I know you are an Ezone guy, but wonder how this Yonez string would play in the 99s? have you demoed the VCORE 100 XI with this Yonex string? It so, how did it feel?
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
I know you are an Ezone guy, but wonder how this Yonez string would play in the 99s? have you demoed the VCORE 100 XI with this Yonex string? It so, how did it feel?
keithfival
Professional
Boy, with 1,000000 frames out there to try it's hard to imagine the Steam is really worth all this stringing trouble?! Like a car that requires an oil change every time you drive it, I would think that would disqualify it right off the bat, no?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
With my previous demo from TW, fresh set of 4G busted in 3-4 hours. FedKennedy's going to try the ultra thick 4G which will hopefully be better.
TW Playtester Mark claims he's getting about 10 hours from his 4G setup (not sure which gauge). He also wondered if perhaps the demos might be getting strung a bit too high for the string durability.
It really is a frame that is so easy to play with every time I pick it up, and in point play and serving, the stick shines and all I did with it was win any time I played sets, even against the best 5.0 hitting partner I know. But those darn strings... A few glorious hours and then they're gone.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
You mean you didn't get "pushed around" with your "light racquet"?
LOL!!!
somehow I coped. (maybe I was 'pushing'?)
Just as well I wasn't facing the heavy hitters of ALTA 4.0, eh?
Seriously, though, the X-7 was great on those occasions I actually got a racquet on the thing...
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
well, 11.5 ounces with a sw of 327 isn't exactly a granny stick, is it?
This strings quest for the 99s is really is starting to take on almost mythical proportions.
Fuji
Legend
I honestly didn't realize the SW was so high! For some reason I thought it was in the 310 range. That's right along APD spec if I'm not mistaken!
Sounds like good stuff! It's a good thing Volkl isn't available here other wise I'd be in some trouble!
-Fuji
tistrapukcipeht
Professional
Did not play with VCore Xi 100 with the yonex poly tour spin, it had some other string, but I noticed that even with a multi it didn't have the plow that ezone xi has, however i'm a tour 97 310g guy now, at least for the spring.
Steam 99S is stiff as heck, maybe it was the 4G and steam together, but I hated both. 4G is a good ordinary string, nothing more, spin is horrible, feel is ok. I can guarantee with the same stiffness the vcore Xi 100 will feel more comfortable with more feedback, though i'm a little suspect because i like yonex more, the feel and how big those racquets play is second to none. I like big sweet spot and they deliver.
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If I dont get convincing string options for the Steam in one week then I will buy the Pro Kennex Q5 295. Why is getting the right racket so difficult? Lol. I for one cant afford to string every week considering that is the situation wirh the Steam
PED
Legend
They still move like crazy, I did the 1.25 and 1.30mm 4G and they moved just like tour bite did.
PED
Legend
I'll save you the trouble...lol, order the PK. There is no convincing string option with the Steam
Have you demoed the Pro Kennex Q5 295? If so how does it compare with the Yonex you have? And why do you prefer the 97 Tour over the Ezone?
tistrapukcipeht
Professional
Because most try a racquet with one string for one session and don't commit or wait enough, therefore they keep switching. Here at TW is a cult of changing racquets, because everyone wants to fit in and show how cool it is to change racquets every week (not everybody, just some) and hang out.
tistrapukcipeht
Professional
No Pro Kennex is sold at the club, or at any local shop, i'm not interested in pro kennex neither.
It's not about the racquet, it's about me playing. I can use both with success (at least until now).
Go to 97 users thread I gave some feedback, comparisons there.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
JGads
G.O.A.T.
You. You are the chosen one....
Fed Kennedy
Legend
I will do it. But. Im not sure on tension...there is literally no feedback on this string even though it is meant for the most popular stick out there.
Think you're right. Can find virtually nothing on this string. Can't say I'm holding out much hope though as I wasn't bowled over by the regular 4G in the 99s TBH.
PED
Legend
I loved TB 1.25mm in the Steam but it didn't last.
I did not care for 4G in 1.25 and 1.30 in the Steam so I thought the 15g would only be worse.
15L black magic was pretty decent but I liked the Blade better overall-really reminds me of the Tec 320 but lighter and easier power.
