Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
ye, that vibration is really off putting, isn't it?
I couldn't ever really dial in my 1HBH, either. (no idea why, normally a reliable shot with anything)
damn, I could hit a FH with the thing, though, and serve!
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
ye, that vibration is really off putting, isn't it?
I couldn't ever really dial in my 1HBH, either. (no idea why, normally a reliable shot with anything)
damn, I could hit a FH with the thing, though, and serve!
BalboaNoah
New User
yy95D demo order, done, lol. i don't know why i didn't check this frame out earlier as i've thoroughly enjoyed my rdx 500 and rds001 mids a couple past lives ago. hopefully the demo string is somewhat in tune w/the frame as the reviews mention string sensitivity.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Try it, don't be afraid. One of the all-time boom sticks.
BC1
Professional
Dg, I've been quietly hanging around, but did take a break for a while. Back into tennis heavily now though, and this forum again. Yes still playing with the pd2012. I have been playing with the G Instinct MP as well and like that a lot too. It is is similar to the pd but has a totally different feel. I actually prefer the feel and comfort of the instinct, but I find myself playing better and more aggressive with the pd. I also had a two week demo with a slightly leaded Blade 104, and liked that a lot as well.
I have a new yonex vcore Xi 98 coming. I enjoyed the vcore 98 and 95 a lot and thought the new 98 would be worth a demo. Specs look good and the reviews are mostly positive. But to be honest, I have a feeling I will end back up with the pd. Regardless of how much I search, I always come back to the pd. Actually I am very happy with it, but Im too much of a rackethloic to stop the quest.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I strongly considered it a while back and never did it. Saw they stopped making the 18x20 as well.
I am in too deep now and slowly swimming back to shore. I finally have my Pure Storm Team nice and dialed in. Ironically, it is probably right around where the Bladers are at. ~337, 4 pts HL and the SW Im guessing is in the 330s. I will get it measured in a day or two. Plays incredible - zero arm pain and its a nice balance of head speed and swingweight. It feels real solid like the blade, but it took some tweaking to get there. I do like the little more HL balance - less torque on the arm but not fly swatter-ish.
So since it is all set-up, I will use it for a few weeks as is to make sure I like it, and then take it to the next level with silicone and remove the putty.
Serena stick is sitting in bag for that creepy day I need to pull it out. Tfight 315 is coming...gads has his as we speak..
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
nice enough but too light for me.
I'm liking it a lot. I lost a match tonight with it, struggled with short ball put aways, barely long. Think I went to loose on strings. Only on day 2 though. Feels damn good. I'm still committed... 6 months
arrowtowntennisclub
New User
Just measured my Blade (black&gold) strung with kirshbaum evo, tournagrip and bab O dampener and it weighs 327g strung. Not sure how to get the balance though. Gonna go smash some balls with a mate in a couple hours. Seeing as how well the blade played stock from factory bare bones with the original sensation strings, anticipation is high. So far i have enjoyed ripping big driving forehands with this stick more than any other. the head lag and speed with which it swings through contact is something else. However what i'm really finding thats clicking bang on with the blade is my 2 hander. Such consistent accuracy both CC and DTL. If there is a slight gripe, it would be the seemingly large butt-cap. Then again i am coming from Yonex. To be continued.....
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yes the 95d is a total forehand machine. Hits so big for its weight.
I totally agree with you but sometimes I feel that its a bit sluggish on groundies,any mods that you would suggest.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
yes, unwind the grip, take it off..
get yourself a Volkl Organix-7 310 with some poly string at about 55 lbs
unwind the grip and replace it with the one you took off the PK7G
Voila!!!
the perfect boom stick!
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To paraphrase the great Jerry Lee Lewis - "Come on over, arrow, there's a whole lotta Bladin' goin' on!"...
By which I refer to the fact you're reminding me that as a side experiment to accompany my Blading with the 16x19, some weeks back I got 2 black/gold Blades (one for free actually) and an old K Blade too.
Haven't had the playing time during the last 14 days or so to check out progress with 16x19 much, never mind the others. Different stringjobs allowing though, it was interesting that my early impression was that the gold/black was for me slightly more demanding than the 16x19, but a tad nicer maybe with its smooth feel and sweet solidness and way of swinging. I also thought the K Blade had a very uniform stringbed feel.
