Diary of a Racketaholic

Fed Kennedy

Legend
After a year in tweener land, albeit lead assisted, I agree with this.

I saw a question you asked on another thread about a 100% graphite stick vs graphite with lead applied.

I've always preferred a heavier frame in stock form to one that was leaded up to the same specs.

I got to hit that one too during the same session (dunny bio 200 tour). It actually felt too hheavy and soft for me. So the tec is where its at for me right now. That box 95 wilson is on my radar but it looks light.
 

Ross K

Legend
Fed,

Re YT Extreme Pro, I might scour the old TT posts/reviews... if it's not too hefty and sluggish I could wish to take a look.... RE the Bab AST, think I'll look up some info on these to - cheers for heads up.


Dave,

Interesting re Exo.


All,

Volkl Organix 8 315 - I'm p***** off because this thing is silly expensive in the Eu and the only way of doing it here is to take big chance and splash out the cash. Too risky...

New Rad Pro - Yes, being one of many ex-Rad Pro users who post here (albeit I had a very mixed time with the YTRP), I'm curious to a degree, though when I hear 'underpowered' or what have you, this usually spells a frame I'm not so compatible with.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I was quite excited to get the pb10 mid out of the bag, it felt good in hand and the feel off the stringbed was real nice and plush. Tbh I've read all the threads about how special this racket is and it does have the feel of a magic wand but it does have to be weighted properly to suit.
I soon realised there was a little too much lead @12 and my balance was a tad too head light. It made the head of the racket feel heavy and lag when I forced a fh, this was emphasised with the flex (in reality prob non of this happened it was just the way it felt in my head!) I was also surprised at how powerful this set up was.
So I took a couple of grams off the tip and that helped but it still wasn't quite right, I was rather in and out, unsure of myself and how my racket was swinging. There were moments of pure bliss, a few serve and volleys out of the top draw that show if I get the balance right it could be exceptional.

What I would say is with 20/30g added to stock there's not a huge difference between the dnx and pb versions. I have since readjusted the weight lowering the balance slightly by removing weight in the handle (I've removed the leather grip added a replacement and lead to compensate) and adding a touch back into the hoop. New spec is around 367g and 32cm balance. The dnx's are pretty much the same.

As for the yonex rq260, I used this racket for a few games in the first set and beginning of second, winning first set 6-2, losing second 4-6. Great match actually, my young opponent is coming back to tennis after a break, he is a federer moldand very talented, the amount of running down he did was just nadalesqe, which put a lot of emphasis on how I felt with the racket I had in hand.
Anyways.....yonex.......as usual played very well, the only problem is the grip and there is very little flare on the butt cap and my hand feels like it will slip anytime. So I ve took my head butt cap off and put it on the yonex and that has really helped my extreme grips.

I'm off for a game in an hour, doubles, not particularly difficult opposition, but will have plenty of chance to get a feel of my two main sticks. I will give the pb10 mid its moment in the sun (or rain) first.

On a racketaholic note.....the stiffness and crispness of the rq260 I think is in the ball park of the rds001 mid so I'm looking out for one after passing up the chance of several of late in the bay. It does have to be the all yellow one as the black and yellow looks horrid (racketaholic vanity I'm afraid!)
 

PED

Legend
Fed,

Re YT Extreme Pro, I might scour the old TT posts/reviews... if it's not too hefty and sluggish I could wish to take a look.... RE the Bab AST, think I'll look up some info on these to - cheers for heads up.
.


I demoed one last year and I enjoyed it much more than the MG version. The addition of the YT tech gave it a similar "feel" to the Rad Pro and YTPP. I know you've used both and will know what I'm talking about.

At the time, I thought of it as a softer PDR with much more feedback. My demo had Sonic Pro in there-really nice ball off the string bed but it swings rather "tank like" as Fed said.

My issue with it was when you're really going for it, the control is not there as it is in something like a YTPP or PSTGT-I seemed to encounter some hot spots on the string bed.

In the end, I went with a YTPP as it was more versatile.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Game, set and match: VOLKL PB10 MID

Its amazing the difference a slight modification makes! I've worked hard on finding a weight/balance/sw that suits my game.

