BB London Tour vs PB10 Mid

[TennisMaverick]

This is a difficult comparison because after the DNX 10 Mid, the PB 10 Mid was designed to be modified. Therefore, the plow thru differences are hard to quantify, but the London Tour has very solid plow thru, at about 6 pt HL strung. The London Tour, like the Melbourne, plays well stock, with or without the vibration dampener, but I prefer 2 grams on the bridge/bridge area, somewhere in-between the standard 3.3 gram BB/Volkl dampener and nothing, as a compromise. With that being said, the PB10 Mid plays much larger than its head size would indicate, in part because of its large sweet-spot, and also in part because of its open string pattern. The London Tour's tighter string pattern, capped grommets, ample sweet-spot, and slightly wider beam width, in conjunction with its head shape, makes for a very different and more solid feel.

The London Tour is slightly more powerful, hits with less spin, has a little better directional control, and a shorter dwell time, than the PB 10 Mid. Everyone knows that the PB 10 Mid is famous for its feel and dwell time, which allows you to hit both flat and with spin. Additionally, the PB 10 Mid swings faster through the air then its specs. The London Tour--unlike its ancestor, the T10 Mid, which was deemed heavy by many who subsequently trimmed the CAP grommets--does not have that issue, and moves through the air as a capped grommet stick would be expected. The PB 10 also allows you to grind the ball much better than the London Tour, and is softer and more forgiving. The Tour, is sick crazy precise, a little stiffer but not harsh, and it does exactly as you ask it to do. The London Tour plays like a softer, more controllable, more precise DC Tour 10 Mid, and the PB 10, although 16 mains, really plays more like a nano carbon T10 VE Mid. Basically, the London Tour is Formula One, and the PB 10 Mid is NASCAR.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Are you yourself tempted to switch?

 

[zumzool]

i gather from your comments that the London Tour has a smaller sweet spot and is less forgiving than the PB10 mid. And that the London Tour has a more solid feel with less flex than the PB10?

How would you rate the forgiveness on mishits in comparison to the Melbourne, London Tour, and the PB10?

 

[TennisMaverick]

i gather from your comments that the London Tour has a smaller sweet spot and is less forgiving than the PB10 mid. And that the London Tour has a more solid feel with less flex than the PB10?

How would you rate the forgiveness on mishits in comparison to the Melbourne, London Tour, and the PB10?

I'm assuming that you are asking me, although you hit the "Post Reply" and not the "Quote" button? If so...

"i gather from your comments that the London Tour has a smaller sweet spot and is less forgiving than the PB10 mid. And that the London Tour has a more solid feel with less flex than the PB10?"

Exactly.

Regarding mishits: If you mishit with the Melbourne, due to its cupping action, you feel a very different string bed outside of center, but its stability and plow thru still puts the ball where you want it. That is why it is such a half-volley animal. The PB 10 mishit forgiveness is dependent upon your personal mods, since no one plays with it stock, nor should they. At the very least, it needs .50-.75 grams at 1:30/10:30. The way that my PB 10 Mid is leaded-up, it goes where I want and the ball dwells on the string for as long as I want, regardless of a slight mishit. With the London Tour, you get immediate feedback from a totally consistent string bed. Its plow thru helps direct the ball when you mishit, and its solidity of feel allows you to grip the racquet tighter to hold the shot when you do need to so, as with a mishit or a put-a-way. If it makes it easier, from smaller to larger, the sweet-spots go as follows:

London Tour
Melbourne
PB 10 Mid (regardless of mods)

However, you need to be mindful that I seldom mishit, and when I do, I make the correction on the next, same, shot.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Are you yourself tempted to switch?

I'm assuming that you are asking me, although you hit the "Post Reply" and not the "Quote" button? If so...

No....I prefer the softness for my shoulder and the dwell time for my BH and feel on volleys, as I have very longitudinal strokes, which puts a lot of strain on the joints. Modern tennis is far more mechanically efficient than my Becker/Lendl type strokes. If I were competing again, I would try to adjust with this equipment and pronate/supinate as Federer does, which is the evolution of said Becker/Lendl strokes--although Laver hit like Federer with wood racquets--and if that were the case, I would make the switch to the London Tour.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

I'm assuming that you are asking me, although you hit the "Post Reply" and not the "Quote" button? If so...

