Roger’s BLX90

[PeterFig]

Originally Posted by jimbo333

Hi, sorry I didn't give you credit for the photo!

Well spotted by the way, and this along with throat specs on opposite red/black; either shows that Federer had very early different version of the retail BLX90 as a hairpin for his racquets this year. Or more likely, I reckon it is a retail/custom K90 under that BLX paintjob.

However, whatever these specs show, we will never know for sure until someone cuts up one of Federer's racquets to compare to retail racquet, and I don't think that will ever happen. So effectively it will remain a mystery and just be speculation!

Nooo worries I post images here for everyone to share / use so no need for credit

You know I think it's going to be tough to really figure out what Fed's really using. We're all assuming the paint job is consistent coming from Wilson on retail frames, but we don't know that for a fact. Just as an example I bought a BLX 90 just as it was released. Then I went and bought two more a few months later. When I compare the two there are very noticeable differences in the 'gold' paint used on the frames. One is really 'golden' while the other is quite 'silvery' ... so that's just paint colour to make the more recent frames more gold looking (I'm sure to better match the other BLX items such as bags which are a strong gold colour). But who knows what other tweaks Wilson has done during their production process. This happens with many products not just tennis racquets. Manufacturers may tweak things along the way for many reasons... aesthetic or otherwise.

Now, I'm not suggesting they would actually move grommet holes and such - but for example the placement of specs... the placement of text on the frame in relation to grommets, etc might be something they tweak along the way.

[yaha21]

wow that is so cool. have you tried playing with it?

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by JoelDali

I was joking dude.

Ok, cool, I guess...

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Povl Carstensen

Sorry BP, but as I have pointed out, the moulds for BLX and K are different. As shown by the difference in the shape and with of the dent for the bumper.

Could you please be more specific as to exact differences in the shapes and with the dent for the bumpers? Because I haven't noticed any difference.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by nicolaisidek

Can anyone tell me what's the difference between a normal L3 grip and Fed's L3 grip handle? (applies to all pros who custom their handle). They look the same to me....

Federer's custom handles are probably molded to fit his hand exactly the way he likes it to fit. It may also be made of a different material than the stock handles.

I've bought many retail racquets that are supposed to be and indicated to be the same size grip but in actuality when you hold them you can tell they are not the same size. The variation can be pretty large at times so that a 4 1/2 may feel more like a 4 3/8 or a 4 5/8. So the pros get their handles custom molded to insure that they are all the same exact size that they like so that each one feels perfect to them.

[whomad15]

isn't it odd that the quality control is so poor on racquets that the pro's have to have every single racquet built to their specs?
it's like the big name guitar companies... QC is just down the hole right now, if you look you'll notice most of the big guitar players are starting to pick up boutique brands because of this.

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Could you please be more specific as to exact differences in the shapes and with the dent for the bumpers? Because I haven't noticed any difference.

I went to my local shop some months ago, and compared a K90 and a BLX90, they had both at the time. Being very curious about whether they are identical I examined them closely. I noticed a definite difference in the depth/with of the dent for bumper, it was clearest to see in the lower end of the dent, towards the grip. Which one was deepest/widest I cant remember now, I think it was the BLX.
Its like I have to versions of a Dunlop squash racket, look very identical, but different paintjob, and slightly different weight. Also here a difference in the shape of this slot/dent, showed that the new version was a new mould, although apparently similar to the old one in most respects.
I know we are getting a bit neerdy/geeky here, but what the heck...

[Fabfed]

Originally Posted by Povl Carstensen

I went to my local shop some months ago, and compared a K90 and a BLX90, they had both at the time. Being very curious about whether they are identical I examined them closely. I noticed a definite difference in the depth/with of the dent for bumper, it was clearest to see in the lower end of the dent, towards the grip. Which one was deepest/widest I cant remember now, I think it was the BLX.
Its like I have to versions of a Dunlop squash racket, look very identical, but different paintjob, and slightly different weight. Also here a difference in the shape of this slot/dent, showed that the new version was a new mould, although apparently similar to the old one in most respects.
I know we are getting a bit neerdy/geeky here, but what the heck...

What dent are you referring to, the stringing groove? If you can be more specific perhaps I can do a closer comparison of the Fed K90 and BLX. I've always assumed that the retail K90 and BLX were identical at least mould wise..

