Diary of a Racketaholic

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by mikeler

He lives right next to Power Player and myself. The username story is a little more complicated, he'll have to explain that one.

Who is the better player between you three?

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Anyway, my point is that the 4G is the real deal for me. I will go back to that and put BM in the other stick and see which one wins.

OFFICIAL RUMOR ALERT WITH NO SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE!

Rogi has switched to 4g crosses?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Boricua

Who is the better player between you three?

I've never played against UA so I can't answer that.

[sansaephanh]

You know I played a few games with nat/alu and found it to feel like BM with more pop. I'm sure I don't swing fast enough to get the "full benefit" but it really wasn't as spectacular as I thought it was. A teeny bit better feel, a teeny bit more comfy, and bigger power on the gut.

Not enough difference to make me go gaga

[Fuji]

You guys are nuts with your expensive string combos, I use possibly one the most budget hyrbids out there and I love it. Dunlop Ice/GosenOG. Both 17G. Sure the durability isn't as strong as it could be, being that they are both 17G, but in denser patterns it doesn't make that much different.

-Fuji

[Dags]

Any of you fine fellows care to compare and contrast the Yonex Vcore 95D and the Wilson BLX Blade 98? Both are on offer here in the UK, and pique interest as I search for something in between my TGK 238.1 and Prince EXO3 Tour. I've found a couple of very short threads via the search, but nothing with substance.

In case it assists with your information, what I'm searching for is the precision of the TGK when I'm on the attack, and the assistance of the Prince when scrambling against better players. The Prince is better for forehands and volleys, but I can't hit a suitable flat serve with it and my 1hbh is awkward. The TGK lacks when I'm unable to have a full swing... which means I suffer both when I'm forced into defensive mode, but also against weaker players when I'm trying not to overhit short balls (the latter is clearly a technique issue, but nonetheless is much easier with the Prince). However, against a small subset of players, it plays so well that I feel like I'm cheating (and then promptly get brought back down to earth by a weaker opponent the next time out).

Thank you kindly for your consideration.

[Dags]

Originally Posted by Fuji

You guys are nuts with your expensive string combos, I use possibly one the most budget hyrbids out there and I love it. Dunlop Ice/GosenOG. Both 17G. Sure the durability isn't as strong as it could be, being that they are both 17G, but in denser patterns it doesn't make that much different.

-Fuji

A reel of the Gosen is about £90 here in the UK. We clearly choose to believe you're a big spender.

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by Fuji

You guys are nuts with your expensive string combos, I use possibly one the most budget hyrbids out there and I love it. Dunlop Ice/GosenOG. Both 17G. Sure the durability isn't as strong as it could be, being that they are both 17G, but in denser patterns it doesn't make that much different.

-Fuji

I might go to iontec and synth gut soon! thatll be like 2.50 in strings lol.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Dags

A reel of the Gosen is about £90 here in the UK. We clearly choose to believe you're a big spender.

LOL! I think I paid 90$ CAD for a reel of Gosen and Ice combined. 20ish string jobs for 90 bucks? I definitely cannot complain!

-Fuji

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

the XL is too sluggish for me, but the TT Rad Tour OS is one of my favorite racquets. i keep one in my bag. hits a heavy ball. great for defense. one of those sticks that get the ball back deep when stretching for a ball out wide. it's soft and buttery feeling. loads of power and great control for an OS stick.

Yes, the XL is too sluggish for me too, but just to experience the full crushing b/line experience, maybe I'll put it in my bag next time.

I've never actually played an OS stick before... hmm, maybe I should check it out some time?

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Yes, the XL is too sluggish for me too, but just to experience the full crushing b/line experience, maybe I'll put it in my bag next time.

I've never actually played an OS stick before... hmm, maybe I should check it out some time?

out of all my OS sticks, the TT Rad Tour is my fave. the 18x19 pattern is tighter than the POG's 16x19 so i get more control. and the flex makes it a more comfortable hit as well. it's addictive because the power makes it easy to deliver a heavy ball.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

out of all my OS sticks, the TT Rad Tour is my fave. the 18x19 pattern is tighter than the POG's 16x19 so i get more control. and the flex makes it a more comfortable hit as well. it's addictive because the power makes it easy to deliver a heavy ball.

Well, I certainly like a frame that hits consistently deep and powerful - and the Rad Tour TT XL certainly did that.

This particular performance trait of a frame is what I probably always look for first in any racket. Furthermore, it's interesting how many supposed big power frames or whatever don't actually provide this, or not for me anyhow and in quite that reliable baseline peppering manner.

As a side-note, I'll mention XL frames generally do seem to provide this for me also and have long made me consider switching to one permanently.

Of course, it gets a whole lot more complicated as soon as you throw in feel, solidness, responsiveness, spin, control and all these other aspects into the equation - but, yes... consistent big b-line peppering oomph - that's how this here racketaholic likes to roll.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

OFFICIAL RUMOR ALERT WITH NO SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE!

Rogi has switched to 4g crosses?

Why not. Serena couldn't be stopped when she made that switch, even if it was by accident (she thought Rog had switched, so she did the same.. funny stuff). Nice to see Roger experimenting a bit. But we'll see what he has in that stick in Australia.

Originally Posted by Dags

Any of you fine fellows care to compare and contrast the Yonex Vcore 95D and the Wilson BLX Blade 98? Both are on offer here in the UK, and pique interest as I search for something in between my TGK 238.1 and Prince EXO3 Tour. I've found a couple of very short threads via the search, but nothing with substance.



