**** #1 Redondo Talks Thread ****

svlin, AFAIK, the butt cap comes as a set together with the grip pallets.

The question is, why butt for Redondo Mid? I mean, you can use any butt cap from any brand that fits. I use an Estusa butt cap on one of my Redondo's -- as long as it fits. May not be as "flared" as PK's butt, but, so what? (Well, that's me.)
 
I like the feel of the flared out nature of the PK Redondo Mid cap. I put a temporary butt cap off my old Wilson on the racket and cut my over grips in a way to get the same feel, but it is still slightly different. Thanks though, either way just wondering, I will try and email the rep again.
 
I put some 16 grams lead tape to the head and found it more stable and powerful. It was so sweet when hit in the sweet spot. I can't help falling love with it and buy another one. By now, I've got 3 of them.
 
The Djoker - I'm curious how you've been going with the lead tape.

My 2 mids have arrived. I've hit for about 15 mins of gentle rallying with one of them so far so not really anything to report yet.
 
Took a plunge on another pair of mids - I had a pair a few years back and loved them, but sold them.

I still love my Prestige Mids, but I can't fight the urge to tinker. :)
 
In the redondo mid I've found my new racquet. Does exactly what you tell it to - not a revolution or kph more or less. Once you realise this, you have more confidence in your shots, especially creating angles and taking pace off the ball to achieve them.

So far I've had a few hours of ball machine hitting and two sets with one of my favourite hitting partners. I think I will experiment with making it a bit more head-heavy though - it's still a bit of a wand for my liking.

It really reminds me of my starter racquet: pro kennex copper ace 90, taking me from age 6-12 lol. That could be nostalgia talking but it's weird that I've finally gone full circle after 15 years or so of lighter stiff big-beamed racquets.
 
I'm swinging more than a rusty gate with this thing. God it's good. String breakage rate is down too, but that's probably because I'm hitting cleaner due to the confidence.

Another very nice racquet in the PK lineup is the Kinetic 5G PSE (or newer Ki5 PSE). Compared to the redondo it has noticably more power, larger sweetspot, less flex but still pretty good touch. It has more muted feedback than the redondo but is probably the easiest frame I've hit with in a long long time.

I'm enjoying flicking between the two.

My copper ace was the later model with the beautiful turquoise paint job. I don't remember a lot of the racquets between then and now, but I remember every detail of that thing. And I've never seen a better looking racquet either.

I don't regret smashing any racquets except that one.
 
So, I'm trying to replace (or supplement) my Prestiges with the Redondos - I have a set of Alu and a set of Wilson NXT 17. Thinking I'm going to do Alu mains at 53# and the NXT crosses at 60# - any input on whether I should adjust my tension (I would play that setup on my Prestige Mids happily).
 
I don't do hybrids (yet), but I put TF red code 18 poly on my Redondo at 54#, and I'll be darned if it doesn't feel very similar to my Pres Mid strung with TF x1 BP at 52#.
 
yokied said:
My copper ace was the later model with the beautiful turquoise paint job. I don't remember a lot of the racquets between then and now, but I remember every detail of that thing. And I've never seen a better looking racquet either.

I don't regret smashing any racquets except that one.
Click to expand...

Hehehehe ... I have three versions of the Copper: three of the metallic grey usual version, two of the Japanese version (RK145II) and one of the turquoise Copper 90 that you smashed.
 
anirut said:
Hehehehe ... I have three versions of the Copper: three of the metallic grey usual version, two of the Japanese version (RK145II) and one of the turquoise Copper 90 that you smashed.
Click to expand...

Anirut, you have to post their pictures. I need to see these. Please!!! Thanks in advance.
 
Tennissee said:
Anirut, you have to post their pictures. I need to see these. Please!!! Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

If you can hang on ...

For now, please allow me to prepare for the in-coming flood that can attack anytime. The sticks are packed and moved to another house for safety already.
 
OMG, how insensitive was I. Sorry about that. I didn't realize you're in Bangkok. Do stay safe. I wish safety and security for all the people there.
 
Tennissee said:
OMG, how insensitive was I. Sorry about that. I didn't realize you're in Bangkok. Do stay safe. I wish safety and security for all the people there.
Click to expand...

Hey, no big deal. I'm sort of enjoying the crisis. Really.

I mean, what's the point of worrying? As if you worry and cry and scream and the water's going to disappear. It's comming, just face it. Laugh and enjoy. Just be prepared when it strikes.

One thing I like about this crisis -- it shows us various kinds of people.

