First, I'd like to thank whoever posted the Vantage 50% sale in Feb. I wouldn't have had a clue otherwise.
Second, I'd like to thank BreakPoint specifically for his comparative reviews of Vantage and other similar frames. They helped me take the plunge with confidence.
Third, I'd like to thank Mr. Paul Angell for having the brains and the ballz to step out on his own and found this wonderful company, designing this wonderful frame. I'd also like to thanks his engineers for their brilliant work.
I purchased 3 custom frames (never demoed btw) for just over $300. With the regular price being $220 I would say I got a steal, even if it was a gamble. The wait, almost a month, was definitely worth it.
I've only played with Wilson Pro Staff sticks, first the PS 95, then the 85, then the Tour 90. I tried the nCode but didn't care for the balance. I've hit with and briefly enjoyed a few Heads and little else.
I've been hitting with the Vantage for the past ten days and every day it gets sweeter and sweeter.
I have the 90'' frame at 70RA, 27 1/4, 330gr.
PROS???? EVERYTHING. Baseline rallies, serves, volleys, overheads, forehands, backhands, simply everything. The sweet spot is butter, delicious. This particular combination is a very demanding racquet, most similar to the 85, in that it does very little for you and demands a very solid, confident, full, yet precise stroking of the ball and POC. At first I wasn't sure what it felt like, the feeling was so distinct, so different. In some ways it reminds me of the 85, especially the way it treats off-center shots, but in others, particularly the frame balance and shape, it feels like a Head Prestige 93. I use liberal amounts of lead tape but this did not disturb the balance of the frame at all.
I've been playing with a friend who uses a nCode 90 and occasionally I would switch back and forth with him for comparison sake. The Vantage was every bit as solid as the nCode but it doesn't feel muted the way the nCode feels. It was interesting. After using the Vantage, I actually liked the nCode. Interesting.
Another very interesting aspect of the frame is that it has this lightness to it, regardless of how much lead tape I use. It feels light, even though it's noticeably heavier than the nCode and the Tour 90. Very interesting.
CONS??? The only shortcoming I can give this racquet is in comparison to my Tour 90......The Vantage is a 19mm frame while the Tour 90 is a 17mm. Trivial though it sounds, the maneuverability is noticeably enhanced with 2 fewer millimeters. But even with this, the balance and solidity of the frame is simply superb, amazing sometimes. Literally, sometimes I look at it and wonder how it does what it does.
The most revealing experience in the last ten days came when another friend of mine was hitting with his K-Factor 90s. The K-Factor was in the running until I hit a few balls with it against a wall and felt it was too soft.
After trading racquets with my friend and hitting a few balls on a court I literally couldn't wait to get my Vantage back in my hand. The K-Factor felt flimsy and cheap, yes cheap was the word that came to my mind. My Tour 90 feels more solid and well-sorted than the K-Factor. Honestly, I can't imagine how anyone could switch from a nCode to a K-Factor, much less Federer. I'll believe he plays with the racquet Wilson sells us when I hit with it. No way is he playing with this stick.
Of course I didn't tell my friend this. lol To me the K-Factor is so different from every other Wilson frame that Wilson could sell the nCode, the Tour 90 and the K-Factor and not lose a dime. They're each very distinct frames.
Ultimately, the Vantage doesn't feel like anything else. It has a distinct feel that may or may not be for people. Honestly, I could see TW carrying them, the basic frames, just like they carry any other frame.
TW, if you're reading this call Paul Angell and work out a deal. You sell the pre-built frames for $190 or so, and he could sell the custom frames for their current price. You're missing out on some marvelous frames.
If you're looking for a pure players frame, very demanding but very rewarding, take a serious, serious look at the Vantage 90s.
Cavaleer
Second, I'd like to thank BreakPoint specifically for his comparative reviews of Vantage and other similar frames. They helped me take the plunge with confidence.
Third, I'd like to thank Mr. Paul Angell for having the brains and the ballz to step out on his own and found this wonderful company, designing this wonderful frame. I'd also like to thanks his engineers for their brilliant work.
I purchased 3 custom frames (never demoed btw) for just over $300. With the regular price being $220 I would say I got a steal, even if it was a gamble. The wait, almost a month, was definitely worth it.
I've only played with Wilson Pro Staff sticks, first the PS 95, then the 85, then the Tour 90. I tried the nCode but didn't care for the balance. I've hit with and briefly enjoyed a few Heads and little else.
I've been hitting with the Vantage for the past ten days and every day it gets sweeter and sweeter.
I have the 90'' frame at 70RA, 27 1/4, 330gr.
PROS???? EVERYTHING. Baseline rallies, serves, volleys, overheads, forehands, backhands, simply everything. The sweet spot is butter, delicious. This particular combination is a very demanding racquet, most similar to the 85, in that it does very little for you and demands a very solid, confident, full, yet precise stroking of the ball and POC. At first I wasn't sure what it felt like, the feeling was so distinct, so different. In some ways it reminds me of the 85, especially the way it treats off-center shots, but in others, particularly the frame balance and shape, it feels like a Head Prestige 93. I use liberal amounts of lead tape but this did not disturb the balance of the frame at all.
I've been playing with a friend who uses a nCode 90 and occasionally I would switch back and forth with him for comparison sake. The Vantage was every bit as solid as the nCode but it doesn't feel muted the way the nCode feels. It was interesting. After using the Vantage, I actually liked the nCode. Interesting.
Another very interesting aspect of the frame is that it has this lightness to it, regardless of how much lead tape I use. It feels light, even though it's noticeably heavier than the nCode and the Tour 90. Very interesting.
CONS??? The only shortcoming I can give this racquet is in comparison to my Tour 90......The Vantage is a 19mm frame while the Tour 90 is a 17mm. Trivial though it sounds, the maneuverability is noticeably enhanced with 2 fewer millimeters. But even with this, the balance and solidity of the frame is simply superb, amazing sometimes. Literally, sometimes I look at it and wonder how it does what it does.
The most revealing experience in the last ten days came when another friend of mine was hitting with his K-Factor 90s. The K-Factor was in the running until I hit a few balls with it against a wall and felt it was too soft.
After trading racquets with my friend and hitting a few balls on a court I literally couldn't wait to get my Vantage back in my hand. The K-Factor felt flimsy and cheap, yes cheap was the word that came to my mind. My Tour 90 feels more solid and well-sorted than the K-Factor. Honestly, I can't imagine how anyone could switch from a nCode to a K-Factor, much less Federer. I'll believe he plays with the racquet Wilson sells us when I hit with it. No way is he playing with this stick.
Of course I didn't tell my friend this. lol To me the K-Factor is so different from every other Wilson frame that Wilson could sell the nCode, the Tour 90 and the K-Factor and not lose a dime. They're each very distinct frames.
Ultimately, the Vantage doesn't feel like anything else. It has a distinct feel that may or may not be for people. Honestly, I could see TW carrying them, the basic frames, just like they carry any other frame.
TW, if you're reading this call Paul Angell and work out a deal. You sell the pre-built frames for $190 or so, and he could sell the custom frames for their current price. You're missing out on some marvelous frames.
If you're looking for a pure players frame, very demanding but very rewarding, take a serious, serious look at the Vantage 90s.
Cavaleer
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i missed it
