I am looking into having my racquets profesionally custimized. Does anyone know about Priority 1's bronze service and how much it typically cost. I could have anywhere from 8 to 12 racquets matched. I've seen Ron Yu himself on here. If you could reply also that would be great.
Priority 1 Bronze Service(Ron Yu???)
- Thread starter star 5 15
- Start date
davidahenry
Professional
You may want to head over to the GSS forum - I think Mr. Yu tends to hang out there a little more often.
By no means am I trying to come off as a smart@#%, but have you tried reaching out to P1 directly through their website and/or Twitter page? I would think that would be the best, most direct way to get in touch with them.
I saw your post in the S&S section as well. I would think P1, ****, and RacquetMaxx would all provide extremely high quality work. Of the three, I am guessing that RacquetMaxx might be the least expensive. Still... Bob Patterson, the owner, is known to be one of the best in the business, and I am fairly certain he uses a Babolat RDC to do all of his racquet matching. I am thinking of sending about five POGs there for racquet matching in the very near future. If you end up going with one of these three, please email me directly or post about how the experience was and the quality of the work.
Thanks and good luck.
DH
By no means am I trying to come off as a smart@#%, but have you tried reaching out to P1 directly through their website and/or Twitter page? I would think that would be the best, most direct way to get in touch with them.
I saw your post in the S&S section as well. I would think P1, ****, and RacquetMaxx would all provide extremely high quality work. Of the three, I am guessing that RacquetMaxx might be the least expensive. Still... Bob Patterson, the owner, is known to be one of the best in the business, and I am fairly certain he uses a Babolat RDC to do all of his racquet matching. I am thinking of sending about five POGs there for racquet matching in the very near future. If you end up going with one of these three, please email me directly or post about how the experience was and the quality of the work.
Thanks and good luck.
DH
chrisplchs
Professional
I can share from what I hear from my industry contacts on the three people you mentioned as well as others. Any criticism I may level here is not a product of imagination or envy but rather direct from those that have used their services as well as honest observations:
P1 is by far the best. However, they are definitely up there in pricing also. Any racquet issues imaginable can pretty much be solved by P1. One of my friends who is around 200 ATP says working with Nate is easy and his stuff is the best. What they do best however, is gripping.
**** is very good too. Nice guy with a chip on his shoulder. His work is very good but you don't hear too much of them because of P1 influence and their rates are similar. Also, since they are retail, I am not exactly sure who will be the one working on your frame
Bob at Racquetmaxx is very good also. Extremely nice and proud guy. Extremely organized and on top of everything as well as wearing many hats. His pricing per frame for just standard weighting/balance/sw will be around 20% lower than that of ****/P1. The only fault I have ever found with them is that their work tends to not last as long and tends to fall apart quicker than the others (i.e. weights and other things come loose faster)
Bosworth: they exist purely on name and reputation of Warren. now that his son, Jay, has taken over, the quality has down significantly. For example, A player around 100 ATP sends his frames to Bosworth to get them matched because of his contract with them. However, after he gets them back from Bosworth, he gives them to me to do additional work because well, there's still a difference of 3-4 in this set of frames, to which I then work on. Also, their cost is on level with P1 and ****
There are some others but most of them I am not familiar with or have way too much negative things to say about them to which it would be improper to say publicly of which I can discuss more in person
Hope this helps
P1 is by far the best. However, they are definitely up there in pricing also. Any racquet issues imaginable can pretty much be solved by P1. One of my friends who is around 200 ATP says working with Nate is easy and his stuff is the best. What they do best however, is gripping.
**** is very good too. Nice guy with a chip on his shoulder. His work is very good but you don't hear too much of them because of P1 influence and their rates are similar. Also, since they are retail, I am not exactly sure who will be the one working on your frame
Bob at Racquetmaxx is very good also. Extremely nice and proud guy. Extremely organized and on top of everything as well as wearing many hats. His pricing per frame for just standard weighting/balance/sw will be around 20% lower than that of ****/P1. The only fault I have ever found with them is that their work tends to not last as long and tends to fall apart quicker than the others (i.e. weights and other things come loose faster)
Bosworth: they exist purely on name and reputation of Warren. now that his son, Jay, has taken over, the quality has down significantly. For example, A player around 100 ATP sends his frames to Bosworth to get them matched because of his contract with them. However, after he gets them back from Bosworth, he gives them to me to do additional work because well, there's still a difference of 3-4 in this set of frames, to which I then work on. Also, their cost is on level with P1 and ****
There are some others but most of them I am not familiar with or have way too much negative things to say about them to which it would be improper to say publicly of which I can discuss more in person
Hope this helps
ericsson
Hall of Fame
Star 5, why dont you mail P1? they will reply you with all the details...
