Diary of a Racketaholic

[JGads]

I was hitting the light with a leather grip/OG and alpha string. It may be a string issue and my feeling is i need a crisp string like a Lynx tour. The Pro version played better for me with hex tour

Yep. That’s why I’m planning on trying an Element/Lynx Tour hybrid, or perhaps the other way around. But leaning the former. And again want to try a full bed of tour sniper (when I can get some) but higher tension than before when I experimented with the crosses being lower tension.

 

[topspn]

Yep. That’s why I’m planning on trying an Element/Lynx Tour hybrid, or perhaps the other way around. But leaning the former. And again want to try a full bed of tour sniper (when I can get some) but higher tension than before when I experimented with the crosses being lower tension.

I had alpha @50lbs. Vague and launchy. I hit it for 15mins and didn't want to hit it anymore.

 

[JGads]

I had alpha @50lbs. Vague and launchy. I hit it for 15mins and didn't want to hit it anymore.

No experience with Alpha so can’t speak to that but if the bananas (including Lite) have a 330 sw, wondering if the tension is optimal at 52 or above to work with that bigger pop. Certainly think so with the XL.

 

[topspn]

I was just ordering some sets of tour sniper and my order rejected saying not enough stock and showed i can only order 3. So i ordered 3 then a minute later i get a call and its a grapplesnake rep saying he was just adding inventory as i was ordering lol. And there is more now if i wanted more sets. Interesting coincidence

 

[Vicious49]

TRY 2g at 12 and 1g at 3 and 9. i experimented stock and with this total of 4g of lead it gives the es all the drive and power needed.

I tried your setup in 1 of my frames that began as 324 g with OG and 6-6.25 pts HL. This made it 5-5,5 pts HL (which is where my other frame already is and 328g. This definitely gave my serves more pop and it felt like it was a heavier ball coming off my FH. I liked it better this way but my only concern would be if the extra weight is taking it away from a 'tweener' frame to a more demanding frame to swing as I could feel the extra SW. I'll have to play with it some more before making a decision.

 

[Power Player]

Low short balls, no, not an issue. I find these frames across all patterns have so much usable stringbed which helps on those digs, carving them and flicking them over even when you’re lunging and the ball is up near the frame. As for spin serves, if you remember my first night with it, when asked to play a practice set and we went right into it without even warming up the shoulders (because we're smart like that), my first serve was a fault and that second serve I went for what I thought was a safe slice and the thing spun right off the court for a second serve ace wide. A truly “well how do you do” moment. Serves are a notch above the Doppio for me in pace and easy net clearance - one of the biggest joys of XLing. But I’ve never found the Doppio to be lacking, really, just that things become a little more easy with the Top Banana.

Hopefully you don’t get one with too high a SW but considering all of the samples offered me were 295-297 and TWE recent checked a wider sample and ended up with a 330sw shows that things should be pretty much in line.

For me right now the Doppio is the whipper snapper, easiest to use. The 7G the biggest bruiser with sort of the highest “ceiling” in terms of the hurt it can put on the ball. And the Top Banana is somewhere in between. Which is a very, very fine place for me. Just need to figure out the strings.

That's awesome. It looks like Express means something as I will have one by this tuesday.

I served rather well today with the Doppio and also hit my groundstrokes with a lot of pace and spin. I was quite happy with my play, especially on 3 straight 2 hours days in the heat. The Doppio continues to give me that little something extra that makes me think it will remain the winner over the eurostaff. The staff is too fun to not use now and then though, so I am going to keep carrying 1 in the bag.

Definitely would love to have an even easier time serving because that could take things to the next level. I do think the Doppio being easiest to use compared to a little higher SW in the XL will be the big point of interest to me. How much whip is too much? Do I overhit sometimes because I am swinging a bit faster than I even need? In the past I tend to play very consistently when the SW is a little higher. Is that the case or is it just in my mind? Those questions will be answered over time I suspect.

This potentially could be the XL that I can use without stressing my shoulder due to the lower balance or having tuning fork level stiffness, so that is very , very intriguing.

