Diary of a Racketaholic

JGads

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
If I can get one for cheap or in a trade ill do it and give a full report. I already know it will goat. It is a pro mold frame that is what blake and Hass use..etc. Not the same layup, but the feel of these dunlop frames is absolutely awesome. It is a fusion of Wilson solid meets Yonex Mute meets Head Plush kind of thing.

The 4D series absolutely slaughters any Bio or later frame. the 200 light was not good. I would never touch a Dunlop frame past the 4d series, but I played those frames for a very pleasurable year of my life. The first forehand winner you hit and the first backhand slice will change your life.

I could easily say it is better than any head prestige I have used besides the 600 mid and feel very confident in that assesment.
Click to expand...

Atta boy. You say it has a SW of 307? Just looked at TW's stats and they average 318 or something.

Looks like we'll both have side stick projects going. As I alluded to awhile back, my current side project I was working on before I came to NY was revisiting but this time weighting up a Pro Staff 95 BLX, and it was actually going well. Was bombing serves and sticking box-beam volleys and touch shots.

I may get a chance to actually play here in NY on Sunday against a guy who is in my league but lives most of the year in NY. I'll have to grab a demo, if that's the case, because I didn't bring any sticks. Not sure what I should take out there, but will see if by some off chance one of the big tennis shops here, *******, has any old 300 demos (probably only the current model, though).
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Brage is an enthusiastic poster ;)

Gads, I'd suggest RDCing a 300T if you ever get one. It was definitely lower than 317 and it makes a lot of sense because it is a low powered stick without lead. It honestly is like buying a pro stock with no lead or silicone, so you can make it into whatever you want.

Kind of silly how many new racquets come out and I forget about the best ones. I remember reading about your struggles to get the Prestige MP just right and the answer is quite possibly the 300t. Anyway, the price is right if you want a control frame that hits that nice driving topspin shot.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Brage is an enthusiastic poster ;)

Gads, I'd suggest RDCing a 300T if you ever get one. It was definitely lower than 317 and it makes a lot of sense because it is a low powered stick without lead. It honestly is like buying a pro stock with no lead or silicone, so you can make it into whatever you want.

Kind of silly how many new racquets come out and I forget about the best ones. I remember reading about your struggles to get the Prestige MP just right and the answer is quite possibly the 300t. Anyway, the price is right if you want a control frame that hits that nice driving topspin shot.
Click to expand...

For me, I took a stock 300Tour and added 10 g's inside the handle (rubber bracelets) and 4 4" lead strips at 3/9 and it was perfection. Just thinking about that racquet makes me want to get one again. Sweet feeling and nice pocketing and since the power is low, it works great with full multi or multi/poly.
 
JGads

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Was looking at user comments and Dunny 300T users talked about a few things that worried me: a very dead upper hoop (lead can cure this, but enough lead could also make it sluggish), a short handle (guess you could wrap overgrip to the top, but still, annoying on the two-hander), and some instability. Guess these are correctable enough with lead? It's PP's mission to find out.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Yeah jack I remember you loved that stick too. It's defintley a little tougher to use coming from the free power of the tweeners, but I was stringing full poly low in the 40s with it when I had it.

Gads, the short handle is not that short..it's doable for me, but we are all different there. This is the same mold as the original tfiight 320.. Just the classic james blake dunlop. The instability is there if you don't lead it up. It is a pro stock racquet..basically meant to be leaded. What I love about these sticks is the sublime solid and rich feedback when you unload on a forehand. Very goaty..not super hard to use, but it's a control stick, no free power.

Hit for a while today with the 200.. I am really able to lay into the ball now with this string setup. Can't wait to try a full job of the bright yellow poly tour because I need a nice soft poly pockety string job. Played a club
Pro and my buddy in some 1 on 2s and was goating with this setup. It just suits my strokes. I can unload big shots when I see the chance, or just massage the ball around the court with sharp angles and relaxed swings. Most important I can hit my drop shots again too because I have pocketing.

