Where are you located?
The Official Angell Users Club
- Thread starter The_Racketeer
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Where are you located?
Very interesting Jack. I also compared the Pro One 97 to a TC95. To me there was no contest regarding the feel. The Donnay was a little more powerful but I felt that I could really dial into the power / control that I wanted with the Angell. The Donnay required a much higher string tension, which was not as friendly to my sensitive arm. To make the Angell feel a little more solid, I placed a small amount of lead at 10 + 2 and never looked back. Was the weight / balance of the Angell similar to the Donnay?
Also, I found that the finish and weight / balance between rackets of the Donnay leave a lot to be desired.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Again...it would help if there were some demos of Angell racquets here in the States, so those of us that are "curious" if they "feel any different"
would be able to actually try one out before ordering something sight unseen.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Since you are used to that slight head-heavy feeling of the Blades, the TC100 might be a good fit for you. Of course you won't have that "spin effect" pattern of the Wilson, but the TC100 is very open for a 16x19 so you should get plenty of spin.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
The finish of the new Donnay's is worlds better than in prior years...what year model did you try?
You compared the Donnay P1 to the TC95. I compared it to the TC100. Two different Angell models. Also you added weight to your Angell. I compared stock to stock.
I hit groundies for a half hour, swapping back and forth between the P1-97 and the TC100 and the Donnay felt better/more solid to me. But feel is very subjective.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
well technically there is no stock Angell but ive hit with numerous donnays... i mean how many the models have they put out in the Last 5 Years? I ran out of patience.
Regardless the TC 95 is a different sort of frame. it's basically a players scalpel with a little extra power and great solidity. Contrast that to the borderline tweener like some of the other 97 inch racquets out there.
best thing you can get an identical tc95 or tc97 years from now.. no constant influx of new models and endless slight variations. get what you want snd get more when you need it... angell, for players who dont wsnt their chain yanked.
Regardless the TC 95 is a different sort of frame. it's basically a players scalpel with a little extra power and great solidity. Contrast that to the borderline tweener like some of the other 97 inch racquets out there.
best thing you can get an identical tc95 or tc97 years from now.. no constant influx of new models and endless slight variations. get what you want snd get more when you need it... angell, for players who dont wsnt their chain yanked.
djNEiGht
Legend
A couple of my favorites are the Pro Kennex Redondo 98, Head i.Prestige MP and even the POG Mid. I enjoy the control, pocketing, feel, and so much more that classic players type racquets stand for. I need to have to be playing very well to wield these and on off days or very long days I start to suffer.
Right now I have the TC100 but have been looking at a TC97. The 100 doesn't have the control my classics have but does have the forgiveness and power I need when my gas tank is running low.
Right now I have the TC100 but have been looking at a TC97. The 100 doesn't have the control my classics have but does have the forgiveness and power I need when my gas tank is running low.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I don't mind new models, when they are an improvement over prior models. But if there was a current model racquet I really liked and was worried about getting more, I would just stock up now.
Not too many models just quickly disappear from production. You usually have plenty of time to stock up, if you so desire.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Have u tried the Textreme T95? Control, pocketing and feel up the yingyang.
SIGN ME UP TO THE CLUB!!
Received three days ago:
TC95; 16x19; 63 RA; 310 gm; 315mm (9 pts HL); Handle shape B, size 4; black synthetic grip; red grommets. I'm in Southern California and the Angell arrived one week after I placed the order.
The paint and finish on this frame are impeccable. Just a beauty. Also, the QC reputation of Angell is the real deal. My frame came in at 313 grams (only 3g's off spec) and everything else, including balance, was right on the money.
After stringing it up with a full bed of Gosen Sidewinder 17 (at 54lbs), the final specs came out to 328 gm (11.570 oz.) and 6 pts HL.
(I'm coming from a Wilson Pro Staff 95, heavily modified to 349 grams and 9 pts HL. I'm an all courter, with a semi-western FH and OHBH.)
On court, this baby just sings. Wonderful feel and precision, with ample power when you want to turn on the gas. My serves, in particular, were drastically improved. Bombing firsts, with second serves that consistently spun out far wider than the doubles alley. I've only had one two-hour session with this frame, but so far, I am VERY satisfied with my purchase.
