jimdontcare
Semi-Pro
What tweener do you guys think has the best dwell time? VCore 100? Ripstick? Edit: ball pocketing, rather
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Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Seth
Legend
I would agree. Not that you can’t use non-poly strings in them, just that it wasn’t the intent.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yeah vcore 100 pockets well, so do the extreme MP and boom mp.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Most ball pocketing probably the clash? But not sure I’d call it the best ahaha
mmazzinin1
Semi-Pro
What is straight arm lifting?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Top banana day. Just a beautiful day and beautiful racquet to hit with. It doesn’t encourage a linear or vertical path, it generously works with both. When I used the frame last, I was not using my legs or the kinetic chain well enough ,so I hit a lot of balls with less net clearance then I do now. What is great is the sweet spot still sings with the more vertical attack.
Probably one of the best serving days I have had in years. Not really just the frame but a combo of improved technique all coming together plus the merciless aggression of the xl banana on contact.
I saw Coco DF 21x yesterday and they said her new serve grip has been changed from an eastern bh to a Conti. I tried some pure Conti serves on warmups and the added power is noticeable, but it is an adjustment. A lot of my serves were going right of the lines. The mild eastern BH lets me attack the ball with more spin, while not losing much pace so I’m going to stick with that, but I’ll keep trying to throw in some conti serves and see if I can adjust. Not sure what you all prefer, not sure there is a right answer there.
String wise the lynx tour/flash combo is quite nice. Plush, muted but still crisp in that Pk way. It is very easy to feel the ball on the strings even with the magic beans doing their thing. The razor soft mains are a nasty string though. They grab the ball so well. Definitely not as comfortable but still quite good. The Banana is not strong sensitive at all so it’s pretty easy to try different setups and see how it goes.
Outside of Lynx Tour, I still prefer silver strings, I think. But not too stiff. I used gamma moto in the top b a few years ago and liked it, but that’s a stiff string.
Final thing I will say is this frame does not blink at 40#s. It’s a really good candidate for anyone wanting to go low in tension. Think I’ll be leading off with the PKs for the next few weeks because it just felt so easy and comfortable to play my game with these racquets. Also, they may not have the coolest pjs, but the paint is at least glossy.
Probably one of the best serving days I have had in years. Not really just the frame but a combo of improved technique all coming together plus the merciless aggression of the xl banana on contact.
I saw Coco DF 21x yesterday and they said her new serve grip has been changed from an eastern bh to a Conti. I tried some pure Conti serves on warmups and the added power is noticeable, but it is an adjustment. A lot of my serves were going right of the lines. The mild eastern BH lets me attack the ball with more spin, while not losing much pace so I’m going to stick with that, but I’ll keep trying to throw in some conti serves and see if I can adjust. Not sure what you all prefer, not sure there is a right answer there.
String wise the lynx tour/flash combo is quite nice. Plush, muted but still crisp in that Pk way. It is very easy to feel the ball on the strings even with the magic beans doing their thing. The razor soft mains are a nasty string though. They grab the ball so well. Definitely not as comfortable but still quite good. The Banana is not strong sensitive at all so it’s pretty easy to try different setups and see how it goes.
Outside of Lynx Tour, I still prefer silver strings, I think. But not too stiff. I used gamma moto in the top b a few years ago and liked it, but that’s a stiff string.
Final thing I will say is this frame does not blink at 40#s. It’s a really good candidate for anyone wanting to go low in tension. Think I’ll be leading off with the PKs for the next few weeks because it just felt so easy and comfortable to play my game with these racquets. Also, they may not have the coolest pjs, but the paint is at least glossy.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
The EZ98 is undoubtedly a polarizing frame. Mine is the 2022 with 2g at 3/9, and I just keep choosing it over the others in the bag. Hit yesterday for 2.5 hours and played a set, exclusively with it. Strung with Gosen G-Tour 3 at 50#. It's a pockety string, and a few hours in, it's doing its job. No fliers to speak of during the whole session. Quite the contrary, I was surprisingly in command. I like how fast it swings and the more traditional balance. The low swingweight is complemented by just enough stability from the thicker beam. Maybe the perfect old man's player's stick.
Sure, random shots will inevitably sail off the ends of the earth, but as captain of this ship, I'm almost convinced to go down with it at this point.
Did grab the v8 Blade 18x20 for the closing 5 minutes and was like, "Yeah, there's the dwell and plush response that I've always demanded." But it's the EZ98 that's in my thoughts.
In other news, I have the option to buy back all four of my old 2014 PCTs. Boomerangs. It's why I like selling to friends. They might be the best frames I've ever sold, but can I still swing 345g? Only one way to find out.
Sure, random shots will inevitably sail off the ends of the earth, but as captain of this ship, I'm almost convinced to go down with it at this point.
