BB Melbourne Club

TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Here are the stats for the Melbourne, the 2011 Legend update:

Melbourne Specs:

Grip size 1 - 5
Item number B11507
Head size 630cm2 | 98 in2
Cross section 20 mm
Weight 325 g | 11.5 oz
Length 68.5 cm | 27 in
Balance 31.5 cm |1.1 in HL
String Pattern: 18 x 20
String Tension: 25 (+/- 2) kg/55 (+/- 5) lbs

|Sensor Tour Handle System|
|Power Speed Grommets|
|Cushtac Grip|
|Delta Core/Carbon-Graphite/Fiberglass|

Legend Specs:

Grip size 1 - 5
Item number B19000
Head size 630cm2 | 98 in2
Cross section 20 mm
Weight 320 g | 11.3 oz
Length 68.5 cm | 27 in
Balance 31.5 cm |1.1 in HL
String Pattern: 18 x 20
String Tension: 25 (+/- 2) kg/55 (+/- 5) lbs

|Sensor Tour Handle System|
|Power Speed Grommets|
|Cushtac Grip|
|Delta Core/Carbon-Graphite/Titanium Lite Carbon/Fiberglass|

EVERYTHING IS THE SAME EXCEPT THAT THE MELBOURNE IS 5 GRAMS HEAVIER, AND MADE WITHOUT ANY TITANIUM LITE CARBON.

Although unconfirmed, as per previous conversations, I assume that they beefed-up the bridge/shoulders/throat area. It should feel more solid without the titanium, if the T10 to T10 VE relationship worked here as well.
__________________
“There are two ways to deal with pressure. You feel it. Or you apply it. I want him to go after their best player and take his will”...Gilbert said.
 
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H

Hominator

Hall of Fame
Wow. When I demoed the Legend, which I liked, BTW, my impression was that it was heavier than my PB10 Mid, which comes in at 12.7. It must have been the balance of the stick...
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Hominator said:
Wow. When I demoed the Legend, which I liked, BTW, my impression was that it was heavier than my PB10 Mid, which comes in at 12.7. It must have been the balance of the stick...
Click to expand...

Yep! We added most of the tape at 5/6/7 and in the throat, so we made our own Melbournes out of Legends.

There is a 10 gram difference between the Legend and the PB 10 Mid, but the PB 10 Mid swings faster and feels lighter because it is lighter in the head.

And PB 10's are go!
 
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coolblue123

coolblue123

Hall of Fame
wonder what the stiffness going to be for these frames. Just by saying it's 18x20 seems like it's going to be alittle stiffer frame. Just hope they continue BB/Volkl's tradition of great feel in the Legend line of racquets.
 
H

Hominator

Hall of Fame
TennisMaverick said:
Not yet, and besides, I don't know the procedure to do so.
Click to expand...

TM, if you want to post pics in a thread, go to tinypic.com and upload an image. After the image is uploaded, copy the URL for "message boards and forums" and then paste that link in your post here. When you paste the URL, you won't see the pic, but it will show up after you submit your post. It may sound complicated, but it's actually very simple. When I sell my racquets in the classifieds, that's how I post pics of the racquets. Hope this helps! Maybe test it out with one of your PB10 Mid stealths..? :)
 
1

1hbhBUX

Semi-Pro
I'm glad you started a new thread for this.

Does "beefing up" the throat also mean that the beam will be more boxed? Volkl frames have typically had a nice rounded feel to them.
 
S

skeeter

Professional
Hominator said:
TM, if you want to post pics in a thread, go to tinypic.com and upload an image. After the image is uploaded, copy the URL for "message boards and forums" and then paste that link in your post here. When you paste the URL, you won't see the pic, but it will show up after you submit your post. It may sound complicated, but it's actually very simple. When I sell my racquets in the classifieds, that's how I post pics of the racquets. Hope this helps! Maybe test it out with one of your PB10 Mid stealths..? :)
Click to expand...

Before you "submit reply", you can hit "preview post" and your pic should show up there for you to preview.
 
tailofdog

tailofdog

Semi-Pro
Legend Love

TennisMaverick said:
Yep! We added most of the tape at 5/6/7 and in the throat, so we made our own Melbournes out of Legends.

