G-Speed Pro Review (in Progress)

[Mateo]

As you can see from my signature, I have made the switch to Gpro.
Bought it yesterday, and strung it with hybrid, poly main at 50 lbs, and multi cross at 48 lbs.
In the shop I weighted 3 pro's and bought the lightest one at 308 grams without strings, and grip, the rest wore at 310, 311 grams.
With one over grip, Novak damper, and strings, scale said 331 grams.
I didn't play with it yet, but it feels great in shadow swinging.
In future maybe leather grip would be good path to go, but I have to try it stock do decide if some of modifications would be needed.
Thanks to Anton and Parasailing for help and advices.
(Hopefully you are right about GPro).

 

[Fyrepower]

I have demoed this racket and i am seriously considering a switch. It feels so good from all areas of the court. I just don't wanna have to get a head bag.

 

[Mateo]

I have demoed this racket and i am seriously considering a switch. It feels so good from all areas of the court. I just don't wanna have to get a head bag.

I have a Prince bag . . .and I'l stick to it :twisted:

 

[Anton]

As you can see from my signature, I have made the switch to Gpro.
Bought it yesterday, and strung it with hybrid, poly main at 50 lbs, and multi cross at 48 lbs.
In the shop I weighted 3 pro's and bought the lightest one at 308 grams without strings, and grip, the rest wore at 310, 311 grams.
With one over grip, Novak damper, and strings, scale said 331 grams.
I didn't play with it yet, but it feels great in shadow swinging.
In future maybe leather grip would be good path to go, but I have to try it stock do decide if some of modifications would be needed.
Thanks to Anton and Parasailing for help and advices.
(Hopefully you are right about GPro).

Frame I just got weighted in at 315.6g unstrung, without og (didn't weight the other one without strings yet).

 

[Anton]

I'm yet to play around with strings much but Silinco Tour bite 17 has been very good after initial ~10 hour break in from 56/52 stringjob.

second racket I got has Luxilon poly cross and some head multi on mains, I'm yet to hit seriously with that one due to crap weather.

So I've hit with Head FXP on mains and Luxilon crosses and it sucks big time, no where near as much spin as I get out of tour bite. String bed feels stiffer then my loosened up Bite, but the same time the strings already do not snap back into place fully. FXP is probably the culprit here.

 

[Mateo]

Interesting weight differences, so my Pro is 7 grams lighter than standard, and other two in the shop were lighter to. So I have made a choice and bought lightest one, because of maybe, future customization.
I regularly play with full poly, so maybe I have chosen wrong set up with hybrid.
Only way to find out is on Saturday on court.

 

[Anton]

So now i put in some good hitting time on my second frame i find it is playing differently from my first, feels like it is less polarized, even though I modified it to exact weight and balance spec 12.3oz 7 point HL. Magic is gone, effortless spin and pace is gone and now it's just another decent stick

Switch back to first racket and all is great in the world again.

Without silicone the second racket also has a bit if hollow feel down low.

Maybe fxp/lux strings weight more then 17g (1.20mm) Tour Byte?

More testing to come...

 

[parasailing]

So now i put in some good hitting time on my second frame i find it is playing differently from my first, feels like it is less polarized, even though I modified it to exact weight and balance spec 12.3oz 7 point HL. Magic is gone, effortless spin and pace is gone and now it's just another decent stick

Switch back to first racket and all is great in the world again.

Without silicone the second racket also has a bit if hollow feel down low.

Maybe fxp/lux strings weight more then 17g (1.20mm) Tour Byte?

More testing to come...

I find that unless you buy racquets from the same batch and even then it's not a guarantee, quality control on these racquets are terrible. You could end up with two racquets that play totally different.

Luckily the current one I have does feel polarized and has that nice feel. I just need to put some silicone to get it a bit dampen and less hollow feeling.

I would recommend keeping strings the same to verify you have similar racquets.

 

[Anton]

I did some calculations based on 315.6g base weight:

315.6 + 10g silicone + 10g lead + 1g rubber band + 6g overgrip + ~15g? strings = 357.6g.

This compared to my #1's 348g, a 9g difference, strings can't account for that sort difference.

I'll get some more Tour Bite strings in and put them on scales and take it from there I guess...

 

[parasailing]

Third outing hitting with this racquet and loving how it feels. I just added some silicone inside the handle and will see if it helps dampen the racquet some.

 

[Anton]

Third outing hitting with this racquet and loving how it feels. I just added some silicone inside the handle and will see if it helps dampen the racquet some.