By the way I found it crazy how little tomic tried tonight. That guy just stood around like a rec player half the match. I think his dad has broken him. It sucks to see. He looked like he quit and just wanted to get the hell out of there.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I wanted to add a key point I learned selecting your string tension, and string setup. The most important shots for me to set my tension to are defensive ones. If I get pulled wide I can't just get the ball back over, but I need to get it back deep with a compact flick since that is all I have time for.

Any good player who is 4.5 or above will put away your short balls, and what seperates you from competing with them can sometimes boil down to not giving them any. While it is nice to have my forehand back, have heavier strokes, and better net clearance, the main thing that is winning me more points with this setup is if I get pulled wide, I can send back a deep reply and get right back into the point...just something to think about when tweaking string setups.
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
Hey fella's ,

Been awhile since I have posted in this thread but had a few racketaholic moments through the last month or two. I had pretty well fallen in love the Radical Pro when I last posted and was about to order a couple and call it a day until a buddy of mine let me hit with his IG Prestige Pro. It does everything the Radical Pro did but I found the firmer feel, solidity and plow when hitting against higher level players just too good to pass up. This racquet is also a servers dream offering effortless pace, spin and placement. Yes it is a step up in class (as far as the ability required to wield this frame) and I have had a few moments when completely gassed, where I am tempted to pick up the Radical or the Vcore 95D again but I am really trying to be strong this time and stick with just one stick for awhile just to see if this really could be my goat.

I have mainly using full poly (Discho Black Ion Rough) @ 52-55 lbs. I really like this string but I have found it seems to lose tension a little too quickly for my liking so I will be experimenting with some other set ups soon. Yonex Pro Poly Tour, and Tour bite are a must but was hoping for some other suggestions? Gut/Poly hybrid ?
 
JGads

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Yeah jack I remember you loved that stick too. It's defintley a little tougher to use coming from the free power of the tweeners, but I was stringing full poly low in the 40s with it when I had it.

Gads, the short handle is not that short..it's doable for me, but we are all different there. This is the same mold as the original tfiight 320.. Just the classic james blake dunlop. The instability is there if you don't lead it up. It is a pro stock racquet..basically meant to be leaded. What I love about these sticks is the sublime solid and rich feedback when you unload on a forehand. Very goaty..not super hard to use, but it's a control stick, no free power.

Hit for a while today with the 200.. I am really able to lay into the ball now with this string setup. Can't wait to try a full job of the bright yellow poly tour because I need a nice soft poly pockety string job. Played a club
Pro and my buddy in some 1 on 2s and was goating with this setup. It just suits my strokes. I can unload big shots when I see the chance, or just massage the ball around the court with sharp angles and relaxed swings. Most important I can hit my drop shots again too because I have pocketing.

By the way I found it crazy how little tomic tried tonight. That guy just stood around like a rec player half the match. I think his dad has broken him. It sucks to see. He looked like he quit and just wanted to get the hell out of there.
Click to expand...

Tomic was awful. I'm just tired of the guy. Doesn't utilize his size enough, gets lazy, stayed so far back and it was clear he wasn't going to push for anything to happen, he was just going to push and hope for the best. He can be so much better than that.

Some fun matchups on the weekend. Blake-Raonic could be fun, Sock-Almagro, even Stephens-Ivanovic, but really excited about Dolgopolov-Wawrinka on Sunday, with the potential of Dolgo then earning a US Open rematch against Djoker (that match last year was stupendous) if he can find a way to beat Waw and that sick backhand.
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Murray_fan1 said:
Hey fella's ,

Been awhile since I have posted in this thread but had a few racketaholic moments through the last month or two. I had pretty well fallen in love the Radical Pro when I last posted and was about to order a couple and call it a day until a buddy of mine let me hit with his IG Prestige Pro. It does everything the Radical Pro did but I found the firmer feel, solidity and plow when hitting against higher level players just too good to pass up. This racquet is also a servers dream offering effortless pace, spin and placement. Yes it is a step up in class (as far as the ability required to wield this frame) and I have had a few moments when completely gassed, where I am tempted to pick up the Radical or the Vcore 95D again but I am really trying to be strong this time and stick with just one stick for awhile just to see if this really could be my goat.

