Diary of a Racketaholic

[Power Player]

Some of the Pro Labs stuff is back in stock as well. Ordered a 16/19 BP as I want to give it 1 more try before I order a custom Blade.

For those of you who are loving your BP 16m, what tension and string setup did you settle on? On the Wilson site they recommend 40# if you try to purchase it strung.

Not to gatekeep but you will really need to be dialed in to use the bp. Maybe store that one away for down the road because it demands clean technique. Probably took me 8 years of serious tennis after i came back to get there. And i grew up playing.

high 40s is fine with poly.

 

[ryushen21]

I may have encountered the toughest task of my tennis career today.

Imagine a holic making a list of racquet recommendations for new/developing players...

 

[Vicious49]

Not to gatekeep but you will really need to be dialed in to use the bp. Maybe store that one away for down the road because it demands clean technique. Probably took me 8 years of serious tennis after i came back to get there. And i grew up playing.

high 40s is fine with poly.

I already had the same thought. If it still seems unwieldy to me I'll probably store it away and try it again a few years down the road. I now realize it's too special a frame not t hang on to.

@mad dog1 They probably won't have RS Lyon at TE. What else would you suggest to use in that cross?

 

[Power Player]

I already had the same thought. If it still seems unwieldy to me I'll probably store it away and try it again a few years down the road. I now realize it's too special a frame not t hang on to.

@mad dog1 They probably won't have RS Lyon at TE. What else would you suggest to use in that cross?

yeah. Id keep that one for sure

look for a round poly thats somewhat soft as your cross.

 

[mad dog1]

I already had the same thought. If it still seems unwieldy to me I'll probably store it away and try it again a few years down the road. I now realize it's too special a frame not t hang on to.

@mad dog1 They probably won't have RS Lyon at TE. What else would you suggest to use in that cross?

Doesn’t have to be rs lyon. Just go with a full bed of hyper g. I was mainly sharing the tension I used.

 

[Pneumated1]

I may have encountered the toughest task of my tennis career today.

Imagine a holic making a list of racquet recommendations for new/developing players...

Who better than a holic? That's one of the later steps, like 10 or something. You're almost clean.

 

[ryushen21]

Who better than a holic? That's one of the later steps, like 10 or something. You're almost clean.

I've got like 30 frames on the list right now. And it's going to a bunch of high school players and their parents. I think it's gotta be reigned in a little.

 

[Pneumated1]

I've got like 30 frames on the list right now. And it's going to a bunch of high school players and their parents. I think it's gotta be reigned in a little.

Only 30?

 

[ryushen21]

Only 30?

I was trying to be conservative.

 

[Pneumated1]

I was trying to be conservative.

Let's be honest, with the insane amount of racquet info swirling in our heads, if you have 10 players, I'm sure you can recommend three for each without blinking ... and without overlap

 

[Vicious49]

Doesn’t have to be rs lyon. Just go with a full bed of hyper g. I was mainly sharing the tension I used.

I had a full set of Hype G last time at 48 or 50#. I may drop the tension to 46# this time and try out Hyper G soft.

 

[n8dawg6]

whaaaaa in the he-heck is going on here?? i already have 2 leftover CV blades, i cant justify this thing. speechless, saddened, ... surprised?? at least i dont have to risk my marriage over another racquet box

then again ... what if this is the GOAT (retail) blade

 

[mad dog1]

then again ... what if this is the GOAT (retail) blade

Must...find...out...

and there’s only one way to do it!

 

[n8dawg6]

Must...find...out...

and there’s only one way to do it!

its even DISGUISED like a racquet i already have, so i can get it past the significant other!

 

[skeeter]

It is the golden era of holicing my friend. There's more to get your hands on than a free love party in the 60s. Enjoy it!

Post of the day, hands down....or on.

 

[JGads]

its even DISGUISED like a racquet i already have, so i can get it past the significant other!

Incognito holicing is exhilarating.

 

[JGads]

Some of the Pro Labs stuff is back in stock as well. Ordered a 16/19 BP as I want to give it 1 more try before I order a custom Blade.

