Diary of a Racketaholic

klementine

Hall of Fame
^ Yeah. Too much trouble and now that I'm back to work, I'll never find the time.

Pain killers and PayPal bucks don't mix people!!!! :smile:

Now, off the pills and looking to recoup a little of the account.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Here is a pic of lubey at ao 2012:
Ivan+Ljubicic+2012+Australian+Open+Day+1+j-Usjbr1RSil.jpg
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
^ Yup.... Colin the misinformed stringer also has Haas using the PrestigePro (PJ) and that definitely is an 18x20 tgk280pt57a.4567 something.....

Colin's pro list is hereby 'blacklisted'.....
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
^ Yup.... Colin the misinformed stringer also has Haas using the PrestigePro (PJ) and that definitely is an 18x20 tgk280pt57a.4567 something.....

Colin's pro list is hereby 'blacklisted'.....

Well, he is right that hass switched to 16 mains...looks like a murray esque racquet. A rad/prestige black capped pro stock something something....

His list seems a mix of old setups and marketing info...odd.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Turned the legs to mush tonight but had another good hit with MD. In brief:

200: Think this is my favorite Yonex. Feels great and easy to swing. However: I do notice something about Yonexes that extends to this frame, at least in stock form: the ball does often have a higher trajectory that can, at times, leave the ball sitting up a bit too much for the other guy to smack it back. BUT, if you lean into it, the power is there to rip. But you need to lean into it to get that 'drive', otherwise the ball wants to hit a loopier ball. Great frame. One I'd trade for but not sure if I'd be willing to buy it. Because:

IG Prestige MP: That's it. I'm pulling the trigger on one of these. Dynamite feel, unbelievable control, and when I step inside the baseline to go after a corner or a certain spot, I can rip it through the court on more of a drive instead of more of a 'sit up' kind of ball ... or instead of an overhit or some stupid mistake. Hits kind of like my Ace in terms of trajectory but there's some added maneuverability/whippiness that allows me to get some really nice, sharp angles instead of just hitting generally deep. Definitely a lower powered frame that occasionally hits a shorter ball than I'd like, but I love how this thing begs for me to take giant cuts at the ball and then just absolutely sparkles when I do, rewarding me with precision and line clippers. This frame is so much better than last year's Youtek MP, it's not even fair. I'm in. Now... starting in a week or so... the extended JGads match-play playtest with preferred string and such. So far it has only sparkled in that department, as I've gone 6-1 and 6-7 against a regular playing partner who is clearly better than me, so I believe this thing will be up to the task. I believe this thing may be the more forgiving Ace that I've been looking for of late.

BC20: Kind of re-discovering the beauty of this frame. It's been leaning up against the wall mostly for several months, not even making it inside the bag, but MD's stellar play with his 20 of late (I introduced him to this frame, and I feel like a guy who's introduced a couple that's getting married) inspired me to bring it back out. Didn't play a whole lot with this frame tonight, but I probably played 'second-best' with this, outdoing the 200 and the Organix 10 (granted, barely hit with the O10 tonight). ...

On the other side of the net, MD continues to hit some crazy nasty angry spin with his 20, constantly putting me on my heels and in the corner. He played better and more consistently on both wings with this frame vs. his new Yonexes, though those Yonexes are great frames. He actually played really, really well with the red RDiS 100 tonight, but not quite on par with his 20, at least not yet.
 
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Ross K

Legend
Gadsy and mad,

Re Organix 10 and RDis 200, could you please contrast these frames a bit more for me... how do they compare?.... are these more modern whippy toppy racks or a bit more solid plowy linear hitting? TIA


Meaghan,

NRG2... what do you make of it?


Fed,

I'm sure you also hit with the 98D... could you tell me a bit more about your performance impressions please... a long-running suspician of mine is 95" is a bit too small for me.


PP

Sorry for the dumb qsn, but has there only ever been just one Pro Open? - the BLX Pro Open?... and this is the one you're playing?
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Gadsy and mad,

Re Organix 10 and RDis 200, could you please contrast these frames a bit more for me... how do they compare?.... are these more modern whippy toppy racks or a bit more solid plowy linear hitting? TIA

The 200 is 11.7 with a 325ish swingweight, but to me it feels like 11.3 with a 315 swingweight. Just really moves nicely through the air. Flexes and pockets the ball. But it wants to hit spin a little more than drive the ball. As I said, you CAN drive the ball, but sometimes you need to really think about doing so. Sometimes I want a little more drive, which is why I lean towards 18/20 beds usually, and that's what I was getting with the Prestige a lot more so than the 200.

