Diary of a Racketaholic

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by baseline_monster

Ross, do you have an original APD!?¬?!?!?!?!!

I do, M, and it's not for sale!!!

R

[Power Player]

Ross, I hope that photo is really yours

To add to the MP, I know the swing ratings are largely marketing, but I noticed that the MP has an L6, while the Mid has an L7. I completely agree with it. I have a long swing..I take the racquet back high, drop into the slot and go for it. It was very tough to do this with the MP and get the same ball as with the Mid. So I really do think there is something to that swing rating.

I also believe that all prestiges should be built for the L7 swing rating and we would probably all be digging the Prestige pro and Mp even more.

The MP should be based on the PT280 with a 20mm or less beam, static weight at around 12, SW at 320-325, and flex at 60. It would be a far better stick.

The Prestige Mid could be lightened up a little with the same balance and SW and be relevant for years. I am telling you, with it at a slightly lower weight, it still crushes the ball and the timing and control is even better. The youtek is simply .4 ounces heavier than the PC600, and there is no real reason it should be.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Power Player

To add to the MP, I know the swing ratings are largely marketing, but I noticed that the MP has an L6, while the Mid has an L7.

Actually, I believe all the Prestiges are L6 swing rated by Head. At least the ones I've owned were. Speed is a 5 and Rad is a 4 IIRC.

http://www.head.com/tennis/products/...309/?region=us

I agree with you that the Mid requires a fuller swing to get the most out of it though and the MP as well but to a lesser degree. The YTPP plays the most modern of the 3 IMO.

[Power Player]

Very interesting. My Pc600 says L7, and since the TGK does not say anything, I just guessed.

I should have pulled out my retail youtek to look.

I will say this.. however my swing is, the ball I get out of the mid at the specs I have it at is perfect. ..driving..low..tons of movement, and most importantly, right inside the baseline on a consistent basis. I could get this shot out of the MP, but not with the exact swingfeel I am used to. Basically picking up the mid instantly brought me back to what I needed.

I think the low SW definitely had something to do with that as well. who knows..racquet specs can be voodoo magic sometimes.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Ross, I hope that photo is really yours

But of course... yummy... why, it's the breakfast of champions!


R.


Will update later on today's Sol Tour Bite fest with the APD, Tec 320 and TGK PP...

[el sergento]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I think the low SW definitely had something to do with that as well. who knows..racquet specs can be voodoo magic sometimes.

I agree 100%, it's all voodoo and magic.

I don't know if you tried the Microgel line of Prestiges. Those, on paper, were more powerful. My stock Microgel MP had a SW of 315, 63 flex and 335 grams and it hit like a noodle.

By contrast, the stock YTK MP has the exact same specs but a lower SW, 305.

AND YET! The stock YTK has tons more power. The extra pop comes from the stiffer hoop, something I loved about the LM Radical.

All that to say that you can't really tell much from the specs. Actually, you can pretty much tell how it will swing, but you can't really know the effect on the ball.

[el sergento]

Originally Posted by PED

I agree with you that the Mid requires a fuller swing to get the most out of it though and the MP as well but to a lesser degree. The YTPP plays the most modern of the 3 IMO.

I don't know, I tried the mid and didn't find it harder to swing than my mp at all, if anything, the extra SW made easier to block back shots and redirect the ball with shorter swings.

The only reason I stuck with a mp was because I play a lot on clay, and the extra real estate helps when I'm hitting above shoulder ohbh's.

The PPro really is a different beast. Moreso because of the extra plow than the added spin potential.

The PPro feels like it has more weight at 3&9 but has a softer hoop and a stiffer throat compared to the MP. As a result, I find it easier to flatten out balls when hitting high to low on the FH.

The PPro also has a higher Twistweight. 11.67 vs 10.79 for the mid and 10.45 for the MP. As a result, the PPro handles heavy shots a bit better IMO.

Anyhow, my 0.2c's.

[baseline_monster]

Originally Posted by Ross K

I do, M, and it's not for sale!!!

R

I would do dangerous things to go back to them, 3 g of lead at 3 and 9, 12 in the handle, string it with alu power, WOW!!!!! Try it, but that silinco string is basically the same. Do love alu power, just to expensive.

[PED]

Originally Posted by el sergento

I don't know, I tried the mid and didn't find it harder to swing than my mp at all, if anything, the extra SW made easier to block back shots and redirect the ball with shorter swings.



