Moving on from Pro Staff 97 2014

[powerrangers]

Time to look for a new racquet I've been using the 2014 version of the Wilson Pro Staff for the last 7 years.
Looking to try out some of the newer racquets on the markets. Something with decent power since im getting older but maintain wexcellent control.
I'm so used to the feel of the Pro Staff especially for slices if I can find something that slices just as well that would be awesome.
I guess the first logical step would be for me to try the newest version Pro Staff 97, but it would be good to hear from other racquet addicts on what other racquets I should try or if you could share your experiences of the old Pro Staff 97 compared to the new version.

 

[TennisManiac]

Time to look for a new racquet I've been using the 2014 version of the Wilson Pro Staff for the last 7 years.
Looking to try out some of the newer racquets on the markets. Something with decent power since im getting older but maintain wexcellent control.
I'm so used to the feel of the Pro Staff especially for slices if I can find something that slices just as well that would be awesome.
I guess the first logical step would be for me to try the newest version Pro Staff 97, but it would be good to hear from other racquet addicts on what other racquets I should try or if you could share your experiences of the old Pro Staff 97 compared to the new version.

It's funny you post this. I'm in the exact same position. I too have been using the 2014 PS97 since its release. Modified of course with lead in the hoop at 12, 3 and 9 and an overgrip. Every other PS97 that has come out since has stunk imo. Including the newest version with the tighter string pattern. I hear that Wilson is putting out a "new" Pro Staff 97 sometime this fall. I'm not sure if it's really true or not. But that's what I've heard. I don't see Wilson making a PS97 that would impress me anymore as they've failed so many times. After extensive research. I have decided that the two rackets I will be trying out to replace the PS97 will be the HEAD Extreme Tour and the new Babolat Pure Aero VS 2023 when it comes out in January. Both rackets will need weight added in the hoop and an overgrip of course for a bit of added weight in the handle. From everything I've gathered. I'm leaning towards the PAVS as the one to move forward with as I crave a little more power and spin these days. But who knows... the Extreme Tour might turn into a really nice racket too with proper modification. But these are the two I would highly suggest trying.

And for what it's worth. I've play tested the following rackets in the past couple of years and found something very wrong with each of them.

Yonex Vcore Pro 97
Yonex Vcore 95
Yonex Vcore 98
Yonex Ezone 98 Tour
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro
Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen
Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13
Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V6
Technifibre TF40 305 16x19

 

[Tranqville]

Pure Strike Tour (3d Gen)
TFight RS 315
Prestige Tour Auxetic
Radical Pro
Ezone Tour (2022)

 

[fuzz nation]

Time to look for a new racquet I've been using the 2014 version of the Wilson Pro Staff for the last 7 years.
Looking to try out some of the newer racquets on the markets. Something with decent power since im getting older but maintain wexcellent control.
I'm so used to the feel of the Pro Staff especially for slices if I can find something that slices just as well that would be awesome.
I guess the first logical step would be for me to try the newest version Pro Staff 97, but it would be good to hear from other racquet addicts on what other racquets I should try or if you could share your experiences of the old Pro Staff 97 compared to the new version.

I was a slicing on grass courts with wood racquets as a kid, so you've got my attention with your wish list. The gear that I'm used to isn't necessarily great for everybody, but if you haven't sampled racquets that are a little heavier than the PS 97, you might get a lot of what you're looking for there.

I don't think that something like the Federer RF 97 is a great idea for anybody other than a pretty dedicated serve and volleyer, but I've been enjoying the Volkl C10 for a lot of years. Its flex gives me superlative comfort and its heft makes it nicely stable through the ball. At least for me, that inherent stability that comes with a little extra heft makes a huge difference both with my slicing and also my volleys. Okay, I love it for serving, too.