 

[Power Player]

I was hitting the light with a leather grip/OG and alpha string. It may be a string issue and my feeling is i need a crisp string like a Lynx tour. The Pro version played better for me with hex tour

I didn't gel with the Alpha myself. Although, it's very tough to try a new frame and a new string at the same time, imo. May want to go with an old faithful just to dial the frame in. It has made my life easier to basically put tour sniper mains in about every frame I have demoed over the past year.

 

[tim-ay]

I like Alpha in the Doppio, but I’m not surprised it’s not gelling with the BL. I’m liking TS full bed in the BL. TS mains and Cream X’s in the Doppio. And I’m almost 100% sure I like the Doppio better now, just need more time with the BL before calling it. It’s close and it is very similar to the Dopes, but the Doppio is just a bit more raw and I like that. Very connected to the ball.

 

[Power Player]

I like Alpha in the Doppio, but I’m not surprised it’s not gelling with the BL. I’m liking TS full bed in the BL. TS mains and Cream X’s in the Doppio. And I’m almost 100% sure I like the Doppio better now, just need more time with the BL before calling it. It’s close and it is very similar to the Dopes, but the Doppio is just a bit more raw and I like that. Very connected to the ball.

It looks like we are narrowing the focus down and the winners are Doppio for old stock and potentially the Top Banana XL for the new stock.

A legit Doppio side piece appears to be the Eurostaff.

That covers us for 16x20, 16x20 XL and 16x19. All thin beam 100s with great feel and nice whip.

The Banana has awesome feel to it, but the 10 gram leap and higher SW is noticeable. It took me a little while to accept that it was not a fit for me, because it really has a special. plush feel to it. If the XL has a bit of that going on, I will be a happy man.

 

[topspn]

I didn't gel with the Alpha myself. Although, it's very tough to try a new frame and a new string at the same time, imo. May want to go with an old faithful just to dial the frame in. It has made my life easier to basically put tour sniper mains in about every frame I have demoed over the past year.

Yeah lucid point of course. I had alpha in the euro so wanted to compare with same string but you’re still right

 

[n8dawg6]

man, the pure aero is a good one. it somehow manages to be easy enough for a 3.5 but can deal with 4.5 pace. if only it didnt hammer the joints so badly …

 

[Power Player]

man, the pure aero is a good one. it somehow manages to be easy enough for a 3.5 but can deal with 4.5 pace. if only it didnt hammer the joints so badly …

*cough* ProKennex *cough*

 

[Vicious49]

Yeah lucid point of course. I had alpha in the euro so wanted to compare with same string but you’re still right

I did BK crossed with GW in my latest Eurostaff. Seemed to work well. The ball dipped down on one of my groundies that my opponent just stood there watching as he thought it was going to fly way out. He siad it was like a knuckle ball the way it curved down so sharply.

 

[skeeter]

It looks like we are narrowing the focus down and the winners are Doppio for old stock and potentially the Top Banana XL for the new stock.

A legit Doppio side piece appears to be the Eurostaff.

That covers us for 16x20, 16x20 XL and 16x19. All thin beam 100s with great feel and nice whip.

The Banana has awesome feel to it, but the 10 gram leap and higher SW is noticeable. It took me a little while to accept that it was not a fit for me, because it really has a special plush feel to it. If the XL has a bit of that going on, I will be a happy man.

Have folks essentially given up on the 2020 Banana Lite? I know you're talking here about the caffeine-laden Banana, but the Lite has an even lower RA (so could be even more plush), a 330 SW, and though a little light in the static weight department, a little lead or even a leather grip could fix that and up the HL a few more points to boot; and I've never had any real issues with lighter static weight racquets as long as there was some SW beef on the bone, which this appears to have. I know Gads had a lousy string job with his demo so wasn't able to give it a fair shake, but I believe someone else on this board was singing the Lite's praises a little while ago; however, haven't heard much else since. Loving my Doppios, but awful tempted to give one of these a "long-term demo" to see if there's some hidden plushness to be found in a Doppio-esque frame. For science, of course.