Mike Cottrill
Hall of Fame
Chris,
Can you elaborate on the weights and other things come loose faster?
I assume you have seen their work. Is it the brand of lead tape, lack of cleaning before applying, location?
If possible I try to hide the lead and not sure it could fall off even if the adhesive broke down. Weight inside the handle can be a challenge especially if you apply it to be easily reversible.
3-4 grams? Was there something else BW was trying to match more important?
---
Any feedback on Molding handles?
Thanks
Mike
chrisplchs
Professional
Hi Mike,
I don't mean to disparage Bob's work as it is topnotch, just that an guy who is around 150 ATP dropped off a few sticks once and I noticed that all of them had a rattle in them. I asked him about it and he told me it its been like that since about a month after he got them. It might be just the racquet manufacture on his particular frame but it seems odd if it would be as the sticks are just basically stock with some mods to it. It not any lead on the frame but something internally which I assume would be silicone/hotglue/likes of that.
as for Bosworth, not really. I don't know how frames can be off by 3-4 grams from each other as well as different significantly by SW. Just my experience with them.
As for molding handles, what exactly about them you would want to know?
Chris
I don't mean to disparage Bob's work as it is topnotch, just that an guy who is around 150 ATP dropped off a few sticks once and I noticed that all of them had a rattle in them. I asked him about it and he told me it its been like that since about a month after he got them. It might be just the racquet manufacture on his particular frame but it seems odd if it would be as the sticks are just basically stock with some mods to it. It not any lead on the frame but something internally which I assume would be silicone/hotglue/likes of that.
as for Bosworth, not really. I don't know how frames can be off by 3-4 grams from each other as well as different significantly by SW. Just my experience with them.
As for molding handles, what exactly about them you would want to know?
Chris
Mike Cottrill
Hall of Fame
Thanks Chris,
Years ago I customized some TI rads with lots of lead. I took out the grommets and ran ½” lead two strips from 7/11 ,1/5. Then used an awl to open the wholes for the grommet in what I thought was a smooth manner. Not long after the frames turned into a nice little toy rattle. Head was nice to install butt caps with no trap door. Turns out the grommets cut the lead around the holes. Had to make trap door to get the little round smaller than bb pieces of lead out. That was an ongoing issue for a couple of months. Lesson learned, don’t place lead over holes again. I use ¼” lead for that type of application now avoiding covering the holes. Some do not like that location for lead for non cap grommets; however I prefer this for matching racquets. I don’t think Bob likes this method, but I was wondering if that was what happened to those sticks you mentioned.
I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing a custom molded handle and was wondering how they hold up over time. Most pro’s replace their sticks after 50 restrings or a year, so it most likely would not be an issue for them. Things like how the handles material bonds to the existing frame. Stuff like that.
chrisplchs
Professional
I think it was something more internal, like possibly piece of silicone or something else that got loose inside the frame. I am pretty sure it was not the lead as it was placed around the grommets
As for custom molded handle, they hold up just like one would expect, pretty well. I can actually make custom pallets for players that use Head/Volkl. I just haven't tried breaking down Wilson or Prince foam to try it on there
chrisplchs
Professional
Good choice.
Also, just to let you know, I'm offering junior players for FREE the what it feels like to get their frames matched by matching one frame to the players ideal frame. Let me know if you would be interested
Thios sounds pretty interesting. Could you please elaborate.
chrisplchs
Professional
shoot me an email
kingdaddysports@gmail.com
also, this applies to all junior players, not just star 5 15
Hey I just thought I'd check back in with how its been so far. I decided to go with P1. I have been talking to Ron and he said the bronze service pricing is $50-$100 depending on what you ahve done. He said for what I was looking for It would probably just be at around $50 so I decided to go with them. I'm going to have sotrm limited gts customized next month but I sent him one of my current storm limited for him to get specs from and so we can come up with a weight and balance I like. So far we have decided to get the static weight up about 10 or 12 grams and get the swing up to around 320 325ish and he's going to put a head calfskin grip on it, do some work on the butt cap and send it back for me to try.