I have mainly using full poly (Discho Black Ion Rough) @ 52-55 lbs. I really like this string but I have found it seems to lose tension a little too quickly for my liking so I will be experimenting with some other set ups soon. Yonex Pro Poly Tour, and Tour bite are a must but was hoping for some other suggestions? Gut/Poly hybrid ?
Click to expand...

Interesting to hear this, Muzza. If I was being honest, I´d also have to say I found the YTPP a step up in ability for me, though I always liked the way it swung, the solidness, etc, very much. I´d guess I´d fare better with the Rad Pro, but good to hear this anyhow re the IGPP.
 
Meaghan

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Think I've persuaded myself to go back to the custom rackets of Paul Angell. Just contemplating an extra half inch ;)
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
Meaghan said:
Think I've persuaded myself to go back to the custom rackets of Paul Angell. Just contemplating an extra half inch ;)
Click to expand...

Interesting. Since you like to customize your sticks anyway, seems like a good choice. I assume you have yet to hit with an Angell stick (via demo) yet but are they essentially the same as Vantage? Classic graphite lay up?
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
Ross K said:
Interesting to hear this, Muzza. If I was being honest, I´d also have to say I found the YTPP a step up in ability for me, though I always liked the way it swung, the solidness, etc, very much. I´d guess I´d fare better with the Rad Pro, but good to hear this anyhow re the IGPP.
Click to expand...

Hey Ross,

I wish the weight was lightly less so that it could be more customizable. I feel at 12.4 ounces with an overgrip is getting near the top off my spec range but this stick does seem to defy the specs slightly as it comes through the air very quickly and is just so buttery smooth on groundies. The racquet does not get pushed around at all. The only stroke I have had a little struggle with is the 2hbh, where if i get lazy and don't accelerate through the contact zone results are less than spectacular. This of course is not a bad thing as it forces me to prepare early. Not to sound like John at Stringers World but "I know I will only get out what I put in"
 
Meaghan

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Murray_fan1 said:
Interesting. Since you like to customize your sticks anyway, seems like a good choice. I assume you have yet to hit with an Angell stick (via demo) yet but are they essentially the same as Vantage? Classic graphite lay up?
Click to expand...

JGads said:
What about just going .25 longer? That's what I would do.

What's the story on the 89?
Click to expand...

They are the same as the custom Vantage, I played the 95" for a couple of years and then the bc20 for another year and a half after that. I lengthened the bc20 a cm after trialling some longer sticks and really clicked, Id probably say the bc20 with tour bite was my happiest time from the baseline but that set up was not the best at the net and in the end moved on after losing a semi to the no1 seed at the club after missing two easy volleys! The custom is much better imo in this department.

The good thing about the interchangeable pallets is you can cut them to size to modify the length.

Ive been searching for something to equal them and the volkl dnx10 mid has been the best, the yonex 89t is just as good if you are happy with the round grip. Ive lost some confidence on my 1hbh and I think its a lot to do with the grip, a head shape grip means my fingers lay flat on the underside and I feel more stable. Otherwise the 89t is up there with the best.

As for the lay up, high modulus graphite, yes, but Paul says there's more of it in the lay up and the foam filled feel is to my liking. The D shape construction feels very stable and very manouverable at the same time.

The only thing missing from the new cosmetic is a high gloss, sexy finish, this appeals to me but it looks like Im going back to black, which is the opposite of the all white VT's I had a while back.
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
Man you guys are awesome. I have over 50 sticks now and I'm pretty well pawning them off for pennies! I just can't find that stick that I'm really happy with.

