Diary of a Racketaholic

S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
mad dog1 said:
i don't think he would've liked it given the sticks he has liked in the past are all very stiff

PSC 6.1 (stiff)
PDR (stiff)

probably best he didn't waste money trying the 315. while the 315 is not a noodle, it's definitely not what i consider a stiff frame.

mikey should be thankful TW helped save him money.
Click to expand...

It is not stiff, but it also is not flexy. It has a pretty unique feel in my experience.

I'll stick by my guess and say Mike would have liked it. I have my doubts about him being satisfied with the PDR, but who knows.

Besides that, other than the Radicals, can you tell me a racquet he has tried that isn't stiff? Of course you prefer stiff frames when that is more or less all you use.
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
Ross K said:
Don't worry spin, I'm sure I'll pick up the baton and get to play with one eventually. :)

Tell me more about your liking of the Blade Team... :wink:
Click to expand...

It is a great frame. What can I say?

Great stick that Blade. I'm still rocking the tattered and frayed gut that came in it, you may be interested to know.

So easy to use and does everything well for me. Of course, I've only played around with it...I have not seriously tested it. I stripped the lead and got it back to stock form. Forgiving, power (but not too much), maneuverable, comfortable...it would be a pretty easy frame to switch to. Alas, I am already spoken for. As well as I like it, it doesn't top the 315 for me.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
spinovic said:
It is not stiff, but it also is not flexy. It has a pretty unique feel in my experience.

I'll stick by my guess and say Mike would have liked it. I have my doubts about him being satisfied with the PDR, but who knows.

Besides that, other than the Radicals, can you tell me a racquet he has tried that isn't stiff? Of course you prefer stiff frames when that is more or less all you use.
Click to expand...

i stopped following all his trials and tribulations, but i do know he tried the pacific x-force lite which is definitely not stiff. let's just say it ended up being a very short trial. if you've been around the board for some time, he always talks about how he likes stiffer sticks because he likes the power. the reason why he ends up trying these softer sticks is because after a few days with the stiff sticks, his arm hurts. so he tries a soft stick and hates it. ends up going back to a stiff stick only to come back a few days later complaining about arm pain. it's a vicious cycle.

mike has liked stiff sticks like the PSC, PDR, APD, Blade type sticks. prince speedport black is 70RA.

i agree with you that the 315 is a great stick. it strikes a nice balance between stiff and flexy but it doesn't feel like the PSC or PDR which are his two all time favorite stick which is why i'm saying it's not gonna work for him.
 
Last edited:
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
mad dog1 said:
i stopped following all his trials and tribulations, but i do know he tried the pacific x-force lite which is definitely not stiff. let's just say it ended up being a very short trial. if you've been around the board for some time, he always talks about how he likes stiffer sticks because he likes the power. the reason why he ends up trying these softer sticks is because after a few days with the stiff sticks, his arm hurts. so he tries a soft stick and hates it. ends up going back to a stiff stick only to come back a few days later complaining about arm pain. it's a vicious cycle.

mike has liked stiff sticks like the PSC, PDR, APD, Blade type sticks. prince speedport black is 70RA.
Click to expand...

You're right. Forgot about the Pacific experiment. "Let's just say it ended up being a very short trial." Classic.

He tries frames that by all accounts are very soft and flexy. The TFight has a different feel...soft yes, but not flexy. I think it would have satisfied him in terms of feel. Power was always the question for me when it came to Mike liking the 315. However, that is so easily remedied with lead at the top, again I don't think it would have been a problem.

I am not an advocate of buying without trying. But, he's demoed quite a few frames...I really think it is a frame that he should take for a spin at least once.

Actually, I think Mike should try the Blade Team/104 as well. Very easy frame to use. But, perhaps you're right. Maybe he just has to use a stiff frame. If I were going to recommend one in that range, I'd have to go back to my old favorite...Extreme Pro 2.0. Stiff rating, but doesn't play or feel that stiff. Great baseline stick that does a lot of things well. I don't think Mike has ever tried it either, and again, I think he is missing out on a great frame. But, that is Mike. I don't think he has ever taken any advice from me. Haha
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
spinovic said:
You're right. Forgot about the Pacific experiment. "Let's just say it ended up being a very short trial." Classic.