 

[JGads]

I do think the Doppio being easiest to use compared to a little higher SW in the XL will be the big point of interest to me. How much whip is too much? Do I overhit sometimes because I am swinging a bit faster than I even need? In the past I tend to play very consistently when the SW is a little higher. Is that the case or is it just in my mind? Those questions will be answered over time I suspect.

The above is precisely where my Summer of Curious George is headed. I would like to answer such questions, once and for all, because some days I think, “no no, it’s the Doppio, this is it. This is the stick.” And other days I’m like, “come on, these backhands. These serves. These slices. Just stop with the standards that can’t give you this return...”

Changes by the day, the level at which I’m feeling and playing, etc.

The problem is that these sticks are all so good in their little different ways. So no clear answers come to the fore, or at least quickly.
[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]

Have folks essentially given up on the 2020 Banana Lite? I know you're talking here about the caffeine-laden Banana, but the Lite has an even lower RA (so could be even more plush), a 330 SW, and though a little light in the static weight department, a little lead or even a leather grip could fix that and up the HL a few more points to boot; and I've never had any real issues with lighter static weight racquets as long as there was some SW beef on the bone, which this appears to have. I know Gads had a lousy string job with his demo so wasn't able to give it a fair shake, but I believe someone else on this board was singing the Lite's praises a little while ago; however, haven't heard much else since. Loving my Doppios, but awful tempted to give one of these a "long-term demo" to see if there's some hidden plushness to be found in a Doppio-esque frame. For science, of course.

We need more good men on this job. I would say go for it. I apologize for my epic failure in the demo and not stringing my own frames, making that demo pointless (it’s already been sent back)... I think I felt enough in there to know the goods are inside. When we were drilling forehand to forehand and I caught certain balls just right, I felt the plow and the “crazy energy”, that familiar kinetic vroom, even though the lousy strings. And I know with full tour sniper, so far the best feeling setup in the yellows, there is an absolute allure to the buttery feel. But as Tim says, absolutely an allure to the raw and connected-to-the-ball feel of the black Dopes as well.

 

[topspn]

I did BK crossed with GW in my latest Eurostaff. Seemed to work well. The ball dipped down on one of my groundies that my opponent just stood there watching as he thought it was going to fly way out. He siad it was like a knuckle ball the way it curved down so sharply.

Yeah my 2nd euro is full BK 1.28 and it feels pretty good. Ghost wire crosses would soften up more but I’m pretty good with BK comfort. I’d probably try in the doppio at some point

 

[tim-ay]

Have folks essentially given up on the 2020 Banana Lite? I know you're talking here about the caffeine-laden Banana, but the Lite has an even lower RA (so could be even more plush), a 330 SW, and though a little light in the static weight department, a little lead or even a leather grip could fix that and up the HL a few more points to boot; and I've never had any real issues with lighter static weight racquets as long as there was some SW beef on the bone, which this appears to have. I know Gads had a lousy string job with his demo so wasn't able to give it a fair shake, but I believe someone else on this board was singing the Lite's praises a little while ago; however, haven't heard much else since. Loving my Doppios, but awful tempted to give one of these a "long-term demo" to see if there's some hidden plushness to be found in a Doppio-esque frame. For science, of course.

The banana lite is fantastic. It needs weight on the handle, at least 10 grams… maybe 11, but then it is close to the Doppio. It has a smoother feel to it and is just ever so slightly less whippy. Which brings up two problems for me - 1. The Doppio is just a little quicker, not much, really almost unfair to say, but it just seems like it to me. 2. As Gads said, there is something to be said for the rawness of the Doppio’s vs. the BLs. I just prefer that.

And this morning I saw the 7G’s sitting there and said, ah, today i think I will hit you ….. I want to get back on the same train Gads is on where I question which I prefer every single hit. Haha. The Banana Lite vs. Doppio doesn’t do that to me, although I thoroughly enjoy the BL. The 7G vs. Doppio ride is like a seesaw depending on the day, opponent, surface, etc…..

 

[esgee48]

What's the matter with a harem of racquets if you play the same with them? After all, man does not live by bread alone. Gotta have some wine with it.