The O10, however, definitely hits a more 'driving' ball in terms of trajectory than the 200. Nice plow on this one. Not insane plow, but very generous. Somewhere just south of a 6.1 95. Nice frame. Nothing bad to say about it, really, other than it didn't jump out and wow me in any category. But really nice. To me there's something about it that reminds me of the Youtek Prestige Pro, but I liked this one better than that frame, which I just didn't get along with.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Don't think lopez plays with the pro open, its a tear drop head shape where lopez is round and I'm sure its 95, I always thought it was a classic??
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
another great hit w/ Gads tonight. Gadsy plays the best w/ the new Head IG Prestige MP. as he said, he hits some stupidly impossible angles with this stick. what i noticed the most is that the floaty, no pace balls that often draw an unforced error either long or dumped into the net w/ his other sticks, he puts away with ease and consistency. his bh slices were just a work of art. they'd land and die. or they'd skim so low and barely clear the net where most of the time i thought they weren't going to make it over and had given up on it, but they somehow made it over. he's just got great control and power w/ this stick. this says it all. at the end of today's hit, i told him flat out to sell the all his sticks and buy the Prestige MP. i told him to keep the PS85 and the BC20. and finally to stop looking at other sticks.
 
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mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Gadsy and mad,

Re Organix 10 and RDis 200, could you please contrast these frames a bit more for me... how do they compare?.... are these more modern whippy toppy racks or a bit more solid plowy linear hitting? TIA

i don't think either qualifies as a modern whippy racket. the organix 10 is definitely the latter, while the RDiS 200 is a inbetween. it's not light enough to be truly whippy, while it's not heavy enough be a plowy linear hitting machine like say a PS85.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Turned the legs to mush tonight but had another good hit with MD. In brief:

200: Think this is my favorite Yonex. Feels great and easy to swing. However: I do notice something about Yonexes that extends to this frame, at least in stock form: the ball does often have a higher trajectory that can, at times, leave the ball sitting up a bit too much for the other guy to smack it back. BUT, if you lean into it, the power is there to rip. But you need to lean into it to get that 'drive', otherwise the ball wants to hit a loopier ball. Great frame. One I'd trade for but not sure if I'd be willing to buy it. Because:

IG Prestige MP: That's it. I'm pulling the trigger on one of these. Dynamite feel, unbelievable control, and when I step inside the baseline to go after a corner or a certain spot, I can rip it through the court on more of a drive instead of more of a 'sit up' kind of ball ... or instead of an overhit or some stupid mistake. Hits kind of like my Ace in terms of trajectory but there's some added maneuverability/whippiness that allows me to get some really nice, sharp angles instead of just hitting generally deep. Definitely a lower powered frame that occasionally hits a shorter ball than I'd like, but I love how this thing begs for me to take giant cuts at the ball and then just absolutely sparkles when I do, rewarding me with precision and line clippers. This frame is so much better than last year's Youtek MP, it's not even fair. I'm in. Now... starting in a week or so... the extended JGads match-play playtest with preferred string and such. So far it has only sparkled in that department, as I've gone 6-1 and 6-7 against a regular playing partner who is clearly better than me, so I believe this thing will be up to the task. I believe this thing may be the more forgiving Ace that I've been looking for of late.

BC20: Kind of re-discovering the beauty of this frame. It's been leaning up against the wall mostly for several months, not even making it inside the bag, but MD's stellar play with his 20 of late (I introduced him to this frame, and I feel like a guy who's introduced a couple that's getting married) inspired me to bring it back out. Didn't play a whole lot with this frame tonight, but I probably played 'second-best' with this, outdoing the 200 and the Organix 10 (granted, barely hit with the O10 tonight). ...

On the other side of the net, MD continues to hit some crazy nasty angry spin with his 20, constantly putting me on my heels and in the corner. He played better and more consistently on both wings with this frame vs. his new Yonexes, though those Yonexes are great frames. He actually played really, really well with the red RDiS 100 tonight, but not quite on par with his 20, at least not yet.

Thanks gads, this confirmd my suspicion that I made a good call, the smaller head and 16x20 on the 95d does not produce the floaty blob ball.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Gadsy and mad,

Re Organix 10 and RDis 200, could you please contrast these frames a bit more for me... how do they compare?.... are these more modern whippy toppy racks or a bit more solid plowy linear hitting? TIA


Meaghan,

NRG2... what do you make of it?


Fed,

I'm sure you also hit with the 98D... could you tell me a bit more about your performance impressions please... a long-running suspician of mine is 95" is a bit too small for me.


PP

Sorry for the dumb qsn, but has there only ever been just one Pro Open? - the BLX Pro Open?... and this is the one you're playing?

Ross, its a powerful frame for its weight. I would need to add a half ounce I think. If you like the pure drive but want to hit a little flatter, this is a nice one. The 16x20 is a good pattern for racaholics (mix of drive and spin). All in all, good power, stiff upper hoop, superb cosmetic. Needs a little weight. One the control side of tweenerdom, similar to a tec 320, less spin, more drive. I almost bought one.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Nice and orderly!

I sure do miss 18x20's.

The benefit of stringing 17g at low tensions really brings that 'plush-power' out of a frame. The lower flight of the ball... the slice... the solid feel at net. I better stop now... starting to persuade myself. ;)

Meaghs, I'd really like to know more on how the B6.1 compares to other 18x20 frames you've swung with similar specs.

