forthegame
Hall of Fame
Meags,
Do you still rate the old Vantages? I'm thinking that I might be able to pick up one of the old ones on the cheap now that a new line is out.
Old raqs still a pack leader for you?
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Meags,
Do you still rate the old Vantages? I'm thinking that I might be able to pick up one of the old ones on the cheap now that a new line is out.
Old raqs still a pack leader for you?
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
yep the only reason i moved on is i knew the flexy one was coming out so i played a dunlop revelation with a real low flex and tried some longer frames to see what that brought to the party.
If the bast core wasnt coming out i would be playing an extended 95" 63ra vantage.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Jgads do you rate the speed higher than the exo3 tour?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
You know, right now I feel like I definitely do. Of course it's been a month and a half since I had the Prince in my hand, and as such I feel like I still might want to take it out for one more 'reminder' spin, putting it up head-to-head against the Speed, but from what I can remember, the Speed seems to be performing exactly the same as the EX03 Tour, just with a far improved feel and more pop on serve. The Speed is set up with full poly and I'd be curious to see how the Prince acts with full poly, since my playtest demo had a hybrid in it. I have 2-3 more hits with the Speed before I have to send it back, so I'll see how those go before definitely deciding what to do next.
... The Speed 18x20 is also a consideration, but the decreased swingweight on that scares me; I'm loving the Speed's 16x19 swingweight as is, and I'd have to mess with lead probably on the closed-pattern Speed, and I'm not a huge fan when it comes to lead tinkering. Plus, I really don't know if it's more of a mind-thing or what, but seriously, the added .2 inches of length on the 16x19 seems to be agreeing wholeheartedly with my serve and backhand. The backhand's been so much better in the last few days after being in a slump for a couple weeks.
How is your EX03 experience progressing? Any further finds of note?
Overheadsmash
Professional
What a great thread I just stumbled upon. I'm 3/4 Scottish (the good 3/4!) and am pulling for my fellow countryman across the pond to bring one home for the UK!
I fell in love with tennis almost two years ago now after 30 years of golf (started when I was 13) and just love trying out new sticks. Even bought a stringing machine (Stringway ML-120 wow what nice piece of equipment that is) and have learned to string.
Right now, I am playing with a 2010 Kneissl Black Star and a Donnay X-red 99. I've tried Head and Dunlop frames, and have settled on these two. When I'm all warmed up and really swinging it, the Donnay is an awesome stick. Very, very stable and so solid on impact. I have lux bb 18 ace in it.
Love the lighter Kneissl too though. Very stable, great for hitting slice, and easy to move with.
I fell in love with tennis almost two years ago now after 30 years of golf (started when I was 13) and just love trying out new sticks. Even bought a stringing machine (Stringway ML-120 wow what nice piece of equipment that is) and have learned to string.
Right now, I am playing with a 2010 Kneissl Black Star and a Donnay X-red 99. I've tried Head and Dunlop frames, and have settled on these two. When I'm all warmed up and really swinging it, the Donnay is an awesome stick. Very, very stable and so solid on impact. I have lux bb 18 ace in it.
Love the lighter Kneissl too though. Very stable, great for hitting slice, and easy to move with.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Welcome, Overhead. Please share in our racquetholic joys and miseries. Membership card will be sent to you in the mail. How does your Kneissl feel, comparable to any current sticks? That's an extended frame, right?
The Final tonight should be fantastic. Think Djoker will win, but there's definitely a part of me that would love a victory for all of Great Britain. Enough is enough, eh? ...
You never tried the Donnay Dark Red, did you? That's the frame I'm currently further tinkering with while I pit other demo frames up against it.
forthegame
Hall of Fame
Thanks a bunch.
bertrevert
Legend
Has anyone considered in the thread the psychological payoffs in trying, tinkering, trysting with lots of racquets?
Perhaps you have and that is why it is 25 pp long!!!
If not then it might be time to look at commitment issues, mid-age crises, and searching in such proverbs as "the grass is always greener..."
I am only joking.
I cannot stop checking out racquets even if I resist for 1-3 years with a main squeeze. Call it serial-monogamy. cheers
Perhaps you have and that is why it is 25 pp long!!!
If not then it might be time to look at commitment issues, mid-age crises, and searching in such proverbs as "the grass is always greener..."
I am only joking.
I cannot stop checking out racquets even if I resist for 1-3 years with a main squeeze. Call it serial-monogamy. cheers
Overheadsmash
Professional
Thanks for the nice welcome. When it comes to racquets, I can tell I'm going to be like Imelda Marcos was with shoes lol! You older folks here will know who she was.
It's funny - I only had three sets of golf clubs in 30 years, but I just love buying and stringing racquets. It's probably like the surfer looking for the ultimate wave.
I had to stop playing golf due to having three kids and lots of work. Tennis fits perfect though - an hour on court is a great workout and I can still get home in time to help Mrs. Overheadsmash with the kids. Brought myself from a 1.0 to a 3.5 in a little less than 2 years of playing after having never played before. Take one 1 hour lesson a month which helps.
The Kneissl - not an extended frame (I don't think). The kneissl feels great on impact and spin is very easy to generate. It's also really easy to slice - on the run it's light enough to whip through a running one-handed backhard slice but still stable enough to control the ball. It has raised stabilizer sections running down the insides of the throat and square string geometry, so the squares in the center are the same size as the ones out near the edges. It also has a strip that covers the grommets, so it looks smooth all the way around and you can't see the strings from the outside. The head is also reinforced with kevlar flexible rods that also help keep it stable.
soyizgood
G.O.A.T.
I'm a one-woman man, but a philanderer when it comes to racquets. I can't help myself. My m-Fil 400's and Aerogel 300's are mad at me. To appease them, I'll try to sell or donate a few of the other racquets. But unknown to them I'll likely test the waters with a few other models.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
OK, it got interesting tonight. Hit with my usual partner and spent much of the eve going back and forth between the Head IG 16x19 and my Donnay Dark Red. The DR was pummeling the ball when I had time to set up, but sometimes I struggled a bit to catch up to the harder hit balls back at me (the partner goes after the ball, hits many screamers). Was also bothered by the full bed of Vs. Gut in the DR, as the string was just moving around like crazy and the ball was just jumping. Definitely gonna replace the string with a low-powered poly or poly-hybrid setup for less string movement. ... Meanwhile, the Head continued to do nothing wrong and it was easier for me to wrist back some shots on the run and play defense. Was getting good depth control, too.