For those of you who are loving your BP 16m, what tension and string setup did you settle on? On the Wilson site they recommend 40# if you try to purchase it strung.

They really recommend 40? I’m at 48 now because of cold temps and heavy indoor clay but could play it up to 52.FYI when you string through Wilson it takes them a long time to ship, according to others.

 

[Vicious49]

They really recommend 40? I’m at 48 now because of cold temps and heavy indoor clay but could play it up to 52.FYI when you string through Wilson it takes them a long time to ship, according to others.

Their string choices were limited plus I wanted to see some of the specs first so I could return if I had to. I clicked on 'strung' just to see the options and I was surprised too that 40# was what it recommended.

 

[Nollid]

Tomorrow’s play test is all Yonex. In addition to testing out the outgoing Vcore 95 and 97HD I found a DR98 at the store today. I hit the DR years ago but it was before the tennis bug bit me. So, old impressions don’t count much since I a completely different player than back then. The Vcore 95 has a fresh bed of HyperG 17 at 50lbs. I’m slowly dropping tension to figure out how low I can go and still control the ball. The 97HD strung with HyperG at 50lbs continues to impress. Super fun time playing three sets of doubles with the 97HD last night. It did everything well and has amazing feel.

 

[Power Player]

I could honestly see the BP at 45#s or so and then dropping to 40. It will encourage a relaxed stroke, provide more spin and the serves should be mammoth.

 

[JGads]

I could honestly see the BP at 45#s or so and then dropping to 40. It will encourage a relaxed stroke, provide more spin and the serves should be mammoth.

Yeah maybe. I’m due for the next job soon and honestly am open to anything. (When not in league mode I’m YOLO). Maybe I’ll go low. Maybe I’ll finally try confidential. Maybe she’s born with it.

 

[Power Player]

Yeah maybe. I’m due for the next job soon and honestly am open to anything. (When not in league mode I’m YOLO). Maybe I’ll go low. Maybe I’ll finally try confidential. Maybe she’s born with it.

hyper g soft sings in this frame. Liking it a lot so far if you haven’t tried it.

 

[JGads]

hyper g soft sings in this frame. Liking it a lot so far if you haven’t tried it.

oh, that’s another option. I have yet to.

 

[Vicious49]

Tomorrow’s play test is all Yonex. In addition to testing out the outgoing Vcore 95 and 97HD I found a DR98 at the store today. I hit the DR years ago but it was before the tennis bug bit me. So, old impressions don’t count much since I a completely different player than back then. The Vcore 95 has a fresh bed of HyperG 17 at 50lbs. I’m slowly dropping tension to figure out how low I can go and still control the ball. The 97HD strung with HyperG at 50lbs continues to impress. Super fun time playing three sets of doubles with the 97HD last night. It did everything well and has amazing feel.

Ill be interested to see what you think of that Vcore 95. You may need to add some lead to it though. After adding lead I get really good pop on my seeve with it and get a decent amount of power overall. It just doesn’t have the feel I like though. With the UT and the v7 Blade to a bit lesser extent the instant the ball leaves the strings I’m like ‘yup, that’s good’ or ‘nope, missed it’. I dont have that connection wit the vcore95 and for tat reason (in Mark Cuban voice) ‘I’m out!’

 

[ryushen21]

hyper g soft sings in this frame. Liking it a lot so far if you haven’t tried it.

Seems like HG Soft has been getting a lot of positive feedback across a wide range of frames. I'm starting to think it might put it in the new EZ and the DR.

 

[Nollid]

I saw the new Dunlops in person today and that paint job, man oh man, is it pretty. The red is absolutely stunning. Hopefully, the 95 18x20 will get strung up next week.

 

[Power Player]

Seems like HG Soft has been getting a lot of positive feedback across a wide range of frames. I'm starting to think it might put it in the new EZ and the DR.

Yeah so far I really like it.

 

[topspn]

Yeah so far I really like it.

So other than a bit softer then regular HG, any other differences?

