Most 'Solid' Racquet You've Ever Played With?

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
In general, the most solid-feeling racquets for me have been the ones that actually are solid: old Princes, Rossis, and Pro, um, Kennices; top-line Wilsons; and just last weekend a Donnay X-Red 99 that was like a slab of sweetness.

The exception that sticks out for me is the original Profile. Though hollow, it felt like striking a ball with the entire planet.

Checkout the Profiles with 18 mains, especially the Air-shell versions. Damped, solid feel like a brick wall. Pity, few remember the Dunlop Revelations.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
> Pity, few remember the Dunlop Revelations.

My Revelation Tour Pros were only 11.6 ounces so I wouldn't call them solid in stock form. Leaded up to 17 ounces, yes.
 

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
the new donnay pro 1 is RE-DICULOUS

2011-12-18_11-47-07_444.jpg


like a prestige pro stock and radical mp had a baby
 
Most solid: Yamaha Secret 04 (puts all the other widebody's to shame for stiff and vibration free play)

Most solid I could play with: Wilson 6.1 95 (20% braided Kevlar and bullet proof)
 
Last edited:

martin

Banned
Most solid: Yamaha Secret 04 (puts all the other widebody's to shame for stiff and vibration free play)

Most solid I could play with: Wilson 6.1 95 (20% braided Kevlar and bullet proof)

haha....i've got two wilson 6.1 95. One is rock solid and one feels like a toy which says everything about the quality control of wilson.
BTW, my vantages are very solid rackets because i customized the rackets and the wilson that felt like a toy i also customized it and now it's solid as well just like my yonex rdis300 and my m-fil300, my rdx500 and all the other rackets i've had. The differences in solidness is now zero which means that solidness is not about the racket but about the specs.
 
Last edited:

007

Professional
Fischer VT98 Pro 330g (Kafelnikov)
TF335
Yonex RD Power 10 Long
Dunlop MW200G
Pre-2003 (swirl paint) Pure Control
PS 6.1 Classic
Volkl C7 Pro
 

martin

Banned
I see some rackets mentioned with skyhigh swingweights like the dunlop tour and the becker se or the kps88.
These rackets should not be even in contention as they will ALWAYS be solid and unwieldy as well and not suited for 95% of the TW members.
There are also solid rackets with normal swingweights and more realistic for the recreational player.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
The title is the most solid racquet that you've played with. Not that the average recreational player plays with.

I do see a lot of folks with static and swingweights that are on the eye-popping side (even higher than mine) that are moderately higher than the 345 max that you get from retail frames.

I saw a set of four pro-stocks for sale in another forum - I think that it was 365 static weight UNSTRUNG, XL and head-heavy. No clue who the frames are for but I'd guess the SW is up around 400. They look like they would make for a really fun hit.
 

TripleB

Hall of Fame
These rackets should not be even in contention as they will ALWAYS be solid and unwieldy as well and not suited for 95% of the TW members.

The title is the most solid racquet that you've played with. Not that the average recreational player plays with.

Exactly...I wasn't really concerned with how many people use the racquet, just wanted to know what the most solid one you've ever played with is.

TripleB
 

ultradr

Legend
I love my FXP Prestige MP and it's an all around solid frame BUT
all Head frames have this brassy and touch hollow feel to it( if you,
head users can related to...)

Old Yonex players frames are the most solid "feel" I've ever had.

But haven't tried recent frames of Head/Yonex.....
 

Noisy Ninja

Semi-Pro
Toss up between KPS88 and 6.1 Classic for me.
Solid racquets from the moment you pick them up as well as at the moment of impact with tennis ball.
Once you play with those two racquets, everything else feels as if you're wielding toothpicks...
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Toss up between KPS88 and 6.1 Classic for me.
Solid racquets from the moment you pick them up as well as at the moment of impact with tennis ball.
Once you play with those two racquets, everything else feels as if you're wielding toothpicks...

Played with a Wilson PS 4.2 95 yesterday, solid at a reasonable weight, 12.6 oz. No dead spots, no hot spots.
 

mikal16

New User
Most solid racquet you've ever played with

Volkl Comp Series Ç-10 mid closely followed by Head Pro Tour 280 and Head Prestige Classic 600.
 

Lendl

Semi-Pro
Great answer. I remember in high school I used the PS85 and my coach was a strong 4.5 player who used that monster. I tried it here and there and it was like 40mm thick and felt like it had a 95 stiffness rating. Just a beast of a racket when compared to what I was used to at the time.

The exception that sticks out for me is the original Profile. Though hollow, it felt like striking a ball with the entire planet.
 

SteveI

Legend
Pro Kennex Back Ace Tour - Close to 13 oz stock... swingweight was like 350... I think it was released about 2004? I had one for about 6 months. It was a beast!!! Stable if you could get it into position. ;-)
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Prince Diablo mid

Dunlop Revelation 200g

Dunlop 300i

Wilson Prostaff 6.0

Prince Original Graphite OS, even the version still sold on TW (which is actually called the Graphite Classic or something like that).