I decided to go the courts today and only use the volkl and not mix and match. I served and volleyed really well. When I say serve, I'm talking ace after ace, unreturnable after unreturnable. Just pace to burn, lots of movement too whether spin, kick or slice. Volleys were prestige like, very solid.

Had four sets, won four with different partners all at different levels.

Another point about the similarities between the dnx10 mid and the pb10 mid. The main difference is in feel, the dnx has a raw feel and the pb is smoother. Groundstrokes were easy both sides, bh was very good, fh was working well.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
You Tourbite addicts should try out Big Hitter Silver rough. What a great string. I think I will end up getting a reel of that and crossing it with Babolat N Vy because nothing beats the beauty of this setup in the EXO.

Something really weird is happening..I have not only settled on a racquet, but also a string setup...whaaaaa? Truly a first for me since I was rocking the Prince 110 with POSG at 60#s as a teen.
 

bad_call

Legend
You Tourbite addicts should try out Big Hitter Silver rough. What a great string. I think I will end up getting a reel of that and crossing it with Babolat N Vy because nothing beats the beauty of this setup in the EXO.

Something really weird is happening..I have not only settled on a racquet, but also a string setup...whaaaaa? Truly a first for me since I was rocking the Prince 110 with POSG at 60#s as a teen.

hope i can get with u for another hit/vid shoot this weekend. glad u got the strings dialed in...better wait and see how long the setup lasts before jumping on the reel. :)
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yeah I should be good this weekend I am thinking.

Off the bat, here is what sticks out :

Feel - Awesome. So nice in this racquet.

Control - huge difference. I can hit much harder and precise.

Tension loss - minimal. from stringer to courts for 2 hours of play - only lost 4 pounds. That is the best I have experienced.

Spin - excellent. Not the most spinniest but 8/10, That is what you need in a 16x18.

Glad you told me about this N Vy. It is freaking awesome. Big Hitter Silver, Lux ALU Rough or tourbite seems like the ideal poly in the mains for the EXO.
 

Ross K

Legend
Yeah I should be good this weekend I am thinking.

Off the bat, here is what sticks out :

Feel - Awesome. So nice in this racquet.

Control - huge difference. I can hit much harder and precise.

Tension loss - minimal. from stringer to courts for 2 hours of play - only lost 4 pounds. That is the best I have experienced.

Spin - excellent. Not the most spinniest but 8/10, That is what you need in a 16x18.

Glad you told me about this N Vy. It is freaking awesome. Big Hitter Silver, Lux ALU Rough or tourbite seems like the ideal poly in the mains for the EXO.

Interesting to hear, especially as BHS isn't a string I'm familiar with. Think I'll keep an eye out for it.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yes if you can get it in the UK, I think you will like it. Especially the price. It is similar to ALU rough, but lasts a lot longer.
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
I always play with each frame I get before I move them on, and this leads to a guilt free sort of racketaholism which is controllable. As I normally tend to pick up players frames of varying styles its a pleasant experience.

Well I seem to have acquired a Wilson DTG (Dual Taper Graphite) Special edition and some Wilson Rollers 6.6 Hyper Hammers.

Obviously the HH6.6's will be fine being a 98 head and a generally pleasant pair of rackets but the Wilson DTG looks a monsterous rippling towering steroid addled sentinel with its evil black heart set upon destruction and murderous intent. My question is this: Do I still take the racket out for a spin tonight in a doubles match as I always do, knowing that I will have to tame what is essentially a special edition Profile; is this fair to my partner?
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Nickynu: if your DTG is anything like the old 2.7/3.0/3.6 Profiles, then you can probably kiss the word control good by. People I know who played with the old Profiles broke strings like crazy, so you may need to bring your favorite backup.
 

Ross K

Legend
What we all thinking about the new upcoming Head and Wilson offerings? What's appealing to everyone?

Must say the Rad Pro, which I thought might appeal to me, certainly as Fed described it previously (above) - doesn't grab me straight off. TBH, I've been thinking more of older Head frames of late (for example, I was wondering about the YT Extreme MP recently.)