Did grab the v8 Blade 18x20 for the closing 5 minutes and was like, "Yeah, there's the dwell and plush response that I've always demanded." But it's the EZ98 that's in my thoughts.
In other news, I have the option to buy back all four of my old 2014 PCTs. Boomerangs. It's why I like selling to friends. They might be the best frames I've ever sold, but can I still swing 345g? Only one way to find out.
TwinCinema
Professional
Lifting weight with arm straight out, not bending your elbow. It works out your shoulder and triceps and even your core, while curling weights with a bent arm works out your biceps. It’s good to do with a kettle bell. I use them for my shoulder PT to help with my torn rotator cuff.
flyhome
Semi-Pro
In the meantime Coric won 2 Challenger in a row swinging a TGT301.4 and both times vs players swinging PA98, how should we call It "alignment of the planets"? My test continues
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
essentially a front raise with a supinated elbow then?
TwinCinema
Professional
Depends on which muscle group you want to target. With kettle bells you can do supinated or pronated, but with normal weights you can do whatever the position is called where your thumb is facing up. In PT I did all three, but pronated was the hardest.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
thumb up is supinated I believe. For pronated exercises it may be advisable to use a grip support, depending on the weight and grip strength. You want to approach muscular failure at the shoulder after all and not for your grip haha.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
2025, the year of Wexit.
Dude I have been wielding that sick puppy ez98 for 3 years man. It’s like 3 lifetimes for a holic. And not for lack of trying other sticks. There have been at least 10 contenders maybe even few came really close. Whiteout 18x20, pa98, percept 100D, and now just tried technifibre 305s for 15 minutes. There is definitely something special there (305s) .. not to muddy waters for you but I honestly loved it. At least liked enough to dedicate some time to it. I obviously love lower launch angle sticks and stuff that has control in its DNA. Ez98 is deceptive man. There are lots of gears in that racket. Again I am like broken record but it’s not a racket that easy to use at all. It really needs you to loose swing at the ball and not bunt or push . That’s when people feel like it flies at times. The more you hesitate the less the stick performs for me… also at this point I think my bias is due to knowing the racket so well and familiarity to it that I find it really hard to switch to others etc. could be that…. You do need to take TW up a little bit for it to shine though. My Briffidi TW is 13.70 for this… SW is 320 for all 4 of them
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
The frame is as utilitarian as they come. Sort of like a stripped down truck with limited features, vinyl floors, and manual transmission--and this 'stick' isn't that easy to drive--you're right. With an over grip and 2g at 3/9, I'm at around 331.5g and 6hl. I may push it to 335g, so another gram at 3/9 and a few under the grip or butt cap to counter. I don't know what the swing weight is, but it's in an ideal spot for this old shoulder. And speaking of transmissions, gears, and shoulders, serving with this racquet is a trick. Because of past shoulder issues, I'm hesitant to go all-out on serve, but as the set progressed on Saturday, I found myself doing just that. And it clearly has gears on that shot I haven't found/touched. And no body strain; that's the beauty of it all. And trajectory is everything for me as well; it's so direct and honest, probably what I appreciate most. My thoughts have turned to finding the perfect string setup, although the Gosen poly I'm hitting is very nice. This is almost akin to finding the perfect ring, but I'll take it slow.Dude I have been wielding that sick puppy ez98 for 3 years man. It’s like 3 lifetimes for a holic. And not for lack of trying other sticks. There have been at least 10 contenders maybe even few came really close. Whiteout 18x20, pa98, percept 100D, and now just tried technifibre 305s for 15 minutes. There is definitely something special there (305s) .. not to muddy waters for you but I honestly loved it. At least liked enough to dedicate some time to it. I obviously love lower launch angle sticks and stuff that has control in its DNA. Ez98 is deceptive man. There are lots of gears in that racket. Again I am like broken record but it’s not a racket that easy to use at all. It really needs you to loose swing at the ball and not bunt or push . That’s when people feel like it flies at times. The more you hesitate the less the stick performs for me… also at this point I think my bias is due to knowing the racket so well and familiarity to it that I find it really hard to switch to others etc. could be that…. You do need to take TW up a little bit for it to shine though. My Briffidi TW is 13.70 for this… SW is 320 for all 4 of them
Power Player
Bionic Poster
What’s up man. Never anything perfect when it comes to frames. But if you can get 90% there, you will be in good shape. I keep going back to my PK and old style babolats because they seem to get there for me in match situations.
Gosen poly is incredibly slept on. I hesitate to use my last set up of polybreak white because I’m not sure they even make it anymore. And it’s such a good one too. Maybe this new G Tour string? It sounds like it may be an evolved version of polybreak, which reminded me a lot of a better feeling RPM Blast.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
The VCore 98 (Tour) is an amazingly addictive racquet for me, too. I just always wanna hit it. Super nice pocketing feel for me. Exactly the right portion of crisp and softness for me.
