canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
My 1HBH is probably my best shot. Partly because I can go line or cross, or inside out with it, but mainly because it has to be good as I don’t have the legs to run around it and hit forehand.
Modern racquet for 1hbh
- Thread starter canta_Brian
- Start date
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
You get more 'whip' with a 1H IMO. Edit--that's what you were saying, I misread.
Spin Diesel
Hall of Fame
You really make me rethink the UP.
It is a good argument, that it is light in stock form anyways. Maybe I‘ll give that Vcore 95 demo another try with adding weight, because it has some good platform specs as well.Regarding weight, generally speaking - I wouldn‘t say that I‘m particularly gelling with heavy rackets altogether. I was even surprised about the specs when I measured that 93p after playing it. I once tested a Blade Pro that was lower in weight and a bit lower in SW compared to my 93p demo and immediately noticed that I couldn‘t play with it effictively, because of how sluggish it felt.
I‘m really looking forward to that TF40 demo though. On paper it sounds pretty much like what I‘m looking for. Some kind of inbetween, regarding control, spin and power as well as launch angle.. altough, high expectations often don‘t work out so well..hehe.
But basically I would prefer something slightly crisper than my phantom 100P.
BallBasher247
Semi-Pro
Definitely. The UP is one of the closest things to a cure for the addiction known around here as "racketholism" cuz of how nice it feels lol. VCore 95 also has potential to be great, and the past 3 generations are all special in their own ways. I've always wanted to try one but every time I'm about to cave in, the UP keeps me honestYou really make me rethink the UP.
Regarding weight, generally speaking - I wouldn‘t say that I‘m particularly gelling with heavy rackets altogether. I was even surprised about the specs when I measured that 93p after playing it. I once tested a Blade Pro that was lower in weight and a bit lower in SW compared to my 93p demo and immediately noticed that I couldn‘t play with it effictively, because of how sluggish it felt.
I‘m really looking forward to that TF40 demo though. On paper it sounds pretty much like what I‘m looking for. Some kind of inbetween, regarding control, spin and power as well as launch angle.. altough, high expectations often don‘t work out so well..hehe.
But basically I would prefer something slightly crisper than my phantom 100P.
That's not surprising. You seem to play better with HL rackets, even at varying weights. The BP is an even-balanced beast that hits like a truck; def more suited to 2HBH than 1HBH. That racket needs to be 340g+ to be HL enough for most 1HBH users, so a leather grip and handle/throat weight are a must to get it HL. BPs have an addicting feel too, but the Wilson QC lottery is more brutal with them bc of so much weight in the head. Those routinely have 340+ SW which can be a lot on a 98 headsize.
Yeah, the TF40 315 is really nice, but don't set sky high expectations even if it's tempting
on paper it checks your boxes though. IME they are super stable but need a little more plow so half a gram or so of lead at 12 makes a world of difference.
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I would suggest demoing the HD . It gives me a great OHBH even though I was not really looking for improvement from it.
LeftyJunk
Rookie
I recently drove the family through a tropical storm on our way to vacation and as soon as we got into our condos parking lot my wife told me I could treat myself to a new racquet! After reading about the Ultra Pro 16x19 from the Wilson Pro Labs I bought one. I have it weighed and balanced to match my favorite PS97 and I find it much easier to hit a one handed backhand than my PS97. But the PS97 is pretty sweet on the backhand side as well. I'm still tinkering with the Ultra but I could easily switch!
BallBasher247
Semi-Pro
Glad to hear that you made it home ok, these tropical storms have been pretty bad from what I hear.
What generation of PS do you use? If it's the v13, the UP plays very similar once weight is added. It'd be nice to have a PS and UP side by side, since the PS crispness gives you a little more put away power and help on slow days, and it shouldn't be too hard to switch between them.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Well then I'd maximize the racket for that shot. I find the Prince frames (Tours and Phantoms) exceptional for one handed shots off the BH wing. As a 2hander they are the only frames where trying a 1HBH seems almost natural to me.
LeftyJunk
Rookie
You hit the nail on the head with your assessment on the UP and PS97 v13. Definitely more free power with the PS97. Right now I have the UP weighed and balanced to match my favorite PS97 v11 which is a few grams over spec and 12pts head head light. I'm really enjoying how whippy the UP with this set up but I think I still need to get some weight out of the handle and in the hoop. But tinkering is what I bought the UP for and after only a week I could be happier!
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
I tried the Prince tour 100 310. No joy. Felt nice, swung well, but I had zero idea where the ball would end up.
Not a complaint you normally hear... so maybe the string was off or the feedback was different. Then again my first Graphite racquets were Prince. Have you tried anything else?
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
Working my way through some demos. Dunlop fx 500 tour is quite good. Yonex core pro 310 16/19 is nice but a bit demanding. Tried the head extreme tour 360+. Good frame, but it doesn’t offer much help.
