travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I tend to like racquets with stiffer upper hoops. A little give in the throat is ok.The feel is modernly classic because the top of the hoop is stiffer than the ones in the old classics.
Prestige Mid to become the racquet of the 2020s.
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The feel is modernly classic because the top of the hoop is stiffer than the ones in the old classics.
That sounds good to me. The classics are very tough to play with due to that soft upper hoop combined with the lower power and weight. But I still remember the feel of the sweetspot when hitting a big FH right on the middle. Probably one of the best feels of all time for me.
djNEiGht
Legend
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Precisely. That’s one of the reasons why I never got along with the PT280. The upper hoop was too soft robbing it of power unless you hit the ball closer to the throat.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Grommets split in half at 12 tho right? Thats the main thing I meant. I saw DJneights pic so I guess that answers my question.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I own a few Prestiges( two from the midplus line, plus one mid), as well as a capped Volkl G9. My conclusion on them is that they all play and feel much better after I trim off the the bottom of the cap grommet (leaving a narrow strip in center with the grommets) up to about the 3:30 and 8:30 positions. Any extra weight in the lower half of the hoop worsens feel and vibrations for me. Replace the sw from that lower-hoop dead weight with weight at 10 and 2 and I never regret it.
I think a cap grommet that comes down to about mid hoop would be ideal.
I think a cap grommet that comes down to about mid hoop would be ideal.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah thats what threw me off.
I like what they did spec wise with this frame. I read some reviews that say it's demanding, but I think the Blade 18x20 is Probably considered demanding by the same reviewers. Dropping the weight and upping the SW is what got me to decide to try this racquet. I prefer 18x20, but 8 mains in the throat is fine, and 16x19 in a smaller head makes more sense to me.
If this frame is not much more demanding than the Blade, then I should enjoy it. I have been doing a ton of HIIT during quarantine and my game has not dropped off too badly, my fitness has gotten better. So thats good, since the heat and humidity is now in full effect in south FL.
ChrisG
Professional
My Zebra MP has this similar sort of thing going on with the butt cap. Not sure what it is, guessing it's just age perhaps.
I just checked on my old Head's and my Candycane logo is still fresh as new !!
haqq777
Legend
So jelly! Very cool
I just checked on my old Head's and my Candycane logo is still fresh as new !!
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That’s the hologram sticker logo on the butt-cap.
I just checked on my old Head's and my Candycane logo is still fresh as new !!
ChrisG
Professional
I know, I’m amazed it remained flawless after all the years. Compared to my PT630 or Bumblebee which have seen a lot of tennis action, the frame has barely hit a ball.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
The hologram stickers do remain in good condition. It’s the nature of the black ink to wear away on the others
chizzle
Rookie
Damz. I pulled the trigger on the previous model (I couldn't resist the price point at $68 per); and it got a slight nod (although not over the new version (360+)) I just love traditional sticks like this. Thinking, if I can gel with this one a bit (string, lead, etc), I'll look forward to pulling the trigger on the new 360+ version. Time to get fit and be aggressive
haqq777
Legend
I might be in the minority but I actually liked the Touch Mid. Playtested it for TW here. I am not a Prestige purist, in fact I grew up on Babolats and more modern frames. For me it was a great fun racquet that was stable, precise and had good feedback. Very different from older Prestiges but not in a bad way, for me atleast.
chizzle
Rookie
Excellent review. I grew up on old Head (even before prestiges), Ultra and Wilson. Perhaps if you hadn't started with non Babs/modern frames - you might have been more comfortable playing with these full time - as you background is certainly there. I do play more - and love old school doubles. And really glad it was solid on serves - where I could probably be more aggressive. Also want to mix in more S&V. Thanks!
As a side note, I've always wanted the newer P Pros to work, but they're just lacking pop and seem vague.
As a side note, I've always wanted the newer P Pros to work, but they're just lacking pop and seem vague.
lelopez
Semi-Pro
That makes two of us, took advantage of the sale myself in the hope that the Graphene Touch is not apples and oranges different from the 360+. I'm used to a heftier static and SW so I'll have opportunity to lead up.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
A good mid is a complete weapon in doubles. Not that I play much of that, but even just coming to the net with the P93, I felt way more confident and executed volleys out in front a lot more often.