My C10's have lead added to their handles for a little extra head-light balance and easier maneuvering. Whenever I try something lighter like the Blade 98, a Pure Drive, or even the older PS 97 in my loaner bag, these "middleweights" just don't compare. Again, I'm used to my C10's, but there's something to be said for a racquet that's heavy enough to command the ball for shots like slices and volleys.

I also recently picked up a Prince Phantom 97 just to try something different. This is another racquet that's a little heavier than what I'd consider to be a middleweight, but it's not going to chase my C10's out of my bag tomorrow. Is it decent? I think so. One other definite maybe could be a Head Prestige mp with a stock heft up around 11.8 oz. strung. Don't be shy about tuning with lead tape if you want to try dialing something in for you. It's cheap and easy to undo if it doesn't help your cause.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Extreme Tour? Similar headsize, beam, flex, medium-power, good spin, good control. 10g / 5pt SW lighter. Can be customised.

 

[powerrangers]

It's funny you post this. I'm in the exact same position. I too have been using the 2014 PS97 since its release. Modified of course with lead in the hoop at 12, 3 and 9 and an overgrip. Every other PS97 that has come out since has stunk imo. Including the newest version with the tighter string pattern. I hear that Wilson is putting out a "new" Pro Staff 97 sometime this fall. I'm not sure if it's really true or not. But that's what I've heard. I don't see Wilson making a PS97 that would impress me anymore as they've failed so many times. After extensive research. I have decided that the two rackets I will be trying out to replace the PS97 will be the HEAD Extreme Tour and the new Babolat Pure Aero VS 2023 when it comes out in January. Both rackets will need weight added in the hoop and an overgrip of course for a bit of added weight in the handle. From everything I've gathered. I'm leaning towards the PAVS as the one to move forward with as I crave a little more power and spin these days. But who knows... the Extreme Tour might turn into a really nice racket too with proper modification. But these are the two I would highly suggest trying.

And for what it's worth. I've play tested the following rackets in the past couple of years and found something very wrong with each of them.

Yonex Vcore Pro 97
Yonex Vcore 95
Yonex Vcore 98
Yonex Ezone 98 Tour
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro
Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen
Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13
Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V6
Technifibre TF40 305 16x19

Thans for the suggestions , I'm now really interested to demo the Head Extreme Tour. I play with my Pro Staff with added weight exactly the same as you. It's dissapointing to hear the newer Pro Staffs aren't an improvement on the old model.
May I ask out of the list you have tried what were the main things you didn't like compared to the 2014 Pro Staff?

 

[Trip]

@powerrangers - Without knowing more specifics other that what you've shared, I think you're going to want to look at something with perhaps slightly less static weight, and/or a slightly wider beam, to help with easy power, while retaining all the other Pro Staff -like qualities. Here's the spec range I would use as a guide:

Head Size: 97-99" (maybe a more controlled 100")
Static Weight: 305-315g unstrung (11.3-11.8oz strung)
Swing Weight: Similar (~320 kg/cm²), so I'd say 318-325
String Pattern: 16 mains, with medium-density center 6-8 mains for balanced control/spin
Flex: Medium-Stiff - 63-67RA
Layup: Similarly dense/meaty (thickly-woven graphite blend and/or foam filled)
Beam: As wide or a bit wider (21.5mm to, say, 23mm)
Balance: I'd keep it close -- 7pts head-light strung +/- 1, so 6-8 points head-light strung

So, all of the above considered, here's what I'd look to demo:

- Babolat Pure Strike VS (it will need a bit of hoop lead @ 12, maybe @ 6 as well)
- Dunlop SX 300 Tour
- Furi Arma Pro 98
- Head Boom Pro
- Head Extreme Tour (2022 Auxetic)
- Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13
- Yonex EZone 98 (2022)

If you can wait long enough, per @TennisManiac's suggestion, I would also add the forthcoming 2023 Pure Aero 98 (currently called the Pure Aero VS), as the feel should be improved over the current one.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[TennisManiac]

Thans for the suggestions , I'm now really interested to demo the Head Extreme Tour. I play with my Pro Staff with added weight exactly the same as you. It's dissapointing to hear the newer Pro Staffs aren't an improvement on the old model.
May I ask out of the list you have tried what were the main things you didn't like compared to the 2014 Pro Staff?

