need help/advice/input for Microgel MP

[goldentennisgod]

Hi, I recently purchased two Head Microgel MP's w 4 3/8 grip size strung with gut/poly hybrids and strung at 59 lbs. I'm a 4.5-5.0 level player. I usually play w/the wilson k95 but due to the stiffness of the racquet and an arm condition i have my arm and forearm were getting all whacked out (overuse injury). So i switched to this racquet thinking the flexier frame and lighter weight would help.
Now, after hitting w/it for two solid sessions i have to say i'm dissapointed. I like the feel of the racquet but i'm not getting anywhere near the pop i'm used to. I'm able to hit with good spin, especially slices, but my shots are not heavy and driving through the court. I also find the plow of this racquet to be dissapointing, my backhands were not penetrating for the life of me as that is my weaker side I'm hoping some of you have experience or advice w/regards to this particular racquet: such as what is an ideal swingweight and tension (i think what i have is too high) and adding of lead to boost power and spin. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[origmarm]

My brother plays with these and had similar issues with the pop. His setup after much experimentation is:
two thin (1/4inch) lead tape both sides of the stringbed at 3&9 (so 4 strips total). Total weight about 1.5g each strip so 6g total. Also a small (3g) weight in the handle, I believe it has a trapdoor but can't remember. He has packed the handle with cotton wool also but that's just a feel preference. This the tape he used:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACUNIQUE-LEADSMALL.html

Current string setup is Klip 17g at 58lbs. He has used a Cyberpower 17 and Klip 17 hybrid (gut mains) at similar (sorry can't remember) tensions.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

 

[goldentennisgod]

thanks! i'm definately gonna be putting some led on there ...i want to do it in a way that i can increase spin potential, plow, and some pop ..i'm getting the idea that i need to put some weight on the head and in the handle to polarize it

 

[origmarm]

For me the polarisation/depolarisation thing has always been more a matter of personal preference than one being better for spin vs. power vs. control but then I'm not a physics bod. My brother does indeed prefer it polarised. I am the opposite, I like weight just above the handle. Given that you can just move the tape around, try both. If you have more than one, do one each way and play with them back to back and see what you like.

 

[Gee]

I customized my MGP MP as follows:

• Replaced the original grip with Babolat Leather grip. This increases the weight with 8 grams;
• Added an overgrip of about 5 grams;
• 12 cm (about 4,7 inch) long strips of lead at 3 and 9 each. This is an added 5 grams.

The static weight is now 354 grams (12.5 oz). I think it is still a very maneuverable frame after these modifications.

 

[goldentennisgod]

anyone else play w/this frame and have recomendations for me?

 

[HoVa]

I like that it flies through the air very easily.

So adding a little weight, a little at a time, you can easily find something that you like.

Add some weight to 9&3 o'clock. And then counter it with a little in the handle.

It will add some static weight without decreasing manueverability.

 

[jjordache]

I decided to upgrade to the MG Prestige MP myself after a long string of demos and now I'm experiencing a somewhat similar situation.
If you want more power, try something like X-one Biphase 17 at 56-58 lbs... it played like a trampoline for me. In fact I took it out after just two sessions because I was hitting everything long. PS Maxim Touch @ 60lbs still gives me plenty of pop but it's more controllable.

Now, my issue with this frame is the stability, or lack thereof rather...
After hitting with the i.Prestige MP the Microgel version feels tiny in comparison, a lot less stable and with less "ploughthrough".
The sweetspot on the i.Prestige is honey sweet where the Microgel now tastes like Splenda!
Not to mention that the Microgel is kind of dead in the upper hoop, or at least that's my impression...

I guess one can add more stability to the frame with lead tape but for me I either like a frame in its stock frame or not, I don't feel like messing around with that.

 

[goldentennisgod]

thanks again ..i'm definately gonna add a little bit of tape at 3 and 9 and in the handle. I hope that will add some stability and plow to it. I'm also going to drop the tension on the strings next time. Right now i have gut/poly both strung at 59 and i think that, coupled w/the dense bed and flexible frame, it will make a big difference.

I played with it again today. I was playing better today and hitting through the ball a little more than my previous session. I noticed my shots were heavier than last time but not where i would like them to be. The racquet is lacking in pop and plow. I really hope that the plow and stability is something that i can increase with led. If not then this racquet is just too underpowered for me. I hit a pretty hard ball, but i really had to exert a lot of efford to really smack the ball.

 

[tennistomcat]

I've had the same experience. I have a Liquidmetal radical mp & wanted to buy a microgel prestige mp thinking I had enough pop on my shots & could use the control. The radicals have way more power than the prestige --- I find my groundstrokes landing short & underpowered (especially my backhand) & there's no plowthrough on the serves. The prestige is a dream at the net but it doesn't make up for the deficiencies elsewhere. I haven't leaded it up yet but it seems counter-intuitive since the main reason I got the prestige was to have a heavier racket without having to add fishing weights & lead tape to get it to the weight I like. I've leaded the radicals up & hit great with them. May give the prestige another try later & if it still turns out to be a dud, may sell it. I'm regretting not trying out the microgel prestige pro as I read from the reviews that it has more spin & pop on it.