We see volunteers who work their *** out helping everybody, doing whatever they can -- Heaven bless them.
We see thieves stealing abandoned homes -- may the devil take them quick.
We see merchants who take advantage of the situation, rocketing their prices.
And we business people who just donate even after their factories have sunken.
We see "academics" who keep saying the government should have done this or that, but they just talk the cheap talks.
We see selfish people who park their cars on bridges and elevated roads just to keep it safe, and blocking the traffic.

And we see politicians ... do we need any description on this?

Oh, to make it more fun, if you want to see a real "Zombie Land", you've got to come here. The crisis really exposed these Zombies.

I have my evacuation plan already and will immediately move to Pattaya and stay in some cheapo hotel with my family once the road in front of the house gets some water.

Yes, you read it right ... Pattaya ... the beach "paradise" ...
 
anirut said:
If you can hang on ...

For now, please allow me to prepare for the in-coming flood that can attack anytime. The sticks are packed and moved to another house for safety already.
Click to expand...

Hi Anirut, all the best to you and your family and hang on there!
Hope it will be dry soon...
 
And in a stunning turn of events, found a Redondo midplus in the clearance box at my local tennis shop. In my grip size, and plastic still on the handle.

I now have a mid and a midplus to try out. :)
 
So, after weighing my frames, I think I may have gotten a couple of tanks for frames.....not that that is a bad thing.

Both of my mids weighed in at right around 355 strung with an overgrip, and my MP weighs in at 357 strung with an OG.
 
Last edited:
Well ... the MP is, yes, a plus. So the additional 2 grams may have come from the "plus" of the frame. A pretty good luck I may say to have 'em that close in weight.
 
movdqa said:
Maybe there was some added lead or silicone. I haven't heard of a that big a variance in Redondos before.
Click to expand...

2g between the mids and MP isn't a huge difference, if that's what you meant by difference. Since TW doesn't list the unstrung weight, I couldn't compare those, but the MP unstrung was 331g - figure that strings (poly and syn gut) will add 15g, bringing it to 346g, and then the OG may have finished the weight addition.

All 3 frames were bought new, so I'd be shocked if there were any mods - I am 100% okay with the weights as they are since the frames are so headlight.
 
I am sold. Used one of the mids in a mixed dubs match tonight - I have no idea why I didn't keep the last pair I had. It was hard to get a groove going since it was mixed, and the other team did a good job of feeding junk, but when I got to tee off on the ball, it was just plain awesome.

And my second serve of the match was an ace out wide on the ad side that my partner (who had never played with me before) turned around and said "I didn't even see that one." :D
 
Is PK changing the Redondo?

I just ordered a MP98 from ************** (TW was os on the 4.5) and from the discussion here and the specs both TW and TE list, I thought I knew what I was buying. Now I check the PK site and find these listed specifications:

Weight 305g
Flex(RA) 69(!)
BP 9 Pts HL
Materials 80/20 Graphite/Kevlar

My new stick is on the way and should arrive Thursday, but at this point, I'm not at all sure what I'll be getting...
 
ethebull said:
I just ordered a MP98 from ************** (TW was os on the 4.5) and from the discussion here and the specs both TW and TE list, I thought I knew what I was buying. Now I check the PK site and find these listed specifications:

Weight 305g
Flex(RA) 69(!)
BP 9 Pts HL
Materials 80/20 Graphite/Kevlar

My new stick is on the way and should arrive Thursday, but at this point, I'm not at all sure what I'll be getting...
Click to expand...

yes I have just checked too, how bizarre, specs are completely different as are the Black Ace specs
going to have to go and weigh mine and report back...
 
ethebull said:
I just ordered a MP98 from ************** (TW was os on the 4.5) and from the discussion here and the specs both TW and TE list, I thought I knew what I was buying. Now I check the PK site and find these listed specifications:

Weight 305g
Flex(RA) 69(!)
BP 9 Pts HL
Materials 80/20 Graphite/Kevlar

My new stick is on the way and should arrive Thursday, but at this point, I'm not at all sure what I'll be getting...
Click to expand...

Huh, weird. Something tells me that they loaded the wrong specs into the database - the headsize is listed at 100 as well.

