Moving on from RDS001 MP

[Yellowghia1968]

I am 4.5 counter-puncher looking for some racquet recommendations to replace my aging RDS001 MP. I have a VCore 98 Galaxy Black that I like serving and rallying with. However, my volleys are still so much better with the RDS. I'm not sure if the VCore is too muted, not stiff enough, or if the beam is too thick. Any recommendations for a good RDS001 MP replacement that is still being produced or maybe a stiffer VCore with a thin beam?

 

[Trip]

So for those who might be unfamiliar, the OP is coming from a 315g 98" medium-firm, thin beam control stick with a somewhat dense pattern, very head-light balance and raw/direct feel:

@Yellowghia1968 - If you're looking to stay as close to "home" as possible, I would try the following Yonex sticks, but they all have their caveats:
- EZone 98 - more head-heavy, thicker-beamed, higher-power, more clubby and noticeably more muted
- 2021 VCore 98 - more head-heavy, nice and firm, but beam still thicker and feel is heavily muted, like hitting with a rubber baseball bat compared to an RDS
- 2023 VCore 98 - more head-heavy, better feel than the 2021 (but still partially muted) and much softer
- 2021 VCore Pro 97 310 - almost as head-light, but partially muted, tip flutter (correctable with lead), very flexy/pocket-y, with a low power ceiling

All those caveats being understood, Yonex probably doesn't have a solution for you in their current lineup. An older 2017 VCore Pro 97 310 (blue/red) or Duel G 97 310 would probably be the closest thing in the recent past. If you can bring yourself to give up the isometric goodness and look beyond Yonex, I would look at the following:

- Wilson Pro Staff v13 (link)
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 (link) w/ 10g Solinco buttcap

The PS97 v13 probably the closest match of any retail stick in stock form, while the WhiteOut 18x20 with the weighted buttcap might also work, although feel will be a bit dampened (less-so muted).

If you were willing to go just a tad less stiff, then following also come into play, provided you don't mind a bit of customization:
- Babolat Pure Strike VS (link) - with handle weight + hoop lead
- Dunlop CX 200 (link) - w/ handle weight + hoop lead
- Head Auxetic Radical MP (link) & Pro (link) - with handle weight

If you want to stay with a more firm stick but are willing to go up to a 100" head size:
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro 5G Classic (link) - 16x20 pattern will still make it pretty well controlled, could be a real winner for you
- Wilson Pro Staff X v14 (link) - Like the PS97 but just a bit more accommodating, in trade for a bit less precision.

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

 

[colan5934]

So for those who might be unfamiliar, the OP is coming from a 320g 90" medium-firm, thin beam control stick with a somewhat dense pattern, very head-light balance and raw/direct feel:

@Yellowghia1968 - If you're looking to stay as close to "home" as possible, I would recommend trying the outgoing 2021 Yonex VCore 95, which is stiffer than the new 2023, but also very muted (like hitting with a baseball bat more than a tennis racquet). If that's a no-go, and the softer 2023 VC95 doesn't cut it either, then unless you can get along with a VCore Pro 97 or Ezone 98, Yonex probably doesn't have a solution for you in their current lineup. An older 2015 VCore SV 95, 2017 VCore Pro 97 310 (blue/red) or Duel G 97 310 would probably be the closest thing in the recent past. Looking beyond Yonex, I would also look at the following:

- Prince Textreme Tour 95 (link)
- Wilson Pro Staff v13 (link)
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 (link) w/ 10g buttcap
- Wilson Blade v6 16x19 Re-Issue (link) with leather grip + 5-10g putty under butt cap

The TT95 is about the closest match in head size, beam, feel, flex, balance and stock swing weight, with the PS97 v13 not far behind, while the WhiteOut with the weighted buttcap or a handle-weighted Blade v6 re-issue might also be options.

If you were willing to go just a tad less stiff, then following also come into play:
- Dunlop CX 200 (98) & CX 200 Tour (95) - w/ handle weight + hoop lead
- Head Auxetic Radical MP & Pro - with handle weight

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

The MP was a 98. That looks like the mid specs on racquet finder. MP was 315g, 32cm balance, 320ish swingweight.

But these recommendations are good. The dunlops and the pro staff 97 could be great looks for the OP to demo. That Yonex was SO crisp. Pro staff and Dunlop are crisp. Blade is probably too muted. New radical MP plus weight could work. As we know, RA doesn’t tell the whole story. The Pure Strike VS could be worth a look. Flexy in the throat but crisp response from the stringbed. Worth demoing though OP!