No....I prefer the softness for my shoulder and the dwell time for my BH and feel on volleys, as I have very longitudinal strokes, which puts a lot of strain on the joints. Modern tennis is far more mechanically efficient than my Becker/Lendl type strokes. If I were competing again, I would try to adjust with this equipment and pronate/supinate as Federer does, which is the evolution of said Becker/Lendl strokes--although Laver hit like Federer with wood racquets--and if that were the case, I would make the switch to the London Tour.

cool man. glad you are back on the boards. I never got to thank you for the tip you gave me on "bump and run" tennis in some other thread. Totally helped me seize points early amongst my hacker peers. I am really interested in the new volkl roddick-esque stick if you get around to that. Cheers!

 

[TennisMaverick]

cool man. glad you are back on the boards. I never got to thank you for the tip you gave me on "bump and run" tennis in some other thread. Totally helped me seize points early amongst my hacker peers. I am really interested in the new volkl roddick-esque stick if you get around to that. Cheers!

Thanks, and glad to have been of help! I probably won't demo the X8 315 until near its release, but I will post of course.

Coming to visit NYU anytime soon?

 

[zumzool]

Thanks TM...

I just wanted to clarify what I though you were trying to say.
The London tour looks awesome And probably way over my head... Probably won't try this one out.

I have both the pb10 and the Melbourne and while the melbourne head size is larger, I find the pb10 more forgiving on mishits due to the more consistent string bed and 16x19 pattern.

 

[suppawat]

cool man. glad you are back on the boards. I never got to thank you for the tip you gave me on "bump and run" tennis in some other thread. Totally helped me seize points early amongst my hacker peers. I am really interested in the new volkl roddick-esque stick if you get around to that. Cheers!

Check this out for the Volkl Organix 8 315g pics http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=5831045&posted=1#post5831045

 

[TennisMaverick]

Thanks TM...

I just wanted to clarify what I though you were trying to say.
The London tour looks awesome And probably way over my head... Probably won't try this one out.

I have both the pb10 and the Melbourne and while the melbourne head size is larger, I find the pb10 more forgiving on mishits due to the more consistent string bed and 16x19 pattern.

Agreed. The PB 10 Mid is more forgiving than the Melbourne, with regard to mishitting. But that is partially only due to the 16 mains. More importantly, it is due to the mods done to the PB 10 Mid, as no one plays with that frame stock, nor should they; it was designed to be modified after the heaviness which was, for most players, too much to handle in the DNX 10 Mid.

I really feel that the Melbourne is the best frame in the BB Line, in terms of utilization of design and nano carbon technology, so I don't understand why it's not a best seller. Three of my guys are using it, and they all switched from other BB/Volkl models.

In terms of precision, the London Tour is what I want my neurosurgeon to use, no doubt about it. It is the difference between getting the tumor or slashing an artery, or as Boris once said, "It's the difference between winning and losing Wimbledon".

 

[tennisexecutor]

does the london tour play as stable as the X10 295? without the optispot, is it easier to find the sweetspot on it than on the X10 295?

 

[TennisMaverick]

does the london tour play as stable as the X10 295? without the optispot, is it easier to find the sweetspot on it than on the X10 295?

Seriously???

 

[TennisMaverick]

Check this out for the Volkl Organix 8 315g pics http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=5831045&posted=1#post5831045

I'm really interested on your feedback about this since you already have one. If you start a thread, I'll add on to it. I've just been told that my stick is being shipped tomorrow.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Hit with the Tour again today. The best statement regarding the two sticks:

With the PB 10 Mid, I put the ball where I want; with the London Tour, I hit the ball where I want.

 

[ptr]

Hit with the Tour again today. The best statement regarding the two sticks:

With the PB 10 Mid, I put the ball where I want; with the London Tour, I hit the ball where I want.

Meaning more power?

 

[TennisMaverick]

Meaning more power?

Dude.....if you don't have anything to offer, why are you yanking my chain?

 

[ptr]

Dude.....if you don't have anything to offer, why are you yanking my chain?

What is the difference in tennis between "I put" and "I hit"?

 

[john blackman]

Anwser A Question

Are you guys refering to the london tour or just london. I dont see a london tour on the TW web site.