Then came the surprise. For kicks, decided to pull out the Yonex Ti 80 Lite that I'd hit with for maybe five minutes the other day before deciding it was too light. I don't know what I was thinking then because suddenly I felt like a magician. It's about the same static weight as the Head Speed, but with a lighter swingweight (according to listed specs), and suddenly I was able to get some really great last-second wrist action to change the direction of the ball. The partner kept coming in, I kept ripping it past him. Once I got my timing down to wait just a bit longer before swinging (I think I got thrown off last time by going down in weight from the DR to the Lite), I found a zone where I was picking my spots and shooting the ball there. We'd been playing several rally games of 20 and I'd been barely losing most of them all night, and then with the Ti 80 I started killing him. Best thing of all: the Ti 80 Lite feels exactly like the regular Ti 80, which is to say you get an incredible feel of the ball (even better than the Head Speed, I think). The regular Ti80 just was a bit too sluggish for me, but this one is suddenly making me think twice. Haven't served with it, though, so that could make big difference, but I'm glad I decided to pull it out of the bag for one more chance. If it serves as well as the Head, we may have an interesting battle between these two sticks.
Ugh. I hate this. But I love it.
Then came the surprise. For kicks, decided to pull out the Yonex Ti 80 Lite that I'd hit with for maybe five minutes the other day before deciding it was too light. I don't know what I was thinking then because suddenly I felt like a magician. It's about the same static weight as the Head Speed, but with a lighter swingweight (according to listed specs), and suddenly I was able to get some really great last-second wrist action to change the direction of the ball. The partner kept coming in, I kept ripping it past him. Once I got my timing down to wait just a bit longer before swinging (I think I got thrown off last time by going down in weight from the DR to the Lite), I found a zone where I was picking my spots and shooting the ball there. We'd been playing several rally games of 20 and I'd been barely losing most of them all night, and then with the Ti 80 I started killing him. Best thing of all: the Ti 80 Lite feels exactly like the regular Ti 80, which is to say you get an incredible feel of the ball (even better than the Head Speed, I think). The regular Ti80 just was a bit too sluggish for me, but this one is suddenly making me think twice. Haven't served with it, though, so that could make big difference, but I'm glad I decided to pull it out of the bag for one more chance. If it serves as well as the Head, we may have an interesting battle between these two sticks.
Ugh. I hate this. But I love it.
Okay. Having been on the Glennfiddich all night watching Muzza vids, I'm about to eat a bowl of Porridge (er, I'll pass on the haggis and wearing a kilt :roll: ), Balamory is on the TV 
(only Brits will get that one, I suspect), Rod Stewart is on the radio, etc,,, so you'll excuse me while I shout just prior to the game:
"Come on, Muzza!"...
"And remember... under no circumstances... write it on your wrist-band with a Sharpie... repeat it to yourself mantra-like before every point... DO NOT PUSH!":lol:
R.
(only Brits will get that one, I suspect), Rod Stewart is on the radio, etc,,, so you'll excuse me while I shout just prior to the game:"Come on, Muzza!"...
"And remember... under no circumstances... write it on your wrist-band with a Sharpie... repeat it to yourself mantra-like before every point... DO NOT PUSH!":lol:
R.
klementine
Hall of Fame
What struck me... whilst watching the Murray/Djokovic match.... Murray does not change tactics/strategy based on the score...!!!???!!!?!!!?
I recall he made a comment after the Ferrer match...'I had no idea it was set-point'.... He played it as a normal point???
His counter-punching game can definitely win a slam... but unless he starts playing the score... he'll never win one.
Anyway.... continue with the thread.
I recall he made a comment after the Ferrer match...'I had no idea it was set-point'.... He played it as a normal point???
His counter-punching game can definitely win a slam... but unless he starts playing the score... he'll never win one.
Anyway.... continue with the thread.
PED
Legend
Q. NOW WHAT'S THE NAME OF THAT '60'S GARAGE SURF TRACK?...
Oh yeah... "WIPEOUT"
Man, Muzza took a hiding today...
R.
Yes, but on a positive note, Harry is considering a bid for Andy Carroll. I'd love to see Carroll in a Spurs shirt.
I also want to see Torres go to Chelsea and let the Reds move on with the rebuilding. Suarez should be a good buy and Torres would represent a nice profit on their investment.
Overheadsmash
Professional
Q. NOW WHAT'S THE NAME OF THAT '60'S GARAGE SURF TRACK?...
Oh yeah... "WIPEOUT"
Man, Muzza took a hiding today...
R.
Novak would have pummeled anyone today. Rafa, Roger, Robin - would not have mattered.
Another day, another session with the PP...
Today was notable for me getting more comfortable now playing my usual b-line game, and whilst it's not the big spinny number I'm familiar with and is a strong feature of my normal game latterly (btw, a major reason the APD was to my liking since the summer), what I'm finding - a big solid oomphing groundie that kind of pounds in - is very interesting and to my liking. I'll add that the feel, control, precision, oomph and solidness, also continues to impress.
Today however, was also notable for me sensing I'm kind of pushing myself here with this frame, and maybe to my limits (don't know), trying to gel with it. I can't quite tell if a few tweaks (like perhaps with the grip and reducing lead @ 12) won't bring it bang into my zone of comfort or whatever; or if, in fact, the frame is actually just a tad too demanding for my level.
TBH, I wouldn't mind another look, in a competitive and challenging hit, at that TF Vo2 320... whilst I'm in no doubt that in the areas of feel, build, soildness, et al, the TGK/YTPP is pretty tremendous (understatement :wink, I do still wonder about that serve pop and spin I last discovered with the TF (not sure I haven't enjoyed serving so much as when I served with the AG100), and the groundie pop and topspin that appears so designed for me (intermediate, modern strokes, lazy b-line basher )... anyhow, yeah, I need to test myself with this one properly very soon methinks!
Funny... I'm aching far more tonight than I would usually... is this another sign that the PP just a bit too demanding for me???...
BTW, JG's posts on the IG Speeds are also now getting my attention (like the sound of that .2 added length - very nice on serve and 2hbh, I'd care to bet you!)... any more feedback on these frames anybody?... anyone else kind of curious about these?...
