Replacing a Longbody racquet?

stevenhatchy · Aug 6, 2014

After not playing tennis since high school(15 years), I am wanting to get back into it. I still have my old racquet, but want something newer. The old racquet is a Prince Thunder Stick Longbody Mid Plus 100. It's 28.5" long. Should I try a modern "long" racquet or try and transition to the regular 27" racquets?

I have no local leagues in the rural area where I live, so I do not have a real good grasp of what my rating would be, but it's probably around a 3.5. I am 6'2", so the extra reach is not really necessary and I tend to hit flatter shots and my miss is usually long. Power was never a problem, but control was.

Racquet suggestions?

Lukhas · Aug 6, 2014

I think ProKennex and Babolat still offer 27.5in racquets. Else, the Prince Graphite 100 LB exists and is 28" long. I suggest using this website to find something similar. Good luck.
http://racquetfinder.com/

scotus · Aug 6, 2014

If you haven't played in 15 years, you would not have any preference left with regard to the racquet length.

Grab anything you fancy and get back in the game.

stevenhatchy · Aug 7, 2014

Thanks for the advice. I am going to demo some newer standard length racquets and a few extended racquets and just see.

Anyone want to name a couple of racquets to start with? Lot of changes since I quit!

McLovin · Aug 7, 2014

Other than the new 'Spin Friendly' patterns, the biggest change since 15 years ago is really in the string technology.

I'd start with something in the Pure Drive category. For extended length frames, try (in no particular order):

- Babolat Pure/AeroPro Drive Plus
- Pacific X Fast Pro
- ProKennex Ionic Ki 5x (NOT the Q5X...too high a swingweight)
- Wilson Blade 104
- Yonex VCORE Xi Team Plus

For standard length, there are too many to list.

If you go full poly, you need to forget all you learned as far as string tensions. Low 50s and high 40s are the norm for these types of strings.

If staying with multi/synthetic, then keep to your traditional tensions to start.

stevenhatchy · Aug 7, 2014

Thanks McLovin, that's the kind of information and short list I was looking for. Are poly strings the new standard? Is that what most people are using?

McLovin · Aug 7, 2014

Pretty much, yeah. I string locally (maybe 40 or so people), and only 3 use no poly whatsoever (two are full natural gut, one is full multi). All others use full poly or some poly/gut/multi hybrid.

There are arguments on here (TT) that players below a certain level (4.0 maybe) cannot realize the benefits of polyester and its a waste, especially since it has been known to cause arm pain. They may be correct on the first part, however, dropping the tension, along w/ some newer 'soft' versions of polyester, make it worthwhile to at least try.

Checkout the String section for discussions on good price-point polys.

mawashi · Aug 7, 2014

McLovin said:
Other than the new 'Spin Friendly' patterns, the biggest change since 15 years ago is really in the string technology.

I'd start with something in the Pure Drive category. For extended length frames, try (in no particular order):
- Babolat Pure/AeroPro Drive Plus
- Pacific X Fast Pro
- ProKennex Ionic Ki 5x (NOT the Q5X...too high a swingweight)
- Wilson Blade 104
- Yonex VCORE Xi Team Plus
For standard length, there are too many to list.

If you go full poly, you need to forget all you learned as far as string tensions. Low 50s and high 40s are the norm for these types of strings.

If staying with multi/synthetic, then keep to your traditional tensions to start.

For extended frames my list would be slightly different as I would rather not include the PD or APD as they are rather stiff.

1. PK 7G Super underrated but this is one of the best sticks out there.
2. ProKennex Ki Q5X, it doesn't swing as heavy as it's stated.
3. Babolat Pure Control 95 Plus

If you aren't fixated on extended frames and need control rather then power you might want to consider 18x20 patterns like the Strike Tour, Prince Tour 100 (18x20), Prince Tour Pro 98, Speed Pro etc.

stevenhatchy · Aug 7, 2014

Thanks for the advice mawashi. I appreciate the list as well.

I looked up the dimensions for my Thunder Stick:
Length: 28.5"
Strung Weight: 11 oz
Balance: 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 354
Stiffness: 71

With the ProKennex KI Q5X being heavier (11.8 oz) but with a lower swingweight (343<354), how does that translate? Will the racquet swing quicker, but feel more solid?

My demo list right now:
1. ProKennex KI Q5X
2. Prince Classic Graphite Longbody
3. ProKennex Ionic KI 5X
4. Babalot Pure Drive Roddick Plus

mawashi · Aug 8, 2014

Specs are a funny thing, the yonex VCoreG 330 has a sw of 330 yet feels quit a bit heavier. It's hard to say how it will swing but knowing the thunder is 28 vs a 27.5 the Q5X should swing heavier and a bit less whippy.
Try the 7G really, few sticks have that long term appeal.
Another stick worth looking at is the Speed Pro.