It definitely does

 

[parasailing]

It definitely does

Just had an outing with the silicone inside the handle and it definitely softens the racquet up while making it feel solid. Volleys felt so good when you hit the sweet spot, felt like you can cup the ball and direct it where you want.

This racquet is definitely getting better the more I time I spend hitting with it.

 

[Mateo]

Back from hitting session with my Gpro. Racquet is amazing, stability is really top notch, I have played with lots of racquet but I can't remember the stability like Gpro, maybe prestige classic 600.
The power is like Anton said, great on off center shots, and I wouldn't ask for any more power for my style of play, I can hit with full swing and the ball is in every time. Serve was incredible, for example, second serves, 25 serve, and only 3 wore out.
Control is exceptional, from baseline, and volleys are crisp and stable with nice low powered control.
Now downsides, my Gpro felt little head heavy and I had some trouble on timing my shots, because my prince exo was little more head light, so the leather grip is installed on Gpro. I didn't hit with that setup jet, but its feels much easier to swing. Now with leather is about 341 gram.
Other thing is stiffness, racquet plays really soft for 67 stiffness, and after hitting for 3 hours my biceps muscle is little in pain, but that is all on me because previously I was playing with exo tour, so my arm needs to get used too little stiffer racquet.
Hybrid strings are bad choice, at least poly main, multi cross, for my game there is not enough bite at the ball, so I will string it with full poly this week. Strung weight for hybrid was 23/22 kg, and that is from my opinion lowest, because power is really on edge.
All in all, I am happy as a child, because I found stick that is great for everything, especially for me, because I am racquet addict, and always there is something missing, but not with this one.
I think that speed and I will have long term future together.
I can post my thoughts on how it is playing with leather grip...

 

[wiibssz]

Is someone able to compare the Gpro to the first generation speed? Is someone also willing to make a comparison between the exo3 tour 18x20 and the Gpro? Might be switching in the future, since I can't seem to find consistancy with the exo3...

 

[parasailing]

Now downsides, my Gpro felt little head heavy and I had some trouble on timing my shots, because my prince exo was little more head light, so the leather grip is installed on Gpro. I didn't hit with that setup jet, but its feels much easier to swing. Now with leather is about 341 gram.
Other thing is stiffness, racquet plays really soft for 67 stiffness, and after hitting for 3 hours my biceps muscle is little in pain, but that is all on me because previously I was playing with exo tour, so my arm needs to get used too little stiffer racquet.
Hybrid strings are bad choice, at least poly main, multi cross, for my game there is not enough bite at the ball, so I will string it with full poly this week. Strung weight for hybrid was 23/22 kg, and that is from my opinion lowest, because power is really on edge.

Gut mains and poly crosses work really well with this frame. I find it offers good spin and softens the racquet a bit. I never manage to be able to play with a 18x20 string pattern racquet until this particular racquet came out.

I know what you mean by it being a little stiffer than what I am use to having used a PSTGT which is slightly softer. My suggestion would be to use silicone injected into the handle to soften the racquet. I did this and it helps to reduce some of that stiffness and also make it a little more headlight.

The racquet is polarized so it does feel a bit head heavy but to me it's one of the easier racquets to generate swing speed.

 

[parasailing]

Is someone able to compare the Gpro to the first generation speed? Is someone also willing to make a comparison between the exo3 tour 18x20 and the Gpro? Might be switching in the future, since I can't seem to find consistancy with the exo3...

I hit with the Youtek Speed Pro which I assume is the first generation. They are totally different racquets. The Speed Pro is stiffer than this racquet and has a higher SW which I had a hard time with. My preferred SW is 325-332. The shape of the racquet is also different with the original more a teardrop shape and this one has similar shape to Radical ones.

 

[rlau]

My suggestion would be to use silicone injected into the handle to soften the racquet. I did this and it helps to reduce some of that stiffness and also make it a little more headlight.

Did you put the silicone in one chamber or two?

 

[Anton]

Back from hitting session with my Gpro. Racquet is amazing, stability is really top notch, I have played with lots of racquet but I can't remember the stability like Gpro, maybe prestige classic 600.
The power is like Anton said, great on off center shots, and I wouldn't ask for any more power for my style of play, I can hit with full swing and the ball is in every time. Serve was incredible, for example, second serves, 25 serve, and only 3 wore out.
Control is exceptional, from baseline, and volleys are crisp and stable with nice low powered control.
Now downsides, my Gpro felt little head heavy and I had some trouble on timing my shots, because my prince exo was little more head light, so the leather grip is installed on Gpro. I didn't hit with that setup jet, but its feels much easier to swing. Now with leather is about 341 gram.
Other thing is stiffness, racquet plays really soft for 67 stiffness, and after hitting for 3 hours my biceps muscle is little in pain, but that is all on me because previously I was playing with exo tour, so my arm needs to get used too little stiffer racquet.
Hybrid strings are bad choice, at least poly main, multi cross, for my game there is not enough bite at the ball, so I will string it with full poly this week. Strung weight for hybrid was 23/22 kg, and that is from my opinion lowest, because power is really on edge.
All in all, I am happy as a child, because I found stick that is great for everything, especially for me, because I am racquet addict, and always there is something missing, but not with this one.
I think that speed and I will have long term future together.
I can post my thoughts on how it is playing with leather grip...

