Diary of a Racketaholic

Meaghan said:

Pp was it you who did the mid tests a while back?

What were your rackets and what conclusions, in short did you make?

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I was just using Prestige Mids. Didn't do many reviews besides liking the TGK layup a little more than the retail Prestige and enjoying my run with the PC600 but it is the toughest to use of the 3.

I have hit with Bad Call's Dunlop 100 and would probably recommend that over the prestiges because it comes so light...you can mod it however you want and the feel is fantastic.

Obviously mids are going extinct it seems, but if you wanted to use them, I personally think the Dunlop is the best of the bunch due to it's price, feel and mod able light weight.

I should add that the new Bio looks like they beefed up the swing weight a little, and could be a true sleeper for someone wanting a mid.

ryushen21 said:

Hey all you racquetaholics,

So, things have kind of been in the crap for me lately. I haven't played any tennis at all since the middle of July. I ended up with a pretty nasty right shoulder injury and the doc has had me off the courts since then. He's been letting me do some strength training and rehab and things seem to be going well. The upside to this is that I have been able to work on my fitness and endurance. I've dropped about 20 lbs and have gotten a lot more active since I had to find stuff to do that wasn't tennis. If I'm lucky I should be able to get back on the courts at the end of this month.

I still have the platinums and am planning on sticking with them but I will be going to be moving to a gut/poly hybrid to make things more comfortable.

I haven't been able to keep up with everything that has been going on in the thread so hopefully I'll get caught up here soon.

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Dang man, we'll if anything your tennis game will get better after you gain back some of your temporarily loss skill like footwork and hand eye coordination. Good luck with your recovery.

Meaghan said:

Pp was it you who did the mid tests a while back?

What were your rackets and what conclusions, in short did you make?

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No that was Ryushen, and lucky for you he is back on the forum now after a shoulder injury, here's the thread though, http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=378913.

whats your guys thoughts on red code? I was thinking tecnifibre racquet, tec string might be a good match. Cause I dissed blackcode hard when it came out (dead feel in k90), but it's really good in the 320.

Is this a BS way of thinking? Like maybe they do the R&D together, it's a good fit. Kind of like you buy a burton snowboard, you get the burton boots and bindings, it all works together quite nicely.

No..it is great. I'd recommend Black Magic since it is so similar to Black Code and you save cash.

The Tfights and tec strings is the ultimate matchup to be honest..best way to go. Genesis Hexonic was excellent as a cheaper alternative to Red code.

UWBTennis said:

Dang man, we'll if anything your tennis game will get better after you gain back some of your temporarily loss skill like footwork and hand eye coordination. Good luck with your recovery.



No that was Ryushen, and lucky for you he is back on the forum now after a shoulder injury, here's the thread though, http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=378913.

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Thanks. I'm still down for a few more weeks but hopefully will be back in action when the weather here in Texas decides to ease up a little bit. I'm looking at this as a good opportunuty to unlearn some of my bad habits, learn better ways to hit/play and do some serious game development.

What questions did you have about the mids? I've hit with a lot of them so I can probably answer just about any question you may have.

ryushen21 said:

Hey all you racquetaholics,

So, things have kind of been in the crap for me lately. I haven't played any tennis at all since the middle of July. I ended up with a pretty nasty right shoulder injury and the doc has had me off the courts since then. He's been letting me do some strength training and rehab and things seem to be going well. The upside to this is that I have been able to work on my fitness and endurance. I've dropped about 20 lbs and have gotten a lot more active since I had to find stuff to do that wasn't tennis. If I'm lucky I should be able to get back on the courts at the end of this month.

I still have the platinums and am planning on sticking with them but I will be going to be moving to a gut/poly hybrid to make things more comfortable.

I haven't been able to keep up with everything that has been going on in the thread so hopefully I'll get caught up here soon.

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Been using the Plat 94 for a bit now and really enjoy the gut/poly hybrid that I have in there; VS in the mains and WCSS in the crosses. Seems to be a nice blend of comfort, a littel pop with the VS and some crisp control with the poly. Noticed you use a leather grip plus the 5g buttcap. Did you ultimately increase the headlightedness of it, or did you offset somewhat with the lead at 12?

Lovin' the 94 for now, but got that Ace 93 that Gads likes so much coming as a demo for a little racquet mano-a-mano.

skeeter said:

Been using the Plat 94 for a bit now and really enjoy the gut/poly hybrid that I have in there; VS in the mains and WCSS in the crosses. Seems to be a nice blend of comfort, a littel pop with the VS and some crisp control with the poly. Noticed you use a leather grip plus the 5g buttcap. Did you ultimately increase the headlightedness of it, or did you offset somewhat with the lead at 12?

