****the Pure Storm LTD Support Group****

[Arize]

So I picked up a 2nd PSL GT today on the market, should come in this week and I am going to give it a shot with Luxilon ALU Fluoro 17g @ 40 pounds, I hope this gives me the spin and bite I was having with the i.prestige mid plus @ 55/59

The one I currently use I got it strung with Kevlar // Prince Duraflex Snyth @ 58 and it's feeling pretty good... My shots don't seem to have that zip I was having with the i.prestige and I already commited to a 2nd PSL GT

[Bjorn]

I'll be joining the club pretty soon. My racquet is on its way.

One question though: are the PSL's leather grips a lot thinner than the normal Babolat syntec grips?

I hope so because I ordered a PSL in 4 1/2 which is my go-to grip but today I visited the local sports store and felt the grips of a few Babolats. The 4 1/2 seemed a lot chunkier but they all had the thicker syntec grips. The PSLs, as you all know, come in leather and I've heard they're a lot thinner than the syntecs.

Can I get confirmation that this is indeed the case?

Ta

[smooveken]

Actually, when I demoed the non-gt, I noticed the grip to be a lot smaller. My normal grip is a 3/8, but maybe it was because the leather was thinned out on the demo, but I couldnt even place a finger from my non playing hand between my palm and fingers when you do that quick grip test. Has anyone else come across this?

[Panattafan]

Very curious to know anybody's experience with the LTD XL that is sold in Europe and that in fact you can get on TW International...
Played for many years with wonderful 27.5 i Prestige Intelligence (from Guga days) and they are getting old and worn out...looking for replacement...unfortunately the new Heads are only reg. length.
Demoed the Babolat PS GT 27.5 (16X20) and liked it quite a lot, but very much wondering about the 18x20 configuration of the Ltd. Demoed last night the US sold Ltd (27 length) and it it very solid but would really like to know from somebody's experience on the 27.5 version. Several people on this thread complained about the lack of power on the US version, especially on serve...wouldn't that be compensated with the XL longer version...I wonder if Spencer of TW has had experience with the "euro version" that they may have gotten 'back-at-the-shop'...
The racquet is called: Babolat Pure Storm Ltd Plus and is listed in TW Euro at http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.co...H-BPSLPGT.html

Thanks in advance for any info...and wondering in particular if the 18x20 would not lead to more control especially for backcourt passing shot specialist...just like the old prestige offered with such stability and regularity

Steve N.

[Arize]

I strung my second one with Babolat Pro Hurricane @ 52 pounds, was a bit scared to drop so big at first, I usually play with high tension around 58-60 and this was the first time I did 52 and it's actually pretty nice, good pop much better spin if you hit with western like I do, I also just picked a volkl power bridge 10 mid 4 1/4th, I'm going to compared these see what I like more and I am also planning on picking up a Wilson K Blade 98, my choice has come down to these 3 frames and I need to do some extensive comparison on them before I pick which to stick with... Since I do hit with western top spin naturally I like the bigger head, and I am starting to find a bit better form on my forehands with the LTD GT but my shots don't have as much zip as they did with my i.prestige mid plus, I think the volkl pb 10 mid might take care of that problem, and the blade 98 I'm thinking will do well since it's stiffer and will give me more pop on the shots however the PSL GT is a really sweet racquet.

[DoubleB]

Just got my PSL GT and am loving it so far. I am looking for a spin string that will give me more action without sacrificing the feel of the racket. I already plan on lowering my tension to around 40lbs. I am going to hybrid one of these in the mains with nat gut in the crosses. Which string would you guys recommend between these 3?

Pro Supex Blue Gear 1.28
Kirschbaum Spiky Shark 1.25
WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22

[strokee]

Originally Posted by smooveken

Actually, when I demoed the non-gt, I noticed the grip to be a lot smaller. My normal grip is a 3/8, but maybe it was because the leather was thinned out on the demo, but I couldnt even place a finger from my non playing hand between my palm and fingers when you do that quick grip test. Has anyone else come across this?

I got mine last week and I have definitely noticed that the grip seems smaller ran the 4 3/8 grips on my other racquets.

Anybody here experienced the squeaky handle/buttcap issue? If so, how did you fix it?

[pyrokid]

Originally Posted by strokee

I got mine last week and I have definitely noticed that the grip seems smaller ran the 4 3/8 grips on my other racquets.

Anybody here experienced the squeaky handle/buttcap issue? If so, how did you fix it?

I think the handles on all PSLs run a tad small compared to the other lines Bab has, so I think the staples just loosen with play... So I just took it off, put some really strong adhesive all inside of the buttcap, and slid it back on, then restapled. The glue should make up for the lack of the 1/2 mm or so the handle's missing.

