Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
BPlain
Semi-Pro
Your assessment @tim-ay is helpful reminder as to why I've held off – so far! – from buying a TB and Doppio to compliment my current Limoncellos. The Doppio continues to be my main temptation but as I move into indoor season and with it more competitive doubles, I still think the Limoncello just suits my game and needs the best. And the feel is downright addicting.
Speaking of which, I was getting a little bit of wrist pain using the 300g so I added 3g to the handle yesterday. That seemed to do the trick and it felt really good overall. I'm at 335g all-in with 2 OGs, dampener, and 3g in the handle now. It didn't translate as well as I would like to my game yesterday but trying to cut myself some slack as this week's sessions went outdoor hard, indoor hard, and then green clay. The surface shuffling does wonders for one's timing!
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, it’s not much of a contest for me. Frame is good, I like and appreciate the control and directness, but I get much more response and nastiness every time I go back to the PKs. Then and again now.
ryushen21
Legend
I want to tell you that the VC95 requires you to find that perfect lead setup to unlock its full potential. Like letting a wine breathe or aerate before pouring it into the glass. I lucked into what appears to be the perfect setup for me on the second attempt and haven't looked back.
I haven't hit the 2018 version but I can say that the 21 is firing on all cylinders for me. It has that direct feel and connection to the ball, just the right amount of pop, perfect maneuverability and stability, and sublime versatility.
But I doubt anything will dethrone either PK for you.
My arm twitched just seeing 60#. Yikes!
When I hit the VC95 and the n6.1 the other day, I was taking little comparative notes. But one thing that stands out is the directness that they share. Somehow YY managed to integrate a little Wilson DNA into this frame but the VC is so much easier to use. The n6.1 still has the overall blasting advantage but the VC clearly leads in most other categories.
Of course, with the n6.1 weighing in at 376g, I didn't hit with it for long and the VC95 is an all day and all night kind of frame.
Private stringing courses are a thing? I wish I had known that. I just learned through trial and error. And I mean a lot of error. But thank the tennis gods for YuLitle
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
Good Morning Diary Friends,
heavy hitting 4.0 baseliner in my mid 40s
On friday night I strung an old flame
360+ gravity tour
ytex hexagon-x 16L at 52/51
this string is INSANE! its square and gives ultimate control. really can flatten out and squash a ball 100%%%%!!!!
you can go for spin as well, but you can just toss a laser anywhere you like. so basically you can mix and match, to drive your opponent nutty.
I had recently put this string in a clash 98 (16g black) and it 100% changed the personality of the stick
so I wanted to try it with the GT (16L red)
it basically allows you to SOCK the ball and have complete control.
so with the clash, ZERO weird string bed issues, 100% perfect.
I bought the new vcore pro on Saturday lol. Hadn't yet tried the GT, so I feel foolish now
Three matches with the new vcore pro 97, already.
Easy to pick up and gel with.
fav aspect is my 2hbh, may be the best stick for 2hbh that I've ever touched, and I've hit them all trust me.
all 2hbh feel good with the VCP, but bringing up the low ones, with a nice solid thump for a cc winner, bring a smile to my face.
it's a great offering. I give it a solid 9/10.
52/51 soft co poly. I may go lower.
I have a round string in here, ytex protour 17L
I will have to try hexagon in here, but would def go much lower, b/c there is not as much power in this frame, especially when compared with the GT and C98.
But last night, I went out for a hit under the lights with a rally buddy.
this new (to me) string, in the gravity tour, and the 18x20 bed, it's become my new #1 stick!!!!
I forgot how stable the gravity tour is.
moves through the air quite well for an 18x20.
feels so amazingly solid.
sound is good.
serving bombs anywhere I want.
awesome feel on approach, and amazing results there.
great feel at net too, with the stability.
I feel like I notice the ball on the bed a little longer than usual.
so now I have two main squeezes, the GT and the VCP97.
GT being #1. I despise the cosmetic, but really don't care at this point, b/c cheat stick (I think bc of the string).
Yours truly,
Ryan
heavy hitting 4.0 baseliner in my mid 40s
On friday night I strung an old flame
360+ gravity tour
ytex hexagon-x 16L at 52/51
this string is INSANE! its square and gives ultimate control. really can flatten out and squash a ball 100%%%%!!!!
you can go for spin as well, but you can just toss a laser anywhere you like. so basically you can mix and match, to drive your opponent nutty.
I had recently put this string in a clash 98 (16g black) and it 100% changed the personality of the stick
so I wanted to try it with the GT (16L red)
it basically allows you to SOCK the ball and have complete control.
so with the clash, ZERO weird string bed issues, 100% perfect.
I bought the new vcore pro on Saturday lol. Hadn't yet tried the GT, so I feel foolish now
Three matches with the new vcore pro 97, already.
