dr325i
G.O.A.T.
I would think that MAINS dictate the openness of the pattern, and amount of spin access. 18x19 should be closer to 18x20 rather than to 16x19
T Fight 315?
- Thread starter Bubbagumptennis
- Start date
I would think that MAINS dictate the openness of the pattern, and amount of spin access. 18x19 should be closer to 18x20 rather than to 16x19
Ok, so I've had two sessions with lead. During the first, I applied 6 grams at 10 and 2, 4 strips of 6" long 1/4 " lead tape. This amount was a little too much without additional weight in the handle.
For the second session, I didn't feel like removing the grip to add weight to the handle so, I removed 2" from each strip closer to 3 and 9. This left me with 4 grams at 10 and 2. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may order two more of these. I'm done tinkering with it.
For the second session, I didn't feel like removing the grip to add weight to the handle so, I removed 2" from each strip closer to 3 and 9. This left me with 4 grams at 10 and 2. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may order two more of these. I'm done tinkering with it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Interesting. I should be close myself. I think 8 grams of lead may nail it for me. Will find out next time I hit. I was real close with 6, but I think that little extra will give me the plow I want.
I was thinking about removing the leather, but I don't think that is going to work out. This racquet really needs to weigh ~12 ounces or more IMO. If not, you are going to have to swing too hard to generate depth and heaviness.
I have also been experimenting with lower tensions, so the lighter weight than I normally play has been offset by this to some degree. I currently have my leaded racquet strung with Razor Code at 53lbs. I've posted previously that I didn't care for this string, but now that I have change the swing weight slightly, I like it much better. My next stringing will be with my favorite Black Magic, full job, at probably 50.
These are phenomenal racquets.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Gotcha. TF really doesn't have a current line racquet for the club/rec player that isn't very stiff (near 70). Since the 315 is low powered, I will try full multi at low 50's and not make it too heavy. Maybe just (4) 4" strips at 3/9? Then my only issue will be the smallish sweetspot. The 4 things that make a racquet easy/hard are: weight/swingweight, hoop size, sweetspot size & power. I am good with 3 out of the 4, assuming I can get enough power from full multi.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The most important thing is you have to know how to consistently transfer your weight into the shot with this racquet. The rest of the stuff you will figure out if you stick with it. This racquet has a lot to it - you won't figure it out in one session and it will take weeks or months to really gel with it. The reward is the incredible consistency and feel. but if you can't provide your own power and hit clean, it is very hard to make magic happen with this stick.
All that being said, it is not super demanding. Tough to describe how it plays exactly.
All that being said, it is not super demanding. Tough to describe how it plays exactly.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
+1 on putting your weight into the shot, an absolute must here, along with the 'tough to describe how it plays' ... It's not a stick that I know and can describe very well after one hit. Like most first dates. Second and third, then you start getting somewhere.
Yes that is weird, why they don't use it on the 16x19 grommets ?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
So you removed the leather and just have a small amount of tape up top, then? Any more thoughts on the 16m vs the 18m would be appreciated.
Everyone: what's your preferred string setups so far? (and specify 16m or 18m)
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This is real interesting. I felt like this stick would play better heavier, but you have yours set up like the blade it sounds like. What is the balance when you take off the leather and add lead to the tip? I'm guessing 2pts hl or close to even.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
But 325g is less than stock weight, so unless you got one very under-weight, would seem impossible to play at that weight by ADDING Tourna and OG to leather, plus lead?
Since you have so many sticks, you can really take some different setups to the court and compare. You must do this for the good of mankind.
Seems to me that these frames really respond to 3/9 weight more than 12, so just weight at the top like you have it surprises me a bit, that that's the best setup you've found.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Awesome. I do the same. I like the leather feel a lot. I have lead in the same spot as you, and also some at 3 and 9. But yeah, like gads said, the 325 # is low. Did you mean 345?
