Addxyz
Hall of Fame
With the above mentioned lead, leather grip + OG, it's 347g, 8.5HL, 323SW.
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
With the above mentioned lead, leather grip + OG, it's 347g, 8.5HL, 323SW.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Manual measurements including SW but the two frames are estimated at 334-336 g/31.8-32.1cm balance /323-325 sw ... This should strictly be a fun hitter with pals vs anything I’d use seriously, but my happiness with my PKs has brought about boredom and the itch to have some side fun with some exotics. This fits the bill. And so too, probably, will be what may be coming next. Stay tuned.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
Just had the most joyful day in a while yesterday. First time being able to play actual tennis again since 4 weeks. The shoulder was feeling well over this last week so I thought I'd go to group training and play carefully for maybe 30 minutes, and then stop. Didn't have any pain at all while playing so I played the full 90 minutes. Still afraid of serving and overheads so I skipped those. Something inside my shoulder snaps with every big movement I make with my arm but didn't hear or feel it while playing. It definitely was there though. Having an ultrasound for that issue this Monday.
The Ultra Tour felt like the right tool for this comeback and oh man, it definitely was. Strung up with Oehms Alu Star Rough 1.21 at 44 lbs. 340g / 32.0cm / 332 SW with this setup. One of the few racquets that I can have these specs with, usually I like it a little lower. It felt great playing again, of course far from my best tennis but just being able to play again made my day. The UT just plowed through the ball when I went for it, amazing control and of course that not to be confused, beautiful UT feel. Makes me so excited for the UP16's to arrive. They should have been here already but something went wrong in the delivery, so they got returned to Wilson before them even being delivered somewhere. They're on the way again so I should have them at the end of next week.
The bad news is that the Dutch government announced that all amateur sports clubs must be closed from 5PM to 5AM for the coming three weeks, maybe even longer. So now I'll only be able to play once a week in the weekends.
The Ultra Tour felt like the right tool for this comeback and oh man, it definitely was. Strung up with Oehms Alu Star Rough 1.21 at 44 lbs. 340g / 32.0cm / 332 SW with this setup. One of the few racquets that I can have these specs with, usually I like it a little lower. It felt great playing again, of course far from my best tennis but just being able to play again made my day. The UT just plowed through the ball when I went for it, amazing control and of course that not to be confused, beautiful UT feel. Makes me so excited for the UP16's to arrive. They should have been here already but something went wrong in the delivery, so they got returned to Wilson before them even being delivered somewhere. They're on the way again so I should have them at the end of next week.
The bad news is that the Dutch government announced that all amateur sports clubs must be closed from 5PM to 5AM for the coming three weeks, maybe even longer. So now I'll only be able to play once a week in the weekends.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
A UT set up right, and the PT 2.0, any super soft 18/20 like that, indeed have this way of plowing through the ball that’s just so soft and smooth and satisfying. You feel the pancake effect on the strings. Sounds like a great day you had.
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RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
Help remind me again what string setup you use in your UT? Talking about strings, I think I could even go quite a bit lower. Maybe even 18 kg. Never gone that low yet, but it would be interesting.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
At TWE you get a free Element 1.25 set when buying a Luxilon string. Doesn't apply to all of their offerings but to most. I went ahead and ordered 2x ALU 1.20 and 1x ALU 1.15. So three free Element sets which I was looking to get anyways.
topspn
Legend
I still have a few packs of element but never tried it in anything other than the dope. I’ll have to try sometime in my Zeus and see how playable it is in that frame but it doesn’t work in the frap. And I don’t imagine it being a good fit for the UT. Tend to like more crisp string in a softer frame and vice versa
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Element really shines as a cross. You an do gut poly with it or an ALU type poly main with it in the crosses.
Vicious49
Legend
I waited too long to complete my Mayami order so they sold out of the 1.25 Big Spin. I was on the fence anyways, so theres always next year. What i really need is Tier One to restock their 17g BK.
