which one?
Official Wilson Clash thread
- Thread starter TagUrIt
- Start date
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Guess you didn’t read my Clash review posted in this thread on Saturday?
I meant which 93P, not which Clash.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Lol. Sorry. 18x20.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
This reflects my experience as well. With ALU 16 40# was too low and 50# too tight. I settled on 44! [emoji471][emoji462][emoji471]
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I started at 52/50 which is higher than my usual tensions to account for tension loss due to grommet seating in. Plan to go lower when I restring. Also plan to switch from 1.25 to 1.28 or 1.30.
pfrischmann
Professional
Tough to say. My guess is the Clash may rely on some resiliency to do it's thing, like a rubber band, it flexes at impact and reacts by sort of snapping back into shape. These are all terrible analogies, I know.. When it gets cold, it stiffens and loses that resiliency. IF it is truly reliant on that compression and expansion, It would be affected more by temperature than a standard racquet. ..
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Temps were in the low 50s on Saturday night and almost 80 on Sunday. I didn’t notice my Clash performing differently at these 2 temps.
Casius_Juventus
Rookie
@OlivierJulienB I'm actually finding the discussions here totally fascinating as there is an absolute abundance of data points with different setups which should help immensely in painting a clearer picture of the characteristics and behaviour of this very unique racquet.
Mirdad
Semi-Pro
I hit with a demoed Clash Tour for two different sessions. Normally I never hit with a racquet less than 12 ounces so I placed one strip of 1/4" wide lead all through the top of the hoop from about 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock bringing the total weight to 341 ounces (12 ounces) including dampener and over grip. My usual racquet of choice is the RF Auto and the latest Blade 16X19 CV which I also lead up to 12.25 ounces.
I played two sets with my Blade and won the first set 6-1 and lost the second in a tie breaker. Then I took out the Clash for a quick hit. Both myself and my hitting partner right away could easily see the extra spin and velocity the ball had coming off the Clash. My Blade seemed way underpowered versus the Clash. I couldn't miss with my forehand but my backhands would sail long. Even flat forehands were very controllable. However, at the end of the session I decided that the Clash was most likely too erratic and too powerful. But I did not give up........
Two days later I hit only with the Clash against another opponent and won the only set we played 6-2. When my power game is working for me I dominate from the baseline. I wait for a weak return and then either go for the winner or hit an approach shot. Often times when my opponent retrieves my shot they will lob the ball within a foot of the baseline. This can be frustrating as it's difficult to hit winners that deep with the Blade. However, with the Clash I was able to hit outright winners from baseline from lobbed balls. In addition, I changed my two handed backhand to hit more topspin. The result was some thunderous returns of serve that left my opponent shaking his head. So in conclusion, I was much more impressed with the capabilities of the Clash after my latest hitting session. The only drawback that still remains is I don't have a good sense of feel or touch on finesse shots. Some of my lobs went way out of court because of this. Perhaps this is because I just need to get used to the different feedback this racquet provides? That feedback issue might be the Clash's achilles heel. Not sure if it's a show stopper though. I played with the Wilson Revolve poly strings that the demo was shipped with. Perhaps a thinner gauge poly might provide more feedback? Well it's a $250 guess......hmmm. But TW supposedly has a guarantee so what the heck?
Depending upon the weather, I'll probably have at least another hit with the Clash Tour before I ship it back and then I'll make my decision.
I played two sets with my Blade and won the first set 6-1 and lost the second in a tie breaker. Then I took out the Clash for a quick hit. Both myself and my hitting partner right away could easily see the extra spin and velocity the ball had coming off the Clash. My Blade seemed way underpowered versus the Clash. I couldn't miss with my forehand but my backhands would sail long. Even flat forehands were very controllable. However, at the end of the session I decided that the Clash was most likely too erratic and too powerful. But I did not give up........
Two days later I hit only with the Clash against another opponent and won the only set we played 6-2. When my power game is working for me I dominate from the baseline. I wait for a weak return and then either go for the winner or hit an approach shot. Often times when my opponent retrieves my shot they will lob the ball within a foot of the baseline. This can be frustrating as it's difficult to hit winners that deep with the Blade. However, with the Clash I was able to hit outright winners from baseline from lobbed balls. In addition, I changed my two handed backhand to hit more topspin. The result was some thunderous returns of serve that left my opponent shaking his head. So in conclusion, I was much more impressed with the capabilities of the Clash after my latest hitting session. The only drawback that still remains is I don't have a good sense of feel or touch on finesse shots. Some of my lobs went way out of court because of this. Perhaps this is because I just need to get used to the different feedback this racquet provides? That feedback issue might be the Clash's achilles heel. Not sure if it's a show stopper though. I played with the Wilson Revolve poly strings that the demo was shipped with. Perhaps a thinner gauge poly might provide more feedback? Well it's a $250 guess......hmmm. But TW supposedly has a guarantee so what the heck?
Depending upon the weather, I'll probably have at least another hit with the Clash Tour before I ship it back and then I'll make my decision.
Mirdad
Semi-Pro
I'll most likely wait for the 98 head size Clash Tour. That one should be more controllable. I think that one is available in June? If someone has a more firm date please let me know.