The only tweaks I will likely make will be to increase the HL balance to around 9-10 pts. The TC95 felt SLIGHTLY sluggish as compared to my PS, which undoubtedly is a function of the different balance and increased SW of the Angell. Removing the factory synthetic grip, adding some lead on the handle, installing a leather grip, and topping it all off with Yonex Super Grap (my OG of choice) should do the trick to get the balance to my liking.
Right now, I don't feel the need to add any lead in the head of this frame. It is solid, the sweet spot is huge, and the power is plentiful (especially when compared to my Pro Staff). If anything, I'll need a few more practice hits to dial in this added power as I've grown quite accustomed to the far weaker power of my PS over the past two years. I'll also likely increase the tension to 56lbs on my next stringing (currently at 54lbs).
On balance, I simply couldn't be happier with the TC95 at this stage of "our relationship." True, we have only just completed the first day of our honeymoon, but I can honestly say that this has all the makings of a long and happy marriage!
Received three days ago:
TC95; 16x19; 63 RA; 310 gm; 315mm (9 pts HL); Handle shape B, size 4; black synthetic grip; red grommets. I'm in Southern California and the Angell arrived one week after I placed the order.
The paint and finish on this frame are impeccable. Just a beauty. Also, the QC reputation of Angell is the real deal. My frame came in at 313 grams (only 3g's off spec) and everything else, including balance, was right on the money.
After stringing it up with a full bed of Gosen Sidewinder 17 (at 54lbs), the final specs came out to 328 gm (11.570 oz.) and 6 pts HL.
(I'm coming from a Wilson Pro Staff 95, heavily modified to 349 grams and 9 pts HL. I'm an all courter, with a semi-western FH and OHBH.)
On court, this baby just sings. Wonderful feel and precision, with ample power when you want to turn on the gas. My serves, in particular, were drastically improved. Bombing firsts, with second serves that consistently spun out far wider than the doubles alley. I've only had one two-hour session with this frame, but so far, I am VERY satisfied with my purchase.
The only tweaks I will likely make will be to increase the HL balance to around 9-10 pts. The TC95 felt SLIGHTLY sluggish as compared to my PS, which undoubtedly is a function of the different balance and increased SW of the Angell. Removing the factory synthetic grip, adding some lead on the handle, installing a leather grip, and topping it all off with Yonex Super Grap (my OG of choice) should do the trick to get the balance to my liking.
Right now, I don't feel the need to add any lead in the head of this frame. It is solid, the sweet spot is huge, and the power is plentiful (especially when compared to my Pro Staff). If anything, I'll need a few more practice hits to dial in this added power as I've grown quite accustomed to the far weaker power of my PS over the past two years. I'll also likely increase the tension to 56lbs on my next stringing (currently at 54lbs).
On balance, I simply couldn't be happier with the TC95 at this stage of "our relationship." True, we have only just completed the first day of our honeymoon, but I can honestly say that this has all the makings of a long and happy marriage!
7zero
Semi-Pro
yeah even player like me should feel that.. funny thing was volleying, I never done this kind of put aways in my life, it was like laser guided beam connected to head-up display
djNEiGht
Legend
I have not. The R98 and the iPrestige are 18x20. I wonder if the TC97 pattern would give me more pop.
veecee
Rookie
Thanks for your comparison. How would you describe the feel of the TC95 compare to the PS95?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have and I think the TC95 smokes it. A guy who owned one tried my TC95 and felt the same way.
Generally speaking, the TC95 has a more solid feel, with far greater power, than the PS95. The Angell has a pronounced "thump" as the ball leaves the strings. The Pro Staff doesn't feel hollow, per se, but the TC95 just feels like a finely tuned instrument of destruction during baseline hitting.
On serves, there is no comparison. The Angell wins out every time on power and touch. The Wilson is frustratingly dead in the upper hoop, which is not evident at all in the TC95. To the contrary, it is very plush throughout all areas of contact. "The entire string bed on the TC95 feels like a sweet spot": A sentiment reported by other posters on these boards, to which I now completely agree based on experience.
Again, the only knock I can surmise about the TC95 vs the PS95 (which is based on purely subjective preference) is that the swing weight on the Angell feels decidedly higher than on the Wilson. Others may prefer that, but not I. However, I plan to address this by increasing the HL balance up to 9-10 pts which should drastically help with better maneuverability and whippiness.