I think if you play singles with a mid, you have to follow your big shots to the net. That has to be your MO, but it's a great way to play, especially if you are dealing with a pusher.
rafa_prestige89
Professional
Great racquet, and a real MID!Not the Prestige Mid this thread was intended to talk about, but just picked up this beauty for $25.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Chopped liver compared to the 360+ prestige mid.Not the Prestige Mid this thread was intended to talk about, but just picked up this beauty for $25.
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travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Not a prestige, or even a Head. But this mid thread inspired me to bust my R-22 mid out of the closet. I had purchased it a few years ago and leaded it up to my favored specs with sw in the 360s. I really liked how it played and felt, but had never bothered to remove the 30-year-old syn gut stringjob and put in something a little more spin-friendly in order give me more margin on serves. This week I think will update it with a poly/syn gut hybrid and see how it goes.
chizzle
Rookie
Jelly. Nice Nice pick up. I played with the IG mid (the one after this one); and at the time was grinding too much to be effective with it. Marylin Monroe-esqueNot the Prestige Mid this thread was intended to talk about, but just picked up this beauty for $25.
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chizzle
Rookie
Absolutely. I know I "wait" too much already as it is - even if I hit a punishing shot (which a pusher loves).
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
MG -> YT -> IGYT -> later mids which I never triedJelly. Nice Nice pick up. I played with the IG mid (the one after this one); and at the time was grinding too much to be effective with it. Marylin Monroe-esque
all before the latest super prestige mid!
Bobble
Semi-Pro
Your review and Jo11y’s are why I enjoyed the touch mid a ton...enough to buy up a 360+ as well.
I find this rev pro mold to be really interesting and I love the attention it gets now that it has good weight to it. I can even say that I saw pretty advanced juniors here in TX swinging the touch mid coming from blades and aeros. We’ve also seen a handful of pro dubs players using the mold as well.
I’m too dumb about equipment to know how this frame can be as user friendly, modern-performing, and classic feeling at the same time...but I love it when I’m not confused by why a counter puncher like me is playing well with it.
chizzle
Rookie
MG -> YT -> IGYT -> later mids which I never tried
all before the latest super prestige mid!
Nice.
I'm excited about it (and the pattern). 18x20 mids - not optimal for me (MG, YT, IGYT). Look forward to hitting the courts and following along here.
chizzle
Rookie
I hear ya. I'm lucky enough to be able to play both styles (def NWSS). I just have to be fully committed to the attacking game plan first. It's actually served me better against agressive / first stike players (beating them to the punch). I got grooved playing counter punching tennis (successfully) to the point it became my default style.
I'll have to be a +1 on the Touch Mid here. Used the MG/YT/IGYT Prestige Pros in the last 8 or so years. Tried out the Rev Pro initially and it was headed in the right direction with what I was looking for, just lacked the response and weight that I was used to. Moved to the Touch Mid, and here I am with three of them with another one on the way from the sale.. A little lead on 3 and 9 and the weight and balance is well matched with my older Prestige Pros.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I noticed today that the vibration frequency of the touch mid is 145 and this new one is 135. This is probably why people are loving the feel of this new one so much. That said, the last one was a pretty nice frame. My coach uses it now. He kind of likes it, but he says it feels a little stiff compared to his old prestige’s. I’m trying to convince him to get a 360+ that we can hit with this weekend.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This is really promising to read. Do you mod yours at all?
Bobble
Semi-Pro
I should also give you credit for why I had an Aero+ in the very same bag as the touch mids.
I had a bit lead at 3 &9 on the touch mid, but that was it...no mods on the 360+ yet because it’s really effective for me stock. I’m a 35 yr old 4.5, pretty scrawny/weak (can’t blame COVID), so I’ll need to put in work to earn any extra weight. In fact, today was the first day I played with the 360+ mid in a 1.5/2 hour match in the heat and the weight was tough for me. Somehow I was able to slice and roll my way to a three set win. I simply don’t have an aggressive game, unless you consider drop shots aggressive, but this stick & mold can work well for crafty players.