 

[antony]

What's the matter with a harem of racquets if you play the same with them? After all, man does not live by bread alone. Gotta have some wine with it.

i just need to restring my racquets that are not my main racquets

 

[tim-ay]

What's the matter with a harem of racquets if you play the same with them? After all, man does not live by bread alone. Gotta have some wine with it.

These are wise words. A harem of racquets…. Yes…. I have a real nice harem right now.

@topspn , you should try just a bit more weight on that BL handle and a full bed of TS. I think you will consider leaving it in the harem that way. Or maybe that tour hex, but i haven’t tried that.

 

[topspn]

So had a pretty nice morning hitting 6:30am for 2.5hrs. I love the smell of tennis balls in the morning (hmm what movie did that come from?) Started out with frap light and seemed quite a bit better than yesterday. No idea why, I made no changes and the other racquets were playing just fine. It is pretty light still even with leather grip. I really have to add some weight as i don't get enough feel for it swinging in the air. I still think a more crisp string is a much better fit for it so good call @tim-ay with TS. I rotated in the two euros as well and i am enjoying BK the most in that frame. Alpha is not bad at all, just BK acts so predictable for me. I like the frame more with leather grip/OG and 1gm @12. Brings out a bit more out of it and helps with some additional stability with very little sacrifice if any in maneuverability

 

[danbrenner]

So had a pretty nice morning hitting 6:30am for 2.5hrs. I love the smell of tennis balls in the morning (hmm what movie did that come from?) Started out with frap light and seemed quite a bit better than yesterday. No idea why, I made no changes and the other racquets were playing just fine. It is pretty light still even with leather grip. I really have to add some weight as i don't get enough feel for it swinging in the air. I still think a more crisp string is a much better fit for it so good call @tim-ay with TS. I rotated in the two euros as well and i am enjoying BK the most in that frame. Alpha is not bad at all, just BK acts so predictable for me. I like the frame more with leather grip/OG and 1gm @12. Brings out a bit more out of it and helps with some additional stability with very little sacrifice if any in maneuverability

The movie is. Tennis Apocalypse

 

[danbrenner]

So this week I’m gonna put my modded strike 100 up against the PA modded.
Amd really iron out the differences. I’m gonna play the same opponent all week. So I can really give fair comparisons

 

[tim-ay]

So had a pretty nice morning hitting 6:30am for 2.5hrs. I love the smell of tennis balls in the morning (hmm what movie did that come from?) Started out with frap light and seemed quite a bit better than yesterday. No idea why, I made no changes and the other racquets were playing just fine. It is pretty light still even with leather grip. I really have to add some weight as i don't get enough feel for it swinging in the air. I still think a more crisp string is a much better fit for it so good call @tim-ay with TS. I rotated in the two euros as well and i am enjoying BK the most in that frame. Alpha is not bad at all, just BK acts so predictable for me. I like the frame more with leather grip/OG and 1gm @12. Brings out a bit more out of it and helps with some additional stability with very little sacrifice if any in maneuverability

BL started rough for me also, but maybe it has something to do with the grommets settling or the beans shaking up. Sometimes, those first few string jobs are meh. I think one of my Doppio’s was like this…. Well, many other frames too

 

[Power Player]

The above is precisely where my Summer of Curious George is headed. I would like to answer such questions, once and for all, because some days I think, “no no, it’s the Doppio, this is it. This is the stick.” And other days I’m like, “come on, these backhands. These serves. These slices. Just stop with the standards that can’t give you this return...”

Changes by the day, the level at which I’m feeling and playing, etc.

The problem is that these sticks are all so good in their little different ways. So no clear answers come to the fore, or at least quickly.

Yep, for me it will come down to which I win more with. And really only sanctioned matches because it’s too hard to judge in practice sets. If mine comes tomorrow I will take it into match battle immediately, but I suspect it won’t get here until Tuesday.

A good XL provides real advantages, there is no doubt there. But if it doesn’t play ideally than it can really hinder. The specs on this one are really really intriguing. Rather similar to my old 2016 PA+, which had a fairly HL balance and was easy to swing. My biggest issues with that frame were the open pattern and the comfort - Two things solved by the PK. I’d say the best XL I have hit with since is probably the Yonex ez98+, but that frame is rather sluggish. The PA19+ was nice but the thing about XL combined with open patterns and a ton of power up here is that it’s tough to control.