Same here, love playing around with various rackets. I've tried just about all "serious" racket models made in the last 5 years and I feel like HEAD has actually managed the feat of rolling up of all the best features into one frame with negligible downsides.

I really think silicone is a better way to go on this racket - it improves the feel (reduces high-freq handle vibrations) while adding weight down low. Some also like the bevel feel from leather but stock grip is pretty amazing as it gives the leather feel while being actually lighter then spongy Head grips.

 

[Anton]

Is someone able to compare the Gpro to the first generation speed? Is someone also willing to make a comparison between the exo3 tour 18x20 and the Gpro? Might be switching in the future, since I can't seem to find consistancy with the exo3...

here you go
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7286526&postcount=97

 

[caprivi]

Some more observations

Kevlar mains/syn gut crosses 48/52.

This combo allows for some really good spin on serves and groundstrokes, but also lots of feel on drop volleys.

I found that when I'm lazy (like when just rallying), blocking type shots go into the net due to the really low trajectory of the racquet. This racquet is really geared towards aggressive swinging where the inherent accuracy of the racquet really shines.

I put a bit more weight in the handle and the hoop, and it still swings really fast. Less fatigue than other player-type racquets I've played with.

Maybe it's the string but sometimes when I hit towards the top of the racquet there is this sort of dull vibration...a sort of short, low frequency, plastic-y buzz. Anybody else experience this?

 

[parasailing]

Did you put the silicone in one chamber or two?

I put it in both chamber to make sure it's equal.

 

[Anton]

Kevlar mains/syn gut crosses 48/52.

Maybe it's the string but sometimes when I hit towards the top of the racquet there is this sort of dull vibration...a sort of short, low frequency, plastic-y buzz. Anybody else experience this?

Some lead at 12 usually fixes that, though it maybe amplified by super stiff kevlar string.

 

[parasailing]

Some lead at 12 usually fixes that, though it maybe amplified by super stiff kevlar string.

I think it's the kevlar string given I use gut mains/poly crosses and haven't felt that buzz you are talking about.

 

[Anton]

I did some calculations based on 315.6g base weight:

315.6 + 10g silicone + 10g lead + 1g rubber band + 6g overgrip + ~15g? strings = 357.6g.

This compared to my #1's 348g, a 9g difference, strings can't account for that sort difference.

I'll get some more Tour Bite strings in and put them on scales and take it from there I guess...

Damn, so it wasn't the strings (15.5 grams).

Dr325i's racket came out to be 305g stock (no strings, 325 with 10g silicone and 10 grams lead) :shock:

 

[Mateo]

Damn, so it wasn't the strings (15.5 grams).

Dr325i's racket came out to be 305g stock (no strings, 325 with 10g silicone and 10 grams lead) :shock:

So it is like my Gpro, 308gram without strings and orig grip.
331 gram with strings, damper and overgrip
340 gram with strings, damper, leather grip and overgrip.

 

[Anton]

I just may lead up the lighter one I have to exactly match it to heavier 2 I have....then take the lead off and sand paper off the clear coat and paint on corresponding locations on the 2nd and third racket to take out the weight... :twisted:

I just got in whole bunch of different strings, so I'll be playing around with those for a while...maybe I'll just get the heftier rackets to work for me, so I'll hold off on doing irreversible sand downs.

 

[Oz_Rocket]

Just restrung mine and hadn't weighed it unstrung.

frame with factory grip 316g
overgrip 7g
grip ring 1g
dampener 2g
string 19g

All up it was 347 grams (my scale only does whole grams which accounts for the "missing" 2 grams).

 

[Anton]

So I had my #3 SPro string with Solinco Tour Bite @ 55lbs - this one played really well and balance/weight distribution is very much in line with my #1, just with a lot less added weight (only 1.5 grams at 12 and 10g silicone in handle).


