My New Holy Grail has been Purchased !!!!!

[TripleB]

Well, believe it or not, my Holy Grail journey has come to an end!!!

Can I get a “Praise the Lord” from the congregation?

I just ordered two Yonex RDX-500 Midplus racquets from Tennis-Warehouse. They are both strung with polyester mains [one with Touch Turbo 16, one with Pro Hurricane 16] and natural gut crosses [Bow Brand Championship 15L] at 61 pounds / 59 pounds.

My Prince Original Graphite Mid was officially retired at 1:45 pm (EST) on Saturday, January 15th, 2005. May it rest in peace!!!

I used my Yonex RD-7 to play three sets on Saturday and I must say, after the first 4 games, the POG mid was not missed in that match.

Kudos to all of you who have been with me from the start of this search. I am glad that you are alive to see the conclusion of this seemingly futile quest.

Thanks for your patience and your endless supply of meaningful advice.

I wish each of you much success with your game and your search for the Holy Grail (if you choose to go on that journey)!

May God bless each of you!

TripleB

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Hallelujah!!!

BUT... did you see the press release saying the RDX-500 Mid and MP were discontinued as of Jan 1st, and a new model will be released this summer? Sorry dude...

Craig

j/k ;-> congrats...

 

[TripleB]

Craig Sheppard....you a very funny man!

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[BHud]

Congratulations!...but have you tried the new Volkl Tour 10 Gen II?

...just kidding!

 

[andfor]

It's not over. No way! It will never be over until I say it's over! just kidding, sort of.

Congrats and good luck. I am glad you came over to the RDX's. I am releaved we now play with the same stick, that is for the timebeing, if you don't renig and go back to your old POG.

 

[ferrari_827]

I'm happy for you TripleB, and especially since you made a great choice. As far as racket construction, quality, design, cosmetic finish, I've never seen a racket as good as the RDX500, and that's even among the Yonex line. A couple of days ago, I was comparing the design of the RDX to the Diablo, HM200g, Slaz X1, ncode90, and there is no comparison. The RDX just feels feels in your hands.

The balance is beautiful on this racket, and the weight allows for some customization. The power level isn't too high so you can tweak this with strings as well. The vibration control is such you actually don't even need a dampener.

This racket is really one you can grow with, and there are no limits excepts your own. You can tell I really like this racket (!), and the only thing that might. allow me to change is another mind-****ing Yonex racket. Congratulations.

 

[Kirko]

Over and done ! Good hitting with your Yonnies.

 

[equinox]

TripleB,

Now pay for some tennis lessions.

I pity the coach.

You'll be back..

 

[schange50]

Congrats! I'm not being sarcastic. I really mean it.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Do you want to sell your POG MP?

 

[david aames]

Maybe he was joking but it's true. No idea when the new models will come out but a few pros are already practising with paintjobs of the racquets (Joachim Johansson).

Craig Sheppard....you a very funny man!

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

BHud...No, but I may be trying it very soon. I e-mailed Chris (at TW) to thank him for all his help with my RDX-500 MP decision and he said that he would like me to do a playtest of some of the "newer" racquets....UH-OH!!!

andfor...after shelling out the cash (and selling my Wilson Hyper ProStaff 6.1 just to have enough $$$) for two of these beauties, I will not be going back to the POG mid. I know that I only got to try the racquet for a couple weeks but the RDX-500 MP just feels better than the POG from every spot on the court.

ferrari_827...Do you really like your RDX-500?!? I appeciate all your help over the last month or so...I think your enthusiasm for this racquet has spread to me also...just a wonderful (and SOLID) feeling racquet from anywhere and everywhere on the court. While I had the demos I did some lead taping and played really well with it after putting some lead at 3/9 and at 2/10. The last day I had the demo I took all the lead tape off and play A LOT better with no lead tape at all. Just love the maneuverability and solid feel it offers without anything at all. "and the only thing that might. allow me to change is another mind-****ing Yonex racket" OH NO, we're in this RDX-500 thing together---no changing and absolutely no demoing for at least 18 months - Just kidding!!! {for you anyway. I'm not trying another racquet, except for TW Playtesting, for at least 18 months} Thanks for all your help and advice.

kirko...I appreciate it!

equinox...My instructing pro loves me (at least I think he does). He strings all my racquets and he knows that I'm not going to ask for more than a lesson a month. As long as we work on only one thing at a time I'm OK. When I start thinking about more than one thing at a time, we are ALL in trouble (as you know).

schange50...Thanks...you sure you really mean it?