PED
Legend
Just my two cents on based on your comments about arm issues and stiffness.
Based on my playtest of it, I would be surprised if the Zyex did not really bother your elbow. The only thing gut like about it is the name: Monogut. I don't care what the data says, this is a stiff string. It has tons of controllable power but you feel it on every stroke.
When I used it, I was playing with full TB around 55/53 so I did the same with the Zyex. Wish I'd done 49 or so and that probably would have changed the stiffness for me. In the end though, there was no discount for reel pricing and while I liked the string, didn't think it was worth $15 a set.
PED
Legend
Used it in the IG Radical Pro with a stiffness of rating of 62-quite soft.
Give it a go, I realize that strings are a personal choice and it's different for everyone. The PK may be soft enough to offset any stiffness of the Zyex.
Sorry, I assumed with your arm issues that you strung lower tension.
Stay away from 49 if you've never strung that low; it will screw up your strokes unless you adjust over time.
Here's a link someone posted yesterday with Denis Kudla talking about dropping to low tension. Good read and short
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/Tecnifibre/Tecnifibre-Tec-Talk-Denis-Kudla.aspx
PED
Legend
Give it a go, maybe it won't trouble your arm at all. It creates great power and spin. It snaps back very nicely, even several hours in.
I'll give you this analogy, the Zyex Monogut I used made my 62 RA Radical Pro feel like a 71 RA Pure Drive Roddick.
The 17g they have now would probably be ideal and not nearly as stiff.
Never tried the PK sticks but I've never really had arm issues and 295 is too light for me.
Boricua - am I right in thinking your old APD is still slightly in contention for you? Is it madness to suggest (as referred to on your other thread) you give that another go with either poly strung mid-40's-ish; something like a ShockShield grip thingy; maybe poly hybrid or full multi or gut or whatever?
I suppose I'm just thinking you're obviously dieing to end the mental anguish here and just get playing again, and as long a the APD wasn't going do do a number on your arm, would it be such a bad place to start?
I suppose I'm just thinking you're obviously dieing to end the mental anguish here and just get playing again, and as long a the APD wasn't going do do a number on your arm, would it be such a bad place to start?
I tried copoly in the 40s. It was the vibrations when not hitting the sweetspot that kills me. I dont like that semi harsh, boardy feel either. It seems that you have to hit in an exact point in the sweetspot in the APD. If you hit in the upper part you feel the harshness. That is with copoly even in the low 40s.
In terms of multifilament, I tried it very briefly. Full Excel felt underpowered and anemic in the APD. The spin is greatly diminished for some reason and you dont get the best of this racket.
Gut mains is prety powerful and expensive.
The best bet for me in the APD would be soft copoly mains and a soft syntehetic gut or multi cross. I tried it once using TCS mains and Excel crosses, I think it felt good but then I wanted less power and went back to full soft copoly.:???:
Maybe I am wrong, but the Q5 could offer more control being a 16 x 20, its a 100 head size, and maneuvarable due to its light weight. And, I know that the racket will offer more dampening than the APD regardless of the string setup.
So, going back to your question, revisiting the APD is always possible. I like the racket overall's weight and balance. But, it is like reuniting with a girlfriend that you left a couple of times and get together again...
So, why dont you think the Q5 295 is not a good alternative to the APD? Many say Pro Kennex quality is excellent and much better tha Babolat, (this is subjective of course)
The negatives for me in the Q5 295 could be the lack of stability and plowthrough due to its lighter weight and that the 16 x 20 string pattern would be too dense in this racket and the spin potential would be diminished.
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Boricua - have you tried the donnay F100? Have you ordered a demo yet of the Q? I see you ask about it alot. When I was looking at it before my demo, I couldnt find many users here that had used it, just a few folks that "liked it" but I never found any direct comparison/details. I gave up on more demos or redemoing the q yesterday and just bought a xv1.
Put like that, you're absolutely right B... It's NEVER a good idea to rekindle old relationships with slightly toxic destructive unstable ex-s!
I don't actually personally have an opinion re Q5 as I know sweet zero about it TBH with you.
Put like that, you're absolutely right B... It's NEVER a good idea to rekindle old relationships with slightly toxic destructive unstable ex-s!