 

[dParis]

Are you guys refering to the london tour or just london. I dont see a london tour on the TW web site.

London Tour. It will be released in the near future but Tennis Maverick and suppawat have them already and are providing pictures and feedback.

 

[dje31]

Hit with the Tour again today. The best statement regarding the two sticks:

With the PB 10 Mid, I put the ball where I want; with the London Tour, I hit the ball where I want.

So, are you inclined to switch to the London Tour? Or is it too early to tell?

 

[zumzool]

So, are you inclined to switch to the London Tour? Or is it too early to tell?

I think if anything, he was inclined to switch to the Melbourne which is a fantastic racquet.

 

[TennisMaverick]

So, are you inclined to switch to the London Tour? Or is it too early to tell?

If I were to switch, I would switch to a larger frame, and that would be the Melbourne. It is an amazing player's frame, and no surprise that Boris is using it, instead of the equally amazing BB 11 SE, which was specifically designed and made for him. I cannot understand why it's not a major league best seller as the BB 11 was. With that being said, if you read my earlier post, at this point in my career, I prefer to put the ball on a dime, as opposed to BITD, and tried to hit the ball on a dime. So the PB 10 Mid is more appropriate for my game than the London Tour is at this juncture.

 

[tennisexecutor]

does the london tour play as stable as the X10 295? without the optispot, is it easier to find the sweetspot on it than on the X10 295?

Seriously???

yes i am serious!!! i know the general consensus on here is that the optiscope is a gimmick. nevertheless, several players at my club that have been testing the organix frames swear by it. those that utilize the federer vision technique of looking through the stringbed up through contact unanimously agree that its legit.

my question to those that got to hit with the O10 295 and the london tour side-by-side: which frame would you use against heavy fire?

 

[TennisMaverick]

yes i am serious!!! i know the general consensus on here is that the optiscope is a gimmick. nevertheless, several players at my club that have been testing the organix frames swear by it. those that utilize the federer vision technique of looking through the stringbed up through contact unanimously agree that its legit.

my question to those that got to hit with the O10 295 and the london tour side-by-side: which frame would you use against heavy fire?

I asked if you were serious because I started an Optispot thread and got reamed in every orifice. I specifically asked if after play, did you noticed that you mishit more or less, and everyone blew a gasket and every hater stalker came-out of the dirty, dusty, corners of the net all over the planet.

As far as using the Federer technique--which is totally ridiculous name since it's been taught way before he was an itch in his father's pants with wood racquets in country clubs--and the Optispot, I cannot say. I can say, that with a comparison hit with the London Tour, Melbourne, fully loaded PB 10 Mid, and X10 295, that I compensated on the following shot when I mishit with the first three, as the feedback/feel is awesome, but I did not with the X10 295, because, I didn't mishit. I gave Volkl this same info. I never tried to consciously try to invoke the Optispot, but I can certainly count my number of mishits after the fact.

"my question to those that got to hit with the O10 295 and the london tour side-by-side: which frame would you use against heavy fire?"

Tour...hands down; it's 93in2, 18 mains, less HL, and 25 grams heavier.

And how do you define "heavy fire", and at what level is this "heavy fire" coming from?

 

[zumzool]

yes i am serious!!! i know the general consensus on here is that the optiscope is a gimmick. nevertheless, several players at my club that have been testing the organix frames swear by it. those that utilize the federer vision technique of looking through the stringbed up through contact unanimously agree that its legit.

my question to those that got to hit with the O10 295 and the london tour side-by-side: which frame would you use against heavy fire?

These frames are for two completely different types of players and finding the sweetspot is different for each of them. The London Tour is for the extreme advanced player. It's 93 sq in as opposed to the 98 sq in. that the x10 offers... so if your going to use the London Tour, your mechanics had better be in order, otherwise, you have no business hitting with it. Thus, optispot is irrelevant for this type of player. The x10 is for a far less advanced players in which the extra sq inches and the optispot make it more forgiving...

So which frame would you use under heavy fire? it really depends on your game... because if your advanced enough to use the london tour, you would.... otherwise, people who need a more forgiving racquet have several better options to use, including both the x10 lines....

since the London Tour hasn't been released yet and seen by only a few people, there isn't many people who have been able to hit with it yet.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Update

The stick hits a very heavy ball, heavier than the PB 10 Mid, even though it is a light 320 grams--which makes it easily customizable. It is less whippier than the PB 10 Mid, but the Mid's dwell time is longer.