And FYI for the silver pricing it is like $5500 for the thirty racquets, but he said he'd do 15 for $2750. Ha still slightly out of my price range.
And FYI for the silver pricing it is like $5500 for the thirty racquets, but he said he'd do 15 for $2750. Ha still slightly out of my price range.
davidahenry
Professional
Thanks for the update. Very interesting. Please continue to keep us posted as your racquet matching process continues.
Take care.
DH
Take care.
DH
So I sent Ron two racquet last week. One new one to do customization on and one of my current ones to get specs from so I would have something to go off of. On my old racquet I put about 8 inches of lead at noon on my own to get the sw up. He took the spec and it was 325 grams, 302.5 mm bal, and 281 SW unstrung with the grip. I told him to change the new ones specs to 330 grams and get the SW up to 286 SW, and a 306 mm bal. Does anyone know what those specs are strung with full alu. I haven't gotten it back yet. He just shipped it yesterday but I'm wondering what that's going to be like strung. I'm mostly just curious about the SW. I don't know how much the SW goes up with string.
Steve F.
Professional
Thanks for the updates star 5 15. Interesting stuff.
That said, chrisplchs seems to have a good offer on the table - good luck!
star 5 15 -
I'm surprised you didn't ask Ron what the swingweight would be with the specs you requested before giving him the go ahead to do the work. I'm sure he could tell you if you contact him.
Be interesting to hear how this turns out for you...
That said, chrisplchs seems to have a good offer on the table - good luck!
star 5 15 -
I'm surprised you didn't ask Ron what the swingweight would be with the specs you requested before giving him the go ahead to do the work. I'm sure he could tell you if you contact him.
Be interesting to hear how this turns out for you...Thanks for the updates star 5 15. Interesting stuff.
That said, chrisplchs seems to have a good offer on the table - good luck!
star 5 15 -
I'm surprised you didn't ask Ron what the swingweight would be with the specs you requested before giving him the go ahead to do the work. I'm sure he could tell you if you contact him.
It's not like i don't have any idea what it is. He told me what one of the racquets I liked was unstrung and I went up about 5 so I just know its heavier than it was before.
Steve F.
Professional
Sure. So, are those your new specs in your signature? How does it swing compared to your old ones? And btw, how does the GT hit compared to your old ltds?
he shipped it friday so i think it should be here like wednesday but I just have the GTs ordered right now. I think there due out end of next week. The racquet I shipped him was an old one just to figure out exactly how I wanted my setup so that when the gts come he can just customize them and ship them immediately.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
What does racquet customizing/matching have to do with stringing machines?
And where do you suggest the thread goes mr wise guy?
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
UHHH! RACQUETS? There are discussions there of modifying racqects. I would consider this thread Racquet related.
Chill dude your getting bent out of shape over nothing. I had a thread in there and I got maybe 1 response. Most of the ppl that do this kinda stuff hang out in the stringing machine section. Thats why I posted here. But seriously Chill.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I'm chillin, just wondering why this thread is here. You can also try Odds and Ends.
Just because you are likely to get more responses here, doesn't make it right.
You need to serious CALM Down, you are over Strung! (pun intended)
Just because you are likely to get more responses here, doesn't make it right.
You need to serious CALM Down, you are over Strung! (pun intended)
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
While they are at it, move this thread to the proper topic.
Checking back in for an update.
I got the racquet back today. I havent had a chance to hit with it yet. As far as the things go without hitting with it. Ron did a great job gripping it. I was shocked at how perfectly he did it. He put a head calfskin on and it feels and looks 10 times better than the original babolat grip job. He was very neat about putting the lead tape on at 3 and 9. Overall it looks better than expected and hopefully it will hit as well as it looks like it should. I'll check back after I hit with it.
I got the racquet back today. I havent had a chance to hit with it yet. As far as the things go without hitting with it. Ron did a great job gripping it. I was shocked at how perfectly he did it. He put a head calfskin on and it feels and looks 10 times better than the original babolat grip job. He was very neat about putting the lead tape on at 3 and 9. Overall it looks better than expected and hopefully it will hit as well as it looks like it should. I'll check back after I hit with it.