He tries frames that by all accounts are very soft and flexy. The TFight has a different feel...soft yes, but not flexy. I think it would have satisfied him in terms of feel. Power was always the question for me when it came to Mike liking the 315. However, that is so easily remedied with lead at the top, again I don't think it would have been a problem.

I am not an advocate of buying without trying. But, he's demoed quite a few frames...I really think it is a frame that he should take for a spin at least once.

Actually, I think Mike should try the Blade Team/104 as well. Very easy frame to use. But, perhaps you're right. Maybe he just has to use a stiff frame. If I were going to recommend one in that range, I'd have to go back to my old favorite...Extreme Pro 2.0. Stiff rating, but doesn't play or feel that stiff. Great baseline stick that does a lot of things well. I don't think Mike has ever tried it either, and again, I think he is missing out on a great frame. But, that is Mike. I don't think he has ever taken any advice from me.
Click to expand...

he's not very good w/ lead either. buying sticks that need to be modded is a double edged sword. if you have patience and are willing to experiment or are savvy in the ways of lead, it can be extremely rewarding. if you don't have the patience or understanding, it can be very frustrating and confusing. mike falls in the latter group. so while the 315 lead options are more limited than other sticks like say a Pure Storm Team, it still does require patience and willingness to experiment. taking advice is not one of his strong points. i recall trying to steer him away from the x-force lite, but we know what happened there, too. ;)
 
Last edited:
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
All-time favorites that he is always looking to move on from. Not sure what all-time favorite means with Mike.

BTW, Mike, what frames do you currently have?
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
spinovic said:
All-time favorites that he is always looking to move on from. Not sure what all-time favorite means with Mike.

BTW, Mike, what frames do you currently have?
Click to expand...

i think the PSC that is his all time fave was someone else's stick that he picked up, hit well with and really loved.
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
spinovic said:
All-time favorites that he is always looking to move on from. Not sure what all-time favorite means with Mike.

BTW, Mike, what frames do you currently have?
Click to expand...

It's been really interesting and revealing to actually stop posting and read what people have to say about me.

I currently own the first blx pro open, speed port black, o3 emerald os, and xforce lite. I am selling the princes to a friend very soon.
 
Last edited:
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
I don't see anything bad in what has been posted. All the same, I am sorry if anything I posted has offended you. Not my intention.

I don't see anything bad, wrong or untrue...and surely you can laugh at the Pacific experiment gone wrong.
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
mad dog1 said:
he's not very good w/ lead either. buying sticks that need to be modded is a double edged sword. if you have patience and are willing to experiment or are savvy in the ways of lead, it can be extremely rewarding. if you don't have the patience or understanding, it can be very frustrating and confusing. mike falls in the latter group. so while the 315 lead options are more limited than other sticks like say a Pure Storm Team, it still does require patience and willingness to experiment. taking advice is not one of his strong points. i recall trying to steer him away from the x-force lite, but we know what happened there, too. ;)
Click to expand...

I surely am not the person to judge who is or isn't good with lead. I have little experience in using it myself. But again, as you say, it is easy with the 315. A few grams at noon transforms it.

I do probably have one up on Mike in the patience department. No offense intended.
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
spinovic said:
I don't see anything bad in what has been posted. All the same, I am sorry if anything I posted has offended you. Not my intention.

I don't see anything bad, wrong or untrue...and surely you can laugh at the Pacific experiment gone wrong.
Click to expand...

Nooooooo I'm appreciative of both of yours and mad dogs comments!!:)
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
MikeHitsHard93 said:
Nooooooo I'm appreciative of both of yours and mad dogs comments!!:)
Click to expand...