Lovin' the 94 for now, but got that Ace 93 that Gads likes so much coming as a demo for a little racquet mano-a-mano.

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I'm going to stick with Tornado in the mains and go with VS17 in crosses. Tension will most likely be in the mid 50s.

The mods I have done added the mass that I was looking for but pretty much preserved the balance. I am hoping that the leather will still be comfortable for me to use but if it is not I will go to the hydrosorb tour that I have used before and reinstall the 10g cap.

Serena Williams???... hmmm...



WHAT A FREAKIN'...

EH?! :evil:


R

Ross K said:

WHAT A FREAKIN'...

EH?! :evil:


R

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I thought she handled it quite well. It's nothing Roddick wouldn't have done. She was gassed from playing Woz and Stosur was sharp. Happy for Sam.

EXO heads, the stick I got today came with the string hole grommets installed all over.

I think I prefer the port hole..BUT, I will say the feel is more solid and if you demo this stick and think it may be too flexy..etc. then try and get string hole grommets because you may be pleasantly surprised.

They also add a little weight...from 11.7 (port hole and OG/tourna xl) to 11.9 with string hole.

Will hit more to determine what I think, but interesting nonetheless.

Well, homework's mostly done...

Anyway. Fed-Djoker.

Federer was on fire. I take back everything I said before about his shots not penetrating the court... He was just in the zone. He rarely missed and was just playing some beautiful tennis. I have no idea how Djoker even managed to stay in it, that's a testament to what a fantastic player he is. It was just gorgeous. He hit behind Djoker, he hit through him, he hit past him.

Then, in the third, you could tell something had changed. Djokovic had been playing okay, but not great the first two sets. However, one thins that I definitely noticed about djokovic after watching him a lot is that he progressively gets better and better as the match goes on. And it was about this time that Djokovic stopped playing below average and started getting into it, and around this time that Fed was becoming visibly fatigued and starting to miss a little more because of positioning errors.

And the shift was just enough to cause a massive change in the match. Djokovic started winning slightly more rallies than Fed. And that was enough to help him break a few times. Federer lost confidence. And from there, Djokovic was basically much more confident than Nadal and the rest is history. Not really any interesting observations here other than AMAZING MATCH.

(P.S. GO DJOKOVIC)

Ross K said:

'Holics,

What's the word on the TF Speedflex 315? Anyone ever played one or heard reports? Similar to my APDs? Exteme Pro perhaps? Only asking as I might be able to get one on a trade. Not sure yet. TBH I know zero about these racs... the head-size appeals I must say, but 70 RA???... hmm.

TIA

R

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I hate to point this out to such a venerable poster like Ross K, but I was part of an old post on these boards on the T-315 Technifibre a while ago. I'm afraid to tell you that your question has been answered before, and TW has even done a review on this racquet.

Anyway, let me reiterate what I said back then. I have many fond memories of the T-315. It was my first tweener racquet. I'm an old school sort, I took up the game in the 70s. My strokes are like Tracy Austin/John McEnroe's. Straight back, straight forward. Flattish sort of strokes. The 315 was a totally easy racquet to use. Yes it was a stiff racquet to use but it had tons of power and feel for a tweener. Some people complained that it clanged metalically on full strokes. It was so easy to use. I would've kept it except that I bought the PDRGT and was sucked in by its explosive power. The weird thing was that when I went back to the 315, I couldn't hit at all with the 315. I ended up selling it to my hitting partner who is a better player than I and he hits a helluva lot better than I do.

Murray... Just ridiculous flat shots at the beginning of the match. I have no clue how to describe it. Consistently pounding the hell out of poor Nadal. Rafa had to work so dang hard just to hold serve, until he started playing amazingly. And then he just kind of laid into Murray, no amount of overly crazy penetrating shots could help him then.

Nadal... He hits so short. I never noticed it until Ross asked about it. And then I was like... Woah. Those are totally attackable.
And then I saw Murray trying to attack them. And I understood why nobody ever tries that. He missed about 80% of them. They were just ridiculous, they don't calm down until they've gone up the arc a little. Nadal also varies his stroke more than any other player, even when not on the run.

Also, I picked up a couple of APDGTs. I really don't know what to think... The spin I got was absolutely ridiculous. It was just insane. I loved it. And the power was even scarier, because I could basically miss at any moment. But I didn't make many errors at all after I got the weight dialed back in.

There was a certain familiarity in it, because I'd used it for so long previously... My strokes have changed, but it was still a lot less foreign than any of the other sticks I've tried recently.

It wasn't as inconsistent as I remembered, though... It didn't feel nearly as good as my beloved PSTs, however. The angles probably made up for it though.

Serves... Augh. Maybe I just need to dial them in a little more, but they sucked majorly. Volleys weren't as good, but the speed on reflex shots could be a compensation. The slice was great.