At net I don’t mind XL because I choke up a lot on the grip. With standard length it can be to my detriment now and then as I will not have the reach to hit a clean volley.

If I love the Top Banana I will probably sell my unstrung/unused Eurostaff to someone here because I will only need 1 of those moving forward. But I definitley will keep a EuroStaff because there is something about it that beckons at times.

 

[JGads]

Yep, for me it will come down to which I win more with. And really only sanctioned matches because it’s too hard to judge in practice sets. If mine comes tomorrow I will take it into match battle immediately, but I suspect it won’t get here until Tuesday.

You live dangerously, my friend.

 

[ryushen21]

Y'all ok? It's been eerily quiet here today...

 

[topspn]

All work, no tennis today or new purchase

 

[esgee48]

It's the quiet before a storm scenario. Something will probably blow up by July 4th.

 

[taylor15]

Y'all ok? It's been eerily quiet here today...

Just really enjoying the GTPP too much to holic around. Have tried the VC98 galaxy black lately, and really enjoyed it but not enough to consider. Still lurk around the thread without much to contribute.

 

[Power Player]

I get the Top Banana tomorrow so it was Doppio tonight. And probably my best night with the frame. Everything was singing and it was an easy, dominating win. It was easily the most solid I have played in a long time.

On a gear note, I am starting to wonder if I was stringing too high before. Maybe this is a 50#s frame and not a 54.The TS/element broken in stringbed is so controllable and easy to hit with.

 

[Addxyz]

Just really enjoying the GTPP too much to holic around. Have tried the VC98 galaxy black lately, and really enjoyed it but not enough to consider. Still lurk around the thread without much to contribute.

I picked up a used GTPP from TW and it surprised me like the GPMP. Very nice feel, does everything well. I've only tried it with a starter string job, so I'm sure it'll play better with better strings.

 

[mad dog1]

Just really enjoying the GTPP too much to holic around. Have tried the VC98 galaxy black lately, and really enjoyed it but not enough to consider. Still lurk around the thread without much to contribute.

I picked up a used GTPP from TW and it surprised me like the GPMP. Very nice feel, does everything well. I've only tried it with a starter string job, so I'm sure it'll play better with better strings.

Great frame! Glad some of you are still enjoying it.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Waiting on the new Blade:

 

[puppybutts]

So had a pretty nice morning hitting 6:30am for 2.5hrs. I love the smell of tennis balls in the morning (hmm what movie did that come from?) Started out with frap light and seemed quite a bit better than yesterday

lol i thought this said "i love the smell of tennis balls in the morning (...) Started out with a fap light and seemed quite a bit better than yesterday

 

[Joxrox]

Sorry Doppio ?
Which Racket is this ?

 

[topspn]

Sorry Doppio ?
Which Racket is this ?

ProKennex Ki Q+ 5 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[JGads]

ProKennex Ki Q+ 5 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Nope!

Q+5 Pro ...

Haha. The difficulty and confusion here. If only PK knew...

 

[AA7]

Nope!

Q+5 Pro ...

Haha. The difficulty and confusion here. If only PK knew...

Yes epic confusion..i did the same mistake even though I know which one is which. There is also tour and pro confusion across q+5 and q lines which trapped me once as well..

 

[topspn]

Nope!

Q+5 Pro ...

Haha. The difficulty and confusion here. If only PK knew...

Ahh click faster than brain apparently

 

[drak]

I get the Top Banana tomorrow so it was Doppio tonight. And probably my best night with the frame. Everything was singing and it was an easy, dominating win. It was easily the most solid I have played in a long time.

On a gear note, I am starting to wonder if I was stringing too high before. Maybe this is a 50#s frame and not a 54.The TS/element broken in stringbed is so controllable and easy to hit with.

G7 I recently acquired I strung at 51/48 with a HGS/GW hybrid, plays very well with that IMO, only string I have tried so far and not too much power for me at all

 

[el sergento]

“Seven is deep, introspective, intuitive, private, reclusive, secret, separate, distant, and indifferent to the outer world of phenomena but not to the inner worlds of secrecy, intrigue, hidden mysteries. Seven is highly analytical, inquisitive, perfection-seeking, often critical.”