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RollTrackTake
Professional
Players stick. In my experience it is forgiving in that I keep the ball in play when I hit outside the sweetspot or shank a ball. I echo other players in that you do need to supply your own power. I'm even channeling my twenty-something form by utilizing a huge jump on groundstrokes. I do miss the power of the Donnay Pro 1 but I hit the ball long far far less with the 315 18M. In a battle between consistency & power potential I'm leaning towards consistency. Although I do think if I tweaked my strokes for more spin I could achieve the same consistency with the P1. The control aspect is also a huge plus for the 315 M.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
can it just be strung with full multi to make up for the low power? Can u compare the power level to another popular stick? Is it like Prestige MP like low?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I might even say lower.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Im with you. In matchplay I tend to hit long more than I tend to need power. The control of the 315 is the best I have had.
Another thing, just from looking at my strings - I am killing the sweetspot a lot more with this stick. Im not all over the bed like I have been with others. Not sure if this is due to the weight of the stick or what. I was the same way with the Head prestige mid. For some reason I just hit the sweetspot a lot more. It doesnt make much sense, but its my experience.
Its lower. It has the power, but you have to have the strokes. If you can get to the side for all your shots, move your feet and have pretty high head speed, it plays like a dream. If you can't, you will be hitting sitters regardless of what string you put in.
I honestly think it is going to appeal more to players who started playing pretty young, love the old classic Head feel and want something a little easier than the old classics that weighed 12.5 with no lead.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I feel like this stick is not going to be very string sensitive and you can do about anything your heart desires. Full gut at 62#s..Syn gut at 56#s, poly in the upper 40s, upper 50s..whatever. It probably will go alone with whatever your preference is.
I mean just playing with Prince Syn gut feels incredible and the spin is excellent. I'd stay with that if it would last over 5-6 hours.
Anyway, going to try Polybreak mains at 48/OGSM at 52 next. Thats my typical hybrid tension setup. If I can get away with using Dunlop Ice again, ill probably use that as well since I have a reel of it.
I mean just playing with Prince Syn gut feels incredible and the spin is excellent. I'd stay with that if it would last over 5-6 hours.
Anyway, going to try Polybreak mains at 48/OGSM at 52 next. Thats my typical hybrid tension setup. If I can get away with using Dunlop Ice again, ill probably use that as well since I have a reel of it.
sundaypunch
Hall of Fame
My 18m is 335g with OG. I tried it with BHB7 (16) at 52 lbs and it was indeed very low powered. It feels like it could use a bit more weight. It is so comfortable, I am hoping to leave it alone and try a more powerful string setup. I have restrung with Classic gut / Pro Line II at 57/53 and will see how that plays.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Tried the 315 with the 4 grams at 12 plus 2 on 3 and also 9. It was too much power. Went back to the 2x2x2 setup (3, 9 and 12) and boom I was back. I'm staying with this setup. It just works for my swing.
Stick is 342, balance a little under 6 pts HL, SW ~320.
Totally loving it.
Stick is 342, balance a little under 6 pts HL, SW ~320.
Totally loving it.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Sounds like you've tweaked it just right for yourself. Will you be switching ?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
YEs, I'm in. Bought another one. Absolutely loving it man. You are going to be very happy.
Here is my lead setup if anyone is curious.
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aimr75
Hall of Fame
Looking forward to it. Mine have been customised by Paul at TW. 330.0g, 31.0cm & 287SW (unstrung with overgrip). Went with the 16m. Given that I have the 57a's, would not be worth getting the 18m as they would be too similar. Have always wanted a 57a in a 16/19 pattern. So this is a good option without selling a kidney.
parasailing
Legend
YEs, I'm in. Bought another one. Absolutely loving it man. You are going to be very happy.
Here is my lead setup if anyone is curious.
How does it compare to the PSTGT or Graphene Speed Pro? I am tempted from all the good reviews you guys are posting.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yep, Gads knows his stuff and he is loving the 16 mains. I just had to stay 18 because I have grooved my strokes to tight patterns over the past 6 months, and I don't want to change anything.
I like it better than the PTSGT. Feel is better, power is lower, racquet is very fast through the air and not sluggish. Serves are much easier.
The thing is, I played a head graphite master for 10 years. It was the same specs, but weighed more. around 355 and a 320 SW. So I may be biased. It just feels like I am coming home to my old racquet. I had assumed that I would never get a stick I could keep under 12.5 that would feel like this. My first try was the Tfight 335 a few years back, and it weighed a lot. Then they discontinued it, went with the modern, tinny hollow feel in the v02s and I gave them a shot, but just couldn't make peace with the feel. Tracked down old prestige mids, but I struggled on clay with the smaller head...tried donnays, close but they had some QC issues and I never fully felt that "extension of the arm" feeling..so to have a stick like this is a godsend for me.
