***Yonex RDS001 MP Review #2 (Post-Customizing)***

jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
I have decided to post a follow-up review after some tuning and changing grips. I added 6 grams total @ 2 & 10 o'clock, and 10 grams under grip at butt.
Grip has been changed to a Wilson TrueGrip with TournaGrip.


Yonex RDS 001 MidPlus Review #2​

Design 9/10
I still can't get use to the Yellow. I will add that after playing many days at the local courts, I have had many people comment on the looks. It definitely turns heads! The reason I went up to a 9/10, is the grip change. I replaced it with a Wilson TrueGrip with TournaGrip. WOW!! what a difference. The grip is amazingly comfortable, still allowing ultimate feel. I highly recommend this grip setup.

Overall – Really like the shape, not the paint. Grip is now exactly where I want it.

Groundstrokes 9.5/10
I really didn't expect groundstrokes to improve, but I was wrong. The added weight at 2 & 10 has really added more POP while stabilizing the racquet more. The sweetspot (already large) was increased and pulled upward just enough to eliminate mis-hits at the top of the frame. The added mass was really noticed in my forehand. I am now hitting heavy shots without sacrificing any control. I feel like my backhand and forehand takes much less effort to generate speed.

Overall – Great!!! Great!!! Please experiment with lead tape. You may find the same results with more or less.

Volleys 10/10
This category remains great. If any change, the RDS had more stability on defending hard hit shots at the net. It still has the "buttery" feeling.

Overall – Incredible in this area. Blew my nSix-One Tour 90 away. More stable with lead.

Serves 8.5/10
I still feel this is the weakest area of the RDS, though it was improved with the weight added. The most noticeable gain was pace. I felt as I was serving faster consistently.

Overall – Will continue to tweak in this area. Control is still great though.


Final Thoughts
I was happy with the RDS before, and felt it couldn't be improved. I have been proved wrong. The once great racquet, has become my dream racquet! The added weight is a very welcome improvement. I highly recommend anyone with the RDS001 MP to fine tune it to fit their game.

Overall Score – 9.25/10
 
bertrevert

bertrevert

Legend
Hey great review.

I too added 10g at buttcap.

Now I will also add the 6g lead at @ 2 & 10 as I agree with you that the sweetspot needs to be pulled up into that upper hoop area. I've found taht upper hoop problematic so far. It judders, it's too soft, it lacks sharpness and control. I really hope to stabilise it with lead @ 2 & 10. Too many mishits up there make me suspect that racquet (and me!) so I have to iron it out.

Thank you for timely, interesting, and useful information.

I also agree with your assessment of serving potential. Making it more HL has helped however not solved it. Nevertheless you can be accurate and get all serves going in. There's just no free points, nothing extraordinary happens with it. Not too many bombs. I have gone very very backhand in holding the racquet in order to get bite and spin and accuracy. I've lost a little power.

The sweetspot is simply huge. I will certainly change the grip which is thin and low quality.

Volleying hasn't happened for me yet. I can do well with the 001 MID in volleys but the technique with the MP eludes me so far. Just not hit any put aways so far. Adequate. Gotta agree with smooth feeling. Must be me. Am not scooping anything up and anything hard pushes me back/around.

It's not my dream racquet because there are a few too many things going wrong, however you've given me some good pointers. Thanks.

(am strung with Head Rip Control @ 58 )
 
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
jace112 said:
I fear jdeloach hasn't written it yet
Click to expand...

I forgot. I wanted to wait until I had hit with it enough to feel accurate (the RDX500 is my wife's)
After being a signature away from signing a deal with Avery Racquets, I have signed with Technifibre. I truly love Avery's sticks, but hard to pass on Technifibre. I am starting to get adjusted to my new TFlight 320's. Look for a RDX500 and TFlight 320 review very soon.
 
D

dewey2110

Rookie
I agree with the review, except 1 point less for every aspects and 1.5 less for service.

@jdeloach: Which version of Tfight 320 are you using? I've switched from the RDS MP to the T320(16x20). I thought the stock T320 sucks big time, but after adding long strips of lead tape @ 3 & 9 postiton and on the handle, the racquet is hitting wonders.
 
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
dewey2110 said:
I agree with the review, except 1 point less for every aspects and 1.5 less for service.

@jdeloach: Which version of Tfight 320 are you using? I've switched from the RDS MP to the T320(16x20). I thought the stock T320 sucks big time, but after adding long strips of lead tape @ 3 & 9 postiton and on the handle, the racquet is hitting wonders.
Click to expand...

The 16X20. I added a little lead at 3&9 also, and a little under the grip.
 
Duzza

Duzza

Legend
jdeloach said:
The 16X20. I added a little lead at 3&9 also, and a little under the grip.
Click to expand...

Wait, so you got sponsored by Avery, had great communication with the guy who owns the business, and now you've sold all your discounted gear and onto Tecnifibre??
 
