Blade 98 v7 16x19 with pro stock specs... possible?

[brettfan]

I'm curious to know if there are any pros or college level players using the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v7. I mean the retail one you can buy at the tennis shop, not the pro stock. I'm a 5.0 player who loves this racquet but, I'm wondering if I should add some lead tape to enhance this racquet's potential. How much tape should I add and where should I add it to make my blade feel like the pro stock version? Is that even possible? Would I even want to do that? Please help.

 

[Bartelby]

The main fact in getting something to pro stock level is getting the swingweight to the 350-360 range, so that's about 30 extra points when it comes to a blade.

You then distribute the weight, probably 12 grams or so, to get the balance and feel you want while hitting that target.

 

[brettfan]

The main fact in getting something to pro stock level is getting the swingweight to the 350-360 range, so that's about 30 extra points when it comes to a blade.

You then distribute the weight, probably 12 grams or so, to get the balance and feel you want while hitting that target.

Any recommendations on where I should distribute the weight? I've heard 12, 10 & 2, or 3 & 9. I'm sure it's a preference thing but, does it matter where the weight is added?

 

[djNEiGht]

Any recommendations on where I should distribute the weight? I've heard 12, 10 & 2, or 3 & 9. I'm sure it's a preference thing but, does it matter where the weight is added?

to get the specs the same as another blade user that has theirs modified may or may not work for you.

What do you feel is lacking in the set up you currently have? This could help you know how to address lead/weight placement.

Now if you like the current balance, add some lead to the handle, add a leather grip, or add lead under butt cap or silicone (you would have to dig out some foam)

If you feel you need some stability, prob some lead at 3/9.

If stability feels right for you but want a higher swing weight, lead at 12.

There are a few ways to do this...question to ask yourself is what do you want out of the racquet.

good luck

 

[Deleted member 768841]

I don’t think Wilson gives pro stock racquets to college kids unless they find the Michael Jordan of tennis...

 

[brettfan]

to get the specs the same as another blade user that has theirs modified may or may not work for you.

What do you feel is lacking in the set up you currently have? This could help you know how to address lead/weight placement.

Now if you like the current balance, add some lead to the handle, add a leather grip, or add lead under butt cap or silicone (you would have to dig out some foam)

If you feel you need some stability, prob some lead at 3/9.

If stability feels right for you but want a higher swing weight, lead at 12.

There are a few ways to do this...question to ask yourself is what do you want out of the racquet.

good luck

Thanks! That's very helpful. I think I'm going to add some at 12 to get a little more power and to get that swing-weight higher. I might play around with the tape until I find what feels best. I appreciate it.

 

[phl92]

to get the specs the same as another blade user that has theirs modified may or may not work for you.

What do you feel is lacking in the set up you currently have? This could help you know how to address lead/weight placement.

Now if you like the current balance, add some lead to the handle, add a leather grip, or add lead under butt cap or silicone (you would have to dig out some foam)

If you feel you need some stability, prob some lead at 3/9.

If stability feels right for you but want a higher swing weight, lead at 12.

There are a few ways to do this...question to ask yourself is what do you want out of the racquet.

good luck

would 10&2 make a mix between them both? If I am having a racket which has a quite low SW (around 310) and I like the Spin I produce with it but want to make it a bit more stable/heavy/plow through.. is adding 4 g at 10&2 the thing I want to do? I heard that lead on 3&9 rises twist weight which reduces Spin capacity?

 

[djNEiGht]

would 10&2 make a mix between them both? If I am having a racket which has a quite low SW (around 310) and I like the Spin I produce with it but want to make it a bit more stable/heavy/plow through.. is adding 4 g at 10&2 the thing I want to do? I heard that lead on 3&9 rises twist weight which reduces Spin capacity?

I've heard that about 10/2 placement as well as the possibilities of raising twist weight for 3/9. i'd personally go for the 10/2 and you could add just a bit at a time. good luck

 

[djNEiGht]

Thanks! That's very helpful. I think I'm going to add some at 12 to get a little more power and to get that swing-weight higher. I might play around with the tape until I find what feels best. I appreciate it.

I'm sure there might be someone with more experience than me but glad I could help.

 

[Deleted member 746200]

I don’t think Wilson gives pro stock racquets to college kids unless they find the Michael Jordan of tennis...