I don't actually personally have an opinion re Q5 as I know sweet zero about it TBH with you.
If the girl is good looking, you never know.
I have a week to think about what racket to buy and keep asking about the Q5 to different people. Think its going to be between the APD (again, am I crazy? or the Q5. If I go for the Q5 and it does not work out I suppose I will go back to the APD (again?) with poly/multi.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Gads and I are going old school tecnifibre this week. Should have mine on thurs. A platform racquet that plays like my old Head Graphite Master is too hard to resist. Especially since I can match it up to the PsTeam, which has been great on my arm.
Unless you prefer old school feel and lower power, I think it is safe to say that these Tecs are not a must have for every player. I think a lot of the folks digging them are guys who grew up hitting with the soft stuff. I will be able to give a nice comparison to the PsTeam, which IMO, should be rather similar.
I can already say that I think the Blade is going to hit the biggest at the lowest swing weight. So if you are happy with the Blade's SW or find it right at the cusp of your comfort zone, these soft platform sticks will take a little more weight to hit as big. Example, I need my PSTeam a little over 335 to hit as big as the Blade at 330. The benefit is the control and feel.
Once I start adding lead and hit around the 335-340 mark, every gram starts to really matter. Things start to get heavy, balance becomes more and more key, and scales are a must. I worked enough mojo to get my PS balanced to 4 pts HL, weigh 337 and swing at (guessing until thursday or so when I hit an RDC) ~332. It is a wonderful setup that should not become too demanding when the summer hits.
Anyway thats my experience with the Team. Anyone thinking about a platform stick like the Team or the Tec and coming from a tweener background may want to make sure they are cool with a bit more weight to get the power they are used to. It will be a nice little balancing act for me and I'm at the mercy of Tec QC.
Unless you prefer old school feel and lower power, I think it is safe to say that these Tecs are not a must have for every player. I think a lot of the folks digging them are guys who grew up hitting with the soft stuff. I will be able to give a nice comparison to the PsTeam, which IMO, should be rather similar.
I can already say that I think the Blade is going to hit the biggest at the lowest swing weight. So if you are happy with the Blade's SW or find it right at the cusp of your comfort zone, these soft platform sticks will take a little more weight to hit as big. Example, I need my PSTeam a little over 335 to hit as big as the Blade at 330. The benefit is the control and feel.
Once I start adding lead and hit around the 335-340 mark, every gram starts to really matter. Things start to get heavy, balance becomes more and more key, and scales are a must. I worked enough mojo to get my PS balanced to 4 pts HL, weigh 337 and swing at (guessing until thursday or so when I hit an RDC) ~332. It is a wonderful setup that should not become too demanding when the summer hits.
Anyway thats my experience with the Team. Anyone thinking about a platform stick like the Team or the Tec and coming from a tweener background may want to make sure they are cool with a bit more weight to get the power they are used to. It will be a nice little balancing act for me and I'm at the mercy of Tec QC.
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PED
Legend
The Tec sounds like a great stick. As for me, I'll be like Rafa and take all the power a stick will give me
What turned you away from the Blade, you seemed to really like it? I'm just glad you turned me onto it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The Tec sounds like a great stick. As for me, I'll be like Rafa and take all the power a stick will give me
What turned you away from the Blade, you seemed to really like it? I'm just glad you turned me onto it.
Nothing really except it is currently too stiff for me. I can easily see myself revisiting it, as it is one of my favorites of all time. All these racquets (PS, Tec, Blade) are rather similar. Tight pattern, light, mid plus. The main key for me is flex. I really prefer low flex. That is why I tried the team after Gads reviewed it, and he was dead on. If you don't care about the flex like me, the Blade is the no brainer choice.
At this point, I am playing the same with all my sticks. So I can't say I am better with the Team than the Blade or anything like that. It is just personal comfort and feel for me.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah and I love 18x20 so much. I think the key with the tight patterns for me is to stay soft in flex. It's not even like the Blade is that bad, I don't think it gave me the arm issues. What did that was me pulling my head off the ball. But now that I have them, I need a stick that does not vibrate. Think that is why a lot of pros still use the PT630 style racquets..imagine mishitting shots from an ATP pro over time. These guys definitely hit the frame at times and it is most likely really jarring.
