How can I modify a VCore 95 to redirect pace more efficiently?

[huberns92]

I played with the PS97 V13, but unfortunately had to drop it due to elbow problems. I’ve demo’d 15-20 rackets this past year and finally found the VCore 95 to play most similarly. It does, naturally, have more of a “modern” feel to it though. One of the drawbacks I’ve seen is a flimsy feeling and a lesser ability to redirect pace, especially when returning.

How can I modify my VCore 95 to help with this? Where should I put lead tape? Thoughts on a leather grip?

 

[bobeeto]

I play a leather grip and 4 grams lead between 3/9. It’s rock solid. The best way you “redirect pace” sure up the “flimsy” feeling is creating a consistent contact point that’s centered in the stringbed. Obviously that’s not possible for every shot, but a lot of redirecting pace comes down to where your body weight is leading, and not the racket itself

 

[AmericanTwist]

What bobeeto said...Lead tape in hoop and leather grip (I also like a firmer feel) plus overgrip. I also put some weight at the butt cap for a more polarized set-up.

 

[BPlain]

Not a leather grip fan myself so I added two OGs and will be trying a little bit of lead at 3/9 next time out too. I usually prefer lead at 10/2 but with the natural sweet spot already being higher due to the racket shape, it didn't seem necessary.

 

[Sahbatage]

If only looking at the racket, lead at 3, 9, and 12. All three.

 

[flanker2000fr]

For what it's worth, I have put 1.5g at 10 and 2 each, plus 1g at 12. Plays rock solid, stable, and good plow through. The sweet spot is relatively high in the string bed in this configuration, but this is where I hit most of my shots.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

I played with the PS97 V13, but unfortunately had to drop it due to elbow problems. I’ve demo’d 15-20 rackets this past year and finally found the VCore 95 to play most similarly. It does, naturally, have more of a “modern” feel to it though. One of the drawbacks I’ve seen is a flimsy feeling and a lesser ability to redirect pace, especially when returning.

How can I modify my VCore 95 to help with this? Where should I put lead tape? Thoughts on a leather grip?

Get a shop to test swingweight. Get it to 325sw+ . I prefer to add weight all around the head 3,9,12 equally to get it there.

If you cant test swingweight - you cant just start adding 0.5g each at 3,9,12 and try it. If works you can add 0.5g all 3 places or just 3+9 or 12 and try if it helps more.

 

[BPlain]

Get a shop to test swingweight. Get it to 325sw+ . I prefer to add weight all around the head 3,9,12 equally to get it there.

If you cant test swingweight - you cant just start adding 0.5g each at 3,9,12 and try it. If works you can add 0.5g all 3 places or just 3+9 or 12 and try if it helps more.

To @gold325's point here @huberns92, do you generally play with more topspin-based or a flatter game?

For example, I've found the stock SW of the VC95 to be a good happy medium for my game of a heavier topspin forehand but flatter THBH. That's why I'm only experimenting with 1g at 3/9 right now as I want to prioritize maneuverability and whip on my forehand wing even if it's not as stable and plowy as I'd prefer on my backhand side.

But if you generally have flatter strokes and liked the static weight of the PS97 V13 before your elbow said no more, then I think adding a chunk of a weight at 3/9 and/or 12 would help with the stability. Just remember that you're probably exchanging it for maneuverability and whip if you add too much.

 

[vndesu]

With my vcore set up right now I have Confidential at 56 pounds and then a kimony leather grip plus 2g of lead around the 3 and 9 oclock area.

So far im loving it, while my partner is testing only 2-3g at 12 oclock.

 

[huberns92]

To @gold325's point here @huberns92, do you generally play with more topspin-based or a flatter game?

For example, I've found the stock SW of the VC95 to be a good happy medium for my game of a heavier topspin forehand but flatter THBH. That's why I'm only experimenting with 1g at 3/9 right now as I want to prioritize maneuverability and whip on my forehand wing even if it's not as stable and plowy as I'd prefer on my backhand side.

But if you generally have flatter strokes and liked the static weight of the PS97 V13 before your elbow said no more, then I think adding a chunk of a weight at 3/9 and/or 12 would help with the stability. Just remember that you're probably exchanging it for maneuverability and whip if you add too much.

Thanks for everyone’s response. Interesting comment, BPlain. I am in the modern stroke camp— vertical swing. I was raised on a Pure Aero 98. I liked the PS V13 because I could swing my modern stroke with a great amount of control. My strokes are not flat, especially the FH. I have a 2HB, and it’s also not flat. It’s very consistent with solid topspin. Just a great all around defensive stroke.

 

[BPlain]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Interesting comment, BPlain. I am in the modern stroke camp— vertical swing. I was raised on a Pure Aero 98. I liked the PS V13 because I could swing my modern stroke with a great amount of control. My strokes are not flat, especially the FH. I have a 2HB, and it’s also not flat. It’s very consistent with solid topspin. Just a great all around defensive stroke.

