JGads
G.O.A.T.
Did you guys see this TW video of Andrew Dome? The two-handed forehand is murder when he cracks it.
http://youtu.be/VSWlyOlHoUY
http://youtu.be/VSWlyOlHoUY
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
prestige mid was already introduced. I discussed this head rep. They have NO plans for reintroducing that racket and wasting their money and time.
Doubles
Legend
If you're going to lie, at least come up with something believable.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Stan is the best guy on tour right now to watch play. Just massive hitting. Very aggasi-like in his aggression.
Agree, the quality of his backhand is second to none and his forehand is just as good. Man, his footwork is something to strive for using a one handed backhand.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Think I have to agree. When he stops thinking and swings away without the tension, my oh my the ball striking is so pure. I noticed at Indian Wells that the sting of his ball looked and sounded different. Even in defeat that day. Federer and Haas match looked, sounded and felt that way to me in person as well. The upper echelon, in person, the ball sounds different than the rest of the pack. But Wawrinka's crazy sting and sound happens on BOTH wings, throughout. Just cracks the ball.
Quite happy for him that he's found his form again and is a genuine contender for Paris.
That was fun this morning.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Oh wow..cool score there. Are they at his specs?
Looks like im moving forward with the tour g 330. Im really in love with it and will now sell my ai98 just to free up some fun money. The g is just that good for me. Didnt really expect to hit it off this well, but im addicted to the feel and how smooth i can serve and hit my shots.
Honestly do not want to sell the ai98, but i dont use it at all now. The tec remains in the bag.
Looks like im moving forward with the tour g 330. Im really in love with it and will now sell my ai98 just to free up some fun money. The g is just that good for me. Didnt really expect to hit it off this well, but im addicted to the feel and how smooth i can serve and hit my shots.
Honestly do not want to sell the ai98, but i dont use it at all now. The tec remains in the bag.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
flexible or stiff
I have been trying out a few frames. Demoed the Instinct. Extreme MP, Speed MP and Graphene Radical Midplus, Steam 99s and a friends oversize Prince Scream which actually felt pretty good. Also tested the Ezone ai 98 and the ai 100.
Ive been having a tender arm lately, tennis and golfers elbow specifically, It gets aggravated with full poly combined with stiff racket, no wonder,
I prefer 100 square inch frames but there aren't many flexible frames that have this head size. The Prince Tour 100 16 x 18 is one of them but I demoed the Exo Tour some time ago and could not dial in.
I am planning to try the Ezone ai 100 again but I will use a hybrid setup this time instead of full poly.
Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.
I have been trying out a few frames. Demoed the Instinct. Extreme MP, Speed MP and Graphene Radical Midplus, Steam 99s and a friends oversize Prince Scream which actually felt pretty good. Also tested the Ezone ai 98 and the ai 100.
Ive been having a tender arm lately, tennis and golfers elbow specifically, It gets aggravated with full poly combined with stiff racket, no wonder,
I prefer 100 square inch frames but there aren't many flexible frames that have this head size. The Prince Tour 100 16 x 18 is one of them but I demoed the Exo Tour some time ago and could not dial in.
I am planning to try the Ezone ai 100 again but I will use a hybrid setup this time instead of full poly.
Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.
MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
I want to try out just about every racket you just listed. What did you think of them?
I think we're in similar boats with the arm and racquet preferences, and I've been on an epic journey (nay, quest) to find the perfect frame. I just recently had my Graphene Speed MP restrung with natty gut in the mains and 4G in the crosses (4 pounds lower) and it feels pretty darn good. It plays MUCH better with the natty hybrid than with a full bed of multi (I tried Dunlop DNA and Prince Premier Attack.) It's a schizophrenic frame though and I still haven't fully figured out which personality I like best out of it.