Gaines...I think I'll hang on to them for now. I don't plan on playing with them again but my teaching pro is trying to get a "Christian Ministries Tennis Summer Camp" going and I try to keep all my racquets (except when I need the cash for a new RDX-500) in case he gets that up and running so I can donate them to the youth that go to his camp. I'm also thinking about using all my tennis racquets as a "border" along the top of the wall in my computer room (still trying to talk the wife into that one).

TripleB

 

[schange50]

Yeah, I really do. I'm able to put aside personal opinions on things when recommending stuff for others...for the most part. I actually think the Yonex RDX is a good choice for folks who hit with heavy topspin.

 

[LoveThisGame]

With companies, at the time they centralize they begin the cycle heading to decentralization.

With racquets, we don't go around in circles, although TripleB just could un-retire that POG <s>. But, the purchase of a new racquet marks the (way down deep, at least) search for the next new racquet.

 

[USCfan]

Congrats Triple B,
My last 3 sticks have all been "Holy Grails"
Good Luck!

 

[Coria]

I'm glad you found your perfect stick, Triple B. I would strongly urge you to not even consider trying ANY rackets for the remainder of 2005 AND to get rid of all you POG. Paralysis by analysis and "mental masturbation"--you and and I have been way too guilty of this. Although for me, I'm glad I went through the process as I can truly say I have never enjoyed a racket as much as the Pro X1.

Remove anything and any idea that would cause you to doubt your choice. Determine to play with ONLY this racket for at least one year. Don't have the POG's available to fall back on if you're struggling in a match, which WILL happen. When it does--it's NOT the racket. It might be your opponent's particluar style, it might be you not feeling as well physically, it might be your mental focus is not as strong that day, it might be something else.

For 2005, it's the RDX MP and NOTHING ELSE!!! Good luck.

 

[Coria]

And, from one player to another, quit being so obsessive about the strings. Put more time into conditioning and developing better mental skills. Peace.

 

[BLiND]

Congrats TB... however did you try the Diablo Mid as a replacement for the POG?... its very simular but better so they say.

 

[equinox]

I'm fine with tripleb turning his back on the pog clan. While one leaves..another more advanced player (me) joins.

Long live the POG.

 

[Roforot]

I was wondering if anyone wanted to join in a draw for how long he stays with this racquet? We could use ATP tournaments as increments/stakes (e.g. he stops using the racquet by the French Open or Italian Open etc). We could each put in an old racquet or a can of tennis balls! Winner takes all! Curiously, we could even let Benjamin in on the pot; I don't think he'd have better odds than we!

 

[TripleB]

Coria...other than racquets for the TW Playtest Team, I'm not going to be trying any other racquets for a long long time. As far as my POG mids, I'm going to hold onto them but they will be in the closet (not in my tennis bag). My local pro is trying to start a "Christian Ministries Tennis Camp" and I may end up dotating them to him. THANKS FOR THE VERY SOLID ADVICE! I'm going to begin running again this weekend to get back in shape. Ran at the end of 2003 through May 2004 until I had an injury. Lost 44 pounds. Since May of 2004 I've put back on about 25 of that. As far as the strings go I know that I'm going to be using a poly/natural gut hybrid (if it feels half as good as I think it will - I like the feel of an all poly job and I think the natural gut, along with the new racquet, will soften up the feel just perfectly). It's just a matter of whether the poly will be Touch Turbo, Pro Hurricane, or Kryptonite. And of course I'll tweak the tension from 61/59 if I need to.

BLiND...I tried the Diablo Mid out twice. I found it to be more solid than the POG mid but it was less maneuverable. Seeing that my biggest need out of a new racquet was more maneuverability on the forehand side, at the net, and on returns, I decided the Diablo Mid wasn't for me. It also didn't allow me to get anywhere near the spin I get with the POG mid or RDX-500 Midplus.

Roforot...I purchased two of the RDX-500 Midplus racquets so that I would not be tempted to even look at another racquet [except during TW Playtest]. The RDX-500 Midplus offers everything the POG mid does and then some - it's more solid, offers a bigger serve, many times better at the net, better maneuverability, etc. Considering the RDX-500 Midplus is even better than the POG mid and I stuck with the POG mid for at least 3 years, I don't see me leaving the RDX-500 MP for a looooooooooooooooooong time. I say that I'll be using this racquet at least beyond the Australian Open.......2007!!!

TripleB

 

[Coria]

Triple B, what if you playtest a racket that you feel plays better (or, at least for that time) than the RDX's? It might mess with your head a bit. If possible, unless they pay you really good money , I'd skip the playtests.

