Any of you switched to a longbody and never looked back?

DonDiego · Jun 25, 2015

I have the Prince Longbody in mind (re-issue), but any extended racquet will do for this thread.

Did you have a long or normal transition period? Pros and cons? What shots doesn't work as well / works better now? Did you have to change your game style? Anyone cut out half an inch or a full inch of the extended racquet after a while, and plays better with it now?

Turbo-87 · Jun 25, 2015

I'd be interested in knowing this as well. I am only 5'4 and had considered demoing a longer racquet to see if my serve could benefit at all. I never did because I couldn't see a half inch being much.

LeeD · Jun 25, 2015

In addition to my 8 or so 27" rackets, I usually rotate thru a 27.75 03Shark0S and a 03Red0S at 27.25" lengths.
Higher sweetspot and a bit of leverage does help in the fastest serves......but opponent's get used to it after a couple returns, the length giving only maybe 1-3 more mph, meaningless at 4.0. Not saying it's 1-3 across the board, but I have stiffer and softer rackets in the equation.
So, I get a few easy service points, offset by a few clumsy body shots my opponent's might make, making it even all around.
And while I can play well once in a blue moon, and the extended racket's do extend the good days, it's offset by the extended racket's being really bad for my play on my many OFF days.

DonDiego · Jun 25, 2015

IA-SteveB said:
I'd be interested in knowing this as well. I am only 5'4 and had considered demoing a longer racquet to see if my serve could benefit at all. I never did because I couldn't see a half inch being much.

I'm 6'1 and still find some advantages.

For me, it's not so much about the serve (although I can hit killer wide serves on the deuce side with the Longbody). It's the pace and spin you get on forehand, and especially on the backhand if you use two hands. My swing has always seemed ''unnatural'' with a 2hander, until I hit with a 28 inch racquet. It's just an inch, but somehow it gives me the ''space'' I was lacking between the ball and my body.

Fed Kennedy · Jun 25, 2015

I think I will take this summer to experiment with xl. They are rampant in old guy tournament leagues.

Backhanded Compliment · Jun 25, 2015

When I first came back to the sport I used a Prince Black LB but itwas just not control oriented enough. Though itwas nice to hit huge huge serves. rencently I pickedup the old Michael Stich Fischer Revolution Classic 98 +1.5cm. it truly destroys the ball but just isnt maneuverable enough (but the plow and solid feel whoa!). Also it probably too stiff for me. If I ever go LB again it will be a very small extension.

movdqa · Jun 25, 2015

I started using a 27.75 inch frame back around 2011 or 2012 and updated those frames with a 27.65 inch racquet later on. I would have preferred 27.75 or 28 inches but I found a nice matched set of frames at 27.65. They did take several weeks to get used to but I like the extra room now. I used to play with 90s and the 90s have higher sweetspots compared to 95s and 100s so getting an XL can just move the sweetspot back up to where you were used to it.

scotus · Jun 25, 2015

Still using longbodies.

Today's light racquets serve as great platforms for modification to 28 inches.

v-verb · Jun 25, 2015

Couple of Prince LB's, Wilson The Limits (29" and 28.5") APDO+, etc. Love the extended sticks. Just prepare early. More spin, more pop, harder serves. ome control loss

DonDiego · Jun 25, 2015

I played tonight with Classic Longbody re-issue, and it went very well.
I have to say serves were amazing. I aced my opponent on each four spots (wide deuce, wide ad, and on the ''T'' both side). When you take advantage of the length of the racquet and go for crazy angles, it's amazing.

Big surprise for me: I played with my one-handed backhand (I use both now) and it was very good. The same crazy topspin and plow you get on your FH, you get on your 1-hander. And I had no issue with maneuverability at all (maybe my extreme eastern grip has something to do with it, don't know). Anyways, this racquet clearly gave me advantages regular racquets don't, and I didn't experience any downsides. I'll definitely play the full month of July with it (league and tourneys), as I feel it could be a game-changer for me.