The new 6.1 95 I'd kind of feel duty-bound to explore to some degree. I'm not so informed re the new frames but something with a bit of that 6.1 solidness and performance but in a slightly easier to use, even whippier package, even 98"-100" head-size, might really get me curious.:wink:

But re 'the juice', 'the steam' etc, I can't get by those disastrous pjs (and the names seem ridiculous too.)

Anything you gents really getting a bit curious about now though?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
The 6.1 95, but it most likely will be really stiff for me. I don't see myself doing much but reading your opinions on the sticks.

I have fond memories of the Federer K90, but great feel does not always equal match wins.

Not really that interested in the new Head stuff.
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
Nickynu: if your DTG is anything like the old 2.7/3.0/3.6 Profiles, then you can probably kiss the word control good by. People I know who played with the old Profiles broke strings like crazy, so you may need to bring your favorite backup.

Well I used i in the warm up thinking I would give it a shot, but its an absolute rocket launcher to the point where I had to give up on it before we started the match. It was fun though!!!
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
But re 'the juice', 'the steam' etc, I can't get by those disastrous pjs (and the names seem ridiculous too.)

Anything you gents really getting a bit curious about now though?

quite fancy the Djok frame, y'know just to see, obviously not in a wanabee novakboy kind of way. Is it just a cosmetic update of the original white speed pro?

I agree Ross about the wilson paintjobs.....disaster is not the word for those offensive abominations.
 

Ross K

Legend
I agree Ross about the wilson paintjobs.....disaster is not the word for those offensive abominations.

Tell me about it Nick, what are they playing at?! You know, I just feel like going up to some, I don't know, top senior dude at Wilson and saying... well...

wtf.png


:)
 

808

Professional
So, as has been established in this very thread, the Tec 320 slays with a full bed of poly. But... has anybody tried a full gut setup in this racquet? Wondering how that would play. I'm thinking VS Touch. Possibly even Team?
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
What we all thinking about the new upcoming Head and Wilson offerings? What's appealing to everyone?

Must say the Rad Pro, which I thought might appeal to me, certainly as Fed described it previously (above) - doesn't grab me straight off. TBH, I've been thinking more of older Head frames of late (for example, I was wondering about the YT Extreme MP recently.)

The new 6.1 95 I'd kind of feel duty-bound to explore to some degree. I'm not so informed re the new frames but something with a bit of that 6.1 solidness and performance but in a slightly easier to use, even whippier package, even 98"-100" head-size, might really get me curious.:wink:

But re 'the juice', 'the steam' etc, I can't get by those disastrous pjs (and the names seem ridiculous too.)

Anything you gents really getting a bit curious about now though?

The 6.1 95 will change the world, ending racketholism, racquetholism and racquetaholism forever.

The new Head frames: meh. Rad Pro could be interesting because it's a little different; but someone somewhere said the other sticks are really just like the Youteks, so probably nothing much new.
 

Ross K

Legend
The 6.1 95 will change the world, ending racketholism, racquetholism and racquetaholism forever.

The new Head frames: meh. Rad Pro could be interesting because it's a little different; but someone somewhere said the other sticks are really just like the Youteks, so probably nothing much new.

Gads,

Yeah, seriously, comparing to my N95 and not the BLX version, I'd be into a 6.1 that's a little less hefty, more comfy and less what I call 'raw', and maybe a bit whippier somehow.


QSN. for all,

One thing that I noticed a month or so back and made me fall a bit out of love with the APD and re-appreciate my N95 was: when you have the chance to fire a passing shot past your opponent whose come in a bit, basically I find the APD notably slower 'on the draw' contrasted to the N95.

Fully accepting operator error issues-haha, I'm wondering if I should perhaps consider leading APD more head-light? Or, should I just accept it isn't the quickest frame out there to get to the ball?

Any thoughts welcome.

Cheeers
 

Hankenstein

Hall of Fame
Here we go again.... Have had some .. less good... practices with my customized APDGT´s now and on our fast indoor surfaces here in Sweden, the ball are just flying waaaay to uncontrolled for my likings.

I am now considering Wilson BLX six one 95 in either 16/18 or 18/20. Have never tried a 16/18 from Wilson in the past. How are they in feel compared to a denser 18/20 in same frame?

I´m also considering buying a YT radical MP and put on a TK82S grip and fill up the handle with a good 25 grams of silicone.