The following post is from page 57 of the JGnostic Racketoholic Scrolls (first RossKingdom):

……with the 7G I can still dial up the spin at will for that inside out forehand high into my opponents backhand corner, or the short cross court forehand with nutty side and top spin …BUT … I'm having a hard time with serves. I can't seem to dial in the power. With the 7G, I have a hard time spinning it in because I find it harder to get a good wrist snap.

This really sucks …. because my ground game has never been better than with the 7G

I still remember uncorking some DTL one-handers with the 7G that restored my faith in humanity and, but for a brief moment, showed me a glimpse of the Devine.

@Gads & the other Racketaholic PK oracles:

Does the Doppio deliver the same ground goods as the venerable 7G but with more/easier whip on serve? Or is the Doppio from a different lineage altogether?

I’m hoping to stave off the Luxury Imported Heroine-chic Eurostaffs with some cheaper PK love.

 

[tim-ay]

“Seven is deep, introspective, intuitive, private, reclusive, secret, separate, distant, and indifferent to the outer world of phenomena but not to the inner worlds of secrecy, intrigue, hidden mysteries. Seven is highly analytical, inquisitive, perfection-seeking, often critical.”

The following post is from page 57 of the JGnostic Racketoholic Scrolls (first RossKingdom):



I still remember uncorking some DTL one-handers with the 7G that restored my faith in humanity and, but for a brief moment, showed me a glimpse of the Devine.

@Gads & the other Racketaholic PK oracles:

Does the Doppio deliver the same ground goods as the venerable 7G but with more/easier whip on serve? Or is the Doppio from a different lineage altogether?

I’m hoping to stave off the Luxury Imported Heroine-chic Eurostaffs with some cheaper PK love.

The Doppio is fantastic… but if you want that DTL OHBH magic, no, the 7G is still king there. I’m not sure why, but the 7G when hit right is the sweetest OHBH feeling ever. I’m having my back and forth start again. I was wondering last night why I just don’t commit full time to the G and end this craziness. The problem arises when hitting with a certain type of player, usually on clay, when I prefer the Doppio immediately due to the whip. And 2nd serves… yes, the Doppio is just better.

I don’t know what I’m saying or thinking, listen to Gads , I’m off the rails again.

 

[JGads]

I still remember uncorking some DTL one-handers with the 7G that restored my faith in humanity and, but for a brief moment, showed me a glimpse of the Devine.

@Gads & the other Racketaholic PK oracles:

Does the Doppio deliver the same ground goods as the venerable 7G but with more/easier whip on serve? Or is the Doppio from a different lineage altogether?

I’m hoping to stave off the Luxury Imported Heroine-chic Eurostaffs with some cheaper PK love.

The Doppio is fantastic… but if you want that DTL OHBH magic, no, the 7G is still king there. I’m not sure why, but the 7G when hit right is the sweetest OHBH feeling ever. I’m having my back and forth start again. I was wondering last night why I just don’t commit full time to the G and end this craziness. The problem arises when hitting with a certain type of player, usually on clay, when I prefer the Doppio immediately due to the whip. And 2nd serves… yes, the Doppio is just better.

I don’t know what I’m saying or thinking, listen to Gads , I’m off the rails again.

Serge, if the Doppio delivered the same groundie goods but with the easier whip on serve, then I wouldn't be messing much with the XLs. But therein lies the forever plus-minus: snappier whip of the Dope; boomier plow of the 7G/Top Banana. I might still be asking myself which is better when I'm 67 and playing Sunday doubles with 1 1/2 working limbs.

Seems you and Tim both have one-handers and have found the goods there with the 7G, which makes me happy because I hit the one-hander time to time but the 2HBH is my go-to, and that is the shot the 7G does better than literally every frame I've ever tried. Just grip that long handle, turn, rip. Also the slices seem especially automatic with the XLs - Top Banana, too.