The string pattern is more open than the blx and I still prefer 1.25 string but definately all the above. Stringing up the Legend today, Hyperion cross Im thinking, heard good things with hmmmm what main ????

Will get the 6.1 strung up tonight and hopefully hit Sunday with it, want something slightly softer and it is dense in the middle of the stringbed, so maybe Scorpion mains/timo cross......so many options :confused:

Don't think lopez plays with the pro open, its a tear drop head shape where lopez is round and I'm sure its 95, I always thought it was a classic??

Just looked at a few pics and its really difficult to tell.....some headshapes look round others teardrop!!! I also cant believe he S&V's the way he does with a 330g stick.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Ross

NRG2, Ive only ever had it when Ive got sticks off cc and I usually cut it out pretty quick. Cant really comment about that particular string but I stay away from multis as I have had some control issues, I dont like lively stringbeds, makes me jumpy :)
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Boys,

If you are looking for a really lively set up, full poly, then you must try Tourna7 16g/ Lux Timo 1.10, so much power and spin, ball was flying everywhere, so quickly but the control was there too.

Decided not to go with a completely different set up in the Legend so I decided to go with the Tourna7/Iontec (the best mains and crosses in my previous trials)....then realised I didnt have enough Tourna7 to do another mains so I decided to go with what I knew and the closest to T7....yes, the big TB came back to play.

Just had a knock in the garden and it feels sweet, ball on a string feel, thats why i like TB and only Alu has that quality, but the Iontec definately softens up the bed and its less twangy, more THUD! Ive got a sneaking feeling that this is gonna be my new set up.....

Question???

Ive now got two Melbournes and a Legend, the new two are completely stable, dampened and solid, my original Melly just has a slight flutter when the ball hits the strings, why does this happen. Everything is fine, no broken bits etc just a small vibration in the upper hoop?????
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Sorry for the dumb qsn, but has there only ever been just one Pro Open? - the BLX Pro Open?... and this is the one you're playing?

There was also a KPro and NPro Open and a new one is coming out as well (same as BLX, different PJ), which makes the current BLX a very nice buy at $129 new.

Don't think lopez plays with the pro open, its a tear drop head shape where lopez is round and I'm sure its 95, I always thought it was a classic??

I think he actually may use the Pro Open. But who knows..I will say that even at 330 grams, at the net, this stick is solid. It could easily be used at a high level with this weight due to the incredible stability of it.

Lots of people were at the courts last night, so I just hit with different people and got some serves in. I think I prefer the stick without the 3 grams in the buttcap and just 3 grams at 12. I like that more head heavy feel as it just crushed the ball. It also is so light this way (11.4) that it is still easy to whip the racquet. Anyway, I may go back and forth on that mod a little, but I will hit next time with just 3 grams at the tip. For my other stick, I am going to put 4 grams at 3 and 9 and see which setup I prefer. The point is that it does not seem to need counterbalancing for me.

I also am strongly considering getting a babolat skin feel grip for them as long as the weight and balance do not get too thrown off. I may lose another 4-5 grams there though.

Latest impressions :

Slice machine. This racquet is so good on the slice..just a thing of beauty and consistency.

Heavy balls : Coming from the 6.1, I was prepared to miss the heavy ball, but with the lead at the tip, that is a non issue. This racquet crushes the ball, and with a light weight, it makes it very easy to play an aggressive spin game. I found myself able to go a little more western to drive groundstrokes with heavy top, or more semiwestern to flatten out when I needed it.

Spin play : If you are more comfortable hitting with heavy spin on your rally balls, this stick delivers. I worked on just hitting targets on the court and I was able to keep the ball a little more shallow and safely in the lines, while adding heavy kick so it could not be attacked. One guy I hit with said he simply could not deal with the topspin to his 1 hander, but he and I dont hit very often, so he is not used to it.

Backhand : the backhand hits a lot like the 6.1. It is just an easy transition from the 6.1, the only adjustment is timing from the stick being lighter, so you have to give it a few days if you are used to a heavier racquet.

Serve : lighter is better for serve IMO. I serve abbreviated, but what I did with the 6.1 was instead of being in the trophy pose, I would have the racquet already past that and behind my head so I just dropped it when I tossed. With the Pro Open I can start from the trophy pose and as a result get more racquet head speed from that entire motion, plus the light weight. Anyway, I feel very confident serving with the 6.1, but that confidence is going up with the Open because the motion now "feels" better to me, and that helps a lot. This racquet serves very very big as well.

Feel : the feel is really what stands out still. It came with RIP Control (not bad, but moves a lot), which is not the best feel ever, but it doesnt matter. The stick is very plush with the lead on it, and the feeling on impact when you crush a ball is very very satisfying.