RollTrackTake
Professional
1. IIRC the Prestige has more plow then this TF so the power of the prestige is greater all things equal.
2. I have not played the 16 mains but I'm sure it has more power than the 18M. I have an 18M strung with Cyclone Tour at 48lbs and another strung with Pro Line X at 48lbs. The KB string is more powerful but no where near the power of a Donnay Pro 1, APD, or PD. The Bio Max 200G is significantly more powerful than the 315 18M although the 16 Mains MAY BE closer to that frame.
3. In my racquet experience I would say the power is slightly more than the Microgel Radical MP. somewhat less than the Delta Core London.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Thanks for the info Roll...FWIW, I don't find the 200G low powered and that is with poly/syngut at 52/54.
YEs, I'm in. Bought another one. Absolutely loving it man. You are going to be very happy.
Here is my lead setup if anyone is curious.
What string are you currently using in this racquet? That looks syn.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Marsh, it is a full job of prince syn gut at 56#s.
I've been trying to get away from my normal full poly setup. How do you like full syn in this racquet? Is that the coated or uncoated Prince syn?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Can't but of all the sticks I have owned (including the Prestige Classic 600), this is my favorite feeling racquet. Reminds me a ton of the PT630. Been a while since I hit with one, but you don't forget that feel.
I guess it is coated. It is Prince Original syn gut. I absolutely love it. It plays great for 6-8 hours in the 18x20 and then it's going to break or feel mushy. So you need multiple sticks to rotate, probably string 1-2 times a week depending on how much you play, but it's a rather amazing setup.
I will put Dunlop Ice mains, syn gut crosses in next (my usual setup) to see how it compares.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Have my second coming today. Saving some more paypal cash for a third. Totally loving this racquet.
Changed my lead setup to 8 inches at 3 and 9 for 8 grams. I think I like the racquet more with lead at 3 and 9. It has a lot of plow. Still tweaking just a little, but for anyone not sure how to mod it - I'd recommend 4-6 grams at 3 and 9 to start.
Changed my lead setup to 8 inches at 3 and 9 for 8 grams. I think I like the racquet more with lead at 3 and 9. It has a lot of plow. Still tweaking just a little, but for anyone not sure how to mod it - I'd recommend 4-6 grams at 3 and 9 to start.
Quick question about the new LTD 315 with 16 mains. Interesting that PP and VS Babolat talk about this essentially being a pro stock racquet at retail pricing. I thought it might be interesting to have one of them for my racquetahoic ways. Do you think that at 3.5/4.0 player can use this racquet? I'm a little afraid that it might be too low powered. What do you think about a gut/poly combo? Appreciate any thoughts.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Anyone can use the racquet, but you will need to have an idea of specs you prefer. It is a very light Sw in stock form, and it basically will end up at 12 ounces, so you need to be cool with that weight.
You also really need to have pretty developed technique. Not super advanced technique or anything, but good footwork, a grooved swing path..etc. Just the stuff that comes from playing a long time. If not, you will probably not be centering the ball enough to appreciate the feel of the racquet.
You also really need to have pretty developed technique. Not super advanced technique or anything, but good footwork, a grooved swing path..etc. Just the stuff that comes from playing a long time. If not, you will probably not be centering the ball enough to appreciate the feel of the racquet.
Thanks PP. Think I'm going to give it a try when they are in stock at TW. Will also be my first go round with "modding." Looking to experience the "pro stock feel"!!!
tennis ratchet
New User
i was wondering about this, i like to demo a racquet, then play with it for awhile, then order another one down the line if i think its a keeper...thats what i tend to do, anyway. but the problem is you miss out on the matching service tw offers, which seems like a very good deal.
so do you just not match your racquets, or do it yourself? anyone ever send the first stick back to tw to have the second matched to the first one's specs?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Apparently Tec's QC is solid on these things, as they are ATP Tour quality (whatever that means, I am assuming/hoping the tolerance is low).