There is a 10 gram difference between the Legend and the PB 10 Mid, but the PB 10 Mid swings faster and feels lighter because it is lighter in the head.

And PB 10's are go!
Click to expand...

Love ny Legend. What do you get out of the lead in the throat?
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Skeeter/Hominator....Thanks for the info. Is it possible to scan photos of not of tennis racquets...training, lifting, audio MP3's, kleenex, and such, or is that prohibited?
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
tailofdog said:
Love ny Legend. What do you get out of the lead in the throat?
Click to expand...

It depends on the stick, whether it's there to balance the frame or to stiffen it in that area. Players who move the racquet head more horizontally than vertically prefer the throat to be lighter than those who drive/pressure the ball. But if the throat is too light and the plow thru is not substantial, then you get PB 8 issues and then need the PB 8 315.

Regarding the Legend, which Boris prefers to play 4 pts HL strung, with the heft of the frame at 3/9/12, one of my guys didn't like the balance and prefers more shoulder stability, so we added in the throat/shoulders/bridge. The other Legend user likes it stock, but he has a stubborn streak when it comes to grips and lead tape, so he won't experiment to make his game better through racquet mods. Hence, he is the weakest on the team, if 5.5-6.0 is weak.
 
OldButGame

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
TailOfDog;
Thats cool that You're lovin the Legend,..and Thx for that info You sent as well,...'preciated!!!!:)

And TM Thx for the Melbourne update!!!:)
 
S

skeeter

Professional
TennisMaverick said:
Skeeter/Hominator....Thanks for the info. Is it possible to scan photos of not of tennis racquets...training, lifting, audio MP3's, kleenex, and such, or is that prohibited?
Click to expand...

I've seen the occasional non-racquet photo in the forum (someone posted a picture of a racquet club building the other day, didn't they?). I suppose you could post pics of training, lifting, etc. in the Techniques forum, since it's appropriate and topic-specific. Not sure about MP3 audio or video; I've only seen links to videos.
 
P

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
Hominator said:
TM, if you want to post pics in a thread, go to tinypic.com and upload an image. After the image is uploaded, copy the URL for "message boards and forums" and then paste that link in your post here. When you paste the URL, you won't see the pic, but it will show up after you submit your post. It may sound complicated, but it's actually very simple. When I sell my racquets in the classifieds, that's how I post pics of the racquets. Hope this helps! Maybe test it out with one of your PB10 Mid stealths..? :)
Click to expand...

skeeter said:
Before you "submit reply", you can hit "preview post" and your pic should show up there for you to preview.
Click to expand...

Sorry to distract from the Melbourne, but if I have my pics in photobucket.com, what would be the procedure to download the pics into my post? I followed the instructions in the For Sale/Trade section, but my pics don't show up. Any help would be appreciated. And sorry again for the distraction.
 
H

Hominator

Hall of Fame
Pneumated1 said:
Sorry to distract from the Melbourne, but if I have my pics in photobucket.com, what would be the procedure to download the pics into my post? I followed the instructions in the For Sale/Trade section, but my pics don't show up. Any help would be appreciated. And sorry again for the distraction.
Click to expand...

Upload your pic to a site such as tinypic.com, then cut and paste the URL for message boards into your post. Hope this helps!
 
OldButGame

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
317 Sw ??...I love the sound of that,..but how do they manage it with a weight of 11.99 and balance 6pts HL,...seems like that would lend toward much higher swingweight??:-?
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
OldButGame said:
317 Sw ??...I love the sound of that,..but how do they manage it with a weight of 11.99 and balance 6pts HL,...seems like that would lend toward much higher swingweight??:-?
Click to expand...

As I've mentioned before, the upgrade to the Melbourne from the Legend is in the lay-up, and with some additional material in the bridge/throat area. This more evenly balanced stick makes for less of a SW than that of its predecessor.
 