RobFL · Jun 25, 2015

This is a very interesting topic. I've played about 4 very short trial periods with the Prince 28" long body reissue and a 27.5 PD Roddick. Normally I play the RF97A and similar 27" players frames before that. I'm 5'11", 57 years old, playing 5.0 tennis lately in tough tournaments, leagues, etc.
I just can't tell for sure if my results are better with an extended frame.
With the 28" Prince, I can definitely hit more winners and big balls that produce an UE, or give me an easier put away earlier in the point. But for overall results, I'm just not sure.
I think I would need to commit to the Prince for 3 months and really analyze a lot of match results to know for sure.
And it is likely the 28" Prince might give me better singles results but worse doubles results, which is not an ideal solution for me.

Fed Kennedy · Jun 25, 2015

It seems Babolat and Kennex have the best specs for LBs... I think Prince discontinued the POG LB again...not too many choices out there. Anyone have experience with the Kennex line? I've hit the babs already, not a lot of feel there.

Magic of tennis · Jun 25, 2015

If I were going to play with LB it will be Prokennex 7G. It is so good

Fed Kennedy · Jun 26, 2015

Don, did you have a look at the babolat pure control 95+ Very well reviewed frame. it is on my list along with the kennex and the pure control tour+

DonDiego · Jun 26, 2015

Fed Kennedy said:
Don, did you have a look at the babolat pure control 95+ Very well reviewed frame. it is on my list along with the kennex and the pure control tour+

I did! It sure looks great, although there could be a real difference between the Prince with its 100-head and 16x18 pattern vs. the 95 and 18x20 of Babolat. The Prince is very precise depsite the big head. Anyway, I'm in Canada and the 95+ is almost impossible to find. I'll take a look at the Kennex though.

DonDiego · Jun 26, 2015

I looked at the Kennex and I'm sure it will be too powerful for my game. Thicker beam and stiffer in comparison to the Prince, and probably a bit more sluggish too, judging by the specs. Even if Prince discontinues the Longbody, there will be plenty available for a while.

movdqa · Jun 26, 2015

RobFL said:
This is a very interesting topic. I've played about 4 very short trial periods with the Prince 28" long body reissue and a 27.5 PD Roddick. Normally I play the RF97A and similar 27" players frames before that. I'm 5'11", 57 years old, playing 5.0 tennis lately in tough tournaments, leagues, etc.
I just can't tell for sure if my results are better with an extended frame.
With the 28" Prince, I can definitely hit more winners and big balls that produce an UE, or give me an easier put away earlier in the point. But for overall results, I'm just not sure.
I think I would need to commit to the Prince for 3 months and really analyze a lot of match results to know for sure.
And it is likely the 28" Prince might give me better singles results but worse doubles results, which is not an ideal solution for me.

Could you just choke up an inch in doubles?

I don't find any problems with XL frames in doubles - what helps the most is always using the same frame.

Turbo-87 · Jun 26, 2015

movdqa said:
Could you just choke up an inch in doubles?

I don't think that would work for me. I like to feel the flare on my hand.
I may try a 2012 Roddick + since the club has one in the demo bin.

Cfidave · Jun 26, 2015

Play doubles all the time with an Aeropro Drive Plus ( 27.5 ) Great racquet

yongxing · Jun 26, 2015

28" 107 headsize prince graphites are my favorite. ive been playing with it since 2004 and never switched to a 27"
im 5ft 8in, need all i can get...

Fed Kennedy · Jun 26, 2015

DonDiego said:
I did! It sure looks great, although there could be a real difference between the Prince with its 100-head and 16x18 pattern vs. the 95 and 18x20 of Babolat. The Prince is very precise depsite the big head. Anyway, I'm in Canada and the 95+ is almost impossible to find. I'll take a look at the Kennex though.

DO report back on your POG results. I sometimes feel POG is a little flimsy, underpowered feeling but haven't tried the LB.

My nominees are: POG LB, BAB PC+ or (95+), BAB PD TOUR +, KENNEX 7G or Ki5x or Q5x,

I don't know much about Kennex but 7G seems to be the legendary one. I am looking to come in around 340grams fully kitted out.

Am I missing any good ones?

