Karma Tennis
Legend
One thing I forgot to ask. Are your racquets going to have the PWS?
I'm starting a racquet company - how would you design your perfect racquet?
- Thread starter s_andrean
- Start date
One thing I forgot to ask. Are your racquets going to have the PWS?
mike schiffer
Semi-Pro
I would take a look at Dunlops "Isis" vibration isolation pallet...seemed to work amazingly well and have a Racquet designed especially for sensitive elbow players.....
I like the leather bag but don't like racquets logo, kinda ruined the looks!
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
I'm currently checking whether there would be a copyright issue if I kept them, if there isn't then yes..
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
We're just going with the foam-filled handle for now. Maybe in the 'v2 model' we'll look into that!
That won' be part of our initial ru, but maybe in the future.
Those are just mockups from the pitch deck and not the final design - the chances are we're going to emboss the racquets in instead and we think it'll look a lot more classy..
Username_
Hall of Fame
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I agree.
Maybe not the Fiverr part, but the logo doesn't look unique enough. Looks like something I'd expect from a company making a generic knockoff product.
I'm actually in the process of trying to create a good logo/signage for a project as well. (don't worry, it's not in the tennis or sporting goods industry) Can be challenging, even with a designer /branding company on board.
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
Thanks for both your thoughts but I've had some really positive (unbias) feedback from it, bear in mind the logo is representing a modern interpretation of vintage tennis racquet from the 1880s. The logo is only going to be printed small and is going to be embroidered in gold thread most of the time, which on our test products has looked pretty exceptional so far, so we will be sticking with this.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I suggest you consider having someone create a custom font if you don't want to explore altering your logo.
btw, I did not mean scrapping the logo completely, but rather, altering it in some way (by a designer).
Alekok1221
Rookie
I think you need To do model like blade or yonex vcore type for a teenager public. For example im a 16 years old player now im using a prince exo3 tour 100 and i want a that type of racquets fast,flexy,thinner beam but with that modern feel. A racquet with a good weigth around 290-315 unstrung a good balance but no toó much weigth for room for customization. So if you do that type of model i going To buy 3
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
We're doing a 98 sqare inch racquet at 300grams unstrung, stiffness at a reasonably low 58ra and 10 points head light. How does that sound to you?
Alekok1221
Rookie
i think is good but i talk about using other model base like pro staff mold because for the moderns that gravitates To 2hb the pro staff is not the best mold. I think a mold like the youtek ig model of head or a h19 but with modern feel
Alekok1221
Rookie
For example a 98-100 inch, a ra about 62 unstrung for modern feel but not like babolat , a 21-20 beam , 300-310 unstrung can be perfect
Strawbewwy
Rookie
Please bring us a thin beam flexy mid 
Hope this works out with tw US because one thing that Angell turns me off is the shipping
Hope this works out with tw US because one thing that Angell turns me off is the shipping
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
Please bring us a thin beam flexy mid
Hope this works out with tw US because one thing that Angell turns me off is the shipping
I hope so! I'm going to be pretty liberal with demos/freebies/competitions etc to get the name out there and we'll definitely want a presence in the US. Once I'm happy with all the product samples and I've tested everything to destruction and have the QC nailed I'll be pitching properly to TW. We have a huge tennis retailer in Europe who have already agreed to stock all the products in a Letter of Intent (through a connection I have) so TW will be the first stop in the US!
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
I have created company logos from Fiver designers that would have cost me $2000 in the states. They are modern. They are killer. They are perfect. For $30 to $50 they were the best investment I have ever made. Sounds crazy but there are some amazing designers on Fiverr that can work magic. In fact, I feel like hiring one to redo the logo discussed just to show what’s possible.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I’ve had some good results with fiverr as well.
I don’t quite understand the resistance to being open to possible variations in logo and font, but he did say he did get some feedback and it was good.
For my own projects I prefer using designers and branding experts even though I ultimately make the final decisions. The good ones have been very collaborate and open to any feedback and criticism no matter who it is from.
You’ve gotten past one of the hardest hurdles —raising money — now make sure you leave no stone unturned to give your products and brand the best chance for success.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Regarding the woven fibers look with coating. I definitely like that, but I have a personal bias towards simple black or dark colors. The Cayman TNT90 was one of my favorite racquets from a visual standpoint.
Not sure what your target demographic is, though. This may skew it more towards males.
Not sure what your target demographic is, though. This may skew it more towards males.
Honestly, I've thought about making some racquets, but I would not get into the business doing a graphite frame. There are so many out there and there's not a lot to make one sell more than another. They change paint and layup now and then and recycle things over and over and what seems to work for people is paying sizable sums of money to top pros so people will want that racquet.
I'd probably try to bring back wood frames using more modern fabrication techniques. Ah dreams.
That would be a lot of work to get right, and who knows what those frames would have to be priced at to sell. Although when I started thinking about this quite a few years ago paying over $200 for a frame was pretty near crazy talk. Now it seems pretty common. So something in the $250-$300 range might actually be sellable if it was quality and hit like wood should hit. They would definitely be more beautiful than anything anyone else is selling these days.
I'd probably try to bring back wood frames using more modern fabrication techniques. Ah dreams.
That would be a lot of work to get right, and who knows what those frames would have to be priced at to sell. Although when I started thinking about this quite a few years ago paying over $200 for a frame was pretty near crazy talk. Now it seems pretty common. So something in the $250-$300 range might actually be sellable if it was quality and hit like wood should hit. They would definitely be more beautiful than anything anyone else is selling these days.