As for other frames, the new Prince Tour 98 ESP is super soft and a much-improved version of the Rebel 98. It's weighted a bit different than the EXO Tour so you might find your center with it a little better. I also hit with both the new Pro Staff 100L and 95S, preferring the 95S quite a bit. I might try the 100LS in the near future. Otherwise, if you can still find it (TW doesn't list 'em) the Pacific X Force is a great, flexy frame and feels sublime with a buttery "thunk" at contact. In fact, it's probably the feel torch-bearer for me.
All my reviews are in my other thread. Check 'em out.
Right now I think I am going for the Yonex ai 100, the Dunlop M.4 or the Prince Warrior 100. The last two are a bit light though. I prefer 3 or 4 head light, 325- 330 swingweight and a 16 x 18 or 16 x 19 string pattern in a 100 inch frame.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
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I find that my Ezone AI 100 feels very comfortable with a cyclone 17 / Gosen Micro 16 hybrid. I have had issues with golfers elbow (not originally tennis related and I never play golf) but the AI 100 feels much softer than the 68 rating it has.
I have added 6g of lead from 3-5 & 7-9, on the lower hoop too to add some solidity to the hoop but it doesn't really NEED it, it's just my preference.
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I think I will give the ai 100 a try again. Will string with Poly Tour yellow mains and Yonex 850 multi cross at 53/55. The Prince Tour 100 is on my mind but the 7 point head balance is not what I prefer. But I will give it a thought.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Out of all the frames you listed, I think the AI100 feels the softest.
The Graphene Speed and Rad can be a little harsh at times, but they are low powered enough so you could use multi or nat gut mains if u wanted to.
The AI100 felt soft even with full poly to me. I would recommend Volkl Cyclone Tour....very soft feeling poly. You could hybrid it with a nylon also.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
Have tried all 3 of those.
The M 4.0 is an interesting frame, but it suffers a bit from "TSS" or tiny sweetspot syndrome. The specs are perfect though, but it is a bit firm feeling and I believe it's around 68 stiffness.
I am currently using the Prince Warrior Pro, which is the same as the regular Warrior but with traditonal string grommets instead of the ports. Either one would be a great choice but the O Port one will be more arm friendly.
The AI100 is also a great choice and like I said earlier, it feels much softer than it's RA rating of 68. More like 65 or less.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
that should be quite nice.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Boricua, stop using poly if your arm hurts.String the ai100 with a full multi of some sort. There is no reason to use poly when your arm is sore. I never get why people continue to do this.
JackB1
G.O.A.T.
I guess it's not that bad yet?
But I agree. Why risk it? There are lots of nice low power multi's on the market now that are playable in these racquets.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
There are so many people who use polys that I don't get why. Poly comes into play for me because I hit hard and like that extra control. But when someone says they like the spin they get from poly, I have to wonder how hard they hit and if they really need it.
What Im getting at, is I strung up my tecnifibre with full syn gut and can still hit heavy spin with it. The difference is I do not have that same precision when I am I hitting very hard.
Its more about controlling big power for most players. So if I ever feel arm pain, I go to full syn gut or a multi to rest myself. The control level goes down when I dial up the power, but I'm still able to make the ball drop pretty sharp.
What Im getting at, is I strung up my tecnifibre with full syn gut and can still hit heavy spin with it. The difference is I do not have that same precision when I am I hitting very hard.
Its more about controlling big power for most players. So if I ever feel arm pain, I go to full syn gut or a multi to rest myself. The control level goes down when I dial up the power, but I'm still able to make the ball drop pretty sharp.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
You should try the volkl v1 classic customized to your preferred specs.
PP, if you look at the graph "Distance vs Racquet" in section 2B-4 of this paper by TW University, it's very easy to see the net effect of the differences in rebound speed, rebound angle and spin rates between multis and polys, polys and 16x15 polys and some custom setups designed to replicate spaghetti strings.
Compared to a typical multi, a typical full-poly setup will send the ball about 4 feet shorter in the court due to higher rebound angle, greater topspin and slightly less velocity. The ball will clear the net by a greater margin as well. The net effect is less chance of clipping the tape and less chance of hitting long, at the same time.