R.
Today was notable for me getting more comfortable now playing my usual b-line game, and whilst it's not the big spinny number I'm familiar with and is a strong feature of my normal game latterly (btw, a major reason the APD was to my liking since the summer), what I'm finding - a big solid oomphing groundie that kind of pounds in - is very interesting and to my liking. I'll add that the feel, control, precision, oomph and solidness, also continues to impress.
Today however, was also notable for me sensing I'm kind of pushing myself here with this frame, and maybe to my limits (don't know), trying to gel with it. I can't quite tell if a few tweaks (like perhaps with the grip and reducing lead @ 12) won't bring it bang into my zone of comfort or whatever; or if, in fact, the frame is actually just a tad too demanding for my level.
TBH, I wouldn't mind another look, in a competitive and challenging hit, at that TF Vo2 320... whilst I'm in no doubt that in the areas of feel, build, soildness, et al, the TGK/YTPP is pretty tremendous (understatement :wink
, I do still wonder about that serve pop and spin I last discovered with the TF (not sure I haven't enjoyed serving so much as when I served with the AG100), and the groundie pop and topspin that appears so designed for me (intermediate, modern strokes, lazy b-line basher )... anyhow, yeah, I need to test myself with this one properly very soon methinks!Funny... I'm aching far more tonight than I would usually... is this another sign that the PP just a bit too demanding for me???...
BTW, JG's posts on the IG Speeds are also now getting my attention (like the sound of that .2 added length - very nice on serve and 2hbh, I'd care to bet you!)... any more feedback on these frames anybody?... anyone else kind of curious about these?...
R.
PED
Legend
Ross, the IG speeds are the one's I mentioned earlier this winter about wanting to demo myself. However, it seems the production specs are a touch different than what I had seen earlier and the SW is a good bit lower than I'd hoped. Sounds like a great frame. TW has a video review on the 18X20 version which sounds nice but quite underpowered...that surprised me.
I'd say give the ytpp a bit more time. It is by no means an underpowered stick but as you mentioned, it does take more effort than the apd. In the end, my game was better having played with the mg and ytpp for so long. My strokes got longer and faster so I'm glad I went that way.
I would almost advocate going cold turkey for a perioda month maybe) where you only play with one of your choices. It's difficult to change back between the Babs and the YTPP for me because of stroke variation.
Overheadsmash
Professional
I just love this thread lol.
Today at lunch I'm cutting the original nylonstar string out of my 2010 Kneissl Black Star (it's lost all of its pop) and stringing it with Luxilon Savage White 16. If we are not completely snowed under here, I'll head over to the club and hit the ball machine. Full report as soon as that happens.
So, how many sticks do I need to own to be considered a true "racquetholic"?:mrgreen:
Today at lunch I'm cutting the original nylonstar string out of my 2010 Kneissl Black Star (it's lost all of its pop) and stringing it with Luxilon Savage White 16. If we are not completely snowed under here, I'll head over to the club and hit the ball machine. Full report as soon as that happens.
So, how many sticks do I need to own to be considered a true "racquetholic"?:mrgreen:
rlau
Hall of Fame
You don't need to own that many racquets, as long as you continually keep buying and selling frames, looking for "the one".
Yep, that IG Speed might interest me a little way down the road to have a hit with (being in the UK that will be a very long time hence.)
Well, the only 2 frames I've hit with in the last few weeks and in the weeks to follow are the YTPP/TGK YTPP and the TF V02 320... I'm getting better!
R.
retlod
Professional
Wow. Awesome thread. I'll admit three things to start: 1. I didn't read *every* post...just the first and last several pages, 2. I've seen this thread on the forum for months and only jumped in now, and 3. I think I'm a racketaholic. Here's my story (I'll make it entertaining in return for all the LOLs I got reading others' witty posts).
Two summers ago, a friend got me back into playing tennis after about 8 years away. My old stick was a Wilson HPS 6.1. I started demoing similar frames--the K6.1, the 6.1 Tour, the KPS88, the Speed Pro, convinced that if I just put in enough time and effort, I could play with these demanding frames. Yuck. No luck. Then I tried my first Babolat--the Pure Drive GT.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
Absolutely loved it--the lighter weight, the headlight balance, the ungodly spin, and the added oomph that let me get away with being a little out of position, etc. I was sure that this was the racquet for me. I bought two.
Well, that lasted about three months. By late in that summer, I had gotten into a little better tennis shape and had started to hit long with the PD. I cranked the tension all the way up to 65 lbs, but still couldn't control the ball well enough. I also started to have a litle soreness in my elbow. I looked for a frame with similar specs, but with a little more flex and a little less pop. More demos ensued until I tried the Speed MP 16x19.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
The Speed was just what I had been looking for--not too mushy, but a little softer on my arm, less powerful so I could keep balls in play, and still gave me good spin and pop on the serve and FH. I was perfectly content...until I heard of the new YT Prestiges coming out last winter. I had to have one. My game was still improving, and I was convinced that if I just put in enough time and effort, I could play with a demanding frame like the YTPP. So I bought one cold turkey. The answer, even after multiple string setups, was still a resounding "no."
Then there was a one night stand with a YT Rad Pro. I don't even want to talk about that.
Back to the Speeds I went, then back to the Pure Drives, then the Speeds again. I added an APDGT to the bag, which I could only distinguish from the PDGT if I could see or touch it. Then one day, my hitting partner asked me to try his Prince Ozone Tour, which he was convinced I wouldn't like because of its flexy, plush feel.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
By now, it'll bore you to hear why I loved it, but I loved it. I bought one. Then two more. Then went back to the Speeds to find them a nice, crisp change of pace. Than back to the Pure Drives to recapture the wicked spin game. The Radical and Prestige got assigned to basement duty. I was a happy Ozone user. Then I got to thinking...wouldn't it be criminal to try a Prestige, a Speed, and a Radical and not demo an Extreme? So I tried both the MP and the Pro.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
I liked the stability of the Pro but the flex of the MP, so I bought an MP and threw about 6g of lead around the hoop and a couple of washers under the buttcap. Great stick. Like the Pure Drives, but softer with a little more feel. I was convinced that the Extreme(s) were PD replacements for me, so I finally sold some sticks--the Pure Drives, the YTPP, and the YTRP. I can still play well with the Speeds and the Ozones, too. So what's next?