I'd be surprised if they left the 93 alone and changed the 98. Although the 93 also is listed as 80/20 graphite/kevlar, which is a change from the previous 100% graphite, and more in line with what the older Type C frame was...
 
chippy17 said:
certainly still wrong on there...

just bought a BA 98 looking foward to comparing the two
Click to expand...
The specs of the BA98 mentioned on the PK site are absolutely wrong!
The right specs (unstrung) are:
  • headsize: 98 sq. inch
  • beam width: 19mm straight beam
  • flex (RDC): 63
  • string pattern: 18x20
  • weight: 315 grams
  • balance point: 315 mm
  • length: 27"
  • composition: 100% graphite
  • swingweight: 295
 
Gee said:
The specs of the BA98 mentioned on the PK site are absolutely wrong!
The right specs (unstrung) are:
  • headsize: 98 sq. inch
  • beam width: 19mm straight beam
  • flex (RDC): 63
  • string pattern: 18x20
  • weight: 315 grams
  • balance point: 315 mm
  • length: 27"
  • composition: 100% graphite
  • swingweight: 295
Click to expand...

well there are two European versions of the racquet and the US version, all with different specs..
 
chippy17 said:
well there are two European versions of the racquet and the US version, all with different specs..
Click to expand...
Yes, besides the BA98 (that is the same as the US version) in Europe PK released the BA325 en BA295 in 2010. They differ in weight and balance.

The specs of the BA98 that TW USA mentions on her site I never understood. I bought a PK BA98 in 2009 from TW Europe that has the specs I mentioned in my previous post. I even checked this with TW Europe.

On this forum I learned from other posters they also think the swingweight of the BA98 is much lower than the 331 sw that TW measured. According to me it feels more like 315-320.

BTW I also hit once with the BA325. Though I really like the paint job it doesn't have that exceptional PK feel like the BA98. So I think you people from USA don't miss something special.
 
My racquets have 3 different buttcap code! MUSKE, MUSKH and MUSME. What do these codes suggest? Different manufacturing batches or different marketing regions?
 
headlight

Add me to the list! Found the racquet in Baltimore after a long search!

I've played with it once, found a bit unstable and too headlight. Any ideas how to lead it without altering the maneuverability too much. I've seen some people have tried leading in total 8 grams at 3&9. Anyone tried more weight at 3&9?

Thanks for advice
 
Received my Redondo MP last week. Sorry for raising a fuss about the specs on the PK website. They have them wrong, it is unchanged. No response from them on my inquiry. Who's minding the store??

Went for a solo practice on Thursday, then about 6 hours of doubles over the weekend. So far, so good. It has more comfort and is lower powered compared to my Pro Tours. Not quite as stable feeling, and feels less maneuverable than I expected. Working with some lead now to get it optimized.
 
personally I am finding these racquets quite sensitive to strings, have tried 3 so far:

Weiscannon Silverstring
Some sort of gut, cannot remember
Electre Hexyspin

found the silverstring gave it a very blunt/dull feel, did not get on with it

the gut was better but it felt underpowered compared to:

the hexyspin, love it great string crisp feeling very nice, good spin and seem to be lasting well, have ordered more

now trying the Weiscannon blackedge but not hit with it yet
 
I used the 18G Klip detonator with the Kboom on the mains for years with great sucess. 60#= decent power, great control and good string life. I always found Hybrids worked very well in the redondo's.
 
I haven't had a lot of time to experiment with strings, but so far, my Alu/NXT combo is feeling good - I think it's strung at about 55/58. I was thinking about trying Silverstring in place of the Alu as a cost savings measure, but I'll have to think twice about that....
 
basil J said:
I used the 18G Klip detonator with the Kboom on the mains for years with great sucess. 60#= decent power, great control and good string life. I always found Hybrids worked very well in the redondo's.
Click to expand...

yes I must try a hybrid set up next, as the gut felt good and solid, almost too solid

thanks
 
SlapShot said:
I haven't had a lot of time to experiment with strings, but so far, my Alu/NXT combo is feeling good - I think it's strung at about 55/58. I was thinking about trying Silverstring in place of the Alu as a cost savings measure, but I'll have to think twice about that....
Click to expand...

don't let me put you off, it is nice string and loads of people love it just not for me personally compared the the Hexyspin

will try a set up similar to yours
 
Still experimenting with strings on the 'dondo. Also going through some "growing" pains - struggling to find my first serve, but that's as much due to the fact that I've played 3 times in 2 months due to grad school.

I pulled out my strick strung with Kirshbaum Proline II 18 last night after playing a set with the Big Banger/NXT combo. I was worried it was going to be too firm, but it certainly was not - I was pleasant surprised at the additional spin and pop I was getting. Now going to experiment with some thin poly strings.

Anyone tried Volkl Cyclone in the Redondo? I've liked it in other frames, and it's cheap enough that I can restring when needed....
 
just put blackedge in one at 54lbs and must say much prefer it to the silverstring, very nice, really debating even bothering to try a hybrid set up as it plays so nicely with polys...
 
Anyone tried much as far as lead? I'm thinking I need to add just a touch of lead to the head of the frame to add a bit of pop - not much though. Going to try 5g at 12 and see what that does....

Apart from that, I am really enjoying this dalliance with the Redondo.
 
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