All very similar of course, and I'm sure the 16x19 is the right one for my requirements... I just need to be hitting some balls and unmanacle myself away from the computer screen and phone.
BTW, next time I do hit with my gold/black it will have VS/Co-focus in it.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Stick report for the eve:
Tec 315: despite stringing too high, feel is awesome - soft, controlled. This is NOT a boom stick in stock form, in the sense that it'll do the work. It's up to you. I tend to dig these sticks (just like the PS Team), and I dig this one. And like the PS Team, this one can serve very well despite the controlled aspect on groindies. Huge plus. Doesn't suffer from Pure Storm Ltd Syndrome (epic groundies, dull serves). I do wonder if I made a mistake on getting the 16m rather than the 18m, as some shot trajectories floated up off of the face more so than I wanted. BUT, I also flattened out some shots, so I know I can. Just a matter of getting the hang of it, and the weighting of it. Yes, I'll need lead in the hoop for more natural plow. Tricky, because with OG right now, stick weighs in at 12 oz, though it swings like a feather - effortless. So I want the lead but don't want the static to get out of control. So.. Might take leather off ultimately.. Not yet sure what ill be doing on this front. Thinking.
PS Team: The Team felt SO much better with stacked weight at the bottom, played so much cleaner and more authoritative, swung effortlessly even at 11.9, BUT I still want more oomph/direct plow off the bed here as well, so will borrow a touch of that bottom weight and add it to the hoop. The pocketing is so good on this frame. The feel is sensational.
Winner of tonight's battle: Zeus. The 'directness' I longed for off the face of the above sticks, Zeus had. The ball jumps/runs off the face more effortlessly. With the other frames, the ball gets there just a smidgen later than it does off the Zeus stringbed.
BUT, tweaking necessary on the others. They both swing easier than Zeus, are easier to short-angle the ball, that kind of thing. But Zeus still the No. 1 starter for now.
Tec 315: despite stringing too high, feel is awesome - soft, controlled. This is NOT a boom stick in stock form, in the sense that it'll do the work. It's up to you. I tend to dig these sticks (just like the PS Team), and I dig this one. And like the PS Team, this one can serve very well despite the controlled aspect on groindies. Huge plus. Doesn't suffer from Pure Storm Ltd Syndrome (epic groundies, dull serves). I do wonder if I made a mistake on getting the 16m rather than the 18m, as some shot trajectories floated up off of the face more so than I wanted. BUT, I also flattened out some shots, so I know I can. Just a matter of getting the hang of it, and the weighting of it. Yes, I'll need lead in the hoop for more natural plow. Tricky, because with OG right now, stick weighs in at 12 oz, though it swings like a feather - effortless. So I want the lead but don't want the static to get out of control. So.. Might take leather off ultimately.. Not yet sure what ill be doing on this front. Thinking.
PS Team: The Team felt SO much better with stacked weight at the bottom, played so much cleaner and more authoritative, swung effortlessly even at 11.9, BUT I still want more oomph/direct plow off the bed here as well, so will borrow a touch of that bottom weight and add it to the hoop. The pocketing is so good on this frame. The feel is sensational.
Winner of tonight's battle: Zeus. The 'directness' I longed for off the face of the above sticks, Zeus had. The ball jumps/runs off the face more effortlessly. With the other frames, the ball gets there just a smidgen later than it does off the Zeus stringbed.
BUT, tweaking necessary on the others. They both swing easier than Zeus, are easier to short-angle the ball, that kind of thing. But Zeus still the No. 1 starter for now.
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MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
^how much do your overgrips weigh?
Supremes are heaviest i know of. Most ogs r 5g.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yep..Yonex Supergrap is 5 grams for me.
this is good..3 free grams is close to 10 SW points at 12.
this is good..3 free grams is close to 10 SW points at 12.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yes you can:
Use a lighter OG if possible - (supergrap is amazing).
Weigh your dampener - use one that is 2 grams or less.
So we are at 337-338.
Add 4 grams (2 8 inch strips) of lead at 12.
See how that works. It is going to be super tight, and may benefit from a lighter base grip. But I'd start there.
The next step -
I think - not sure, but I think you lose 2 balance points going from leather to a light synthetic. So it would drop to 5. You would then add lead in the head at 12 for the SW.
With a skin feel, the stick should weigh 321. Add 6 grams at 12. Add 6 grams to handle. Stick should now weigh 333. Balance should be 5 pts. SW should be 18 pts higher than before.
