Have my baby, Bungalo Bill. (lead tape = sexy)

[papa]

I know what the "Power Disc" is (seen pictures) but another alternative is to purchase three or four 3/8" - 1 1/2" carriage bolts, nuts and a bunch of large metal washers. Take an old racquet and just put a bolt through strings, along with several washers and put the nut on --- stagger them around the sweetspot. Make sure they are snug (just hand tight) before you start swinging the racquet. Might want to start out with just one bolt and ad others to increase the weight.

Any Home Depot or hardware store has these and it will only cost you a few bucks.

I did this before I even knew there was something like the "Power Disc" so its just a thought.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Bungalo Bill -

Seeking advice and a short story for you.

Im fairly new here and noticed you help 100's of people, so I guess your the guy to ask. Im coming back to tennis after 13 years of not playing. Im once again in love with the game, but as you might suspect, Im not nearly at the level I once used to be. I was easily a strong 4.5 player or on somedays a decent 5.0. At the present time Im just learning to find my strokes again. My question to you would be - Would you recommend lead tape for the Head LM Radical Mid-Plus stick? Its rated at 11.2oz. Im just not feeling like Im getting enough zip on the ball as I used to. 13 years ago I used the Wimbledon Eclipse racquet and used to pound the ball. Im not sure of the weight of the Eclipse, but I can tell you it had more pop to it then the Head Radical I use now. Being away from the game for so long Ive not kept up on the technology and really dont know good from bad these days. Could it be that its just me not playing for so long or should I experiment with some leadtape. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thx in advance.

Well welcome back!

Is it the Total Eclipse? Havent heard of the Eclipse. If it is the Total Eclipse then,

The the best info I could get on what the specs were on the racquet are (you might want to post this in the racquet section to some of the stringers and racquet techs, they know their stuff on racquets and might be able to get the exact specs):

Frame Material: Graphite

Flex Rating: Firm Flex

Overall Length: 27 in

Beam Width: 25 mm

Balance: Even Balance

Head Size: ??????

The racquet Head LM Radical Mid-Plus is:

Head Size: 98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.

Length: 27 inches / 69 cm

Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g

Balance: 4pts Head Light

Swingweight: 325

Stiffness: 64

Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam

Composition: LiquidMetal Titanium / Graphite and Piezzo Electric Fibers.

Well you can try to add weight to it because based on the information above you are using a "lighter" head. So the swing wieght might be less then what you're used to. The 4 points head light racquet is definetly on the players racquet side for manuverability, especially at the net. But it could be that you like a more balanced racquet which would add more wieght on the head.

You can try adding more wieght at the 3 and 9 positions or the 2 and 10 positions to see if that does the trick.

The other thing you might want to do is purchase the PowerDisc here at TW. That little piece of equipment will build up your strength and allow you to enjoy the extra weight on your racquet.

Man does the racquet plow through the ball! I have actually shortened my swing and dont swing nearly as hard with the extra weight and the ball just flys powers off the strings. It feels very solid.

The other thing to be aware of is racquet flex. A stiffer racquet will give you better directional control (corner to corner) but will not give you better distance control (hitting beyond the baseline). A more flexible racquet (usually the players racquets) provide better distance control but less directional control. You need to find the right flex to your ability. Stronger more advanced players usually play with racquets that have a lot of flex in them. That is "usually" as everyone is different.

Your Radical is on the lower end (more towards flexible) then maybe what your used to. It sounds like the Eclipse was a stiffer racquet. Also, the beam width was less on the Radical (thinner racquet) which usually means less power and more flex.

Let me know what you think about what I just said and if it makes sense to you.

 

[catskillthunder]

BB -

Thx for the welcome back, its been a long time. Anyway, Ill have to do some research on the old racquet. I belive it was a 90'' head wide body. Man that stick had some serious bang to it. Ill do the research and post the number for you to compare the two for any other advice. Just know that my game is heavily build for topspin (extreme western grip). As I study the Radical I now see it really isint designed for topspin players because of the string pattern. Although I still get plenty of topspin when I play, in fact just as much I used to way back when. Pfft..I dunno, I been away so long like I said its like learning to walk all over again trying to figure out what stick, string, tension, etc, etc, is right for me. Well Ill get back to you tomorrow as Im off to work now....Thx again.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

BB -

Thx for the welcome back, its been a long time. Anyway, Ill have to do some research on the old racquet. I belive it was a 90'' head wide body. Man that stick had some serious bang to it. Ill do the research and post the number for you to compare the two for any other advice. Just know that my game is heavily build for topspin (extreme western grip). As I study the Radical I now see it really isint designed for topspin players because of the string pattern. Although I still get plenty of topspin when I play, in fact just as much I used to way back when. Pfft..I dunno, I been away so long like I said its like learning to walk all over again trying to figure out what stick, string, tension, etc, etc, is right for me. Well Ill get back to you tomorrow as Im off to work now....Thx again.

Well the Head Prestige and the Radical have denser string patterns. You will notice a bit more drop off in spin but then again it sometimes is the player.

