Boris Becker (BB) London Club

[Shangri La]

I bought a London based on comments from the forums and after 30 minutes of hit i ordered a second one - 'that was easy'! And I totally agree with T-Mav's comment of London being a 'feel' stick - it just fits my play so naturally.

I started with 6+g of lead in the head based on my sw calculation. But I followed T-Mav and others' advice and now have less than 3g in the head and it's still plenty stable. I start to believe unless you have a high sw preference or play at a very competitive level, there's really no need for excessive lead in the head.

I'm using a leather grip on my London. While enjoying the feel, I really want to cut another 5g of weight in the handle to make the total weight under 11.6oz. I'm already not wrapping the leather grip to top of the handle to not add too mcuh weight so really dont know how reduce further...

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

If you continue to hit the ball long with the London, it's on you, not the racket. I busted the syn. gut strings in my demo, so they were probably old and pretty loose, and I had excellent control with the frame.

It's been repeated over and over and over in these threads that you need soft and looser cross strings to pocket the ball and tap into its inherent playing characteristics. What's the point of these threads if we can't take proven advice?

And why would you continue to hit a racket where you're having to throttle back to keep the ball in. I don't even understand that concept. You're misrepresenting the London by stating that you're not able to hit out with it and that you're having to tinker with the string setup to control it.

I'm saying that I can step up and tattoo the ball with the London with excellent control, and you're giving the impression that it's a rocket launcher. Both of us can't be right, and it points to the fact that this type of evaluation doesn't objectively help anyone--unless of course, there are dynamics at work that transcend the racket itself. But then we would need to venture into the realm of mechanics, technique, and playing style--much to the chagrin, angst, and censorship of the posters who "want to stay on topic."

Do you see my point in my previous post? This is proof of subjective and circular reasoning. I'll venture to say that you're not creating sufficient racket-head speed to keep the ball in the court or that your playing style doesn't jibe with the stick. It's not the racket, Jack.

I never said it was the racquet and not my technique. Let me try and clarify.
If I take a long, hard swing and don't use enough high to low technique, then the ball sails a bit on me, as it would with any racquet. And yes, I use very soft strings and string the crosses lower than the mains. In fact, I use very low tension with a soft powerful multi (NRG2) my setup is probably more powerful than most, so it's easier to hit long with an improper stroke. Everyone I play with hits long now and then. I just want to cut down on those, so I need to tinker with my setups. I have only tried one so far.
I am playing better with the London than my previous racquet, otherwise I would go back to what I was using.

I am glad you can continually tatoo the ball and keep it in, but I'm obviously not as good as you. Right now I am having fun with the racquet and every time out with it, I am more comfortable on the court with it. With the cold weather, I haven't had as much time to play with it as I would like, so it's taking a little longer to acclimate. The London is a pretty powerful racquet (just see the power map in TW's tools) and it's rated at 40% in the middle, where most "control" sticks are rated at 38% or less. Some of the TW reviewers even mentioned something about the ball "catapulting long" when trying to flatten out shot...I think it was Troy? And Spencer said the racquet had "Pure-Drive like" power, so it's not just me. The London isn't a Prestige or
4D 300 Tour. It's got a lively stringbed with a lot of power potential and if strung low, like I do, it can get a little loose on you if you aren't careful.

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by Shangri La

I bought a London based on comments from the forums and after 30 minutes of hit i ordered a second one - 'that was easy'! And I totally agree with T-Mav's comment of London being a 'feel' stick - it just fits my play so naturally.

I started with 6+g of lead in the head based on my sw calculation. But I followed T-Mav and others' advice and now have less than 3g in the head and it's still plenty stable. I start to believe unless you have a high sw preference or play at a very competitive level, there's really no need for excessive lead in the head.

I'm using a leather grip on my London. While enjoying the feel, I really want to cut another 5g of weight in the handle to make the total weight under 11.6oz. I'm already not wrapping the leather grip to top of the handle to not add too mcuh weight so really dont know how reduce further...

The time element is the key. 30 minutes. Way to go.

Leather on the grip will only allow you to move the head to grind even more. One of my guys who does not use regular grips, but two overgrips on bare pallets, surrounded the pallet with lead tape before wrapping his overgrips.

[Shangri La]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

The time element is the key. 30 minutes. Way to go.