I get what you mean about more "control," but the "Luxilon effect" is essentially this 4 foot difference, which is probably more than four feet on very fast, advanced-level swings. It's this difference in depth that is characterized as the "it dropped in at the last instant!"
That said, I agree with you completely about poly's suitability for different players. It's often been said that if you're not breaking multis, you're not hitting with enough racquet-head speed or spin to benefit from polys. And I would go one step further: if you're not breaking polys before they go "dead" you probably aren't hitting with enough racquet-head speed or spin to benefit from polys.
But, I would add an exception: Even if your swing speed is too slow to bend poly strings like the pros do, you can bend the strings and get the benefit of snapback-generated bonus spin by simply stringing poly very low. I think a lot of req players with slower swing speeds can get something out of poly strings, especially if they like to throw junk, by stringing poly around 30-35 pounds. At those tensions, poly strings deflect roughly as much as syngut at 55 pounds, so the control should generally be about the same. But unlike syngut, the slippery and smooth poly mains will stretch and slide sideways and give that extra kick on spin-generating strokes.
OK, enough blather from me.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Corners agree with all that. Reality is most players don't string that low and get the benefit you are describing. So basically I thank you for a much more detailed argument in favor of what I am saying 
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yes but if your full bed of TB indeed lasts 80 hours as you say, then you are using the wrong string and can most likely get the same control with a softer string strung at a higher tension.
Fuji
Legend
I've come to enjoy hybrids of late after leaving the SET frames. Definitely loving a soft multi cross with a stiffer poly in the mains. Lately I've been going Snakebite/Maximal, or PHT/Maximal. Having that softer cross is really opening up the bed, and makes the ride slightly more comfortable at the expense of marginal spin decrease.
Given that I get this multi for pennies a set, I like it more than syn gut in the crosses, but I feel like you could get relatively the same performance with a cheapo syngut.
-Fuji
Given that I get this multi for pennies a set, I like it more than syn gut in the crosses, but I feel like you could get relatively the same performance with a cheapo syngut.
-Fuji
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Because your arm is going to hurt. Lets chat in a half year or so.
Yep, those frames you have to use full poly or its pointless.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Not sure if they are to his spec. I don't know too much about them but will check the specs once I get them. I got them off a guy Ive traded frames before. Got the dimitrov frames I had off this guy too
Not too sure to be honest. I traded for a couple frames he wanted and was curious to try these out due to the extended length and flex. Hopefully they will arrive today
Murray_fan1
Professional
I have this racquet in hand right now. Fantastic feel to it. Basically a 100sq inch Tfight 315 with the Prince style grip shape and a better starting point for customization. Plays surprisingly well in stock form but with a little lead....... Must try for any fan of the Tfight 315.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Aimr those frames are sweet. The sw must be fairly high, any guess on that?
Murray, yep i had a feeling prince would make some grommeted frames that felt awesome. If i wasnt content with the yy, id demo one. I imagine they are both pretty similar.
Murray, yep i had a feeling prince would make some grommeted frames that felt awesome. If i wasnt content with the yy, id demo one. I imagine they are both pretty similar.
frames arrived.. pretty light assuming its his spec as stated in the throat. Strung with overgrip, i weighed them at 338grams with a balance of 32.5cm
As per the sticker it should be about 328g strung abd 33.0 cm balance. 10 grams at top of the grip?
Murray_fan1
Professional
Yeah it was a bit of a surprise for me. Stayed away from Prince for awhile during the hole port phase. Sticks weren't all that bad but just felt strange to me nd a pain to string. This stick has some real appeal to it. Nice pop with a sick buttery feel. Also grabbed a demo of the Pure Control Tour to try so will report back after my hit tonight.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
If you get a chance to compare it to a tour g 330, that could be a goat review.
