Boris Becker (BB) London Club

[msalamon]

Jack Did you get my message re the Head grips?

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by msalamon

So, I removed the top part of the grip and carefully peeled down the tape on each racket.

It appears they do in fact both have the same pallet-with a clearly labled 3 on each side. The pallets are black and appear to be made out of hard plastic.

In examining the grips, it seems that the difference between to two may in fact account for the pronounced difference in feel.

The BB sythetic grip is very squishy, and thin.

By comparison, the Head Finest Calfskin grip is VERY thick and hard.

So, It looks like all will have to do is get a leather grip to replace the sythetic one after all! ( I sent you a PM Jackb1)

I neglected to mention to check the gap in the seams between the two halves of the pallet. Sometimes during assembly, the double-sided adhesive tape is not applied carefully enough and the pallet halves do not adhere tightly or close together. That drives me nuts, and forces you to take it apart and do it yourself.

***THE SIZE OF THE GAP BETWEEN HALVES MAKES A RADICAL DIFFERENCE IN THE FEEL OF THE GRIP, EVEN IF THE GAP SIZE SEEMS MINOR***

And if you really want to see if you have a Volkl reg vs a BB reg pallet besides by feel, since you are not familiar, check the staples in the butt. If the pallet was switched but the original orange butt cap was used, it will have multiple staple holes.

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by msalamon

Jack Did you get my message re the Head grips?

Don't worry; he got it. But the way Jack wheels and deals on these boards, your calling his bluff has probably prompted him to go rummaging around Atlanta to actually find the grips for $8 or less, to turn a profit. Factor in your gas money, Jack

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by msalamon

Jack Did you get my message re the Head grips?

Yes. I will check tonite when I get home if they are what you want. All I can say is they came off of Youtek Prestige Pro's. I don't think it says anything on them though saying "Heads Finest Calfskin"?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Don't worry; he got it. But the way Jack wheels and deals on these boards, your calling his bluff has probably prompted him to go rummaging around Atlanta to actually find the grips for $8 or less, to turn a profit. Factor in your gas money, Jack

Not quite sure what you are talking about? Just trying to help him out.

I always replace any leather grips with synth ones...don't like the harsh feel. Not going to get rich selling grips

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Not quite sure what you are talking about? Just trying to help him out.

I always replace any leather grips with synth ones...don't like the harsh feel. Not going to get rich selling grips

Just a joke, Jack. I guess I shouldn't always assume a kindred sense of humor. Nothing personal.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Yeah, but you muddied the waters with talk of measurements, tailors, and the rabbit trail of a faulty pallet and/or improper installation. Just messing with you, Jack, but I think it's my ad, nonetheless

"muddied"? I couldn't have been more clear in my explanation. ??

BTW...your comments intrigued me concerning the Prestige Pro and having now tried it, I understand why you were so taken with it What a sweeeeet feeling stick! When you make perfect contact it's heavenly. No wonder it's got such a large following here and also on the Pro level.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

Just a joke, Jack. I guess I shouldn't always assume a kindred sense of humor. Nothing personal.

No offense taken and i did see your smiley, but didn't quite get the "calling your bluff' comment?
I wouldn't offer up something I didn't have. That doesn't make much sense.

[Pneumated1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

"muddied"? I couldn't have been more clear in my explanation. ??

BTW...your comments intrigued me concerning the Prestige Pro and having now tried it, I understand why you were so taken with it What a sweeeeet feeling stick! When you make perfect contact it's heavenly. No wonder it's got such a large following here and also on the Pro level.

My experience with the PP was weird. I loved it for about an hour, and almost as if a light switch went off, it felt like a board, and I didn't care for it at all. It is a great frame in the sweetspot, but I really think they should have made the frame much more flexible.

And no, I'm not buying your sticks; I saw them For Sale

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Pneumated1

My experience with the PP was weird. I loved it for about an hour, and almost as if a light switch went off, it felt like a board, and I didn't care for it at all. It is a great frame in the sweetspot, but I really think they should have made the frame much more flexible.