Leather on the grip will only allow you to move the head to grind even more. One of my guys who does not use regular grips, but two overgrips on bare pallets, surrounded the pallet with lead tape before wrapping his overgrips.

T-Mav, I appreciate your knowledge on Volkl and racquet/tennis in general. Need to try your setup of lead at 5/7 - never leaded there before. Right now I have a bit at 12 and 3/9. And your use of 'grind'/'pressure'/etc really visualizes the strokes well and makes good sense.

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I never said it was the racquet and not my technique. Let me try and clarify.
If I take a long, hard swing and don't use enough high to low technique, then the ball sails a bit on me, as it would with any racquet. And yes, I use very soft strings and string the crosses lower than the mains. In fact, I use very low tension with a soft powerful multi (NRG2) my setup is probably more powerful than most, so it's easier to hit long with an improper stroke. Everyone I play with hits long now and then. I just want to cut down on those, so I need to tinker with my setups. I have only tried one so far.
I am playing better with the London than my previous racquet, otherwise I would go back to what I was using.

I am glad you can continually tatoo the ball and keep it in, but I'm obviously not as good as you. Right now I am having fun with the racquet and every time out with it, I am more comfortable on the court with it. With the cold weather, I haven't had as much time to play with it as I would like, so it's taking a little longer to acclimate. The London is a pretty powerful racquet (just see the power map in TW's tools) and it's rated at 40% in the middle, where most "control" sticks are rated at 38% or less. Some of the TW reviewers even mentioned something about the ball "catapulting long" when trying to flatten out shot...I think it was Troy? And Spencer said the racquet had "Pure-Drive like" power, so it's not just me. The London isn't a Prestige or
4D 300 Tour. It's got a lively stringbed with a lot of power potential and if strung low, like I do, it can get a little loose on you if you aren't careful.

"Tattoing the ball" is relative terminology and obviously hyperbolic in my statement. Also, it wasn't my intention or implication to state that I'm better than you. I honestly don't care who's the better tennis player. You're right, everyone hits the ball long; I do as well. I used to hit with an older, former 5.0-6.0 player/coach (current 4.5) who drilled in my head that it's always better to hit it long than in the net.

My primary point is that I can take a London off the shelf and play with it like I've been playing it all my life. It works for me, and I really don't have to think about why. I had that experience with a K-Blade 98 a few years ago. I took the demo off the rack of a local club and proceeded to annihilate a guy that I beat only 50% of the time. I had other players tell me that I never hit the ball better than with that Blade 98, but the stiffness hurt my arm and I had to let it go. However, I knew the racket worked for me immediately. The 300 Tour, on the other hand, was one that after five balls I concluded that it was a tin can. I stubbornly bought the racket anyway and leaded it to the gills trying to convince myself that I could make it work, but it's never been the right racket for me, despite my mods, strings, and tinkering with this and that. I knew it immediately.

As far as the TW power rating tools, I don't put a lot of stock in those numbers. I need the racket in my hand to determine its power potential. And as far as Troy and Spencer's comments, I would say that their games, playing styles, and body types APPEAR to be totally different from mine. Those are important factors, so I take their comments for what they're worth. My body type and playing style (albeit at a lower level) APPEARS to be much more similar to Chris', so his comments are more important to me, and I didn't hear him saying those things.

I think there's that "right stick" for you out there, Jack. And you already know that I'd be more than happy to take your Londons off your hands if/when you decide that.

Just one last thought, Jack: I don't swing low to high, and I'm not sure that the London is really designed for the player who does. Maybe I'm wrong, but you shouldn't have to think about altering your swing to accommodate a stick, imo.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

"Tattoing the ball" is relative terminology and obviously hyperbolic in my statement. Also, it wasn't my intention or implication to state that I'm better than you. I honestly don't care who's the better tennis player. You're right, everyone hits the ball long; I do as well. I used to hit with an older, former 5.0-6.0 player/coach (current 4.5) who drilled in my head that it's always better to hit it long than in the net.