The PPro feels like it has more weight at 3&9 but has a softer hoop and a stiffer throat compared to the MP. As a result, I find it easier to flatten out balls when hitting high to low on the FH.

You make some great points, like you,I find the Mid swings easier than the MP as well and there seems to be more end product when you connect with the Mid. Your MP setup sounds like a nice one.

The Pro does have a stiffer throat and the more flexy throat is ultimately what soured me on the MP, my go to shot is my IO FH and I couldn't make the MP hit it the way I could with the PP.

[Power Player]

Same here..I am inside out forehand all day long and I can smack the crap out of it with the Mid. the Midplus gave me a decent one, but it had more loop to it and less weight.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Same here..I am inside out forehand all day long and I can smack the crap out of it with the Mid. the Midplus gave me a decent one, but it had more loop to it and less weight.

That was the problem I had with the MP, mine was sitting up that crucial bit and letting my opponent get a bead on it: not what I want when I'm in the ad corner...lol

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Same here..I am inside out forehand all day long and I can smack the crap out of it with the Mid. the Midplus gave me a decent one, but it had more loop to it and less weight.

courier :P

[Ross K]

Diary dudes,

Big session earlier, and one that I came away from feeling a tad dispirited, if I'm being honest...

Anyhow, on today's evidence the APD and TGKPP are maybe neck and neck for my affections - or perhaps the TGK is just a mite ahead - and the TF 320 a little way behind those 2. I won't bore you yet again with the finer details and miscellaneous random nonsensical ways my brain was formatting thoughts as the session (and it was a lengthy one) went on; save to say this:

TGK PP... I do need to lose a bit of weight off the head (lose some of that 4g @ 12)... The solidness and stability, effortless power and quality lush feel really stands out with this frame.

APD... Whilst the feel and 'body' isn't on a par with the PP, and I play more erratic with it, the forgiving, spinny, b-line bashing performance is right up my Strasse!

TF V02 320... Not a whole lot wrong here... in fact initially I was finding it's nippier size and way of maneuvering very much to my liking... I do find it easy to manipulate, however, I think I hit with more penetration with both the others, and generally, it just lags a bit behind the PP and APD in how much I like it.

TBH, today was one of those sessions where I came away feeling my racketaholic tendencies are a curse ... I'm sure if my PC+ was in my bag I would have pulled that out to contrast with the others.

You know, I'm not sure about you guys, but sometimes I just crave to be normal and have my 1 frame that I always go to, just like everyone else... but what can I do???

R.


BTW, Not a single, solitary ace today... dear, dear... "SHAKES HEAD AND A LA DENIRO IN THAT LAST MESMERIZING SHOT IN "ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA" REACHES FOR THE OPIUM PIPE."

[Fed Kennedy]

It's not a prestige but did anyone notice they re released the k95? Kind of cool, def a beastly stick.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

It's not a prestige but did anyone notice they re released the k95? Kind of cool, def a beastly stick.

The power of Del Potro? Wonder what the backstory is there: I've kind of wondered to myself (who knows: maybe this has already been answered or discussed elsewhere) if DelPo, after winning the USO in the K95 paintjob and then hurting his wrist with the Pro Tour paintjob, was just superstitious and refused to go back to the black and yellow. And so Wilson appeases by rereleasing the K paintjob? Hmm..

Speaking of gimpy issues, my self imposed one-week break to rest up the knee and such after a load of tennis in a one-week span to wrap up a league season ends tomorrow. Can't wait to get back out there with my mixed back of goodies, the BC20 in first position.

[Power Player]

Funny someone brought up the Donnays, because I just got a free chance to try a black 99 while picking up the hydrasorbed pc600. Probably the closest specs to what I like..once again another fusion of prestige and pure storm tour.

I had tried out the Orange before and was not feeling it, but this one seems to swing as easy as my pc600. The Pc600 is back with the synthetic grip and it now weighs as much as my TGK and is balanced at 7pts..my TGK is actually 8, but I can live with that.

Scary if I like the Donnay..the good thing for me is that I knew I did not really dig the Prestige MP rather fast, so this should be quick as well. I got to look at all the specs of the different donnays they had and the other I thought would be cool was the Red, but it was 16x19. The blue looked like it may be too stiff, and they claimed the black was more flexy. While this mild distraction wil be fun, i am quite happy to have both prestiges pretty darn close in spec now..I feel spoiled in a way, because their feel is so nice, that I almost should not be this lucky.