One special thing about this one, stringer I gave my racket to decided that using the same hole for two strings is inappropriate, hence he strung it as a 16x18. Middle density is same, but last string is missing on each side. Symmetry is intact so I figure it should be ok for the frame. String bed still hits fairly consistently, but with a bit higher launch angle and a bit more spin...feels a bit more floaty and comfy too.


Cliff notes: can string this racket as 16x18, full bed of Silico Tour Bite 17 at mid tension is still #1 for this racket.

 

[Anton]

Just restrung mine and hadn't weighed it unstrung.

frame with factory grip 316g
overgrip 7g
grip ring 1g
dampener 2g
string 19g

All up it was 347 grams (my scale only does whole grams which accounts for the "missing" 2 grams).

What string is that? Solinco TB was only 15.5 - thats notable difference. Did you measure cut out string or full set?

 

[Oz_Rocket]

What string is that? Solinco TB was only 15.5 - thats notable difference. Did you measure cut out string or full set?

Cut out Sonic Pro Edge 16.

 

[parasailing]

Another day hitting with the Graphene and now I am totally comfortable using it. This will be my new racquet and will be selling off my PSTGT.

 

[Anton]

Getting two of my frames (1&3) strung with quasi-gut mains and topspin cyber flash mains (17g) at 55lbs, lets see how it goes

 

[caprivi]

For 16x18, what are the start, tie-off, and skipped holes?

 

[Anton]

For 16x18, what are the start, tie-off, and skipped holes?

I'll post a picture tonight

 

[Anton]

 

[Anton]

For 16x18, what are the start, tie-off, and skipped holes?

Normal tie off, no skipped or shared holes.

 

[Roberto_spin]

So now I'm also on the G-speed pro bandwagon....
Without strings, std grip, 307grams! Nice to customize I guess.

How are experiences nowadays Anton?

 

[Roberto_spin]

Any G-speed pro players out there? Seems very quiet on this racket with all the new Graphenes coming up...

I have played this week a couple of times with this racket. I have to say it plays more stiff than I expected. Also less power with my standard strokes, I have to work much harder to hot the ball near the baseline. Now this sounds logical since my std stick is the PDR2012...
The control was on par with the Pacific X-force Pro and maybe a bit better than the PDR. But for my game hitting deep heavy spinny balls is more important than control.

My setup was: stock-weighted + strings + overgrip + rubberband dampener (total 325gram) and balance of 5,5 pts HL
I used 2 soft copoly's strung at the lower range:
* Pacific Poly Force 17 in the mains @22kg
* MSV Focus Hex 19 cross @ 23kg

Now I have weighted things up: 4 grams in the buttcapp and 4 grams at 12o clock. Total weight of 333gram. Still 4 grams less than my other sticks. Will be hitting out this week with this setup to see if I get some more power, plow through that I love of the PDR and Pacific XFP...

 

[xeros]

I'm 5.0 level Player, how compare speed mp vs g pro in :
Power
Confort
Control

 

[Anton]

So now I'm also on the G-speed pro bandwagon....
Without strings, std grip, 307grams! Nice to customize I guess.

How are experiences nowadays Anton?

I've been spending last coupe of months playing very western, big spin game, which GPro is not ideally suited for.

 

[Roberto_spin]

I've been spending last coupe of months playing very western, big spin game, which GPro is not ideally suited for.

That surprises me: that the GPro isn't ideally for the big spin game...
In all the reviews there the GPro was on par with the PDR on the spin-area, although it's a 18x20 racket.

Reason I purchased the Gpro is to find out the spin game, combined with a more controlled racket (18x20) and to customize the racket: it's lighter than it's predecessorm the first ten Speed pro, which I loved but ended up to be to heavy for me...

What racket are you now playing wth if I may ask, the Mantis 285 from your sig?

 

[rlau]

In all the reviews there the GPro was on par with the PDR on the spin-area, although it's a 18x20 racket.

From my experience with the G S Pro, it's not exactly a spin monster. Of course technique and strings play a large part in spin production, but I can imagine the PDR being more spin-friendly.

 

[Roberto_spin]

From my experience with the G S Pro, it's not exactly a spin monster. Of course technique and strings play a large part in spin production, but I can imagine the PDR being more spin-friendly.

My experience is the spin is less than I'm used to (pdr, apd, FXP).
But the review from TW and on the forum (Andy) they put it on par with the APD2013...

Also in my experience: less than I have hoped for...

Tonight another hitting night with the weighted up version, I'll keep it posted!
____
Overall - Score: 86
Likes
Chris - "I liked the power, spin, feel, touch and comfort. This version also felt way more solid and stable, with better power outside of the sweetspot, than previous versions."

