Diary of a Racketaholic

[sansaephanh]

Got my black ace. Feels a bit hefty. Maybe toss a leather on there with some lead on the bottom. They don't know tennis and just got the free wilson extreme sg lol. I'll play with it until I feel like tossing my last bits of hexy fiber in there. I have a feeling that it might be amazing =D

[JGads]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

Got my black ace. Feels a bit hefty. Maybe toss a leather on there with some lead on the bottom. They don't know tennis and just got the free wilson extreme sg lol. I'll play with it until I feel like tossing my last bits of hexy fiber in there. I have a feeling that it might be amazing =D

I like mine with Wilson Pro Hybrid grip on it (just because I like the added heft in the handle, but have never gotten around to really liking leather grips). Enjoy, and let me know if you need that second Ace as I'm still selling.

[Power Player]

Dudes, I am all in with the Ice. It plays so well that I can't believe a reel is so cheap. It reminds me so much of 4G or lux in general. The difference is that magical lux crispness is not there, but this string lasts longer. I can't believe a string trumped 4G for me at this price.

If you like crisp strings like 4g, this is definitely a winner. I also notice no string movement with the OGSM cross. Anyway, Ill be rocking the fuji setup and my wallet will thank me. If you want to spend the $$, 4G is still the goat, but I am notoriously always looking for the budget string setup. I'm playing $60 used demo Blades with a $3 string job. Feels good man.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Dudes, I am all in with the Ice. It plays so well that I can't believe a reel is so cheap. It reminds me so much of 4G or lux in general. The difference is that magical lux crispness is not there, but this string lasts longer. I can't believe a string trumped 4G for me at this price.

If you like crisp strings like 4g, this is definitely a winner. I also notice no string movement with the OGSM cross. Anyway, Ill be rocking the fuji setup and my wallet will thank me. If you want to spend the $$, 4G is still the goat, but I am notoriously always looking for the budget string setup. I'm playing $60 used demo Blades with a $3 string job. Feels good man.

Awesome move PP! Glad you liked it!

-Fuji

[Power Player]

I had to bypass the TW system to get their last reel of 17 gauge Ice. I think when they have one left they unlist it. I went to the 16 gauge reel and under "similar" saw the 17 gauge which was not listed. There was 1 left. Anyway - done. I can see myself rotating 2 sticks and stringing one a week, so this is perfect. Thats roughly 9 months of tennis with a fresh stringbed every week.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I had to bypass the TW system to get their last reel of 17 gauge Ice. I think when they have one left they unlist it. I went to the 16 gauge reel and under "similar" saw the 17 gauge which was not listed. There was 1 left. Anyway - done. I can see myself rotating 2 sticks and stringing one a week, so this is perfect. Thats roughly 9 months of tennis with a fresh stringbed every week.

That's awesome! And you get it all for under 100$ of string!

-Fuji

[Power Player]

Yeah it's crazy how good this string plays for the price. It is a very crisp setup, but what stood out was the control and spin. An awesome Lux alternative.

[klementine79]

Well racquet dudes,
Been playing a lot of indoor tennis this week, no work AND holiday half-price rates at the local indoor courts.

Got a rd ti 80 lite from the misses for x-mas. Been rocking that and going back and forth between my exo's/prestiges and this black-blade I picked up for the wife ~10 days ago.

The black blade is just what the doctor called for on the quick, artificially lit indoor courts, you know?, when you can't time anything because the ball comes jumping up a second before your eyes adjust. Really quick through the air. A demon bat. Then, out of curiosity, today I measure it. 312gr (11oz) strung and completely even balanced, that's a full 8gr under wilson's intended 304gr unstrung weight. And the balance? wilson states 6pts. unstrung, which would make it 2pts. strung. Again, all over the place. TW's sw calculator method shows a ~330sw.

No wonder! If I fall in love with this one, where in the world will I find another one with these specs? I might decide to sell it off as well. Don't know.

Snowing here and spot time is booked tonight. 7-9pm. Bringing the 2 new frames.

[corners]

Say, any you 'holics ever have a dally with the Diablo Mid?

I was snooping around TWU's spin window data today and noticed that the 93 Diablo, cuz of Prince's wide headshape and the narrow beam, has as large a spin window as the Pure Drive!

How's the feel and pop of this thing?

[JGads]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Well racquet dudes,
Been playing a lot of indoor tennis this week, no work AND holiday half-price rates at the local indoor courts.

Got a rd ti 80 lite from the misses for x-mas. Been rocking that and going back and forth between my exo's/prestiges and this black-blade I picked up for the wife ~10 days ago.

The black blade is just what the doctor called for on the quick, artificially lit indoor courts, you know?, when you can't time anything because the ball comes jumping up a second before your eyes adjust. Really quick through the air. A demon bat. Then, out of curiosity, today I measure it. 312gr (11oz) strung and completely even balanced, that's a full 8gr under wilson's intended 304gr unstrung weight. And the balance? wilson states 6pts. unstrung, which would make it 2pts. strung. Again, all over the place. TW's sw calculator method shows a ~330sw.

No wonder! If I fall in love with this one, where in the world will I find another one with these specs? I might decide to sell it off as well. Don't know.

Snowing here and spot time is booked tonight. 7-9pm. Bringing the 2 new frames.