Gavna has a bunch of them and he is saying all of his wegh the same. I will weigh mine in a bit and post the results as well.
But also, since this is a platform frame - yes, I match my racquets.
arrowtowntennisclub
New User
16m pt630/57
This is me in a nut shell. started playing when i was 7 years old with an original Head Agassi pirate 97. I am loving the blade, it is super forgiving and crushes forehands/serves. But nothing feels close to my PT630 except that stick is just too heavy to hit with on a non "just gonna hit for an hour cos it feels so damn good" basis. So i would love a lighter, platform pt630, especially in 16M.... damn PP, you are selling this stick hard! Thinking of picking up a reel each of the black yonex poly tour pro 125 and ogsm 16 to hybrid poly main/syn gut cross if i end up pulling the trigger on these tecs
This is me in a nut shell. started playing when i was 7 years old with an original Head Agassi pirate 97. I am loving the blade, it is super forgiving and crushes forehands/serves. But nothing feels close to my PT630 except that stick is just too heavy to hit with on a non "just gonna hit for an hour cos it feels so damn good" basis. So i would love a lighter, platform pt630, especially in 16M.... damn PP, you are selling this stick hard! Thinking of picking up a reel each of the black yonex poly tour pro 125 and ogsm 16 to hybrid poly main/syn gut cross if i end up pulling the trigger on these tecs
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Sorry, I don't mean to sell it. It's just my impressions, and they are rather favorable I admit. But it sounds like you are the prime candidate for one of these sticks.
New stick came in 6 grams under at 325. So much for the ATP thing..lol. But I just kept the ATP dampener on it instead of a sampras and that got it 3 grams under my first after an identical lead job.
If it swings a little fast, I can slide a couple grams of lead at the tip for an exact match.
Its a little more HL, so this is good. It means that if they come light, the balance point should still be the same after weighting and will be easy to match with some lead.
New stick came in 6 grams under at 325. So much for the ATP thing..lol. But I just kept the ATP dampener on it instead of a sampras and that got it 3 grams under my first after an identical lead job.
If it swings a little fast, I can slide a couple grams of lead at the tip for an exact match.
Its a little more HL, so this is good. It means that if they come light, the balance point should still be the same after weighting and will be easy to match with some lead.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
hows the sweetspot on these sticks. TW UNI reports quite small
PP or others- just wondering about stringing recommendations for the 16X19. What do you think about a gut/poly hybrid? Was thinking that if the racquet was lower powered, you might get a little extra pop with this combo. Any other recommendations appreciated. Thanks in advance
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Gut poly would be great for this. Definitely lower powered. I initially strung up my 16m frame with Tour Bite at 59 lbs.. Felt fine, but too high tension power wise, though it improved as tension dropped. Just restrung with Pacific XCite at 53 and will try that tomorrow.
Will also be trying the 18m as well.
Thanks!! Was also thinking about possibly trying the new TF Razor Code full bed. It's supposed to have a little more power and hold tension better, but haven't seen much feedback on this string.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
It feels great in the Tec. That's what the demos at Indian Wells were strung with and what Tec even recommends to string with on the actual frame.
I bought the Razor Code and have tried it briefly in my other frames. Feel is very good overall, but it does not hold tension well. For the record the demo frames at iW were string at 55lbs.
Thanks again. Do you know what gauge of the Razor Code you tried?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah my second one came in a little lighter, but that's not a problem since we are all leading these anyway.
As for strings - I think you can use any setup you want. I'm currently using Prince Original Syn gut in mine and I love it.
As for strings - I think you can use any setup you want. I'm currently using Prince Original Syn gut in mine and I love it.
I have the 18g in my sticks and my son has 3 with the 17g and 3 with RPM Duel (he had team but swapped out yesterday).
I find the razor code thicker than normal......i had sets of the 16g and it felt like rope......lucky a local TW competitor
Maybe it's in my head but I found it "feels" and plays thicker? But I do like it - I had half of mine strung this week in San Antonio on a new prototype Tecnifibre machine by who is most likely the best stringer in the state. Gonna see how the tension and playability hold up between last night and Monday.
Thanks! Keep us posted. Just wish I could find one in a 4 1/4 before the end of May.
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