Help! Looking for an upgrade from the black Pro Staff 97LS!

[Ace214]

Hey guys, I'm currently using the black Pro Staff 97LS. I'm looking to upgrade now to a, well a big boy racquet haha.
I'm looking for a heavier racquet with a similar feel that does all that the 97LS does, only better.
I'm 23 YO, and use an eastern single handed backhand, and a semi western forehand. I currently have lead tape on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and I've Richard Gasquet-ed my grip, so the racquet weighs around 336g.

Any suggestions for a racquet that fits my billing?

 

[Lukhas]

There's always lead tape. The PS97 isn't that different but has a livelier stringbed compared to the PS97LS.

 

[Ace214]

Yeah, I've been using lead tape, but I want a racquet that carries that weight already. Lead tape is fine, but I'm missing the heft from an already heavy frame if that makes sense?
What about the PS97S?

 

[Ace214]

Anything else that you think is like the 97LS but in an advanced (if that's the right word) build?

 

[Lukhas]

Yeah, I've been using lead tape, but I want a racquet that carries that weight already. Lead tape is fine, but I'm missing the heft from an already heavy frame if that makes sense?
What about the PS97S?

A number of pro players just slap buckets or lead and silicone on very light racquets, so whatever suits you. The PS97S doesn't have the same mould nor the same feel as the 97 or the 97LS. It's a different animal, but demoing doesn't hurt.

 

[Braxton Wallis]

I used the exact racquet and recently bought the 97s and I am pretty pleased. It took a little adjustment but not too much difference. I recommend demoing it for sure

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

 

[DustinW]

336g is a decent strung weight. Why do you want to go heavier? Plenty of people are playing big boy tennis with lighter rackets than that.

Do you want to stay with the spin effect string pattern? If not, there are plenty of options in the 305-310g unstrung range... Yonex SV98, Yonex DR98, Bab Pure Strike, Wilson Blade, Head Radical Pro, Head Prestige S, Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Volkl V1 Pro.

Or if you can find a used Six.One 95s, it is similar to the 97LS but heavier and much more solid feeling.

 

[fuzz nation]

I'd bet that the PS 97 would be close to what you're looking for, but you may also want to dial in your fit using a little lead tape if the stability or balance isn't quite right.

 

[Ace214]

I guess what I'd like to see with my new racquet is a similar feel (if not amplified), similar beam, but more stability and a racquet that feels more solid. One that feels like it packs a punch, moreso than the LS does. I've tried lead tape, but it just doesn't seem to do it! My current set up weighs 336 g.

 

[Lukhas]

I guess what I'd like to see with my new racquet is a similar feel (if not amplified), similar beam, but more stability and a racquet that feels more solid. One that feels like it packs a punch, moreso than the LS does. I've tried lead tape, but it just doesn't seem to do it! My current set up weighs 336 g.

It begs the question: where and how did you put the lead tape? The LS already have quite the twist weight at 13.86, and you've added about 30 grams to it. Moreover, twist weight gets higher by one unit for every 6 grams at 3 and 9 (3 gram on each side), and swing weight by 10 units for the same amount of lead (or for every 3 grams at noon). The LS has a SW of 313. So unless the racquet is far off (and I mean, way off) specs... I really wonder how you did customize it.

 

[Ace214]

Yeap, sorry I'll be more specific with how I've customised it: I currently have lead tape on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and I've Richard Gasquet-ed my grip, so the racquet weighs 336g.

 

[Lukhas]

Yeap, sorry I'll be more specific with how I've customised it: I currently have lead tape on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and I've Richard Gasquet-ed my grip, so the racquet weighs 336g.

How much lead tape in grams? How? What length are the strips?

Honestly I went to the TWU Reverse Engineering tool and I can't end up with a racquet that wouldn't be heftier than a 97 or a 97S. Factoring in a TW/TWU average 97LS and considering you have added close to 30 grams of weight, I have two repartitions for 33 added grams (to reach 336g): one with 9 grams at 3&9 o'clock (4.5 on each side), 3g at noon and the rest in the handle: 15 added grams at 5' to mimic the addition of a leather grip and an overgrip, and the rest at 7' (general recommendation for counter balancing). The other repartition with three grams less at 3&9 o'clock and 3 grams more at 7'. Like I said, both repartitions have more heft than either the 97 or the 97S. EDIT: The actual half-way point on the handle is actually around 3.75' and not 5', so these theoretical racquets could/should actually be even more head light.