I have an IG Speed and an EXO3 Tour on my doorstep as I type this, just waiting to hit the courts. Maybe I will have another OMG moment with one or both. Maybe I...well, not maybe. I *will* be trying out the new IG Extremes when they come out and will probably get a couple of those. Maybe I'll even have to go buy another PD because I miss it. Who knows?
So what has all this waffling shown me? Well, if there's a perfect stick out there for me, I'm determined to keep looking, probably forever. I also learned that weight and balance mean more to me than any other racquet spec, and that as long as I have a 15 minute warmup to get used to a new frame in my spec range, I can play with anything.
Thanks to all for such great posting. I'll be sure to keep up on this thread in the future and share my thoughts about the IG Speed and the EXO3 Tour, especially how they compare to the rest of the HEAD lineup and the Ozone.
Now when do the IG Extremes come out again?
Two summers ago, a friend got me back into playing tennis after about 8 years away. My old stick was a Wilson HPS 6.1. I started demoing similar frames--the K6.1, the 6.1 Tour, the KPS88, the Speed Pro, convinced that if I just put in enough time and effort, I could play with these demanding frames. Yuck. No luck. Then I tried my first Babolat--the Pure Drive GT.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
Absolutely loved it--the lighter weight, the headlight balance, the ungodly spin, and the added oomph that let me get away with being a little out of position, etc. I was sure that this was the racquet for me. I bought two.
Well, that lasted about three months. By late in that summer, I had gotten into a little better tennis shape and had started to hit long with the PD. I cranked the tension all the way up to 65 lbs, but still couldn't control the ball well enough. I also started to have a litle soreness in my elbow. I looked for a frame with similar specs, but with a little more flex and a little less pop. More demos ensued until I tried the Speed MP 16x19.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
The Speed was just what I had been looking for--not too mushy, but a little softer on my arm, less powerful so I could keep balls in play, and still gave me good spin and pop on the serve and FH. I was perfectly content...until I heard of the new YT Prestiges coming out last winter. I had to have one. My game was still improving, and I was convinced that if I just put in enough time and effort, I could play with a demanding frame like the YTPP. So I bought one cold turkey. The answer, even after multiple string setups, was still a resounding "no."
Then there was a one night stand with a YT Rad Pro. I don't even want to talk about that.
Back to the Speeds I went, then back to the Pure Drives, then the Speeds again. I added an APDGT to the bag, which I could only distinguish from the PDGT if I could see or touch it. Then one day, my hitting partner asked me to try his Prince Ozone Tour, which he was convinced I wouldn't like because of its flexy, plush feel.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
By now, it'll bore you to hear why I loved it, but I loved it. I bought one. Then two more. Then went back to the Speeds to find them a nice, crisp change of pace. Than back to the Pure Drives to recapture the wicked spin game. The Radical and Prestige got assigned to basement duty. I was a happy Ozone user. Then I got to thinking...wouldn't it be criminal to try a Prestige, a Speed, and a Radical and not demo an Extreme? So I tried both the MP and the Pro.
OMG IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
I liked the stability of the Pro but the flex of the MP, so I bought an MP and threw about 6g of lead around the hoop and a couple of washers under the buttcap. Great stick. Like the Pure Drives, but softer with a little more feel. I was convinced that the Extreme(s) were PD replacements for me, so I finally sold some sticks--the Pure Drives, the YTPP, and the YTRP. I can still play well with the Speeds and the Ozones, too. So what's next?
I have an IG Speed and an EXO3 Tour on my doorstep as I type this, just waiting to hit the courts. Maybe I will have another OMG moment with one or both. Maybe I...well, not maybe. I *will* be trying out the new IG Extremes when they come out and will probably get a couple of those. Maybe I'll even have to go buy another PD because I miss it. Who knows?
So what has all this waffling shown me? Well, if there's a perfect stick out there for me, I'm determined to keep looking, probably forever. I also learned that weight and balance mean more to me than any other racquet spec, and that as long as I have a 15 minute warmup to get used to a new frame in my spec range, I can play with anything.
Thanks to all for such great posting. I'll be sure to keep up on this thread in the future and share my thoughts about the IG Speed and the EXO3 Tour, especially how they compare to the rest of the HEAD lineup and the Ozone.
Now when do the IG Extremes come out again?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Welcome to your home.
retlod,
Now why is it that all seems so strangely familiar... :wink: Great post. Love it for your honesty in how you portray the quickly shifting whims and detours that have afflicted many of us on these boards. Definitely let us know more about those frames you mention at the end.
R.
Overheadsmash
Professional
Whatever you do, don't try hitting with a Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 Tour or a Kneissl 2010 White Star. Trust me, just don't go there.
The kids were hitting the ball machine at our club, and no one else was there (they have a door code so members can play any time of the day or night which is really cool) so I pulled a brand new Wilson Blade 98 off the demo wall feshly strung with some signum pro 17 guage (pro poly maybe?) It was silver, and you could probably tow a car with it lol. Anyway, the kids are hitting away, so I decide to hit a few serves with this thing. I bombed 12 - count em - 12 serves in a row right into the back of the service box. I was stunned!
retlod
Professional
I've hit with that Dunlop. Didn't dig the shape of the head so it's out. Power Player's Tecnifibre, on the other hand, does intrigue me, although I might also try the TFlash 315.
Also, got the IG Speed (wickedly awesome PJ), but had to send the EXO3 Tour back because it came with a gash in the throat down to graphite.
Last edited:
Overheadsmash
Professional
I've hit with that Dunlop. Didn't dig the shape of the head so it's out. Now PowerPlayer's Tecnifibre...
Also, got the IG Speed, but had to send the EXO3 Tour back because it came with a gash in the throat down to graphite.
I have a Head Microgel Extreme Pro 2009 and a Speed MP 16x19 and the heads are more rounded than the Dunlops. I'm more a flat ball hitter, which is probably why the Dunlops suit me better.
Overhead & retlod,
TBH I've never been tempted by the Wilson Blade frames (though I was into the 6.1 series a few years back - PSC is a goat contender imo, and N95 was even better for me for a while), so can't comment as I've never hit one... interesting to hear it's a bit of a serve monster though... er, speaking of which...