Anyway, I have really been working on the technique change and that makes the difference. the whole lock n roll thing is the secret to getting the most out of this racquet. So if you go to his website and like to hit in that style, the pro open is an amazing racquet to utilize. His modern technique added so much power to my strokes, and I barely use any effort. The challenge is training myself to hit that way everytime. I was basically hitting a modern spin forehand with classic footwork where I was always looking to step in. That caused me to lean backwards too much on some shots. Now I am throwing my hips into the shot more and it is so much easier.
 

ryushen21

Legend
Meags,

I lined up the n95 and the BLX last night to do a little comparison. Would have taken a pic but I was beyond tired. I see what you mean and I think that it comes from the white paint on the inside of the throat area of the frame. Gives it an illusion of being bigger than it really is.
 

skeeter

Professional
Turned the legs to mush tonight but had another good hit with MD. In brief:

IG Prestige MP: That's it. I'm pulling the trigger on one of these. Dynamite feel, unbelievable control, and when I step inside the baseline to go after a corner or a certain spot, I can rip it through the court on more of a drive instead of more of a 'sit up' kind of ball ... or instead of an overhit or some stupid mistake. Hits kind of like my Ace in terms of trajectory but there's some added maneuverability/whippiness that allows me to get some really nice, sharp angles instead of just hitting generally deep. Definitely a lower powered frame that occasionally hits a shorter ball than I'd like, but I love how this thing begs for me to take giant cuts at the ball and then just absolutely sparkles when I do, rewarding me with precision and line clippers. This frame is so much better than last year's Youtek MP, it's not even fair. I'm in. Now... starting in a week or so... the extended JGads match-play playtest with preferred string and such. So far it has only sparkled in that department, as I've gone 6-1 and 6-7 against a regular playing partner who is clearly better than me, so I believe this thing will be up to the task. I believe this thing may be the more forgiving Ace that I've been looking for of late.

Congrats, Gads; had a feeling you'd gravitate toward this one. As I'm just embarking on a longer-term playtest with this as well, look forward to hearing what works for you with various strings and tension. It'll be hard to be off for a week knowing you found your go-to racquet!
 

ryushen21

Legend
Gads...re your recent decision to pick up a Prestige MP, what string was in the racquet that you were hitting with. You seem to be getting some pretty different results than I did when I demoed mine.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It seems on spec..11.1 strung with no overgrip.

I will be able to measure grams now..just got a new scale. Before it was just ounces which is kind of annoying.
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
Seriously condsidering putting the ProOpen on the short list for my 'come-back' stick. It's going to be close to 8 months before I can strike a tennis ball again and the ProOpen is one of the few true 100sq.in. sticks that doesn't swing like one.

95 and under sticks are great when you're playing 3x a week but I'm going to need wd-40 and a screwdriver to get the rust off.

The nPro and Kpro were much harsher (by the way) and felt noticeably stiffer than the BLX version. Again, it was a great demo even with 16g POSG at high tensions. I can only imagine (and imagine I must) your gut hybrid. Thinking aout picking up a couple while they're still available.

Any other 'come-back' frame suggestions from the gang would be appreciated.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
The gut hybrid plays SUPER soft in the Pro Open. Probably too soft for me to justify the expense, but I do like it.

Other string setups I believe could be goaty in the Pro Open:

B5E/Nvy - normally I do not like it, but it may just be magic this time. this is a nice control setup that should also deliver a lot of spin.

Iontec Penta- Could be a ferocious spin beast if the feel is not super soft. Maybe too much spin to be honest, but I will find out when I string it up. The spin I get with RIP control is rather aggressive for a multi.

Tour Bite - doubt ill go full TB, but I am very certain I easily could. The 1st stick I got had TB mains and while they were dead, they still played rather great.

Anyway, if you like the BLX 95, than I doubt you will find a better "welcome back to tennis" stick than the Pro. I am playing a ton of tennis right now and the Pro Open still makes the game easier for me.

The main thing you will miss is the laser precision of the player's stick, but I still can place my shots quite well, so it's not even a big loss there.
 

klementine

Hall of Fame
I found that with the ProOpen balls were quickly getting to the corners. Just when you thought it was going out.

It definitely lacks the 'heft of shot' and that 'sharp spin' of heavier frames but swings so effortlessly that pace and fluid spin are attainable.

My footwork will be off... my timing.. conditioning and .. well.. just about everything. A 100sq.in. frame will be a saviour.

Doc says the shoulder looks great, I just need to take it easy and not over-work it when getting back to my normal routine. Rehab at home with some simple exercises is looking like a reality at this point. What a releif...... :smile:
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Well the good thing is a lighter stick will be very kind to your shoulder.

Also, once I added the 3 grams of lead at 12, that is when the sharp dropping spin came out to play again.

The most pleasurable shot is the rally ball. Loaded with spin and kick and just placing them in those zones right past the service box and a few feet from the alleys is EASY.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Gads...re your recent decision to pick up a Prestige MP, what string was in the racquet that you were hitting with. You seem to be getting some pretty different results than I did when I demoed mine.

Full bed of Sonic Pro. Probably at mid tension; I'd go a few pounds lower than what it had but the frame still felt so good. Not yet sure what I'll put in my new one. Probably a hybrid, some poly with NVy.