D
dblsplayer
Guest
Blade 16x19, no spin effect
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Well then the TC95 must be one heckuva great racquet.
How long did you actually try the TT95 for? I saw you made some brief comments about a small sweetspot and low swingweight, which I don't agree with. I think the sweetspot feels totally natural for a 95" headsize and the swingweight on the one I just measured was 326 and that added to the 12 oz static weight gives you tons of plowthru and stability. Besides, the swingweight could easily be beefed up with some lead at the top if you wanted. The TT95 got 85's in all category's from the TW crew, so I would say that says a lot right there. One of the playtesters liked it so much they switched to it. If you prefer your TC95 then that's cool, but saying it "smokes the TT95"......come on
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Its real impressive. Also a little easier to use than the Prince.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
basically they are very different approaches to the same type of frame. The TT95 is very precision oriented and spin oriented low power frame but the TC 95 has greater flex, power and a more luxurious feel if that makes any sense? The tc95 has a much larger sweet spot as well as a kind of overall quality that is the forms of Gestalt basically of super competency of the racket. Not everybody's going to be able to appreciate that but the tc95 is that rare generous scalpel stick. the tt95 is a bit more like my old stick the pacific x feel pro 95... low power & super accurate.Well then the TC95 must be one heckuva great racquet.
How long did you actually try the TT95 for? I saw you made some brief comments about a small sweetspot and low swingweight, which I don't agree with. I think the sweetspot feels totally natural for a 95" headsize and the swingweight on the one I just measured was 326 and that added to the 12 oz static weight gives you tons of plowthru and stability. Besides, the swingweight could easily be beefed up with some lead at the top if you wanted. The TT95 got 85's in all category's from the TW crew, so I would say that says a lot right there. One of the playtesters liked it so much they switched to it. If you prefer your TC95 then that's cool, but saying it "smokes the TT95"......come on
really different approaches to the classic scalpel. The tc95 is plusher by a country mile too and may be one of the best serving MP's ever.. It's not hype, it is that good.
that thump is a big deal for me too and you seem to like similar specs to what im using. those Pacific sidewinder strings also enhance a thumpy feel and sound. I added very little lead to the head myself but am looking gor a lower powered string to rein in some of that power. With the xfp95 i never had any power on tap so i expect to have to adapt to this... its what i wanted frankly and i love the winners the tc95 generates.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Well then the TC95 must be one heckuva great racquet.
How long did you actually try the TT95 for? I saw you made some brief comments about a small sweetspot and low swingweight, which I don't agree with. I think the sweetspot feels totally natural for a 95" headsize and the swingweight on the one I just measured was 326 and that added to the 12 oz static weight gives you tons of plowthru and stability. Besides, the swingweight could easily be beefed up with some lead at the top if you wanted. The TT95 got 85's in all category's from the TW crew, so I would say that says a lot right there. One of the playtesters liked it so much they switched to it. If you prefer your TC95 then that's cool, but saying it "smokes the TT95"......come on
Ok so you edited your comments. The SW was not high enough for me and the sweet spot was not that big. Those were my observations. I used it for an hour or so. I know exactly what I want in a 95, so it didn't take long for me to start grooving with the TT95 and hit hard enough to judge the frame in that time period. I have no idea why the TW reviews would matter in what I said. I don't factor those in at all.
The TC95 is an easier to use frame. It has more spin, power and a bigger sweetspot. It doesn't vibrate at all and the feel is a lot more up my alley. The TT95 didn't make me want to switch from the Tec 315 or even the Prestige MP I was using at the time, yet the TC95 did. That is why it smokes it.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Would you happen to know the unstrung SW of this model?
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I bet Paul can tell us! [emoji106][emoji462][emoji41]
I bet Paul can tell us! [emoji106][emoji462][emoji41]
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
It's just that the TT95 is so good, it's hard for me to imagine something else in that spec being that much better. I have only tried the TC100 and don't know what the TC95 is like, so I have to take your word for it for now since you tried both. A TT95 with with more power, spin and a bigger sweetspot sounds crazy to me right now, but if it's true then like I said, the TC95 is one remarkable racquet. I would love to hear from anyone else who has played them both. Also, why is the TC95 so much better that the TC97? Seems like the 95 gets all the love in this thread. A little for the 97 and very little for the 100.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I can appreciate a great frame even if its out of my spec range. My only experience so far with Angell was a TC100, which was just OK for me. I was hearing so much about the Angell "feel" that I was expecting something more and what I got was just a nice feeling racquet, but nothing I would rave about. Maybe it was the syn gut I had in the racquet? Could be. Don't know if I will ever spring for a TC95 or TC97, but hopefully one day I will come across one.