Re TF Vo2 320, there's no doubt that when I played this a few times, the serve stood out, as it were. Again, there are a few more variables and it's subjective stuff this, but I personally clicked straight away with this frame on serve. It's what I'd call a punchy frame (very punchy - as in prime Mike Tyson punchy :grin: )... there's easy and wicked spin too... and, yes, something about it reminded me of the AG100 on serve - a frame that I just loved serving with (I've never quite understood why this particular rack served so well for me.) Anyhow, TF VO2 320 is def a frame where re serve you're constantly feeling confident and ever dangerous . I plan to play with this on Friday (changed out the grip and put a small amount of lead @ 12) - shall report back then, ret.
R.
TBH I've never been tempted by the Wilson Blade frames (though I was into the 6.1 series a few years back - PSC is a goat contender imo, and N95 was even better for me for a while), so can't comment as I've never hit one... interesting to hear it's a bit of a serve monster though... er, speaking of which...
Re TF Vo2 320, there's no doubt that when I played this a few times, the serve stood out, as it were. Again, there are a few more variables and it's subjective stuff this, but I personally clicked straight away with this frame on serve. It's what I'd call a punchy frame (very punchy - as in prime Mike Tyson punchy :grin: )... there's easy and wicked spin too... and, yes, something about it reminded me of the AG100 on serve - a frame that I just loved serving with (I've never quite understood why this particular rack served so well for me.) Anyhow, TF VO2 320 is def a frame where re serve you're constantly feeling confident and ever dangerous
. I plan to play with this on Friday (changed out the grip and put a small amount of lead @ 12) - shall report back then, ret.R.
Overheadsmash
Professional
Funny thing is, I cannot tell you WHY I served so well with it. Maybe the balance and weight were perfect for my particular swing motion?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
IG Speed 16x19 and Ti 80 Lite
Quick update of the recent testing:
Something crazy happened in the last few days: a demo racquet I initially dismissed after five minutes (Yonex Ti 80 Lite) was given one more chance to come out of the bag, and then over a three-hit span proceeded to edge out the one I'd been loving all along (IG Speed 16x19). I'll say that with the caveat that as the cheap poly strings on the IG Speed loosened after having played so much with the stick, the racquet started to suffer. Shots were still good but not as good (for full details of early Honeymoon stage, read earlier in this thread), but most troubling was my serving consistency went from very good to poor -- first serves had power but started to get erratic and clip the net, second serve kicker became quite unreliable and I started double faulting a lot. That said, it was still a stellar demo overall and I may take it out for one more spin with regular string rather than poly to see how that changes things. ...
Now, onto the Ti 80 Lite, which I am now convinced is a hidden GEM for a certain kind of player. Initially I took to the feel of the IG Speed in a big way (even with the cheap poly), but then the Ti 80 Lite absolutely blew it out of the water in the feel department. It is less powerful than the Speed for sure, but the feel of it is so old school, bare bones, raw. In a great way. Though I had less power, I could feel the ball on the stringbed (NXT) and have that momentary illusion of being able to point and shoot - the light swingweight really made for easy last-second adjustments as to where I was going, and the racquet responded. Serves were solid - my best serves weren't as powerful as the Speed, but the percentage was way up and the kickers were better, as I was able to generate more upward explosion on the kick arm motion. ... And this thing just DRIPS with control. It's like a slightly more powerful version of the Pure Storm Limited with a better serve and the same great feel (feel was slightly better than the Ltd. I think, but it's close). And it doesn't surprise that it acts like the Ltd. because the specs are very similar - good mid-range static weight with a low swingweight, making it very maneuverable and easy to swing, but the actual pop off the stringbed isn't as pronounced as other frames. The combination makes you really swing away at the ball, and the frame responds. And the absolutely stellar ball feel that comes from the thin frame makes for a deadly weapon on touch shots. I found myself getting drop shot-happy because when anywhere close to the net, I could put it on a dime as if I was tossing it just over the tape with my hand.
So to all of those looking for a control-oriented racquet like the Pure Storm Ltd. but are longing for just a bit more pace, try the 80 Lite. If you're tired of new technologies taking away from old school feel, try the Lite. And if you love the feel of the regular Ti 80 but find it a bit too sluggish, try the Lite. Nobody's reviewed this racquet before, and I really, really think it's just the racquet that many people on here would respond well to. It's also a great base for customization, which I didn't get into.
Think I'm giving myself one more demo round (but I've said this before) next week before sticking with something for the new season that starts in mid February. Will take the 80 Lite out again, I think, give the EX03 Tour another spin and then maybe add the BLX Blade 98 (but I'm quite worried about the quality control issues discussed) and either try the Speed 16x19 again or the 18x20 with the multi instead of the poly.
Ratings from this go-around would be something like:
IG Speed 16x19
Power: 9
Control: 8
Forehand: 8
Backhand: 9.5 (two hander)
First Serve: 8.5 (stellar pop at times but sometimes erratic)
Second serve: 7
Feel/Touch: 8.5
TI 80 Lite
Power: 7
Control: 9
Forehand: 8.5
Backhand: 9
First serve: 8 (not hugely powerful, but decent, and very consistent)
Second serve: 8.5
Feel/Touch: 10 (if you like your frames crisp, honest and old school)
Quick update of the recent testing:
Something crazy happened in the last few days: a demo racquet I initially dismissed after five minutes (Yonex Ti 80 Lite) was given one more chance to come out of the bag, and then over a three-hit span proceeded to edge out the one I'd been loving all along (IG Speed 16x19). I'll say that with the caveat that as the cheap poly strings on the IG Speed loosened after having played so much with the stick, the racquet started to suffer. Shots were still good but not as good (for full details of early Honeymoon stage, read earlier in this thread), but most troubling was my serving consistency went from very good to poor -- first serves had power but started to get erratic and clip the net, second serve kicker became quite unreliable and I started double faulting a lot. That said, it was still a stellar demo overall and I may take it out for one more spin with regular string rather than poly to see how that changes things. ...
