Pure Aero to IG Prestige MP?

[am1899]

So, after 2 years playing with a weighted up Pure Aero, the honeymoon may be over - I can’t stop looking at new racquets, wondering if I should make a switch.

A little about me. I’m a former D1 college player, now in my late 30’s. 4.5C USTA rating, and I play almost all doubles. The only time I play singles is if I’m “hitting” with someone to get ready for a weekend doubles USTA match. I have a OHBH, decent pop on the first serve, and generally play an all court style. Interestingly, I’m not a spin guy at all - very much a flat ball hitter. As I continue to realize, this fact about me (among others) flies in the face of having chosen the Pure Aero in the first place. Don’t get me wrong. There are some benefits of using the Pure Aero. I’ve enjoyed power on tap that I’ve never had before. I’ve hit some ridiculous shots that almost felt like cheating. Alas, I increasingly struggle with taming this frame, all the while keeping it from contributing to a TE or GE flare up.

So, enter the IG Prestige MP. I’ve had a 25th anniversary edition laying around for a number of years. I messed with it a couple times, but it felt too under powered to me. A couple nights ago it dawned on me to add a little weight to it and try again. I hit some serves with it yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Does it have that Pure Aero bazooka feel on the first serve? No, absolutely not. But, what it lacks there it seems to gain in precision and feel. I would also point out that I’ve never played with an 18x20 frame in my entire life. I thought it would feel awful, honestly. But I quite liked it.

Anyway. What do you guys and gals think? Time to make a change? I’ve also had my eye on the Phantom and Ultra tour as possible contenders- just haven’t gotten around to demo them yet. Thoughts?

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Make the change, the IG Prestige MP is a great racquet, but you’ll have to put some lead at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock in the IG Prestige, as well as some silicone (or other material) in the handle.

 

[stingstang]

Just did the same. I've been playing with PD's for a while (they were good after not playing for a long time) but switched back to Prestige's. With the PD, I eventually I got frustrated at holding back on shots and stringing tight with full poly was beginning to hurt even though I'm not that prone to TE.

I have 3g at 12 and a leather grip on my IG's - this really increases the power without making them that heavy (under 350g). I don't find they need lead at 3/9 as very stable stock. Also have the black TK238 grommets on them, the clear ones break all the time.

The IG's are nice but I'm hunting for some iPrestiges.

 

[am1899]

Great feedback guys, thanks. I put 7g of lead in the handle - to compensate for the 25th anniversary not having a leather grip. That brought it up just a pinch over spec with an overgrip - 323g. I didnt add additional weight, but I’m open to trying it. I strung it up Hyper G 18 at 40lbs. What do you guys string with?

 

[stingstang]

Thin gauges, low tensions, hybrids, nat gut - anything goes. The PD was very restrictive, I had to use full tour bite in the 50's to keep it controllable & predictable. With the Prestige you can try anything.

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Full bed Big Banger Original, I like a lot of control from my strings.

 

[am1899]

I played a set of doubles with the Prestige today. Definitely needs some lead somewhere. It felt just a pinch brassy on a few shots. In spite of my experience yesterday, it was noticeably anemic on first serves. And stretching to hit a high backhand ground stroke was a problem, whereas with the PA I can usually muscle it back into play. What should I try first - 3 and 9 or 12? Or both?

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Both, for me the IG Prestige only felt right after lead on 3, 9 and 12.

 

[stingstang]

It's entirely personal pref but I would start with just 2g at 12 (2 x 4" 1/4 strips). That adds a surprising amount of pop and might be enough. I found that adding at 3/9 just slowed it down for not much gain but it's whatever suits you, there's no right or wrong. Believe me, you can serve bombs with this frame when you get it set up.

I actually don't like serving with the PD/PA, I find them cumbersome and hard to control.

 

[am1899]

Ended up adding 3 grams at 12 last night. Have yet to hit with it. It does feel heavy in my hand, but that’s probably bc the PA only comes in at 337g all told, whereas the Prestige is now 350g. Will be interesting to see what it feels like on court. Thanks again guys.