To name a few. And, this protoype next-generation Wilson 6.1 95, which I just playtested, was incredibly solid, IMO.
 

SteveI

Legend

Yuppers.. and I think it was released about 1999-2000.. or so!!

Some Feedback:

Comments:The ProKennex Black Ace Tour is one great playing racquet! Completely overlooked. It's 95sq. inches but feels like a 90 or 85, with much better control than any 95 square inch frame I've ever played with. The sweet spot was not small and I was able to play well with it the instant I picked it up! It is the heaviest feeling frame I have ever played with; much heavier than even my ProStaff 6.0 Original, but it has got to be one of the best feeling racquet's around. It bashed through every ball I hit with great accuracy, but I didn't get to hit any volleys or serves, an area where the Black Ace's maneuverability might be a major weakness. I didn't notice those elongated grommets at the top of the frame until just now, when I saw a picture of the Black Ace here on the TW web site...anyways, if you like a heavier feeling player's frame, and want great control, the ProKennex Black Ace Tour is definitely worth a demo.
From: Martina, Ca. USA 6/00
String type and tension: Tecnifibre NRG2 16g. @ 63-65lbs.

Comments:I just switched over to the ProKennex Black Ace Tour from a Wilson ProStaff Classic 6.1 and I love it. It's pretty heavy, which deters some people, however, I'm a fan of a heavy racquet (as is our buddy Pete Sampras). At first, I struggled a little to find the sweet spot consistently, but once I got used to swinging it (after about 30 minutes), I fell in love with the Black Ace. It is so pure when you hit the ball solid. I can now pound the ball corner to corner and crush passing shots at will (vintage Andre.) On the volleys it is crisp (again, after you get used to the movement of the racquet.) I am a ranked 18 year old and have signed a letter of intent to play Division I tennis. I consider myself a 5.0. I highly recommend this racquet for good, competitive and advanced players.
From: Mark, Rockford, IL. USA 2/00
String type and tension: Babolat Fiber Ace 16g. @ 65lbs.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Yuppers.. and I think it was released about 1999-2000.. or so!!

Some Feedback:

Comments:The ProKennex Black Ace Tour is one great playing racquet! Completely overlooked. It's 95sq. inches but feels like a 90 or 85, with much better control than any 95 square inch frame I've ever played with. The sweet spot was not small and I was able to play well with it the instant I picked it up! It is the heaviest feeling frame I have ever played with; much heavier than even my ProStaff 6.0 Original, but it has got to be one of the best feeling racquet's around. It bashed through every ball I hit with great accuracy, but I didn't get to hit any volleys or serves, an area where the Black Ace's maneuverability might be a major weakness. I didn't notice those elongated grommets at the top of the frame until just now, when I saw a picture of the Black Ace here on the TW web site...anyways, if you like a heavier feeling player's frame, and want great control, the ProKennex Black Ace Tour is definitely worth a demo.
From: Martina, Ca. USA 6/00
String type and tension: Tecnifibre NRG2 16g. @ 63-65lbs.

Comments:I just switched over to the ProKennex Black Ace Tour from a Wilson ProStaff Classic 6.1 and I love it. It's pretty heavy, which deters some people, however, I'm a fan of a heavy racquet (as is our buddy Pete Sampras). At first, I struggled a little to find the sweet spot consistently, but once I got used to swinging it (after about 30 minutes), I fell in love with the Black Ace. It is so pure when you hit the ball solid. I can now pound the ball corner to corner and crush passing shots at will (vintage Andre.) On the volleys it is crisp (again, after you get used to the movement of the racquet.) I am a ranked 18 year old and have signed a letter of intent to play Division I tennis. I consider myself a 5.0. I highly recommend this racquet for good, competitive and advanced players.
From: Mark, Rockford, IL. USA 2/00
String type and tension: Babolat Fiber Ace 16g. @ 65lbs.

Had an odd balance, tough to get into position is a great way to put it. Tiny grommets that broke easily. Predecessor to the PSE racquets.
 

mikal16

New User
"Most Solid Racquet.......re: C7 Comp

Ronaldo...I don't recall ever trying the C7 Comp. I may have long ago, but ended up with the C10 mid.

I do recall trying the C8 and really liked it alot....is the C7 the oversize Comp series? I wish that Volkl offered these racquets today as they were all fine racquets....at least for my "old school game".

Mikal
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Ronaldo...I don't recall ever trying the C7 Comp. I may have long ago, but ended up with the C10 mid.

I do recall trying the C8 and really liked it alot....is the C7 the oversize Comp series? I wish that Volkl offered these racquets today as they were all fine racquets....at least for my "old school game".