McLovin · Aug 8, 2014

mawashi said:
For extended frames my list would be slightly different as I would rather not include the PD or APD as they are rather stiff.

I originally thought the same thing as well, then I remembered he was coming from the Thunderstick which, as he's quoted below, was a fairly stiff stick:

stevenhatchy said:
I looked up the dimensions for my Thunder Stick:
Length: 28.5"
Strung Weight: 11 oz
Balance: 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 354
Stiffness: 71

So I figured he'd lean toward the stiffer side for frames.

McLovin · Aug 8, 2014

mawashi said:
Specs are a funny thing, the yonex VCoreG 330 has a sw of 330 yet feels quit a bit heavier. It's hard to say how it will swing but knowing the thunder is 28 vs a 27.5 the Q5X should swing heavier and a bit less whippy.
Try the 7G really, few sticks have that long term appeal.
Another stick worth looking at is the Speed Pro.

Me & a couple other members here jumped on the Q5X bandwagon briefly. It was a wonderful stick to play with, but all of us came to the same conclusion: A bit too heavy to swing for 2 out of 3 sets.

Backhands were solid (2HBH), serves had nice pop and felt like they delivered a heavy ball, even volleys weren't that bad. But coming around the ball on the forehand was just too much work. When I had time, it delivered a devastating shot, but I found myself behind the ball more often than not.

I agree either the 7G or, as I mentioned earlier, the Ionic Ki 5x would be a better choice if going the ProKennex route.

mawashi · Aug 8, 2014

Personally the 7G is a much better stick then the Ki5x cus I still have a 5x.

makinao · Aug 8, 2014

I had used long body racquets since the mid 90s. I shifted back to 27" racquets two years ago. It took a few months to adjust. Everything's fine now.

McLovin · Aug 8, 2014

makinao said:
I had used long body racquets since the mid 90s. I shifted back to 27" racquets two years ago. It took a few months to adjust. Everything's fine now.

Yeah, years ago I used the Yonex RD Power 10 Long, Fischer Pro Tour FT, Wilson HyperCarbon PS 6.1 +, and finally the Babolat Pure Control + 'Swirly'.

Then I saw the writing on the wall (that manufacturers were cutting back on 'players' extended length frames) and reverted back to regular length sticks. It took a while to adjust, but now that I have, my range of frames to play with has expanded.

Now, whether that is a good or bad thing depends on your level of 'Racquetaholism'...

movdqa · Aug 8, 2014

If you want your 28.5s back, you could look on the strings forums or post a wanted ad there for a pair of hairpins at 29 inches and then find a customizer to make whatever you want and then you're good for a few years. If you go through them really fast, then you might want to pick up three.

stevenhatchy · Aug 8, 2014

For those of you that switched from a longer racquet, can you tell me a little bit about it? What did you struggle with the most, do you miss anything about the longer racquets, what is the biggest difference you notice between a standard racquet and a long racquet?

McLovin · Aug 8, 2014

stevenhatchy said:
For those of you that switched from a longer racquet, can you tell me a little bit about it? What did you struggle with the most, do you miss anything about the longer racquets, what is the biggest difference you notice between a standard racquet and a long racquet?

Biggest difference by far was the serve. Being 5' 9", that little extra helped.

The other thing I noticed was, at least for the 'plus' frames I used, the length of the actual grip. My 2HBH grip is fairly similar to Ferrer's, where I have a little space between my hands. Having the extra-length grip was nice as I dislike having my left index finger wrapped around the frame (which is one reason I can't use Dunlops).

I've since found a frame who's regular grip length accommodates that (Pacific X Force Pro), but the best was the Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (and the 'G' version).

Don't know if this comes through in photos, but this is what I'm talking about:

jonestim · Aug 8, 2014

Sounds like Dunlop has a new line of iDapt racquets that the user will have the choice between 27 and 27.5" lengths - interchangeable by just switching the removable handle.

sureshs · Aug 8, 2014

Get the longbody Prince classic 100 reissue

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Pri...Longbody_Racquets/descpageRCPRINCE-PG100.html

stevenhatchy · Aug 16, 2014

Thanks for all the help guys. I have picked four racquets to demo:

1. Prince Original Graphite 100 Longbody

2. ProKennex Kinetic Pro 7G

3. Babolat Pure Control Tour Plus

4. Babolat AeroPro Drive Plus

They are supposed to ship on the 20th and I will update once I hit with them.

2ndServe · Jan 28, 2015

hey stevenhatchy if you want to get rid of your prince longbody Thunderstick or trade let me know. Thanks

Replacing a Longbody racquet?

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