Add OG and Damp - stick will weigh 340, SW will be ~ 325, balance will be 5 pts.
Use a lighter OG if possible - (supergrap is amazing).
Weigh your dampener - use one that is 2 grams or less.
So we are at 337-338.
Add 4 grams (2 8 inch strips) of lead at 12.
See how that works. It is going to be super tight, and may benefit from a lighter base grip. But I'd start there.
The next step -
I think - not sure, but I think you lose 2 balance points going from leather to a light synthetic. So it would drop to 5. You would then add lead in the head at 12 for the SW.
With a skin feel, the stick should weigh 321. Add 6 grams at 12. Add 6 grams to handle. Stick should now weigh 333. Balance should be 5 pts. SW should be 18 pts higher than before.
Add OG and Damp - stick will weigh 340, SW will be ~ 325, balance will be 5 pts.
PED
Legend
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
PED
Legend
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah, his is not too bad. Just 3 off spec. It's 331 with nothing - 340 with his OG and damp. thats why Im thinking it's worth trying supergrap and the lightest dampener laying around (although most are 2 grams).
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Forgot to ask this - Is their a handle trap door? If so - is it completely filled with silicone or is there any space?
PED
Legend
If you take off the leather and do synthetic, I realized it takes static away but the shift in balance could make it play "Blade like"-lower static but big punch from the less HL balance. Plus with such a low SW, you have plenty of room to add lead at the tip. I still love the feel of lead at 12, punches so cleanly on impact.
FWIW, I had to take off and reattach the buttcap on my Tec 320, looking inside, there was ZERO silicone.
As far as mods go, when I had my 2nd blade matched, Paul Reed at TW did the mods and instead of silicone, he uses tungsten putty.
That stuff is unreal. The feel is great. He has a special sauce way of mixing it with cotton wadding and finishing it off with automobile sealant. Makes things much easier to match and it's totally reversible. It feels like it came from the factory like this and doesn't have that modded up feel to it.
I've used silicone, fishing weights and blue tack and tungsten is the best feeling by far.
They're lining up Paul at TW for the lead role in the Modfather part 4
Looks like the boys got you covered, but as my granddad said, "you can't have too many cooks in the kitchen," so...
Stock w/ Tourbite:
331 grams
32.0 cm (estimate)
301 swingweight (estimate)
+ 7 grams Supreme OG (my fav too)
+ 2 g damp
________________
As of now:
340 grams
31.5 cm
303 swingweight
So, as PP said, you can swap out for a lighter OG and put those two grams at 12 for:
340 g
31.9 cm (7HL)
309 SW
But I don't think that 309 swingweight will satisfy, so follow PP again and swap out the leather for Skin Feel, which is rather thin, so you might want to keep the Supreme on there unless you don't mind losing a little handle girth. Plus, you're going to want more handle weight anyway to keep the balance HL, so you may as well leave it. With the 9 grams you shave by exchanging leather for skinfeel you can add 5 more grams at 12, which gives you:
338 g
32.9 cm
326 SW
Damn, no trap door. You need to put those 2g at the butt to get to 32.7 cm (5HL)
So one way to go would be to only add 4 grams at 12 (for a total of 6g rather than 7g), and then add three grams at the top of the grip, which gives you:
340 g
32.7 cm (5 HL)
322 SW
You could also say **** it and keep the 7 grams at 12 and put the last two grams at the top of the grip, which'll give you:
340g
32.8 cm (not quite HL enough, but pretty darn close)
326 SW
Or, if you want a lighter static weight, you could swap leather for skinfeel, add your supreme OG, and add a total of 5 grams at 12 and have:
336g
32.7 cm (5HL)
319 SW
Looking up at this I think my granddad don't know jack, but there it is.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Just an epic showing up of racaholic nation for my mod needs today. Thanks guys.
Very good to know about Paul. I've already heard many more good things, and actually exchanged emails with him awhile back. I still have gift card money to burn, so if I end up loving this Tec but wanting to try the closed pattern after all, may go through him, tell him my spec desire, and let him go to town. For 20 bucks, well worth it.