Ive tried so many different strings in the UTs and it works well with all of them. I think currently I have BK crossed with KB Evolution in them. Was thinking of cutting one of them out to see how it plays with NRG2 mains.
The short answer is very good. I’ve crossed it with Element, Max Power Rough, some yonex string I had, KB Evolution and liked it in all.
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
I don't remember for sure but I think from reading some of your posts we are at similar skill level.
Honestly I would maybe think about avoiding the poly/poly hybrids. Think it's too big of a rabbit hole to go down, especially with how many different sticks you're trying. If you have a consistent setup you like then that's a bit better, but there are waaaay too many possibilities and it gets almost exponential when you're paring different racquets with different string setups. Of course some racquets may feel better with crisper string and stuff like that.
It's also maybe a bit of a knock on my game and my inability to hit with lots of topspin, but I thought it was pretty funny how well the prestrung sensation played in that Blade reissue I got.
Vicious49
Legend
Ive tried various multis in different frames over the last year and didnt really like it . . . until I tried NRG2 mains in the VC95. Im not sure if that has more to do with the Vc95 needing to be softened up a bit or the NRG2. Only way for me to know for sure is to test it in the UT since thats the frame im most familiar with.
I appreciate the advice but fortunately Im (or my game is) not very picky with strings so Ill try cheaper alternatives when theyre on sale and see if they work for me. I try different combinations based on what I have and color matching with the frame.
If I keep a frame long enough I will usually try it with a shaped poly, rounded poly, syngut or multi. And see if I have a preference. But normally ill go with BK crossed with GW or HGS in either full bet or hybrid. Those are my initial go to setups in a new frame. Ive found the setup i like for the VC95 - NRG2 crossed with Proline II (although i think other round polys would work just as well in the cross). I had 2 Blade Pros and in that one I found I like having shaped polys in the main and cross - so HGS crossed with BK in this case. The UT seems to play well no matter what string I put in it.
The v8 16/19 Blade thats incoming - im not sure what its strung with but im sure at some point ill try BK or HGS in it. Unless i just totally hate the weight, the way it swings, etc.
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Bought myself a used elevate FS. First racquet purchase since April, because the doppio does everything really well for me (control, punch, forgiveness, comfort, defense offense transition, whip, etc). I think this elevate will give me better feel and stability (I like the 64RA, 21,5mm constant beam not too thin not too thick and foam, so it should still give me some power, also 16/20 but unfortunately very open mains, I will try it with 1,3mm poly). Anyhow I like this experiment but don’t think it will overtake the dope!
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I have been on a holic bender the last couple weeks. Bought a gravity mp to spend some more time with, traded for a pure strike 100(still waiting for it), joined the Dunlop cx200 club……OS, new Vcore pro 100, boom mp, and Black Friday laver cup special gravity mp. Now I need to find time to string and hit these damn things.
Thats the way to do it.. sounds like the tennis version of the opening scene of the movie hangover excepts rackets everywhere...
I’m also not a huge fan of all Multis. I did try kirschbaum multifeel last week just to see if something cheaper felt as good as NRG2 and I broke it on the fifth game of the first set in a match. Turns out at that rate is a very expensive string. In the mikeler’s multi thread he had the same experience apparently
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The feel possibility was the main reason I was contemplating grabbing the Elevate Tour offered me, but ultimately decided “I have a Dope, this is pointless.” So I’m curious to see how you find it. This week the Limoncello on sale was the next temptation, but again i thought it smarter abstain. But finally the dam broke, as it always does. T the season.
I’ve been doing 21.5-22kg which is 48-48.5ish pounds on the UT. Right now I have tour sniper in one and BK 1.23 in the other. Love both. The BK a touch more but it’s close.
TimePlease
Semi-Pro
ETA mid December apparently but depends on port delays
TennisLurker
Professional
I have to choose, therefore, I am asking you for opinions
For the same amount of money, would you rather
-buy a dunlop muscle weave 200g or
-repair a babolat soft drive
?