If you want to hear something just absolutely nuts, my "sleeper" stick of the year so far is the Instinct IG S. Yeah, the S. Long story short: My girlfriend supports my racketaholism to an extent as long as I get "pretty" frames hahahaha! I honestly LOVE the Instinct PJ. Here's the thing, I thought I got the Instinct, but it turns out I got the S. So I strung it up with RIP16, threw a 4 strips of 5 inch 1/4 inch length lead under the grip with a Shock Shield and Wilson Pro.

Man was I GOATing last night with it. I honestly don't know the weight right now as my scale ran out of batteries, but the balance is right at even and I hit the snot out of the ball with it. The 102 head size is very "Pure Drive" esk. It hits with solid power and great spin. The balance right now is a bit off for my serve motion, but I really am digging it.

I wish it was just a few points less stiff, but it's pretty sweet right now!

-Fuji
 
bad_call

bad_call

Legend
fellow RHS - now that i'm liking the yy200 string tension, going to resist pulling out the 4D 100 and give the yy200 an honest go in matches. :)
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It is a fusion of the 2 sticks. Huge sweetspot like the Prince, power and spin of Tfight. Flex is in between both. Feel is better than both. Power equal to tfight. Serve is better than EXO equal to Tfight, spin is equal to both (its a spin stick). I find the 200 the easiest to use of the 3.
 
S

smirker

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
If I can get one for cheap or in a trade ill do it and give a full report. I already know it will goat. It is a pro mold frame that is what blake and Hass use..etc. Not the same layup, but the feel of these dunlop frames is absolutely awesome. It is a fusion of Wilson solid meets Yonex Mute meets Head Plush kind of thing.

The 4D series absolutely slaughters any Bio or later frame. the 200 light was not good. I would never touch a Dunlop frame past the 4d series, but I played those frames for a very pleasurable year of my life. The first forehand winner you hit and the first backhand slice will change your life.

I could easily say it is better than any head prestige I have used besides the 600 mid and feel very confident in that assesment.
Click to expand...

PP, what is your take on the older Dunlop frames? I have an Aerogel 500T and 3 M-fil 300's and a very old Tour Revelation 2. Suggested mods? Or is the 300T The one to get hold of?

Thanks.
 
Automatix

Automatix

Legend
About a dozen racquets ago I've come to the conclusion that always, and I mean always, a racquet which could have been the one for you is discontinued and unobtainable which leads to the inevitable never ending search...


I've actually got a sniff of my perfect racquet some time ago... it was a Pro Kennex Heritage Laver Type SX.

typeS.jpg


A friend who doesn't play very often brought it on court... I looked at it and remembered that I read somewhere that it had a beam going from about 18mm up to 24mm and a stiffness rating of approximately 66RA with a 100 square inch headsize. I laughed and said it must be a very specific racquet.
A hybrid of a Fischer No.1 model (specific beam taper) with a Pure Drive (higher stiffness and bigger headsize)...

Specs completely not in my taste... I prefer frames with a smaller head size, beam and lower stiffness. To sum up, totally, TOTALLY not for me... on paper anyway.

We played a 2 set match, when we finished we still had about 30 minutes to play so I decided to test drive the stick...

I was stumped. Manageable weight and swingweight, very nice feel, definitely felt lower than the advertised 66RA. Great control and plowthrough... and it had bigger grip than I'm used to...

Simply a dream hit, I've searched for it on the net but alas it was not popular enough and too old for some stock to last somewhere.


Don't you find it funny? When you finally find that one stick which meets all your requirements you can't get it because it's long, long discontinued... :(
 
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Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Automatix that racquet looks sick. Pk makes some of the best racquets I have used. It is a shame you can not find another one.

Smirker the 300 tour is a great stick if you want to add lead. You will be able to balance it however you want. I think the 4g 200,100 and 300 series are all incredibly good, you would just need to try and see what you like. The 300 series would be the best starting point.