My primary point is that I can take a London off the shelf and play with it like I've been playing it all my life. It works for me, and I really don't have to think about why. I had that experience with a K-Blade 98 a few years ago. I took the demo off the rack of a local club and proceeded to annihilate a guy that I beat only 50% of the time. I had other players tell me that I never hit the ball better than with that Blade 98, but the stiffness hurt my arm and I had to let it go. However, I knew the racket worked for me immediately. The 300 Tour, on the other hand, was one that after five balls I concluded that it was a tin can. I stubbornly bought the racket anyway and leaded it to the gills trying to convince myself that I could make it work, but it's never been the right racket for me, despite my mods, strings, and tinkering with this and that. I knew it immediately.

As far as the TW power rating tools, I don't put a lot of stock in those numbers. I need the racket in my hand to determine its power potential. And as far as Troy and Spencer's comments, I would say that their games, playing styles, and body types APPEAR to be totally different from mine. Those are important factors, so I take their comments for what they're worth. My body type and playing style (albeit at a lower level) APPEARS to be much more similar to Chris', so his comments are more important to me, and I didn't hear him saying those things.

I think there's that "right stick" for you out there, Jack. And you already know that I'd be more than happy to take your Londons off your hands if/when you decide that.

Just one last thought, Jack: I don't swing low to high, and I'm not sure that the London is really designed for the player who does. Maybe I'm wrong, but you shouldn't have to think about altering your swing to accommodate a stick, imo.

I am not altering anything. I just need to try different tensions and string setups to optimize the London for my game. It's just fine tuning and everyone (mostly) does it. Some get more crazy with it and some don't. I do know immediately if I DON'T like a racquet when I demo it. I recently tried the Ignite Team and knew after 2 minutes it wasn't for me. The racquet's that I don't dismiss immediately get a trial period and then they are playtested in competitive situations. If I play well and enjoy using them, then it's time for tweaking. One of my biggest requirements is that I enjoy the FEELING of hitting a ball with the racquet in question. That is where the London really grabbed me. The feel at contact is just amazing and keeps me coming back for more. I haven't had much playtesting yet in competitive situations because I am in between league seasons, so I still need to make sure my play is at least equal to what is was previously with my Instinct. I am in no hurry since we are in the middle of Winter and things slow down quite a bit during the cold weather of the winter here in GA.

Long story short....Personally I love playing with the London. I will know soon enough if it performs for me during competitive league play and if it does, then it's a keeper. If not....well that's why I kept 2 Instinct's in the closet. Let's face it, I am not getting paid to play and I choose a racquet that makes the game fun and the London does. I also love winning matches, so that's part of the fun and I will know more about that side of it soon enough. I have never been able to grab ANYTHING off the shelf and immediately know it's for me. But that's just part of my make up. If you think I'm bad with racquets, you should have seen me with golf clubs

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

If you think I'm bad with racquets, you should have seen me with golf clubs

I can't imagine! On the rare occasion that I have the time or the money to get out on the course, I still hit my decade-old, forged Cobra irons, my decade-old Taylor Made 300 driver, and my two-decade-old Hogan H-40 3&5 woods. Honestly, demoing rackets and selling my old stock to make room for the new London is more change than I care for. I'll probably be the one 10 years from now still hitting the latest-greatest edition of the London mold/upgrade. At least I'll be able to say that I started with the first.

Have a good weekend.

[pyrokid]

Hmm.
Well this racquet has been a quiet blip on the outside of my radar for a while now. But this thread is bringing it up again.

Can anyone compare it to a radical? They seem to have really similar specs, but I haven't found one place where they're compared.
I use the ti.rads by the way.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

If you add lead at 3/9, then place the 5/7 lead on the outside of the frame.

If you choose to just try it at 5/7, try both and see what you prefer.

With this stick, flying light is much better. Try using 1/2 in lead in 1/4 in widths. Three inches long should work well.

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

I took Maverick's advice and can verify that lead on the outside of the frame at 5&7 works wonders. I used 2 grams total in this location with my demo but could have probably used 4-6 grams---maybe. I had even more spin and better ball quality with lead in this location. Additionally, I lost that slight flutter on volleys hit just outside the sweetspot. But we both know that if we find the center of the stringbed, we don't have to worry about that. As far as the tape on the throat, Maverick will have to chime in for advice there, but I personally didn't need it. Take care.

He beat me to it. Sorry for the redundancy.

Thanks Mav and Pneumated; makes sense and I look forward to trying this out! Just curious, what would tape in the throat of this stick do to its playability?