For the same amount of money, would you rather
-buy a dunlop muscle weave 200g or
-repair a babolat soft drive
?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
To use or to hang on a wall for decoration?
TennisLurker
Professional
To use or to hang on a wall for decoration?
use
n8dawg6
Legend
muscle weave. nobody wants to be caught w a “soft” drive
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
With all the great racquets currently available, why these 2?
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Whoa. That’s heavy…
JGads
G.O.A.T.
woah.
Played this morning with the dope and it was perfect once again. Enjoyed it very very much. Really no need for me to try something new, but indeed something with a broken dam..
BPlain
Semi-Pro
Also played this morning with the Dope and while it performed admirably, I’m still eyeing a Top Banana. I played a fellow (and younger!) lefty 4.5 this morning with a big serve and big strokes. I gutted out the set 7-6 (7-5) in what was a serving battle. Not many rallies as it was a lot of serve plus one tennis but I really couldn’t find my topspin forehand consistently at all. I’ve got some Mayami Magic Twist on the way to try out first but I think the extra bit of plow, stability, and butter on the TB could be just what the doctor ordered for my game.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
It's truly a must try if you're at all interested in XL frames. So damn good. The serves, the backhands...
Not sure if you hit a one hander or not. That’s why I think the XL is not for me (as per findings topspn and TN, although Tim-ay doesn’t think it is a big issue, I actually think cuevas hits a one handed with a XL as well..). And I’m still interested in the findings of topspn’s low SW frap/ banana
BPlain
Semi-Pro
I'm XL indifferent as long as it doesn't bother my elbow or wrist. My serve and two handed backhand are my best strokes and it seems like it would optimize for both. And if I can get a little extra plow and butter to work with on the forehand side, all the better. Sounds like I know what I need to do...
JGads
G.O.A.T.
There is no question.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
3 sets of dubs today in perfect weather and we took 2. I was the strongest player today - was killing my returns and my serve was broken once in 3 sets.
Got some comments after saying they couldn't serve to me and really didn't know what to do. I have to say I think for some reason this Dunlop is the best returning racquet I have used, and I have had some good ones. It's super fast and easy to move and I have it set up nice and stable so I am constantly making really clean contact. So even if I get a wide serve to my backhand I can still many times hit a one handed punch shot at an angle that forces an error.
Pretty much past the honeymoon stage and just enjoying everything about this frame right now. It's clearly in my top spot.
Got some comments after saying they couldn't serve to me and really didn't know what to do. I have to say I think for some reason this Dunlop is the best returning racquet I have used, and I have had some good ones. It's super fast and easy to move and I have it set up nice and stable so I am constantly making really clean contact. So even if I get a wide serve to my backhand I can still many times hit a one handed punch shot at an angle that forces an error.
Pretty much past the honeymoon stage and just enjoying everything about this frame right now. It's clearly in my top spot.
BPlain
Semi-Pro
It's done.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Atta boy!
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
Had a quick hit earlier in the week with the GTPP with BK. It has a nice direct feel for the ball similar to the 2015 Blade (I hit with this with BK 2 weeks prior). I can see why @mad dog1 likes both of these. I still think I prefer the BP over the 2015 Blade, but can't go wrong with either Blade.
Later in the week I had a hit with the 93P 18m, 93P 14m, 360+ Mid, stock PT2.0 and my uncapped PT2.0. I'd say the 93P 14m and the 360+ Mid are fairly easy to use, and hit a pretty good ball. Both are really fun racquets. I think I prefer the stock PT2.0 over my uncapped PT2.0. The lower swingweight PT still felt sluggish and I had to work much harder.
Local tennis store had 25% off all racquets, but unfortunately they didn't have the new Prestige in stock (or maybe they hid them???). Oh well, time to wait for Xmas sales.
Later in the week I had a hit with the 93P 18m, 93P 14m, 360+ Mid, stock PT2.0 and my uncapped PT2.0. I'd say the 93P 14m and the 360+ Mid are fairly easy to use, and hit a pretty good ball. Both are really fun racquets. I think I prefer the stock PT2.0 over my uncapped PT2.0. The lower swingweight PT still felt sluggish and I had to work much harder.