The difference between the weights of the two was enough to throw me for a loop, though. It took a bit to get the timing down.

Not really any interesting thoughts other than it has a ton of power and spin and the control doesn't suffer much at all, even though the feel is rather lackluster. I kind of felt like I had to add about an ounce to it just to slow the dang thing down... It swung scary fast when I needed it to.

pyrokid said:

Also, I picked up a couple of APDGTs. I really don't know what to think... The spin I got was absolutely ridiculous. It was just insane. I loved it. And the power was even scarier, because I could basically miss at any moment. But I didn't make many errors at all after I got the weight dialed back in.

There was a certain familiarity in it, because I'd used it for so long previously... My strokes have changed, but it was still a lot less foreign than any of the other sticks I've tried recently.

It wasn't as inconsistent as I remembered, though... It didn't feel nearly as good as my beloved PSTs, however. The angles probably made up for it though.

Serves... Augh. Maybe I just need to dial them in a little more, but they sucked majorly. Volleys weren't as good, but the speed on reflex shots could be a compensation. The slice was great.

The difference between the weights of the two was enough to throw me for a loop, though. It took a bit to get the timing down.

Not really any interesting thoughts other than it has a ton of power and spin and the control doesn't suffer much at all, even though the feel is rather lackluster. I kind of felt like I had to add about an ounce to it just to slow the dang thing down... It swung scary fast when I needed it to.

Click to expand...

You use the PSTGT right? What is your string?

BHBR/CyberFlash hybrid at 45.

I could also hit consistently harder with the APD, which made me really eager to try it out more...

And PP, other than the feel, what differences did you find between the the Cortex and the GT? I'm trying to recall what I thought... I know for sure the GT feels more controllable, but also less maneuverable.

GT felt more solid and less vibrations..but it still got to me after a while. I played a high level player who was mangling the ball and if I mishit against him I was feeling more vibrations than a dancing queen at a disco. But against pushers and normal hitters, I was just crushing balls with tons of spin.

About then, I knew I was risking reinjury, but still wanted a spin stick, so I discovered the EXO100 which does not hit as big, but is extremely kind on my arm and gives me more racquet head speed and spin.

Novak / Rafa 911 statements - Nole's posturing

Well, that was a truly bizarro ending to the most bizarro slam of all time.

As a non American, I'll refrain from passing judgement, or at least from being too harsh, but I must say, even though I can't quite understand why, something really irked me about Novaks' FDNY hat and to a lesser extent Ralphs statements.

Dunno, something just felt really phony about the whole thing, and everything was just compounded by the day change, you could tell that moving the final to Monday really ruined everyones sadgasm.

Anyway, I'm kind of curious, what do my red-blooded gringo compadres south of the border think about the whole thing?

Also, did anyone else notice Nole's "come at me bro" moment to Nads after that long exchange? Really Nole, you're #1 in tennis, without a doubt, but Nads would pulverize you if it came to some fisticufs:



This is more representative of Nole trying to be a tough guy:

Power Player said:

GT felt more solid and less vibrations..but it still got to me after a while. I played a high level player who was mangling the ball and if I mishit against him I was feeling more vibrations than a dancing queen at a disco. But against pushers and normal hitters, I was just crushing balls with tons of spin.

About then, I knew I was risking reinjury, but still wanted a spin stick, so I discovered the EXO100 which does not hit as big, but is extremely kind on my arm and gives me more racquet head speed and spin.

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Do you think you actually get more spin with the Prince, or do you just think that because you get slightly less pace and it's hard to compare spin levels between shots of varying pace?

And if I did go back to my old buddy, do you think lead would be needed? I wonder about that, especially coming off of such a heavy stick... But at the same time, the racquet head speed I get from the APD makes the whole concept of lead unappealing. And somehow, the shanks/mishits have been kept to a pretty minimum level even though I've been swinging faster.

I liked the extra time I had on strokes, too. I guess I never really realized it because I got so used to the PST, but it was a pretty sluggish dude. With the APD I was able to take full swings on a lot of serves that I normally wouldn't have and get away with it.

pyrokid said:

Do you think you actually get more spin with the Prince, or do you just think that because you get slightly less pace and it's hard to compare spin levels between shots of varying pace?

And if I did go back to my old buddy, do you think lead would be needed? I wonder about that, especially coming off of such a heavy stick... But at the same time, the racquet head speed I get from the APD makes the whole concept of lead unappealing. And somehow, the shanks/mishits have been kept to a pretty minimum level even though I've been swinging faster.

I liked the extra time I had on strokes, too. I guess I never really realized it because I got so used to the PST, but it was a pretty sluggish dude. With the APD I was able to take full swings on a lot of serves that I normally wouldn't have and get away with it.