 

[TennisMaverick]

It's in!

Check-out the softness on-contact and how heavy the ball quality is. I just switched.

 

[nguyendat9]

It's in!

Check-out the softness on-contact and how heavy the ball quality is. I just switched.

really? there a better racquet than Volkl pb 10 mid???

 

[TennisMaverick]

really? there a better racquet than Volkl pb 10 mid???

It's not better; it's different. I didn't think that I would switch, and I was conflicted, thinking of the Melbourne, which is just really awesome, but 93in2 or smaller melds easier into my arm. A few other 6.5 PB 10 Mid users were also conflicted; some are staying, some are switching.

I prefer the head shape of the PB 10 Mid, but even though the PB 10 Mid reacts well to flatter balls because of the dwell time, and I have often described it in the PB 10 Club thread--please review--as a nano T10 VE Mid, I still prefer the response of 18 mains in a smaller head. The best for me would be a PB 10 Mid in 18x20, but now that the London tour is here, it won't happen. The PB 10 Mid will be a new, and now the third "classic" Volkl stick, joining the V1 and C 10 Pro, and the X10 Mid is barely on the drawing board, so it won't be here for at least a year.

 

[TennisMaverick]

I beefed-up my London Tour to 360 grams, which is about 12 grams heavier than a stock Prestige Classic. Most classic users I know added at least 12 grams of tape. At this weight, it is now the most plush/buttery Volkl that I have ever played with, including the PB 10 Mid and T10 VE Mid. I permanently switched over last week, and I have just received 5 more frames.

 

[jonahnaturals]

I'm assuming that you are asking me, although you hit the "Post Reply" and not the "Quote" button? If so...

"i gather from your comments that the London Tour has a smaller sweet spot and is less forgiving than the PB10 mid. And that the London Tour has a more solid feel with less flex than the PB10?"

Exactly.

Regarding mishits: If you mishit with the Melbourne, due to its cupping action, you feel a very different string bed outside of center, but its stability and plow thru still puts the ball where you want it. That is why it is such a half-volley animal. The PB 10 mishit forgiveness is dependent upon your personal mods, since no one plays with it stock, nor should they. At the very least, it needs .50-.75 grams at 1:30/10:30. The way that my PB 10 Mid is leaded-up, it goes where I want and the ball dwells on the string for as long as I want, regardless of a slight mishit. With the London Tour, you get immediate feedback from a totally consistent string bed. Its plow thru helps direct the ball when you mishit, and its solidity of feel allows you to grip the racquet tighter to hold the shot when you do need to so, as with a mishit or a put-a-way. If it makes it easier, from smaller to larger, the sweet-spots go as follows:

London Tour
Melbourne
PB 10 Mid (regardless of mods)

However, you need to be mindful that I seldom mishit, and when I do, I make the correction on the next, same, shot.

Hey TennisMaverick -

Could you please let me know if you would put the X10 325 at the bottom of the list above with a greater margin of forgiveness than the PB 10 Mid?

Was there a specific drawback/deficiency with the X10 325 that makes you prefer the London Tour and even the Melbourne? Or is it just that the London Tour is simply a better stick for your level of play?

As always, thanks.

Ben

 

[TennisMaverick]

Hey TennisMaverick -

Could you please let me know if you would put the X10 325 at the bottom of the list above with a greater margin of forgiveness than the PB 10 Mid?

Was there a specific drawback/deficiency with the X10 325 that makes you prefer the London Tour and even the Melbourne? Or is it just that the London Tour is simply a better stick for your level of play?

As always, thanks.

Ben

This requires a little detail. I'll hit you back later. Heading out to NTC.

 

[Junkie74]

Hello Everyone!

I have a few questions for Tennis Maverick as I can tell you are a Volkl/BB racquets expert. I have both the PB 10 mid and the London Tour, I really like both racquets but I think I need all the help I can get into adding lead and where to add it to each racquet as Im a complete rookie when it comes to modifying racquets.

1.-I know that with the Pb 10 I have to add a little ( 1 gram or so ) at 10 & 2 o clock but thats it?