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Honestly, demoing rackets and selling my old stock to make room for the new London is more change than I care for. I'll probably be the one 10 years from now still hitting the latest-greatest edition of the London mold/upgrade. At least I'll be able to say that I started with the first.

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Jack, you're killing me here! Just remember, when you fall out of love again with the London, keep me in mind.

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Did you get it from TW? If not, no divulgence is necessary. I know they're scarce in the States.

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

And you already know that I'd be more than happy to take your Londons off your hands if/when you decide that.

Pneumated, your angst in not having your own London in your hands is killing me!! I'm starting to feel guilty posting all this great stuff about the racquet knowing you still don't have one. As you probably know, TM says they are being shipped so I really, REALLY hope yours is at or close to the top of the heap. Get that stick in your hands soon, doggone-it, and you better let us know every detail about your experience!

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by skeeter

Pneumated, your angst in not having your own London in your hands is killing me!! I'm starting to feel guilty posting all this great stuff about the racquet knowing you still don't have one. As you probably know, TM says they are being shipped so I really, REALLY hope yours is at or close to the top of the heap. Get that stick in your hands soon, doggone-it, and you better let us know every detail about your experience!

Haha. Keep "posting all this great stuff," Skeeter. I'll forgive you!

[Lexer56]

BB London devotee here. I replaced the stock grip with a Gamma Hi-Tech grip, which gives me a firm feel like leather but without the weight. Strung with natural gut at mid-tension. Perfect.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Lexer56

BB London devotee here. I replaced the stock grip with a Gamma Hi-Tech grip, which gives me a firm feel like leather but without the weight. Strung with natural gut at mid-tension. Perfect.

Welcome to the club! The Gamma Tech grip is one of the heaviest synthetic grips out there, but I'm not sure if it's as much as leather. What kind of nat gut? Is it very powerful with the gut?

[Shangri La]

I tried some different string setups and so far the one I like the most is Pacific Classic gut/WC Silverstring. This combo really enhances feel of the racquet and provides great power/spin/comfort. I've tried Tough gut/Silverstring a couple of times at different tensions but I dont know why it just never felt as good. Once I put the classic/SS on and the magic came back - still not 100% as good as when I first tried but I'm pretty sure it's because of the cold weather.

Cyclone 17 is a great string in the London. It grabs the ball nicely and matches the racquet's long dwell time really well. But I usually avoid full poly in winter time. Max touch/ALU power plays very well and is comfortable, although doesnt last very long. Black 5 Edge is a string I'm curious to try, but right now I'm just really enjoying the Pacific Classic/Silverstring.

[skeeter]

After a week and a half off due to weather, finally got to get out this afternoon on a warm-ish, sunny day with the London in what ended up being three sets of doubles. What really stood out to me was this racquet's ability to keep the ball in play when hit off-center. On a number of outstretched baseline and volley shots, I clearly hit the ball in the upper area of the hoop and was still able to get a great response from the racquet; no vibrations, no deadening, no whimpy returns. Incredible stability. The match winner was me at the net practically throwing the racquet to my backhand side off a drill of a return of serve (from the deuce court) in an attempt to pass me down the line. I couldn't have gotten more than the top three inches of the stringbed on that ball and it popped over the net for the winner. Still not sure of the right string combination for me yet, but lovin' this stick!

[JackB1]

Haven't been able to play in over a week due to the flu and the cold icy weather here in Atlanta. Plan on testing out some of the new Black 5 Edge in the mains with a multi cross soon in the London.

[JackB1]

So where's all the new members? I thought the London's were finally shipping???

[neverstopplaying]

Mine shipped early last week from CA, but since I'm in Montreal, I'm still anxiously awaiting the delivery man. . . . . . . maybe tomorrow.

[OldButGame]

(little insert,...Isnt a rush when the UPS truck pulls up,...and the guy walks up to your house with a box that can ONLY be a racquet You were expecting!!???)

[JackB1]

Tried a reverse hybrid of what I've been using today.....Hyperion Copoly in the mains @50 / Maxim Touch in the crosses @52.

Not sure if I like the copoly in the mains better than the multi in the mains? I definitely have to swing a bit harder to hit the same deep baseline balls and the feel isn't as soft.
I'll give it a go some more in competition before deciding. Next up I want to try natural gut mains and copoly cross.