Easy to pick up and gel with.
fav aspect is my 2hbh, may be the best stick for 2hbh that I've ever touched, and I've hit them all trust me.
all 2hbh feel good with the VCP, but bringing up the low ones, with a nice solid thump for a cc winner, bring a smile to my face.
it's a great offering. I give it a solid 9/10.
52/51 soft co poly. I may go lower.
I have a round string in here, ytex protour 17L
I will have to try hexagon in here, but would def go much lower, b/c there is not as much power in this frame, especially when compared with the GT and C98.
But last night, I went out for a hit under the lights with a rally buddy.
this new (to me) string, in the gravity tour, and the 18x20 bed, it's become my new #1 stick!!!!
I forgot how stable the gravity tour is.
moves through the air quite well for an 18x20.
feels so amazingly solid.
sound is good.
serving bombs anywhere I want.
awesome feel on approach, and amazing results there.
great feel at net too, with the stability.
I feel like I notice the ball on the bed a little longer than usual.
so now I have two main squeezes, the GT and the VCP97.
GT being #1. I despise the cosmetic, but really don't care at this point, b/c cheat stick (I think bc of the string).
Yours truly,
Ryan
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ryushen21
Legend
That's an interesting find on the Hexagon X. I found that I didn't like that string as much as I had hoped to. Then again, I was hoping that it was perhaps an improvement on Black Knight which it ultimately did not prove to be. My favorite string in the Ytex line is still Penta Power Twisted. This reminds me that I need to get a reel of that ordered sooner rather than later.
Nice feedback on the new VCP. I'll have to pick one of those up after I get the VC95s all matched up.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
So is the vc95. Trust me.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
what did you put the Hex in?
for me, I tried it in a blade 98 v8 and meh. not enough power in the frame.
needs a more powerful stick. or go super low, like 44 lbs lol.
gravity tour.... it's a pure aero for an advanced player IMO:
1. stable like the PA
2. 100 head size like the PA
3. 61 RA, is a lot nicer on your arm than 67. if you're here, you probably don't need that stiffness b/c you can generate your own power, and don't want it b/c you play too much and could hurt your arm. and b/c you can move around with tensions any way you wish b/c the stick isn't stiff!
4. good pop, but more control than the PA
similar balance point, need to tail weight them with 3 grams to get it to 32.5
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topspn
Legend
I have an extra container of the damn things I don’t know what to do with.
yeah I’m familiar with hexagon and still have a couple of packs laying around. It is good playability wise and even seems to open up the sweet spot, it just brings in a dampened feel. So it really comes down to what you string it in. This ones asks for a firmer crisper frame for me. Anyway, agree with your overall impressions.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
good point, def not for all the sticks in my house lol.
amazing how much we learn over time, with regard to string and tension.
most players we see would LOL if we started to TRY and explain that string/tension is such a huge player in this sport!
we are such the minority in the big picture. so we have to spread the word lol.
ryushen21
Legend
I put it in a VCore 100 at 47/45. It didn't perform badly but it was very muted and gave kind of a vague feel. PPT was cleaner and crisper which is what I prefer.
tim-ay
Legend
buy a Daisy BB gun and shoot your neighbors in the butt when they aren’t looking
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Not sure when that lynx tour sale will end but i got a bunch of packs of it. This was the string ive been looking for in terms of feel and control. Its just crazy good. Not sure if the Element crosses are making it feel even better but i think i can stop trying strings now. Ill replace tour bite with this hybrid in my vcp97 this week most likely as well. As good as tour bite is, the unpredictable death of it really throws me off.
I could see lynx tour possibly being a great fit in the pk banana series too. My main issue with the top b is i have to go down a gauge to keep the sw around 330, and thats a bummer, as i am loaded up on 1.25 string, which is my preference.
I could see lynx tour possibly being a great fit in the pk banana series too. My main issue with the top b is i have to go down a gauge to keep the sw around 330, and thats a bummer, as i am loaded up on 1.25 string, which is my preference.
lol - good one, i was going to suggest that.
brings back the memories - used to have a Bb gun but with plastic balls... still hurts though
Agree. Very good frame (with lead). Better feel, serve and drops than with the doppio. The dope for me wins in power, stringbed predictability (although I should have strung the VC95 with something even crisper than poly tour strike or strung it higher), put away volleys, transitioning game (although VC95 very good at that as well for a 95 racquet). Because I’m not the best mover (and probably will never be) the dope wins it (for now)!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I can see that. Thats a good assessment. The VC95 is not a frame that can be assessed in a quick casual hit or with crap strings. It's more of a frame that I think you have to want to spend some time with to unlock the genius of it. It really shines in competition when you don't need to be thinking about racquets. I brushed it off in the past when I was really not looking to try more frames, as I hit with one briefly right when it came out.