Now, onto the Ti 80 Lite, which I am now convinced is a hidden GEM for a certain kind of player. Initially I took to the feel of the IG Speed in a big way (even with the cheap poly), but then the Ti 80 Lite absolutely blew it out of the water in the feel department. It is less powerful than the Speed for sure, but the feel of it is so old school, bare bones, raw. In a great way. Though I had less power, I could feel the ball on the stringbed (NXT) and have that momentary illusion of being able to point and shoot - the light swingweight really made for easy last-second adjustments as to where I was going, and the racquet responded. Serves were solid - my best serves weren't as powerful as the Speed, but the percentage was way up and the kickers were better, as I was able to generate more upward explosion on the kick arm motion. ... And this thing just DRIPS with control. It's like a slightly more powerful version of the Pure Storm Limited with a better serve and the same great feel (feel was slightly better than the Ltd. I think, but it's close). And it doesn't surprise that it acts like the Ltd. because the specs are very similar - good mid-range static weight with a low swingweight, making it very maneuverable and easy to swing, but the actual pop off the stringbed isn't as pronounced as other frames. The combination makes you really swing away at the ball, and the frame responds. And the absolutely stellar ball feel that comes from the thin frame makes for a deadly weapon on touch shots. I found myself getting drop shot-happy because when anywhere close to the net, I could put it on a dime as if I was tossing it just over the tape with my hand.
So to all of those looking for a control-oriented racquet like the Pure Storm Ltd. but are longing for just a bit more pace, try the 80 Lite. If you're tired of new technologies taking away from old school feel, try the Lite. And if you love the feel of the regular Ti 80 but find it a bit too sluggish, try the Lite. Nobody's reviewed this racquet before, and I really, really think it's just the racquet that many people on here would respond well to. It's also a great base for customization, which I didn't get into.
Think I'm giving myself one more demo round (but I've said this before) next week before sticking with something for the new season that starts in mid February. Will take the 80 Lite out again, I think, give the EX03 Tour another spin and then maybe add the BLX Blade 98 (but I'm quite worried about the quality control issues discussed) and either try the Speed 16x19 again or the 18x20 with the multi instead of the poly.
Ratings from this go-around would be something like:
IG Speed 16x19
Power: 9
Control: 8
Forehand: 8
Backhand: 9.5 (two hander)
First Serve: 8.5 (stellar pop at times but sometimes erratic)
Second serve: 7
Feel/Touch: 8.5
TI 80 Lite
Power: 7
Control: 9
Forehand: 8.5
Backhand: 9
First serve: 8 (not hugely powerful, but decent, and very consistent)
Second serve: 8.5
Feel/Touch: 10 (if you like your frames crisp, honest and old school)
retlod
Professional
Had a chance to hit with the IG Speed 16x19 today. It was strung with Black Code at 60 lbs, a string and tension I've played with before. Weight and balance were nearly identical to the original Speed MP. If I wasn't looking at it, I couldn't tell the difference swinging it around until I actually hit a ball. Again, the PJ is superb.
The feel of the frame was great. Compared to Old Speed, it felt a tad more stable (a common knock on that frame) and a little more plush despite it being slightly stiffer. I thought blocking hard serves and plowing through the ball while hitting a little flatter was easier than with Old Speed. Volleys were the same--very stable feeling. The stiffness really came out on groundstrokes, where I had some trouble dialing down the pop and getting enough spin to keep the balls from flying. Serving was good, primarily due to my familiarity with the weight and balance, however, just like with groundies, I wasn't getting the kick on 2nd serves that I can generate with most tweeners and my Ozone Tours. That said, it was not stiff enough to induce any discomfort during or after playing, even with my harsh string layup.
Overall, I thought it was a reasonable update to the Old Speed and similar enough that if the Speed if your favorite racquet, you'll be able to pick up an IG and not miss a beat. Since I only play a couple of times a month in the winter, I'm probably not in good enough form to really wield it with the precision it demands. I'll keep it in the bag and keep bringing it out as I round into form this spring and summer. In terms that frequent readers of this thread will understand, I liked it, but I'm not rushing out to buy another one.
The feel of the frame was great. Compared to Old Speed, it felt a tad more stable (a common knock on that frame) and a little more plush despite it being slightly stiffer. I thought blocking hard serves and plowing through the ball while hitting a little flatter was easier than with Old Speed. Volleys were the same--very stable feeling. The stiffness really came out on groundstrokes, where I had some trouble dialing down the pop and getting enough spin to keep the balls from flying. Serving was good, primarily due to my familiarity with the weight and balance, however, just like with groundies, I wasn't getting the kick on 2nd serves that I can generate with most tweeners and my Ozone Tours. That said, it was not stiff enough to induce any discomfort during or after playing, even with my harsh string layup.
Overall, I thought it was a reasonable update to the Old Speed and similar enough that if the Speed if your favorite racquet, you'll be able to pick up an IG and not miss a beat. Since I only play a couple of times a month in the winter, I'm probably not in good enough form to really wield it with the precision it demands. I'll keep it in the bag and keep bringing it out as I round into form this spring and summer. In terms that frequent readers of this thread will understand, I liked it, but I'm not rushing out to buy another one.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
^^
Good review. Two things I really, really agreed with there was that the stiffness worked great on service returns, and that the ************ kicker, for whatever reason, just wasn't exploding quite like I'd have expected it too. Funny thing about the frame: the pattern is pretty dense in the center of the racquet but then widens out considerably as it spreads out to the frame. So you'd think the spinnier shots would really jump. Sometimes they did for me, just not quite as much on serve as I'd have liked. But yeah, an excellent frame, all in all, I think.
Good review. Two things I really, really agreed with there was that the stiffness worked great on service returns, and that the ************ kicker, for whatever reason, just wasn't exploding quite like I'd have expected it too. Funny thing about the frame: the pattern is pretty dense in the center of the racquet but then widens out considerably as it spreads out to the frame. So you'd think the spinnier shots would really jump. Sometimes they did for me, just not quite as much on serve as I'd have liked. But yeah, an excellent frame, all in all, I think.
Listen up racketaholics!
You're never going to believe it but...
"Drum roll"... I think I'm just about ready now to call it a day and hitch my star to this particular racket... yep.... "the fanfare sounds"... could it be that I'm about to settle down with 1 frame now and just focus on that?...
More to follow on precisely which frame I'm referring to etc ....
R.
You're never going to believe it but...
"Drum roll"... I think I'm just about ready now to call it a day and hitch my star to this particular racket... yep.... "the fanfare sounds"... could it be that I'm about to settle down with 1 frame now and just focus on that?...
