lower string tension. Feels very stable especially the upper hoop where my yellow version flexes a touch more. 372g and 32cm balance with sw 360-365ish...next to arrive the x10

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Meaghan

Bumblebee c10pro arrived (thanks mate )......easy mod to match my yellow version, this was a little more head heavy so it needed a leather grip. Otherwise to match I added 5g top of handle and 8g in the hoop, feels more powerful than my other stick but that may be the lower string tension. Feels very stable especially the upper hoop where my yellow version flexes a touch more. 372g and 32cm balance with sw 360-365ish...next to arrive the x10

It actually feels slightly painful seeing her there like this now in the hands of another ... ah well, such is the racketaholic path I have chosen to tread. Good job I still have one at least. Look forward to hearing how this compares to your other C10s, Rich.

BTW, if you haven't restrung it already, that Tornado has been in there for ages.

[Meaghan]

Originally Posted by Ross K

It actually feels slightly painful seeing her there like this now in the hands of another ... ah well, such is the racketaholic path I have chosen to tread. Good job I still have one at least. Look forward to hearing how this compares to your other C10s, Rich.

BTW, if you haven't restrung it already, that Tornado has been in there for ages.

Haha like unrequited love in anothers arms.....

Never played Tornado and I will change it but it feels really nice in there just popping it about in the kitchen. The grip 4 will have to change, Im so used to a small grip now that it feels cumbersome. I am however a grip 5+ so I can happily play well with it and in some respects it works better for volleys but whipping thro the ball it doesnt compare to my grip 2.
Really happy that Ive managed to match spec very easily. Took the measurements, did a few numbers in my head, threw some mods on and I was bang on the money. It is beautiful isnt it....

[Power Player]

Sick racquet Megs. Handled by Ross makes it an epic holic stick that will either poison you with lust for other brands or make you commit to a marriage.

Gads, how solid does that pro staff feel? I sure wish the wilson QC was better..it truly sucks.

I mean I am spoiled by the yonex. All 3 of my sticks are the exact same.

If I ever get TE and have to get a tighter pattern so I can go back to gut or some other soft string, the PS95 would be on my extremely short list. the 200s open pattern and ease of use though..oh man..it spoils me.

The new yys bug my elbow, but I have not tried the updated tour version. Arrow, the 98 does not spec out the same so I doubt it will play like our 200s. you can always mod it..etc, but I think the magic of the 200 comes in the weight and balance and also whatever that flexpoint tech is. They totally abandoned flexpoint, which is a shame because it really does work.

[Ross K]

RHs,

The Ezone Xi 100...

Since it was pointed out to me recently (cheers Fed) and I've read up on reviews/posts, seen the TT vid, etc, got to say it's another frame that really sounds right up my street, very appealing to me... easy big thumping power, consistent depth, nice spin, maneuverability, comfortable, etc.

Basically, any further feedback and thoughts appreciated (including how it compares to the 100S, and thoughts on that squarish head-shape).

[Power Player]

This black magic just wont quit making me pay attention to it. Right when. I am about to settle on the polybreak, the bm has delivered. I am really impressed with the control. The feel is not crisp like the polybreak but the ball feel is still there and the stick just pockets so well.

The extended playtext continues,but my consistency has gone way up as of late. I think some of it has to do with how i have really gotten a lot more power just by making contact in front so much more often. Im swinging very easy and getting a lot of pop just because of this. Its pretty nice to hit this relaxed and rarely every try and hit big and yet still have a lot of power. this has made me crave more control and the black magic instantly delivers there.


Anyway, real relaxed swings and clean contact out in front ..definitley a pleasurable tennis experience when you hit like this. I am moving around a lot better as well and giving myself the extra bit of time needed to get prepped. Just good stuff in general to work on.