trying racket with bigger headsize(advice strings)

[realplayer]

I play with a 95 headsize strung with a multi but want to change to a 100 headsize because of the bigger sweetspot, easier power and topspin. I demoed a bigger headsize with the technifibre x-code string which felt like a board and i hardly could keep the balls within the lines.

I like to be at the net but because of the headsize or the stiff strings i stayed on the baseline with the bigger headsize which is not how i like to play.

I hope to fix the problem with the extra power by changing to a thicker gauge and higher tension with mult or synthetic gut and stringing it 4 lbs higher then the 95(except for the headsize the racket that i demoed has the same construction as the 95)

Because poly or a hybrid seems not suit an attacking game i would like to know if i can harness the power with a higher tension and still keep the benefits of a bigger sweetspot for example.

Advice please!!

[TimothyO]

I too have have been seduced by the siren song of more spin and power from larger heads/open string beds. But repeatedly I find myself leaving those 100" mistresses and returning to my control freaks with their smaller heads/dense patterns.

If you insist on heading down this road towards maddness then there are few options. Depeneding upon the frame's power you'll need to do what the pros do: string with full bed poly or something like gut at a very high tension. Anything else and coming from a smaller head you'll be disappointed with the lower control. Even then I predict you'll return to smaller heads once you realize larger ones don't provide a significant increase in spin or sweet spot.

[realplayer]

Maybe my question was too difficult so I hope someone can answer.
What is the difference between a 95 with a low tension and and a 100 inch with a higher tension.
I think power would be the same now but what will it mean for control and will the bigger head still have a bigger sweetspot or any other advantage over the smaller headsize.
Ofcourse the rackets except for the headsize are identical.

[ICanBeSerious]

Bigger head means bigger sweetspot for sure.
What Timothy says is that a 100hs racket has less directional control than a 95. So to overcome this, if you buy an 100 you should string it very high.
An 95 racket has already enough control potential, so smaller rackets could be strung with less tension in order to get some power.

But i have maybe the same problem with you.
I use a BLX 6.1 95 16x19 2011. I like everything about this racket (weight, swingweight, maneuverability, control, power), but i have some annoying off-spot hits.
Any proposals on a 100hs with similar specs as the 6.1?
The new Head Extreme Pro 2.0 seems good, but i'm afraid that would be very generic...

[realplayer]

Check out the angell/vantage rackets. These are the best in my opinion and custom. So they make it exactly like the BLX in terms of specs and in a 100 headsize.
I ordered one.

[realplayer]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

I too have have been seduced by the siren song of more spin and power from larger heads/open string beds. But repeatedly I find myself leaving those 100" mistresses and returning to my control freaks with their smaller heads/dense patterns.

If you insist on heading down this road towards maddness then there are few options. Depeneding upon the frame's power you'll need to do what the pros do: string with full bed poly or something like gut at a very high tension. Anything else and coming from a smaller head you'll be disappointed with the lower control. Even then I predict you'll return to smaller heads once you realize larger ones don't provide a significant increase in spin or sweet spot.

Well, I realize now and I will never leave my control freaks again!!

[BigBanger007]

With a bigger racket comes a bigger sweetspot obviously but would normally be easier to wield comparing to smaller headsize because it as a bigger area (racket head) to 'catch' the ball. Spin might also be easier to produce if it is a 16x19/20 but I think strings will probably last not quite as long because you can still hit as hard as you want because of the bigger sweetspot. Just an opinion. And you should try volkl cyclone, heard it doesn't lose that much control even at a lower tension.

[esgee48]

FWIW, here are several comments.

You can switch to a thicker gauge string at the same tension to see if it deadens the string bed. Use this site: http://www.stringway-nl.com/en/TAonline/calc.php Or you can just try replicating the String Bed Stiffness using the same string (don't think this will work.) Or you can find a 100" that had a dense central pattern. Or you can change your technique. Or a combination of all the above.

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by realplayer

Maybe my question was too difficult so I hope someone can answer.
What is the difference between a 95 with a low tension and and a 100 inch with a higher tension.
I think power would be the same now but what will it mean for control and will the bigger head still have a bigger sweetspot or any other advantage over the smaller headsize.
Ofcourse the rackets except for the headsize are identical.

The racket specs are a guideline. Not all 100sq or 95sq in rackets, etc., will play the same so its hard to make comparisons. Get a racket that has the qualities you are looking for and that you play well with, regardless of the specs. If you really wanted as direct a comparison as you can get with a 5sq in difference, demo the Donnays in 94 & 99 headsizes.

[realplayer]

Already tried a thicker gauge(1,35 mm) but i just don't like the bigger headsize. I'm happy with the 95 headsize with a 16 x 19 pattern which feels too open in the 100 inch.
I lose precision and the headsize feels too big. I also notice i have to change my style of play which means playing more defensive.