Yes I am a little skeptical since this is a Angell fanboy thread and I know a there is no "magic racquet", but if you guys are all happy with them and they let you play better tennis or enjoy your tennis more, then more power to ya.
Unstrung SW is about 296 Based on my conversation with Paul.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Please remember - you came into the thread all excited to try one and then did what everyone recommended not to do - which was buy a used frame that was not suited to your specs. Then when demoing it, you said you couldn't hit the ball consistently or generate consistent racquet speed with it, and you lost the one set you played with it, and then moved on to something else.
The frame is like any other good player's frame - you get the feel of it when you are hitting hard in the middle of it and spending time with it to dial it in. You can read my posts where I spent the time, tweaked it just to my specs, tightened my string tension and then that is when I personally said I loved it. My timing is right with it now, so I can hit very consistently with it. If you read in here, almost everyone who loves their frames, loves them because they have the frame customized to how they want it. When that happens, your swing is loose and relaxed and you are able to hit hard on the sweet spot over and over.
I haven't played the 100 but I imagine it is probably very comfortable, but I doubt it has the same feel of a 95. The sweet spot is so big on the 95 that the 100 may just be too big honestly. Or probably the frames are not for you. You say the TT95 is so good but you don't use it, so I doubt you'd like the TC95 either to be honest. I'm honestly not sure why you are skeptical about. They are tennis racquets, this is not faith healing. We just like these frames and you don't get them. Not a huge deal.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
Can i have a Hallelujah?
the thing is we often love these because what we want is hard to find so when we find it there is excitement.
true they arent magical. faults are.. foam filled can make swingweights high and you really need to know what you need... not just want.
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Ft.S
Semi-Pro
Racquets, strings, grips, etc. are such personal items that I highly doubt anyone would agree on all variables. Although the discussion has been good, constantly trying to convince someone who really does not need this type of a racquet is waste of time. The racquets I have are special to me, because they are what I wanted and needed. Paul's insights also have been invaluable and I appreciate it tremendously, the service he provided to me hasn't been matched by any other manufacturer even though I tried several different methods and channels.
At the end it is simple: good playability, power, stability, customizability, superb quality, great pj AND great service. Clear choice for me; if this is being a 'fan boy,' so I'd be one proudly.
At the end it is simple: good playability, power, stability, customizability, superb quality, great pj AND great service. Clear choice for me; if this is being a 'fan boy,' so I'd be one proudly.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I have been playing with the TT100P and was offered a 95 for a crazy good deal so I grabbed it for fun. I wasn't expecting to like it but I did. It's too soon to make it a regular stick or not but its fun for now. A racquet can be really good in general but not great for my game. You know the difference. I understand the TC100 wasn't my custom order but I was curious so i picked one up to try. I don't have to be dialed in to a racquet to see how it feels. I was most curious about this Angell feel I heard about and I was a little disappointed in that area. Maybe the 95 and 97 feel better? Feel is very personal and I have tried enough racquets to know what feels nice to me and what doesn't. I may not be the most skilled player around but I am always closely connected to a racquets feel. It's not that the TC100 felt bad, it just didn't live up to what I had imagined. Like I explained already, the head heavy balance felt clunky to me and the pattern was too open for my game style.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
im just hoping i can find the right string now. RS Lyon might be low powered enough... when i changed to a semiwestern forehand i patterned it on Soderling's. There may or may not be a correlation...
trying kirschbaum supersmash orange first to get a baseline.
mainly i knew id likely like Angell 95's because ive always liked his dunlop 95 designs you can sense the refinements and things that were not commercially allowed by the boardroom.
trying kirschbaum supersmash orange first to get a baseline.
mainly i knew id likely like Angell 95's because ive always liked his dunlop 95 designs you can sense the refinements and things that were not commercially allowed by the boardroom.