With the Team, it is nice to swing out and have that confidence that a framed ball won't bug my arm.
Dgdavid
Professional
I played a fair amount with both and far preferred the non-S (as you probably recall from various previous posts). The 99 is a nice feeling frame to me and the 16x18 took away some of the inconsistency/sitters and was a bit more direct. Well worth an extended demo if you liked the 99S and Blade 16x19 Jack.
Hi BC1, haven't come across you in here for ages. What's your racket situation? I recall you were edging towards PD last time we conversed earlier in 2012.
No, I never used the Q5. Did you? I did not understand if you did. If you did, how does it compare with the V1 Classic?
I tried a friend's Vi Classic and it felt good but it was strung full gut and it launched the ball too much. I would try Ashaway Zyex Mongut with the VI if I had a chance eventhough I have not used this string.
I think the Q5 should feel similar to the V1 but maybe it has a bit more control as it is 16 x 20.
I demod the q5/295. It felt good. felt hollow and light in the hand, you could shake it and hear the inner material, but never heard it when hitting. it was comfortable, but the demo had full multi, which would feel comfy in about anything. I had it along with 3 others so i didnt really get to hone in on it. It didnt stand out to me as "wow, this is sweet" but it didnt turn me off in any way, like I said, just didnt give it enough time/thought. I liked the pure storm 16*20, but balance was odd, wanted to try the ps team and try some weight in the future but decided to just go with the v1 and make it work. I like it so far. Im using TB poly with a cheap syn cross and power is good and controlled. feels good on the arm. I just need to keep swinging with it. Over the last year ive had made these changes in order, apdgt, then to pb7, then to a bb london, then back to pb7, then bought 2 head speed 300s, sold them, went back to pb7. many demos in between all this, recently the q5, psgt, and borrowed a buddys steam99s for the last few weeks as well. I sold the apdgt, I have 4 pb7s (actually 3 now because I broke 1 of em), the london, and now the v1. Im going to only use the v1 going forward, with a pb7 as a back up in my bag. My wife uses the other 2 pb7s. the London is on the consigment rack at a local shop. I think changing too many variables with all these sticks has slowed my progress, so hoping going forward, I can stick with the v1 and clean up my strokes.
I liked the apdgt but playing with it every day killed my arm. I tried changing to a shockshield grip, full multi, changing tension, etc but I only liked it with a hybrid, but that was too harsh.
Any significant difference between the V1 and the Q5?
didnt get to use it enough to compare closely. If it had been available locally, I would have had it strung to my likings and demo'd it longer.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have hit Mel Gibson level madness & passion for these 2 racquets. Dear god yes.
BalboaNoah
New User
driving power
Hi Power,
been perusing the holic pages and recently looking for booming driving sticks that can boom stock (i can do tweaks later, not afraid of heavy weight).
i don't like the Blade's balance, so what i gleaned as booming sticks:
PDR 2012
Yonex 95D
PK 7G (don't know if i can wield the ext length)
i have a samurai Tec 320, already, among my holic quiver.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Power,
been perusing the holic pages and recently looking for booming driving sticks that can boom stock (i can do tweaks later, not afraid of heavy weight).
i don't like the Blade's balance, so what i gleaned as booming sticks:
PDR 2012
Yonex 95D
PK 7G (don't know if i can wield the ext length)
i have a samurai Tec 320, already, among my holic quiver.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
looking forward to reading all the gory and bloody details of this highly anticipated battle!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
If you like the Tec 320 - go 95D. The 95D is less spinny, but it would have been my stick if it didnt hurt my elbow.
good news is this stick doesnt hurt most people. It is just the way it vibrates that got me. So you should be fine. That would be my first pick since you are unsure on the XL and the 7G FEELs like an XL. The PDR needs a little lead and I was playing it with an un -arm friendly setup (345 SW, balance was 3 pts or so hl).
The yy95D is money if you want driving power.
davedomart
Semi-Pro
PowerPlayer, have you ever tried a 6.1 Team 18x20? I noticed mine has the same specs as Blade, just softer.
Power player is the Team conversion magician