The Doppio: less plow-y, but there is punch. It just requires you to utilize that whip to find it. The 7G you can get a plowier ball with a smoother swing, you can find yourself still getting the ball plenty deep by 'rolling' the ball rather than going after it - especially useful in some rally situations where you're on the defensive.

But then, Tim also says something else I agree with, or at least agreed with on my last hit on clay: the Doppio, then on the dirt and on my first hit back on it after a whole lot of indoor hard, so I was not in good or comfy form, then the Doppio was the preferred hitter because of the snappier adjustments I could make off those different bounces. The Doppio is also absolutely easier to snap through on serves, especially useful on seconds when snap is most important. That being said in this yin and yang PK game, if you can snap the the 7G (or Top Banana) through, then those serves will be a touch extra rewarding because of the added boom that comes from the longer length.

So it all depends. If you find yourself getting into longer spells of not finding the box with the 7G because you can't snap it through, then move to the Doppio and just utilize all the goodness that's there. No point in forcing something if serves are a problem, no matter how much plow and goodness is found on the ground. Occasionally I do get those spells when going to the 7G from other sticks, missing long, but usually it's a quick adjustment and I'm not only finding the box but getting rewarded heavily with the 7G's largesse of greatness.

To make things more complicated, or to throw a wrench into things, I will say that the Top Banana, this new XL version, in some way splits the difference. It's a bit snappier than the 7G, but not so much as the Doppio. A bit plowier than the Doppio, but not quite so much as the 7G.

These are the days of our lives.

 

[Power Player]

Top Banana en route. It’s funny how this stuff happens on queue when I was thinking how dialed I was with the Doppio last night.

Still must give it a proper go. It’s always nice to have an XL frame around - and it could end up being exactly what I expect, whic would be blissful. I already know and love the feel of these new PKs, so I welcome that back.

 

[ryushen21]

The Doppio is fantastic… but if you want that DTL OHBH magic, no, the 7G is still king there. I’m not sure why, but the 7G when hit right is the sweetest OHBH feeling ever. I’m having my back and forth start again. I was wondering last night why I just don’t commit full time to the G and end this craziness. The problem arises when hitting with a certain type of player, usually on clay, when I prefer the Doppio immediately due to the whip. And 2nd serves… yes, the Doppio is just better.

I don’t know what I’m saying or thinking, listen to Gads , I’m off the rails again.

The Eurostaff also hits a mean, mean 1HBH.

 

[el sergento]

To make things more complicated, or to throw a wrench into things, I will say that the Top Banana, this new XL version, in some way splits the difference. It's a bit snappier than the 7G, but not so much as the Doppio. A bit plowier than the Doppio, but not quite so much as the 7G.

These are the days of our lives.

What about the classic 5G + some added beef @12?

5G / Q(anon)+ / magical healing sand…… it’s going to be a P-huking K-razy ride …….

 

[el sergento]

The Eurostaff also hits a mean, mean 1HBH.

Vade Retro Satana!!!

I dream in Wilson grip shape, stop tempting me!!!

 

[ryushen21]

Vade Retro Satana!!!

I dream in Wilson grip shape, stop tempting me!!!

I will do no such thing sir. Because in fact, the sweetness of the 1HBH with the Eurostaff is matched only by two other frames I have that also possess legendary status: the PC600 and the n6.1 95 18x20.

 

[JGads]

Speaking of best laid plans, I'd decided a couple days ago that no, forget about the EuroStaff, it won't give you more than these PKs. Even ignored the 15-percent off promo from the Tennis Pro that popped into my inbox the other day. Felt good. Felt strong.

Then an email popped in from the distinguished gent in neighboring Germany, asking if I wanted to borrow his for a trial.

I am not so strong.

What about the classic 5G + some added beef @12?

5G / Q(anon)+ / magical healing sand…… it’s going to be a P-huking K-razy ride …….

Couldn't say, the 5G is one of those sticks I've somehow never sampled. Always heard it was much more lifeless compared to the 7G as well as the standard-length variants that came after, like the Doppio. So never felt the need to dabble, though of course I'd be keen to try one just for the heck of it considering how much I love the bed and the lineage.