Kennex Core1 #10 - Anyone playing bumperless?

[volleyman]

I am searching for that perfect frame that fits my game and doesn't hurt my shoulder or my elbow. As part of the hunt, I am demoing a Pro Kennex Core1 #10.

Overall, I really like the racquet - nice feel, great maneuverability at the net, serves well and doesn't kill my elbow. The 27.25 inch length seems just about perfect for me and I can hit good backhands, both 1 and 2 handed with it.

The only problem is that it can feel a little sluggish at the baseline, and the combination of static weight and swingweight is a bit much for the shoulder. Nothing dramatic, but after two sets of singles, some shoulder twinges I haven't felt since I switched to the Bandit MP (solved shoulder problems, gave me tennis elbow).

However, according to TW, I can remove the bumper guard and perhaps reach nirvana. Without the bumper, the static weight drops from 11.3 oz to 10.8 oz, the swingweight drops from 336 to 290(!) and it goes from 3 pts head light to 8 pts head light.

I recently demoed the Volkl Catapult V1 MP, which has similar specs to the bumperless Core1 #10 ( Cat V1 MP: 10.8 oz, 310 swingweight, 4 pts head light). Serving with that racquet did not give me twinges.

So, has anyone played with a bumperless Core1 #10? How was it? Did you need to add some lead tape to stabilize the head?

 

[Fred132]

I really like that racquet! I've considered getting one myself.
Compared to my 5Gs, though, hitting groundstrokes is not as comfortable.

Personally, I wouldn't take the bumper off. The racquet is almost too light with the bumper on.

Instead, I would string it with gut and see what happens.

 

[swilburn]

Might try adding some lead to the handle, will keep the mass and make it more head light.

 

[cristian p]

I've briefly hit with the #10 with and without bumper. For me, the racquet becomes almost unplayable without the bumper despite the fact that it's a pretty nice feeling racquet. The racquet is very light as it is, and making the racquet even lighter and more headlight doesn't bode well for aggressive hitting. There just wasn't enough pace and weight behind my strokes, at least from what I'm used to, when generating power on my own or handling power from my opponent. The racquet played much better with the bumper on.