Diary of a Racketaholic - Page 29

JGads · 02-15-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

Ross,
Say it ain't so! Someone has to keep this thread going...

Allow me...

Well, once my demo order arrives, that is:

Here's the status: Taking that Yonex Ti 80 Lite out for a second test spin. Continuing to fiddle with my Donnay Dark Red (I'm losing hope; haven't been able to recapture the absolute magic of a full bed of Big Hitter Silver, so just ordered another set of that to try and repeat it; stick is still pretty sick, but the feel, oh the feel, if only I can recapture a semblance of feel). Picked up a cheap used Vantage 95 a week ago and - HEllo! - now THAT is some feel, quite intrigued, a good first date. And I just returned from a chain sporting goods store where I stumbled upon an absolutely ridiculous deal on some (BARELY used) demos: mixed in with KSurges and the like, I found a K90 and K95, each in 9/10 condition, for $25 a piece (what!?), and a brand new, handle-wrapped, fully strung KTour 95 (had always intrigued me) for $60. Feeling like a bandit I snatched those up, most likely just to trade/sell them off down the road.

How's that for racquetholism? At this moment I'm probably the Charlie Sheen of this thread.

Bottoms up.

Fed Kennedy · 02-15-2011, 10:20 PM

Charlie, I mean... jgads. That ktour is a good racquet. I also bought a used stick on a whim for 30 bucks. 03 white original. It was sitting in a bin almost mint. It felt really good in the hand, so I said what the hell, let's try it.

JGads · 02-15-2011, 10:58 PM

^^^^

Yep, the KTour has always been so intriguing and I know it's pretty well regarded (even started soliciting for it in trade talks for other sticks), so I was thrilled to run into a brand new one for cheap, along with the ridiculous deal on the KFactors. Often reading about people finding steals on these boards, so it felt good being me for once (of course, this is still nothing compared to those who have found PC 600s or PS 85s at Goodwill and such). Had to kill time in a different side of town and went into the store to get overgrips, and then made the discovery in the racquet section. I'll give the KTour one hit with the Wilson Sensation that's in there now to get a feel for the frame but then probably restring it with Volkl Cyclone.

Unfortunately the KTour and the demo order, which is supposed to arrive tomorrow or the day after, I believe, comes at a bad time: supposed to rain for most of the next week, apparently. Hope the weatherman gets it wrong.

Ross K · 02-16-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junk

hi Ross. my apologies if you mentioned it before (didn't want to go through 28 pages of the thread), but did you modify your YTPP retail with lead or anything else so it resembles your pro stick?. thanks!

No, my TGK, aside from sillicone handle, just has lead @ 12, and therefore my heavier retail has enough inherent weight really, and so just a bit on @ 12 to attain that similar polarized whippiness. Both have Hydrasorbs on after attempts to gel with the leather grip failed... BTW: I'm in the region of a static weight of 344g and a balance of 32.3cm (and this does include overgrip and strung with poly.)

JG, Fed, other,

Great to see the old racketaholic pages still being written!

R.

junk · 02-16-2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

No, my TGK, aside from sillicone handle, just has lead @ 12, and therefore my heavier retail has enough inherent weight really, and so just a bit on @ 12 to attain that similar polarized whippiness. Both have Hydrasorbs on after attempts to gel with the leather grip failed... BTW: I'm in the region of a static weight of 344g and a balance of 32.3cm (and this does include overgrip and strung with poly.)

JG, Fed, other,

Great to see the old racketaholic pages still being written!

R.

Ross,

Thanks for the info. I've been demoing Head YTPP over the last few days and really like it (I am a Head YTP Mid user.. . among others...). This morning, I decided to put little lead at 12 (1-2 grams) and noticed immediate improvement in power and pop. So I ordered 2 racquets right away. I should switch to the YTPP appreciation thread now... And probably sign up for an Anonymous Racketaholic Club because my collection is getting bigger

Hankenstein · 02-17-2011, 06:17 AM

Hi! My name is Hankenstein and i´m a Racketholic! It started when i got my first real daytime work and haven´t stopped since....