Thank you kindly for your consideration.

Can't help here, have very limited experience with both sticks, but PP maybe can chime in as he's played both...

Originally Posted by Ross K

Yes, the XL is too sluggish for me too, but just to experience the full crushing b/line experience, maybe I'll put it in my bag next time.

I've never actually played an OS stick before... hmm, maybe I should check it out some time?

Originally Posted by mad dog1

out of all my OS sticks, the TT Rad Tour is my fave. the 18x19 pattern is tighter than the POG's 16x19 so i get more control. and the flex makes it a more comfortable hit as well. it's addictive because the power makes it easy to deliver a heavy ball.

MD's Rad Tour is a truck of a frame. Smooth stroke better than muscling the ball, as the frame has enough beef to do just about all of the work. I never tried the other Rad you asked about, Ross.

I think tight patterns in oversize sticks makes a lot of sense. There should be more options, rather than the usual light, open-patterned tweener frames. Though I haven't really hit too too much with it in the midst of my current Radical Renaissance, that Blade Team 104 is kind of fun to mess around with since it has a more controlled and softer response for me than something like the APD, but I haven't found a suitable weight setup for it in my limited time with it.

[Power Player]

The 95d is an awesome racquet, but it really hurt my elbow. It also is a lot heavier than the Blade, and serving with it was more challenging. the Blade allows me to whip the ball into corners on the run and hit very very sharp angles. I really love the thing and have been Blading the whole 4th quarter of 2012 with no real end in sight.

I have a feeling the Blade Tour is probably amazing as well, but it seems rather heavy for how I like to hit or Id be demoing it. If you look at that PJ, the rumors of Sampras using it, and the rave reviews by midheads like Chris, you have to imagine this is one of the best releases of the year and some holic needs to take it for a ride.

Fuji - im interested in the Ice. I am reading that it is a control string, and like yourself, I am buying a reel of OGSM. So tell me more - how much control are you getting and how long does this string last for you? The price is awesome and TB in the mains is a little too stiff for me, plus it just can be unpredictable in the power department compared to the 4G.

I hate spending the cash on 4g, but it is so freaking good.

[RadicalMPfan]

Why can't we get the matte black finish for the 98! Hopefully there is some kind of special release. The blade 93 has the PJ of the year.

I'm currently using gut/poly set-up in my blade 98 and it is the most lethal combination I've ever used. Hopefully I don't go back to my bad habit looking for a better racquet.

Has anyone here been able to break your racquetaholic tendencies? I am past the honey moon period where I usually go demo/buy a new racquet.

[mikeler]

PP,

Are you playing the tourney this week? Club is going to have a very tough draw and it sounds like the Open is going to be filled with a few guys that have ATP points.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by mikeler

PP,

Are you playing the tourney this week? Club is going to have a very tough draw and it sounds like the Open is going to be filled with a few guys that have ATP points.

Im going to OTC tonight I think and ill find out. My company is having this crazy database cleanup that is extended through the month so I am not sure if I can take any days off besides christmas. I have 1 month of PTO that I can't use his month..lol...but they will credit me for it next year.

While it could be rather awesome to play guys with ATP points, I have no business being out there. I may hit a few sweet winners but getting bageled blows.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Power Player

The 95d is an awesome racquet, but it really hurt my elbow. It also is a lot heavier than the Blade, and serving with it was more challenging. the Blade allows me to whip the ball into corners on the run and hit very very sharp angles. I really love the thing and have been Blading the whole 4th quarter of 2012 with no real end in sight.

I have a feeling the Blade Tour is probably amazing as well, but it seems rather heavy for how I like to hit or Id be demoing it. If you look at that PJ, the rumors of Sampras using it, and the rave reviews by midheads like Chris, you have to imagine this is one of the best releases of the year and some holic needs to take it for a ride.

Fuji - im interested in the Ice. I am reading that it is a control string, and like yourself, I am buying a reel of OGSM. So tell me more - how much control are you getting and how long does this string last for you? The price is awesome and TB in the mains is a little too stiff for me, plus it just can be unpredictable in the power department compared to the 4G.

I hate spending the cash on 4g, but it is so freaking good.

Ice is such an odd duck for a poly. I honestly don't like it in my open frame sticks like the Rad Pro, but in closed patterns it's money. I have it in the blades now with gosen crosses and its just money. I honestly love how it plays. I'll give you a heads up though. It's super super soft for a poly. I'm stringing at 54/56 and I think that the bed might still be a bit soft. I might even be going full bed next time because of how soft it is. I don't know what it is about Ice, but I find it increadiblely comfortable. The spin generation isn't huge for a poly, no where near ALU rough or anything, but it's Definitly managable. I really like it. That being said I'm using 17g, next reel I'll probably get 16 to get a bit firmer feel.

Any more questions feel free to ask!

-Fuji

[Power Player]

Awesome..how is the control, and how long does it last? A nice comfy poly with great control is basically what the 4G is.

[Uvijek Argen]

Originally Posted by Boricua

And where do you live, in what country? And what does your username mean?

Like Mikeler mention I live in Orlando. The nick is Serbo-croatian(my argentinian side is second generation italian/ex-yugo)
Uvijek means "always", and argen..well argentino

Mikeler and I never play before, he play more clay and I play with full bed of NG so I try to avoid playing on it. I had hit briefly with crazy racket changer PP .
But our schedule always conflict so no match yet.

BTW I was planning to play the Open, but I practice twice in mikeler club and destroy my NG. I wont have enough money for a few sets if I even pass 1 or 2 rounds.