I hit with an organix10 today. Solid feeling stick but I can't get into it..the globe sized sweet spot and canon power of the setup I have in the 200 is too good. I don't know if anyone else has dealt with this, but I simply can not get into sticks anymore that are not strung either with gut poly or poly at 40. Everything else feels boardy and like I need to hit flatter than I want. It sure explains why my forehand sucked for a while. I am married to this stick now and run back to it after demoing anything else for 2 minutes..lol.
 
W

WhiteStripes

Semi-Pro
The Laver Type S (and the X version, which is the extended length) had basically the same specs as the Pure Drive and other Pure Drive clones at that time (e.g., Wilson Surge, Prince Shark, etc.), except that it was a bit more flexible, but essentially played similar to those frames in a little more arm-friendlier package.

The racquet was subsequently replaced by the Ki10 (and there was a PSE version that was a bit heavier in 11.5/11.6 oz range), with basically the same specs, but introduced the Kinetic technology into the frame.

You can find these sticks on the 'bay. They pop up a decent amount of times if you really want them. In fact, there are several of the S/SX on there right now.
 
S

smirker

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
Automatix that racquet looks sick. Pk makes some of the best racquets I have used. It is a shame you can not find another one.

Smirker the 300 tour is a great stick if you want to add lead. You will be able to balance it however you want. I think the 4g 200,100 and 300 series are all incredibly good, you would just need to try and see what you like. The 300 series would be the best starting point.

I hit with an organix10 today. Solid feeling stick but I can't get into it..the globe sized sweet spot and canon power of the setup I have in the 200 is too good. I don't know if anyone else has dealt with this, but I simply can not get into sticks anymore that are not strung either with gut poly or poly at 40. Everything else feels boardy and like I need to hit flatter than I want. It sure explains why my forehand sucked for a while. I am married to this stick now and run back to it after demoing anything else for 2 minutes..lol.
Click to expand...

That's great, thanks PP. Tweaking my M-fil frames currently to get the best out of them. Also have a 400 Tour to tinker with. The Tour Revelation 2 is an interesting frame, the likes of they don't make any more. 350g of solid graphite with a 12 point HL balance. Great for a couple of sets but too demanding to swing for longer than that.
 
Automatix

Automatix

Legend
WhiteStripes said:
The Laver Type S (and the X version, which is the extended length) had basically the same specs as the Pure Drive and other Pure Drive clones at that time (e.g., Wilson Surge, Prince Shark, etc.), except that it was a bit more flexible, but essentially played similar to those frames in a little more arm-friendlier package.

The racquet was subsequently replaced by the Ki10 (and there was a PSE version that was a bit heavier in 11.5/11.6 oz range), with basically the same specs, but introduced the Kinetic technology into the frame.

You can find these sticks on the 'bay. They pop up a decent amount of times if you really want them. In fact, there are several of the S/SX on there right now.
Click to expand...

Thx. I actually now that it resembles an extended Pure Drive but funny enough the feel, response etc. feels very different.

Unfortunately a seller going by the nick of sirgounder doesn't offer international shipping and I can't contact him. Such is life.:???:
 
klementine

klementine

Hall of Fame
bad_call said:
fellow RHS - now that i'm liking the yy200 string tension, going to resist pulling out the 4D 100 and give the yy200 an honest go in matches. :)
Click to expand...

Power Player said:
Enjoy it. It makes the game a lot easier in my experience. Love it at low tensions so much.
Click to expand...


A racquet that truly shines during match play. Fantastic on the 2hd'r and surprising on serve. Still believe this racquet performs best with 1st gen polys.

Let us know how it goes bc.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Klem, interesting you say that as I am going through my dwindling poly supply and found a full pack of my love - Cyberflash in 1.25

I will try it at 42/40 and I also have some yy poly tour pro coming.

Was pleasantly surprised with Polybreak. I bet no one has used this stuff. It is actually really nice if you want a crisp poly.
 
bad_call

bad_call

Legend
klementine79 said:
A racquet that truly shines during match play. Fantastic on the 2hd'r and surprising on serve. Still believe this racquet performs best with 1st gen polys.