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W's and L's man. That's the only thing that matters. Don't switch it up unless you go on a tear with the APD and start beating guys you usually loose to.

Also, lead is a gateway drug. Before you know it you'll be accumulating sticks just to see if you can customize them to your perfect spec.

I get the whole W and L thing, but I destroyed a guy I usually have close ones with today even with no serve, so I really think that at the very least it deserves a shot.... I surprised myself.

Lead. Augh. I know, so tempting...

Ross K said:

'Holics,

What's the word on the TF Speedflex 315? Anyone ever played one or heard reports? Similar to my APDs? Exteme Pro perhaps? Only asking as I might be able to get one on a trade. Not sure yet. TBH I know zero about these racs... the head-size appeals I must say, but 70 RA???... hmm.

TIA

R

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Good stick, similar to the Extreme pro without the plow. Mine is strung with black code @55. Great control and fairly maneuverable. I prefer the Vo2 version as the head is tapered at the top of the hoop which helps when whipping thru shots. Yes it's very stiff and shots take off if you're slightly off. Also my arm took a beating after a few hours of hard hitting... Also been using other Tecnifibres (295, 325, 335) and trying to like them but am an old schooler and need that flex in my stick

pyrokid said:

Do you think you actually get more spin with the Prince, or do you just think that because you get slightly less pace and it's hard to compare spin levels between shots of varying pace?

And if I did go back to my old buddy, do you think lead would be needed? I wonder about that, especially coming off of such a heavy stick... But at the same time, the racquet head speed I get from the APD makes the whole concept of lead unappealing. And somehow, the shanks/mishits have been kept to a pretty minimum level even though I've been swinging faster.

I liked the extra time I had on strokes, too. I guess I never really realized it because I got so used to the PST, but it was a pretty sluggish dude. With the APD I was able to take full swings on a lot of serves that I normally wouldn't have and get away with it.

Click to expand...

The prince is a complete spin monster for me. It comes through the air extremely fast and has a 16x18 pattern that is super open, so that is probably why. My game is also suited to the fast racquet head speed style of swing, and I think that was why I started winning more with the apdgt...everything stayed in. The exo is a very good substitute for the apd even though it does not possess the massive power.I am still just learning the racquet but it has that same quality of the apdgt where it's just super fun to play with it.

I'd try the 7gram lead fishing weight in the handle and 2 grams at 12...then go find the biggest hitter you know and see how it holds up for you. I never got pushed around but I just could not afford to mishit with it, and that caused me to swing a lot less freely after a while. You wont have that problem.

el sergento said:

Well, that was a truly bizarro ending to the most bizarro slam of all time.

As a non American, I'll refrain from passing judgement, or at least from being too harsh, but I must say, even though I can't quite understand why, something really irked me about Novaks' FDNY hat and to a lesser extent Ralphs statements.

Dunno, something just felt really phony about the whole thing, and everything was just compounded by the day change, you could tell that moving the final to Monday really ruined everyones sadgasm.

Anyway, I'm kind of curious, what do my red-blooded gringo compadres south of the border think about the whole thing?

Click to expand...

Although born in another country.. I have spent a majority of time here in the U.S. of A. ..... and I thought it was just 'cheesey'... uncalled for... and whenit comes down to it... nothing you can really say or do will ever do justice to a moment in history that should be held with more respect and less... marketing value???? but hey, it is America.

I think I even saw a Budweiser commercial and State Farm.. that were paying 'tribute'... I don't know.... everyhting is getting weirder in this consumer-tech-world... where if I shart.. it's on FB and Twitter and somebody will lose a million shares... all in 15 seconds.

NOVAK- I felt empathy towards him in the speech he gave on center court afterwards... He had been getting on my nerves the whole 2nd week... the world No.1, and it seemed as if he was playing the 'underdog' card... too many 'stares'.. chest-pumps... and 'shock-stances'.

But, watching the Fed match... and Nadal match.... the NY crowd completely behind both former #1 players... one fan even screaming during Djoko's serve... every time Novak dumped a ball into the net... Cheers... every UE was followed by a gleeful sigh from the crowd.

In the speech, it almost seemed as if Novak wanted to cry when he 'thanked the fans for their support'... I think the hat was definitely a PR move... but also maybe a way of giving respect to the host country... thank you for not supporting me... but I'm supporting and respectful of you.

tf320

Fed Kennedy said:

whats your guys thoughts on red code? I was thinking tecnifibre racquet, tec string might be a good match. Cause I dissed blackcode hard when it came out (dead feel in k90), but it's really good in the 320.

Is this a BS way of thinking? Like maybe they do the R&D together, it's a good fit. Kind of like you buy a burton snowboard, you get the burton boots and bindings, it all works together quite nicely.