From each racket? Wow.... that's asking a lot. I'll try.

Yonex Vcore Pro 97 - Loved the feel and control. But too low powered, even with lead.
Yonex Vcore 95 - Could never gel with the smaller headsize. And a little jarring on off center shots.
Yonex Vcore 98 - Loved the feel and control. But too flimsy and weak feeling on service returns.
Yonex Ezone 98 Tour - Felt to muted and clumsy through the air.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro - Great control. Spin was just o.k. Felt clumsy to swing.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP - Launch angle was too high for me. Felt very cheap and flimsy.
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro - Greatest serving racket ever for some strange reason. Control was good. But too light and couldn't return big serves well. Very low twist weight.
Babolat Pure Strike Tour 16x19 3rd Gen - Too stiff. Too clumsy through the air.
Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 - Liked everything about it except for the fact that it was very low powered. I'm done with that.
Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V6 - Felt too muted and flexible. Was very low powered.
Technifibre TF40 305 16x19 - Way too flexible and low powered.

 

[powerrangers]

Wow thanks for the detailed write up, I missed this forum !!

 

[TennisHound]

Time to look for a new racquet I've been using the 2014 version of the Wilson Pro Staff for the last 7 years.
Looking to try out some of the newer racquets on the markets. Something with decent power since im getting older but maintain wexcellent control.
I'm so used to the feel of the Pro Staff especially for slices if I can find something that slices just as well that would be awesome.
I guess the first logical step would be for me to try the newest version Pro Staff 97, but it would be good to hear from other racquet addicts on what other racquets I should try or if you could share your experiences of the old Pro Staff 97 compared to the new version.

Wilson Blade Pro 16x19 may be an idea.

 

[ariwibowo]

I used to play with PS97 2014 (v10) but now mostly using Prince Textreme Tour 100-310. I am in the middle of trying out Prince Textreme ATS 98.

 

[powerrangers]

just a follow up to this, I had a brief hit with the Gravity Pro, 2022 Speed Pro and Pro Staff 97v13.
They were all strung with unknown poly strings. some quick thoughts

As soon as I hit with the Gravity Pro I was amazed with the comfort there was almost no vibration just a nice pocketing feeling, control was outstanding .The launch angle felt perfect, it definately could do with some added weight in the head and handle. I feel his racquet really shines against agressive baseliners. I felt very confident in placing the ball

I was also looking forward to trying to the Speed Pro due to the glowing reviews, first hit I noticed the launch angle was very low it took a few minutes to adjust my swing. The power level wasnt as high as a thought it would be, comfort level was good just not as good as the Gravity Pro. Overall I think it does everything well however doesnt excel in one area.

The pro staff 97v13 as soon as I hit with it the it was like hitting with a log after hitting with the Heads lol. I knew right away it wasnt for me, harsh on the arm and too low powered.

Keep in mind i usually play with a 2015 Pro staff 97 with lead and leather grip, natural gut and poly. So what now? Ill probably try the gravity pro again with added weight, i also want to demo the Wilson Shift racquets.

 

[Chris Wilson]

Have you tried new ProStaff X? It's got that solid ProStaff feel, is excellent with slices, and will be more forgiving and give you a bit more power than your current ProStaff. For what it's worth, when I hit with it, it didn't feel like a 100 sq in frame, and it didn't feel difficult to swing. It almost tempts me back into the world of the ProStaff. The closest other racket out there to the new X is probably the Dunlop CX400 Tour; that might be worth a try too. It will be more forgiving than the ProStaff 97, and might have a bit more power, but you will need to weight it up.