Why is this sickness not staying away for more then a year!? I was sober for almost 3 months now
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Ross, you have weight in the handle right? I didn't love the APD until I rebalanced it with the 7gram fishing weight in the handle.

Played some practice sets with the EXO and it so far passes the match test. You know those winners you have to hit under pressure really test your connection to a racquet, and mine were all dropping in. I also served OK. I didnt go for anything big, but what I like is that you can get your consistency up by hitting spin serves that are very tough to attack. My style right now is to hit spin serves, and throw in some pace to keep the opponent from getting settled.

Volleys have come along for me as well. You really just need to attack the ball and it punches through the court rather nicely. Just takes a little time with the stick.

Also pulled off the Golden Eagle inside out dropshot a few times.

I really like this racquet for those low shorter balls that you need to pick up and rip with topspin. That is another test of a racquet to me. Can you pick up the low ball and tear through it? IMO, that is a huge part of tennis at any level, because people will send you those all match if you can't rip them back and punish them.
 

bad_call

Legend
how many different racquets to be in this group?

back in my younger days (little or no extra money) played with the same racquets for years. now after getting back into tennis (4+ yrs ago) tried/owned a handful. currently with the 4D100 (main stick) and prior the MGPP for 2 yrs or so. still like trying different sticks and carry a Prince mid in the bag for practice.
 

Ross K

Legend
PP,

Yes, I also have the 7g fishing weight in the handle of the APD (as trademarked by PED, haha.) Still feels sluggish to me though at passing shots, 'quick draw' stuff, angles, etc, compared to the N95 and other racs too... Great to hear you're now getting so well grooved with the Exo Tour 100... and btw, I haven't forgotten how impressed you were with the 2hbh... TBH, practically everything you've reported back about the rac has made a very positive impression on me. In fact, of what's available right now, the race to be my early x-mas to myself is between the Exo Tour and Organic 8 315.:)


bad call,

I don't think it matters the actual number of frames, it's more a certain obsessiveness perhaps... a certain passion shall we say?:wink:
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
^^
Speaking of the APD, tried that original APD+ a couple times last week. Not bad, but not for me. I felt that sluggishness Ross is talking about, but of course I also had the plus version. All in all, just prefer the 7G, a more controlled thumper that just feels a lot better. So, as expected, the APD is up in the FS thread.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Ross, you have weight in the handle right? I didn't love the APD until I rebalanced it with the 7gram fishing weight in the handle.

Played some practice sets with the EXO and it so far passes the match test. You know those winners you have to hit under pressure really test your connection to a racquet, and mine were all dropping in. I also served OK. I didnt go for anything big, but what I like is that you can get your consistency up by hitting spin serves that are very tough to attack. My style right now is to hit spin serves, and throw in some pace to keep the opponent from getting settled.

Volleys have come along for me as well. You really just need to attack the ball and it punches through the court rather nicely. Just takes a little time with the stick.

Also pulled off the Golden Eagle inside out dropshot a few times.

I really like this racquet for those low shorter balls that you need to pick up and rip with topspin. That is another test of a racquet to me. Can you pick up the low ball and tear through it? IMO, that is a huge part of tennis at any level, because people will send you those all match if you can't rip them back and punish them.

Will you two just get a room already?

Hey, seriously, nice to see you're getting along so well.
 

PED

Legend
I am now considering Wilson BLX six one 95 in either 16/18 or 18/20. Have never tried a 16/18 from Wilson in the past. How are they in feel compared to a denser 18/20 in same frame?

I tried both and preferred the more open pattern. If you hit with a decent amount of top and as an apd user, I assume you do, you'll really like the blx 16 18.

Nasty ball off both wings and the FH up the line is the signature shot. Just lean into and the ball jumps rockets off the stringbed....great fun. Bigger ball in stock form than the apd, comes around nicely with the very HL balance.
Absorbs pace like crazy and deals out the pain to your opponent: the original beastmaster!

I liked Genesis SpinX 16g at 57/55 in my blx. Have fun
 

bad_call

Legend
...I really like this racquet for those low shorter balls that you need to pick up and rip with topspin. That is another test of a racquet to me. Can you pick up the low ball and tear through it? IMO, that is a huge part of tennis at any level, because people will send you those all match if you can't rip them back and punish them.