For me it is not really a power racquet by any means, much more in the control category. When I am not overly pushed, I have the feeling I cannot miss with it. Kick serves work well, but flat serves are also surprisingly nice.
When just hitting, the EZ Tour is nice and I feel confident with it, but in point and match play it is too "clicky" for my taste. I need a moment longer for the ball to stay on my strings that I feel like I get with the Shaman.
I don't feel like I get the same penetration that I get with the FC, but the maneauverability makes up for it.
One more thing: It is by far my favourite racquet for net play ever. I just love it at the net!
Cannot put this thing down! I always wanna go out and hit this thing.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Carlitsipas continues to pancake balls in the desert. Iga and Sascha on deck begging for some reps. All with MSV cofocus at 55 for a proper comparison. Shoulder, elbow, and wrist still intact for now.
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SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
I have 7 305S incoming in the coming week or so. Wonder how tfight QC is since TF40 has been hit or miss
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Hey man. Last time I was in the thread, you were loving the Evos and C-10 Pro, but I caught a bit of your injury report at one point as well. Glad you're back hitting.
No doubt there's always a compromise on the frame front. The Evos and Blades (v8 for me) push to around 85%, but the Yonex might be close to 90. It's easy to pinpoint the weakness of each, but I guess it comes down to what you can most easily overlook. For me currently, that's a slight lack of dwell from the EZ98, but the G-Tour 3 is making up for it. But I'll be hanging on to the Evos and Blades because preferences change quickly, and Tuesdays come every week.
Gosen makes some great strings. G-Tour 3 is probably around the stiffness of Element but a little crisper with a noticeable pocket. It's also silicone infused, which sounds like marketing crap, but it's there. You can feel it stringing it and see the lack of friction just moving the string around. The lettering, font/size and all, is almost identical to that on PTP. But it has a different feel and hold tension better than PTP. Edit: forgot to mention, I've hit the GT3 in black and yellow. The Black 1.28 in a LeGads, and now the yellow 1.23 in the EZ. I like both, but the black is what you want if you like RPM. I'm pretty sure the comparison has been made by a few.
A guy gave me a partial reel of Gosen Polylon 17 when I started stringing back around 2012. Definitely a first gen poly. Crystal clear. It always looked and felt weird to me, so I never tried it, but it gets great reviews. If you want it, I'll send it to you.
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gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Polylon lol. Never again.
What's the string of choice?
When I tested the Vcore 98 during doubles last week I also thought the volleying was great.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Should I recycle it?? Lol, I honestly have no idea, but in hand it does feel more like fencing material.
Seth
Legend
Haha! My buddy used Polylon “Ice” in college because it was dirt cheap. Worst feeling string I’ve ever used. Idk how he put up with it. I would try to trade it or just toss it into the bin.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah believe it or not, I hurt my arm using the Volkls of all things. But I believe it was due swinging too hard. I can't use player's control frames anymore, at least for quite a while. And really there is no need for me to, since I play with a more vertical swing and benefit from some free power.
G Tour 3 sounds just like Polybreak. The stiffness, silicone, being crisp with a pocket. This is good news. One of my all time favorite polys that I thought was discontinued. I used it in white at 1.23 gauge.
Appreciate the offer but Polyon is super old school and stiff. It's a great string to learn to string poly with, but I would not suggest using it if you like your arm. haha.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I have Pure Rush at 21.8 kilos and it is awesome.
When I was colleying with the EZT for the first time I was hitting too many into the net. I could adjust and it was good after that. But the Shaman is much better for my style. Also much better feel for me for touch shots.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
I'll definitely toss it in the bin to discourage injury to myself and others. It definitely doesn't look and feel comfortable, haha. Thanks.
First C-10 Pro I owned was given to me. '08 version. Ironically, it was a friend's, who switched from his beloved PK 5G. He loved the Volkl, but it wrecked his elbow... even with NRG2 in it. Went back to his PK and everything cleared. It happens, even with butter sticks.
And my apologies on the polylon. The last thing you need is an arm-wrecking string. I was 'gifted' it as a novice stringer, and maybe it was just for practice stringing; don't recall. That would make more sense, but it's been awhile, and it never looked/felt like anything I'd personally risk, which is why some of the reviews are surprising. Seems there are those who like it, lol.
Give the G-Tour 3 a whirl. My string choices are motivated by comfort, so you should be good.
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What's difference between black yellow? Slickness,softness,power? Can you compare to wilson revolve or other strings
They didnt dig that one in the mid, maybe I didn't do the 0.1 kg adjustments correctly.