My current status; I use a customized Head MG Radical mp that i still haven´t lost a single tournament match with. I have won 2 league-games, one singel tournament and 1 doubles moneytournament, and i absolutely love the feel of it...

B u t..

I still ordered 4 new Head Youtek Speed MP 16/19 just because i wanted to see if the more open string pattern would improve my spin even more. Didn´t like the feeling of that frame in stock form though... So my mind went to Head Youtek Prestige Pro! Now i´m waiting for 3 of those and as soon as they arrive i will remove the pallets and install TK82S pallets.

Over the last year I have tried more then 20 different new models

JGads · 02-17-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hankenstein

Hi! My name is Hankenstein and i´m a Racketholic!

Group: HI HANKENSTEIN!

... but really, you need to stop this right now. What in the world are you doing trying other racquets if you've truly had that kind of success with the Radical? Stick with them. The Radicals are great.

Ross K · 02-17-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGads

Group: HI HANKENSTEIN!

... but really, you need to stop this right now. What in the world are you doing trying other racquets if you've truly had that kind of success with the Radical? Stick with them. The Radicals are great.

To quote from the great Confucious himself:

Confucious For Dummies, Chapter 13 - of wine, loose woman, racketaholics, and surviving the wife's parents over the holiday season...

"It is not one's job to question the ways of the noble racketaholic, for though they seem at odds with what is held as customary, and sometimes most hard to understand, the racketaholic must be allowed to explore and test out out all the known rackets of mankind itself until verily the sacred, immortal, golden frame is located; and, whilst one hand holds up one's overflowing beer tankard, the other does, finally, clench and bear unto the world... 'The One!... "

BTW... Ancient scholars have long been of the opinion that beneath his cascading robes and gown, when this picture was commisioned, Confucious was in the practice of hiding somewhere upon his person a PC600...

R.

JGads · 02-17-2011, 04:38 PM

^^^^

Pretty much the post of the year for me right there. I'll simply back away for the moment and let it shine.

soyizgood · 02-17-2011, 05:28 PM

I know I have enough racquets. Still, I'm tempted to go after a couple of racquets if the price is right.

Babolat Pure Storm (GT) (specs look good for me and it'll be my 1st Babolat)
Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 (with the right strings this might be as good or better than my AG 300)
Wilson nTour Two 95(had two of these before, but I probably wasn't skilled enough to use them right at the time.. might buy it back from a friend or do a trade)
Dunlop 400g (just to say I have one of each series: m-Fil 400, AG Smoke)

Making matters worse is I'm torn between the AG 300 and the m-Fil 400 as my main stick.

TheBoom · 02-17-2011, 05:48 PM

I'm eternally grateful for dunlop because since i have to use their stuff i'm pretty limited on what i can use and helps control this adiction

JGads · 02-18-2011, 12:13 AM

Dear Diary,

Pretty sure I hit Rock Bottom in my racquetholism today. Story has a happy ending, but I really let it get a bit out of hand, changing sticks not once but twice (and to three different racquets) during my first league match of the season. Really wanted to stick with one racquet from start to finish this season, but wasn't able to do this Final Round of demoing until this week.

Good news is, after choking away a first set lead and NEARLY doing the same in the second set, it was my second switch, to the custom Vantage 95 I picked up for cheap last week (to see what the Vantage fuss was about) that helped me to a second-set comeback and then a 6-2 win in the third set. Racquet feels so, so good. Not incredible in any one area, just solid in each one. In short, I see what the fuss is about with Vantage. Not sure if it's The One, but it definitely could be and I'm very happy I made the purchase to check this company out. Quality product, indeed.

I came home pretty wiped but when a buddy then called asking if I wanted to hit, I said, um, ok! So after a refuel dinner, I actually had a great hitting session with him in which I checked out the Black Ace 93 for the first time, and, wow. Once again, it's a frame I threw in as an afterthought to a demo batch that completely has me in a tizzy upon first hit, but this one seemed a bit more special than the other great 'first hits.' The feel was positively sublime - soft feedback to the arm but a solid, THUMPY kind of hit. Reminded me a lot of the Vantage, actually.