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I've been off and on with the TF320 vo2 (back again) and I'm now using Tourbite 17 mains at 51# and Mantis Power Synthetic 17 crosses at 54#. I was previously using full Black Magic 17 at 51# which was awesome (great feel, great spin, good power). Then I went full tour bite 17 at 51# and for some reason didn't like it as much despite the added spin. I wasn't getting the same power as the Black Magic, probably because TB is a bit stiffer but I did like the extra spin so I went hybrid. So far I like the hybrid the best. Effortless deep balls, great spin, WAY BETTER comfort and a loud boom when you hit it. Give it a try.

As for tecnifibre strings, I think they're great strings, but it's hard to pay that much for those strings when there are so many cheaper but really good alternatives (Genesis, BHBR, Solinco, etc).

cheers said:

I've been off and on with the TF320 vo2 (back again) and I'm now using Tourbite 17 mains at 51# and Mantis Power Synthetic 17 crosses at 54#. I was previously using full Black Magic 17 at 51# which was awesome (great feel, great spin, good power). Then I went full tour bite 17 at 51# and for some reason didn't like it as much despite the added spin. I wasn't getting the same power as the Black Magic, probably because TB is a bit stiffer but I did like the extra spin so I went hybrid. So far I like the hybrid the best. Effortless deep balls, great spin, WAY BETTER comfort and a loud boom when you hit it. Give it a try.

As for tecnifibre strings, I think they're great strings, but it's hard to pay that much for those strings when there are so many cheaper but really good alternatives (Genesis, BHBR, Solinco, etc).

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Thank you! So far for me Black Code > Tour Bite for the exact reasons you mention. May have to give the black magic a spin.

ahuimanu said:

Good stick, similar to the Extreme pro without the plow. Mine is strung with black code @55. Great control and fairly maneuverable. I prefer the Vo2 version as the head is tapered at the top of the hoop which helps when whipping thru shots. Yes it's very stiff and shots take off if you're slightly off. Also my arm took a beating after a few hours of hard hitting... Also been using other Tecnifibres (295, 325, 335) and trying to like them but am an old schooler and need that flex in my stick

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I can't tell if you like it or hate it. How does it compare to the re0?

SVP, Fed, and ahu,

Cheers for comments re Speedflex. I'll take a look at it, but tbh those Extreme Pro comments scare me a tad (that thing gave me a sore arm within about ten minutes!):shock:


pyro,

Interesting your looking at the APD. For some of the reasons you stated in your post I can't keep away from this frame, and that's despite having a thing also for stability/control/sweet swinging frames like the YTPP... actually I'll be hitting with my TGKPP on Friday and it will be fascinating to see if I can handle it to slightly better effect than before (I've redone the mods)... the solidness, quality build, precision, feel, etc is out of this world on the TGK and, to a slightly lesser extent I'd argue the retail YTPP is very much up there also.

R

pyrokid said:

And if I did go back to my old buddy, do you think lead would be needed? I wonder about that, especially coming off of such a heavy stick... But at the same time, the racquet head speed I get from the APD makes the whole concept of lead unappealing. And somehow, the shanks/mishits have been kept to a pretty minimum level even though I've been swinging faster.

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I've always had some bicep soreness from my GT's; I've used them for the last year with the 7g fishing lead in the handle and decided to mix it up. It's just a muscular irritation, nothing in the connective tissue.

I removed the fishing lead and have 2 grams of blue tack in the handle to counter balance and I have 4g under the bumper.

Strung with 16g poly, it's 331g and a 32.9cm balance, which is right on the stock balance.

I can tell a difference on the shock with the blue tack versus the lead so I'll see how it goes.

This setup gives me more stick speed and more of the qualities you described above that you like about it.

The GT feels different from the apdc as the apdc is more headlight and the GT has more swing weight at 331 versus 324 for the apdc. I've owned all three and much prefer the GT version. It's also stiffer.

I find the 4g of lead at the tip to be crucial for me, otherwise, the ball isn't as heavy as I like it but any amount of lead works on the GT, you just have to be careful not to add to much as the SW can get out of hand.

The GT swings really fast as you know but coming from that PST, it's got to feel like greased lightening. The PST swings like a two handed broadsword, great on contact but it takes awhile to get it around

Funny YOU mention it actually Ross, I just hit with a YTPP for a few minutes yesterday too because it's what the guy I was playing used and he wanted to try my APD for a bit.

I can see why you like it. So much crispy goodness. The thing for me was that I just really didn't like the low power level, I'd gotten used to bossing people around without much effort, and I had to put some in with this frame.

But only a few minutes, not enough to really tell on.