Good deal. I didn't want any bad feelings as a result of something I said. Mike, you're actually one of my favorite people on the board, even if you never take my advice. For whatever reason, your racquet quest interests me (guilty pleasure?), and I truly hope you find a racquet that is perfect for you.

BTW, I'm going to keep recommending the 315 until you try it...like a little devil on your shoulder. But, I may also suggest the Extreme Pro 2.0 and the Blade 104. Both racquets I have enjoyed that I think you would too. Not to mention the TF 320 (since you like stiffer frames).
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
spinovic said:
Good deal. I didn't want any bad feelings as a result of something I said. Mike, you're actually one of my favorite people on the board, even if you never take my advice. For whatever reason, your racquet quest interests me (guilty pleasure?), and I truly hope you find a racquet that is perfect for you.

BTW, I'm going to keep recommending the 315 until you try it...like a little devil on your shoulder. But, I may also suggest the Extreme Pro 2.0 and the Blade 104. Both racquets I have enjoyed that I think you would too. Not to mention the TF 320 (since you like stiffer frames).
Click to expand...

HAHAHA. Fun stuff, buddy. I'm glad you enjoy my ridiculous endeavors lol!! MD seems to have became annoyed by them ;)

Ha dude I may eventually try it. I'm definitely interested in the 320 and EP
 
R

Ross K

Legend
With Babolat going to bring in an update to just about the most solid sweetest frame I've ever played (PC Swirly), I'm in celebration mode...

 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
well, had to restring the APDO and decided to lace it with YPTP 16 in a full bed rather than 16/17 like i had previously been doing. i bumped up the tension of the crosses by 2#s and it ended up feeling to high. so in the meantime while i let the racquet sit waiting for the tension to drop, i've been spending quality time w/ the Angell TC-95 and the 315 ltd. both are great sticks, but i'm definitely groovin' more w/ the angell. enjoying it so much, i finally got around to matching my 2nd angell to my first one. this one actually came strung w/ a fresh bed of VS gut. i was worried it would be too powerful but it turned out to be controllable. very comfortable w/ great spin. i also tried out a vantage vt221 which is the same as the TC-95 that was strung w/ TB17/Vanquish16 and was pleasantly surprised that control wasn't bad at all. may just have to start trying some more comfy poly/multi hybrids. :)
 
Fed Kennedy

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Wilson, Babolat and Prince all have kick *** new lines coming out.

Shouldn't be too hard to pick a favorite.

I don't foresee any problems moving forward. Should be smooth sailing.

Axl-and-Gilby-guns-n-roses-34199258-500-337.jpg
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Ross K said:
With Babolat going to bring in an update to just about the most solid sweetest frame I've ever played (PC Swirly), I'm in celebration mode...

Click to expand...

I'd like to try one, but the ultra low powered frames don't appeal to me anymore.

Funny how I said just the other day that tweeter frames weren't for me, and now I'm buying my PDR back... :)
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
About ready to re-string a couple of my 315s...any suggestions from you my 'holic friends?

One currently has a hybrid of VS Gut/Red Code...the gut is still in great shape, so I am debating whether to cut it all out or to just put a new cross in. The other is strung with Biphase.

Will probably try a full bed of poly in one. Also have some MonoGut I'd like to try. Not to mention a slew of multis.

Decisions, decisions. Stringaholic?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
spinovic said:
About ready to re-string a couple of my 315s...any suggestions from you my 'holic friends?

One currently has a hybrid of VS Gut/Red Code...the gut is still in great shape, so I am debating whether to cut it all out or to just put a new cross in. The other is strung with Biphase.

Will probably try a full bed of poly in one. Also have some MonoGut I'd like to try. Not to mention a slew of multis.

Decisions, decisions. Stringaholic?
Click to expand...

I have gone polybreak mains and Forten sweet crosses. Destroys every setup I have used and costs less.

I did head to against TB and TB soft and it's not even close.

