Boris Becker Delta Core Legend: Where to Add Lead and Which Stirngs to use?

Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Boris_Becker_Delta_Core_Legend_02.JPG


So, I'm planning to permanently use the racquet for future tournaments and college-entry matches (will plan to have around 8-12 of the racquets total), and I wanted to ask anyone who has played with it the correct way to make the racquet have more plow-through? Is it to add lead in the 3 and 8 o'clock?

In stock form, the racquet is pretty wonky. Hybrids do not play well with this racquet unless if it's a multi and gut with gut 4 pounds lower in tension.
 
S

slowfox

Professional
I used to play the DC Legend. Experimented with all kinds of different customizations. Not just lead tape, but odd things like cutting away the bumper guard etc.

Ultimately, I found for me it plays best with a leather replacement grip + 1 overgrip, lead at 12 o'clock and lead at 6 o'clock. Overall weight around 350g or so.

Keep in mind the swingweight in stock form is already around 330-ish.
 
OnyxZ28

OnyxZ28

Hall of Fame
I used to play the DCL too -- my setup varied, but my favorite was full poly at mid 40s tension. I didn't add lead -- just leather and OG.
 
M

mctennis

Legend
I put lead at 10 and 2, about one ounce. I put a leather grip on and used one with a solid gut string bed. One I used gut mains and TiMO crosses ( 8 lbs lower).
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Okay, I better experiment when I get more DC Legend frames. Because in stock, there's not alot of plow-through unless if I take a long and medium-fast swing.

I do planning on switching to 17G and experimenting with co-poly and full gut. I would use a poly as well, but probably mid 40s to avoid stress on my arm and shoulder.
 
J

jman32

Rookie
I played with it for a few years. Added weight to 9 and 3. Got the swing weight up to 340+ and weight in the 12.5ish oz range. Was never 100% happy with the frame. Found it to be inconsistent. Ball would fly at times

I also tried adding silicon in the handle. Did not like it so much.

It is a great serving stick. Great volleying stick.

Full bed poly 17 gauge Rpm blast works well

Good luck.
 
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S

slowfox

Professional
jman32 said:
Was never 100% happy with the frame. Found it to be inconsistent. Ball would fly at times
Click to expand...

I noticed the same thing. Of course it could've just been my technique, but then again, when I switched to my current Dunlop the strange spraying of balls ceased... :-?
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Maybe I need to ask the TW Professor when I get another 4-5 frames....

Why did they choose to Update the Melbourne and the London? WHY?

They should've at least updated the Legend...
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Like I said before, I don't think you can swing hard with the stick depending on the shot. If playing with a strong hitter, just use long swings with medium swing speed. Same thing with a weaker hitter...

I think it's a grinder's racquet.
 
OnyxZ28

OnyxZ28

Hall of Fame
Overdrive said:
Maybe I need to ask the TW Professor when I get another 4-5 frames....

Why did they choose to Update the Melbourne and the London? WHY?

They should've at least updated the Legend...
Click to expand...

The Melbourne is the updated Legend. Here is the genealogy:

Volkl Quantum 10 Tour -> Delta Core Legend -> Delta Core Melbourne
 
J

jman32

Rookie
Overdrive said:
Like I said before, I don't think you can swing hard with the stick depending on the shot. If playing with a strong hitter, just use long swings with medium swing speed. Same thing with a weaker hitter...

I think it's a grinder's racquet.
Click to expand...

i would disagree, this stick for S&V and attacking.

i think the issue with the stick is the shape of the head. it is narrower toward the top and wider towards the middle. i normally hit the ball higher in the hoop, where i would get a consistent response, however if i hit the ball more toward the middle, the ball would fly with less spin.

for this reason it plays well with dead poly.

please be aware that QC is questionable, i have 3 sticks, and there was a half oz difference between them.

on the positive, it is very compfy with excellent, off center stability, spin, volleys, servers, half volleys and a large sweetspot. for me a lack of plow through was never an issue
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
jman32 said:
i would disagree, this stick for S&V and attacking.

i think the issue with the stick is the shape of the head. it is narrower toward the top and wider towards the middle. i normally hit the ball higher in the hoop, where i would get a consistent response, however if i hit the ball more toward the middle, the ball would fly with less spin.

for this reason it plays well with dead poly.

please be aware that QC is questionable, i have 3 sticks, and there was a half oz difference between them.

on the positive, it is very compfy with excellent, off center stability, spin, volleys, servers, half volleys and a large sweetspot. for me a lack of plow through was never an issue
Click to expand...