Will try a pro staff 315 and maybe a puredrive vs. Also maybe a vcore. Not sure which version, maybe the 95?
Icedorb217
Semi-Pro
I just switched off of this to the Ultra Pro 16x19. Both are amazing but I prefer the more forgiveness the UP provides. Def recommend the UP as a amazing 1H BH stick.
I left the ultra tour for the prestige pro. I would love to try to UP 16x19 but honestly the PP is so much more affordable. One day I’ll give it a whirl but I’m afraid I’ll be in it for $750 bc I enjoyed the UT a lot and a 16x19 version has to be incredible
Icedorb217
Semi-Pro
If you look around or know who to PM you can snag a 25% off for the website that sells the UP 16x19
. Highly recommend it!
basil J
Hall of Fame
18 x 20 seem to be much better for 1HBH in my experience that 16 x 19's. Its my best shot and its always been reliable for me with an 18 x 20 frame. I used a becker melbourne for years and my BH was my biggest weapon. I am now playing a Volkl c10 pro and it has a tight 16 x 19. Serves and forehands are great. Absolutely love the frame. backhand slices and topspin drives are erratic and often sail long. I dont feel the same bite into the ball as I do with an 18 x 20.
Look at 18 x 20 frames over 11.6 oz and you should find something you like.
Look at 18 x 20 frames over 11.6 oz and you should find something you like.
tennis347
Hall of Fame
The Prince Phantom 100P is a great racquet for a one handed backhand. You get a 11.5 ounce racquet with a 6 point HL balance and a nice 320's-330 SW which gives you the mass for topspin and slice. The twistweight is above 15 and the stability is excellent for a thin beam racquet. I can't say enough good things about this racquet. I am surprised that it is not being used by more advanced players. I have 4 of these frames!!
gold325
Hall of Fame
VCORE 95 (the isometric headshape makes it play like a 98, the thin beam and headlight balance makes it come through easily)
Mods if needed
Mods if needed
- 1.33g each @ 3,9,12 (thanks Tennisspin)
- Spinny String - TRIAX if Full Multi, FirewireBOOST if Poly
- Add Overgrip
- Playing weigh around 340g @ 8HL (adjust weights if needed)
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
Currently trying the pro staff v13 315.
it’s genuinely quite good. But I’m not saying I really need this frame to take my game forward.
it’s genuinely quite good. But I’m not saying I really need this frame to take my game forward.
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
Update. This (pro staff) is the best of my demos so far. Which is a bit of a pain as it’s the most expensive. Going to trust it in a match and see what happens.
TennisHound
Legend
Current Pure Drive Tour is good for ohbh
WYK
Hall of Fame
I am a big fan of all the Prince 100's. The EXO ones especially. Solid, control, spin, and plush so it's easy to string them with stiff poly's.
KingGrayskull
Rookie
If you look around or know who to PM you can snag a 25% off for the website that sells the UP 16x19
My search skills aren't very good, it seems. Would love to find this.
ngoster
Semi-Pro
I play mine stock but loving it also.
gold325
Hall of Fame
Yesterday I ran a rather unscientific test.
The OHBH much preferred the 12HL frame (and diablo over nxg...) since it was easier to hit the sweetspot. My guess is most people have weaker muscles and therefore would prefer a more head lighter racket (that the same weight)
To test this I tried the following
So for weekend warriors with poor muscular development in general
MP > OS (same weight) since OS harder to swing on weaker OHBH musculature
More HL > Less HL (same weight) since Less HL is harder to swing on weaker OHBH musculature
Strength and Skill can overcome both factors....
- Prince Phantom 100 334.5g 8HL
- Yonex Vcore 95 2018 340g 9HL
- Prince Diablo MP 335g 12HL
- Prince NXG OS 337.5 12HL
The OHBH much preferred the 12HL frame (and diablo over nxg...) since it was easier to hit the sweetspot. My guess is most people have weaker muscles and therefore would prefer a more head lighter racket (that the same weight)
To test this I tried the following
- Prince NXG OS 344g 12HL (added OG)
- Prince POG 107 343g 7HL
So for weekend warriors with poor muscular development in general
MP > OS (same weight) since OS harder to swing on weaker OHBH musculature
More HL > Less HL (same weight) since Less HL is harder to swing on weaker OHBH musculature
Strength and Skill can overcome both factors....
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WYK
Hall of Fame
I used a diablo midplus for five years straight. Great stick.
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
Weirdly, cos I’m all for the headlight balance for ohbh, I hit a really light gravity mp (295gms) today. It’s only 1 point headlight and is 100sq inch. It was a nice hit. I may need to ask the masses about the rest of the gravity range.
gold325
Hall of Fame
The racquet days 12 point HL unstrung in the printed specs so I was expecting around 9HL string but in reality it's only about 7-8HL unstrung so string is about 4-5HL strung. Was really sad about that part....
gold325
Hall of Fame
The MP lite is basically a MP that's lighter in the handle... Add some weight int he handle and maybe a little in the head and you have a nice racquet around 335g playing weight strung.