HAHA...have sent a few of those low balls your way before but with the exo tour in your hands, not giving me free points anymore. :)
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
So, as has been established in this very thread, the Tec 30 slayonls with a full bed of poly. But... has anybody tried a full gut setup in this racquet? Wondering how that would play. I'm thinking VS Touch. Possibly even Team?
This would be a bold experiment due to string shreddage. But I think it would be alright at like 60 lbs. I think I have a good thing going with blackcode at 55. I might try blackmagic eventually.
The only other stick im excited for is the wilson boxed 95.
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Here we go again.... !? I was sober for almost 3 months now

Oh you nearly made your first badge too!

Although I have many frames that have sentimental connections i appear to now be down to two that actually live in my bag. the new wilson pro staff 6.0 and the prince ex03 tour 18y 20. I will be honest i did expect the final two to be somewhat closer in type than this, maybe it's where the issue lies!?:cry:
 

Ross K

Legend
Morning RHs,

Okay, I've hardly been worthy of the name 'racketaholic' lately, and I've been working my backside off and am definitely due a present or 2 haha - so... after months and months of deliberation, I literally just bought the Exo Tour 100 open pattern.

This weekend I'll no doubt reread the Exo/lead debates (my long-held fear is a powder-puff serve), though I'll probably just start with about 2g either at 12 (like my 03 Tour) or 2g at 10 and 2 or 3 and 9. People feel free to chime in with thoughts on this.

Ah... that's better though... nothing like the feeling of anticipation of a new frame set to arrive any day soon!:)
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
I literally just bought the Exo Tour 100 open pattern.

Congrats, I can hardly imagine you'll regret it.

This weekend I'll no doubt reread the Exo/lead debates (my long-held fear is a powder-puff serve), though I'll probably just start with about 2g either at 12 (like my 03 Tour) or 2g at 10 and 2 or 3 and 9. People feel free to chime in with thoughts on this.

I have modded my EXO3 Tour 18x20 with a leather grip and 2 grams @ 10 and 2, and it plays wonderfully with full poly.

Ah... that's better though... nothing like the feeling of anticipation of a new frame set to arrive any day soon!:)

You can say that again. I recently satisfied my racquetholic needs by ordering two Vantage VT322s, which I'm hoping will arrive today....
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yes ross. I love it.

I promise serve pace is not an issue, just relax the arm and you will thoroughly enjoy the amount of action you can put on the ball.

Not much lead at all is needed..strongly suggest 3 and 9 over 12 on this stick. 2 grams total will make a big difference.

I'd do full poly at 54#s or hybrid at 57#s. If you find yourself struggling to hit through the ball, it just means your tension may be a little low. If you are pretty much always in a full western, than this will not be an issue, and you could go to 48-52#s full poly.

What I love is how violently hard you can swing at the ball if needed, and your arm and wrist will not flinch if you mishit. It really builds your confidence. If you liked the feel of the Rebel with ports, I believe this is a much better feel than that.
 

Ross K

Legend
^ Cheers riau (and may I just take this opportunity to say... ahem... 'Welcome back'... tut-tut, dear oh dear! :???:) and PP.

Yes, 2g of lead @ 3 and 9 or @ 2 and 10 seems the best place to begin. You know I like full polys, so, yes, might go straight in with Tour Bite @ 52 lbs. One thing I instantly really enjoyed with the 03 Tour was how it just fairly effortlessly hit deep and very spinny to the b-line... one of many areas I'm looking forward to investigating with this rac.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Tour bite in the EXO will be amazing. It is best with crisp polys.

I hit again 2 nights ago and just am love with the racquet,keeps growing on me in terms of what I can do with it. I have never been so confident from the backhand side, rather interested if you experience the same.
 

rlau

Hall of Fame
^ Cheers riau (and may I just take this opportunity to say... ahem... 'Welcome back'... tut-tut, dear oh dear! :???:)

Welcome back from my ban, you mean? Thanks, but it was only for two days.

BTW, I just got my VT322s... They look and feel nice.

Didn't you have stint with a Vantage frame too? Which one was that? What didn't you like about it?
 