 

[topspn]

I saw the new Dunlops in person today and that paint job, man oh man, is it pretty. The red is absolutely stunning. Hopefully, the 95 18x20 will get strung up next week.

I hope I get my CX200 soon, haven’t seen shipping notice yet but its available already at TW.

 

[Yamin]

They really recommend 40? I’m at 48 now because of cold temps and heavy indoor clay but could play it up to 52.FYI when you string through Wilson it takes them a long time to ship, according to others.

Blade / blade pro demos come with Alu Power at 52 from Wilson "for best results". My pro came in today. Have an HGS 17 lying around I'm going to try at 52.

So other than a bit softer then regular HG, any other differences?

Little less spin and durability, a little crisper feeling, more linear tension loss and playing characteristics. Thinner gauge hyper g is better imo for wherever you can use 17+ gauges performance wise, otherwise hyper g soft is a pretty good alternative.

 

[Power Player]

So other than a bit softer then regular HG, any other differences?

ill let you know over 6-8 hours. Im curious if it changes characteristics and stiffens up like regular hyper g does for me.

 

[JGads]

Had a Blade-a-thon today. Wanted to hit the 2015 and the v7 primarily and back to back to get a better handle on a direct comparison. While the 2015 has closed the gap, the v7 remains in front for me. Still content to make the trade of 2015 pop in exchange for the v7's pocketing, flex, and feel. The 2015 absolutely crushes serves, though, but the v7 is not far behind. Most of this is pointless, however, since going to the Blade Pro to finish the session felt like moving up from Triple or even Double A to The Show.

Blade Pro is just an all-timer for me. Hyper G still playing great in there even though this should be time for the bag-out.

 

[Nollid]

Blade / blade pro demos come with Alu Power at 52 from Wilson "for best results". My pro came in today. Have an HGS 17 lying around I'm going to try at 52.



Little less spin and durability, a little crisper feeling, more linear tension loss and playing characteristics. Thinner gauge hyper g is better imo for wherever you can use 17+ gauges performance wise, otherwise hyper g soft is a pretty good alternative.

HyperG 17 at 50lbs feels sweet in the BP16.

 

[Pneumated1]

Had a Blade-a-thon today. Wanted to hit the 2015 and the v7 primarily and back to back to get a better handle on a direct comparison. While the 2015 has closed the gap, the v7 remains in front for me. Still content to make the trade of 2015 pop in exchange for the v7's pocketing, flex, and feel. The 2015 absolutely crushes serves, though, but the v7 is not far behind. Most of this is pointless, however, since going to the Blade Pro to finish the session felt like moving up from Triple or even Double A to The Show.

Blade Pro is just an all-timer for me. Hyper G still playing great in there even though this should be time for the bag-out.

I'll try to carry the 'Blade Semipro' (aka V7 18x20) subplot from here as best I can. Received mine (used, A condition) this week but was snowed out this morning so haven't hit it yet. It's slightly over specs strung at 328g and almost 3pts hl (not sure about swing weight but feels every bit of its listed 334). Realize these are kid's specs for you guys, but that swing weight is a bit more potatoes and gravy than I'm used to. Gonna throw an over grip on it and hit it stock. While I requested 'unstrung,' it must have already been strung because it came with some NXT DuraMax 15. Was gonna cut it out, but glad I checked; this is a $21 string so feel obliged to bust it in style.

Also picked up an under specs Gravity Tour from our friend 'gutfeeling.' Just modded it with 4g at 2/10 to get to listed swing weight but waiting on a 4 1/2 TK82S pallet for it so will double over grip it (or some form of a Gasquet) until then. Hoping to hit both tomorrow. Very excited to hit these two for an extended time. In other words, these demos made the first cut.

UP 16x19 is still clearly my #1 but they can be replaced by more forgiveness and power all other things being equal, within reason.

 

[Pneumated1]

But strings are what I really get excited about these days. Bought the following to test out:

Head Lynx Tour 1.25: thinking Gravity Tour and Blade Semipro at around 45 crossed with GW 1.22.
Hyper-G 1.20: UT (only hit a shaped string in the UT once), thinking same, 45, crossed with GW 1.17.