My first review on the VC21 I also said I was not serving that well with it, but now I am dialed in and hitting serves with the same power as the Top B, but much more variety.
I get better predictability off the stringbed with the Doppio, but its close. I do agree that the Doppio has a little more power off the ground, but that basically makes me need to hit with heavier spin than I actually want, so I found myself wiping the ball more often than hitting through it. With the VC95 I hit bigger and more precise shots since it seems to be grooved to my swing path. The Doppio has extra float on the ball that I personally do not need.
On putaway volleys and transition I prefer the VC95. I think it is faster through the air and more stable once a little lead is added. The Doppio does not take lead that well, so IMO its frame that shines in stock form and says "accept me as I am", which is fine. It is excellent in stock form, but more unstable at net.
The transition game for me is where the VC95 is on another level from most racquets though. And IMO, this is one of the absolute most important shots in rec tennis if you want to win matches. I would rank the Doppio right behind it though, so it's no slouch either. Boils down to personal choice but the smaller, faster head size just provides an advantage for me there.
Basically the VC95 split the difference between the Top B and Doppio for me. The only thing is that the PKs have rock solid comfort and that's a really big deal and why I can't get rid of them. They are my insurance frames if I get shoulder or arm pain again and I know I can play really well with them, just not that extra 10% that the Vc95 provides my game.
ryushen21
Legend
I haven't hit the Doppio but the volleys with the VC95 are excellent and it's straight deadly in the midcourt.
CountMonte
New User
Glad you’re happy with the VC95! Wish I could get it to work for me but the drop off on my groundies when I transition from the Top Banana is too huge. I’ll keep it and revisit some day.
I was more determined to love the Regna, plan to replace the grip with a ridged one to see if that solves my shifting from Eastern to Continental issue on FH.
I temporarily put 2 overgrips on the Regna yesterday.
I will say when you connect with a shot it has massive power and is a heavy ball.
But the Top Banana is so easy to be aggressive and consistent with - the depth of shot, hitting just inside the baseline without fail, the easy access to heavy spin, angles, or flat drives. It’s so hard to miss with this racket, so while the weight of shot might be a tad less than the Regna, the depth of shot is more important. And slice approaches? Butter.
I was more determined to love the Regna, plan to replace the grip with a ridged one to see if that solves my shifting from Eastern to Continental issue on FH.
I temporarily put 2 overgrips on the Regna yesterday.
I will say when you connect with a shot it has massive power and is a heavy ball.
But the Top Banana is so easy to be aggressive and consistent with - the depth of shot, hitting just inside the baseline without fail, the easy access to heavy spin, angles, or flat drives. It’s so hard to miss with this racket, so while the weight of shot might be a tad less than the Regna, the depth of shot is more important. And slice approaches? Butter.
tim-ay
Legend
100% true. Maybe the 5.0+ guys don't face it, but about 1/2 the guys at 4.0 through 4.5 are playing a lot of juke tennis. You just have to get in and place the ball well.
This is why you can't do cooperative hitting and really get to know what a frame will do in match play when you really don't know the other guy very well.
Now that some leagues are starting again, i'm going to get sticky with frames for a few months. It's why I've locked in on the G thang and Top B also for this round.... The Dope let's my play more consistently and dial it up during a rally. The G and TB give a little more attacking straight away. And the tropical soup has me longing for shorter points right now, i've hit the burnout summer stage and am going to be attacking like a madman.
you should really try 1.23 BK in the TB at some point. So darn good. And I think it was Tupac that said '123 BK all day. picture me rollin' ". or OJ or something like that.
CountMonte
New User
I should also add that serve return with the Top Banana has been magical. Crushing inside out FH returns off big first serves multiple times a match this weekend. For an XL it’s so easy to wield, easier than most standard frames.
And of course serving goes without say. I swear the consistency on flat 1st serves is better than any other frame I’ve tried. I had a few games where I never had to hit a 2nd serve this weekend.
And of course serving goes without say. I swear the consistency on flat 1st serves is better than any other frame I’ve tried. I had a few games where I never had to hit a 2nd serve this weekend.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah the 1.23 BK seems like a nice option. I just have SO many strings now that it's madness. The TB still beckons of course. It's got real mojo to it.
Totally agree on cooperative hitting - can be fun and relaxing, but it's a waste of time for judging frames. Nobody plays like they practice in tennis, not even the top guys in the world. The closest I get to practice now is hitting with a coach or practice sets. The rest is match play all the time. I'd love to play more and more tournaments but they can suck up weekend plans quickly so I have to choose which I enter. Also there are doubles only tournaments here which really bum me out. Currently chasing down some singles ladders here now.