So in all, between a 2 1/2 hour match and then a 2 hour hitting session later, the frames I at one point or another tried today/tonight were:

Wilson KTour 95 - hits a very mean ball and I love its potential, but I really need to get the pre-strung Sensation strings out of there, pronto.

Yonex Ti 80 Lite - Just does everything well, has a nice crisp, raw feel, but might swing a little too light in stock form so I'll be tinkering with lead.

Prince EX03 Tour 18/20 - Barely played with this tonight but man, it's just so easy to play with. Don't think it's The One because the feel isn't the best and the serve is a little underwhelming, but if I'm having an off day or feeling unwell, this is the stick I want in my hand. It's just effortless to swing. Favorite Prince frame of the last several years, hands down.

Vantage 95 - So solid upon each hit. Can't seem to crush the aces/service winners that I'm used to, but consistency is good and the feel of the second serve is probably the best of any of these frames.

Black Ace 93 - Amazed to say that if I had to choose TONIGHT, this is actually the one I'd go with. Has a solid, thumpy kind of feel that's actually a lot like the Vantage, but it hits with the accuracy of a Prestige Mid, or at least it did tonight. The lighter (11.7) static weight matched with the healthy 330-plus swingweight had me hitting such a wonderful variety - driving lasers, spinny loopers, easy block-backs, a few really great out-of-position flick backs and flick winners, great volleys. Honeymoon? Maybe. But of all the Honeymoon experiences I've had, this was the greatest first-hit I think I've ever had. After much rallying and rally-games of 15, we finished the night with a game of 15 (serving, alternating every 5) and while I wasn't hitting service bombs, I was able to keep enough pressure on and then I felt so comfy with every other stroke that I took the game, 15-4. That after playing a non-serve game of 21 and taking that 21-14. (and this is against a great player who beats me half the time, and has had the better hand lately)

So a busy, busy day for this 'holic. Need this to be over soon, though, because I don't want to fall this low again with the three-racquets-in-one-league-match thing. That's just plain stupid and I realized it WHILE I was doing it, and yet, I couldn't stop myself. Somehow I survived it.

So, this is Charlie Sheen, signing out. Until next time...

ryushen21 · 02-18-2011, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

To quote from the great Confucious himself:

Confucious For Dummies, Chapter 13 - of wine, loose woman, racketaholics, and surviving the wife's parents over the holiday season...

"It is not one's job to question the ways of the noble racketaholic, for though they seem at odds with what is held as customary, and sometimes most hard to understand, the racketaholic must be allowed to explore and test out out all the known rackets of mankind itself until verily the sacred, immortal, golden frame is located; and, whilst one hand holds up one's overflowing beer tankard, the other does, finally, clench and bear unto the world... 'The One!... "

BTW... Ancient scholars have long been of the opinion that beneath his cascading robes and gown, when this picture was commisioned, Confucious was in the practice of hiding somewhere upon his person a PC600...

R.

One of your best posts ever Ross.

OldButGame · 02-18-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

To quote from the great Confucious himself:

Confucious For Dummies, Chapter 13 - of wine, loose woman, racketaholics, and surviving the wife's parents over the holiday season...

"It is not one's job to question the ways of the noble racketaholic, for though they seem at odds with what is held as customary, and sometimes most hard to understand, the racketaholic must be allowed to explore and test out out all the known rackets of mankind itself until verily the sacred, immortal, golden frame is located; and, whilst one hand holds up one's overflowing beer tankard, the other does, finally, clench and bear unto the world... 'The One!... "

BTW... Ancient scholars have long been of the opinion that beneath his cascading robes and gown, when this picture was commisioned, Confucious was in the practice of hiding somewhere upon his person a PC600...

R.

Excellent!!!!!!!

Ross K · 02-18-2011, 01:11 PM

^^^ Thanks for the nice words, guys.

Now then, did I tell you I hit with a few other frames whilst my TGK and YTPP were at the stringers this week...