UP 16x19 is getting Cyclone Tour 1.30/GW 1.27 next, followed by gut/poly (Klip/Wilson/Volkl/Lux) and probably V-Pro or Revolve crosses.

 

[JGads]

I'll try to carry the 'Blade Semipro' (aka V7 18x20) subplot from here as best I can. Received mine (used, A condition) this week but was snowed out this morning so haven't hit it yet. It's slightly over specs strung at 328g and almost 3pts hl (not sure about swing weight but feels every bit of its listed 334). Realize these are kid's specs for you guys, but that swing weight is a bit more potatoes and gravy than I'm used to. Gonna throw an over grip on it and hit it stock. While I requested 'unstrung,' it must have already been strung because it came with some NXT DuraMax 15. Was gonna cut it out, but glad I checked; this is a $21 string so feel obliged to bust it in style.

Also picked up an under specs Gravity Tour from our friend 'gutfeeling.' Just modded it with 4g at 2/10 to get to listed swing weight but waiting on a 4 1/2 TK82S pallet for it so will double over grip it (or some form of a Gasquet) until then. Hoping to hit both tomorrow. Very excited to hit these two for an extended time. In other words, these demos made the first cut.

UP 16x19 is still clearly my #1 but they can be replaced by more forgiveness and power all other things being equal, within reason.

Two very good sticks there. The v7 especially (imo). Who knows. You may be surprised at the kind of SW you can wield effectively. If balance is too HH just throw some tungsten putty at the cap to tip the balance more to the hand.

 

[ryushen21]

Had a Blade-a-thon today. Wanted to hit the 2015 and the v7 primarily and back to back to get a better handle on a direct comparison. While the 2015 has closed the gap, the v7 remains in front for me. Still content to make the trade of 2015 pop in exchange for the v7's pocketing, flex, and feel. The 2015 absolutely crushes serves, though, but the v7 is not far behind. Most of this is pointless, however, since going to the Blade Pro to finish the session felt like moving up from Triple or even Double A to The Show.

Blade Pro is just an all-timer for me. Hyper G still playing great in there even though this should be time for the bag-out.

Well, it sounds like I need to find a BP then. Even if it's not a competition frame, it sounds like one to have as a reference.

I had a personal revelation today and I'm curious to get y'all's take on it. I don't know that I buy into the open pattern = higher launch angle argument. I was forehand drilling today and had no issues creating beautifully low launch angles. I could also produce higher angles for loopier shots. It all depended on what kind of forehand I wanted to hit and adjusting accordingly. Just a thought.

The forehand is developing nicely BTW. I had way more confidence in the SW grip today and was able to execute more successful shots. I was taking bigger cuts and still seeing my shots drop in which was nice. I also found that with the added topspin, my shots were becoming more controlled. I was hitting my spots closer to the intended mark. I'm still dialing that combination of spin and pace and while the control will never be UT or Blade level, it's getting to the point of being in the same ballpark.

 

[Yamin]

Well, it sounds like I need to find a BP then. Even if it's not a competition frame, it sounds like one to have as a reference.

I had a personal revelation today and I'm curious to get y'all's take on it. I don't know that I buy into the open pattern = higher launch angle argument. I was forehand drilling today and had no issues creating beautifully low launch angles. I could also produce higher angles for loopier shots. It all depended on what kind of forehand I wanted to hit and adjusting accordingly. Just a thought.

With tech and different strokes / strings everything I don't feel like there's a hard rule to anything. I'm a novice on these forms but have found it's really hard to gauge someone else's experience vs your own, play styles levels etc. People can only speak in blanket statements. Strings matter a lot. I'm a shorter dude. Been rocking the 18x20 blade and the difference between tour sniper and hyper g launch angle is significant for me as an example. Usually playing with 16x19 I hit the tape a lot with a low launch angle string on the blade.

The newest speed pro is an 18x20 and I was surprised when I tested one out how high the launch angle was with tour bite.