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pitsquared
Rookie
I know you have some experience with the tour g, as do I, and I would like know your thoughts on how they compare, especially in the power and stability department. I currently play with powerful frames in the 95D and h22 but am looking for something more accessible.
Between 296 and 306 i was told. They can pick one/two/three out for you that are closer to your preference. Add 30 SW points for strings.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Thank you! Does anyone know if the SW's for the 95's (at this spec, obviously) are the same?
Strings may add about 25 to 30 SW POINTS depending on type, weight, thickness, ... Etc.
I think it's very close, but if in doubt post a question through his Facebook page.
supineAnimation
Hall of Fame
Overgrips, dampeners and head tape add up, too. I've written this here before, but I think it's unlikely that any of the Angell frames will have a strung swingweight of less than 330, unless it's shorter than 27".
But the good news is that you will adjust if you're used to a slightly lower swingweight. If you play with a frame that's 325, you can adjust to 330 or even 335, and you might actually prefer it after you do. Now, if you're used to a swingweight like 310, then 335 is going to be tough to handle.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Yeah my target would be 335. [emoji462][emoji106]
So, I decided to probably buy an Angell TC 95, RA63, 16/19 320g 310mm...
Can anybody give me advice, which poly complements this racket well?
I normally play a hybrid due to elbow issues, but I guess this frame will be comfortable enough to allow full poly.
Thanks in advance.
Can anybody give me advice, which poly complements this racket well?
I normally play a hybrid due to elbow issues, but I guess this frame will be comfortable enough to allow full poly.
Thanks in advance.
Welcome to my world when it comes to buying an Angell. Probability (and hence improbability) keeps interfering with my "decision" on which one to get, and then whether to take the plunge. Just when i'm convinced, someone draws an analogy to another stick that either attracts me to a choice, or puts me off...
Yea
It's just really expensive without a demo. Of course the price is absolutely justified, but to buy without trying...well. And since I don't string myself, I need to consider those costs, too.
But I'm really intrigued to buy one and will probably do so..
Yes - i've tried a few sticks that people routinely compare to the Angell e.g. older Dunlops that Paul designed. The problem always is: they aren't the Angell, so liking or not liking these doesn't give the answer. Ideally i'd spend a month with a TC95 in both RA's and patterns, and a TC97. As has been said before customisation works best when you know exactly what you want. If you don't then there are too many choices. From my experience i know that things like RA aren't uniform in their results. Some higher RA sticks are fine even though i prefer a plush response. Some lower RA sticks can be too plush. But if you don't have the actual stick to hit it's difficult to know. As it happens i'm mainly stuck between the underlying playing characteristics of the TC95 and the TC97. Paul has very kindly described these in some detail - but it's in the hand that it matters.
Absolutely true.
The good thing is, that Angell frames seem to become more popular among this board, so one could just sell the frame in case. Well, of course with some money loss, but probably not too much.
Another question, since I'm not sure whether to get the 70 or 63.
I played with the Prince Tour 100 Exo3 16/18 with Yonex PTP due to my elbow issue. It was absolutely fine for my elbow and since this frame got a very low flex...did anyone play an Angell and this frame and might give some insight?
Thanks a lot.
Taveren
Professional
I would recommend trying signum pro firestorm in the low 50s
JohnBPittsburgh
Hall of Fame
I have the Prince Tour 16x18 (low flex, awesome frame, but bring your own power...works great with a little lead in the hoop). IMO, the TC-100 isn't as flexy, but just as arm friendly. The TC-100 has more power, and I would say about the same control. I want to say the swingweight is a little higher on the Angell, but they are close. Both are great frames.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
There is no substitute for a demo. In the tennis world, where racquet demos are available everywhere, its part of the buying process. Not sure why Paul doesn't open a few small locations here in the States just for the sole purpose of shipping demos out back and forth...like what Donnay does. The customer pays for shipping & handling. I can't imagine it wouldn't result in more sales revenue. Could you imagine if Head or Wilson had no demos to try anywhere and you could only order them online from overseas? Their sales would plummet.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
It's very tough to resell custom frames to others....it goes against the entire concept of buying a custom frame in the first place. Most of the guys here want a frame for their own individual specs, so it won't be easy to resell them. I have also seen used ones sell here for an average price of around $130-140, so count on a sizable loss if you do find a willing buyer.