If you move away from the ProStaff, you'll probably want to stick with the more traditional feeling, thin-beam raquets, like the Prestiges (maybe a bit underpowered?), VCore Pro (not Ezone or regular VCore), the Blade (might feel too muted after the ProStaff), or maybe the Gravity (though it will feel pretty different). The Extreme Tour is a great racket, but it won't give you any more power than your current ProStaff; probably less, actually, but it will have a lot more spin and may be more forgiving. I don't think you'll like the thicker beam offerings much (VCore, Ezone, Speed MP, just about any Technifibre).

 

[Creighton]

Wilson Pro Staff 100 LS guy myself, so also a 2014 model guy. How are the new racquets going?

I hit with a Yonex V Core 95 2021 version two months ago and absolutely loved it. But I'm just so afraid of switching racquets. Can't tell if it would benefit me or if it was just a placebo effect from having a good day with the V core.

 

[aus89]

Blade Pro, SixOne 95 or 100 or PS X might be good options

 

[shamaho]

Hey @powerrangers - you made the switch yet ?
I'm in the exact same position as you.

I played with Extreme tour for couple of matches was it was the one that my muscle memory transfered the easiest, I believe it's due to the similar balance.
I agree with comments from @TennisManiac os a few sticks I also tried.

My dillema now is considering the move for a mere 5 grams of difference, you might be saying: hang-on...305g to 315g is 10g

See my sig, I customized my PS97 but recently all of a sudden, found it was too heavy for me to swing and create acceleration... so I proceeded to try othes sticks.

Went to the Prince Response 97 which was 320g but soooo much easier to wield, the compromise was lack of ball weight... made the same customizations as on the PS97 and was much better but still something was lacking.

Demoed the Extreme Tour (in stock form) and found I could accelerate the ball so easy, and serve flat bombs just as easy.... the compromise on this one? lack of stability on defensive, streched out shots... or on touch volleys half-volleys at net...

So, went back to the PS97 and stripped it of all customizations and now playing with it stock form, and it's now back at that familiar territory - though I feel it still demands a quite a bit more from whole-body engagement to produce a quality ball.

So my racionalization is... the Extreme could be easier to produce quality ball but once I add the customizations the difference to the stock PS97 would be something like 5 grams....

Now, is it worth to change sticks and the adaptation curve for 5 grams ??

 

[shamaho]

Hey @powerrangers - you made the switch yet ?
I'm in the exact same position as you.

I played with Extreme tour for couple of matches was it was the one that my muscle memory transfered the easiest, I believe it's due to the similar balance.
I agree with comments from @TennisManiac os a few sticks I also tried.

My dillema now is considering the move for a mere 5 grams of difference, you might be saying: hang-on...305g to 315g is 10g

See my sig, I customized my PS97 but recently all of a sudden, found it was too heavy for me to swing and create acceleration... so I proceeded to try othes sticks.

Went to the Prince Response 97 which was 320g but soooo much easier to wield, the compromise was lack of ball weight... made the same customizations as on the PS97 and was much better but still something was lacking.

Demoed the Extreme Tour (in stock form) and found I could accelerate the ball so easy, and serve flat bombs just as easy.... the compromise on this one? lack of stability on defensive, streched out shots... or on touch volleys half-volleys at net...

So, went back to the PS97 and stripped it of all customizations and now playing with it stock form, and it's now back at that familiar territory - though I feel it still demands a quite a bit more from whole-body engagement to produce a quality ball.

So my racionalization is... the Extreme could be easier to produce quality ball but once I add the customizations the difference to the stock PS97 would be something like 5 grams....

Now, is it worth to change sticks and the adaptation curve for 5 grams ??

My heart is sayin' yeah go for it !! it's those 5grams that's make the stick just in the right spot for you...
My head and my wallet sayin - hey! hang on... for a measly 5 grams ?! grab some halters and get a work-out routine to handle those extra 5grams !!

 

[shamaho]

The Extreme Tour is a great racket, but it won't give you any more power than your current ProStaff

In principle I agree with you, power levels seem similar.