[JGads]

LOVE what the Donnays are capable of doing to a tennis ball -- ripping serves, easy groundies, knife-through-butter slices. HATE how I could never feel the ball as well as I'd longed to with them. Compared to the Prestige Mid, any Donnay is just too soft feeling, and borderline noodle-like in terms of flex. My hunch is that you'll be reaching for your Prestige very quickly, even though the Donnays are a lot of fun.

[Power Player]

Gads..the Donnay was very soft. Definitely not the same feel as the Prestige mid..but nothing is. It is almost unfair how good the prestige mid feels..probably the best feel I have ever had.

I mainly used the TGK because I was hitting with a strong player and I didn't want to waste his time while I tinkered with a new racquet. I was having trouble keeping the ball in with the donnay..this is the new theme with me..I basically hit long with every racquet now besides the mid. That being said, I was figuring out subtle changes to make to my swing path adjust to the stick, and I imagine I would be able to hit with heavy spin and flatten it out as well once I spent some time with it. The thin beam is so killer that it made the TGK seem thick when i picked it up.

I definitely liked this racquet more than the prestige MP..no doubt about it. It is not a very demanding racquet, especially on the backhand. I have to say that it is simply so unique that I really think anyone who likes prestiges or pro staffs should check it out.

It is very flexy, but not nearly as bad as the Pro one, which had no power. This thing has a lot more power to it and I am wondering if it can be contained..the demo I had was strung with a multi at 52#s and that is simply not a good match for this stick.

To finish, this stick served insanely heavy. The prestige is a great stick for me on flat serves..probably the best ever. But I have been struggling with second serves a little. I picked up the Donnay and just hit hard slice serves, and I could not believe the action on the ball. Judging from the ball bounce to the fence. I was hitting slices with heavy action at around 95mph or so. I felt like I could just serve slice at that pace for a whole match and probably give a lot of people hell. This racquet serves as good as the prestige, but the prestige is better for flat bombs, and the Donnay will allow you to serve with more topspin, so you cold probably dial it up to 110 or so with practice and have a consistent first serve followed by a super heavy slice at 90-95.

I definitely think the Donnays are worth checking out..the 99 does not really feel like a 99..swings smaller then the prestige MP..I believe that is due to the thin beam. I will try and spend some more time with it because it really is killer.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Diary dudes,

Big session earlier, and one that I came away from feeling a tad dispirited, if I'm being honest...

Anyhow, on today's evidence the APD and TGKPP are maybe neck and neck for my affections - or perhaps the TGK is just a mite ahead - and the TF 320 a little way behind those 2. I won't bore you yet again with the finer details and miscellaneous random nonsensical ways my brain was formatting thoughts as the session (and it was a lengthy one) went on; save to say this:

TGK PP... I do need to lose a bit of weight off the head (lose some of that 4g @ 12)... The solidness and stability, effortless power and quality lush feel really stands out with this frame.

APD... Whilst the feel and 'body' isn't on a par with the PP, and I play more erratic with it, the forgiving, spinny, b-line bashing performance is right up my Strasse!

TF V02 320... Not a whole lot wrong here... in fact initially I was finding it's nippier size and way of maneuvering very much to my liking... I do find it easy to manipulate, however, I think I hit with more penetration with both the others, and generally, it just lags a bit behind the PP and APD in how much I like it.

TBH, today was one of those sessions where I came away feeling my racketaholic tendencies are a curse ... I'm sure if my PC+ was in my bag I would have pulled that out to contrast with the others.

You know, I'm not sure about you guys, but sometimes I just crave to be normal and have my 1 frame that I always go to, just like everyone else... but what can I do???

R.


BTW, Not a single, solitary ace today... dear, dear... "SHAKES HEAD AND A LA DENIRO IN THAT LAST MESMERIZING SHOT IN "ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA" REACHES FOR THE OPIUM PIPE."

LET THIS PIC OF MYSELF AT 4AM THIS MORNING SERVE AS A WARNING... THE RACKETAHOLIC LIFE IS NOT ONE TO RECOMMEND!



R

[Power Player]

Do not demo or pick up a Donnay racquet. If you see one, just walk away. Walk away from it and forget you ever saw it. Sweet god they are uniquely awesome.