I am playing indoors tonight and have to give some time to the SynthWave 97 again. The 2018 VC95s came in and immediately fit me like a glove in matchplay, but I still see the potential in the VCP97. It has such a soft feel - just really seems like the more HL/better feeling Blade option. I will solely use it tonight and see how that works for me. Its the type of frame that I would probably choose as my go to if I was just hitting around, because it feels so good, but I need to win matches with it.
tim-ay
Legend
i played a practice match yesterday and had the same in the second set. Just easy easy holds after a little more challenging 1st set. I mixed in the G also and same result.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Returns (both the swinging kind and the block backs) of big firsts are indeed golden. And when it gets a look at a second, the Banana licks its lips and readies for assault. Frame wants to go on the offensive, like a dog with a bone.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I just keep wondering why the XL is so maneuverable when the 300 is not
One of the great mysteries of 2021 and only one guy in some Italian restaurant somewhere holds the key.
CountMonte
New User
The 2019 version isn’t nearly as maneuverable, on paper the specs are so similar too. But there’s magic afoot, sorcery in them beans.I just keep wondering why the XL is so maneuverable when the 300 is not
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
Sounds great. Can't wait to have mine in hand tomorrow.
@Power Player @ryushen21 @StanAO14 Do you guys play your VC95's and other Yonex sticks with the stock base grip or did you change it to something else?
You must travel to the land of italia and seek him for answers.
ryushen21
Legend
I use the stock YY base grip or the Wilson Feather Thin.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Not overly similar, as the 2019 version was (I believe) 5 grams heavier in static and 10-15 swingweight points more. Cutting that weight, and adding some buttery goodness to the layup to boot, was just perfection. I have a lighter sw version of the 2019 and it's a remarkable bully, but the flex and butter goes to the banana.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I did just eat a pizza. All while watching the Mardy Fish doc on Netflix, and hearing him talking about his resurgence by saying "No more alcohol, no more pizza..." I was mid-bite, and went mmm.
RF_PRO_STAFF
Professional
@Power Player I also ordered some Lynx Tour yesterday. Champagne and grey, both 1.25. The string has looked interesting to me since it came out but I've always held off so far because it very probably might be a bit too stiff for me. But, never try, never know.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
The '21 VC 98 seems to have the specs to pay the bills. Has anyone on a YY journey tried it out?? I'm seeing a lot of 95 love, but not much on the 98.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
And how did that work out for him, huh?? I keeeed, I keeeed
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Vc98 string bed response exhibits some unpredictability. One of my 4.5/5.0 hitting partners has one. He’s been trying to make it work for a few months and is ready to move on after trying different set ups with no better results.
Karue’s review of it was spot on. It is better than the previous version. He mentioned getting some flyers with it and wishing he had his vc95 in his hands on those shots. I definitely experienced the random wth flyers hitting with my friend’s where the resulting output didn’t match up with my input.
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ryushen21
Legend
I've always thought the YY 100 frames were better than the 98s. But that's just been my take.
Hehe.. good documentary though. The part about fed coming to scene was hillarious both Roddick and fish are like.. " ohhh fckk.. just when we thought we were going to get some traction this guy comes and destroys everyone and never sweats " funny stuff..
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah.. similar here.. once i get some of those . It starts hammering my confidence and make my shots hesitant and it's all downhill . But that's really on me and not rackets fault in general . I just like control frames to tame my crappy wild strokes
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
normal tension for me is 52/51... soft co-poly.
the vcp felt pretty good, at this tension, but I was looking for a tiny bit more pop.
it felt a little better after three matches, today... fourth match, felt just right.
so I will probably go 51/50 next time.
specs on mine were:
The new Yonex Vcore Pro 97 with ProTour 17L
310 unstrung / 31.10
326 strung / 32.00
332 og / 31.60
Will check SW Tuesday
It was the stock grip yes. The frame doesn’t need leather and/ or a thicker grip imo
JGads
G.O.A.T.
That is attractive.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah the Vcore 98 since the Xi version just has not done it for me. Not nearly the level of control that the 16x20 XI has. It is tough to predict at times what the ball will do. The 95 is very similar to the xi98, which is probably why I like it so much.
@RF_PRO_STAFF I use the stock base grip, and I don't find the Lynx Tour to be stiff, which was a very pleasant surprise.
@RF_PRO_STAFF I use the stock base grip, and I don't find the Lynx Tour to be stiff, which was a very pleasant surprise.
You just gave me my treadmill TV for today. Maybe watching Mardy will keep me motivated.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Twill motivate. I'm totally motivated and going to the gym tomorrow. No alcohol, no pizza.
(But before I had pizza and presently I'm having alcohol.)
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Please don't rain in the morning
How's the spacing on that? Spacing on an 18/20 is so key. That old Euro Espresso I just acquired and have just loved each hit is now getting relaced with proper string, and what I love about it is it's a kind-of wide 18x20 pattern. So you get some definite spin plus directional control. You can flatten or carve. It's 18x20 but it very much acts like a 16/20 for me.