More to follow on precisely which frame I'm referring to etc
....R.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
If it is the Tfight 320, and you do stick with it, I would like a forum reward of some kind. Maybe honorary Racquet section modship..lol.
PED
Legend
I don't believe it
you've simply moved from heroin (racquets) to crack (strings)....
The only thing worse is my own addiction: tinkering with my lead setups
bad_call
Legend
uh oh...count me in.
OldButGame
Hall of Fame
Count me in too,...I just haven't reached the 'sell them' part yet,....(but I'm going to,....honest,....)
Count me in too,...I just haven't reached the 'sell them' part yet,....(but I'm going to,....honest,....)
Morning all,
So, as I mentioned yesterday, I think the time has finally come for me to focus exclusively on one frame, and one frame only, and that frame is... (all right, all right, we're talking 2 here frames really, but you know what I mean)... the pro-stock/retail YTPP.
Yesterday I realized a few things and pondered Aristotle-like as is my inclination (ahem) :roll: ... what am I possibly going to find that swings as sweetly as this?... has such oomph and solidness?... such tremendous feel?... such precision and control?... is as responsive as this?... et al.
My sitting on the fence so long has largely been due to certain concerns, concerns which have centered around my fear that I'm not quite up to the standard of the frame (an experience perfectly exemplified by brief time with the MG Prestige mid), and that my game is maybe better suited to more overt topspin b-line frames that are closer to tweener rackets perhaps (like the APD, PD+, TF V02 320, PST, and all these frames I've been looking at in the last six months or so.)
But, re the first point, I find the PP is more forgiving, has better spin, and is generally just a bit easier to use effectively compared to a Prestige mid or whatever... in short (and I've used this phrase a lot), it's the closest I've found to the almost "mythical PT630 with an open pattern"... Re the second point... hmmm, this perhaps remains to be seen, but with the exception of hitting more topspin - which undoubtedly I can with the APD and TF V02 - and the ease of hitting oomphy serves and a 2hbh - I'm struggling to find where these other frames are an advance on the PP.... and as for the rest, as Confucious, Gallileo, Cicero, Power Player and PED could tell you: it is all about technique :lol: .
Another issue, potentially, is in the fact that I'm favoring the TGK as my no. 1 frame, with the retail YTPP at no. 2. Even though I'm not playing tournaments or whatever, I'd still prefer at least 2 of exactly the same frame - and the pro-stock DOES play better, for me. However, there's that challenge - and this does appeal to me - of trying to tweak and fine tune and hone the retail to as close to the TGK as possible (and for the record, the differences for me include the TGK just swings so sweetly, so "primed" and smoothly... it has what I can only call an effortless oomph and power allied to control... I was amazed to see it not only matching but surpassing the uber-powerful TF V02 320 yesterday for power, and yet when you need to decelerate , as it were, and choke up on the power and get some real accuracy and control re-established, it instantly clicks obliging, and quite beautifully, into gear... and it's feel is just like... the planets have aligned .)
So racketaholics of the world, armed with just these 2 frames, a brand spanking new Head racket bag (well, if I'm not going to buy rackets I might as well buy bags, right?!), and about fifty different sets of poly (LOL!) - I now now step into the bright light of a new day ("cough, cough")...
WARNING FELLAS: ON NO ACCOUNT POST ANY BLOODY GLOWING REVIEWS OF FRAMES ON THIS THREAD FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!... HA, HA!
R.
So, as I mentioned yesterday, I think the time has finally come for me to focus exclusively on one frame, and one frame only, and that frame is... (all right, all right, we're talking 2 here frames really, but you know what I mean)... the pro-stock/retail YTPP.
Yesterday I realized a few things and pondered Aristotle-like as is my inclination (ahem) :roll: ... what am I possibly going to find that swings as sweetly as this?... has such oomph and solidness?... such tremendous feel?... such precision and control?... is as responsive as this?... et al.
My sitting on the fence so long has largely been due to certain concerns, concerns which have centered around my fear that I'm not quite up to the standard of the frame (an experience perfectly exemplified by brief time with the MG Prestige mid), and that my game is maybe better suited to more overt topspin b-line frames that are closer to tweener rackets perhaps (like the APD, PD+, TF V02 320, PST, and all these frames I've been looking at in the last six months or so.)
But, re the first point, I find the PP is more forgiving, has better spin, and is generally just a bit easier to use effectively compared to a Prestige mid or whatever... in short (and I've used this phrase a lot), it's the closest I've found to the almost "mythical PT630 with an open pattern"... Re the second point... hmmm, this perhaps remains to be seen, but with the exception of hitting more topspin - which undoubtedly I can with the APD and TF V02 - and the ease of hitting oomphy serves and a 2hbh - I'm struggling to find where these other frames are an advance on the PP.... and as for the rest, as Confucious, Gallileo, Cicero, Power Player and PED could tell you: it is all about technique :lol: .
Another issue, potentially, is in the fact that I'm favoring the TGK as my no. 1 frame, with the retail YTPP at no. 2. Even though I'm not playing tournaments or whatever, I'd still prefer at least 2 of exactly the same frame - and the pro-stock DOES play better, for me. However, there's that challenge - and this does appeal to me - of trying to tweak and fine tune and hone the retail to as close to the TGK as possible (and for the record, the differences for me include the TGK just swings so sweetly, so "primed" and smoothly... it has what I can only call an effortless oomph and power allied to control... I was amazed to see it not only matching but surpassing the uber-powerful TF V02 320 yesterday for power, and yet when you need to decelerate , as it were, and choke up on the power and get some real accuracy and control re-established, it instantly clicks obliging, and quite beautifully, into gear... and it's feel is just like... the planets have aligned
.)So racketaholics of the world, armed with just these 2 frames, a brand spanking new Head racket bag (well, if I'm not going to buy rackets I might as well buy bags, right?!), and about fifty different sets of poly (LOL!) - I now now step into the bright light of a new day ("cough, cough")...
WARNING FELLAS: ON NO ACCOUNT POST ANY BLOODY GLOWING REVIEWS OF FRAMES ON THIS THREAD FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!... HA, HA!
R.