FYI They started many years back as Vantage , with fewer frames and have built up to what they have now - more choice and tailored to the user. Style is personal of course but they have revamped for their newer v3 range recently and the new cosmetics seem popular and classy looking according to lots of posters. Pro staff shaped frames are quite similar in many ways and depending on which Pro Staff you are looking at tc90 - ps90 , TC97 to ps97, tc95 to ps95 (or 6-1 95). They like prostaffs have a solid feel which is absent from many other frames these days too. So am not suggesting they are the same , just similar if you choose and equivalent weight and balance. Sounds like your proposal is to be for a more restricted range but tied into your proposed clothing line more.
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s_andrean
Semi-Pro
Yes, you're right - the range will be restricted for now as we don't want to spend too much too quickly.
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
We've had two samples in this morning - one in light grey, one in navy blue - what do you guys think?
proracketeer
Professional
+1. Grey looks too generic...
Gold will look good on navy blue...
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
I think it would - though this wouldn't look bad as a geometric art-deco style gold pattern on the grey either..
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
I hope so too, testing starts next week!
Specs: 97 square inches, 'PWS' removed from the above photos, 65ra stiffnes (unstrung) 300g & 330g, with the latter coming standard with a leather grip. I might even send some to you guys to test, Do you think that would be a good idea?
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I think it’s a great way for people to talk about your rackets. Just take look at what the playtest did for the Babolat Pure Strike 16x19.
I'd love to test the 330 with the leather grip! Although I am in the US which might make shipping a little expensive. Just let me know if you're interested though! I teach and play every week, so I should be able to get some decent hours in with it once I'm finished play testing the Dunlop racquets they are sending out right now.
Wall Ball Wizard
Rookie
First off, best of luck in your business venture! I'm curious, what made you choose the Pro Staff 97 mould as your inspiration? I tried this racquet, and it left me unimpressed. Usually when I see a Wilson stick these days its a Blade. Aside from The Goat himself, when you see a Pro Staff 97 on the ATP Tour it's a paintjob.. usually a H22 pro stock or such. As @H22fan mentioned, why not produce a H22 clone? This racquet seems like one of the most perfect frames for the modern game. On tour, it's used by baseliners, all-courters, and serve and volleyers like Nicolas Mahut. Produced with different weights, string patterns, etc. it could have universal appeal to intermediate players all the way to the pros. Anyhow, good luck..
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I like the black one more.
How about a gun metal dark gray?
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
It's a (generally) well liked racquet and head size, we're toning down the stiffness and changing the available weights to fill the niches in the market as we feel they'll be popular specs. If they do we'll then we might well emulate the H22 - bear in mind we are going for mass market here and not everyone will be after a 'pro spec' frame, so to speak. As another option if enough people on here get together maybe I could put a production run together for an H22 identical in every way, name aside.
I appreciate the well wishes though!
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I know a junior player in Indonesia that is one of the top players in his age group in Bali. Would you be willing send him a racquet to try?
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
One of our marketing campaigns is to send free racquets to upcoming juniors and doubles players, but this will only start happening in the next 3 months or so. We will be giving players 'affiliate links' so that if they recommend someone for business, the person will get a discount and the player gets a bit of money. I'll keep this thread live and remember to contact you - what's his name/ranking etc?
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Not sure of his ranking. I'll ask his Dad tomorrow. (and also if it is okay to post his name. Otherwise, I can PM you)
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
It's probably best to DM, thanks.
Honestly, it looks like a bunch of other frames. I really don't understand the thinking. I hope you prove me wrong, but I think it's a mistake to make frames that an average player won't be able to distinguish from any of the big name brands. I think you need something different to really have a good shot at success. Even better would be something different at a better price. Just my 2¢.
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
That's just the base colour without any designs on it - our brand is design and quality led so we'd design something cool and providing a nice looking equivilat to the competition. Whether we get huge is another matter but the clothes are going to generate us more money than the racquets, anyway.
Just to update - yes my racquets will have the 'equivalent' of the PWS - as Wilson's patent expired some years ago as a patent is only valid for 20 years. I can't call it a PWS system though, as it's still trademarked.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Where is my glossy black racquet?
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Okay. I just messaged you with more information about him.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
1st--you want do develop something that's different, and have the creds to pitch that difference as an advantage. You need a power racket that won't hurt your arm. Afterall, most of your sales will be to 3.5 and below players. I assume you have a shop, or something set up within a club. Just making another Pro Staff or Prestige in a different color probably won't cut it. I think something like the Pro Supex Uniflex, but wider, would have a visible distinction that you could sell. Good luck.
JordanWinning
Rookie
Racquets look great, the bag is AWESOME, and the specs seems really good! I'm excited to try one out! Best of luck, I can't even imagine how excited you are
mike schiffer
Semi-Pro
I will be glad to test one of your racquets as I am a stringer in the Raleigh area and am active with many players on the other side of 40....I am an advocate of arm friendly racquets and know how to compliment a particular frame with the right string....best of luck...
Topspin Shot
Legend
What makes your rackets play better than your competitors' rackets? Not saying people won't buy rackets based on looks, but I wouldn't.
s_andrean
Semi-Pro
Got it, thank you.
The short answer: very. I love tennis and have had so many different racquets so every day of this business is a blessing for me.
The short answer is that it will probably play the same as other racquets, just with unique specs that some will like, some will not, and no bulls**t fake technologies that other manufacturers seem to have. They will be good looking, high quality racquets that will be used by initially lots of players on the junior and doubles tour, then by top 100 singles players, then by a top-ten player etc so they will eventually be well known. I hope you'll like our racquets but if you don't , that's fine as well. You can never sell a product that everyone likes but if the quality is high and it's priced & marketed properly, then you stand a good chance of success.
Topspin Shot
Legend
Honesty and ambition. I like it. Best of luck!
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