All right, before you all rush to welcome me back to the racketaholic fold

, I have to say it just made me appreciate the range of qualities there is in the TGK/YTPP even more.

And playing with my restrung PP today (with MSV Focus Hex btw @ 48s), it was all confirmed even more...

Damn, these Head sticks feel so sweet and swing so primed and hit so solid... ooooh yeees!

R.

nickynu · 02-18-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

^^^ Thanks for the nice words, guys.

Now then, did I tell you I hit with a few other frames whilst my TGK and YTPP were at the stringers this week...

All right, before you all rush to welcome me back to the racketaholic fold

, I have to say it just made me appreciate the range of qualities there is in the TGK/YTPP even more.

And playing with my restrung PP today (with MSV Focus Hex btw @ 48s), it was all confirmed even more...

Damn, these Head sticks feel so sweet and swing so primed and hit so solid... ooooh yeees!

R.

Ross where are your Vo2 320 t-fights .... did I miss an episode

Ross K · 02-18-2011, 09:34 PM

^^^ For Nick (from some weeks back)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Howdy pardners!

Just to say I played with the TF V02 320 some more this morning, and imo, this frame is just the perfect weapon for...

Shall report in a bit more detail later.

R.

That's kind of my "review" actually!

R.

nickynu · 02-19-2011, 02:46 PM

I think it depends on how you use it .... I imagine you were trying to look like this

Rather than this

LOL

PS have your Vo2's gone

pyrokid · 02-19-2011, 05:27 PM

Well, I'm basically completely set on my radicals.

I love 'em way too much now. Can't wait to try the innegra line, I doubt I'll switch but man am I looking forward to the new HEADs. The Innegra looks to be a pretty solid new line.

OldButGame · 02-19-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Well, I'm basically completely set on my radicals.

I love 'em way too much now. Can't wait to try the innegra line, I doubt I'll switch but man am I looking forward to the new HEADs. The Innegra looks to be a pretty solid new line.

Pyro:.Did You get the YouTek Rad MP ??...and if so,...what do You think of it??

02-15-2011, 10:20 PM	#562
Fed Kennedy Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With Roger Posts: 3,741	Charlie, I mean... jgads. That ktour is a good racquet. I also bought a used stick on a whim for 30 bucks. 03 white original. It was sitting in a bin almost mint. It felt really good in the hand, so I said what the hell, let's try it. __________________ Its that thing when you have to play a jacked midget high on cortex while rollerblading

02-17-2011, 06:17 AM	#566
Hankenstein Professional Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: on the red dirt of Europe Posts: 1,105	Hi! My name is Hankenstein and i´m a Racketholic! It started when i got my first real daytime work and haven´t stopped since.... My current status; I use a customized Head MG Radical mp that i still haven´t lost a single tournament match with. I have won 2 league-games, one singel tournament and 1 doubles moneytournament, and i absolutely love the feel of it... B u t.. I still ordered 4 new Head Youtek Speed MP 16/19 just because i wanted to see if the more open string pattern would improve my spin even more. Didn´t like the feeling of that frame in stock form though... So my mind went to Head Youtek Prestige Pro! Now i´m waiting for 3 of those and as soon as they arrive i will remove the pallets and install TK82S pallets. Over the last year I have tried more then 20 different new models __________________ No Guts, No Glory

02-17-2011, 05:28 PM	#570
soyizgood Legend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 9,716	I know I have enough racquets. Still, I'm tempted to go after a couple of racquets if the price is right. Babolat Pure Storm (GT) (specs look good for me and it'll be my 1st Babolat) Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 (with the right strings this might be as good or better than my AG 300) Wilson nTour Two 95(had two of these before, but I probably wasn't skilled enough to use them right at the time.. might buy it back from a friend or do a trade) Dunlop 400g (just to say I have one of each series: m-Fil 400, AG Smoke) Making matters worse is I'm torn between the AG 300 and the m-Fil 400 as my main stick. __________________ "The two-hander is just a more secure ball." - Navratilova Dunlop 4D 300/M-Fil 400/Aerogel 300. Babolat PS. 2HBH/Cheap Players club's CEO Last edited by soyizgood : 02-17-2011 at 08:13 PM.