5point5
Hall of Fame
What's vibration frequency? Lol, I haven't looked at these boards in ages it seems.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Nice, yeah its getting real damn humid out. I still have my Aero plusses as well, but they are in storage. Great frames.
I'm pretty strong for a tennis player but that means muscle and mass so I do a lot of HIIT and that really helps me on the court. Its also why I like frames that swing a bit heavier, like the new Blade which I use now.
I can see how the prestige can work for touch players as well. Honestly I think it can work for a lot of players, as long as they are in good shape. Thats the key with mids, or really tennis in general.
Personally I'm not into platform sticks that I have to mod, but adding 2 grams at 12 will take 2 seconds and should be all I need to do with this one. Just want to get it balanced a little closer to the Blade.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I've been using this chart forever. Its great - http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/vibfrequency.cgi
lelopez
Semi-Pro
It seems counterintuitive that the new 360+ has lower vibration frequency, whatever that's useful for, when it has slightly higher stiffness than the GT and the weight between both racquets is nearly equal. Must be the magic 360+ fairy dust that makes it better.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Sorcery, I tell you. Sorcery!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
It correlates directly to arm comfort in my experience. I started using that chart years ago and it has been a big help in finding comfortable frames with good feel. Its a better indicator than just focusing on RA.
And yeah, it does seem counter-intuitive, but that's kind of the point : RA is not a great way to measure frame comfort. If you don't believe me, listen to the new TW podcast on it.
lelopez
Semi-Pro
Oh I believe you, I've never cared too much about RA numbers. Some of my favorite racquets are ones with high RA ratings (PSC, n90, k90), but consequently they have vibe frequencies in the mid-high 140's.
parasailing
Legend
The touch mid is pretty nice until you try the g360+ mid which adds more power. Both pretty solid racquets and if you looking for a little more oomph go with g360+ mid.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah, thats one of the things that grabbed me about this new mid - low vibration but the RA is higher, which means we can lead with more edge on the ball and still get lots of power. The really soft frames feel so good but they are not very friendly to a strong SW grip. you will probably have a similar experience with the prior version.
How is the power for you compared to the Blade? If I can hit even bigger with the Prestige, that would be crazy.
parasailing
Legend
If you using the same swing, I don't think it has the same amount of power. However because the beam width is thinner and smaller frame size, you can take the racquet further back without losing timing and generating more power that way.
If you are on push off the court and need to arm the shot, the blade still is the better racquet.
Overall one of the best mid out there because the sweet spot is consistent through the string bed and delivers more power than pro staff 90 while being less stiff.
I would keep one in my bag just for fun but it won't replace my Blade.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah, I think adding a couple grams of lead at the tip may help me get the 2 frames closer.I will have to see how it goes.
Bobble
Semi-Pro
I’ll also be interested in your feedback on serving with this mid...and w/ the lead. Hope you get out with it soon.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
For sure, I will hopefully be able to try one this weekend.
I'm pretty lucky right now where the Blade for me is a frame I can use full time with no complaints, so I'm not actively looking for anything. But playing with the right mid is one of my favorite parts of tennis. I do think it can make someone a better player, and provides a higher level of enjoyment. At the end of the day, the reason people honeymoon with frames is because they are excited to play and try harder on the court - they move more. Movement and fitness really will win more matches than any size frame.
I definitely understand the disadvantage of the slightly smaller headsize paired with modern strokes, but to me that's more about what part of the stringbed is usable. On older frames, the sweet spot was made for players who hit the ball more square, and I'd like to think that Head made the changes they did to the prestige to accommodate modern spin hitters.
Been spending so much time on fitness and working with a coach every week, that if there was ever a time to demo a prestige again, its probably now. So yeah, looking forward to it. The P/J is also amazing to me. I love what they did with it.
I resisted the Gravitys, the Tec Blade copy, the Head PT 2.0 - no interest in those. But this mid is too appealing to not give a fair shake to. lol!