Bagumbawalla · Jun 26, 2015

I have been playing with the ProKennex 7G- slightly modified to 12.4 oz and same balance point- for the last 10 years, and have not found anything I like better. It is really only 1/2 inch longer, and I can easily switch back and forth with a stanard length.

big ted · Jun 26, 2015

i think longbodys are all relative and you just have to get used to it. i dont know why 27" is standard length
for a racquet. if 28" was standard everybody would be using that and think 27" is too short

DonDiego · Jun 26, 2015

I believe that what I'm enjoying at the moment with the Prince racquet is not only due to the additional inch in lenght, but to the overall package: very thin beam, flexy, 16x18 pattern and the weight distribution. The way I can ''whip'' those balls from the baseline is unlike anything I've experienced with other racquets. You can really ''slap'' the ball and make it jump over the net and then dip down violently with ''heavyness''. I'm hitting way more heavy topspin with this than with the Tour 100T ESP.

I'm sure every extended racquet gives, to some degree, this added ''whip effect'', but in my case I think it's accentuated by the other specs of this frame. It happens that my game style fits very well with a thin beam, low power racquet that allows you to really go for broke, but this doesn't mean it would work for everyone.

langdon0555 · Jun 26, 2015

I took one of my Head Liquidmetal Radical OS to get new strings put in today...picked up a Prince Classic Graphite 100 LB to try out. Looking forward to hitting with it tomorrow or Sunday.

movdqa · Jun 26, 2015

Fed Kennedy said:
DO report back on your POG results. I sometimes feel POG is a little flimsy, underpowered feeling but haven't tried the LB.

My nominees are: POG LB, BAB PC+ or (95+), BAB PD TOUR +, KENNEX 7G or Ki5x or Q5x,

I don't know much about Kennex but 7G seems to be the legendary one. I am looking to come in around 340grams fully kitted out.

Am I missing any good ones?

The light racquets make it easier to add lead however which way you want.

jersey34tennis · Jun 26, 2015

i have a gamma tradition 20xl (107 head, 19 mm beam, 28 length, 11.8 oz with leather grip, 58 or so flex) that's an absolute noodle and only good for dippers and angles
2 Yonex RD Ti-70 Oversize Long with neuman leather's weighing a solid 12 oz. love these on groundstrokes for flat and decent spin for tight pattern. not great on serves or volleys
1 pog graphite longbody. i love for kickers and groundstrokes but i can't dial up a good penetrating flat serve with it
the bosworth rios Yonex RD Power 10 Long Oversize which is a monster right now strung up with thin blend and does everything well but i think poly would suit it better
2 diablo xp oversize with some lead and leather but havent found a good string combo for them yet
2 precision equipe longbody oversize with lead and they're great but not much spin. can spank a flat ball like no tomorrow
and my favorite still a prince precision equipe longbody 95 . crisp , precise, stable, great power and just love it
and recently bought a bunch of pro stock txp nxg graphites in oversize and midplus that aren't air handles and are foam filled ranging from 27.5-28 and i need to string them up at some point.

Backhanded Compliment · Jun 26, 2015

Basically the main reason I ever used a LB was because I needed to rely on my 1st serve after not playing for 16 years. Once my returns, groundstrokes & second serve started coming back the tweener LB didnt make sense. That said I do use a flared butt cap and it gives me the leverage without hinderance to maneuverability. I think a slight amount of length on a players frame might be interesting. I keep thinking about an angell TC95 that is slightly longer.

RobFL · Jun 26, 2015

^^Man, that's exactly what I was thinking too, a 28" Angell 95 would be interesting.
I forgot I trialed the pk 7g twice in the last 5 years. That had the best feel of any extended length I hit with. Rock solid. Just didn't think I won more points with a weighted up 7g versus a Wilson 6.1 95 or my rf97a.

Fed Kennedy · Jun 26, 2015

I want the serve of the PDR+ with the touch and the feel of the POG LB with better volleys than pog. Thats all I ask. Lol.

Am I looking kennex or pure control plus?

Soundbyte · Jun 26, 2015

The 7G is a softer Pure Drive, but very much a power frame. The PC95+ is a great serving frames (second all time in my opinion to the PDR+), but still a control frame. Give the PC95+ a try. You won't regret it

Backhanded Compliment · Jun 27, 2015

Fed Kennedy said:
I want the serve of the PDR+ with the touch and the feel of the POG LB with better volleys than pog. Thats all I ask. Lol.

Am I looking kennex or pure control plus?

Well the Fischer Revolution Classic 98 +1.5cm does all that. It is a rare frame, designed for Michael Stich but man is is a solid piece of work. It destroys the ball but has such solid pinpoint plow through and touch. Spin too. Not the most maneuverable but not bad. It is stiff but not harsh.