And no, I'm not buying your sticks; I saw them For Sale

I still have 2 new ones. I sold 3 used ones.

You should try it with Nat gut in the mains....pure hitting bliss

but I agree....with poly or die-ing poly, it can feel a bit harsh. But I find it's flex middle of the road-ish. Similar to my DC Pro and slightly less than the London. They are all rated in the mid 60's.

[TennisMaverick]

This is a really great thread. Let's PLEASE keep the trolling to a minimum to keep the thread from being closed. Thank you!

[djNEiGht]

tmav and other london/pb10 users.

i have yet to weight my london set up since adding lead. currently has BB leather grip and OG and 4 strips of the sampras power strips 3/9 & 5/7.

i am curious as to how this set up compares to a pb10 mp stock or with leather grip and og. a friend has one he offered to me for $70. I will need to change the pallet size though.

i will also post up in one of the pb10 threads...
cheers

[TennisMaverick]

Originally Posted by djNEiGht

tmav and other london/pb10 users.

i have yet to weight my london set up since adding lead. currently has BB leather grip and OG and 4 strips of the sampras power strips 3/9 & 5/7.

i am curious as to how this set up compares to a pb10 mp stock or with leather grip and og. a friend has one he offered to me for $70. I will need to change the pallet size though.

i will also post up in one of the pb10 threads...
cheers

The London is much softer, has a much longer dwell time, and gets more bite. The PB 10 MP is a scalpel. It is a really great frame which requires very grooved strokes. If you're very deliberate on-contact, the ball will go exactly where you want it to go, as the player yields all with this stick. That is why it was great, but that is why it didn't sell well, as many non-competitive players are not good enough to wield it nor accurately play-test it. You need to be a very solid 4.5 at minimum to understand this frame, but if you string the PB 10 MP on the looser end of the spectrum, you can get a lot more spin and forgiveness. Then, it plays like a more precise Melbourne, without the ball cupping action--but the tension drop will definitely help with spin production. Lastly, it is easier to get the PB 10 MP to play like your London, than the reverse, because as with all DC frames, the London is mod sensitive.

I am helping pneumated1 with his London mods. Give a few days and then pick his brain.

[Nojoke]

Thinking of trying full poly in my london. I currently have tour bite, bhbr, turbotwist, black code, WC scorpion, and genesis black magic. Looking to tame some of the power I found with a gut/poly hyrbid.

(one-handed backhand, slice, get to net, try to dictate with forehand--4.0, if it matters).

What has been the experience using full poly in the london?

[djNEiGht]

@tmav - thank you for your reply. i'll be waiting with a keen ear on pneumated1's latest review and responses.

@nojoke - i have yet to play poly (hybrid or full) on my london. i met someone who said they really enjoyed cyclone @ 48#. i'll see what i can find out.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Nojoke

Thinking of trying full poly in my london. I currently have tour bite, bhbr, turbotwist, black code, WC scorpion, and genesis black magic. Looking to tame some of the power I found with a gut/poly hyrbid.

(one-handed backhand, slice, get to net, try to dictate with forehand--4.0, if it matters).

What has been the experience using full poly in the london?

Full poly works well at low tension, to retain some of the dwell time. Try it at 53/51. Black Magic is the most powerful of all the poly's you listed, so I wouldn't use that. I would recommend either BHBR or Tour Bite. The other 3 after that are slightly more powerful.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TennisMaverick

I am helping pneumated1 with his London mods.

What's left to try?

Reminds me of BP trying to figure out how to stop the oil leak in the Gulf
(just getting you back some Pneumy )

[goose guy]

anybody use poly at low tension (sub 40 lbs)? Impressions?

[dkt]

Not sub 40s, but in the forties. Could not get used to it. Not sure what your goal is by going so low, but if it trying to make the poly more comfortable there might be better options.

[goose guy]

I'll try mid 40s next job. Or gut/poly hybrid. Not sure about tension. Maybe 54/50?