BLX Blade 98 2013 vs BLX Blade 98 previous version?

[EastAngels2014]

Hi i am looking to change racquets and i have been hitting with the old Blx 98 the gold and black one and i was wondering what is the difference between the new 2013 model compared to the gold and black? Any comments are very much appreciated. Thank You.

 

[boomerTennis]

I hit with the previous black and gold model and recently have switched to the new blade 16x19 and can say that the new frame has much more fire power packed in, very lively stringbed with great forgiving on off-center hit (this is a feature that I really enjoy and prefer the new frame over the older blade). Also, it swings through the air a bit quicker for me with the new blade, yet at contact still feel extremely solid. I have strung 1 of mine with full poly (Cyclone 18) and the other with RPM Blast 17 hybrid with Prince syn gut and both have very positive results.

 

[realplayer]

The difference will be the terrible QC(variations in sw, balance and weight) of wilson which will make the difference in play. Keep the old one and tinker with some leadtape and forget gimmicks like amplifeel.

 

[SELFMADESOUL]

I played with both and feel the new one was definitely more comfy on the arm- other than that the play was near identical. I much prefer the new paint

 

[Power Player]

Same stick..new paint and amplifeel tech are the only changes.

 

[EastAngels2014]

I am demoing the old one and really like it so far. And since the pink one is only $79 on TW i just wanted to see if there was a big diffrence. It doesnt sound like there is, so i think i will stick with the black and gold and buy the pink and black if i choose to stick with the blade because it is a lot cheaper.

 

[Power Player]

I am demoing the old one and really like it so far. And since the pink one is only $79 on TW i just wanted to see if there was a big diffrence. It doesnt sound like there is, so i think i will stick with the black and gold and buy the pink and black if i choose to stick with the blade because it is a lot cheaper.

Very wise decision. My black and golds are beaten to hell, but I love them and will play the old models until I can't find more.

 

[EastAngels2014]

Do you add weight to you blx? And wats ur strong set up on them?

 

[Relinquis]

how pink is the pink one? i guess i could always spray-paint it black.

 

[kimguroo]

how pink is the pink one? i guess i could always spray-paint it black.

It's pink pink haha. Might goes well with new vapor 9 ^_^

Anyone compare with rebel 95 (old one) in terms of control and power?
I really like rebel 95 except the power I am wondering old BLX blade 98 offers similar controls with a little more power than rebel 95.
Can't refuse the price of Pink blade.....

 

[Power Player]

Do you add weight to you blx? And wats ur strong set up on them?

I have one stock, but I also leaded one up to 355. It feels incredible and I am going to spend some time seeing how I play with it.

The stock weight started feeling light after a few months with the stick. Mainly due to technique being improved.

I do think the Blade is very very good at it's stock weight, and can easily play matches with it out of the box. I just am trying to find my ideal specs.

 

[KFwinds]

how pink is the pink one? i guess i could always spray-paint it black.

I rock the pink one, and people have told me it looks red from a distance. You can tell it's pink up close though. Doesn't bother me; especially since I saved $70 on a backup/feeding stick.

 

[JaggerT]

I hit with the previous black and gold model and recently have switched to the new blade 16x19 and can say that the new frame has much more fire power packed in, very lively stringbed with great forgiving on off-center hit (this is a feature that I really enjoy and prefer the new frame over the older blade). Also, it swings through the air a bit quicker for me with the new blade, yet at contact still feel extremely solid. I have strung 1 of mine with full poly (Cyclone 18) and the other with RPM Blast 17 hybrid with Prince syn gut and both have very positive results.

I can't comment on the 16x19, but my experience with the 2013 18x20 is very similar to Boomer's.
In contrast to what some have said here, I feel the 2013 version hits differently (smoother, faster, softer IMHO) compared to the 2012. The new blade feels much less 'boardlike'. It whips faster through the air which allows me more access to spin. The touch on volleys and slice is much improved, and has very similar (maybe slightly less?) plow through. On serves, there was slightly less power, but better control and placement. I really enjoy both raquets, but after playing with both, I found the 2013 to fit my style much better. The buttery response was less jarring to my arm, especially on off-center shots. Mine's currently strung at 55 lbs with Luxilon 4G, but I'd consider dropping it a few pounds if the control stayed the same.

 

[rolleroh]

Just received new Blade 98 18x20 & found new pink for $59 on a website named after a rain forest!!!!!

 

[rolleroh]

Bought the pink as backup

 

[ci2ca]

The newer version has a slightly thinner beam and swings a tiny bit faster.

 

[EastAngels2014]

Bought the pink as backup

I have the gold and black and also bought the pink one for a back up.

 

[stronzzi70]

It is not the same racquet.....I have the new one,,,I found more control, softer ( better for the arm), played with the Gold/black a lot of time, nice stick, but always missed more control .