RobFL · Jun 27, 2015

It's not going to be easy to find a Stich Fisher is it?
At $119 it's pretty easy to justify a 7g and I sold it fast used when I didn't keep it.
I will say I got 2x the benefits with a 28"(Prince) versus all the 27.5 frames I tried, for that extra half inch. I'm just not sure either won more points overall.

DonDiego · Jun 27, 2015

Yeah, seems like half an inch makes a difference. I also tried a 27.5, and it did not feel as a ''game-changer'' for me as the 28''.

Backhanded Compliment · Jun 27, 2015

RobFL said:
It's not going to be easy to find a Stich Fisher is it?
At $119 it's pretty easy to justify a 7g and I sold it fast used when I didn't keep it.
I will say I got 2x the benefits with a 28"(Prince) versus all the 27.5 frames I tried, for that extra half inch. I'm just not sure either won more points overall.

True. Babolat and Prince have always been good about having some extended options. Angell is doing a great thing by making even greater options available. It might be tricky if you don't have specs dialed in but once you do... you can get what you want... especially if you love the foam filled feel.

ImageIsEverything · Jun 27, 2015

I got used to 27.5 and prefer that now. For serve and volleyers like me it helps. The serve leverage helps with bombs.And I can snap it around fast enough at the net that its not an issue for reflex volleys and the extra length gives me more coverage horizontally and vertically/jumping for lobs or overheads at the net

langdon0555 · Jun 27, 2015

I hit with the Prince Classic Graphite 100 Longbody earlier and liked it a lot. the extra inch in length didn't bother me at all. I was serving some bombs with it. Ground strokes were solid. Back hand slice was also good. My net play when I rushed in worked out well other than a few times when it was my mistake, technique wise. The feel was good because of the flex of the frame.

I was overall impressed. I haven't tried the standard length in the PCG 100, but was under the impression it was less powerful and felt less solid than the longbody version.

I give it a thumbs up. I might have to pick up one to throw in my bag.

DonDiego · Jun 27, 2015

langdon0555 said:
I hit with the Prince Classic Graphite 100 Longbody earlier and liked it a lot. the extra inch in length didn't bother me at all. I was serving some bombs with it. Ground strokes were solid. Back hand slice was also good. My net play when I rushed in worked out well other than a few times when it was my mistake, technique wise. The feel was good because of the flex of the frame.

I was overall impressed. I haven't tried the standard length in the PCG 100, but was under the impression it was less powerful and felt less solid than the longbody version.

I give it a thumbs up. I might have to pick up one to throw in my bag.

I'm sure if this model didn't exist and Prince would have come up with it a few years ago, it would be a major success. The thing is many people (and I was among them until recently) don't care about trying an ''old'' racquet, especially among juniors. Also, a lot of people have played with the original, which was, as I've heard, too soft in the head and more sluggish. But they probably didn't bother to try the re-edition, thinking it's gonna be the same. This being said, I'd be very curious to know if the ''classic'' re-issues are seling well overall for Prince.

RobFL · Jun 27, 2015

Played one tournament doubles match a couple weeks ago with the Prince LB, at the 4.5-5.0 level, before bagging the trial and going back to the RF97A. Biggest issue was the precision of return of serve. I'm going to have to pick a time in the next 3 months and give the Prince 1 month solid to prove itself on results, or not.

Simplicius · Mar 19, 2017

Prince Classic Graphite Longbody is just ...wow!
Coming from a low SW (325, with 3g on 12) of -by far-more stable IG Prestige MP, at the beginning I've trouble with the PCGL.
I've found it quite unstable out of the (small) sweetspot and at the same time the high SW (333 to mine) makes me to think twice for an addition of 3+3g lead on 9-3, as the new SW will be explodes to 343!
Finally I did it and ... I played my best tennis ever!!
I serve rockets, my backhand becomes as good as Roger's (lol), I raise back successfully every fast & low ball etc etc.
I'm not sure if I'll never look back (and front either) but at the moment I feel this way!!!!