There are some frames that just keep calling you back though, maybe purely for nostalgic purposes, maybe something else.

Fed Kennedy said:

Gonna make my own Djoko EGG POD by putting the windows up in my Prius, cranking the AC and blasting Bombs over Baghdad while guzzling Iced starbucks.

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I saw over in the TT wanted section that Nadal is looking to buy one of these:twisted:

pyrokid said:

Funny YOU mention it actually Ross, I just hit with a YTPP for a few minutes yesterday too because it's what the guy I was playing used and he wanted to try my APD for a bit.

I can see why you like it. So much crispy goodness. The thing for me was that I just really didn't like the low power level, I'd gotten used to bossing people around without much effort, and I had to put some in with this frame.

Click to expand...

You throw 3g under the CAP's at the tip and it's a whole new ballgame. I went from a pst to a MGPP and it took a month to get my FH dialed in, the PP swings SO much faster and there's not much bite in stock form but once you get it modded, it's great.

Wow, I would have never guessed that the lead would make it easier to swing, that's a little ridiculous.

I have never really had luck with blu-tack. I always liked sili much more, you might give that a shot sometime if you're hurting.

I guess I might have to mess around with lead, at least until I get used to the weight. Otherwise the swing speed might start to be scary.

EDIT: This is in reference to the first post by PED about the APDGTs.

py,

Funny YOU mention it actually Ross, I just hit with a YTPP for a few minutes yesterday too because it's what the guy I was playing used and he wanted to try my APD for a bit.

I can see why you like it. So much crispy goodness. The thing for me was that I just really didn't like the low power level, I'd gotten used to bossing people around without much effort, and I had to put some in with this frame.

Click to expand...

Yes, I also find it a bit too low powered.

It's very likely designed for a level that I'm not quite at and will never achieve.

Re a consistently aggressive spinny b-line game, in my hands, it loses out to the Bab.

Re actual results too, I think I fare best with my APD.

However, mug that I am, I still can't quite fully concede defeat.:-|

I find it solid and stable (qualities I've loved ever since hitting with your PT630, PSC 6.1, N95, and latterly, the mighty PC+ Swirly) - yet light enough (unlike practically all those I just mentioned) - and it just swings so beautifully with its balance/weighting - and the feel is excellent (tangent: hitting with the dead feeling 03 Tour lately, in this respect, I may as well have been hitting with the racket cover still on!) - the control and accuracy is all there - it kind of has the qualities of the frames previously name-checked BUT in a whippy, slightly more modern, perhaps tweenerish-leaning direction - and... (How can I put this?)... it makes me play technically in a very pleasing way... your technique looks and actually feels better, because if your flawed in that department, with this rac, it shows up big time in your play.


PED

You throw 3g under the CAP's at the tip and it's a whole new ballgame. I went from a pst to a MGPP and it took a month to get my FH dialed in, the PP swings SO much faster and there's not much bite in stock form but once you get it modded, it's great.

Click to expand...

The modfather knows of what he speaks! I know I've tried this before, H, but I may give this set up another shot with the most powerful and spinny string available to mankind, and go LOOOOOW on the tension, like 45s... or do you think that's just ridiculous on a Prestige Pro, and proof, if any were still needed, that just like crazy Jack in A Few Good Men, I can't handle the truth! :grin:


R

pyrokid said:

I have never really had luck with blu-tack. I always liked sili much more, you might give that a shot sometime if you're hurting.

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Sorry, I wasn't clear about the lead being easier to swing, I meant that my current 331g setup swings much faster than my 343g setup of last fall, you are correct, lead doesn't make it easier to swing

I've not had much luck with it either but since I'm only using 2g in the handle, it was the easiest way to go. When I was using 7g and 14g at one point, I used the fishing weights. That lead just adds a bit of harshness to the feel and I felt its absence since trying this setup.

My point about adding lead to the hoop is that for me, the GT swings TOO lightly in stock form, I like to have a bit more mass in the hoop. It's like punching a guy in the nose while you have a roll of quarters in your hand-it's going to have a lot more impact.

One last point about static weight overall: I've found that I can adjust to any static weight, it just takes me time. I went from a 345g YTPP to a bone stock apdgt last year at 323g strung. Wow, I just hated it and my ball had no grunt on it and I was getting bossed around as opposed to using my heavier sticks.

Over the last year, I've dropped my modded apd's from 343g down to 331g and like them even better; I just seem incapable of adapting to 20g changes in static weight in a short time.

Ross K said:

py,

I know I've tried this before, H, but I may give this set up another shot with the most powerful and spinny string available to mankind, and go LOOOOOW on the tension, like 45s... or do you think that's just ridiculous on a Prestige Pro, and proof, if any were still needed, that just like crazy Jack in A Few Good Men, I can't handle the truth! :grin:
R

Click to expand...