2.- The London Tour feels great but its swingweight is way too low for me, I like the head speed a lot, and just the great feel at contact...I guess a 340-350g London Tour is a good idea considering my game.

ABOUT ME/MY GAME:

a) 4.5 level player, 25 years playing have good solid strokes all around, dont have any problem getting the most of the Pb 10 Mid or the London Tour.

b) Had Tennis Elbow surgery 9 years ago, pain comes and goes but nothing I cannot handle, for this reason I try to play with the heaviest racquet I can without tiring my arm.

c) As a reference, I currently play with the PK Redondo Mid in stock form, love everything about this racquet but its low power, too low I guess besides I really want to make things work with the Volkl and the BB.

Any help on how to customize these racquets will be much appreciate it, remember I dont have a clue on where to and how much lead to add.

Any comments or suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks for your time.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Hello Everyone!

I have a few questions for Tennis Maverick as I can tell you are a Volkl/BB racquets expert. I have both the PB 10 mid and the London Tour, I really like both racquets but I think I need all the help I can get into adding lead and where to add it to each racquet as Im a complete rookie when it comes to modifying racquets.

1.-I know that with the Pb 10 I have to add a little ( 1 gram or so ) at 10 & 2 o clock but thats it?

2.- The London Tour feels great but its swingweight is way too low for me, I like the head speed a lot, and just the great feel at contact...I guess a 340-350g London Tour is a good idea considering my game.

ABOUT ME/MY GAME:

a) 4.5 level player, 25 years playing have good solid strokes all around, dont have any problem getting the most of the Pb 10 Mid or the London Tour.

b) Had Tennis Elbow surgery 9 years ago, pain comes and goes but nothing I cannot handle, for this reason I try to play with the heaviest racquet I can without tiring my arm.

c) As a reference, I currently play with the PK Redondo Mid in stock form, love everything about this racquet but its low power, too low I guess besides I really want to make things work with the Volkl and the BB.

Any help on how to customize these racquets will be much appreciate it, remember I dont have a clue on where to and how much lead to add.

Any comments or suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks for your time.

Besides .50-.75 grams at 2/10 as a minimum, I posted these three different mods in the PB 10 Mid Club thread a while back:

PB 10 Mid lead tape placements--the following are three set-ups which my guys all use. Even those who don't use the PB 10 Mid and have tried mine, the heaviest set-up(C), liked it, although it was too heavy for them. All set-ups are cut from 1/2 in lead tape

From lightest to heaviest, using a 30+ gram leather grip:

Set-up A (1/8 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 370 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the bottom clear cross grommet (adhered inside of frame).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame, or the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhered inside of frame).


Set-up B (1/4 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 385 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the bottom clear cross grommet (adhered inside of frame).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame, or the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhere inside of frame).
-Inside both sides of the V-throat area, 1/4 or 1/2 in tape, 4.5 inches long, centered bet bridge corners and top of grip.

Set-up C (1/4 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 395 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the 6th outer main or 3rd main from outside (adhered inside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhered inside of frame). [THESE TWO PLACEMENT WILL APPEAR LIKE A CONTINUOUS "U" INSIDE THE FRAME]
-From 4th cross from the top, down to the bottom most clear cross grommet (3+/9+ o'clock), 1/8 or 1/4 inch wide tape, depending on you,
(adhered inside of frame on top of previous adhered tape).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame--the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-Inside both sides of the V-throat area, 1/2 in tape, 4.5 inches long, centered bet bridge corners and top of grip.

I would suggest applying the set-ups to multiple sticks and trying two or all three out at the same time for the most accurate comparison. I recently sold one PB 10 with set-up (C) to "thebuffman", and he said that it played great; that he couldn't believe how easy it swung.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=317834&page=12

Regarding the London Tour, these were my minimal mods posted in the BB London Tour thread:

These mods were done to mimic a Prestige Classic, with the traditional 3/9 mod:

1/2 white athletic tape to cover capped grommet- 5 grams
3 grams in throat/bridge area
2 grams@3/9 each(inside the frame on either side of the grommets)
Leather Grip

My London currently has more lead, and weighs 365 grams, whereas my PB 10 Mid is 396 grams.