The Shape of the head? Hm, never thought of that.

Very-low tension poly? Thanks for the Notice. I think I will string my DC Legend Frames with BB NYC Bomber co-poly.

S&V really doesn't work if you are playing against a good player that enjoys that baseline. However, I can hit a few slices and drop shots to make him come up to the net and let me put it away.

Yeah, it does serve really well. 65% of my serves during one match were aces.
 
basil J

basil J

Hall of Fame
I used this frame 2 years ago and I found it played best with weight added at 3:00 & 9:00 strung with a gut main and soft poly cross at 56#. I moved to the melbourne last year and have not looked back. I loved the legend, but found it unstable in the throat agains heavy hitters and my 1 HBH, which is usually my best shot was suffering. the melbourne is more stable and absorbs vibration better and I play that in stock form with the same string set up at 56# that I used in the legend. I do agree that the frame is a good all around frame and I had some great matches with it. The Melbourne IMO, addressed the stability issues I had with the legend and I love that I can play it in stock form. I have 3 and they are all identical in weight and balance and I have also changed the grips to the Attiva pallets for a more traditional grip shape. Best of luck with it.
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
basil J said:
I used this frame 2 years ago and I found it played best with weight added at 3:00 & 9:00 strung with a gut main and soft poly cross at 56#. I moved to the melbourne last year and have not looked back. I loved the legend, but found it unstable in the throat agains heavy hitters and my 1 HBH, which is usually my best shot was suffering. the melbourne is more stable and absorbs vibration better and I play that in stock form with the same string set up at 56# that I used in the legend. I do agree that the frame is a good all around frame and I had some great matches with it. The Melbourne IMO, addressed the stability issues I had with the legend and I love that I can play it in stock form. I have 3 and they are all identical in weight and balance and I have also changed the grips to the Attiva pallets for a more traditional grip shape. Best of luck with it.
Click to expand...

Hmm... :cry:

I have the Melbourne as well. However, I'm selling it with the DCLT because they just aren't suited for me. Well, the Melbourne addressed all the issues that the Legend had, but my timing and shots suffered during long matches and against players who hit their shots with precision.

I'm playing with the Legend in stock form right now.. it's probably one of the worst racquets I've ever played in stock form. Like the DCLT, if you hit too much of anything, the ball goes out. I also have a 1HBH as well.. it is sporadic in consistency.. It's very frustrating playing with a racquet I love but can't beat the people I should be beating with it. :oops:

I'm going to have to get a Klippermate and several strings to experiment. Thanks for the tips on where to add lead. :)
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Doubles said:
...Maybe it's not the racquet?
Click to expand...

Of course it's not the racquet! I guess you didn't read the previous posts and just typed what came in your head.

On good days, (like today, I beat the same guy in straights). I finally found my 1HBH now. I just have to keep building on it and it'll be wonderful in no time.
 
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P

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
basil J said:
. . . and I have also changed the grips to the Attiva pallets for a more traditional grip shape. Best of luck with it.
Click to expand...

I modify the pallet shape on my Londons with athletic/hockey tape, but I've often considered the Attiva pallets. How close is their shape to Dunlop?
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Pneumated1 said:
I modify the pallet shape on my Londons with athletic/hockey tape, but I've often considered the Attiva pallets. How close is their shape to Dunlop?
Click to expand...

You modified the pallet shape?