He told me that all his specs are unstrung so I'm not sure what they are strung but I sent him a racquet I was happy with and added about 5 grams and up'd they SW and the spec came to 330g, 286SW, and 306 mm balance. Since I already had Babolat leather on there the calfskin didnt contribute to adding weight but I'm not sure because I've never seen what silicon in the handle looks like but about 3 or 4 inches down it looks like there is something that isn't normal looking that looks like it could be silicon. And as far as lead in the hoop goes. He added 4, 1 6 inch strip and 1 4 inch strip at 3 and 9 o'clock. I think it should probly come to about 10 grams of lead in the head. I already had about 4 grams at noon but he took all that off.
Also to everyone. I hit with it today and well it hit amazing. The plow through that was added was great and I think it is now the most stable thing I have ever hit with. I think I may tweak the spec around a little more and make it maybe like a 333g with like a 289SW. Idk yet though. I'll hit with it some more. I think ity may be perfect for me where it is. All in all though. Ron did a incredible job and the quality of craftmanship he put into it was the best I've ever seen. I'm very happy with the work he has done. All for $60 too. Even better.
Steve F.
Professional
Thanks for the update star 5 15, much appreciated. Ditto the questions that PED asked - I'd also ask if you could post pix of the work.
btw, I've got a demo right now of the PSL GT from TWE, and find it sweet on serves, hollow on groundies. This strung with Wilson Enduro 1.30, one of my least favorite strings, so plasticky. I wonder if you talked with Ron Yu about silicone in the handle at all to improve feel/dampen vibes, along with the stability issues at 3 & 9.
btw, I've got a demo right now of the PSL GT from TWE, and find it sweet on serves, hollow on groundies. This strung with Wilson Enduro 1.30, one of my least favorite strings, so plasticky. I wonder if you talked with Ron Yu about silicone in the handle at all to improve feel/dampen vibes, along with the stability issues at 3 & 9.
Okay back the the weight in the handle. There is no silicon. I poped off the trap door on a non customized ps ltd and it was the same. He maynot have needed to use anything in the handle though because of how HL the racquet was to begin with and I was mainly adding weight to the head. Idk though. I dont know what the spec of this frame was before customization.
Thanks for the update star 5 15, much appreciated. Ditto the questions that PED asked - I'd also ask if you could post pix of the work.
btw, I've got a demo right now of the PSL GT from TWE, and find it sweet on serves, hollow on groundies. This strung with Wilson Enduro 1.30, one of my least favorite strings, so plasticky. I wonder if you talked with Ron Yu about silicone in the handle at all to improve feel/dampen vibes, along with the stability issues at 3 & 9.
I took some pictures a couple minutes ago. I have never put any on here before. So if someone could help me out with that I'll put them up.
I haven't gotten to hit with the GT yet. the Babolat rep told me the change is only minor that it hit a little more solid. What did you think about how it hit in comparison to the current LTD. You kind of make it sound like its not very good?
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2jdp5cw&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=9abneb&s=3
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http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=hsnzno&s=3
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http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2zg95sl&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=9abneb&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=fco4ux&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=o5volx&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=hsnzno&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2e6cymo&s=3
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2zg95sl&s=3
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Steve F.
Professional
Hey star 5 15 -
Thanks for the pix links. To post them straight to the page, go to your tinypic page, and copy the http address that appears in the second box down (it says IMG code for forums and message boards), then paste the code into Quick Reply box. Then post reply. That's all. Here, I've done one for you:
Thanks for the pix links. To post them straight to the page, go to your tinypic page, and copy the http address that appears in the second box down (it says IMG code for forums and message boards), then paste the code into Quick Reply box. Then post reply. That's all. Here, I've done one for you:
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Steve F.