Ross K

Legend
Welcome back from my ban, you mean? Thanks, but it was only for two days.

BTW, I just got my VT322s... They look and feel nice.

Didn't you have stint with a Vantage frame too? Which one was that? What didn't you like about it?

Yes, had a nice diversion with the VT 95 (think it is code 221) a few years back. The embodiment of a 'crisp' feel, very impressive build quality and stability, and great all round performance. Mine was very pro-staff like; it was also pretty low-powered and a real control rac - and those traits didn't quite suit what I was ultimately needing or wanting at that time (ie, it was far too good for me! :)) IMO it's a top, top quality frame. Let us know how you progress with it riau.
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
I was trying to think what current frames I would switch to if I ever decided to experiment but there's not much around that floats my boat.

Things I know.
It should be 95 Sq Inches, with a fairly open pattern
It should fall in the 315-325g range (unstrung).
It should have a stiffness between 62-67
Power should be low-medium

The only one that calls out to me is the Yonex V Core 95. Does anybody have any thoughts at all on this frame? Let me know if I overlooked one. Ta
 

UWBTennis

Rookie
I was trying to think what current frames I would switch to if I ever decided to experiment but there's not much around that floats my boat.

Things I know.
It should be 95 Sq Inches, with a fairly open pattern
It should fall in the 315-325g range (unstrung).
It should have a stiffness between 62-67
Power should be low-medium

The only one that calls out to me is the Yonex V Core 95. Does anybody have any thoughts at all on this frame? Let me know if I overlooked one. Ta

I input your criterias into the TW racquet finder. I chose 95 square inches in the min and max headsize because that's what you want. For open patterns I just choose 16 mains. For the weight, I added 15 grams (strings usually weight this much) and converted it to ounces. 330 grams is ~ 11.64 oz and 340 g ~ 11.99 oz. So I put in 11.6 to 12.0 oz. I then choose a stiffness between 62 and 67.

http://www.racquetfinder.com/?name=...entcheckbox=on&current=Y&max_price=&x=48&y=31

Out of that list, the V-Core is one. The Tecnifibre received good reviews from the other people in this thread, you could just ask them about it. I have no idea what the other two are like so you're on your own for that. Two other suggestions are that if you don't mind a stiffness of 61, the RQis (non XL) is also a good choice and has a higher weight to it. Also, the only racquet that I try and can recommend is the BLX 6.1 95 (16 X 18), which is really good put just a bit too heavy and demanding for me.
 

808

Professional
This would be a bold experiment due to string shreddage. But I think it would be alright at like 60 lbs. I think I have a good thing going with blackcode at 55. I might try blackmagic eventually.
The only other stick im excited for is the wilson boxed 95.

Hrm, perhaps, but then again I'm not much of a string breaker anyway. Had a couple of packs of VS Team lying around, so today I dropped one frame off at my stringer to have it done up with a nice full bed of VS at 25 kg, or~55 lbs (I had Black Code at 22 kg (~48.5 lbs) in the Tec). Let's see how that goes.
 

PED

Legend
Hrm, perhaps, but then again I'm not much of a string breaker anyway. Had a couple of packs of VS Team lying around, so today I dropped one frame off at my stringer to have it done up with a nice full bed of VS at 25 kg, or~55 lbs (I had Black Code at 22 kg (~48.5 lbs) in the Tec). Let's see how that goes.

I'll be interested to how long this lasts but it should play great while it does. I'm thinking of taking the poor man's route: I have a half set of Head Fxp and a half set of tour bite. The power and drive through the court should be great.
 

808

Professional
I'll be interested to how long this lasts but it should play great while it does. I'm thinking of taking the poor man's route: I have a half set of Head Fxp and a half set of tour bite. The power and drive through the court should be great.

As I usually do not break strings, gut is actually a rather cost-effective string for me. I wonder if that holds true with the quite open pattern of the Tec 320, though – with the Prince EXO3 Tour 16x18 VS Team did very well. My next scheduled trainig session is Wednesday, the frame should be ready by then. Looking forward to it.
 