And just to be clear, you could probably/certainly tolerate more weight at 3/9 and/or 12 than this now on the wrong side of 40 poster. Let’s just say my racket head speed isn’t what it was anymore compared to when I was also in my early 30s

 

[Dragy]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Interesting comment, BPlain. I am in the modern stroke camp— vertical swing. I was raised on a Pure Aero 98. I liked the PS V13 because I could swing my modern stroke with a great amount of control. My strokes are not flat, especially the FH. I have a 2HB, and it’s also not flat. It’s very consistent with solid topspin. Just a great all around defensive stroke.

One question to you, is VCore 95 flimsiness more of a feel thing, or you get clearly weaker ball coming off your racquet?

 

[Anton]

I played with the PS97 V13, but unfortunately had to drop it due to elbow problems. I’ve demo’d 15-20 rackets this past year and finally found the VCore 95 to play most similarly. It does, naturally, have more of a “modern” feel to it though. One of the drawbacks I’ve seen is a flimsy feeling and a lesser ability to redirect pace, especially when returning.

How can I modify my VCore 95 to help with this? Where should I put lead tape? Thoughts on a leather grip?

My setup:

1/2g 12
1.5g 3+9
1g on V throat

Imo handle doesn't need weight due to very handle light balance

 

[fuzz nation]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Interesting comment, BPlain. I am in the modern stroke camp— vertical swing. I was raised on a Pure Aero 98. I liked the PS V13 because I could swing my modern stroke with a great amount of control. My strokes are not flat, especially the FH. I have a 2HB, and it’s also not flat. It’s very consistent with solid topspin. Just a great all around defensive stroke.

I'd say measure the racquet's balance before you add anything to the hoop. If you put at least a few grams at perhaps 3/9 o'clock (that generally works for me), you may also need to counterbalance by adding some weight to your handle to get back to at least the same balance you had before tuning so that you keep similar maneuvering ability with the heavier rig.

I add weight to my handles by placing lead tape on top of my replacement grip and then covering that with an overgrip. As long as it's applied in single layers, it doesn't alter the feel of the grip's bevels for me and its also easy to adjust if necessary when it's under my overgrip.

 

[Anton]

I'd say measure the racquet's balance before you add anything to the hoop. If you put at least a few grams at perhaps 3/9 o'clock (that generally works for me), you may also need to counterbalance by adding some weight to your handle to get back to at least the same balance you had before tuning so that you keep similar maneuvering ability with the heavier rig.

I add weight to my handles by placing lead tape on top of my replacement grip and then covering that with an overgrip. As long as it's applied in single layers, it doesn't alter the feel of the grip's bevels for me and its also easy to adjust if necessary when it's under my overgrip.

I find it funny that almost everybody puts on a 6 gram overgrip on the handle and never discuss the need to counter balance that on the hoop.

 

[fuzz nation]

I find it funny that almost everybody puts on a 6 gram overgrip on the handle and never discuss the need to counter balance that on the hoop.

At least the addition of a little heft to the handle doesn't affect the personality of my racquets nearly so much as when I put the same amount out on the hoop. I also got an education with this issue when I used heat shrink sleeves to build up a couple of my grips - I made one racquet too head-light for me when I did that, but once I placed a few grams total at 3/9 o'clock on the hoop, all was well.

 

[BPlain]

Not a leather grip fan myself so I added two OGs and will be trying a little bit of lead at 3/9 next time out too. I usually prefer lead at 10/2 but with the natural sweet spot already being higher due to the racket shape, it didn't seem necessary.

FWIW, I only lasted the warm up with a little lead at 3/9. Seems this frame and I get along best at stock static weight plus 2 OGs to make it more headlight. But just because it works for me doesn't make it so for others.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Hit the sweet spot 100% of the time.

 

[Siruncleclub]

I play a leather grip and 4 grams lead between 3/9. It’s rock solid. The best way you “redirect pace” sure up the “flimsy” feeling is creating a consistent contact point that’s centered in the stringbed. Obviously that’s not possible for every shot, but a lot of redirecting pace comes down to where your body weight is leading, and not the racket itself

Hey! Trying to set my vc95 now and found this thread here. I’ll def put a leather grip and some weight on 3&9 since I’m lacking feel and stability

But for strings, what tension do you use?

Thanks

 

[bobeeto]

Hey! Trying to set my vc95 now and found this thread here. I’ll def put a leather grip and some weight on 3&9 since I’m lacking feel and stability

But for strings, what tension do you use?

Thanks

Varied with different strings - but somewhere around 50lbs always felt really nice! Thinner gauges was around 52-53 and thicker were as low as 48lbs !