No hard rules anywhere just guidelines.

 

[JGads]

Well, it sounds like I need to find a BP then. Even if it's not a competition frame, it sounds like one to have as a reference.

I had a personal revelation today and I'm curious to get y'all's take on it. I don't know that I buy into the open pattern = higher launch angle argument. I was forehand drilling today and had no issues creating beautifully low launch angles. I could also produce higher angles for loopier shots. It all depended on what kind of forehand I wanted to hit and adjusting accordingly. Just a thought.

The forehand is developing nicely BTW. I had way more confidence in the SW grip today and was able to execute more successful shots. I was taking bigger cuts and still seeing my shots drop in which was nice. I also found that with the added topspin, my shots were becoming more controlled. I was hitting my spots closer to the intended mark. I'm still dialing that combination of spin and pace and while the control will never be UT or Blade level, it's getting to the point of being in the same ballpark.

So long as you sign off on the decree that you do not get one with the anticipation of it being a competition frame. It’s honestly not that for most, I don’t think. The meaty swingweight is an acquired taste. But this falls into one of those “this is what a tennis racquet is supposed to feel like” categories we frame lovers love.

As for the trajectory question, look at ya: the 18x20 fiend now hitting darts of every variety with his open pattern and even arguing for pattern equality. He’s growns up and he’s growns up and he’s growns up.

 

[Power Player]

So long as you sign off on the decree that you do not get one with the anticipation of it being a competition frame. It’s honestly not that for most, I don’t think. The meaty swingweight is an acquired taste. But this falls into one of those “this is what a tennis racquet is supposed to feel like” categories we frame lovers love.

As for the trajectory question, look at ya: the 18x20 fiend now hitting darts of every variety with his open pattern and even arguing for pattern equality. He’s growns up and he’s growns up and he’s growns up.

Excellent Swingers quote and i agree that the BP is a lot of money new (with no discount) just to be a closet queen. Id suggest to anyone to pass until you find a good price on it, unless you want to make it your go to.

It really does feel like tennis for me though, yeah. And i can compete with it (so far the 5.5 coach beat me but we had a battle. He had issues with the depth and spin and i didnt feel the racquet to do anything but aid me.). I was invited to a 4.5+ league right after that match by the facility owner so i must have looked pretty good. I may do that but im weighing some other options closer to home too.

Regardless if i didnt have a coach iron out my game and really strengthen my strokes there is no way id wield this thing properly.

Good news is if at some point things dont work out i have the v7s and 2015s just sitting there waiting, along with the UTs. So ill be good to go either way.

the thing i missed with those frames was the easy power i get from the ez100 and pure drive, but the BP brings that back plus amazing feel and control. So this is a quite fun right now, and over time I expect the frame to get even easier to swing.

 

[ryushen21]

So long as you sign off on the decree that you do not get one with the anticipation of it being a competition frame. It’s honestly not that for most, I don’t think. The meaty swingweight is an acquired taste. But this falls into one of those “this is what a tennis racquet is supposed to feel like” categories we frame lovers love.

As for the trajectory question, look at ya: the 18x20 fiend now hitting darts of every variety with his open pattern and even arguing for pattern equality. He’s growns up and he’s growns up and he’s growns up.

I still love the heavy swinging classics and the BP sounds legendary.

I believe more now that the EZ100 is just that something special.

Excellent Swingers quote and i agree that the BP is a lot of money new (with no discount) just to be a closet queen. Id suggest to anyone to pass until you find a good price on it, unless you want to make it your go to.

It really does feel like tennis for me though, yeah. And i can compete with it (so far the 5.5 coach beat me but we had a battle. He had issues with the depth and spin and i didnt feel the racquet to do anything but aid me.). I was invited to a 4.5+ league right after that match by the facility owner so i must have looked pretty good. I may do that but im weighing some other options closer to home too.

Regardless if i didnt have a coach iron out my game and really strengthen my strokes there is no way id wield this thing properly.