[safinator]

Before anything, I want to thank FabFed and Ron for sharing with us all the pics and genuine first hand information about fed's stick, the actual ones, and for bringing us a bit closer to the ATP world - it is cool just to know something more about them.
Concerning the balance and weight issue, my best guess would be that his stick are even further from the retail, that they weigh much less so that they would have more "space" for customization issues. But it is just a supposition...

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by Fabfed

What dent are you referring to, the stringing groove? If you can be more specific perhaps I can do a closer comparison of the Fed K90 and BLX. I've always assumed that the retail K90 and BLX were identical at least mould wise..

Maybe its called the stringing groove, I dont know. Its the slot, dent, groove in which the bumper is located. Goes around the head from, say 7 to 5 o'clock. Easiest to compare at the the ends, ie 7 and 5.

[nicolaisidek]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Federer's custom handles are probably molded to fit his hand exactly the way he likes it to fit. It may also be made of a different material than the stock handles.

I've bought many retail racquets that are supposed to be and indicated to be the same size grip but in actuality when you hold them you can tell they are not the same size. The variation can be pretty large at times so that a 4 1/2 may feel more like a 4 3/8 or a 4 5/8. So the pros get their handles custom molded to insure that they are all the same exact size that they like so that each one feels perfect to them.

this is the thing I don't understand. is it shaped according to his hand or sth? or just the standard shape with his desired size?

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by nicolaisidek

this is the thing I don't understand. is it shaped according to his hand or sth? or just the standard shape with his desired size?

As I understand, it is often a replica of the grip of an old favourite racket of the player. The current PS grip has a different shape than it had earlier, as I can see and feel from my PS 85 and K90. I prefer the old one.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by nicolaisidek

this is the thing I don't understand. is it shaped according to his hand or sth? or just the standard shape with his desired size?

It depends. Some players do get their handles to fit their hands specifically and some just want a consistent size that they like and some want a different shape altogether. For example, some pros who don't like Head's rectangular grip shape can still play with Head racquets because they get their handles custom molded into the shape that they prefer.

[nicolaisidek]

Thanks for clearing things up, dudes....

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Povl Carstensen

Sorry BP, but as I have pointed out, the moulds for BLX and K are different. As shown by the difference in the shape and with of the dent for the bumper.

Originally Posted by Povl Carstensen

The measures might be the same, but there is a difference as you can check for yourself if you care to. But it might not be of big significance.

OK, I got my hands on a BLX90 today and took a look at the grommet channel and compared it to that of my K90. You're right. They are different. I'm not sure if the depth is much different but the channel on the BLX90 is definitely wider than that on the K90. Does this mean that the molds are different? Not necessarily. It may just mean that they tweaked the sides of the mold a little bit for the BLX90 but the general mold shape remains the same.

Remember that there's not just one single K90 mold. There are dozens of them or maybe more. They couldn't produce so many frames so quickly with just one single mold so there are many copies of the same mold. Same for the BLX90 mold. I think all it is is that they made the grommet channel a bit wider when they went from the K90 to the BLX90 but that they are still basically the same mold and not a brand new mold like they would need to develop and tool for a brand new model with a different shape. The shapes of the BLX90 and K90 are obviously the same.

[Povl Carstensen]

A small difference, but a difference. When I had my look, it seemed the grip on the BLX was slightly longer, and even the head on the BLX was slightly more elongated, but that may have been my eyes fooling me (these were unstrung rackets)? I know that the longer grip (pallets) would have nothing to do with the mould.

[0d1n]

Such small differences can come even from one mold being through more "use and abuse" when compared with the other.
It's not like they use a SINGLE mold to manufacture all of the racquets, there are many...and probably even in different factories...different cities...etc.
Such differences are "within tolerance" probably ... especially given Wilson's stupidly loose tolerance when it comes to quality control.

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by 0d1n

Such small differences can come even from one mold being through more "use and abuse" when compared with the other.
It's not like they use a SINGLE mold to manufacture all of the racquets, there are many...and probably even in different factories...different cities...etc.
Such differences are "within tolerance" probably ... especially given Wilson's stupidly loose tolerance when it comes to quality control.

No, this was definitely more than use and abuse, and tolerance. A distinct difference in the measurement/design of this (small) detail, imo.

[ART ART]

Originally Posted by Fabfed

Hey jimbo, thanks. Wow, very brave of your friend to look both under the bumper and overgrip I should be getting the balance board by tomorrow, so I'll get the racquets measured soon.

Hi,

So... any news about it ? ...

[Fabfed]

I will have the info up by this weekend..