 

[Yellowghia1968]

So for those who might be unfamiliar, the OP is coming from a 320g 90" medium-firm, thin beam control stick with a somewhat dense pattern, very head-light balance and raw/direct feel:

@Yellowghia1968 - If you're looking to stay as close to "home" as possible, I would recommend trying the outgoing 2021 Yonex VCore 95, which is stiffer than the new 2023, but also very muted (like hitting with a baseball bat more than a tennis racquet). If that's a no-go, and the softer 2023 VC95 doesn't cut it either, then unless you can get along with a VCore Pro 97 or Ezone 98, Yonex probably doesn't have a solution for you in their current lineup. An older 2015 VCore SV 95, 2017 VCore Pro 97 310 (blue/red) or Duel G 97 310 would probably be the closest thing in the recent past. Looking beyond Yonex, I would also look at the following:

- Prince Textreme Tour 95 (link)
- Wilson Pro Staff v13 (link)
- Solinco WhiteOut 18x20 (link) w/ 10g buttcap
- Wilson Blade v6 16x19 Re-Issue (link) with leather grip + 5-10g putty under butt cap

The TT95 is about the closest match in head size, beam, feel, flex, balance and stock swing weight, with the PS97 v13 not far behind, while the WhiteOut with the weighted buttcap or a handle-weighted Blade v6 re-issue might also be options.

If you were willing to go just a tad less stiff, then following also come into play:
- Dunlop CX 200 (98) & CX 200 Tour (95) - w/ handle weight + hoop lead
- Head Auxetic Radical MP & Pro - with handle weight

Hope that helps! Any questions, feel free.

Thanks for the suggestions, I hadn’t looked at the dunlops yet. I’m not sure what’s up with Racquet Finder but for some reason they have the RDS001 Mid specs duplicated under the MP specs.
I’ll also try the new Pro Staffs. I used to hit with an nCode 6.1 it just got a little too heavy and also not made anymore hopefully the new Pro Staffs are still crisp

 

[Yellowghia1968]

The MP was a 98. That looks like the mid specs on racquet finder. MP was 315g, 32cm balance, 320ish swingweight.

But these recommendations are good. The dunlops and the pro staff 97 could be great looks for the OP to demo. That Yonex was SO crisp. Pro staff and Dunlop are crisp. Blade is probably too muted. New radical MP plus weight could work. As we know, RA doesn’t tell the whole story. The Pure Strike VS could be worth a look. Flexy in the throat but crisp response from the stringbed. Worth demoing though OP!

Thanks! It really is a unique feeling that I feel like companies are getting away from because there are so many arm issues.
Were the older Pure Strike Tours crisp too? I tried the Project One 7 and it was just a little too powerful but maybe the VS or the older Tours at lower powered?

 

[colan5934]

Thanks! It really is a unique feeling that I feel like companies are getting away from because there are so many arm issues.
Were the older Pure Strike Tours crisp too? I tried the Project One 7 and it was just a little too powerful but maybe the VS or the older Tours at lower powered?

The 18x20 strike could work if you found the project one7 too powerful…assuming you played 16x19? I thought the 1st gen pure strike tour with its 18x20 pattern was pretty crisp. But it’s been a long time since I hit that. And the RDS 001 MP was definitely crisper. The strike VS has that springiness off the stringbed with a direct feel without being too hard on the arm like your current frame. Need to demo it though. It’s a little underpowered for most people stock. I like it and it’s fine for me but most find it a little lacking without some weight at 12.

The Vcore Pro 97 310g is Yonex’s closest offering. Have you hit that?

Feel free to PM me if you don’t want to clog the thread too

 

[Yellowghia1968]

The 18x20 strike could work if you found the project one7 too powerful…assuming you played 16x19? I thought the 1st gen pure strike tour with its 18x20 pattern was pretty crisp. But it’s been a long time since I hit that. And the RDS 001 MP was definitely crisper. The strike VS has that springiness off the stringbed with a direct feel without being too hard on the arm like your current frame. Need to demo it though. It’s a little underpowered for most people stock. I like it and it’s fine for me but most find it a little lacking without some weight at 12.

The Vcore Pro 97 310g is Yonex’s closest offering. Have you hit that?

Feel free to PM me if you don’t want to clog the thread too

I actually do have the emerald green Vcore Pro 310 that I found at a local yard sale for like 20 dollars. Maybe I’ll try a different string set up and give it a shot. I couldn’t tell if it was a launch angle issue or just underpowered but it seemed like I was either dumping in the net or just barely getting it over. I want that to work because I think those are the best looking Yonex frames right now just in terms of paint jobs.

 

[colan5934]

I actually do have the emerald green Vcore Pro 310 that I found at a local yard sale for like 20 dollars. Maybe I’ll try a different string set up and give it a shot. I couldn’t tell if it was a launch angle issue or just underpowered but it seemed like I was either dumping in the net or just barely getting it over. I want that to work because I think those are the best looking Yonex frames right now just in terms of paint jobs.