BallBasher247
Semi-Pro
Most pros who use a 1HBH go for a higher static weight, more HL balance and generally smaller headsize than the 2HBH users. It's not just "weaker 1HBH musculature", it's also the mechanics of the stroke. If F=ma, then the acceleration component of the force imparted on the ball on a 1HBH is significantly higher than a 2HBH, which has less space to accelerate and thus relies more on the mass impacting the ball. Since the 2HBH is a more stable shot, you don't need as much recoil weight from the racket. The only pro I can think of with a 1HBH who uses anything over 32.5cm balance is Thiem, whose BH has less wrist rotation than anyone else on tour. Could be part of why his wrist is injured; his BH is great but his technique looks injury-prone.
Be careful; I've had nice hits with rackets that have completely different balance than my usual sticks and screwed up my stroke mechanics in the process. The other day I hit with a 2013 Blade 18x20 one of my teammates had since I forgot my racket. I love the way older Blades feel and play, and I enjoyed the hit. Only problem was that I started hitting my BH more like Thiem (less wrist action) instead of my usual Shapo-esque technique, so when I was back to using my more HL rackets, it took me about two sessions to start hitting my BH like normal.
The Gravity MP can be great w/weight added. Has a nice 16x20 pattern and low-medium power level. The Tour is nice too, with its open 18x20 pattern. It's kinda unstable though and already has a 33cm strung balance so idk. The Pro feels nice and plush but it's sluggish on the 1HBH, better for 2HBH.
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canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
This was a standard mp. Made me want to try the tour to see what they might be like a little heavier. Not sure I want 18/20 though.
bertrevert
Legend
Feel should be setting the dogs onto any chit chat about Gravity in a 1hbh thread... maybe throw the Grav MP as the bone for them, or fetch...
U see while it absolutely mind-blowing on RoS and blocked defence, in many other ways, but particularly the 1hbh, that MP big surface area 100 felt vague and wishy-washy. Then picking low balls up, anything up in the tip just died. The aerodynamically it just doesn't have that necessary scythe feel (yeh scythes, not a lot of feel) and that even-balance I just don't think it plays to the strength of the 1hbh with how we rip-open low-to-high...
pico
Hall of Fame
I have a 1hbh and use a Gravity Pro too. It is probably the best slicing racquet I have right now.
canta_Brian
Hall of Fame
I agree with all you have written. I genuinely don’t get why it worked. I’ll hit it again, it might have just been one of those days when I could have played with a wooden spoon.
Good to hear. I just got 2 quite beat up pieces for a summer restoration project. Cannot wait to hit with them.
phanamous
Rookie
The TF40 315 was top of my list for my 1HBH also. I did find it a tad too unwieldy but that could come down to QC. So an underspec'ed version could be perfect for me.
The other option I'm considering is getting the TF40 305 and add a heavier grip to it. TW say it's an easier swinging racquet in their reviews in comparison so that could be my ticket. I just can't find a demo locally being Canadian so probably will just buy it blind. Best feeling and most comfortable racquet of all that I tried recently. Foam filled core racquets from now on for me.
The other racquet that impressed me is the current Radical MP. Man, I was ripping some serious 1HBH with it. Great serving racquet too. It just feels too damn stiff and could cause elbow issues I'm foreseeing. That mainly, and it's retina burning paint job, are the reasons why I'm not getting it. The TF40 305's specs are nearly identical to the Radical so fingers crossed that it'll play similarly.
The other option I'm considering is getting the TF40 305 and add a heavier grip to it. TW say it's an easier swinging racquet in their reviews in comparison so that could be my ticket. I just can't find a demo locally being Canadian so probably will just buy it blind. Best feeling and most comfortable racquet of all that I tried recently. Foam filled core racquets from now on for me.
The other racquet that impressed me is the current Radical MP. Man, I was ripping some serious 1HBH with it. Great serving racquet too. It just feels too damn stiff and could cause elbow issues I'm foreseeing. That mainly, and it's retina burning paint job, are the reasons why I'm not getting it. The TF40 305's specs are nearly identical to the Radical so fingers crossed that it'll play similarly.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Buy one grip size down... add leather grip and two overgrips (first with no overlap and the second as standard)... and voila, the racquet is much more HL.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I don't find the Gravity Pro to be sluggish on the OHBH side at all... but mine is modified with weight in the head and handle.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Yonex VCORE Pro 97 330g - used by one of the best one hander of all time?
Except that he uses the Vcore 95D... but I know what you mean. They are both great for OHBHs (as are many of the Yonex racquets - 97HD, VCORE 95, RDiS 100 MP, Vcore 89, Ezone DR98, etc etc).
Which model did you get?