I think 45lbs would work nicely in the ytpp, it has a tighter 16X19 pattern than the apd's and the overall power is lower so you could see a nice bump in power. Def worth a shot

On a side note, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, why oh why does Rafa insist on playing Novak this way-EVERY shot he hit is cross court or inside out, I don't recall seeing Rafa take anything up the line yesterday.

The pattern was so infuriating, Rafa cross FH, lands short, Nole takes it early and rips his BH down the line. Rafa appears to have not tried anything since the first beatdown at IW this spring :twisted:

It's weird, I have heard from others that the Prince is "dead" but to me it is plush and feels quite amazing on the arm if you have a fast swing. I think a lot of flex is rather polarizing to people in terms of if they like it or not. Same case with the Donnays..I think I just really love those old school feeling racquets.

The YTPP is definitely a lower powered stick but does have that awesome crisp stability to it. I would still consider it better suited for a flatter hitter even with the more open pattern. The Prestige really rewards you when you dime it on the sweet spot nice and flat.

ross I think you are better with the APD because you play western with more spin to your game..it only makes sense. and it's not really about how good you think you look playing with it .that will get consistent with any racquet. I also think the APD works for you because you can probably generate more stick speed and that is going to keep you in pressure points.

This has been my experience...I hit long too much with the 7g and PSTGT under pressure sometimes even though they I feel the same about them as you do the YTPP..just incredibly fun to hit with. But it sucks to lose matches because you are not confident enough to be able to swing out..I dealt with that from a racquet and pain perspective this year and it is no fun.

PED,

Yes, I'm going to be hitting with TGK on Friday w/Tour Bite @ 52. Plan to string the YTPP on the weekend and will very likely take a stab @ 45 lbs. The QSN is: do I want to use my usual string (Tour Bite)? I didn't think it was such a great fit in the YTPP before. I might go and research a few options I think, including hybrid option... BTW, yep, like Muzza, Nadal surely needs to vary his tactics, find a way to win.


PP,

I don't actually disagree with a single word you said there.:wink:


R

Ross K said:

PED,

The QSN is: do I want to use my usual string (Tour Bite)? I didn't think it was such a great fit in the YTPP before.
R

Click to expand...

I would say def yes stick with TB.

I'm in the midst of trying several different lead configurations at the moment and it's a pain that I have a different string setup in each stick.

For me, it makes a true comparison somewhat meaningless. In my case, I've got 16g poly in there as opposed to 16L and it's a 3g difference in the stringbed and I can tell a big difference in the way it comes around....not to mention how much better my usual Tour Bite grabs the ball.

PED said:

I would say def yes stick with TB.

I'm in the midst of trying several different lead configurations at the moment and it's a pain that I have a different string setup in each stick.

For me, it makes a true comparison somewhat meaningless. In my case, I've got 16g poly in there as opposed to 16L and it's a 3g difference in the stringbed and I can tell a big difference in the way it comes around....not to mention how much better my usual Tour Bite grabs the ball.

Click to expand...

Okay, TB then ... you've actually just answered one part of something I mailed you about just a few minutes ago!

Why the change up re string set ups?

R

Ross K said:

Why the change up re string set ups?

R

Click to expand...

The worst reason of all-cleaning out my inventory...lol. Always an expensive experiment but I'm back to all Tour bite after I finish this Spin X string job off.

16g Revenge just does not work for me. 16g Spin X was magic in the Rad Pro but only so so in the apd. I would say my control drops around 15% without TB as I'm used to the ball dropping and nothing else does that.

Tour bite, destroyer of worlds as FedKennedy would say :twisted:

The EXO is begging for tour bite in the mains..I will be revisiting this string.

Gahh, if only the stuff weren't so dern expensive.

Have any of you that like softer polys bought into the hype and tried BHBR?

pyrokid said:

Gahh, if only the stuff weren't so dern expensive.

Have any of you that like softer polys bought into the hype and tried BHBR?

Click to expand...

A bit like it is with rackets, I find it's only small fractions that determines how I feel about strings - so to answer your Q... Yes, although frame-dependent, I liked it plenty. Same with Typhoon. And I also liked Hyperion and Tornado. Just preferred Tour Bite though to all of them. As I keep saying, it just has a certain x-factor about it (especially in the Pure Control and APD)... the planets align!... why, it's almost like sex and more frequently available!::twisted:

R

Weird, I'll have to give it another go in the APD then. I remember it going dead super fast before, though. Hmm.

And I got another match in with the APD today. Another smashing success. Got the serve up to par as well. I was SO much more confident than before on groundies, too. The spin was getting better. Returns were just insane.