Thanks........
OlivierJulienB
Rookie
Right, but control/power/feel appreciation will differ if you usually play a Pure Drive or a Blade.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m playing rather well with it. It’s easy to hit a deep consistent ball with lots of arch if you want. Returns are stellar. Still finding my rhythm on the serve, but if this continues on clay come summer, I have an investment to make. It is so comfortable. I actually find it more comfortable than my Storms believe it or not (not more flexible in feel, mind you, more comfortable).
I have the prototype version with what looks like a Wilson Featherthin grip and 3g at 12.
I have the prototype version with what looks like a Wilson Featherthin grip and 3g at 12.
Is that the regular Clash or Tour version? How easy was it to hit flat instead of top spin looping shots?
I might have remembered wrongly, but were you playing with the Dunlop CX200 Tour before this?
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Think of my poor wallet man!
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
You remember wrongly I’m afraid
I guess it’s the regular version. Flat works well IMO, that’s why I like it on the return. Much less of that vertical launch I sometimes get with stiffer tweeners which makes flatter strokes go long. To be clear though: flat means a topspin shot with low trajectory. Not a no-spin-slap-the-ball shot.
*looked at signature*You remember wrongly I’m afraid
I guess it’s the regular version. Flat works well IMO, that’s why I like it on the return. Much less of that vertical launch I sometimes get with stiffer tweeners which makes flatter strokes go long. To be clear though: flat means a topspin shot with low trajectory. Not a no-spin-slap-the-ball shot.
Oh yeah you're the that plays with extended length sticks
I guess I need to word it better. When I said flat I meant hit a lower trajectory winner shot as opposed to loopy high trajectory stay-in-rally shot.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Hm. I think you can do it with weight in the hoop. Won’t be as good as a hefty dense string-patterned frame though, no matter what you do. So if I’m gonna be hitting hard flat winners for a living I’d still go for my Storm Limited+ or Prestige MP XL.*looked at signature*
Oh yeah you're the that plays with extended length sticks
I guess I need to word it better. When I said flat I meant hit a lower trajectory winner shot as opposed to loopy high trajectory stay-in-rally shot.
I found the Clash allowed me to play the angles more and wrong-foot my opponent more easily.
I have to wait for the clay season though. Carpet has a tendency to make swift frames seem better, as they allow proper preparation for your shots more easily. I switched to the Storm after winning the first set 6-2 and found I was late when on the defensive.
I do think this frame is more competent on this shot than comparable frames.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Same here!
MRfStop
Hall of Fame
Which part of Georgia?
pfrischmann
Professional
LOL,
Acworth.
Acworth.
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
Yes! One of my racquets was leaning against a backboard and fell to the asphalt/blacktop and that resulted in two small chips.
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TennisHound
Legend
It’s hard sometimes to tell the difference between flexible and flimsy.Yeah . Cause only 7 people would have bought it at 12 oz . That’s what’s the best part of this . Like pros hair pins it comes to you as a platform low weight .. You can weight it as you deem fit
I applaud Wilson for flexible and light . I’ve been screaming for this for years . No more buying 26 juniors with high flex and low weight . And extending it to 27. Which is what I had to do ..
now while we are talking about why Wilson won’t do ? This or that ?
I would love a clash 95 or 90
With a 18x20 pattern ! Love !! Me and 7 other people !
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
Yes the paint job on this racquet is really soft. However, it doesn’t just fall off, you need to have scuffed it or something. I was playing doubles and my partner and I both swung at the same ball. Our racquets clashed (lol), my racquet has a nice size chip in it now. There are two very small chips elsewhere on the frame, all of these are cosmetic. The racquet still performs fine. I have Tourna guard tape at the head of the racquet works very well.
N
Nashvegas
Guest
Tried, liked, picking up two.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Nice detailed review!
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You mean it wasn’t clear from his detailed, comprehensive review?
N
Nashvegas
Guest
Lol mad dog.
Didn’t try the Tour, and didn’t bother since I liked Clash reg.
Ok, have to give the people (aka mad dog) what they want.
Played a match, and after a few rough minutes of adjustment, became unconscious. Just relaxed and let the racquet take over. Was unlike any racquet I’ve tried, and I felt supremely confident with it.
Returns were spectacular. It’s so maneuverable I was always prepared and ready to tee off. I kept returns deep with pace even on the stretch.
Volleys were delightful. I am a S&V player so this would have been a deal breaker, but I was placing them all on a dime.
Serve was good, at a minimum on pace with my current racquet and I think there will be room to do more.
I was looking for comfort, and when I found results as well I was sold.
Could be I’m just the right kind of dysfunctional player to appreciate this thing, but it felt like it was made for me.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
N
Nashvegas
Guest
Pure Strike (the prior model). Arm has started to ache a bit so I blamed the racquet and started demoing.
Unfortunately, when I received the racquet from the stringer, the multi was in the crosses, and the poly was in the mains. I should have ordered it from TW, as my local pro shop is very small. I ended up letting another person buy it, who was in a bigger hurry than me, so I guess I'm going to wait until the 98 version comes out.