 

[TripleB]

Nah...I really enjoy the playtesting. I think it lead me to finding the RDX-500 Midplus as my racquet of choice. When I started playtesting for TW I started looking at things other than "how well I played with a racquet." I started looking at specifics like: comfort level, control on each type of shot, maneuverability, power level, how I hit each shot with the racquet, etc. After doing this with the Yonex RDX-500 racquets (which weren't for a playtest) I realized that the RDX-500 MP seemed to have the most to offer in every category....and besides that I did play extremely well with it. I love doing the playtest because it allows me the chance to try out racquets that I wouldn't normally try. This allows me to offer advice (if asked for it) to my buddies about what racquet might best suit their game. I know their game and I know various racquets. After purchasing these two RDX-500 MP racquets, my bank account let me know that these are the last racquets I'll be purchasing for a while. And the pay's pretty good too

TripleB

 

[BLiND]

Furry Muff TB, my main problem with the POG MP was the stabilty... It always fealt really light compaired to my Prestige Mid so, the Diablo's weight don't be a problem... it arrived last night, but I've been unable to play because of the bad weather :-(

Have fun with your RDX (though I prefered the Mid to the MP ;-))

 

[ferrari_827]

Blind, regarding the Diablo, I thought in many ways it was a very good racket. The only problem was it felt strange volleying, otherwise I would have easily added it to my collection (don't have a Prince). The cosmetics are great.

As for the POG mid, I don't how someone as discriminating as TripleB could have used it all these years.

 

[TripleB]

As for the POG mid, I don't how someone as discriminating as TripleB could have used it all these years.

After trying the Yonex RDX-500 Mid and Midplus...ME EITHER!!!