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
Both of us were having an off day so don’t pay attention to the bad rallies lol but I’ve made significant adjustments unintentionally the past two months of coaching
My take back is much shorter and less loopy. My ready position has my racket much more parallel with the ground and my timing is much better. These changes have made me so much more capable of using a 338+ SW frame and actually take advantage of all that stability and plow through
My take back is much shorter and less loopy. My ready position has my racket much more parallel with the ground and my timing is much better. These changes have made me so much more capable of using a 338+ SW frame and actually take advantage of all that stability and plow through
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
As you'd expect, the black felt stiffer and slightly crisper, but this string isn't TB or Alu crisp. Both are very slick and pocket the ball well. It's a softer string, in the category of Element, Cream, and HGS, but I personally feel more connected to the GT3 than any of those.
I've never hit revolve, and I'm surely not the most qualified to do string comparisons. I've hit HG and HGS for a few years, sometimes crossed with Cream, but mostly full bed. I actually prefer round strings like Element, Hawk, and Hawk Touch, which I'll use as crosses with gut. GT3 isn't as muted as HG/HGS but is less crisp than the Hawk family.
It almost feels/plays like the fusion of a hardy poly and synthetic gut that's really slick with exceptional pocketing. Not for everyone, but I like it. It's the one poly I've hit that makes the idea of a hybrid seem redundant. Thought I'd get that with Cream/Element, but they don't touch the Gosen, imo.
Humbi_HTX
Professional
that is some nice hitting, your footwork transfers the weight forward on every shot and while your partner has a nice FH, he almost always hits without doing so (like me, something I would like to correct)
gino
Legend
welcome back RP. closed stance one hander looking pretty as ever. nice to see someone else out there still rocking the vapor pro 1 as well
if i recall correct, you were giving the EF a lot of run before you took a hiatus. is that still in the mix? happy hitting mate
hah! even Howard Head's truest european disciples stray from the sun in this "modern YY Bab world"
Ive been meaning to hit the Madi still. Looks great in the blue cosmetic at IW
Fintft
G.O.A.T.
What weight though?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Man, next time my buddy who is now playing D1 tennis in US is back I’m gonna have to record some hitting also (aka me being spanked off the court haha). Will have to get some equipment to record from a decent angle though (any ideas on what to get in that regard by the way?)
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
The good thing about coaching is weight transfer is the biggest focal point for a lot of students’ mistakes so it’s easier to correct it for yourself when you tell students all day to keep weight forward
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
offering up my 2024 Extreme Pro G3 here for the low before going to the bay
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
It happened, I’m a full Yonex convert
Now I have 3 of these beauties, should be enough for now.
Now I have 3 of these beauties, should be enough for now.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Nice hitting and Gironing!
The YY try lasted all of two sessions. Enough for me to know. The next/latest bet is if Stefanos wins the sunshine double I have to get an Aero 98.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
So as a recent convert, is it officially yo-nex or yaw-nex?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Yo-nexu clearly
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Am I insane to want to get a PK 7G again? I had one over 10 years ago and loved it. But I don't remember the specifics of why. It was also the first XL I ever owned, so it was tough to stick with it due to that reason. I just remember liking the feel a lot, and it was pretty easy to swing, and probably a bit lighter than its listed weight.
PK is basically the only OEM racquet builder out there that I can think of. I love the fact that they sold molds and tech to Babolat and others, but when it came to the Magic beans, they said "hell no, this is our tech", and have built their entire line around it. The best part is that all these other major frame makers simply cannot figure out a way to make a stiff frame arm friendly while also having great feel and PK is just sitting in the corner having a latte and chuckling.
PK is basically the only OEM racquet builder out there that I can think of. I love the fact that they sold molds and tech to Babolat and others, but when it came to the Magic beans, they said "hell no, this is our tech", and have built their entire line around it. The best part is that all these other major frame makers simply cannot figure out a way to make a stiff frame arm friendly while also having great feel and PK is just sitting in the corner having a latte and chuckling.
tim-ay
Legend
Its probably just me, but I still like the 7G a little more than the TB. Its a little crisper and more raw. You may also… but TB is your jam I think. Given the 7G price, though, youve got nothing to lose really!
Get a 7G, pay a customizer to paint it, and it's still probably cheaper than a new 2025 retail frame!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Crisper and more raw is right up my alley. Do they swing pretty similar?
TwinCinema
Professional
Officially it's Yo, but enough people say Yaw that it's certainly acceptable when speaking to Americans. But yeah, the O is a long-o in Japanese (and the founder is named Yoneyama).
tim-ay
Legend
Yea they are very similar except for spec variances. 7G takes lead well if you get a light one. TB does too really.
I went back and forth a ton as to which I liked better for maybe a year. But I really ended up liking that more raw feeling of the G thang. Crazy, your comment had me looking at buying one again. Still only 127 bucks at TW. Just amazing. My two are 6Gs at 27.25 and are amazing. Why am i not hitting these more??? Ill have to dig them out and maybe get another 7G.
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