 

[Junkie74]

Besides .50-.75 grams at 2/10 as a minimum, I posted these three different mods in the PB 10 Mid Club thread a while back:

PB 10 Mid lead tape placements--the following are three set-ups which my guys all use. Even those who don't use the PB 10 Mid and have tried mine, the heaviest set-up(C), liked it, although it was too heavy for them. All set-ups are cut from 1/2 in lead tape

From lightest to heaviest, using a 30+ gram leather grip:

Set-up A (1/8 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 370 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the bottom clear cross grommet (adhered inside of frame).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame, or the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhered inside of frame).


Set-up B (1/4 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 385 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the bottom clear cross grommet (adhered inside of frame).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame, or the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhere inside of frame).
-Inside both sides of the V-throat area, 1/4 or 1/2 in tape, 4.5 inches long, centered bet bridge corners and top of grip.

Set-up C (1/4 in wide tape on both sides of the string bed) 395 grams:

-From the top 3rd outer main down to the 6th outer main or 3rd main from outside (adhered inside of frame).
-From 6th main from the center through to the opposite 6th main from center, covering the whole bridge, with no tape bet center two mains for
stringing purposes (adhered inside of frame). [THESE TWO PLACEMENT WILL APPEAR LIKE A CONTINUOUS "U" INSIDE THE FRAME]
-From 4th cross from the top, down to the bottom most clear cross grommet (3+/9+ o'clock), 1/8 or 1/4 inch wide tape, depending on you,
(adhered inside of frame on top of previous adhered tape).
-From the bottom clear cross grommet hole to the first main string hole exiting the frame--the 5th main from ctr (adhered outside of frame).
-Inside both sides of the V-throat area, 1/2 in tape, 4.5 inches long, centered bet bridge corners and top of grip.

I would suggest applying the set-ups to multiple sticks and trying two or all three out at the same time for the most accurate comparison. I recently sold one PB 10 with set-up (C) to "thebuffman", and he said that it played great; that he couldn't believe how easy it swung.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=317834&page=12

Regarding the London Tour, these were my minimal mods posted in the BB London Tour thread:

These mods were done to mimic a Prestige Classic, with the traditional 3/9 mod:

1/2 white athletic tape to cover capped grommet- 5 grams
3 grams in throat/bridge area
2 grams@3/9 each(inside the frame on either side of the grommets)
Leather Grip

My London currently has more lead, and weighs 365 grams, whereas my PB 10 Mid is 396 grams.

Wow! Thank You Sir for the great and fast reply!

Im looking at the specs and reviews of the Melbourne (got curious because of your comments on the racquet)....like the specs a lot....do you think I might like it? besides it looks like not too much customization is needed if any.

Thanks again Sir!

 

[TennisMaverick]

Hey TennisMaverick -

Could you please let me know if you would put the X10 325 at the bottom of the list above with a greater margin of forgiveness than the PB 10 Mid?

Was there a specific drawback/deficiency with the X10 325 that makes you prefer the London Tour and even the Melbourne? Or is it just that the London Tour is simply a better stick for your level of play?

As always, thanks.

Ben

The X10 325 can be played with stock, and is an easy transition for a PB 10 Mid user. As it is a 98in2, it is more forgiving. The X10 325 is also so different from the Melbourne, that I cannot say which is more forgiving. I can say that my hand makes the adjustment from my wrist with the X10, but with my palm with the Melbourne.

I recently fully loaded my X10 325 to mimic my PB 10 Mid, and it just brings me back to my original statement that it is an easy transition from the PB 10 Mid. There is less dwell time, but far more bite and power.

I prefer 93in2; it's just part of my arm. However, when I moved from my Kneissl White Star Pro/Masters 10 to the White Star Mid 92in2, I felt that I was going away from what was then a part of my arm, 80in2 to 92in2, which is a much greater leap. I played with that stick for a few months, until I broke them all, and then did what every Kneissl player did, and switched to Mizuno--Lendl's Wimbledon stick--which was horrible. that's when I started an association with Volkl. But I digress...the London Tour is the 93in2 Melbourne. If the Melbourne was as popular as the London, the London Tour would have been called the Melbourne Tour, and in fact, was its name initially. Calling it a London, was a marketing decision.