[strokee]

Originally Posted by pyrokid

I think the handles on all PSLs run a tad small compared to the other lines Bab has, so I think the staples just loosen with play... So I just took it off, put some really strong adhesive all inside of the buttcap, and slid it back on, then restapled. The glue should make up for the lack of the 1/2 mm or so the handle's missing.

It makes sense that with the noticeable lack of handle/grip size on these racquets that the standard buttcap for that particular grip size would not fit as snug and would eventually work its way loose.

I find it more than mildly irriatating that Babolat has not addressed this themselves. It is now up to us the consumers to fix the issue ourselves. It is annoying that we have no choice but to remove the buttcap, fill the gap and then re-attach the buttcap. It is also annoying that this seems like an inevitable procedure if you have the racquet.

Ugh.

[smooveken]

What tension are you guys stringing your poly's at? I cant seem to find that "magical" number. So far i've tried 55/58 and 50/53 poly hybrid with a multi. They seem kind of board-like at these tensions but my balls are getting enough depth..

[TW Staff]

I've been experimenting, trying to find what tension works best for me. For sure, it's in the lower ranges, but I have yet to settle on one particular number. I've messed around with 30lbs, 35lbs, 40lbs, 42lbs, 45lbs and 50lbs. 50 is out. It was only today that I tried 42lbs. I'll hit with it again at that tension, but I'm feeling 40lbs is what works best for me overall.

Spencer, TW.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I've been experimenting, trying to find what tension works best for me. For sure, it's in the lower ranges, but I have yet to settle on one particular number. I've messed around with 30lbs, 35lbs, 40lbs, 42lbs, 45lbs and 50lbs. 50 is out. It was only today that I tried 42lbs. I'll hit with it again at that tension, but I'm feeling 40lbs is what works best for me overall.

Spencer, TW.

Spence - that you're using the Pacific racquet now with Chris in dubs.

[SlapShot]

See, I'm a crazy that loves higher tension. I'm up to 59 lbs with Kirschbaum P2 and loving it.

[smooveken]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I've been experimenting, trying to find what tension works best for me. For sure, it's in the lower ranges, but I have yet to settle on one particular number. I've messed around with 30lbs, 35lbs, 40lbs, 42lbs, 45lbs and 50lbs. 50 is out. It was only today that I tried 42lbs. I'll hit with it again at that tension, but I'm feeling 40lbs is what works best for me overall.

Spencer, TW.

Hmmm, so I see you are using a full bed of poly, Spencer. So i'm wondering if a full bed of poly strung at 40 would feel the same as a poly/multi hybrid strung at say 50/53. I've never used a full bed of poly because i thought it might be too harsh on my arm, but I will have to try it.

[strokee]

Took my PS LTD GT with me today when I was having another racquet strung. I asked him about the squeaky buttcap issue and he said that all of the Pure Storm Ltd's are doing it...said he has dealt with about 10 of them himself.

He is going to take the buttcap off, apply some adhesive he has that is made specifically for racquets, the he is going to restaple it back on and let it dry for 24 hours.

God I hope this works...I am way too ocd to deal with buttcaps coming loose

[KenC]

Originally Posted by strokee

...He is going to take the buttcap off, apply some adhesive he has that is made specifically for racquets, the he is going to restaple it back on and let it dry for 24 hours....

That seems to be the standard fix. I have 2 PSLGTs that don't have it but I did demo a Pure Storm Tour that did. It was quite annoying although it doesn't hurt the performance at all.

[strokee]

Originally Posted by KenC

That seems to be the standard fix. I have 2 PSLGTs that don't have it but I did demo a Pure Storm Tour that did. It was quite annoying although it doesn't hurt the performance at all.

How long have you had your PSLGT's? It seems like eventually the buttcaps come loose on all of them...

[Wes_Loves_Dunlop]

does anyone think that the string spacing in the PSL is as dense as the head prestige?

[gordonski]

I switched to the psl's now after playing with the head prestige mp for a year now. Been playing with it for about 4 weeks and absolutely loving it. I am still testing different string setups so still in search for the best way to string the frames.

I bought 6 sets of babolat hybrid(pro hurricane tour + xcel). I stringed them up 60 / 58 because the tension drops so fast and the xcel is just such a weak string if you play allot of spin, i have brake them within 4/5h. I am now playing with a full bed of babolat revenge and it feels real nice, crisp and responsive. For now i will keep these in my matches i stringed them 58 / 56, tension does not drop with the revenge and they are pretty durable.

I ordered a few sets of alu rough and some natural gut and want see how these feel.

I love the head lightness of the frame wich really helps my one handed backhand. Im also ordering a 3rd frame because this racket will def stay in the bag!

I will let you know how the next string setup feels!

[OldButGame]

I found Blackcode 18g,...@50lb,....to be great in my first PSL,...(full bed),.....then found a full bed of Proline II, 18g,...@52lb,....to be not nearly so satisfying,...next time i'll go back to the Blackcode.