Very good to know about Paul. I've already heard many more good things, and actually exchanged emails with him awhile back. I still have gift card money to burn, so if I end up loving this Tec but wanting to try the closed pattern after all, may go through him, tell him my spec desire, and let him go to town. For 20 bucks, well worth it.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Yeah, its not alot of money for a customisation service.. just had mine done through him.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
4GS 1.41 great fit with steam....more confidence to go for shots....stilll wicked spin...bezt volleys ever! Will update on durability.
Okay, good to hear if should I choose to properly reacquaint myself with the 99s - though I'm wondering surely it must be a lot like regular 4G which I was a bit underwhelmed by? Anyhow, 4GS, Xcite, maybe Foxus Hex, Black Magic perhaps, TB of course (though lost tension bit too sharply for me) are all contenders.
As far as mods go, when I had my 2nd blade matched, Paul Reed at TW did the mods and instead of silicone, he uses tungsten putty.
That stuff is unreal. The feel is great. He has a special sauce way of mixing it with cotton wadding and finishing it off with automobile sealant. Makes things much easier to match and it's totally reversible. It feels like it came from the factory like this and doesn't have that modded up feel to it.
I've used silicone, fishing weights and blue tack and tungsten is the best feeling by far.
They're lining up Paul at TW for the lead role in the Modfather part 4
Hmm, wonder if TT Europe provides this? Certainly sounds like an excellent solution to my frequent major headaches modding/matching frames etc. Shall try and find the answer as I could use that service, for sure.:wink:
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Ross man, I would say skip the bogus poly and go for the thick ones...conventional tt wisdom on strings is just not applying to this 16x15...
However, on the flip side this 1.41 might be good in some of these power racquets...apd with 4GS anyone?
However, on the flip side this 1.41 might be good in some of these power racquets...apd with 4GS anyone?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
We have liftoff.
Going in, went with the final Corners mod....
Or, if you want a lighter static weight, you could swap leather for skinfeel, add your supreme OG, and add a total of 5 grams at 12 and have
336g
32.7 cm (5HL)
319 SW
... Felt decent, but a little too slow, still didn't have a lot of punch. Proceeded to tweak on the fly. Madness.
Ripped the grips off, put leather and overgrip back on (keeping lead up top)... Obviously, still too sluggish, so started peeling away lead little by little until I felt like I was getting it... But wasn't getting it... Until I transferred that lead to 3/9. Boom.
That's where this frame needs the weight. Stability arrived, more boom arrived, and you still had that ability to rip at the ball with some high RHS. It's not perfect, still needs some tweaking, but definitely saw that 3/9 is where the frame started to purr. By the end, had just over a gram still at 12 and about four grams total at 3/9. So frame was at 342 grams but swinging real easily.
I'll be taking leather off and replacing with Head Syntac, my preferred replacement grip that's on my Rads (and actually weighs about 19 grams) and adjusting/evening out the lead from here but I'm getting there. Once I had the 3/9 on there, was finally cracking the ball. Frame feel is STELLAR. Soft but direct. And this is with full TB that's strung a couple pounds too high.
Meanwhile, my Pure Storm Team was feeling great moving through the air but the stringbed felt SO soft that I was actually losing the ball in the pocket. Was just too mushy/sloppy.. And it wasn't until MD Racquet-Tuned it post hit that we saw that tension had dropped into the 30s, so there you go. Just too low/dead, so it's in for a restring.
Playoff match tomorrow. Zeus getting some beauty sleep before going to work tomorrow.
Going in, went with the final Corners mod....
Or, if you want a lighter static weight, you could swap leather for skinfeel, add your supreme OG, and add a total of 5 grams at 12 and have
336g
32.7 cm (5HL)
319 SW
... Felt decent, but a little too slow, still didn't have a lot of punch. Proceeded to tweak on the fly. Madness.
Ripped the grips off, put leather and overgrip back on (keeping lead up top)... Obviously, still too sluggish, so started peeling away lead little by little until I felt like I was getting it... But wasn't getting it... Until I transferred that lead to 3/9. Boom.
That's where this frame needs the weight. Stability arrived, more boom arrived, and you still had that ability to rip at the ball with some high RHS. It's not perfect, still needs some tweaking, but definitely saw that 3/9 is where the frame started to purr. By the end, had just over a gram still at 12 and about four grams total at 3/9. So frame was at 342 grams but swinging real easily.