I haven't switched strings lead or anything in ~3 months now. This racquet plays like a best friend.....a band ruining soul mate perhaps?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
MikeHitsHard93 said:
Well I've been waiting for it since Thursday, and since then I've played with my old PDR a bit and really wondered if I should even be purchasing the 315 since it was an impulse buy anyway. So I'm not getting it. I'm sending my frames back for a hopeful refund and will probably buy my pdr back and put some lower powered strings in it. Things happen for a reason.
Click to expand...

PDR rules. But you should have taken a deep breath, relaxed and tried that Tec.

It is not a low powered stick with lead at 12. They are tough to find at a low price.

You are at a point where you need to figure out how to use lead a little anyway. The Tec is pretty simple for that.

I like the PDR too, but I had to lead mine. The 2012 swings real light.

And yeah, the Pure Control is not a low powered stick dude.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
I have gone polybreak mains and Forten sweet crosses. Destroys every setup I have used and costs less.

I did head to against TB and TB soft and it's not even close.

I haven't switched strings lead or anything in ~3 months now. This racquet plays like a best friend.....a band ruining soul mate perhaps?
Click to expand...

what gauge are you using?
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
mad dog1 said:
full bed of TB 16L plays great in the 315. Razor Code and Cyclone work well, too.
Click to expand...

Funny...Razor Code & Cyclone were two that initially came to mind. Razor Code is suggested on the frame and Cyclone is cheap and I have a few sets.

I don't have any Polybreak PP.

I've got a couple of half sets of gut...Pacific Tough Gut 16L & KLIP Legend 15L. What do you think of the idea of cutting out the Red Code crosses and putting one of the half sets in its place with the VS Touch 16G mains?

I just hate the thought of wasting a good half set of VS. Although I knew the deal when I ordered it strung that way. Gut/poly was just something I wanted to try and now I have. Generally speaking, I'm more of a fan of full beds at this point. Maybe when I get some more experience with different strings and their characteristics and what I want, I'll explore the hybrids a little further. But, I want to know how a string plays and feels as a full bed first. I think that would be useful info when trying to determine what strings you want to hybrid, where to put them and what tensions to use.
 
Last edited:
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
PDR rules. But you should have taken a deep breath, relaxed and tried that Tec.

It is not a low powered stick with lead at 12. They are tough to find at a low price.

You are at a point where you need to figure out how to use lead a little anyway. The Tec is pretty simple for that.

I like the PDR too, but I had to lead mine. The 2012 swings real light.

And yeah, the Pure Control is not a low powered stick dude.
Click to expand...

I definitely have a problem with patience when it comes to tennis, which is probably why I suck with lead.

I have the PDRGT which has a higher sw than the 2012, so it swings heavy and hits really heavy too. It's also the only stiff racket I've used that isn't jarring, which also attracts me to it. Gotta find a good low powered string for it though...

I played possibly the best game of my life with the PDR, not joking. I let the weight do its thing and swing fast with a compact stroke. It made playing so easy for me, which I think is what you need when looking for a racket.
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
You should check out the Extreme Pro if an opportunity comes along Mike. A few of the TW playtesters referenced the PDR in their review of the Extreme. At a 69 on the stiffness scale, I thought it felt great. I played a few frames rated softer that didn't feel as good to me.
 
R

Ross K

Legend
RHs

Just read a few comments re the power level of the Pure Control...

Well, prompted by reading about the PC update, I played with my PC Swirly this morning and I can confirm it hits a huge ball - but in the way a PSC or an RD7 does, and not in the manner of a power tweener thick beam stick. The control, or more specifically, directional control is great on the old Swirly PC what with it's distinct crisp/stiff and rather nice feel, 16/20 pattern and box beam par excellence. The feeling of plow and rock solid stability is something else shared with the RD7 and PSC - and it's worth dwelling on the fact that whilst the the RA is up there (66 on my Swirly, I think), you've got about 345g and a SW of 335. Not the easiest frame, not one of those smooth swinging extension of your arm jobs, but rather an absolute hammer and baseline weapon of the gods!

