Volkl Power Bridge 10 mid control issues

I just purchased two PB 10s after demoing the racquet for two weeks through TW.

Had no issues with the demos but the racquets I purchased feel like rocket launchers (in a bad way)!

I have a full western forehand and single handed backhand and take big cuts at the ball on every shot - aggressive baseliner

I know some have described this racquet to be under powered but I never felt this way - racquet has plenty of pop and control when you need it (when trying to create angles etc). At least for the demos I felt this way.

The first demo was strung with gripper - which I felt was a bit too elastic feeling (not enough ball pocketing) the 2nd had standard synthetic gut and had great control (all forehands/backhands were dropping in).

For the 2 I purchased I requested two matched racquets. The two I have a swing weight of 286 (unstrung) so probably around 316 strung. They are both strung with full Natural Gut Job (Babolat VS at 54 lbs). All my balls are sailing long 1-2 feet with the new racquets. I've used Gut at 54 lbs before but in a lighter racquet - could this be the issue? The swing weight of the racquets I requested is pretty low but I can't imagine (or I hope) that isn't causing the control issues. I am able to get my forehand in if I hit without bending my elbow only as this way there is more upward momentum in the ball but no use of racquet's heft.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.. thx!

It's the gut, or your swing. 54lbs is very low for VS. It really will trampoline. Up the tension or try a lower powered string. I'd suggest using something like Gosen Micro 1.22 to calibrate your tensions as its a very good reference synthetic gut. Then go from there.

I know tw uses lockout machines which can be an issue with gut IMO

its the gut! bought mine with gut/lux and every shot just sailed. cut the strings and strung them with msv focus hex 1.10 at 52 lbs, and it really solved the problem!

Gut @ low tensions= Rocket Launcher Diamond Deluxe.
Do some string research and try again.

A buddy of mine has me string his PD Roddicks with VS Touch 16 ga. at 62 lbs. I suspect he might go just a little tighter, but he uses the nat'l gut to stay healthy after some serious TE a couple years back (it's worked great for him).

I know that the PB 10 mid is a different sort of frame, but I agree that your setup is probably just too lively.

swinger said:

For the 2 I purchased I requested two matched racquets. The two I have a swing weight of 286 (unstrung) so probably around 316 strung. They are both strung with full Natural Gut Job (Babolat VS at 54 lbs). All my balls are sailing long 1-2 feet with the new racquets. I've used Gut at 54 lbs before but in a lighter racquet - could this be the issue? The swing weight of the racquets I requested is pretty low but I can't imagine (or I hope) that isn't causing the control issues. I am able to get my forehand in if I hit without bending my elbow only as this way there is more upward momentum in the ball but no use of racquet's heft.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.. thx!

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Something isn't right with your reported swingweight. TW lists it at 337 and a few posters (including me) think it is significantly lower at about 325-327. 316 is too far off.
I also concur that your strings and setup will make a noticeable difference.

I do hope its the gut and problem will be solved if I change the strings!! I had heard that PB 10s can vary in swingweight so requested for TW's two lowest matching PB 10s but never imagined that the swingweight could be THIS low. I hope this is not causing the issue. Haven't tried poly yet. Is it possible that the swingweight could be the issue?? THX!

In addition to what I already said in last post I want to mention- the TW measured specs:

Static weight: 11.6 oz
Balance Point: 12'/16"
Swingweight: 286

swinger said:

. All my balls are sailing long 1-2 feet with the new racquets.

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You;ve got a good problem. Either spin the ball a little more for depth control or string a couple pounds tighter or go with a less jumpy gut and/or use a hybrid string job.

Klip Legend 17 Mains for me (less jumpy than VS and more durable) and IsoSpeed Pro Classic x;s for a bit of the poly type spin allowing the ball to drop in the court rather than a bit long.

I would start by spinning the ball more to see if you can take advantage of your new found power. Also you mentioned using VS at that tension before in lighter racquets w. no depth control issue, and that leads me to believe you have lost batspeed w. the heavier frames and therefore lost topspin for depth control

I get quite a bit of racquet head speed and my grip is pretty extreme western already (nadal like). Also I wasn't having any issues with the demo that I tried the day before I got my own racquets in from TW. The racquets clearly feel very springy so hopefully its just the string. I am just confused because I didn't think 54 lbs is THAT low. I just hope its not that the specs of these racquets are too far off what TW states what they should be for PB10s in stock form:

TW states the Swingweight should be 337 strung (mine is 286 unstrung)
Balance should 10 pts HL (mine is stated to be 12'/16'')

It's the gut and tension. Lower sw means less power in theory so that doesn't "make you" hit long.
If you are consistently missing long, then you've got an easy problem to fix...it means your problem can be solved with tweaks in the stringing.
I would start by stringing some 3-5 lbs higher, and then maybe hybrid with a synthetic gut (OG MICRO) in the crosses or maybe even a softer poly in the crosses for a lower powered setup.

Is this the midplus version or the mid?

I've strung mine with VS Touch at 55lbs against Silverstring at 53lbs and don't have issues with the power being uncontrollable. In fact the surplus power is always there which is what is so great about gut strings it allows you to control the power levels depending on how and what your stroke mechanics are like. If I hit flat then the balls may sail long due to the power but I can also hit with more spin allowing me more margin for error thereby keeping the ball in. Stay with the strings becasue as you say 54lbs is not too low for this flexy soft frame and adjust your contact point so that the racket head is not too open upon contact and ensure you are lifting the racket head up and pronating through the shot to get the spin and control.

1hbhBUX said:

Is this the midplus version or the mid?

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Title of the thread is Volkl Power Bridge 10 mid control issues

To the OP, I have to agree with the string recommendations. I didn't realize so many others use OG Sheep Micro. I am a true believer in the stuff because of it's playability, durability and affordability. It's a great string to hybrid (I personally string with Kirschbaum 17 and 18 guage polys).