Skeeter, indeed. I'll be anxious to return but the greatest city in the world awaits for a week. Will be thinking about string selection for a week. Let me know your faves. Can't wait to get my hands on this thing. Really a nice, honest frame.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Full bed of Sonic Pro. Probably at mid tension; I'd go a few pounds lower than what it had but the frame still felt so good. Not yet sure what I'll put in my new one. Probably a hybrid, some poly with NVy.

Skeeter, indeed. I'll be anxious to return but the greatest city in the world awaits for a week. Will be thinking about string selection for a week. Let me know your faves. Can't wait to get my hands on this thing. Really a nice, honest frame.

Gads. Full bed hyperion. Better version of sonic pro. Although, here is my theory:

Burton snowboard, burton bindings, burton boots= goat.

Head youtek, sonic pro, goating.

Tec 320, blackcode, goating.

Tour 90, champions choice, goating.

Apd, rpm, goating.

You get the idea. R and D departments do a lot of playtesting...
 

Ross K

Legend
Ross

NRG2, Ive only ever had it when Ive got sticks off cc and I usually cut it out pretty quick. Cant really comment about that particular string but I stay away from multis as I have had some control issues, I dont like lively stringbeds, makes me jumpy :)

Haha... yes, same with me also. I've only had brief outings with NRG2 and always from Simon's frames!

Re TB/Iontech, this hybriding of the TB with a co-poly suddenly seems so obvious! Why didn't I think of it!:)


Mad, Gads and FKen,

Cheers for responses to qsns... hmm, maybe the RDis 200 would be more my cup of tea. Hard to say of course.


klem,

Seriously condsidering putting the ProOpen on the short list for my 'come-back' stick. It's going to be close to 8 months before I can strike a tennis ball again and the ProOpen is one of the few true 100sq.in. sticks that doesn't swing like one.

95 and under sticks are great when you're playing 3x a week but I'm going to need wd-40 and a screwdriver to get the rust off.

The nPro and Kpro were much harsher (by the way) and felt noticeably stiffer than the BLX version. Again, it was a great demo even with 16g POSG at high tensions. I can only imagine (and imagine I must) your gut hybrid. Thinking aout picking up a couple while they're still available.

Any other 'come-back' frame suggestions from the gang would be appreciated.

Yes, I'm also pretty interested in this rack and for some of the same reasons. I tell you, I didn't play for over a week/ten days, but when I did (yesterday with the PT630 and TGKPP), the issue wasn't really the frames but my lame form and dodgy knee. :evil:
 

Ross K

Legend
There was also a KPro and NPro Open and a new one is coming out as well (same as BLX, different PJ), which makes the current BLX a very nice buy at $129 new.



I think he actually may use the Pro Open. But who knows..I will say that even at 330 grams, at the net, this stick is solid. It could easily be used at a high level with this weight due to the incredible stability of it.

Lots of people were at the courts last night, so I just hit with different people and got some serves in. I think I prefer the stick without the 3 grams in the buttcap and just 3 grams at 12. I like that more head heavy feel as it just crushed the ball. It also is so light this way (11.4) that it is still easy to whip the racquet. Anyway, I may go back and forth on that mod a little, but I will hit next time with just 3 grams at the tip. For my other stick, I am going to put 4 grams at 3 and 9 and see which setup I prefer. The point is that it does not seem to need counterbalancing for me.

I also am strongly considering getting a babolat skin feel grip for them as long as the weight and balance do not get too thrown off. I may lose another 4-5 grams there though.

Latest impressions :

Slice machine. This racquet is so good on the slice..just a thing of beauty and consistency.

Heavy balls : Coming from the 6.1, I was prepared to miss the heavy ball, but with the lead at the tip, that is a non issue. This racquet crushes the ball, and with a light weight, it makes it very easy to play an aggressive spin game. I found myself able to go a little more western to drive groundstrokes with heavy top, or more semiwestern to flatten out when I needed it.

Spin play : If you are more comfortable hitting with heavy spin on your rally balls, this stick delivers.
I worked on just hitting targets on the court and I was able to keep the ball a little more shallow and safely in the lines, while adding heavy kick so it could not be attacked. One guy I hit with said he simply could not deal with the topspin to his 1 hander, but he and I dont hit very often, so he is not used to it.

Backhand : the backhand hits a lot like the 6.1. It is just an easy transition from the 6.1, the only adjustment is timing from the stick being lighter, so you have to give it a few days if you are used to a heavier racquet.

Serve : lighter is better for serve IMO. I serve abbreviated, but what I did with the 6.1 was instead of being in the trophy pose, I would have the racquet already past that and behind my head so I just dropped it when I tossed. With the Pro Open I can start from the trophy pose and as a result get more racquet head speed from that entire motion, plus the light weight. Anyway, I feel very confident serving with the 6.1, but that confidence is going up with the Open because the motion now "feels" better to me, and that helps a lot. This racquet serves very very big as well.