Longtime diary RHs know I've always 'had a thing' for this frame. :)
 
R

Ross K

Legend
mad dog1 said:
well, had to restring the APDO and decided to lace it with YPTP 16 in a full bed rather than 16/17 like i had previously been doing. i bumped up the tension of the crosses by 2#s and it ended up feeling to high. so in the meantime while i let the racquet sit waiting for the tension to drop, i've been spending quality time w/ the Angell TC-95 and the 315 ltd. both are great sticks, but i'm definitely groovin' more w/ the angell. enjoying it so much, i finally got around to matching my 2nd angell to my first one. this one actually came strung w/ a fresh bed of VS gut. i was worried it would be too powerful but it turned out to be controllable. very comfortable w/ great spin. i also tried out a vantage vt221 which is the same as the TC-95 that was strung w/ TB17/Vanquish16 and was pleasantly surprised that control wasn't bad at all. may just have to start trying some more comfy poly/multi hybrids. :)
Click to expand...

Sounding good there md with the Angell, and I think it was the 221 VT that I also had a few years back now and liked a lot (had 2 all red ones that were 320g and 1 black pj that was 330g). Distinct lack of vibes, ultra crisp, not so high-powered and very well made (close to pro-stock maybe)... great sticks these Vantages and Angells.:cool:
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Ross K said:
Sounding good there md with the Angell, and I think it was the 221 VT that I also had a few years back now and liked a lot (had 2 all red ones that were 320g and 1 black pj that was 330g). Distinct lack of vibes, ultra crisp, not so high-powered and very well made (close to pro-stock maybe)... great sticks these Vantages and Angells.:cool:
Click to expand...

yep, got 2 red vt221s that are 330g unstrung 10pts HL. might need to operate on these to get the static weight down to my customized TC95s.
 
R

RollTrackTake

Professional
MikeHitsHard93 said:
I definitely have a problem with patience when it comes to tennis, which is probably why I suck with lead.

I have the PDRGT which has a higher sw than the 2012, so it swings heavy and hits really heavy too. It's also the only stiff racket I've used that isn't jarring, which also attracts me to it. Gotta find a good low powered string for it though...

I played possibly the best game of my life with the PDR, not joking. I let the weight do its thing and swing fast with a compact stroke. It made playing so easy for me, which I think is what you need when looking for a racket.
Click to expand...

Email me if your still interested in a 315 LTD 16
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
Hit today for a couple of hours with some quality guys.

Still soaking in the Steam Room! I want to bump up my tension a little more however, as I've got about 2 hours on this string bed and the tension loss is huge. The bed is feeling rather soft and mushy, and is going to break within the next hour or so of hitting most likely. I'm currently using ALU Power @ 62lbs. I might try 64-65 range, although I want to try something other than ALU as it is not the optimal string for me right now. Any suggestions guys?

-Fuji
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Fuji said:
Hit today for a couple of hours with some quality guys.

Still soaking in the Steam Room! I want to bump up my tension a little more however, as I've got about 2 hours on this string bed and the tension loss is huge. The bed is feeling rather soft and mushy, and is going to break within the next hour or so of hitting most likely. I'm currently using ALU Power @ 62lbs. I might try 64-65 range, although I want to try something other than ALU as it is not the optimal string for me right now. Any suggestions guys?

-Fuji
Click to expand...

Wow, and to think I was at 50 lbs...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

henrytennisadelaide
Diary of a Racketaholic... picture thread
Replies
20
Views
2K
gold325
gold325
J
Diary of a Diabetic Racketaholic....
Replies
22
Views
1K
WYK
WYK
Mateo
APD GT 2012/2013 Diff
Replies
1
Views
957
tennistomcat
tennistomcat
I
APD vs APDC vs APD GT
Replies
7
Views
2K
baseline_monster
baseline_monster
Z
Racquet choice dilemma
Replies
9
Views
1K
AJK1
A
Top