Exactly. Basically no brands give college players pro stock. NCAA not allowed any player get personal sponsorship. For very good players who turn pro after NCAA, like Mackie McDonald and Cameron Norrie, they do get sponsored on the tour but they basically uses the same retail version from college with some customization and newest paint job. For Mackie, he’s been using the 2015 blade for his entire ncaa career, and Norrie was using the last gen pure control. If their own rackets today are on market like pro stock tennis.com, they will be tagged “prostock” but at the end of the day they are just rackets everybody can buy few years ago...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bartelby]

There is a somewhat reliable rule of thumb that says:

1. weight at 12 adds 3 pts of sw

2. weight at 3/9 adds 2.5 pts of sw

I'd go for as least weight as possible.

Add 8 grams at 12 reaching down to 10 and 2 then 4 grams in the butt to counter-balance ... measure or try this set-up and adjust.

It seems to me that would get you to a 350 sw weight and a total weight of at least 340 grams with overgrip before stringing.

Any recommendations on where I should distribute the weight? I've heard 12, 10 & 2, or 3 & 9. I'm sure it's a preference thing but, does it matter where the weight is added?

 

[2ndServe]

Exactly. Basically no brands give college players pro stock. NCAA not allowed any player get personal sponsorship. For very good players who turn pro after NCAA, like Mackie McDonald and Cameron Norrie, they do get sponsored on the tour but they basically uses the same retail version from college with some customization and newest paint job. For Mackie, he’s been using the 2015 blade for his entire ncaa career, and Norrie was using the last gen pure control. If their own rackets today are on market like pro stock tennis.com, they will be tagged “prostock” but at the end of the day they are just rackets everybody can buy few years ago...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

does Mackie use the 16x19 or 18x20?

 

[Mark-Touch]

I'll tell you what I did.

I added a leather grip and overgrip.
Added a few gms. of tape at 9:30 and 2:30 and at 12.
I added head protection tape from 10 around until 2.
The actual weight now is 338 gm.
I don't know the swing weight.

It performs much better than it did stock.

 

[blablavla]

I'm curious to know if there are any pros or college level players using the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v7. I mean the retail one you can buy at the tennis shop, not the pro stock. I'm a 5.0 player who loves this racquet but, I'm wondering if I should add some lead tape to enhance this racquet's potential. How much tape should I add and where should I add it to make my blade feel like the pro stock version? Is that even possible? Would I even want to do that? Please help.

Rumors say that Goffin is using the retail frame.
Some other pros as well, e.g. Kyrgios.
I think Khachanov is also using something that is very close to retail specs, just matched as close as possible by a pro atelier in Barcelona

 

[Artreddy]

Rumors say that Goffin is using the retail frame.
Some other pros as well, e.g. Kyrgios.
I think Khachanov is also using something that is very close to retail specs, just matched as close as possible by a pro atelier in Barcelona

Well the OP is asking for 16x19 and not 18x20. I do believe Goffin and Tsitsipas both use K Blade 98 18x20 version, probably with modified specs to match their style. I own two of the K Blade 18x20 and customized to my like, I do love the excellent control on ground strokes, serves (awesome) and amazing feeling when you open up your self (like Tsitsipas ). But that is 18x20.

I'm curious to know if there are any pros or college level players using the Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v7. I mean the retail one you can buy at the tennis shop, not the pro stock. I'm a 5.0 player who loves this racquet but, I'm wondering if I should add some lead tape to enhance this racquet's potential. How much tape should I add and where should I add it to make my blade feel like the pro stock version? Is that even possible? Would I even want to do that? Please help.

I would try lead 10&2 and also put some putty in the butt (TW tungsten putty) & leather grip on the handle. Usually the pro specs as somebody mentioned are for heavy weight and swing weight.
Use the following tool to figure out what you can do. For example for the blade 98 v7 16x19, the numbers should be 27, 323, 33.02, 328 and the final specs you could copy from say "search in this forum for H19 16x19 specs" and enter the desired specs. Most likely you may not get exactly the spec, but it will be close.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

See one example that worked for me

https://imgur.com/a/tlEknfC

 

[Artreddy]

@brettfan I am interested in knowing how you are able to play the stock 98 V7 16x19 at 5.0 level, the ball would sail on me when I launch myself and try to finish off the point on FH to deuce corner, I am not as good as you for sure. I am a 4.0 player but I have a good serve and most of the time returns are in the middle of the court loopy . I tend to run to them and try to finish off. With blade in stock it would sail out and to compensate I started dropping the balls at net. heavier customization solved the problem a bit. But I do like the 18x20 as opposed to 16x19 in this aspect.