Feel : the feel is really what stands out still. It came with RIP Control (not bad, but moves a lot), which is not the best feel ever, but it doesnt matter. The stick is very plush with the lead on it, and the feeling on impact when you crush a ball is very very satisfying.

Anyway, I have really been working on the technique change and that makes the difference. the whole lock n roll thing is the secret to getting the most out of this racquet. So if you go to his website and like to hit in that style, the pro open is an amazing racquet to utilize. His modern technique added so much power to my strokes, and I barely use any effort. The challenge is training myself to hit that way everytime. I was basically hitting a modern spin forehand with classic footwork where I was always looking to step in. That caused me to lean backwards too much on some shots. Now I am throwing my hips into the shot more and it is so much easier.

Doh!... of course the KPro an NPro.. must be going senile.:wink:

This really sounds like a frame tailor-made for me, provide there's also a good measure of control/solidness/feel... or do I ask too much?!

Please give me a link re the last paragraph (technique stuff) or illuminate me further. Sounds fascinating, but I don't know what you're referring to exactly.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Ross, here is my reservation on the 200...its a soft frame. Its like c10 soft.
So, awesome sensation but, you pick up a 6.1 or something and think, hey now I am really putting a charge into the ball.
Perhaps Gads can elaborate as he gave it a more recent run.
My gut is telling me you may appreciate the rdis100 or the vcore98 more due to your babolicious tendencies...
 

all_backhand

New User
So, I have to be honest. I kinda hate Meaghan right now. Just came back from a hitting session with the BB Melbourne and the PSTGT and now I have to add another racquet to the list. The Melbourne didn't shame the PST, it just exceeded the performance of the PST in enough areas to make it a legit contender.

I didn't think I would enjoy the "feel" of a racquet more than the PST, but on touch shots and at the net, I found the Melbourne to be noticeably superior in that regard. From the baseline, the thing that struck me the most was the amount of spin I was able to generate with the 18x20 pattern. While I haven't played with many 18x20 racquets (Blx 6.1 95, Dunlop 300 tour, Head LM radical), the Melbourne is the most open 18x20 string pattern I've ever played with. One of the things I love most about hitting with the PST is the consistent depth of shot I'm able to get with the frame. I left considerably more balls short with the Melbourne, but I also felt more comfortable going for lines with it.

I served bigger with the PST, but I'm not sure I served better. I was slightly more precise with the Melbourne. For that reason, it was more or less a wash on serve.

I played a set with each racquet and won both sets 7-6 against a buddy of mine who seems to get everything back. My results against him tend to be tied directly to my ability to get to the net and finish off points quickly. Even though the scores of both sets were the same, I volleyed better in the second set which was played with the Melbourne.

I still need to try out the new 6.1 95s but the Melbourne is a really impressive frame. I'm surprised more people don't use it.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Gads. Full bed hyperion. Better version of sonic pro. Although, here is my theory:

Burton snowboard, burton bindings, burton boots= goat.

Head youtek, sonic pro, goating.

Tec 320, blackcode, goating.

Tour 90, champions choice, goating.

Apd, rpm, goating.

You get the idea. R and D departments do a lot of playtesting...

I do find that Sonic Pro has always been pretty awesome in Heads. This demo even had me thinking about trying the string, BUT, I do in fact have a set of hyperion at home. Tell me more about SP vs Hyperion. Never tried Hyperion before.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Gads..fascinating head news. I am sure that racqet is killer..surprised u like the lower swingweight...is it lower powered than your blackace?

I went and got s food scale with grams on it. Both sticks actually just have 2 grams of lead at 12 now that i measured. The one with the pro hybrid weighs 329 and the one with the baboleather is 325. The pro hybrid is a heavier grip i think because the bevel feel i have with the leather is more defined. So basically bith sticks are on spec..balance is basically the same, the hydropro grip is just a tad more headlight..barely at all.
 

Ross K

Legend
Fed,

Ross, here is my reservation on the 200...its a soft frame. Its like c10 soft.
So, awesome sensation but, you pick up a 6.1 or something and think, hey now I am really putting a charge into the ball.
Perhaps Gads can elaborate as he gave it a more recent run.
My gut is telling me you may appreciate the rdis100 or the vcore98 more due to your babolicious tendencies...

Cheers ^... yes, those Babolicious tendencies!:)


Meags (others who've hit w/BC30),

I've recalled I actually have a BC30 laying around at home doing nothing and I wasn't able to sell it previously. I hardly played it without the grip extension thingy... QSN. Reckon it's worth me investigating? This is there APD clone, right? Pros and cons?


All,

Breakfast, mmmm...