 

[mad dog1]

@am1899

Ditch the pure aero for the 18x20. Which one? Ultra tour modded. I’ve played with the mg prestige mp, the ig prestige mp, and the graphene mp. IMO the modded Ultra Tour is a better stick in every way.

 

[TennisHound]

It’s gonna take a period of adjustment, even if it feels heavy at first. I had 2x3”x1/4” strips at 12 with the stock grip and it felt good enough. I also used this on the XTPMP (like it slightly better on the XT).

I never quite figured out how to unlock the magic of the Ultra Tour, adding grips, lead, strings, etc. it never quite felt as solid in the throat as the Prestige (nothing does though).

 

[ProRadTour]

Same experience as TennisHound with the Ultra, never could get it feeling right. There is something really special about the Prestiges when you do middle it, there is nothing else like it.

 

[mad dog1]

Same experience as TennisHound with the Ultra, never could get it feeling right. There is something really special about the Prestiges when you do middle it, there is nothing else like it.

Agreed. But the middle is just too small for me. Lol. The Ultra Tour has a bigger middle.

 

[mad dog1]

I never quite figured out how to unlock the magic of the Ultra Tour, adding grips, lead, strings, etc. it never quite felt as solid in the throat as the Prestige (nothing does though).

The prestiges seem to have more weight around the throat giving them a very solid feeling in that area. I tend to hit higher up on the stringbed. The prestiges are great sticks. In fact, I’d still be playing with them if it wasn’t for my friend constantly pestering me to try the Ultra Tour.

 

[ProRadTour]

@mad dog1 So true it's why I am also playing the VCore Pro 97, bigger sweet spot, more power and spin while still providing that old school graphite feel. As I'm playing the 330 I don't need to try and solve the rubiks cube of modding.

I have been tinkering with my IG Prestige MP because of this thread just for fun, I ended up putting lead @ 3 & 9 and agree it made it sluggish but I forgot how good the IG MP really is.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I would try out the new Rafa Pure Aero 2019! Fabulous!

 

[am1899]

I would try out the new Rafa Pure Aero 2019! Fabulous!

It’s a little tempting with the lower RA...but the string pattern is still too open. That’s something that I really struggle with more often than it helps me with the PA.

@ProRadTour indeed, I’ve had an eye on the VCORE pro 97 330. Will have to source a demo and try it.

@mad dog1 I have a Ultra tour demo at my disposal at work, so I will definitely have the opportunity to compare it side by side with the prestige.

Again, really appreciate you guys taking the time to share your opinions and experiences.

 

[tribesmen]

I would try out the new Rafa Pure Aero 2019! Fabulous!

I am ready to sell the kidney to buy a Rafa Pure Aero and any year would be good.

 

[TennisHound]

It’s a little tempting with the lower RA...but the string pattern is still too open. That’s something that I really struggle with more often than it helps me with the PA.

@ProRadTour indeed, I’ve had an eye on the VCORE pro 97 330. Will have to source a demo and try it.

@mad dog1 I have a Ultra tour demo at my disposal at work, so I will definitely have the opportunity to compare it side by side with the prestige.

Again, really appreciate you guys taking the time to share your opinions and experiences.

You could sort of get the Pure Aero feel with the VCore Pro 330, just leave out every other sting on the mains and crosses and you could get a feel of what its like

 

[am1899]

You could sort of get the Pure Aero feel with the VCore Pro 330, just leave out every other sting on the mains and crosses and you could get a feel of what its like

LOL

 

[am1899]

I guess another consideration is cost. I found new IG Prestige MP stock around $100. Albeit, they are the wrong grip size. But I’ve changed pallets before, no reason I can’t do it again. Ultra tours are more than twice as expensive. Are they twice as good a frame?

 

[movdqa]

I'd recommend lead at 12; if you're adding a lot of lead, then 10 to 2.