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
Duzza said:
Wait, so you got sponsored by Avery, had great communication with the guy who owns the business, and now you've sold all your discounted gear and onto Tecnifibre??
Click to expand...


Yes! I have not sold the Avery stuff yet. The Technifibre is full sponsorship, didn't cost anything. I struggled with the decision, but free is free.
 
R

RMB

Rookie
jdeloach said:
Overall – Great!!! Great!!! Please experiment with lead tape. You may find the same results with more or less.
Click to expand...

I did. First of all, I send my Yonex RDS 001 MP to **** to extend the length up to 27 1/2 inches and change the cheap grip to the **** grip. Then I experimented with lead tape in my Yonex RDS 001 MP. I put a total of 5g of lead (4 stripes of 5 inches - 1/4 wide) from the top 4th cross down to 9 o'clock more or less. The result: a different racquet. I did not liked the racquet in its stock weight; a little bit unstable and low powered. Now the racquet gives me more stability and pace in all departments (service, groundies, etc.). Even more than my trusty PC team +. I'm glad I put some lead tape. It’s not much, but it made a huge difference. I'm even considering putting some more. We all know that the correct and proper amount of lead in the racquet head changes how it feels and play. With the Yonex RDS 001 MP it’s truer.
 
D

dacrymn

Professional
RMB said:
I did. First of all, I send my Yonex RDS 001 MP to **** to extend the length up to 27 1/2 inches and change the cheap grip to the **** grip. Then I experimented with lead tape in my Yonex RDS 001 MP. I put a total of 5g of lead (4 stripes of 5 inches - 1/4 wide) from the top 4th cross down to 9 o'clock more or less. The result: a different racquet. I did not liked the racquet in its stock weight; a little bit unstable and low powered. Now the racquet gives me more stability and pace in all departments (service, groundies, etc.). Even more than my trusty PC team +. I'm glad I put some lead tape. It?s not much, but it made a huge difference. I'm even considering putting some more. We all know that the correct and proper amount of lead in the racquet head changes how it feels and play. With the Yonex RDS 001 MP it?s truer.
Click to expand...

Great! First of all, what is ****? Oh, and you mean the fourth cross from the top? Was that all you did? did you add any into the butt cap? If not, then how headlight is it now? I hope that is all you did, because then i know you can still get great results without tampering with the butt cap, 'cause I really don't have the resources to do that. On more question, what do you think is the best replacement grip, and why did you decide to put the lead there? why not spot on 2 and 10? Thanks.
________
volcano classic vaporizer
 
Last edited:
S

saqdeez

Semi-Pro
jdeloach said:
I added 6 grams total @ 2 & 10 o'clock, and 10 grams under grip at butt.
Click to expand...


MOre questions...did you use this tape?? Or atleast the same specs, where 2 inches = 1 gram? http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACGAMMA-LEAD.html


Because if you did, that means you added 12 inches total to the top, 20 inches under the grip. That just seems like a lot of tape!

Also, what made you decide to use that ratio? Some guy on another thread said to use 3 parts top, 1 part bottom. Sorry lots of questions..
 
Last edited:
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
saqdeez said:
MOre questions...did you use this tape?? Or atleast the same specs, where 2 inches = 1 gram? http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACGAMMA-LEAD.html


Because if you did, that means you added 12 inches total to the top, 20 inches under the grip. That just seems like a lot of tape!

Also, what made you decide to use that ratio? Some guy on another thread said to use 3 parts top, 1 part bottom. Sorry lots of questions..
Click to expand...

Deleted mistake
 
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
saqdeez said:
Also, what made you decide to use that ratio? Some guy on another thread said to use 3 parts top, 1 part bottom. Sorry lots of questions..
Click to expand...

I really just played around with it. It seemed to be the best feeling setup. There was one other guy that used my exact setup, and he had the same results.
I have found that it just takes experimenting.
 
S

saqdeez

Semi-Pro
When you put the lead under the grip. Did you wrap it in a spiral? from bottom to middle of the grip? bottom to top?
 
jdeloach

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
saqdeez said:
When you put the lead under the grip. Did you wrap it in a spiral? from bottom to middle of the grip? bottom to top?
Click to expand...

I actually cut it into 4 equal strips and wrapped it all side by side at the very bottom. It feels good, because it builds up the end a little bit.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
i have used the mp for 4 months now+have really liked it.I have tried to lead it up+it does help the serve.But i only put lead at 3+9 which made it to powerful, i guess i should have tried the lead in the handle also.

But i have a suggestion for you guys trying to make the mp better, quit wasting your time + just buy the mid! You are making the mp just as heavy if not more than the mid.

I just demoed the mid for the third straight day+ all i can say is WOW.I love the mp versions, but mine are headed for e bay.I will be purchasing 2 new mids shortly.I am sure glad i listened to a lot of posters that said the mid is better+ tried one.

I am not even used to it yet+ i can already play better with it compared to the mp version .I wasnt sure if i could handle a mid size racquet, because i have tried other ones + didnt feel that comfortable.But this stick is a different animal all together.
 