Local tennis store had 25% off all racquets, but unfortunately they didn't have the new Prestige in stock (or maybe they hid them???). Oh well, time to wait for Xmas sales.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Interesting about the uncapped PT still feeling sluggish. I have those two incoming and am fully prepared for the possibility of realizing the frame needs the cap for its magic, or the slightly more whip but same feel works better for me. I wonder if some mods here and there can find a happy medium. I can’t stop thinking about how good the feel is on that stick. Top 5 all time feel for me. I just hope that remains for my side pleasure hits.
Which new Prestige are you after?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
faded_lines
Rookie
Finally found some time to play some tennis after hectic week with family. Got my two Rad MP about a week ago and haven't had time to try it out. My initial impressions are that it is solid and beefy when compared to the VC95 that I have been accustomed to. I can definitely feel the swing weight and HH balance of the Rad MP. I added a Oehms leather grip and Yonex Super Grap OG and static weight comes in at 349g. When hitting from the baseline, the ball explodes off the string bed with spin, pace, and feels amazing! Such a fun racquet to rally with. Also, slicing with this thing is so smooth! Like butter! I can hit some pretty nasty slices that puts a grin on my face. Where I struggle a bit is approach shots and volleys. The Rad MP doesn't feel as quick through the air and maneuverable as the VC95. I probably just need some more time to adjust to it and all will be fine. I did feel a little soreness in my elbows afterwards though, even though I have gut/poly (Klip Legend / Max Power) in the string bed @ 58/54. I might try dropping the tension a bit, or a soft poly as the cross string.
On a different note, I also received my Ultimate Tennis swag for winning the division in my second season at 3.5-, and getting bumped up to 4.0-. I'm pretty excited about it, as I've only started playing last year (played a little in high school). I'm really happy that I did, as tennis will be something I can continue to play for the long haul. I'm currently working with a coach as well to continuously improve my game and hoping I don't get crushed next season! Coach says my mechanics are sound, but I need to prep and turn quicker.
On a different note, I also received my Ultimate Tennis swag for winning the division in my second season at 3.5-, and getting bumped up to 4.0-. I'm pretty excited about it, as I've only started playing last year (played a little in high school). I'm really happy that I did, as tennis will be something I can continue to play for the long haul. I'm currently working with a coach as well to continuously improve my game and hoping I don't get crushed next season! Coach says my mechanics are sound, but I need to prep and turn quicker.
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tim-ay
Legend
I definitely recommend trying the TB, but those types of matches are just choppy. Real tough to get the rhythm with any racket. And yet you pulled it out, so kudo’s man. TB is great in that type of play as it is the stronger first strike racket. But it won’t be as good as the dope for grinding out long points over the course of 2 sets. Close though… it just has a bit more pop and you end up going for more at times.
topspn
Legend
Yeah, that experiment is not wrapped up yet. When I added a leather grip and OG, static weight went up to 340g, 325SW. I didn’t think that would be a big deal but on court it felt distinctly sluggish. It seems the fraps suffer mobility with either SW or static weight going up. So I took off the leather and replaced with syntec pro grip I had laying around. I plan to try with no OG so it’s just 330g. Hopefully will get to try it soon
ryushen21
Legend
It was a slugfest of a match for sure. We were pushing each other to some crazy limits and it was an absolute blast. I had one shot where I committed fully to a sharp, short-angled shot that he just got to and whipped it around the net post with some crazy action to drop in for the winner. Might have been the best match of my life.
3 and 9 is not necessarily the answer. In my case, it was 10 and 2 with just a touch at 12.
Reported as strong pornography.
o ultra tour w blue strings, blue dampener, and blue grip: i wish i knew how to use you
TS holds tension just as well as BK and wears in very well. But I would say it maintains its performance rather than having that sense of improvement. Both are excellent strings.