TripleB

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

~~~~THE TW STAFF AND THE MARKETING EXECUTIVES OF YONEX~~~~
~~~~REQUEST THE HONOUR OF YOUR PRESENCE~~~~
~~~~TO CELEBRATE THE PERMANENCE OF MARRIAGE ~~~~
~~~~ BETWEEN TRIPLE B AND HER MOST "HOLY GRAIL-NESS" ~~~~
~~~~ THE YONEX RDX500 MP~~~~



Standing at the altar of the TW church (organ music softly waifing in the background) stands Triple B and a Yonex RDX500 MP before the Very Reverend Chris Edwards:

Rev. Chris: "Do you Triple B, promise to honor your commitment to this frame, in good times and outside the lines, till this frame is out of production?"

Triple B: "I do, Reverend Chris!"

(audible murmuring in the congregation mixed with sporadic chuckling)

Rev. Chris: "And do you, Yonex RDX500 MP, promise to deliver on all the promises of power, control and the ability to generate significant spin contained in the comprehensive TW racquet review...that is, up until he eventually blames you for his stroke shortcomings and throws you "helicopter fashion" into a fence?"

Yonex RDX500 MP: "Pling! Plink!"

Rev. Chris: "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

(meanwhile, in the 1st row, an exchange between Mrs. Triple B and Triple B's daughter
Daughter: "Mommy! No more demo-ing! Does that mean that I can now go to college?!"
Mrs. Triple B (dabbing tears and quietly shaking): "Oooohh....from your little lips to God's ears....ooohh, let's hope so my baby. Daddy certainly owes you!" (while Mrs. Triple B tries her very best to bury, at least for the moment, her simmering, long-standing resentment directed at Triple B for his out-of-control, never ending demoing of tennis racquets and the "fallout" that ensued as a result of: promised anniversary cruises, home additions, college/retirement nesteggs, etc.)

(The Rev. continues)
Rev. Chris: "By the power invested in me by the great State of Intoxication.......I now pronounce you Richard Burton and Liz Taylor. You may now kiss your POG's goodbye."

(applause, recessional organ music, while Triple B saunters out of the TW church with his "Holy Grail" bride)

Rev. Chris (in a whisper to no one in particular): "Poor fool ..... I know the type all-too-well...................he'll be back..................................................................................................................sigh, I give it 6 months at best."



Congrats Triple B ;-)

 

[ferrari_827]

Penthouse, that's a good one, a classic.

 

[TripleB]

Dedans....FANTASTIC!

One question, where do I put the ring on the RDX-500 Midplus so that it doesn't throw off the delicate balance of the racquet?

I'm still part of the TW Playtest Team so luckily I'll not have to go through withdraw symptoms...I'll still be getting my fix but will not have to worry about the futile search of a Holy Grail.

Luckily I got the home purchase in before my never ending search for the Holy Grail started. I designed our home exactly like she wanted it so there wouldn't be any problems on that front. She liked different things from about 5 different houses so I designed one with everything she wanted. Unfortunately hind sight is 20-20 and I should have added another small room to hold all my tennis racquets

Anyway, thanks for the laughs Dedans....EXCELLENT!!!

TripleB

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

COMING SOON:

Part II --- "The Honeymoon"
Part III --- "The Early Days"
Part IV --- "I'm No Prince!"
Part V --- "A Wandering Eye"
Part VI --- "The Affair"
Part VII --- "Another Affair"
Part VIII--- "Yet Another Affair"
Part VIII -- "Little Miss Oversize"
Part IX --- "No Strings Attached"
Part X --- "Reflections: Regret & In Debt"
Part XI --- "Yonex to 'Yonni' and Back" (Notes from Japan)
Part X --- "Golf: A New Beginning"

 

[Richard Pur]

Congrats Triple B! Hopefully you'll still chime in on the message board. The new energy you came up with every time you thought you found "the one" was both entertaining and insightful, but it also did show us the dark side of demoing. I'm honing in on what could be my Holy Grail, my only problem is that I don't play regularly, so it may take me much longer than it took you. I've been at it for a year already.

Anyway thanks for your posts and hopefully you'll stick around.

Rich

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Richard Pur: don't worry...the "B" will stick around: so many sticks.....so little time ;-)

Trip B: with respect to (as you said) creating a "wood shed" for your demos: good luck with that (enevitable) "home addition" room.......suite?........wing?.....airplane hanger?........biosphere??...... ;-)

 

[TripleB]

Richard...Yes I plan on sticking around. I figured I've tried almost every current racquet on the market today...surely I can give some useful advice to somebody

TripleB

 

[K. Wilson Moose]

Richard...Yes I plan on sticking around.

[size=+2]Given your 5 year plus history for the same search on the TW boards, that is a given Brer Ben. [/size]​

I figured I've tried almost every current racquet on the market today...

[size=+2]The key word is TODAY.​

[/size]

...surely I can give some useful advice to somebody

[size=+2]Yes, Dedans is still waiting for your measurements. You know....for the Playtex Living Glove and Bra set. So flexible you can pick up a dime.[/size]​

 

[Phil]

COMING SOON:

Part II --- "The Honeymoon"
Part III --- "The Early Days"
Part IV --- "I'm No Prince!"
Part V --- "A Wandering Eye"
Part VI --- "The Affair"
Part VII --- "Another Affair"
Part VIII--- "Yet Another Affair"
Part VIII -- "Little Miss Oversize"
Part IX --- "No Strings Attached"
Part X --- "Reflections: Regret & In Debt"
Part XI --- "Yonex to 'Yonni' and Back" (Notes from Japan)
Part X --- "Golf: A New Beginning"

And all that (other than possibly X) will occur within the next 3-4 weeks. LMAO, Dedans.

 

[Morpheus]

The holy grail is not just elusive; it is a myth. Buyer's remorse anyone?

 

[baseliner]

My best wishes to you. I have really enjoyed your (seemingly) endless journey to find the perfect stick. I have played with many great sticks in my 52 years on this earth and enjoyed most of them. The one notable exception was the 6.2 Hammer! I settled on the HPS 6.1 ProStaff when it came out and I am sticking with it. Nothing can change me on this. Uh you say you used to use the 6.1 HPS and the RDX500 is better. And I read the N-code tour 90 hits just like my old PS 6.0 85--well maybe I'll demo one just to see what it is like...

 