OldButGame

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
TennisMaverick said:
As I've mentioned before, the upgrade to the Melbourne from the Legend is in the lay-up, and with some additional material in the bridge/throat area. This more evenly balanced stick makes for less of a SW than that of its predecessor.
Click to expand...
They pull that off and that would be one sweet stick!!!
(Tx Mav!!!)
icon14.gif
 
OldButGame

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
TM,..the specs look a LOT like the BB11...(maybe I'm Hoping it to be),....is in NO way like the BB11??...(The London is a 16x19 and I'm 'stuck' on 18x20s):-?

(sorry, I know I've beat that BB11 comparison thing to death...)
 
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TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
OldButGame said:
TM,..the specs look a LOT like the BB11...(maybe I'm Hoping it to be),....is in NO way like the BB11??...(The London is a 16x19 and I'm 'stuck' on 18x20s):-?

(sorry, I know I've beat that BB11 comparison thing to death...)
Click to expand...

The big difference between the Melbourne and its predecessor, the Legend, is in the lay-up, with the extra material in the throat area. In no way did the Legend and the BB 11 play alike, at least stock. Even as heavy as the BB 11 SE was, it still didn't have the dwell time/spin access that the Legend has. Are you looking for the feel of 18 mains, or the pop of the BB 11? Either way, if you string the London with gut or multi in the mains and poly in the crosses, you will accomplish both.
 
OnyxZ28

OnyxZ28

Hall of Fame
TM, I've been using the Legend for the last 8 months. My beef with it is its balance -- I'm a former Trisys 260 user and there are times where the Legend feels more unwieldy than ye olde bumblebee MP. However, having tried the Quantum 10 Tour, I liked its balance but felt that it was too light. Will the Melbourne play like a hybrid of the DCL and the Q10T?
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
OnyxZ28 said:
TM, I've been using the Legend for the last 8 months. My beef with it is its balance -- I'm a former Trisys 260 user and there are times where the Legend feels more unwieldy than ye olde bumblebee MP. However, having tried the Quantum 10 Tour, I liked its balance but felt that it was too light. Will the Melbourne play like a hybrid of the DCL and the Q10T?
Click to expand...

Agreed. So did Volkl. That's why they beefed-up the center of the frame. It is supposed to be better balanced, so you shouldn't feel that clunkiness.
 
djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
copy and paste fr a a duplicate thread made by mistake.

djNEiGht said:
Maybe this racquet will have a following...possible Melbourne Club?

I'm a current BB London user but have been eyeing heavier racquets like the Head YOUtek Prestige MP/Volkl PB 10 MP/Redondo. TW has the BB Melbourne available for pre-order.

My London is weighted to 342 g and is 9 pts HL all thanks to a BB leather grip.

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632.26 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 69cm
Strung Weight: 12oz / 340g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 322
Stiffness: 64
Beam Width: 21mm / 21mm / 21mm /
Composition: Graphite / Delta Core
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Compact
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White / Black / Orange
Grip Type: Boris Becker Synthetic
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T, 10T, 8H, 10H
Two Pieces
No Shared Holes
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

BBDCM-1.jpg


I haven't noticed on other racquets spec list but this has "stroke style: compact" but then states a fast swing speed. Any ideas as to what this translates to?

Has anyone had a chance to get their paws on this?
I wonder if this is worth considering or maybe some of the others mentioned above (all worth a play test)
Click to expand...
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Objective BB Melbourne Review

I hit with the Melbourne today.

It is more solid, is better balanced, and has more plow thru than the Legend. The stick also feels smaller than a 98in2 as you drive the ball, but feels all of its size when applying spin. It still volleys and half-volleys incredibly, and if you hit below center as you apply topspin, the frame's response is still very lively. Its dynamic and static balance is good, with or without the vibration dampener, but the plow thru is better with it, and you lose nothing in racquet head acceleration speed. Also, the ball cupping has been improved in this upgrade.

Be mindful that this stick is more demanding than the Organix 10 325 and the BB London. If you're a player and you prefer old school feeling sticks, it's this or the PB 10 Mid.
 
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Z

zumzool

Semi-Pro
TennisMaverick said:
I hit with the Melbourne today.

