Homemade racquet reviews

El Diablo · 01-25-2013, 08:02 AM

I've wondered why people post reviews of heavily modified racquets, especially if the racquet is relatively new to the market? I just read a review of one that had about an ounce of weight added to it. These racquet reviews are not terribly helpful, as any racquet with a ton of weight added to it will have "terrific plow and rock solid stability." Reviews before weight is added are far more revealing and much more apt to give people the information they need to have. "This thing is a club!!!".......well, yeah, after you put a nuclear control rod's worth of lead on it. (OK, those are mostly made of cadmium.)

vsbabolat · 01-25-2013, 08:08 AM

I think you mean a ounce a not a gram. Second, I have played with heavily modified racquets that had horrible stability and no amount of weight or customization would do anything to help with stability.

tball · 01-25-2013, 08:13 AM

Those who do not like them, should skip them and move on.

I am one of those, who likes reviews with modifications. When I am buying a 295 g racquet, it is not for playing it bare. I would like to know how it feels when modified.

In fact, when I look at my racquets, I realize that none of them is "stock" any more. All have been heavily modified. So to me, reviews of non-modified racquets are kind of pointless, but I am not trying to stop or prevent them. That's even more pointless.

El Diablo · 01-25-2013, 08:37 AM

vsbabolat:
yes, thanks, an ounce

tball:
you have a rather narrow view of things if you think reviews of non-modified sticks are pointless. Have you noticed the fervor with which people here anticipate TW's reviews of sticks that are unmodified? My point is that nobody needs to read a review to know that a racquet with a ton of lead on it will be stable on off-center hits. Physics precludes any other possibility. What IS useful is to know that a racquet is stable without any lead added. Now THAT'S a racquet!

movdqa · 01-25-2013, 09:34 AM

I don't find the reviews of unmodified sticks that useful because I'm going to modify them to what I play best with - at least to a point that I can determine with experimentation. If you play better with an extra ounce or gram somewhere, why not? Yes, I'd guess that the vast majority use racquets stock. But there do seem to be a decent number of posters around that do the same thing that I do and I'm interested in their findings.

> Have you noticed the fervor with which people here
> anticipate TW's reviews of sticks that are unmodified?

And the TW reviewers often comment that they'd add a little lead here and there on various frames for a little more power or stability.

Strings are a customizable part of a frame too that can make a big difference in how a frame plays and players routinely play around with strings on a frame. I don't think that adding weight via lead or silicone is any different. Same with putting leather on for more weight.

The other thing is that Pros typically play with customized frames and many of the ATP guys play with heavier sticks, sometimes far heavier sticks. I think that most here don't go for the high end of the range which ATP players use but certainly more than the average stick sold by TW.

Larrysümmers · 01-25-2013, 09:48 AM

IMO all reviews aren't really helpful. its nice to hear what someone thinks, but performance and feel wise everything is so subject to personal opinion.
TW does it for marketing purposes, we do it cause we think we're cool.

01-25-2013, 08:02 AM	#1
El Diablo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,092	Homemade racquet reviews I've wondered why people post reviews of heavily modified racquets, especially if the racquet is relatively new to the market? I just read a review of one that had about an ounce of weight added to it. These racquet reviews are not terribly helpful, as any racquet with a ton of weight added to it will have "terrific plow and rock solid stability." Reviews before weight is added are far more revealing and much more apt to give people the information they need to have. "This thing is a club!!!".......well, yeah, after you put a nuclear control rod's worth of lead on it. (OK, those are mostly made of cadmium.) __________________ "I may be synthetic but I'm not stupid" Bishop, in "Aliens" Last edited by El Diablo : 01-25-2013 at 08:34 AM.

01-25-2013, 08:08 AM	#2
vsbabolat Legend Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,388	I think you mean a ounce a not a gram. Second, I have played with heavily modified racquets that had horrible stability and no amount of weight or customization would do anything to help with stability. __________________ Babolat ruined VS Gut and Tonic Gut with BT7. Why change a gut string that had been perfect for 135 years? It's now overpriced garbage.

01-25-2013, 08:37 AM	#4
El Diablo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,092	vsbabolat: yes, thanks, an ounce tball: you have a rather narrow view of things if you think reviews of non-modified sticks are pointless. Have you noticed the fervor with which people here anticipate TW's reviews of sticks that are unmodified? My point is that nobody needs to read a review to know that a racquet with a ton of lead on it will be stable on off-center hits. Physics precludes any other possibility. What IS useful is to know that a racquet is stable without any lead added. Now THAT'S a racquet! __________________ "I may be synthetic but I'm not stupid" Bishop, in "Aliens"

01-25-2013, 09:34 AM	#5
movdqa Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,137	I don't find the reviews of unmodified sticks that useful because I'm going to modify them to what I play best with - at least to a point that I can determine with experimentation. If you play better with an extra ounce or gram somewhere, why not? Yes, I'd guess that the vast majority use racquets stock. But there do seem to be a decent number of posters around that do the same thing that I do and I'm interested in their findings. > Have you noticed the fervor with which people here > anticipate TW's reviews of sticks that are unmodified? And the TW reviewers often comment that they'd add a little lead here and there on various frames for a little more power or stability. Strings are a customizable part of a frame too that can make a big difference in how a frame plays and players routinely play around with strings on a frame. I don't think that adding weight via lead or silicone is any different. Same with putting leather on for more weight. The other thing is that Pros typically play with customized frames and many of the ATP guys play with heavier sticks, sometimes far heavier sticks. I think that most here don't go for the high end of the range which ATP players use but certainly more than the average stick sold by TW. __________________ 4 x IG Prestige MP, 70 cm, 376 grams, 386 SW, ALU Power @54

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