[TripleB]

baseliner...thanks...it has seemed to be a futile search many times over. IMO, the RDX-500 Midplus gives me everything and more than the Hyper gave me but in a lighter and more maneuverable package. Just as solid, more spin, more control, and "softer" feel. As far as the nCode 90 vs Original ProStaff 6.0 85 - see my opinions here: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/playtests/TRIPB04.html

TripleB

 

[Vince]

congratulations. Looks like your extensive search is over. About time

 

[TripleB]

congratulations. Looks like your extensive search is over. About time

YOU AREN'T KIDDING!!!

Just hate waiting on them to get here...the package is supposed to be here tomorrow but I just checked the shipping on it and the last date it shows is January 20th and it's in California. Typically packages from TW reach Columbia, SC two days before they make it to me in NC. Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet so I'm guessing that it's going to be delayed again. Has already been rescheduled from a delivery of today until a delivery tomorrow. Don't think I'll see my racquets until Thursday. What a shame...supposed to be 62 and sunny tomorrow and then 47 and partly cloudy on Thursday. I was hoping my first time out with them would be on a warm day---I guess that's what I get for ordering them in the middle of winter

TripleB

 

[goober]

well I am going to try out your holy grail my current stick is a tad to powerful

any major differences between HD and regular versions of the RDX 500?

 

[TripleB]

I believe the HD stands for HORRIBLE and DETRIMENTAL...as in it's horrible to play with and detrimental to your game. Well, maybe it's not quite that bad but the difference between the HD and the regular Midplus is night and day.

To me, the HD felt A LOT stiffer than the 16x19. It didn't have that cushiony feel that the Midplus had, I didn't have near the control with the HD model, spin potential obviously decreased, and the drop off in power was pretty significant. Playing with them side by side I was really surprised that they are in the same "family." The Mid and Midplus had a soft (long dwell time on the strings) feel and the HD felt like a board.

TripleB

 

[Original 6.0]

TripleB, why did you choose to go with the RDX mid+ instead of mid, assuming you demoed 'em both?

 

[TripleB]

I demoed all three of the RDX-500 racquets (mid, midplus, HD midplus) at the same time. To me, the Midplus offered everything the Mid offered but with a larger sweetspot, more spin potential, a bigger first serve, and more put away power. Also, I had to work harder (and concentrate more) with the mid compared to the Midplus. I was suprised to find that I didn't give up any control in going with the Midplus compared to the Mid...which amazed me. I think its the first racquet I've ever tried that offered as much control with the larger of the two as with the smaller of the two.

TripleB

 

[Tomek_Pl]

TripleB did you try Fischer Pro No 1? I have to test few racquets (when I will have some more $). I can think of such racquets:
- 3 RDX;
- Ti-80;
- Babolat PC standard;
- Fischer Pro No 1;
- new Prestige can come soon as well as new Yonex (facelifted Ti-80?)

Now I have LM Prestige MP and I am borred...

Ohh, and do you use lead tape on you RDX 500 MP?

 

[TripleB]

Back in September I tried a buddy of mines Pro Number 1 and didn't care for it much. Can't really pinpoint why I didn't like it but I didn't have very good control of my groundstrokes and the ball never seemed to "pop" off the stringbed no matter how hard I swung. It also seemed a little slow on my serve and at the net. I was comparing it beside both a POG mid and a Hyper ProStaff 6.1 and liked both of those racquets much better.

I haven't received my RDX-500 MP racquets yet but while I had the demos I experimented with lead tape at 2 and 10 and at 3 and 9. Of the two I liked 3 and 9 the best (about 4 total grams). I played well with the lead tape and assumed I would use it once I received my racquets. The last two times out I took off the lead tape and found that I played even better. I think the racquet lends itself well to lead tape but I seem to play twice as well with it in stock form.

TripleB

 

[Original 6.0]

One more thing TripleB, how would you rate the RDX midplus on serve? Some say the power level is a tad low.
Also, how would you compare it to the RD-7 and MP Tour-1, two racquets I really used to hate (for some reasons)?

 

[Tomek_Pl]

I started thinking abou Fischer today. I left my Prestige at home and had to use my old Vacuum MP Pro. I had great serves and volleys. But it could happen beacuse of very low string tension...
I always liked serving and was pretty good at it (172 km/h best when checking last time- just like girls on tour, lol). But with my current Prestige I can't find rythm no matter what I do...

 

[court_cents]

TripleB, congrats on your RDX-500 purchase. I also bought a couple last spring and can honestly say that it is a super stick!! This racquet brings out the best of my game, and most importantly "confidence". I can take a full cut at my groundies off of both sides and know that the ball will land deep and heavy, and it slices like a dream. The control that this racquet offers on the serve is tremendous! If there is a fault with it, it may be its moderate power level. I stand about 6'2", and take a full swing and hit lots of topspin, so I personally don't need much power in a racquet but do enjoy a solid feel which this racquet has. Good luck and happy hitting!!!!!

 

[Audiodude]

Benjamin,

You may want to save this for later use.

I pulled out my POG Mids today just to fool around. I can't believe how great this racquet is! I can't remember how long it's been since I've hit my groundstrokes with such depth and precision. My kick serve was practically jumping over the fence. I was nailing volleys and hitting touch shots like McEnroe. Now I understand why it took me so long to replace these black beauties. They really do everything so well that I'm actually considering going back to my trusty old POG's. I'm playing again tonight with them. I'll probably switch between my RDX500 and the POG just to confirm my findings. I'll keep everyone posted.

Ben