I need dwell time, so if I moved to a 98in2, I would go with the Melbourne. If I felt that I were slowing down, then I would go with the X10, because I would cut my backswing down, and take more balls on the rise to compensate for the lack of speed. The X10 allows me to short-hop balls from the baseline with my BH at will, as the quick response off the string bed provides for a lot of power, hence, a shorter backswing. There is no deficiency with the X10; it's just a completely new tennis racquet, and I am still set with driving a 2011 refined '86 Buick Regal Grand National.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Wow! Thank You Sir for the great and fast reply!

Im looking at the specs and reviews of the Melbourne (got curious because of your comments on the racquet)....like the specs a lot....do you think I might like it? besides it looks like not too much customization is needed if any.

Thanks again Sir!

My PB 10 Mid is 396 grams, and my new London Tour is 365 grams, so I shop at Mods "R" Us. However, my guys who also play with a lot of lead--three of whom switched to the Melbourne--are all using this simple mod: 1/2 in wide sliced in half lead tape on the bridge, center 10 mains only, with nothing between the center two mains. That says a lot.

I really think that it is an awesome frame, comparable to the PB 10 Mid. I have no clue as to why it isn't selling off the shelves, except that there are still retailers who don't like the fact that Boris puts his name on his own sticks, as opposed to say, "Volkl Boris Becker Autograph", or, "Volkl Boris Becker Melbourne", etc. Some reps can't get these pro shops to stock the Becker frames. They sell much better online, because customers want them, but brick-n-morter guys are BB tone deaf; their personal distaste for perceived conceit are over-ruling sales statistics(i.e., the BB 11 sold big time, and so did/does the London).

 

[jonahnaturals]

The X10 325 can be played with stock, and is an easy transition for a PB 10 Mid user. As it is a 98in2, it is more forgiving. The X10 325 is also so different from the Melbourne, that I cannot say which is more forgiving. I can say that my hand makes the adjustment from my wrist with the X10, but with my palm with the Melbourne.

I recently fully loaded my X10 325 to mimic my PB 10 Mid, and it just brings me back to my original statement that it is an easy transition from the PB 10 Mid. There is less dwell time, but far more bite and power.

I prefer 93in2; it's just part of my arm. However, when I moved from my Kneissl White Star Pro/Masters 10 to the White Star Mid 92in2, I felt that I was going away from what was then a part of my arm, 80in2 to 92in2, which is a much greater leap. I played with that stick for a few months, until I broke them all, and then did what every Kneissl player did, and switched to Mizuno--Lendl's Wimbledon stick--which was horrible. that's when I started an association with Volkl. But I digress...the London Tour is the 93in2 Melbourne. If the Melbourne was as popular as the London, the London Tour would have been called the Melbourne Tour, and in fact, was its name initially. Calling it a London, was a marketing decision.

I need dwell time, so if I moved to a 98in2, I would go with the Melbourne. If I felt that I were slowing down, then I would go with the X10, because I would cut my backswing down, and take more balls on the rise to compensate for the lack of speed. The X10 allows me to short-hop balls from the baseline with my BH at will, as the quick response off the string bed provides for a lot of power, hence, a shorter backswing. There is no deficiency with the X10; it's just a completely new tennis racquet, and I am still set with driving a 2011 refined '86 Buick Regal Grand National.

All very interesting, thank you. Have ordered up an X10 325 and am looking forward to experiencing this brand new feel.

The marketing bit is fascinating, a real bit of insider info that makes one feel like he is more in tune with the mind of man.

Thanks again, TennisMav.

 

[TennisMaverick]

All very interesting, thank you. Have ordered up an X10 325 and am looking forward to experiencing this brand new feel.

The marketing bit is fascinating, a real bit of insider info that makes one feel like he is more in tune with the mind of man.

Thanks again, TennisMav.

You should write-up a comparison of the three sticks, plus, your new VE's.

 

[TennisMaverick]

I decided to remove 4 grams off of my stealth PB 10 Mid to match an adjustment to my current Tour, which is now 392 and 365 grams respectively, after dropping 20 grams off the Tour. It is fascinating how the differences in sticks are magnified when different frames of reference are introduced. As soft as the PB 10 Mid is, it feels stiff after using the London Tour for a few months, as opposed to the other way around. The PB 10 Mid's bite is also magnified after playing with the Tour. Conversely, you can really feel how much the London Tour compresses the ball on the stringbed, hitting a heavier ball than the PB 10 Mid.