B

BlackJesus

Rookie
bertrevert said:
Hey great review.

I too added 10g at buttcap.

Now I will also add the 6g lead at @ 2 & 10 as I agree with you that the sweetspot needs to be pulled up into that upper hoop area. I've found taht upper hoop problematic so far. It judders, it's too soft, it lacks sharpness and control. I really hope to stabilise it with lead @ 2 & 10. Too many mishits up there make me suspect that racquet (and me!) so I have to iron it out.

Thank you for timely, interesting, and useful information.

I also agree with your assessment of serving potential. Making it more HL has helped however not solved it. Nevertheless you can be accurate and get all serves going in. There's just no free points, nothing extraordinary happens with it. Not too many bombs. I have gone very very backhand in holding the racquet in order to get bite and spin and accuracy. I've lost a little power.

The sweetspot is simply huge. I will certainly change the grip which is thin and low quality.

Volleying hasn't happened for me yet. I can do well with the 001 MID in volleys but the technique with the MP eludes me so far. Just not hit any put aways so far. Adequate. Gotta agree with smooth feeling. Must be me. Am not scooping anything up and anything hard pushes me back/around.

It's not my dream racquet because there are a few too many things going wrong, however you've given me some good pointers. Thanks.

(am strung with Head Rip Control @ 58 )
Click to expand...

I've played except the RDS 001 with all the previous Yonex player's racquet of the RDX line and the Ti-80 both versions. Except RDX 500 mid the others need some lead in the upper area for avoiding the death effect of the upper hoop. I've solved the problem adding 3x15cm strips at 12 o'clock for a total of 9 grams and 10 of counterweight and now my Ti-80 feels like having a 98 sq/in sweetpot
 
J

JWin

New User
Are there any tricks to taking the buttcap off the Yonex, or is it necessary when adding lead to the handle?
 
Anton

Anton

Legend
tlm said:
i have used the mp for 4 months now+have really liked it.I have tried to lead it up+it does help the serve.But i only put lead at 3+9 which made it to powerful, i guess i should have tried the lead in the handle also.

But i have a suggestion for you guys trying to make the mp better, quit wasting your time + just buy the mid! You are making the mp just as heavy if not more than the mid.

I just demoed the mid for the third straight day+ all i can say is WOW.I love the mp versions, but mine are headed for e bay.I will be purchasing 2 new mids shortly.I am sure glad i listened to a lot of posters that said the mid is better+ tried one.

I am not even used to it yet+ i can already play better with it compared to the mp version .I wasnt sure if i could handle a mid size racquet, because i have tried other ones + didnt feel that comfortable.But this stick is a different animal all together.
Click to expand...

I tried the mid and found it too unforgiving - my MPs weight about as much but I play better with them and make less mistakes.
 
asintu

asintu

Professional
jdeloach...

jdeloach....would you please compare this customized 001MP with the 002UL? thanx.
 
Anton

Anton

Legend
Hmm I played today with about 6 grams of lead tape on 10 and 2 - felt interesting - I wouldn't say I was serving better, I felt like the mass I gained didn't improve overall momentum I was generating (more mass but less velocity on the head) and my elbow was more irritated serving with this. Maybe I need to get used to it a bit more.

But for sure, the strokes felt more substantial and with more plow through and I was generating more pace and a heavier ball in general, which I'm still conflicted about, because I feel this racket got a bit too much power as is - I like the stability, but I wish it didn't come with more power - kind of like 98" rds001mid :)

Suprizingly, I haven't noticed any maneuverability sacrifice which I thought would be the biggest issue with this modification. On other rackets I've leaded up response effort was noticeably more taxing, but not here.

I'm still not sure If I want to go this way with all three of my RDS001MDs but maybe instead of 6grams I'll do about 4.


BTW. On serving, I dunno why JD is raggin on rds serving, but I serve some serious flat bombs with this frame - the key is to go just ever so slightly more eastern from continental grip for serving flat. Also be sure to relax your body and arm and not try to force the issue - nice and smooth form with quick(but still smooth) acceleration at the end. Maybe I'll post a vid of my serves with this frame leter.
 
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T

T-Bone

New User
If I want to put 6 grams of lead tape (3" strips) on the RDS001 MP at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, what number grommet from the top of the racquet would you recommend me starting at?
 
Anton

Anton

Legend
T-Bone said:
If I want to put 6 grams of lead tape (3" strips) on the RDS001 MP at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, what number grommet from the top of the racquet would you recommend me starting at?
Click to expand...

I put it from second grommet above where the black starts, depends how long your strips are.

What you can do is just find a 45 degree angle line from the imaginary x-y axis in the center of the stringbed out to the frame and use it as the center of the strip.
 
M

moist

Rookie
jdeloach, I remember in your tfight 320 review you said it needed some lead for groundstrokes, so did you ever customize that with a setup similar to your RDS?
 
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