BUT It depends @Chris Wilson, The PS97 has way more mass and heft so it takes better physical conditioning to accelerate the ball with it, especially when playing on red clay where you're sliding around, and handling last micro-second wonky bad bounces and such. But when do hit it well, yes there's no comparison on the ball weight and control - not necessarily speed.

With the Extreme though, I could much easily accelerate racket head over the ball thus better ball speed, spin and that dip-down of the ball in the last second can be vicious ! and I could do it without so much exertion I felt, so on a long point (common in red clay) it could prove to make that crucial difference in latter stages of the match.

On serve I also could accelerate the racket so much easier thus get better power on it...

so... it depends

 

[p-ratziner]

I have played the ps97 v11 since 2018, currently strung with outlast 1.30 at 48lbs. Looking for something less demanding, I bought the head radical mp 2021 and the truth is that I don't see that it gives me more power or control. The response of the framework is less predictable to me. I have added four grams to the 3 and 9 and it has improved... Maybe it is a little better on short forehand balls.
I'm over forty years old and my physical shape is good, classic style with one-handed backhand, I use a lot of slice. I play in clay. Level 4.5.
Has anyone found a racket that allows you to change the pro staff 97?
I briefly tested the ps97L with some lead and it seemed to work more or less well. At least the answer seems predictable to me.

 

[Chairman3]

I have played the ps97 v11 since 2018, currently strung with outlast 1.30 at 48lbs. Looking for something less demanding, I bought the head radical mp 2021 and the truth is that I don't see that it gives me more power or control. The response of the framework is less predictable to me. I have added four grams to the 3 and 9 and it has improved... Maybe it is a little better on short forehand balls.
I'm over forty years old and my physical shape is good, classic style with one-handed backhand, I use a lot of slice. I play in clay. Level 4.5.
Has anyone found a racket that allows you to change the pro staff 97?
I briefly tested the ps97L with some lead and it seemed to work more or less well. At least the answer seems predictable to me.

Why not try the 6.1 100 or the new Pro Staff X?
Seems like what you're after, probably not as much control as the 97, but if you are relatively advanced you can probably handle it or tension up 2lbs or thicker string guage.

 

[p-ratziner]

The pro staff 100 line has not entered my country.
The most similar options would be head gravity, head speed mp, yonex precept 100 or prince tour 100 (310)...
I have tried the speed mp, it seems good but not excellent.

 

[powerrangers]

Update so I still havent found something I want to switch to permanently . For now im hitting with an older version Gravity Tour which of course is much more comfortable than the Pro Staff, Ive been a bit lazy trying out new racquets as its hard to fully gauge a demo without using strings im used to.
I have demoed.
PS97 V14 With Alu Power - familiar PS feel however felt too harsh on the arm, maybe worth a hit with a Natural Gut hybrid or softer Poly?
Percept 97D with PTP - I quite liked this, I may try the normal 97 as it felt like I preferred more spin/higher launch angle. I like how the head feels solid and stable. Close to the Pro Staff feel
Wilson Shift 315 and retail 99 Pro - Nice blend of power control and spin , however after a few hours felt a bit harsh on the arm.
Latest version of the Yonex 95 - too muted feeling for me.

Ive come to realise I like more softer pocketing type poly strings in a full bed so from here I may try some of these racquets out again with different strings. Open to recommendations, as Natural gut hybrids hit the wallet too hard !

 

[powerrangers]

Hey @powerrangers - you made the switch yet ?
I'm in the exact same position as you.

I played with Extreme tour for couple of matches was it was the one that my muscle memory transfered the easiest, I believe it's due to the similar balance.
I agree with comments from @TennisManiac os a few sticks I also tried.

My dillema now is considering the move for a mere 5 grams of difference, you might be saying: hang-on...305g to 315g is 10g

See my sig, I customized my PS97 but recently all of a sudden, found it was too heavy for me to swing and create acceleration... so I proceeded to try othes sticks.