Been detoxing all week from France and it's gastronomic and especially alcoholic pleasures... but now off for a huge Devononshire 'full English breakfast'... loads of bacon, sausages, double fried eggs ('sunnyside up', think you say States-side), mushrooms, toast, beans, black pudding, gallon of tea - bring it on! :D
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Ross, here is my reservation on the 200...its a soft frame. Its like c10 soft.
So, awesome sensation but, you pick up a 6.1 or something and think, hey now I am really putting a charge into the ball.
Perhaps Gads can elaborate as he gave it a more recent run.
My gut is telling me you may appreciate the rdis100 or the vcore98 more due to your babolicious tendencies...
regarding the RDiS 100...

well, i've spent the last 3 days or dates getting acquainted w/ the RDiS 100 MP. the first date was awkward. i actually preferred the RDS 001 MP. the next evening i took the RDiS 100 on a second date and i found that it had started to grow on me. then tonight, the BHS in my BC20 that had played so well last night had started going dead with approx 4 hrs of play on the string bed. that was a short window of playability. i hadn't had time to restring my other BC20 so i had to resort to pulling the RDiS 100 out of the bag. this time i devoted all my attention to it. the more i hit with it, the better it felt. the issues i was having on my backhand weren't issues anymore. forehands were just fantastic. volleys were so solid. this is one area that the BC20 doesn't excel at. the other area where i struggle w/ the BC20 is on serves. well, the RDiS 100 rocks on serve. flat, slice, topspin were all easy. control was quite good. things are going swimmingly well that the 100 has earned another few dates. next time i'm going to compare it with the BC20 w/ a fresh bed of Iontec Hexa and see which one comes out on top.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Ross, here is my reservation on the 200...its a soft frame. Its like c10 soft.
So, awesome sensation but, you pick up a 6.1 or something and think, hey now I am really putting a charge into the ball.
Perhaps Gads can elaborate as he gave it a more recent run.
My gut is telling me you may appreciate the rdis100 or the vcore98 more due to your babolicious tendencies...

I'm with Fed here. Seems like your preferences have always been the stiffer frames (Babs, 6.1, Prestige Pro) and the 200 is on the softer side of things. Given this habit, RDIS 100 I think would be a GREAT try for you. Sweet frame, heavy ball, crisp but not harsh. The bigger VCores as well could work, I just dont know enough about those frames.

Gads..fascinating head news. I am sure that racqet is killer..surprised u like the lower swingweight...is it lower powered than your blackace?

I went and got s food scale with grams on it. Both sticks actually just have 2 grams of lead at 12 now that i measured. The one with the pro hybrid weighs 329 and the one with the baboleather is 325. The pro hybrid is a heavier grip i think because the bevel feel i have with the leather is more defined. So basically bith sticks are on spec..balance is basically the same, the hydropro grip is just a tad more headlight..barely at all.

Funny thing about the Prestige. Swingweight doesn't at all 'feel' like 310. The Youtek version totally felt like 310, that thing felt (and hit) like a feather to me. They did something with this frame's balance or something that makes it feel heavier through the air, and it also hits a heavier ball than the Youtek. I mean, even Carol said in her review that it felt 'sluggish' compared to her 6.1. So that's a quirk that I'm not sure if it's a good or a bad thing (if I were to add weight in the head, would def have to counterbalance) but the frame just agrees with me right now.

Head to head, my Ace probably does get more plow. But the Prestige feels close behind while adding a touch more maneuverability (giving me sharper angles lately that I haven't been hitting with the Ace) and a more forgiving head size. When I switched to my Ace the other night right after hitting the Prestige, the smaller head and added swingweight messed with me and I shanked some balls.

Thus far, the thing I like the most about the Prestige is that (like the Ace) I seem to know exactly what it's doing at all times. It may not have the FYP of some others, but it also never surprises me in a bad way that has me looking at the frame asking, what? - after i hit a ball that I think and feel should do one thing but ends up doing another (shooting long, for instance). And I never, ever feel afraid to hold anything back, my stroke can be on the gas pedal the whole time. As such, put away shots have been automatic of late because I just rip rather than 'measure', hoping I can put enough spin on a ball to keep it in.

God I hope this isn't just another Honeymoon, though. Hence, the extended match-play playtest when I get back. So far it's been epic in match play but from only a tiny sample size.


regarding the RDiS 100...

well, i've spent the last 3 days or dates getting acquainted w/ the RDiS 100 MP. the first date was awkward. i actually preferred the RDS 001 MP. the next evening i took the RDiS 100 on a second date and i found that it had started to grow on me. then tonight, the BHS in my BC20 that had played so well last night had started going dead with approx 4 hrs of play on the string bed. that was a short window of playability. i hadn't had time to restring my other BC20 so i had to resort to pulling the RDiS 100 out of the bag. this time i devoted all my attention to it. the more i hit with it, the better it felt. the issues i was having on my backhand weren't issues anymore. forehands were just fantastic. volleys were so solid. this is one area that the BC20 doesn't excel at. the other area where i struggle w/ the BC20 is on serves. well, the RDiS 100 rocks on serve. flat, slice, topspin were all easy. control was quite good. things are going swimmingly well that the 100 has earned another few dates. next time i'm going to compare it with the BC20 w/ a fresh bed of Iontec Hexa and see which one comes out on top.

This could get interesting. really sweet frame and such a nice full feel, too. If you could match the serves and volleys of the 100 with the supreme spin baseline control of the 20, you'd have a perfect frame.