I think the difference in the power you got from your other racquet hae more to do with the width of the beam and the stiffness. The Babalot Pure Drive is something you might want to demo. Here are the specs:

Head Size:

100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.

Length: 27 inches / 69 cm

Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g

Balance: 5pts Head Light

Swingweight: 310

Stiffness: 70

Beam Width: 22-25 mm

Composition: Graphite/Kevlar

 

[catskillthunder]

BB -

Did a google search on the Total Eclipse and came up with nothing spec wise. So I posted a thread in the Racquets forum to see if anyone could help. Once I get the specs of the Total Eclipse Ill look for a demo of something close to its nature.

Your probably wondering what happened to my racquets in the first place? Well, long story short. 1991 Class A section finals. I lose 6-2, 6-2 to a kid I beat earlier in the season with nearly the identical score. I choked under pressure in front of about 100+ people watching. That combined with 5 straight years of tennis at 8+ hours a day and being burnt out sent me into a 13 year hiding. So I gave my racquets to a friend whom used the same racquet I did. BUT IM BACK! But I suck now, lol

 

[Bungalo Bill]

BB -

Did a google search on the Total Eclipse and came up with nothing spec wise. So I posted a thread in the Racquets forum to see if anyone could help. Once I get the specs of the Total Eclipse Ill look for a demo of something close to its nature.

Your probably wondering what happened to my racquets in the first place? Well, long story short. 1991 Class A section finals. I lose 6-2, 6-2 to a kid I beat earlier in the season with nearly the identical score. I choked under pressure in front of about 100+ people watching. That combined with 5 straight years of tennis at 8+ hours a day and being burnt out sent me into a 13 year hiding. So I gave my racquets to a friend whom used the same racquet I did. BUT IM BACK! But I suck now, lol

Had the same experience except I didnt quit after I lost a match, I quit during practice and walked off the court and moved to Hawaii to surf (my other love sport). I had a full ride to San Diego State and for two years I played on the team both doubles and singles...then one day...I was out of there.

I was sick of salads, working out at 5 am, drills, matches, constantly measuring up, everything.

One thing to know, you are older now and your young self may have reached a level you might not get back again. It largely has to do with your home life. I know I am not the same player but I am content with it now. I am content just hitting balls getting a workout and playing matches on the weekend. Yeah, I am a weekend warrior.

If you have a family or are married, please do yourself a favor - keep them first.

 

[catskillthunder]

BB -

Thx for the reply again. I all but gave up on trying to find the specs for the Total Eclipse. I just got back from the local sports shop and Im going to demo the Head Liquid Metal 4. If that doesnt work out, Im going to demo the Babolat Pure Drive and the Head Liquid Metal 5 fro T-W.

As far as getting to the level I used to be, nah, Ive accepted that it wont happen. Im now 30 and my body just isint what it once was. I cant bang around for 8 hours anymore, lol Im lucky if I can do 2 hours. So Im more less a 2 sometimes 3 days a week player. Yep, Im married with a 7yr old son, who is starting to really like being on the tennis court. He sports the Head 25'' Jr. Agassi stick. My wife also is picking up on the sport as well. So we do the family thing once a week (weather permitting). My wife understands my passion for the game. She sees that all I want to do is get better and better. She has no problem with me playing as much as I want, in fact she encourages it. So thats it BB. I appreciate the responses and I look forward to your advice as I will stay an active member of this community.

Mike

 

[Bungalo Bill]

BB -

Thx for the reply again. I all but gave up on trying to find the specs for the Total Eclipse. I just got back from the local sports shop and Im going to demo the Head Liquid Metal 4. If that doesnt work out, Im going to demo the Babolat Pure Drive and the Head Liquid Metal 5 fro T-W.

As far as getting to the level I used to be, nah, Ive accepted that it wont happen. Im now 30 and my body just isint what it once was. I cant bang around for 8 hours anymore, lol Im lucky if I can do 2 hours. So Im more less a 2 sometimes 3 days a week player. Yep, Im married with a 7yr old son, who is starting to really like being on the tennis court. He sports the Head 25'' Jr. Agassi stick. My wife also is picking up on the sport as well. So we do the family thing once a week (weather permitting). My wife understands my passion for the game. She sees that all I want to do is get better and better. She has no problem with me playing as much as I want, in fact she encourages it. So thats it BB. I appreciate the responses and I look forward to your advice as I will stay an active member of this community.

Mike

Well good it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Really happy about yoru family getting into tennis. My wife is a little the opposite, she wants me to play but within reason! We have three kids and all my kids like to go to the courts. I have tried to get my wife on the court but it hasnt happened. She does like to go to Indian Wells in Palm Springs for a week every year to watch tennis. Her favorite hunk retired (Patrick Rafter) Thank God!Never seen her have so much interest watching a tennis player. Could never figure out why.

She is more interested in the players lives and who they are. Can you believe that? How boring! LOL

I got the feeling that the Pure Drive is going to be your ticket. Also, another racquet I like but was a tad to stiff for me was the Dunlop 300G. I did not like the 200G (felt a lot of dead spots). so give those a try.