Mikal

It was a mid, 93" head. Had a pic, http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9039/dsc03158mediumax8.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/849/dsc03151mediumnh8.jpg
 

stevewcosta

Professional
RD-7 is good but far from the best Yonex. I would take anything with a "R" before the RD. The R-10 was one of my favorites - much more manueverable, much better feel, slightly larger head (97 or 98) and much thinner 18.5mm box beam. Better than any racquet on the current market.
 
It was stiffer than the c10 comp. It was dark red with black, mostly, with a little diamond sort of pattern. The c10 comp was black with a light, pale yellow. the c9 comp was blue and yellow.

Later, in 1997 it became the red, black and yellow c7 comp. Meanwhile the c10 pro was yellow with black fishscales. the 9s went orange at this point. the 8s were white.

All 4 were solid and really great-feeling, but the 10s were the absolute best. iirc, the 10s were generally heavier, too.
 
Last edited:

Cesare

Semi-Pro
It was stiffer than the c10 comp. It was dark red with black, mostly, with a little diamond sort of pattern. The c10 comp was black with a light, pale yellow. the c9 comp was blue and yellow.

Later, in 1997 it became the red, black and yellow c7 comp. Meanwhile the c10 pro was yellow with black fishscales. the 9s went orange at this point. the 8s were white.

All 4 were solid and really great-feeling, but the 10s were the absolute best. iirc, the 10s were generally heavier, too.

Do you mean that in 1997 it became the first edition of the c 7 pro, the classic 7 pro ( middplus)? Thanks.
 

Cesare

Semi-Pro
It was stiffer than the c10 comp. It was dark red with black, mostly, with a little diamond sort of pattern. The c10 comp was black with a light, pale yellow. the c9 comp was blue and yellow.

Later, in 1997 it became the red, black and yellow c7 comp. Meanwhile the c10 pro was yellow with black fishscales. the 9s went orange at this point. the 8s were white.

All 4 were solid and really great-feeling, but the 10s were the absolute best. iirc, the 10s were generally heavier, too.

Do you mean that in 1997 it became the first edition of the c 7 pro, the classic 7 pro ( midplus)? Thanks.
 
Yes, the comps were from, I think 1995. The C__pros came out in the summer of 1997. If I recall correctly, that's when Korda and Mac rocked the yellow ones for the first time.
 

Cesare

Semi-Pro
Yes, the comps were from, I think 1995. The C__pros came out in the summer of 1997. If I recall correctly, that's when Korda and Mac rocked the yellow ones for the first time.

I would say 1994, not sure though.as far as i can remember, they came out in that year along with the Volkl v1 vario
 

anirut

Legend
So many solid rackets have been mentioned.

Now, how 'bout the Yamaha YFG series ... solid fibreglass feel.

And also, how 'bout the PK Micro Aces.
 
I would say 1994, not sure though.as far as i can remember, they came out in that year along with the Volkl v1 vario
Yes, probably 1994, right with the Varios.
But for most of us in the US, it was 1995 unfortunately. In 1994 the red and yellow TC-25 or Tournament Pro (I think) was the one selling here. That stick was solid. Too stiff and widebodyish for my tastes, but rocksolid enough for a mention in this thread.

Oh, and speaking of solid sticks, I spent an hour today with the new Dunlop biomimimetimitetiticimitetic 200tour. It's one of the most solid racquets in the history of tennis.
 

mikal16

New User
Most solid racquet you've ever played with

Since it appears that there are a few posters who are familiar with the comp series Volkl's, how would you compare the feel and playability of the C-10 Pro (98) to the Comp C-10 mid?

At a glance, the 98 appears to be similar in materials and basic design to the C-10 Comp mid....just a larger string bed. Is this correct?
 

Jack Romeo

Professional
The most solid I hit with:
Wilson pro staff 6.1
Wilson n six one
Head microgel radical tour

The most solid I used (I use lighter player rackets or tweeners for recreational play):
Head microgel instinct
Yonex mp5 hs
Wilson hyper hammer 5.3 - the only head heavy racket I had any success with playing
Volkl catapult 7 - a total tweener but somehow, I loved the plush yet solid feel that provided one of the best combinations of power, comfort and control
 
Since it appears that there are a few posters who are familiar with the comp series Volkl's, how would you compare the feel and playability of the C-10 Pro (98) to the Comp C-10 mid?

At a glance, the 98 appears to be similar in materials and basic design to the C-10 Comp mid....just a larger string bed. Is this correct?

For me, the c10comp (93) head was the finest racquet of the 90s (like a modern Dunlop Max 200g).
As you pointed out, the c10Pro had a larger head, which I welcome now, but at the time, it felt large. It was sweet, but lacked some stability in the upper hoop. It begged for a few grams of lead at 10 and 2 o'clock. THe comp did not need lead at all. The layup was slightly different, I am sure. The headsize and headshape, too.

If I recall correctly, the dampening grip on the C10 pro was less extensive. Both had great feel. The c10 Pro was arguably better-looking (more of a rich yellow).

Hope that helps you.
 
Top