Murray_fan1
Professional
I would have if my local store had one in stock. Sold a 310 version this week and was left a little disappointed. I think you made the right choice with the 330g version.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah these types of sticks need weight to deliver. I learned that with the tec.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Hmm, not too sure but the SW isn't ridiculous. Comes around pretty easy actually dry swinging. Bouncing a ball around the frame does feel soft. Will see once I hit with them.
I haven't checked but will unwrap the grip to see.
Played with a friends Volkl V1 Classic which is a light and stiff frame that is supposed to be arm friendly. Its strung with dead Competition and frayed multi. Anyhow I felt the stiffness so I reconsidered about the Ezone ai 100.
So I will go for the Prince Tour and see how Cyclone 17 at 50 plays in this flexy racket. Also, my arm is not that bad but I have to watch out. Multis are not out of the picture but I break them fast as I hit hard and with big topspin. Team Ferrer, here we go.
Seriously, I am appreciating the benefits and feel of flex in a racket, I guess for some people like me that comes with time.
So I will go for the Prince Tour and see how Cyclone 17 at 50 plays in this flexy racket. Also, my arm is not that bad but I have to watch out. Multis are not out of the picture but I break them fast as I hit hard and with big topspin. Team Ferrer, here we go.
Seriously, I am appreciating the benefits and feel of flex in a racket, I guess for some people like me that comes with time.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
frames arrived.. pretty light assuming its his spec as stated in the throat. Strung with overgrip, i weighed them at 338grams with a balance of 32.5cm
Beauties! Let us know.
This sounds interesting. This is the lighter 11.3 with non-O ports? Just looked at the specs. This could actually be a candidate for a return-to-action frame for me and my shoulder, when that time eventually comes. Still soft but no OPorts. Just can't do OPorts.
Murray_fan1
Professional
Hit again tonight with this frame and can't knock it. The buttery feel with a nice bit of pop to it is very addicting. Served some tonight as well and found that is quite versatile. So easy to hit kickers but just enough mass to crush some flatter serves down the T. Very happy with it thus far. I think if I was to purchase this I would add a gram or two at 3 & 9 or maybe just a tad bit at 12 just to see what a bit more mass could do for it, however I could play quite happily with it in stock form. Hidden gem for sure.
Pure Control- only got about 10 minutes hit time tonight as the Prince was so good. Quick impression is that it has the right DNA (buttery smooth and loaded with feel) but this thing is seriously lacking some mass. Unlike the Prince, this stick without a doubt needs some lead in the head to give it some juice and stability. I will tinker with it but at 11.8 strung I don't have a lot of room to move before it gets out of my comfort zone weight wise. Racquet is quite whippy but just lacks the mass to get good court penetration.
Pure Control- only got about 10 minutes hit time tonight as the Prince was so good. Quick impression is that it has the right DNA (buttery smooth and loaded with feel) but this thing is seriously lacking some mass. Unlike the Prince, this stick without a doubt needs some lead in the head to give it some juice and stability. I will tinker with it but at 11.8 strung I don't have a lot of room to move before it gets out of my comfort zone weight wise. Racquet is quite whippy but just lacks the mass to get good court penetration.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
murray_fan, which prince is this? looked at your previous posts and it wasn't clear to me.
Murray_fan1
Professional
Prince Tour Pro 100
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
ah ok! thx. those specs look yummy. i love flexy sticks! SW is right up my alley. only needs a bit of tail weighting for me.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
yep, sexy indeed!
i feel so lost w/o my demo buddy!
need you to heal up real quick like! have you considered flying to germany for that procedure kobe got on his knee?
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JackB1
G.O.A.T.
the specs of the Tour Pro 100 certainly look good. The only red flag for me is the 58 stiffness. Is the racquet very flexy feeling? Does the flex take a lot of juice out of the ball? I usually struggle getting pace on my serve with flexy racquets. Between the thin beam and the low flex, that usually isn't a great fit for me.
Side note: still enjoying my Warrior Pro 100. The 65 flex is perfect for me...it's firm but not harsh. Lets me hit touch shots and go after it when needed.
Anyone else try this one?