Ross K

Legend
Okay... "the Eagle has landed"... the Exo Tour 100 has arrived.:)

QSN. 1: to use a dampener or not? If so, what kind do ppl like in this?... QSN. 2. It's come strung with some Prince 16g something or other???... Is it worth just that initial first hit? Or should I just cut it out ASAP?...

Cheers
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Yes to the dampner and i hit with my new one with it's string in tact, couldn't wait to get it re strung.Compared to the demo i had it felt a bit old but it was a syn gut of some sort so still gave a nice idea of what you have there,so i say head out now and hit some balls.THough i would always advise removing pre strung string fairly soon esp in this sort of frame so you can get used to it.Give it time though as she's a bit different.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I always use a dampener. Sampras O damp in every stick.

I think you can try the stick with any string to get a feel for it. If it is full multi, it will feel super soft and plush but you will be dealing with a ton of power.

Ideally,you want your tour bite in there so you can get the feel for the stick, but Id use the strings you have now especially if they are new.
 

Ross K

Legend
^^^ Cheers PP and Dave, I'll try it with the present string it has come with, and dampener-wise I'll stick with the small Prince black rubber thingy it's come with, though if memory serves me right these sort of slip and slide somewhat. I'll also see how I like the white resipro grip too - a few years back I liked the Reb 95 with this but we'll see (I'm presently more accustomed to Head Hydrasorb and Dunlop's similar offering.) Might be able to have quick hit tomorrow.
 

el sergento

Hall of Fame
Kickin' it old skool

Man, played some dubs and a little singles yesterday afternoon in 10 degree weather. It was nippy, but I was rocking a classic sweater vest I found in the back of my closet. I felt so 80's, all white polo and shorts with a brown V neck sweater vest.............................. Awesome :)

Anyway, to make things feel even classier, my bro in law and I where playing with his PS 85's and we were up against a pair using my old PS 95 and my N95.............. it was an all Wilson Classic.

Anyway, I had so much fun hitting with his 85 that I went ahead and ordered one. Oh, and since I've been silently lurking for the past month or so (newborn = very little sleep and even less tennis), I also caved and picked up a Tec 320...............sigh, but who can resist the allure of an FYP injected PPro??

PS: The PS 85 with a full bed of RPM played amazing. Such control, and wicked power. And the feel............... the feel

This sums up the session:

This

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+

This
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ryushen21

Legend
Does anyone know when the new Rebel is due to be released? My curiousity is too high and my patience is wearing thin.

Demoing has continued to some mixed results.

The Bio 200 lost some of it's appeal. I'm just not sure what to think of it. It's good but not great. It just doesn't have that stand out feature like most of the rackets I have played. And I want to feel that confidence with frame in my hand and I just don't get that from this frame.

I've played the PSL a few times and it's a contender. It feels good in my hand (although I will have probably have to replace the leather for comfort's sake) and swings easily. Mods would be needed but that would be for almost any frame. Loads of response and feedback, serves good, swings nice. Not a lot of downsides.

The Black Ace is still in the mix but I won't have a really good feel for it until I am able to mod it up. The light weight messes me up a little bit and I get ahead of myself. I know from previous tests that I like the frame and that it's comfy. It's that classic player's frame that I just love love love.

The YT Rad MP continues to impress as well. Despite the balance being completely not to my liking in stock form, the orange one hits an undeniably big shot and excels in almost all areas of play. But at times it lacks presence and that wow factor. But part of me is very tempted to just buy a few, mod them up and get crackin.

The PSL and the Rad are the front only because I fear that the heavy mods needed on the Ace might ruin everything that I love about it. But it's still in my mind. All that remains now is to try out this new Rebel and see if it really is everything that it is hyped up to be.

Input? Suggestions? Recommendations?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
My issue with Dunlops is only one thing - they are low powered and you really have to work your butt off if you are a spin player.

The 1 dunlop that I feel like really delivers the beef is a Dunlop 100 with some lead at 12. Especially if you want a mid...it is amazing.

You may want to wait on the new Radicals because they are hitting shelves soon. Also may want to take the new Pro Staff 95 for a ride, but I suspect that this current trend of slimming down classic racquets will take away some of their original mojo.

Also think Prince could solidify themselves as back in the game again if the Rebel is as good as the reviews have been stating.
 
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