I'll be taking leather off and replacing with Head Syntac, my preferred replacement grip that's on my Rads (and actually weighs about 19 grams) and adjusting/evening out the lead from here but I'm getting there. Once I had the 3/9 on there, was finally cracking the ball. Frame feel is STELLAR. Soft but direct. And this is with full TB that's strung a couple pounds too high.
Meanwhile, my Pure Storm Team was feeling great moving through the air but the stringbed felt SO soft that I was actually losing the ball in the pocket. Was just too mushy/sloppy.. And it wasn't until MD Racquet-Tuned it post hit that we saw that tension had dropped into the 30s, so there you go. Just too low/dead, so it's in for a restring.
Playoff match tomorrow. Zeus getting some beauty sleep before going to work tomorrow.
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
Awesome. Now the meter is on, gotta see how long it lasts. What tension are you at?
Any of you guys try Pacific XCite yet? Wish it were cheaper, but I'm still very intrigued.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
The 4GS makes me look back at the yt extreme pro and the tec 320 two extremely open frames that would benefit from its qualities. I think it would play superb in a wilson tour 90 at extreme low tension...
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I tend to always like the thicker versions of strings. Feel is just more full. Now that I have an open pattern in the bag again, this stuff will be on my radar. Keep updating.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
60 lbs...sounds crazy but this rac is new...there are no norms....i could feel the frame opening up after an hour, can definitely go lower 4g is a cant miss string.
Pacific is quality product the xcite sounds good...buuuuuuut I like my no muss no fuss string style...match the string to the racquet brand. Sounds stupod but has served me well...
95d yonex yellow poly, tec 320 black code, steam 4GS...its printed right on the frame.
On which note, after some considerable deliberation, and having digested the informed opinions of the likes of drakulie, Rabbit, the TT testers, the RHs on this thread etc, well, I think I'll be using this for my next 99s string job...
:lol:
Seriously, interesting observation on how it might suit those others frames you mentioned (Extreme Pro for sure).
Gads - I'm a bit intrigued too re Xcite and intend to get some soon.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
you're welcome. ;-)
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I remember this theory of yours. Can't really argue with it. Sonic Pro was pure gold in the Prestige, then it was mush in another frame. At Indian Wells, Razor Code was heaven in the Tec (that's the string rec printed on the frame, too), convinced me to get a few sets, and it's not as nice in my Rads (not bad, though, but not as sweet). ... So, I respect the theory. And it makes for simpler stringing thinking/decisions.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Thank you, indeed.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
On which note, after some considerable deliberation, and having digested the informed opinions of the likes of drakulie, Rabbit, the TT testers, the RHs on this thread etc, well, I think I'll be using this for my next 99s string job...
:lol:
Seriously, interesting observation on how it might suit those others frames you mentioned (Extreme Pro for sure).
Gads - I'm a bit intrigued too re Xcite and intend to get some soon.
Ross, i don't think that's gonna be thick enough. :twisted:
Fed Kennedy
Legend
4GS has renewed my interest in this 16x15 but lets check the durability. I detect slight notching over 2 hours of hitting...
It bears repeating that I reached recreational godmode levels of tennis similar to Jon Lovitz last weekend while huffing the serenablade blx team 104 with GOATpowderhole frame extensions...
but regarding the steam room...
It bears repeating that I reached recreational godmode levels of tennis similar to Jon Lovitz last weekend while huffing the serenablade blx team 104 with GOATpowderhole frame extensions...
but regarding the steam room...
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
always glad i can help a fellow 'holic! :lol:
JGads
G.O.A.T.
4GS has renewed my interest in this 16x15 but lets check the durability. I detect slight notching over 2 hours of hitting...
It bears repeating that I reached recreational godmode levels of tennis similar to Jon Lovitz last weekend while huffing the serenablade blx team 104 with GOATpowderhole frame extensions...
but regarding the steam room...
I dig.
I will defend the Steam Room forever. Won all three or four of the sets I played with it, including a 6-4 vs a 5.0 league finalist. Eye opener. Still want one if I can ever snag one for cheap.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Yes Gads...I feel the potential but haven't actualized it yet...like I am attending Tony Robbins lectures during the week but I am still injecting cocane into my eyeballs on the weekends. Or something. I'm not quite 100% steaming...but dude I hit some shots today that just flew away after the bounce...like zoom. My hitting partner was like wha?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I just loved how the serves were simply and surprisingly automatic, and some of the angles - ridiculous. Assuming you never tried the non-S version to compare?
