TennisMaverick,
What's the reason only one of your guys switched to the London? I guess they all play with the Legend still, but I'd like to know why they didn't make the switch to the London. Too unstable, less feel, etc... compared to the Legend? The two sticks seem to be very close, but I'm wondering what would be the difference between the two if the London was leaded to match the LEgend.
It was due t o the standard reason that I always give. The Legend player over the years has gone from the C10 Pro as a junior, through the T10 Mid- T10 VE Mid- DNX 10 MP- Legend- London, as he progressed between real tennis, college, and back to real tennis. The first two switches were upgrades, and the T10 mid may have been a mistake--he probably should have used the MP, because even though the T10 VE worked well, the DNX 10 MP was an immediate game improvement. He was home from school, on-court outside, Xmas of 2005 in 35 degree weather, with another player, who was playing #1 singles for his respective college, and the game improvement was so obvious, that it took less than 5 "Ah ha"minutes to make the switch.
The move from the DNX 10 MP to the Legend, rather than the BB 11 MP or PB 10 MP, was because both those sticks lack the feel/precision of the DNX 10 MP, although, the PB 10 MP is close--he used those two sticks for maybe a week each, and went back to the DNX 10 MP--so he waited for an upgrade that would improve his game immediately. However, it was harsh, and he developed wrist issues, so the switch to the Legend, was a comfort decision, plus, this player hits a flat ball, and low balls and half volleys are the big Legend plus because it generates more spin than the DNX 10/PB 10/BB 11 MPs, and besides being able to hit more spin then the other three frames, this extra helps second serves. The improvement in play was subtle, and the stick was demoed for maybe 10 minutes before Volkl was contacted to make the change. Both his practice partner and I had to point out what shots were improved, and even then, the improvement was only about 10%, which relative to match play, is HUGE!
He used the Legend for perhaps three months, until he play tested the London, and it was another "Ah Ha" 5 minute, if not less decision, as the Futures player he was hitting with and I immediately told him that he had to switch. It was so obvious, that a 5 year old would have observed it.
The DNX 10 MP, BB 11 MP, Legend, and London, all have different feel. For most players who aren't top pros and having custom lay-ups made for them, efficacy trumps feel in the hand. A 10% improvement is worth more than 4-5 points, when a competitive set goes 40-50 points. The improvement is seen in each points ball quality, speed, spin, height, direction, and its physical effects on your opponents ball quality, which in-turn, translates into the additional psychological and emotional damage that you can do to him over the course of the set, and subsequently, the match, as the damage is cumulative. So trading in feel for efficacy, is A VERY BIG DEAL, and the only deal in town.
Now if you're Boris, you make the tech guys give you both. Substitute Roger as a current player, but understand that guys like Roddick and Nadal, just want to play with what they grew-up with, but may ask for adjustments that will help their game at whatever juncture they are at.
To summarize, as I have said it many times, 5-10 minutes with a stick is more than enough. Your ball quality on the other side of the net, as experienced by your practice partner and any other observers, in my case, the coach, would determine the stick's respective/comparative value as to whether or not to make the change. That is the "Ah Ha" moments, and 5 minutes, is probably an exaggeration of the time; it was less. The other switch, to the Legend, was more measured, and required a few more minutes to pick-up the subtlety, although, it was obvious with 2nd serves, and of course, it solved the wrist issues.
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