It is more solid, is better balanced, and has more plow thru than the Legend. The stick also feels smaller than a 98in2 as you drive the ball, but feels all of its size when applying spin. It still volleys and half-volleys incredibly, and if you hit below center as you apply topspin, the frame's response is still very lively. Its dynamic and static balance is good, with or without the vibration dampener, but the plow thru is better with it, and you lose nothing in racquet head acceleration speed. Also, the ball cupping has been improved in this upgrade.

Be mindful that this stick is more demanding than the Organix 10 325 and the BB London. If you're a player and you prefer old school feeling sticks, it's this or the PB 10 Mid.
Click to expand...

awesome, thanks for the review. can you compare to the PB10? and with all it's positives, is there any weaknesses?
 
Z

zumzool

Semi-Pro
also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
zumzool said:
also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?
Click to expand...

I'm not a big fan of much of the TW reviewer's POVs, because they are always subjective; always comparing the reviewed stick to what they play with or what they do, rather than delivering an objective review, stating what the stick does or can/cannot do.

If this stick is designed for compact strokes, then tell Boris with his long strokes. He's been playing with that stick and its different iterations since '99, even while promoting the BB 10 and BB 11s, which were both specifically designed for him. Hit with the Melbourne and hit with a Puma Super, and you will know why.
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
zumzool said:
awesome, thanks for the review. can you compare to the PB10? and with all it's positives, is there any weaknesses?
Click to expand...

The PB 10 is very precise, but many complained that it did not have enough pop. I didn't feel that it lacked pop, but the ball quality lacked the heaviness that I prefer and get with my fully leaded PB 10 Mid. The PB 10 also requires more effort to hit spin; the Melbourne is just as precise when driving the ball, but it provides for the ability to hit spin with less effort, as its ball cupping ability is awesome. The Melbourne also works better on low balls and second serves because of the ball cupping action.

If you have a larger repertoire, go with the Melbourne. If you have more traditional strokes/shots, go with the PB 10, because its string bed is more uniform when you hit off center.
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
zumzool said:
also, I noticed that the specs say stroke style is compact.... most players racquets i've seen have a long stroke style..... any reason for this?
Click to expand...

I think TW made an error in the description page. I don't think this racquet suits the type of player with compact strokes.
 
G

grover

Rookie
Can you define the term "old school feel" you describe in an earlier post related to

this racket. Question for TM.
 
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U

uabucks

Rookie
Just hit with the BB legend.
With 2 overwraps to make it a bit more headlight,
I was surprised to find it much more nimble than the
BB 11 I hit with last year. I did not find it heavy, and I liked the flex. Wish it were more headlight--feels like you
are swinging the throat of the stick if that makes sense--
more heft there than the volkl T10's.
Was a bit more heavy, not as flexy and not as headlight
as the dnx 10 mp that I play with.
If the Melbourne is stiffer, I'm not sure I would like it.
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
uabucks said:
Just hit with the BB legend.
With 2 overwraps to make it a bit more headlight,
I was surprised to find it much more nimble than the
BB 11 I hit with last year. I did not find it heavy, and I liked the flex. Wish it were more headlight--feels like you
are swinging the throat of the stick if that makes sense--
more heft there than the volkl T10's.
Was a bit more heavy, not as flexy and not as headlight
as the dnx 10 mp that I play with.
If the Melbourne is stiffer, I'm not sure I would like it.
Click to expand...

The Melbourne is more refined. It's like driving a later model car which corners a little faster and reacts to change of direction with more stability than the model it replaced. It is better balanced, handles off-center hits better, and generates more spin. It can almost be played well totally stock, and the Legend, cannot.
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Played again with the Melbourne for its last test drive, this time, modified with 1 gram at 3/9, plus 1 gram at 6:00, followed by 1 gram at 6:00 only. Both distributions were sans the BB dampener, replaced by an Agassi trimmed rubber band.

As with the London, the DC makes quite a difference in the lack of need for modification. In addition, the capped grommet brings a lot to the table with regard to plow thru. Although the 6.0 play tester and myself both use far heavier frames, we both settled on the lighter distribution. Not only could we drive thru the ball, we were very solid on volleys, and, the stick produces as much spin as the London, provided you contact the ball in the center. If you are 5.0 and above, and you are choosing between the London and the Melbourne, the Melbourne it is.
 