MarianD · Mar 20, 2017

I used to play with a Head Prestige Classic XL, 93sqin, 370g strung, with two overgrips and dampener. I don't know if it's considered longbody, it's only 1cm longer than the regular Head Classic Prestige (don't have this one any longer, gave it to a friend as a gift). I remember I hit some of my heaviest balls with the XL. Haven't played with it lately, now I prefer a Yonex VCore Tour 89. I am not sure if that one extra cm really helped me. Probably yes, but I have to play longer and rotate between a regular and the XL to feel a difference.

Alan_Hill · Mar 21, 2017

The Vcore Tour 89 has very high sweet spot. If you can extend it to 27.25, It really plays like 27.5 Prestige Mid.

MarianD said:
I used to play with a Head Prestige Classic XL, 93sqin, 370g strung, with two overgrips and dampener. I don't know if it's considered longbody, it's only 1cm longer than the regular Head Classic Prestige (don't have this one any longer, gave it to a friend as a gift). I remember I hit some of my heaviest balls with the XL. Haven't played with it lately, now I prefer a Yonex VCore Tour 89. I am not sure if that one extra cm really helped me. Probably yes, but I have to play longer and rotate between a regular and the XL to feel a difference.

Alan_Hill · Mar 21, 2017

Here is my TGT297.1 prostock Instinct MP XL (27.5 to 27.75). It's really a game changing racquet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GregSV · Mar 21, 2017

Any tall guys playing with extended rackets willing to chime in? Im 2.01 m/6"7, playing with the i.Prestige extended with 1 cm to 69,5 cm/27.35 inch and wondering if I should take it any further. Are there extra benefits if youre tall already? Is there a point where it becomes cumbersome?

I always thought it was mostly short players like Ferrer playing with extended frames but the other day I read that Del Porto plays with them too.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1562 met Tapatalk

MarianD · Mar 21, 2017

Alan_Hill said:
The Vcore Tour 89 has very high sweet spot. If you can extend it to 27.25, It really plays like 27.5 Prestige Mid.

Alan, many thanks but I don't intend to change it, I like the 89 as it is. However, is there no other way to match it to the Prestige, play-wise? For instance, adding lead to 4-8 or 5-7 should move the sweetspot a little bit lower. Ot it's not the same thing?

MarianD · Mar 21, 2017

Some photos of my Prestige, strung with Yonex Poly Tour Spin at 23/21 kilos.

Mac33 · Mar 21, 2017

I heard Todd Woodbride discuss his use of the longer length frames during the AO coverage.

He said he played with varying lengths during his career. Up to a extra one and a half inches from memory.

He said it made the most difference to his serve.

Seth · Mar 21, 2017

GregSV said:
Any tall guys playing with extended rackets willing to chime in? Im 2.01 m/6"7, playing with the i.Prestige extended with 1 cm to 69,5 cm/27.35 inch and wondering if I should take it any further. Are there extra benefits if youre tall already? Is there a point where it becomes cumbersome?

I always thought it was mostly short players like Ferrer playing with extended frames but the other day I read that Del Porto plays with them too.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1562 met Tapatalk

I'm 6'5" and used the Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour XL for a spell. At 27.5", it gave me more reach on low volleys, and made my serve seem unfair. After about half an hour of rallying I more-or-less adjusted to the length on my forehand. I ultimately ended up going back to a standard length frame because I was more consistent with it, but definitely could have stayed with the 27.5" if I wanted to put in the time to fully adjust.

I also demoed the POG LB, which took some time to get a feel for my forehand. Serves were absolute rockets, though.

movdqa · Mar 21, 2017

GregSV said:
Any tall guys playing with extended rackets willing to chime in? Im 2.01 m/6"7, playing with the i.Prestige extended with 1 cm to 69,5 cm/27.35 inch and wondering if I should take it any further. Are there extra benefits if youre tall already? Is there a point where it becomes cumbersome?

I always thought it was mostly short players like Ferrer playing with extended frames but the other day I read that Del Porto plays with them too.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1562 met Tapatalk

I like XL for a bit more on the serve. You clearly don't need any extra height for that. I like it for groundies too but you likely have longer arms so it could make things more cumbersome. Only way to find out is to try it if you want to.

langdon0555 · Mar 21, 2017

Out of all the pros that use extended length frames I wonder how many of them hit with a bent arm compared to a lengthened arm like Fed and Rafa.

I'm guessing most that do use an extended length frame hit with a bent arm at contact.

Any of you switched to a longbody and never looked back?

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