Will leave all testing and reporting to you guys this week but will continue to check in to play along vicariously. Signing off from NYC, for now.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
So, I have to be honest. I kinda hate Meaghan right now. Just came back from a hitting session with the BB Melbourne and the PSTGT and now I have to add another racquet to the list. The Melbourne didn't shame the PST, it just exceeded the performance of the PST in enough areas to make it a legit contender.

I didn't think I would enjoy the "feel" of a racquet more than the PST, but on touch shots and at the net, I found the Melbourne to be noticeably superior in that regard. From the baseline, the thing that struck me the most was the amount of spin I was able to generate with the 18x20 pattern. While I haven't played with many 18x20 racquets (Blx 6.1 95, Dunlop 300 tour, Head LM radical), the Melbourne is the most open 18x20 string pattern I've ever played with. One of the things I love most about hitting with the PST is the consistent depth of shot I'm able to get with the frame. I left considerably more balls short with the Melbourne, but I also felt more comfortable going for lines with it.

I served bigger with the PST, but I'm not sure I served better. I was slightly more precise with the Melbourne. For that reason, it was more or less a wash on serve.

I played a set with each racquet and won both sets 7-6 against a buddy of mine who seems to get everything back. My results against him tend to be tied directly to my ability to get to the net and finish off points quickly. Even though the scores of both sets were the same, I volleyed better in the second set which was played with the Melbourne.

I still need to try out the new 6.1 95s but the Melbourne is a really impressive frame. I'm surprised more people don't use it.

Good stuff, I found the pst rather clunky at the net but yes from the baseline and getting the strings and tension right as I found it slightly underpowered (maybe a feel thing from the woofer grommets??) but you can get into the zone. The Melbourne has more options and thats maybe why depth was an issue off the bat.......If I stayed at the baseline I would probably plump for the pst but if I was always looking to move in or play all court stuff, mixing it up then the Melbourne is up there with the best all court sticks, like the 6.1 and prestige line.

What strings did you have in, its not a simple racket in that department, Ive started stringing under 50lbs (more used to higher tension) but it works real well, feel is enhanced, serving power, put aways etc. If you are looking for a powerful spinny set up I tried Tourna7 (16g) mains/ Lux Timo 1.10 crosses @47lbs, quite remarkable how lively this was whilst still very controllable.
Just strung up another with TB 1.25 mains/Iontec 1.20 crosses, absolutely amazing set up, more muted and less lively but super controlling with loads of pop and spin as youd expct from TB but with the lovely touch and plush feel of Iontec. Superb!

Meags (others who've hit w/BC30),

I've recalled I actually have a BC30 laying around at home doing nothing and I wasn't able to sell it previously. I hardly played it without the grip extension thingy... QSN. Reckon it's worth me investigating? This is there APD clone, right? Pros and cons?

I thought you may give this a proper go Ross, its a great stick, its not APD like its more players stick, prob closer to the pro open PP is demoing. Take the mods off and start again, Prob leather grip/og will just bring the balance up and youre ready to go......Pros for me were consistency from the baseline, very easy to use, solid stable, better volleys than the bc20. I would of changed from the bc20 at the time except I couldnt tune in on serve and get the versatility of a smaller headed stick. But Im looking for this cos its my big weapon.

Worth a go Ross, it likes TB too!
 

ryushen21

Legend
Full bed of Sonic Pro. Probably at mid tension; I'd go a few pounds lower than what it had but the frame still felt so good. Not yet sure what I'll put in my new one. Probably a hybrid, some poly with NVy.

Ahhh....the demo that I used had a full bed of some very obviously heavily played syn gut. This would explain why I was getting the results that I did. All the same, probably better that way. It would have probably denied, or at least distracted me from the GROATy experience of my n95.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Ahhh....the demo that I used had a full bed of some very obviously heavily played syn gut. This would explain why I was getting the results that I did. All the same, probably better that way. It would have probably denied, or at least distracted me from the GROATy experience of my n95.

I had one other Prestige mp demo that had synthetic gut in it and it didnt play (or even feel) nearly as nice.
 

ryushen21

Legend
I had one other Prestige mp demo that had synthetic gut in it and it didnt play (or even feel) nearly as nice.

Hmm....that makes me want to think twice about writing off the MP. But right now I'm too invested in getting settled with the n95.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Hmm....that makes me want to think twice about writing off the MP. But right now I'm too invested in getting settled with the n95.

It's interesting. The Prestige MP and the 6.1 are different beasts. 6.1s: FYP, easy pop on the rally balls, just mad, heavy power. MP has less power, little more flex, and you have to work for depth a little more. But it's what you're looking for. I think if you prefer more of an even, easy swing, the 6.1 rules over the Prestige MP because of the free, easy power. I think I tend to swing out a little more violently at the ball, and the Prestige's control works well with that. It's giving me that Pure Storm Limited vibe but with more pop than the PSL, especially on serve. Targeting has just been spot on.
 
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