P

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
TennisMaverick said:
Played again with the Melbourne for its last test drive, this time, modified with 1 gram at 3/9, plus 1 gram at 6:00, followed by 1 gram at 6:00 only. Both distributions were sans the BB dampener, replaced by an Agassi trimmed rubber band.

As with the London, the DC makes quite a difference in the lack of need for modification. In addition, the capped grommet brings a lot to the table with regard to plow thru. Although the 6.0 play tester and myself both use far heavier frames, we both settled on the lighter distribution. Not only could we drive thru the ball, we were very solid on volleys, and, the stick produces as much spin as the London, provided you contact the ball in the center. If you are 5.0 and above, and you are choosing between the London and the Melbourne, the Melbourne it is.
Click to expand...

So if I'm an improving 4.0-4.5 level player and wanted something a little heavier than the London--and get sick of modding it, is it a stick that I should consider working my way into? I really have no intention of doing so, but I'm just curious.
 
Z

zumzool

Semi-Pro
Pneumated1 said:
So if I'm an improving 4.0-4.5 level player and wanted something a little heavier than the London--and get sick of modding it, is it a stick that I should consider working my way into? I really have no intention of doing so, but I'm just curious.
Click to expand...


That's been my problem that's been keeping me from totally buying into the london....

i have a PB10 which is more demanding and I haven't gotten the string set up right yet... and I've also considered the melbourne probably wait till the price drops)... currently playing around with the Yonex Vcores which have a totally different feel.
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
zumzool said:
That's been my problem that's been keeping me from totally buying into the london....

i have a PB10 which is more demanding and I haven't gotten the string set up right yet... and I've also considered the melbourne probably wait till the price drops)... currently playing around with the Yonex Vcores which have a totally different feel.
Click to expand...

Melbourne just came-out. It is basically flawless. Don't look for an update for two years. That is when the price will drop.
 
TennisMaverick

TennisMaverick

Banned
Pneumated1 said:
So if I'm an improving 4.0-4.5 level player and wanted something a little heavier than the London--and get sick of modding it, is it a stick that I should consider working my way into? I really have no intention of doing so, but I'm just curious.
Click to expand...

If you are a 4.5-5.0, it will take a tremendous amount of work to gain another 1/2 pt. As you go up the pyramid, it takes a lot more to improve. You will not need the Melbourne until your game is good enough for better players to be willing to hit with you, and that, not the stick, will be your greatest obstacle. Until then, handling that level's ball quality, is not something to worry about.

As you climb-up the ladder, attitudes become more acute, and a-holism becomes rampant. Your record and you technique, will be the measuring stick for which players eval you, and the latter, is more important to gain others' respect. Gaining others' respect is really difficult unless your game blows them away from the sideline, and that, ain't easy. Stick with the London.
 
P

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
TennisMaverick said:
If you are a 4.5-5.0, it will take a tremendous amount of work to gain another 1/2 pt. As you go up the pyramid, it takes a lot more to improve. You will not need the Melbourne until your game is good enough for better players to be willing to hit with you, and that, not the stick, will be your greatest obstacle. Until then, handling that level's ball quality, is not something to worry about.

As you climb-up the ladder, attitudes become more acute, and a-holism becomes rampant. Your record and you technique, will be the measuring stick for which players eval you, and the latter, is more important to gain others' respect. Gaining others' respect is really difficult unless your game blows them away from the sideline, and that, ain't easy. Stick with the London.
Click to expand...

A lot of wisdom there. The computer rates me 4.0, but 4.5 players often ask me to hit, as my shots, pace, and ball quality are closer to theirs. I'm stuck where I am currently because of the "between the ears" disease. Coaching/lessons would definitely help and that's something that I plan to integrate regularly, very soon.

As far as 5.0 players around here, I would guess that most of the teaching pros at the local clubs are at about that level, but I don't see myself getting offers to hit with them anytime soon, so I see your point.

And as I said, I have no intention of parting with the London anyway.
 
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