Overheadsmash
Professional
Morning all,
So, as I mentioned yesterday, I think the time has finally come for me to focus exclusively on one frame, and one frame only, and that frame is... (all right, all right, we're talking 2 here frames really, but you know what I mean)... the pro-stock/retail YTPP.
Yesterday I realized a few things and pondered Aristotle-like as is my inclination (ahem) :roll: ... what am I possibly going to find that swings as sweetly as this?... has such oomph and solidness?... such tremendous feel?... such precision and control?... is as responsive as this?... et al.
My sitting on the fence so long has largely been due to certain concerns, concerns which have centered around my fear that I'm not quite up to the standard of the frame (an experience perfectly exemplified by brief time with the MG Prestige mid), and that my game is maybe better suited to more overt topspin b-line frames that are closer to tweener rackets perhaps (like the APD, PD+, TF V02 320, PST, and all these frames I've been looking at in the last six months or so.)
But, re the first point, I find the PP is more forgiving, has better spin, and is generally just a bit easier to use effectively compared to a Prestige mid or whatever... in short (and I've used this phrase a lot), it's the closest I've found to the almost "mythical PT630 with an open pattern"... Re the second point... hmmm, this perhaps remains to be seen, but with the exception of hitting more topspin - which undoubtedly I can with the APD and TF V02 - and the ease of hitting oomphy serves and a 2hbh - I'm struggling to find where these other frames are an advance on the PP.... and as for the rest, as Confucious, Gallileo, Cicero, Power Player and PED could tell you: it is all about technique :lol: .
Another issue, potentially, is in the fact that I'm favoring the TGK as my no. 1 frame, with the retail YTPP at no. 2. Even though I'm not playing tournaments or whatever, I'd still prefer at least 2 of exactly the same frame - and the pro-stock DOES play better, for me. However, there's that challenge - and this does appeal to me - of trying to tweak and fine tune and hone the retail to as close to the TGK as possible (and for the record, the differences for me include the TGK just swings so sweetly, so "primed" and smoothly... it has what I can only call an effortless oomph and power allied to control... I was amazed to see it not only matching but surpassing the uber-powerful TF V02 320 yesterday for power, and yet when you need to decelerate , as it were, and choke up on the power and get some real accuracy and control re-established, it instantly clicks obliging, and quite beautifully, into gear... and it's feel is just like... the planets have aligned
So racketaholics of the world, armed with just these 2 frames, a brand spanking new Head racket bag (well, if I'm not going to buy rackets I might as well buy bags, right?!), and about fifty different sets of poly (LOL!) - I now now step into the bright light of a new day ("cough, cough")...
WARNING FELLAS: ON NO ACCOUNT POST ANY BLOODY GLOWING REVIEWS OF FRAMES ON THIS THREAD FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!... HA, HA!
R.
Before you commit, you really should give the 2010 Kneissl White Star a hit that is one sweet stick. String it up with that new Luxilon Savage - go with the black it looks awesome. :mrgreen:
alidisperanza
Hall of Fame
Morning all,
So, as I mentioned yesterday, I think the time has finally come for me to focus exclusively on one frame, and one frame only, and that frame is... (all right, all right, we're talking 2 here frames really, but you know what I mean)... the pro-stock/retail YTPP.
Yesterday I realized a few things and pondered Aristotle-like as is my inclination (ahem) :roll: ... what am I possibly going to find that swings as sweetly as this?... has such oomph and solidness?... such tremendous feel?... such precision and control?... is as responsive as this?... et al.
My sitting on the fence so long has largely been due to certain concerns, concerns which have centered around my fear that I'm not quite up to the standard of the frame (an experience perfectly exemplified by brief time with the MG Prestige mid), and that my game is maybe better suited to more overt topspin b-line frames that are closer to tweener rackets perhaps (like the APD, PD+, TF V02 320, PST, and all these frames I've been looking at in the last six months or so.)
But, re the first point, I find the PP is more forgiving, has better spin, and is generally just a bit easier to use effectively compared to a Prestige mid or whatever... in short (and I've used this phrase a lot), it's the closest I've found to the almost "mythical PT630 with an open pattern"... Re the second point... hmmm, this perhaps remains to be seen, but with the exception of hitting more topspin - which undoubtedly I can with the APD and TF V02 - and the ease of hitting oomphy serves and a 2hbh - I'm struggling to find where these other frames are an advance on the PP.... and as for the rest, as Confucious, Gallileo, Cicero, Power Player and PED could tell you: it is all about technique :lol: .
Another issue, potentially, is in the fact that I'm favoring the TGK as my no. 1 frame, with the retail YTPP at no. 2. Even though I'm not playing tournaments or whatever, I'd still prefer at least 2 of exactly the same frame - and the pro-stock DOES play better, for me. However, there's that challenge - and this does appeal to me - of trying to tweak and fine tune and hone the retail to as close to the TGK as possible (and for the record, the differences for me include the TGK just swings so sweetly, so "primed" and smoothly... it has what I can only call an effortless oomph and power allied to control... I was amazed to see it not only matching but surpassing the uber-powerful TF V02 320 yesterday for power, and yet when you need to decelerate , as it were, and choke up on the power and get some real accuracy and control re-established, it instantly clicks obliging, and quite beautifully, into gear... and it's feel is just like... the planets have aligned
So racketaholics of the world, armed with just these 2 frames, a brand spanking new Head racket bag (well, if I'm not going to buy rackets I might as well buy bags, right?!), and about fifty different sets of poly (LOL!) - I now now step into the bright light of a new day ("cough, cough")...
WARNING FELLAS: ON NO ACCOUNT POST ANY BLOODY GLOWING REVIEWS OF FRAMES ON THIS THREAD FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!... HA, HA!
R.
Good luck mate! I fiddled with a YTPP yesterday for a few minutes. I'd forgotten what the Prestiges felt like in accessibility for spin-- oofa. Nice, precise volleys too. I think I'm going to try to borrow [read commandeer] my friends'. for some serious testing
alidisperanza
Hall of Fame
As for being a racketaholic... I took the plunge and started selling-- I think I'm down to 6? different frames somewhere in the range of 15-20 total!?
(Do woodies count? If so, may need rehab )
(Do woodies count? If so, may need rehab
)
rlau
Hall of Fame
(Do woodies count? If so, may need rehab
Not to worry, Ali, woodies don't count.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
I think I called this YTPP selection about 6 months ago...