Interested in an extended demo? I still have one in the bag.Zero interest
They all seem to be good. But I'm partial to the orange because of how it matches the Dreamsicle.
I applaud you sir.
I turned into a bit of a ghost this past week. The holidays accentuate my inherent introvert nature as I want to hide even more from people and social interactions. That and I also purchased Skyrim on the Xbox. I remember now why I had to stop playing this game.
A fair amount of tennis was played during the holiday week off but mainly in the vein of testing string setups for the Dreamsicles. My frames are setup properly now: 328g, 32.6cm balance, Wilson feather thin base grips, and OG. I'm taking them back in to get SW measured soon. It's been hard to make a decision as I've got three strings that are truly excellent: Penta Power Twisted, Tour Status, and Lynx Tour.
Lynx Tour feels like it was purpose-made for this frame. It accentuates everything about the frame that I love. And the orange on orange just slaps.
Tour Status punches up the crispness and enhances the feedback although it does sacrifice some of the comfort and forgiveness that LT provides.
And PPT feels like kind of an in-between option. It's super spinny, crisp, yet comfortable. But in a way it feels like a compromise between the two that maybe isn't entirely necessary.
TS may be out of the running for the Dreamsicle as I think the final decision has be between LT and PPT. so that's where I'm headed now.
On the other hand, sweet baby Jesus this TS/Element hybrid in the VC95 is the absolute jam. Like almost the point that I question selling off my other VC95s but not quite. It makes the VC95 an enjoyable keeper in the bag even if it has been relegated from the top spot.
I also had the opportunity to play with a few Synthwaves over the break. One of the guys from my league decided to try them out and I had mentioned my affinity for YY frames to him a while back. So when we met up for a hit, he brought out the 97 and 97D. The 97D is brilliant and feels like an absolute improvement over the previous generation. It does everything that I expect it to: brilliant control, luscious feel, and that characteristic YY oomph. But I also found it more demanding to play with and unsurprisingly wanting in the power department. The 97 (310g) is also an objectively good frame. It hits the ball so, so well. But it also wants you to take the bigger and more aggressive cut at the ball. But it does the same kind of dance as the Dreamsicle with that exceptional level of control and precision despite being a 16x19. I have to admit, I would be seriously tempted if I could go gut/poly in these frames.
But now it's back to the regular grind. I should have jumped on the YTex Black Friday sale. It was buy 2 get 1 free on reels.
BPlain
Semi-Pro
I'd love to blame choppiness but as a chop inducer myself, I know better that it's operator error. And if I find myself trying to grind out long points, I'm in a world of trouble based on my game so thank you for further validation of my holic purchase. Here's to the TB and fully embracing of my serve plus one tennis game!
n8dawg6
Legend
skyrim never gets old. even after youve done all the side quests. even though youre a grown ass adult.
i feel the same way about the holidays.
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
At least it felt more sluggish than all the other mids I brought that day. It also felt like it had the the least amount of power (not surprising because of the low SW). I'll fiddle with it a little bit more (lower tension, etc).
I thought about the Prestige Pro (old MP). The new Tour seems too crazy in SW and the MP doesn't interest me.
ryushen21
Legend
It doesn't. It finally went on sale so I went for it. But I had forgotten how every single person you talk to gives you another freaking quest.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
It’s a very good racquet, the Prestige Pro. You could like it a lot. For me I think I’d rather just swing the PT up in that category of frame, but it’s kind of the same in that it’s all about control and you can go harder and harder within that control sphere, because the frame gives you confidence to do so. When I’ve hit with the PT there were several times I thought I hit a ball just long and the partner told me, no no, it caught. It’s quite freeing, this level of control, and the whole draw to frames of this ilk (UTs, etc)
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I find myself in the same "predicament"... then I catch myself being upset and grumpy about having too many fantastic racquets and not enough time to play them all, and I just crack up. Then I just pick the next 2 or 3 that I will string up and I go hit with them. The rest of the Preciouses, I just talk to and tell them I'll be back soon.
Good first-world problems to have.