Hmm... I don't think the handle shape will be an issue for me anytime soon. :)
 
Doubles

Doubles

Legend
Overdrive said:
Of course it's not the racquet! I guess you didn't read the previous posts and just typed what came in your head.

On good days, (like today, I beat the same guy in straights). I finally found my 1HBH now. I just have to keep building on it and it'll be wonderful in no time.
Click to expand...

I read the thread, I'm just struggling to understand how a racquet with specs such as the Legend is seemingly unplayable to you in stock form.
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
Doubles said:
I read the thread, I'm just struggling to understand how a racquet with specs such as the Legend is seemingly unplayable to you in stock form.
Click to expand...

Let me rephrase it. In stock form, the racquet is slightly above average to sometimes good depending on my technique. On a bad day, this racquet won't hit very good.

Also, I think the strings are probably dead so that may explain it.

Bottom Line: This racquet isn't played best in stock form.
 
C

cheers

Rookie
?

Overdrive, it seems that every plus you mention about this racquet has 1.5 minuses, not sure why you picked this as your racquet of choice but anyway, to each his own...

I play the Legend with lead and leather. 0.8g at 12, 1.6g at 6, and with leather grip + overgrip. There was a poster (TennisMaverick) that was very knowledgable about volkl/BB racquets and he recommended this lead setup (.75/1.5). Seems weird and maybe it's in my head, but it does play awesome this way. I tried removing it and it feels ever so slightly different (in a worse way). I'm at 12.28 oz or around 348g static weight.

As for strings, I like stiffer poly in the legend strung low. I currently am enjoying TourBite 17 mains at 45 and any smooth, non-textured soft co-poly 17g at 45 in the crosses (currently I have Pro's Pro Vendetta 1.20). It plays great this way, in my opinion. MSV Focus Hex works great in this racquet, too.

I tried the Melbourne and prefer the Legend, as well. Not because of the weight, but the Melbourne's feel, sweetspot, and plow weren't as good, in my opinion. I think the Legend's balance, flex, material, and string pattern just "work" well together and feels great, I don't think a Legend2 could be made any better.

Anyway, I've never really had a racquet that I hated stock but loved when customized, so I would be wary of that. There has to be something good about the racquet for you in stock form, in my opinion, to get the most out of it customized. Good luck with it.
 
Overdrive

Overdrive

Legend
cheers said:
Overdrive, it seems that every plus you mention about this racquet has 1.5 minuses, not sure why you picked this as your racquet of choice but anyway, to each his own...

I play the Legend with lead and leather. 0.8g at 12, 1.6g at 6, and with leather grip + overgrip. There was a poster (TennisMaverick) that was very knowledgable about volkl/BB racquets and he recommended this lead setup (.75/1.5). Seems weird and maybe it's in my head, but it does play awesome this way. I tried removing it and it feels ever so slightly different (in a worse way). I'm at 12.28 oz or around 348g static weight.

As for strings, I like stiffer poly in the legend strung low. I currently am enjoying TourBite 17 mains at 45 and any smooth, non-textured soft co-poly 17g at 45 in the crosses (currently I have Pro's Pro Vendetta 1.20). It plays great this way, in my opinion. MSV Focus Hex works great in this racquet, too.

I tried the Melbourne and prefer the Legend, as well. Not because of the weight, but the Melbourne's feel, sweetspot, and plow weren't as good, in my opinion. I think the Legend's balance, flex, material, and string pattern just "work" well together and feels great, I don't think a Legend2 could be made any better.

Anyway, I've never really had a racquet that I hated stock but loved when customized, so I would be wary of that. There has to be something good about the racquet for you in stock form, in my opinion, to get the most out of it customized. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...

I know TM. He told me alot about Becker racquets. He also gave me a deal on a bag that I can't find anywhere in stores or online.
The Delta Core Legend is a great racquet. However, it is not best played in stock form for me.This will be solved with some lead. I recently purhcased 5 more racquets. However, the other 4 racquets (protoype) have grip size L0. Does you or anyone know which racquet has the same pallets as the Legend?
 
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