Let us know how it goes bc.
Click to expand...

practiced serving a bit using the yy200. starting to "feel" the contact and how to tweak the serve. takes a bit of effort/timing but can generate decent service heat. accuracy still in the works for the sliders, twists, etc.

the B5E/NVy at 52 working so far. hope to get in some practice this week but with Leslie offshore sending good surf to FL east coast... ;)
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I'm watching fish replays now and it is a shame he had to withdraw. I am not sure how other people feel but I really love watching his game. Very very smooth and efficient footwork/strokes.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
bad_call said:
practiced serving a bit using the yy200. starting to "feel" the contact and how to tweak the serve. takes a bit of effort/timing but can generate decent service heat. accuracy still in the works for the sliders, twists, etc.

the B5E/NVy at 52 working so far. hope to get in some practice this week but with Leslie offshore sending good surf to FL east coast... ;)
Click to expand...

off-topic, but why does "yy" stand for Yonex? Wouldn't "Yx" make more sense?
 
Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
The company was founded by a guy called Yoneyama and hence YY. Probably simplified to Yonex for marketing ease.

It looks like its a family company like Babolat.
 
klementine

klementine

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
Full yy from string to grip :) plays great. Thank you Japan.

UvXqZ.jpg
Click to expand...


Nice.

Don't know what string you got in there PP but all the Yonex polys I've tried play really, really crisp and take awhile to settle in. Are you finding they're better the 2nd and 3rd outing?


-------------------------

Side note- I'm back to my faithful exo3Tour100s. Court time is getting more and more rare for me as work and life pile up. So I went back to my most trusty and consistent playing (for me anyways) stick. Of course they're leather'd and leaded. :smile:

Cheers all!!!!
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Klem I will let you know. my first session it played fairly crisp , but the feel had a plushness to it as well. It so far has been a very impressive string.

It is poly tour pro.
 
klementine

klementine

Hall of Fame
^ Have not tried that one yet. My most recent outing with a yonex poly was with the HS neon green one, 16L I believe. Very crisp and stiff but nowhere near tb stiffness. No free power and lack-luster spin production the 1st outing but good feel. The 2nd and moreso the 3rd outing were great. The tension had dropped and it was still crisp.

This was in a soft, 95sq.in., 18x20 frame initially strung at 54lbs., so it would probably behave differently in the 200 or a frame with similar specs.
 
PED

PED

Legend
Anyone try the IG Prestige S?

Still enjoying the IGRP but I wouldn't mind a touch less SW giving me some easier stick speed.

Ironically, I hit with Klem's stick this past weekend in stock form: the 6.1 Team: great stick and I pounded the ball with it but I need more mass and I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of lead again ;)

The Prestige S seems like it may be similar spec wise to the IGRP but only a 315ish in SW as opposed to 330plus.

PP, I've been dropping my tension as well. I've use full TB at 49/47 for the last few weeks: really nice easy power: I will go to 47/45 next and see how that goes.

The shot I like best with low ten poly is return of serve :)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
PED said:
Anyone try the IG Prestige S?

Still enjoying the IGRP but I wouldn't mind a touch less SW giving me some easier stick speed.

Ironically, I hit with Klem's stick this past weekend in stock form: the 6.1 Team: great stick and I pounded the ball with it but I need more mass and I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of lead again ;)

The Prestige S seems like it may be similar spec wise to the IGRP but only a 315ish in SW as opposed to 330plus.

PP, I've been dropping my tension as well. I've use full TB at 49/47 for the last few weeks: really nice easy power: I will go to 47/45 next and see how that goes.

The shot I like best with low ten poly is return of serve :)
Click to expand...

I was also lured in by the attractive specs of the Prestige S, but found it not to work the way the specs would suggest. The racquet is very low powered and you need to whip it fast to maintain depth. Also, the sweetspot is very small. You will REALLY be missing the power and mass of the IGRP. I would recommend the Donnay Pro One or Volkl Organix 8-315 as better alternatives.
 
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