Went to the Prince Response 97 which was 320g but soooo much easier to wield, the compromise was lack of ball weight... made the same customizations as on the PS97 and was much better but still something was lacking.

Demoed the Extreme Tour (in stock form) and found I could accelerate the ball so easy, and serve flat bombs just as easy.... the compromise on this one? lack of stability on defensive, streched out shots... or on touch volleys half-volleys at net...

So, went back to the PS97 and stripped it of all customizations and now playing with it stock form, and it's now back at that familiar territory - though I feel it still demands a quite a bit more from whole-body engagement to produce a quality ball.

So my racionalization is... the Extreme could be easier to produce quality ball but once I add the customizations the difference to the stock PS97 would be something like 5 grams....

Now, is it worth to change sticks and the adaptation curve for 5 grams ??

Thanks now I need to try the Extreme Tour

 

[Trip]

@powerrangers - Nice updates. You're definitely zoning in on 97-98's that are highly controlled but very stable in the hoop and still have a bit of thumpier-power. I would highly recommend you demo the following, with Outlast if possible (even if you have to cut the demo string):

- Percept 97D again and see if you can put Outlast 1.20 in it. I think you'd appreciate the slightly higher amount of bite, less weight in the face and a couple points lower swing weight.
- Percept 97 310 with 1.25 gauge poly at 48-50 lbs, and 3-5g lead total at 10 and 2, plus ~5g lead spiral-wrapped from about 2-4" up the handle, under the base grip.
- Prince ATS Tour 98
- Wilson Blade v8 16x19 with leather grip and 3-4g total at 10 & 2
- Head Extreme Tour, with a lower-powered string bed (as the ET can feel too "hot" when coming from a more flatter-hitting frame), plus customization.

Hope that helps!

 

[p-ratziner]

Ive come to realise I like more softer pocketing type poly strings in a full bed so from here I may try some of these racquets out again with different strings. Open to recommendations, as Natural gut hybrids hit the wallet too hard !

I find the Wilson Pro Staff 97 very comfortable. I have used it with volk vstar 1.25, solinco outlast and solinco hyper g 1.30. Vstar is super comfortable but too flexible for an open 16x19, it works very well when it is more closed, otherwise it lasts very little. Solinco outlast is my favorite, comfortable and with good durability.
If the PS97 is stiff for you, then you can try vstar.
If you are looking for a more comfortable racket, you could try the Wilson 98 16x19 v8. With 10 grams under the grip, you would have the specifications of a flexible pro staff, beyond the weight distribution. It is easier for me to adapt to rackets within the same brand...

 

[vdsp]

Update so I still havent found something I want to switch to permanently . For now im hitting with an older version Gravity Tour which of course is much more comfortable than the Pro Staff, Ive been a bit lazy trying out new racquets as its hard to fully gauge a demo without using strings im used to.
I have demoed.
PS97 V14 With Alu Power - familiar PS feel however felt too harsh on the arm, maybe worth a hit with a Natural Gut hybrid or softer Poly?
Percept 97D with PTP - I quite liked this, I may try the normal 97 as it felt like I preferred more spin/higher launch angle. I like how the head feels solid and stable. Close to the Pro Staff feel
Wilson Shift 315 and retail 99 Pro - Nice blend of power control and spin , however after a few hours felt a bit harsh on the arm.
Latest version of the Yonex 95 - too muted feeling for me.

Ive come to realise I like more softer pocketing type poly strings in a full bed so from here I may try some of these racquets out again with different strings. Open to recommendations, as Natural gut hybrids hit the wallet too hard !

Just tried the Percept 97 and Extreme Tour for ~6h each and I absolutely love the P97! I got a higher SW (295 unstrung) and it felt like the perfect combination of control while giving me access to spin.

The ET felt like a smaller sweet spot and required spinny strokes most of the time. It definitely offers more spin, but it comes at a cost to control (especially directional control) to me.