Always a chance TW could find a somewhat close match in their batch. Wouldn't be surprised. And I've seen worse -- I had a KBlade 98 once that weighed in - STOCK, mind you - at 11.8.5 strung. Yeah, the thing is supposed to be 11.1.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by corners

Say, any you 'holics ever have a dally with the Diablo Mid?

I was snooping around TWU's spin window data today and noticed that the 93 Diablo, cuz of Prince's wide headshape and the narrow beam, has as large a spin window as the Pure Drive!

How's the feel and pop of this thing?

Definitely a stick I always wanted to try but never did. Certainly seems like it could be on the more forgiving side of the Mid game.

[corners]

Originally Posted by JGads

Definitely a stick I always wanted to try but never did. Certainly seems like it could be on the more forgiving side of the Mid game.

Yeah, midsize with the spin window of a PD, sounds nice. The only thing holding me back from grabbing one to try is that several old reviews I dug up described the feel as "hard rubber." Yikes. TW Chris holds it in high regard and he seems to have good taste in feel. Looking for some more current perspectives or comparisons.

[mikeler]

I think KCraig used to swing the Diablo. I'll see if I can corral him and get him to post here.

[corners]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I think KCraig used to swing the Diablo. I'll see if I can corral him and get him to post here.

Thanks Mikeler

[crosscourt]

Originally Posted by corners

Say, any you 'holics ever have a dally with the Diablo Mid?

I was snooping around TWU's spin window data today and noticed that the 93 Diablo, cuz of Prince's wide headshape and the narrow beam, has as large a spin window as the Pure Drive!

How's the feel and pop of this thing?

The pop was good but the racket was very harsh. My elbow was very sore when I used it. But if your elbow is stronger than mine try it. It has lots to recommend it.

[corners]

Originally Posted by crosscourt

The pop was good but the racket was very harsh. My elbow was very sore when I used it. But if your elbow is stronger than mine try it. It has lots to recommend it.

Never had elbow problems but don't imagine I have elbows of steel. How is the feel? Could you compare to other frames you like or dislike?

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by corners

Say, any you 'holics ever have a dally with the Diablo Mid?

I was snooping around TWU's spin window data today and noticed that the 93 Diablo, cuz of Prince's wide headshape and the narrow beam, has as large a spin window as the Pure Drive!

How's the feel and pop of this thing?

Yessir. One of my favorite sticks, but came in around 13oz after strung and og. A bit too hefty for me.

Huge sweet spot, plays like a 95. Extremely solid plowthrough. The feel is definitely like hard rubber. It's really solid and muted at the same time. I put a multi in there and it really played well, I think a stiff synthetic at low/mid tension would compliment this stick really well. I tried poly and multi in full beds and really found it the kind of boardy I enjoy, but a little tension tweaking would change it a bit for taste.

Spin? That thing was probably the most fun I've had with a mid spin wise. Just gotta make sure you keep that RHS up. I've been looking for 93's with 16x20 string patterns around 12oz strung.

No dice so far. If I could get the YTIG Prestige mid in 16x20 I'd be one happy camper =D

[corners]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

Yessir. One of my favorite sticks, but came in around 13oz after strung and og. A bit too hefty for me.

Huge sweet spot, plays like a 95. Extremely solid plowthrough. The feel is definitely like hard rubber. It's really solid and muted at the same time. I put a multi in there and it really played well, I think a stiff synthetic at low/mid tension would compliment this stick really well. I tried poly and multi in full beds and really found it the kind of boardy I enjoy, but a little tension tweaking would change it a bit for taste.

Spin? That thing was probably the most fun I've had with a mid spin wise. Just gotta make sure you keep that RHS up. I've been looking for 93's with 16x20 string patterns around 12oz strung.

No dice so far. If I could get the YTIG Prestige mid in 16x20 I'd be one happy camper =D

Thanks Sansae,

Shucks, there's that hard rubber again. I was hoping for some crispy butter.

I really like the Prince headshape for its forgiveness. I've got an O3 Tour 95 that hits like a 105. But that thing has no feel whatsoever. Was hoping the Diablo would have a feel that would click with my tastes. Might try to pick one up cheap anyway just to be sure. Rumor is that Prince will introduce at least one non-port stick in 2013, maybe it will be an update of the Diablo or Graphite mid.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

Yessir. One of my favorite sticks, but came in around 13oz after strung and og. A bit too hefty for me.

Huge sweet spot, plays like a 95. Extremely solid plowthrough. The feel is definitely like hard rubber. It's really solid and muted at the same time. I put a multi in there and it really played well, I think a stiff synthetic at low/mid tension would compliment this stick really well. I tried poly and multi in full beds and really found it the kind of boardy I enjoy, but a little tension tweaking would change it a bit for taste.

Spin? That thing was probably the most fun I've had with a mid spin wise. Just gotta make sure you keep that RHS up. I've been looking for 93's with 16x20 string patterns around 12oz strung.

No dice so far. If I could get the YTIG Prestige mid in 16x20 I'd be one happy camper =D

Yonex VCore Tour 89. AMAZING frame, just a tank. If you can get one that's lighter specced, or if you're a 6'3, 220-pounder with beastly forearms, this could be just the frame for you.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by JGads

Yonex VCore Tour 89. AMAZING frame, just a tank. If you can get one that's lighter specced, or if you're a 6'3, 220-pounder with beastly forearms, this could be just the frame for you.

Really? Mine hits really big and solid, but I didn't find it heavy at all. Mines at 12.5oz strung and I swear it swings lighter then my prestige mids!

-Fuji