02-17-2011, 05:48 PM	#571
TheBoom Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kingwood texas Posts: 2,280	I'm eternally grateful for dunlop because since i have to use their stuff i'm pretty limited on what i can use and helps control this adiction __________________ Head IG Speed 18x20 Lux Savage (Lime) @56Lbs

02-18-2011, 12:13 AM	#572
JGads Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3,285	Dear Diary, Pretty sure I hit Rock Bottom in my racquetholism today. Story has a happy ending, but I really let it get a bit out of hand, changing sticks not once but twice (and to three different racquets) during my first league match of the season. Really wanted to stick with one racquet from start to finish this season, but wasn't able to do this Final Round of demoing until this week. Good news is, after choking away a first set lead and NEARLY doing the same in the second set, it was my second switch, to the custom Vantage 95 I picked up for cheap last week (to see what the Vantage fuss was about) that helped me to a second-set comeback and then a 6-2 win in the third set. Racquet feels so, so good. Not incredible in any one area, just solid in each one. In short, I see what the fuss is about with Vantage. Not sure if it's The One, but it definitely could be and I'm very happy I made the purchase to check this company out. Quality product, indeed. I came home pretty wiped but when a buddy then called asking if I wanted to hit, I said, um, ok! So after a refuel dinner, I actually had a great hitting session with him in which I checked out the Black Ace 93 for the first time, and, wow. Once again, it's a frame I threw in as an afterthought to a demo batch that completely has me in a tizzy upon first hit, but this one seemed a bit more special than the other great 'first hits.' The feel was positively sublime - soft feedback to the arm but a solid, THUMPY kind of hit. Reminded me a lot of the Vantage, actually. So in all, between a 2 1/2 hour match and then a 2 hour hitting session later, the frames I at one point or another tried today/tonight were: Wilson KTour 95 - hits a very mean ball and I love its potential, but I really need to get the pre-strung Sensation strings out of there, pronto. Yonex Ti 80 Lite - Just does everything well, has a nice crisp, raw feel, but might swing a little too light in stock form so I'll be tinkering with lead. Prince EX03 Tour 18/20 - Barely played with this tonight but man, it's just so easy to play with. Don't think it's The One because the feel isn't the best and the serve is a little underwhelming, but if I'm having an off day or feeling unwell, this is the stick I want in my hand. It's just effortless to swing. Favorite Prince frame of the last several years, hands down. Vantage 95 - So solid upon each hit. Can't seem to crush the aces/service winners that I'm used to, but consistency is good and the feel of the second serve is probably the best of any of these frames. Black Ace 93 - Amazed to say that if I had to choose TONIGHT, this is actually the one I'd go with. Has a solid, thumpy kind of feel that's actually a lot like the Vantage, but it hits with the accuracy of a Prestige Mid, or at least it did tonight. The lighter (11.7) static weight matched with the healthy 330-plus swingweight had me hitting such a wonderful variety - driving lasers, spinny loopers, easy block-backs, a few really great out-of-position flick backs and flick winners, great volleys. Honeymoon? Maybe. But of all the Honeymoon experiences I've had, this was the greatest first-hit I think I've ever had. After much rallying and rally-games of 15, we finished the night with a game of 15 (serving, alternating every 5) and while I wasn't hitting service bombs, I was able to keep enough pressure on and then I felt so comfy with every other stroke that I took the game, 15-4. That after playing a non-serve game of 21 and taking that 21-14. (and this is against a great player who beats me half the time, and has had the better hand lately) So a busy, busy day for this 'holic. Need this to be over soon, though, because I don't want to fall this low again with the three-racquets-in-one-league-match thing. That's just plain stupid and I realized it WHILE I was doing it, and yet, I couldn't stop myself. Somehow I survived it. So, this is Charlie Sheen, signing out. Until next time... Last edited by JGads : 02-18-2011 at 12:16 AM.