Professional
You know, it's impossible for me to compare the previous model to the GT because all I've hit with is the GT and GT Plus; TWE sent only the GT versions to me by mistake. Additionally, the demo is strung with a string I genuinely dislike, abhor really, probably more than any other, so bear that in mind. That said, for me stock balance is very nice, though could be more headlight. Swings awfully fast, which is nice, and placement is very good; overall I find the frame a bit too light, and lacking in oomph. I usually hit with a prestige mid or PSC 6.1, both stock. During rallies and serves with the GT, there is a distinct metallic ping sound on balls struck higher in the sweetspot and this IMO is the tungsten (note: I don't play with a dampener). Overall, the frame is solid with a plush stringbed, but definitely needs a lead diet to be playable, for me. I'd suspect that if you love the original frame you'll have very warm feelings about the GT.
btw, in your pic of the grip wrapped by P1, I'd agree there is a bulge under there just above where you'd grip the handle, which I'm sure is lead tape that was wrapped to balance the frame out to your spec. Really nice looking job by P1.
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Jonny S&V
Hall of Fame
You know, it's impossible for me to compare the previous model to the GT because all I've hit with is the GT and GT Plus; TWE sent only the GT versions to me by mistake. Additionally, the demo is strung with a string I genuinely dislike, abhor really, probably more than any other, so bear that in mind. That said, for me stock balance is very nice, though could be more headlight. Swings awfully fast, which is nice, and placement is very good; overall I find the frame a bit too light, and lacking in oomph. I usually hit with a prestige mid or PSC 6.1, both stock. During rallies and serves with the GT, there is a distinct metallic ping sound on balls struck higher in the sweetspot and this IMO is the tungsten (note: I don't play with a dampener). Overall, the frame is solid with a plush stringbed, but definitely needs a lead diet to be playable, for me. I'd suspect that if you love the original frame you'll have very warm feelings about the GT.
btw, in your pic of the grip wrapped by P1, I'd agree there is a bulge under there just above where you'd grip the handle, which I'm sure is lead tape that was wrapped to balance the frame out to your spec. Really nice looking job by P1.
Steve
I don't see what your saying about there being a bulge from lead wrapped under the handle. i'm not saying it's not there but what part of the grip do you see it. He did a phenominal job wrapping it. I'm so happy with how its turned out.
Steve F.
Professional
On the second and third bands from the left ( the gold D of the Head lettering is on the 3rd band). Seemed at first glance that there was a hint of a bulge there, but don't get me wrong, it's obviously a gorgeous job all the way. I'm sure it's simply a little camera lens distortion along with the reflected light - and me looking too hard for signs of the lead under the grip.
btw, the LTD GT specs are up on TW racquet finder. SW has increased to 313 and 1 more point headlight. I'd agree btw, with that assessment - it certainly swung light, but not as light as an MG Radical for instance.
Unofficial Product description is here.
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On the second and third bands from the left ( the gold D of the Head lettering is on the 3rd band). Seemed at first glance that there was a hint of a bulge there, but don't get me wrong, it's obviously a gorgeous job all the way. I'm sure it's simply a little camera lens distortion along with the reflected light - and me looking too hard for signs of the lead under the grip.
btw, the LTD GT specs are up on TW racquet finder. SW has increased to 313 and 1 more point headlight. I'd agree btw, with that assessment - it certainly swung light, but not as light as an MG Radical for instance.
Unofficial Product description is here.
I think it sounds like the new gt is probably pretty solid. The new specs really won't effect me to much because my spec is beyond that weight balance and SW. With it being more flexy sounds better. That's interesting though. The rep told me probably on 3 or 4 different occasions that the spec would not change at all. That being Friday too. Interesting.
Steve F. Can you do me a favor. According to TW specs the gt ltd specs are different from the carbon extremem model. I again an hour ago spoke with the director of college and junior sponsorships rep and he again confirmed and checked the racquet to make sure the specs haven't changed. Since you have one of the new gt ltds in your possesion right now. Can you tell me what the spec says on the frame. If it is the same. It should read- 320g/11.3oz, 613cm2/95sqinch, 305mm balance. Is that what it reads on the new gt. Thanks in advance. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Steve F.
Professional
Yup, that's what it says. Also reads 305mm balance +/-7.
Fwiw, I popped it on a scale and it weighed in at 339 grams, no overgrip, strung with Enduro 1.30.
The balance on the Plus is 310mm +/-7 and weighed in at 343 grams.
I didn't balance them - they've been sent back, so too late for that inaccurate attempt as I have no balance board.
And they're both stamped with a misprint: headzise :mrgreen:
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