If that's not heavy enough, you're better off considering the RF97 real quick, or ask @Shroud about how he customizes his racquets. Which is why I asked precise details on how you've customized your racquets.

 

[Ace214]

To keep things simple, assuming that 336g is a good enough weight for me atm, do you think I should be inclined towards the 97 or 97s?

PS: Thank you for all your help so far. I really do appreciate how helpful you and the community in general have been. Big up!

 

[Lukhas]

To keep things simple, assuming that 336g is a good enough weight for me atm, do you think I should be inclined towards the 97 or 97s?

PS: Thank you for all your help so far. I really do appreciate how helpful you and the community in general have been. Big up!

There's no way for me to answer your question if you don't answer mine about how and where precisely you've put weight on your current racquet. The weight means nothing without the repartition. Where the weight is matters way more than how much weight there is. If you put 25 out of 30 grams in the handle, the racquet you have will play nothing like the 97 or the 97S. Nothing at all. And if you use either one of the repartitions I've put in my previous post, your 97LS will feel heftier than the 97 or the 97S.

EDIT: Also, if you have your eyes set on two racquets, the best way to determine which one you like more is to demo, and you should demo. TW and TW Europe both have pretty good demo programs depending of where you live. Both could work for different reasons: the 97S for the more similar string pattern, and the 97 for the more similar mould (while not identical).

 

[Ace214]

I don't have my eyes set on 2 racquets, I just mentioned those 2 going off of popular opinion.

The weight is in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions in the racquet, and I'm sure the extra grips add to the weight to.

So what racquet do you think would answer my original question here?

 

[Ace214]

There's no way for me to answer your question if you don't answer mine about how and where precisely you've put weight on your current racquet. The weight means nothing without the repartition. Where the weight is matters way more than how much weight there is. If you put 25 out of 30 grams in the handle, the racquet you have will play nothing like the 97 or the 97S. Nothing at all. And if you use either one of the repartitions I've put in my previous post, your 97LS will feel heftier than the 97 or the 97S.

EDIT: Also, if you have your eyes set on two racquets, the best way to determine which one you like more is to demo, and you should demo. TW and TW Europe both have pretty good demo programs depending of where you live. Both could work for different reasons: the 97S for the more similar string pattern, and the 97 for the more similar mould (while not identical).

I don't have my eyes set on 2 racquets, I just mentioned those 2 going off of popular opinion.
The weight is in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions in the racquet, and I'm sure the extra grips add to the weight to.

So what racquet do you think would answer my original question here, which was:

Hey guys, I'm currently using the black Pro Staff 97LS. I'm looking to upgrade now to a, well a big boy racquet haha.
I'm looking for a heavier racquet with a similar feel that does all that the 97LS does, only better.
I'm 23 YO, and use an eastern single handed backhand, and a semi western forehand. I currently have lead tape on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and I've Richard Gasquet-ed my grip, so the racquet weighs around 336g. I've been using lead tape, but I want a racquet that carries that weight already. Lead tape is fine, but I'm missing the heft from an already heavy frame if that makes sense?

Any suggestions for a racquet that fits my billing?

The most popular suggestion seems to be the 97S

 

[Lukhas]

I don't have my eyes set on 2 racquets, I just mentioned those 2 going off of popular opinion.
The weight is in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions in the racquet, and I'm sure the extra grips add to the weight to.

So what racquet do you think would answer my original question here, which was:

Hey guys, I'm currently using the black Pro Staff 97LS. I'm looking to upgrade now to a, well a big boy racquet haha.
I'm looking for a heavier racquet with a similar feel that does all that the 97LS does, only better.
I'm 23 YO, and use an eastern single handed backhand, and a semi western forehand. I currently have lead tape on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, and I've Richard Gasquet-ed my grip, so the racquet weighs around 336g. I've been using lead tape, but I want a racquet that carries that weight already. Lead tape is fine, but I'm missing the heft from an already heavy frame if that makes sense?

Any suggestions for a racquet that fits my billing?

The most popular suggestion seems to be the 97S

You can write again what you've already written, I've read you the first time. My answers are not going to change. Just make sure to demo before buying.

 

[Ace214]

You can write again what you've already written, I've read you the first time. My answers are not going to change. Just make sure to demo before buying.

That's fair Lukhas, thanks for your help! So you're saying that I should demo the PS97 and PS97s correct? (PS: Hope you're up to date with the new Pokemon trailers haha)