 

[Trip]

Just tried the Percept 97 and Extreme Tour for ~6h each and I absolutely love the P97! I got a higher SW (295 unstrung) and it felt like the perfect combination of control while giving me access to spin.

The ET felt like a smaller sweet spot and required spinny strokes most of the time. It definitely offers more spin, but it comes at a cost to control (especially directional control) to me.

No surprise at all on both accounts. The ET is a nice frame, but just like most spin-oriented frames, you better have at least a decent amount of swipe happening, on basically every contact, otherwise you're going to be spraying balls long at least slightly more often than would using a frame with a more dense/static/calm string bed and/or a boxier beam. Thus, probably a key reason why the Percept was more agreeable to you (and would be to most of us who hit flatter, myself included).

 

[Fintft]

Update so I still havent found something I want to switch to permanently . For now im hitting with an older version Gravity Tour which of course is much more comfortable than the Pro Staff, Ive been a bit lazy trying out new racquets as its hard to fully gauge a demo without using strings im used to.
I have demoed.
PS97 V14 With Alu Power - familiar PS feel however felt too harsh on the arm, maybe worth a hit with a Natural Gut hybrid or softer Poly?
Percept 97D with PTP - I quite liked this, I may try the normal 97 as it felt like I preferred more spin/higher launch angle. I like how the head feels solid and stable. Close to the Pro Staff feel
Wilson Shift 315 and retail 99 Pro - Nice blend of power control and spin , however after a few hours felt a bit harsh on the arm.
Latest version of the Yonex 95 - too muted feeling for me.

Ive come to realise I like more softer pocketing type poly strings in a full bed so from here I may try some of these racquets out again with different strings. Open to recommendations, as Natural gut hybrids hit the wallet too hard !

I'm using a soft, even mushy Mayami poly/poly hybrid in the Shift 99( aka 300 prototype) at 47/44 and also Cyberflash at 44/43 LBs.

 

[shamaho]

No surprise at all on both accounts. The ET is a nice frame, but just like most spin-oriented frames, you better have at least a decent amount of swipe happening, on basically every contact, otherwise you're going to be spraying balls long at least slightly more often than would using a frame with a more dense/static/calm string bed and/or a boxier beam. Thus, probably a key reason why the Percept was more agreeable to you (and would be to most of us who hit flatter, myself included).

exactly the opposite happened to me ie. I didn't even realize until my friends looking on commented that how strange that moving from PS97 to Head ET my strokes became so much flatter !

I was resorting to heavy high spin shots on the PS97 as my base game to a more flatter hitting with the HET ! and I didn't do it consciously, it just... naturally happened. I now seem to hit flatter deep balls with emphasis on placement rather then hitting heavy and spinny... and spraying balls with HET by hitting flatter definitely not an issue (at least for me).

So I think that "spin oriented" frame is just a "label", the racket is what one makes of it...

 

[powerrangers]

@powerrangers - Nice updates. You're definitely zoning in on 97-98's that are highly controlled but very stable in the hoop and still have a bit of thumpier-power. I would highly recommend you demo the following, with Outlast if possible (even if you have to cut the demo string):

- Percept 97D again and see if you can put Outlast 1.20 in it. I think you'd appreciate the slightly higher amount of bite, less weight in the face and a couple points lower swing weight.
- Percept 97 310 with 1.25 gauge poly at 48-50 lbs, and 3-5g lead total at 10 and 2, plus ~5g lead spiral-wrapped from about 2-4" up the handle, under the base grip.
- Prince ATS Tour 98
- Wilson Blade v8 16x19 with leather grip and 3-4g total at 10 & 2
- Head Extreme Tour, with a lower-powered string bed (as the ET can feel too "hot" when coming from a more flatter-hitting frame), plus customization.

Hope that helps!

Thank you for the detailed info, certainly will add those to my list to try.