Good news is if at some point things dont work out i have the v7s and 2015s just sitting there waiting, along with the UTs. So ill be good to go either way.

the thing i missed with those frames was the easy power i get from the ez100 and pure drive, but the BP brings that back plus amazing feel and control. So this is a quite fun right now, and over time I expect the frame to get even easier to swing.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for one on the FS forum. It's not a priority at all but one that I'll grab if I can.

 

[Vicious49]

Picked up my stringing machine today. Now to watch sone videos to try and figure this thing out and start buying some different strings to test out.

 

[n8dawg6]

have yall used the vcores yet? this vcore 100 is a pretty good racquet. i had the vc97, then i had the next gen vc98 when they changed the mold. the vc97 was so close to the vcore “pro” that i didnt see the point. the vc98 was more of a tweener, but it had this distinguished kinda snap-flex to it. i hated the thing. this racquet has the same sort of snap-flex to it but its more crisp. they got the SW just right for this type of racquet. im intrigued

 

[ryushen21]

have yall used the vcores yet? this vcore 100 is a pretty good racquet. i had the vc97, then i had the next gen vc98 when they changed the mold. the vc97 was so close to the vcore “pro” that i didnt see the point. the vc98 was more of a tweener, but it had this distinguished kinda snap-flex to it. i hated the thing. this racquet has the same sort of snap-flex to it but its more crisp. they got the SW just right for this type of racquet. im intrigued

I'm not gonna demo it now. Sticking with the EZ.

 

[Vicious49]

have yall used the vcores yet? this vcore 100 is a pretty good racquet. i had the vc97, then i had the next gen vc98 when they changed the mold. the vc97 was so close to the vcore “pro” that i didnt see the point. the vc98 was more of a tweener, but it had this distinguished kinda snap-flex to it. i hated the thing. this racquet has the same sort of snap-flex to it but its more crisp. they got the SW just right for this type of racquet. im intrigued

Are you asking about the new ones or in general? Ive been playing with the outgoing Vcore 95. It’s not a bad racquet but not really my style.

 

[tennisBIEST]

Picked up my stringing machine today. Now to watch sone videos to try and figure this thing out and start buying some different strings to test out.

Give yourself a good 1-2hours to complete your first racquet. It will really suck at first but be patient and use the forum to read up on any technical questions/details you may have. Some really great older videos on YT.

 

[tim-ay]

Give yourself a good 1-2hours to complete your first racquet. It will really suck at first but be patient and use the forum to read up on any technical questions/details you may have. Some really great older videos on YT.

Great advice. And buy a starting clamp, even if you use it most of the time for tie offs you’ll love it. And it can save you to cheat at the end of you are a little short.

learn your knots too - that saves tons of time. Once that is on cruise control, it’s all about the weave for time savings.

 

[esgee48]

@Vicious49 - Ask @mad dog1 if you have stringing questions.

 

[WilsnGrpheneStrkeTour]

Dear diary:

Just as it seems that I'm about to give up on the Yonex 97HD, I go out and hit some really good tennis with it that makes me question the decision. My game has been very up/down these past few weeks, with a lot of those days that make you question your skill, so I've held off on making any rash moves. I've been overhitting groundstrokes and my serves have been pathetic, so yesterday I made it a point to reign in and play more reserved, which helped big time. Early prep (head drop on ball bounce) was an effective anchor to keep me on tempo. That, and I removed the Yonex damper to impart a more HL balance, which is probably why the racquet came alive

 

[Vicious49]

Give yourself a good 1-2hours to complete your first racquet. It will really suck at first but be patient and use the forum to read up on any technical questions/details you may have. Some really great older videos on YT.

Great advice. And buy a starting clamp, even if you use it most of the time for tie offs you’ll love it. And it can save you to cheat at the end of you are a little short.

learn your knots too - that saves tons of time. Once that is on cruise control, it’s all about the weave for time savings.

I appreciate the advice. Tennis Spin and My Tennis HQ (Karues channel) both have some very good step by step videos. The only difference is that they both use an electronic tensioner and mine is a crank so I’ll have to find another video to learn to use that part of it.