Ross K said:

PED,

Yes, I'm going to be hitting with TGK on Friday w/Tour Bite @ 52. Plan to string the YTPP on the weekend and will very likely take a stab @ 45 lbs. The QSN is: do I want to use my usual string (Tour Bite)? I didn't think it was such a great fit in the YTPP before.

Click to expand...

Honestly, I wouldn't go that low, especially with tourbite. TB is powerful and can get hard to control, so in the YTPP, I'd stay north of 53/2. Rule of thumb is best to go a bit too high than to go too low. If it's too high, it'll eventually loosen and become playable, if you string to low, you're boned.

I finally got some matchplay in with the EXO..here is some nice info I learned:

First thing, the lux ALU Power was dead..just a little crispiness left in it though..it was at 52#s and crossed with OGSM. For anyone who liked the EXO a lot but was not sure about the flexy plush feel, the string hole grommets give it a much more crisp feel..more than I personally prefer...but I would strongly suggest trying a demo with them if at all possible. I also believe they plus the poly probably add around 5-6 grams to the head and that may account for the free extra power with no lead tape. The balance is slightly affected, but not by much. The stick is 11.9 with OG and Damp, but swings the same as the APDgt.

My question is if the port hole vs string hole grommets is just a feel thing or if there is more spin or control with one or the other? I am going to try and answer this myself since I am tracking down one more EXO and I will use the port holes with that one, but in the meantime any EXO user please chime in.

Anyway, the power level was awesome and the control was there. My game is predicated on heavy top baselining and then taking an opportunity to put a big shot in the corners so I can crash net, so I need power and spin and control. I am on hour 6 with this stick and it all clicked in for me. You can hit the big ball with this racquet, you can also hit the APD moonball loaded with top when you need a bail out..you can slice incredibly well and you can drop shot with nice touch. I know because I did all these things and I played one of the few 5.0s at my club tonight.

The secret to this stick is to hybrid with a crisper copoly and syngut. It cracks and gives you a ton of ball feel with this setup. The spin level is extremely high as well. This EXO just takes a little time to dial in, but all the shots are there.

The big surprise is 2 handed backhand. I really thought I was going to be an extended guy because the 7G really upped the ante on the 2 hander, but this is the best racquet for 2 handers I have ever used. I can not really explain why, but I am pounding corners with it and high balls are much easier to rip back down...I think it is the open pattern.

Anyway, I have some slight inflammation left from serving with the APDgt 2 weeks ago so I let the guy serve at me...we have done this for years..just play sets like this if one person wants to rest their arm..when I had the prestige mid, he was just racking up 6-1s, 6-2s..tonight..different story..this racquet is godlike on returns..I was hitting clean return winners DTL on him..attacking his 2nd serve and won some games 4 straight..we drew even at 4-4 and called it a night..but this racquet really showed me something. It gives me the chance to break a lot of people's serves. The best shot was a down the T flat he hit at me on the deuce side..I cracked a driving slice return to the deuce corner that stayed ankle high and landed deep..surprised him so much he dumped it. What I am getting to is that this racquet is rather stable for me at least.

Anyway, I guess this would be a fulltime honeymoon, but I am getting incredible results against very very good players with it, so I think this thing is for real. I will probably wrap up my way too in depth review next week once I really start serving more.

For you guys on the fence with strings..what I learned today was real simple..flexy racquet - crisp string..crisp or stiff racquet - softer poly strings.

Pyro, The TB may be a little stiff in that apdgt, so just be careful there, and maybe consider Big Hitter Silver as a cheaper and slightly softer option...and Ross..if it was me, I would try big hitter blue, black magic, b5e or a similar string in the prestige pro. I would STRONGLY suggest a syn gut cross like OGSM..it gives you ball cracking feel and more power as well.

The EXO is suited for TB, Lux (im not going there), Cyberflash (wish I could still use), Big Hitter Silver..and those are just a few that come to mind. OGSM plays perfectly in it as a cross.

PED said:

You throw 3g under the CAP's at the tip and it's a whole new ballgame. I went from a pst to a MGPP and it took a month to get my FH dialed in, the PP swings SO much faster and there's not much bite in stock form but once you get it modded, it's great.

Click to expand...

Eerie how we ended up with the exact same mod.

My recipe for a YTK PPro with balls:

3 grams under the bumper:


Silicone in the handle for counterbalancing and feel:


= Fat seal of approval

el sergento said:

Eerie how we ended up with the exact same mod.

My recipe for a YTK PPro with balls:

3 grams under the bumper:

Silicone in the handle for counterbalancing and feel:

= Fat seal of approval

Click to expand...

el,

If you weren't using sillicone and opted for lead, HOW MUCH lead would you have in the butt counteracting the 3g @ 12. Pretty curious here. BTW, like the pics.