Moonballballer
Semi-Pro
I played with the 98 yesterday. The flex was very noticeable and nice. Launch angle a bit high in stock form and it felt quite unstable at impact sometimes. Definitely needs more mass in the handle and at 12, maybe also at 3/9.
But you can feel there’s easy power but also control from the low stiffness. Bigger swings feel very natural on this racket from the beginning.
But you can feel there’s easy power but also control from the low stiffness. Bigger swings feel very natural on this racket from the beginning.
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
How did you come across a 98? Is it heavier than the Tour? Is the string pattern 16x19 or 18x20?
Moonballballer
Semi-Pro
I honestly don’t know the specs, but I heard it was 310gr unstrung. Balance was nearly even (strung with 1.25 poly and protection tape on the bumper).
It wasn’t 18x20, so I think 16x19, didn’t really take a good look at it. Only thing that caught my attention was the lowest cross string was so low.
the_faceless_player
Professional
The 98 is listed in the SS19 Wilson catalog online. 310g unstrung, 30.6mm / 11pts HL balance and a slightly thinner beam (24mm vs 24.5 on the 100). It is the only 98 in the catalog but there is also a Clash 100L and 108. It was also odd to me that the matching Clash line of bags in the catalog was only 2 sizes of duffle and a Junior backpack. There weren't any Clash specific standard style larger bags listed in there.
Funds to develop Clash-themed racquet bags got diverted to marketing...
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
Actually, they are still perfecting the characteristics of the bags such that they will be both hard and soft to the touch, depending on how you handle them.
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The bags are so flexible that they fold down to pocket size, yet can hold 2 tons of material inside.
Finally! Doraemon's 4D pocket!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
The modded Clash is awesome other than the fact that it’s a string eater which any open 16x19 pattern in a 100” racquet is going to be for me. Just hit with @snoflewis last night and he said i was getting more penetration with the Clash than my Ultra Tour. The racquet is not low powered but certainly isn’t a rocket launcher either. It’s not easy for me to hit the ball long with the Clash. In fact, I find i hit long with Babolats more often I believe due to the launchy nature of the woofer grommets.
teachingprotx
Legend
Ok ok so here is the skinny .. so as luck I got mine strung with my personal string choice .
It’s just not all that flexible boys . Not really .
I don’t feel the flex much at all if any on fH
Bh a bit .
Balls are sending long and high .
If I try to drive it she’s at the fence .
The clash is 3.0 ladie killer though ! My 3.0 / 3.5 ladies teams have never played better in their lives !
True statement
It’s just not all that flexible boys . Not really .
I don’t feel the flex much at all if any on fH
Bh a bit .
Balls are sending long and high .
If I try to drive it she’s at the fence .
The clash is 3.0 ladie killer though ! My 3.0 / 3.5 ladies teams have never played better in their lives !
True statement
Strawbewwy
Rookie
tried the clash tour today for the first time, looks stock except with over grip, strung with hyper g at what felt like a relative high tension (I imagine 55)
I'm normally a prestige mid/93p user with specs up to 13 ounce/7 to 9 pts hl, basically with 2g at 12 and 6g 3/9 o'clock
I've been having some elbow problems lately which probably comes from technique but I've wanted to try clash to see if it would further help while I'm fixing my form, upon contact of balls between rally I noticed that I hear different sound from ball impact? for example a full power drive would make a really crisp ping while a very soft touch would be a very soft sound
I thought that maybe this is similar to the youtek style material where it stiffens and softens depending on stroke
I'm gonna restring this with a hybrid before I string it with a prototype sensation (according to the shop at least) to try to see if I really like it or not
what are some of the recommended modification you guys tried to make it a really likable stick ?
I'm normally a prestige mid/93p user with specs up to 13 ounce/7 to 9 pts hl, basically with 2g at 12 and 6g 3/9 o'clock
I've been having some elbow problems lately which probably comes from technique but I've wanted to try clash to see if it would further help while I'm fixing my form, upon contact of balls between rally I noticed that I hear different sound from ball impact? for example a full power drive would make a really crisp ping while a very soft touch would be a very soft sound
I thought that maybe this is similar to the youtek style material where it stiffens and softens depending on stroke
I'm gonna restring this with a hybrid before I string it with a prototype sensation (according to the shop at least) to try to see if I really like it or not
what are some of the recommended modification you guys tried to make it a really likable stick ?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
It doesn’t flex if you aren’t trying to hit hard. As you hit harder, the flex incrementally increases and is very pronounced when you crush the ball. I’m actually having a tough time hitting the ball long. Everything just seems to drop in. The faster and harder I swing, the more spin the racquet seems to impart on the ball.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I got the regular Clash so can’t help with any mod recs on the Clash Tour.
A little bit of lead, 2-3g, at 12 transforms the Clash into a beast. With no lead, the racquet was coming through too quickly so my slices would float up. With lead, slices are pretty filthy.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
@Strawbewwy when I tried both Clashes at the Revolution Tour event, I preferred the standard version to the Tour. Perhaps you should give the regular Clash a go...
bertrevert
Legend
Gonna try that (lead at 12) today to help with more penetrating volleys...