Could slap a little lead at 3/9 to crisp it up and bring the swingweight closer to your rds 001. Match the specs and see what happens. Otherwise, pro staff 97 or maybe the vcore 95 is worth a try now that I think about it.

 

[Trip]

@colan5934 - Whoops, thank for the pickup. It was late when I posted, I was tired and didn't realize. I've amended that post, including 86'ing the 95's (just going to make tennis harder than it needs to be), removing the Blade (probably right on it being too muted) and adding in the Pure Strike VS, as well as a couple 100" options -- the ProKennex Pro 5G Classic and Wilson Pro Staff X v14.

@Yellowghia1968 - Hope my (updated/fixed suggestions) are helpful! Since you're really used to that firm feel (I don't blame you, I like it, too), I think the Pro Staff 97 could be a winner for you, although the sweet spot is going to be smaller and lower in the string bed than the RDS 001 MP. If you don't mind softening the flex, the PSVS, CX 200 and Radicals come into the picture, or if going up in head size to a 100" is in the realm of considerable, the PK Pro 5G and Pro Staff X v14 are definitely worth considering.

Hope that helps again!

 

[colan5934]

@colan5934 - Whoops, thank for the pickup. It was late when I posted, I was tired and didn't realize. I've amended that post, including 86'ing the 95's (just going to make tennis harder than it needs to be), removing the Blade (probably right on it being too muted) and adding in the Pure Strike VS, as well as a couple 100" options -- the ProKennex Pro 5G Classic and Wilson Pro Staff X v14.

@Yellowghia1968 - Hope my (updated/fixed suggestions) are helpful! Since you're really used to that firm feel (I don't blame you, I like it, too), I think the Pro Staff 97 could be a winner for you, although the sweet spot is going to be smaller and lower in the string bed than the RDS 001 MP. If you don't mind softening the flex, the PSVS, CX 200 and Radicals come into the picture, or if going up in head size to a 100" is in the realm of considerable, the PK Pro 5G and Pro Staff X v14 are definitely worth considering.

Hope that helps again!

Of course! OP is going to have to demo anyway, and lots of these could be winners for him. Lots of great 98 (the pro staff is the blade pro/H22’s 98 square inch mold with PWS added) square inch frames on the market right now. I’m sure there’s something out there!

 

[Yellowghia1968]

Thanks all! I’m going to start with adding some lead to my vcore and vcp since I already have those. I also just found a used PS97 v13 at the used sporting goods store in town so between those I’m sure I can find a suitable replacement and finally retire the RDS001 for good

 

[AndrewD]

Thanks all! I’m going to start with adding some lead to my vcore and vcp since I already have those. I also just found a used PS97 v13 at the used sporting goods store in town so between those I’m sure I can find a suitable replacement and finally retire the RDS001 for good

Hi. I'm wondering what you ended up doing. I'm still with the RDS-001 MP and just cant' find anything I like enough to switch. I've tried other brands (Babolat, Wilson, Dunlop, Volkl) but nothing worked long-term (played some good tennis but didn't really gel with any frame). I've tried the current Yonex range and can't find any that have the feel and performance of my 001 MP.

 

[Yellowghia1968]

Hi. I'm wondering what you ended up doing. I'm still with the RDS-001 MP and just cant' find anything I like enough to switch. I've tried other brands (Babolat, Wilson, Dunlop, Volkl) but nothing worked long-term (played some good tennis but didn't really gel with any frame). I've tried the current Yonex range and can't find any that have the feel and performance of my 001 MP.

Hey! I tried the vcore pro and that volleyed great for me but I just couldn’t get the same pop on serves and ground strokes. Luckily I found a used Pro Staff 97 v13 at the local sporting good store and gave that a try. That is the winner for me, it is a little heavier but headlight so it swings fast. It is also stiff enough to volley and has good power elsewhere. I would definitely recommend demoing one. I also got a cheap Pro Staff 97s, the older red and black version. That also felt really nice coming from the RDS001 but it is almost even balance so it feels a little heavier swinging.
Long story short, I would suggest trying the Pro Staff 97.

 

[Trip]

@Yellowghia1968 - Nice update. As I suspected, you ended up with the Pro Staff 97. Case closed, and happy hitting!

 

[fox]

Too bad Yonex went kind of Babolatish way. I have one RDiS100 MP and also can’t find find anything similar. I’m using Prince Tour 100 which is similar in balance, weight and stiffness but a beam is tad too thick and it’s not a Yonex afterall

 

[artdeco]

Surely HEAD Radical Pro?