Andy - "I found great feel and great access to power and spin, without losing control. It also has plenty of maneuverability without losing too much stability."

Mark - "I could play a tournament with it, even with a multifilament in it. The paint scheme is pretty middle of the road, which I like, and for the 11.7 oz, 328 average strung swingweight, I was a little surprised at how easy the Graphene Speed Pro was to swing. This racquet's dense string pattern gets me thinking toward the 18x20s again."

Troy - "The weight and balance feels good in hand, possessing much better plow through than the previous version. I found great precision from all areas of the court."

 

[Anton]

That surprises me: that the GPro isn't ideally for the big spin game...
In all the reviews there the GPro was on par with the PDR on the spin-area, although it's a 18x20 racket.

Reason I purchased the Gpro is to find out the spin game, combined with a more controlled racket (18x20) and to customize the racket: it's lighter than it's predecessorm the first ten Speed pro, which I loved but ended up to be to heavy for me...

What racket are you now playing wth if I may ask, the Mantis 285 from your sig?

I find that GPro needs to be in the low 12oz range to perform well for me (stability, balance, launch angle), but at that weight I'm having difficulty hitting full western style.

Here is me hitting two weeks ago with modified Slaz V98 Team, that I've been spending a lot of time with past few weeks (Can't get Mantis 285 anymore and at $79 V98 Team is a steal).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFpgLzKbjd0

 

[Roberto_spin]

I find that GPro needs to be in the low 12oz range to perform well for me (stability, balance, launch angle), but at that weight I'm having difficulty hitting full western style.

Are you thinking of switching rackets? When I saw your hitting video withthe Gpro your strokes looked like you can play a match at the highest level, no need for full western Nadal-like spin.

Here is me hitting two weeks ago with modified Slaz V98 Team, that I've been spending a lot of time with past few weeks (Can't get Mantis 285 anymore and at $79 V98 Team is a steal).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFpgLzKbjd0

Wow... it almost makes me want to buy the Slaz V98 Team too! It's a good thing they don't have that bargain up here in Europe!
But I can also hit with enough topspin with my pure drives...
I hope the GPro helps me with more control and generating power myself... Because I have to admit that using a PDR makes you lazy, it's so easy to hit a ball back deep with spin!

 

[Roberto_spin]

From my experience with the G S Pro, it's not exactly a spin monster. Of course technique and strings play a large part in spin production, but I can imagine the PDR being more spin-friendly.

Just to clarify: By accident I stated that TW compared it with PDR with spin but I meant ofcourse the APD2013 TW (Andy) tested alongside.

The PDR2012 is the racket I play normally with...

 

[Roberto_spin]

So yesterday I had a doubles match (3 sets) with the GPro...
We did win easily, but our opponents were not that hard hitters, so a perfect opportunity to try out the new racket!

Well there wasn't any love in the air. Maybe next time?
I really have to work on my timing and generating power/depth through my technique. So I will play the next months in practice sessions and will see if this works out...
The Pure Drives and the Pacific XFP were more love-at-first sight so I'm curious how it develops with this Djoko racket...

 

[Anton]

Are you thinking of switching rackets? When I saw your hitting video withthe Gpro your strokes looked like you can play a match at the highest level, no need for full western Nadal-like spin. Wow... it almost makes me want to buy the Slaz V98 Team too! It's a good thing they don't have that bargain up here in Europe!
But I can also hit with enough topspin with my pure drives...
I hope the GPro helps me with more control and generating power myself... Because I have to admit that using a PDR makes you lazy, it's so easy to hit a ball back deep with spin!

I went back and forth a few times trying various approaches to my forehand and I really like how it's been coming together under the full nadal model. I'm able to put more of the racket speed into spinning the ball, so I get better margins.

I really couldn't make it work before mostly because my legs/conditioning were not strong enough to keep up longer points, but over the course of this year I've seen a big improvement there, which made it more viable for me.

As far as "highest levels" - not even close, pretty much have to be playing tennis since childhood to get there. I started playing when I was 24.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

I disagree with anyone who says they can hit more topspin with the gspeed pro than with a pd or pdr or apd. The spin is great for 18x20, but not even close to a tweener frame.

 

[Gambit61]

I've been using this stick stock with a full bed of Yonex poly tour pro 125. My previous racket/ preferred racket is Extreme 2.0 Pro with same string. Both strung at 50lbs.

After using the Graphene Pro for a month, I have gotten fairly comfortable with it but I do not feel as confident with it as I do with the extreme. I have not given up on it yet but I might sometime soon.

I would call myself 3.5 to 4.0 skill wise.