Revisited: Diablos, Tour 10MP, LM Prestige MP...

[Benjamin]

I had a chance to play with all four demos (Prince Diablo mid, Prince Diablo midplus, Volkl Tour 10 midplus, Head LM Prestige midplus) again last night for a total of about 3 hours. It has become evident that it is going to come down to either the Diablo Mid, Diablo Midplus, or my current racquet (POG mid). And more than likely either the Diablo Mid or my POG mid.

I'm still able to get amazing serves with the Diablo mid whereas my serving with the Diablo midplus has really take a turn for the worse. The midplus is still fantastic on flat bombs but as far as kick serves, it feels as though there just isn't enough mass to get good pace on the ball with a kick serve. MANY kick serves are falling short.

Comparing the Diablo Mid to my POG mid is tough...they both have there outstanding qualities and it's hard to determine if I favor the POG in certain areas just because I'm used (and have it strung where I like it) to playing with it. But I'll try:

Serving: Diablo (flat serves), POG (kick serves)

Topspin: POG

Control: POG

Slice: Diablo

Volleys: Diablo

Ability to hold shots to the last second before commiting down the line or crosscourt: Diablo

Returning: Diablo (I feel I can be more agressive)

Groundstrokes: POG (this is the area where I feel I may just favor the POG because I'm use to it...just a comfort level there)

Dropshots: POG

It would be interesting to see how comfortable I would be with the Diablo mid if it were strung with Luxilon Big Banger 16L and at the optimum tension for me. As is, my shots with the POG off less power but better control. My shots with the Diablo Mid offer much more power but balls don't fall close to the line like they do with the POG mid (once again, comfort level of playing the POG is a big issue).

Benjamin

 

[K. Wilson Moose]

Benjamin,

Thanks for the updates on the Diablo. The MP has been one of the few new offerings that has intriqued me. I'm a little surprised that the MP, with that more open pattern, isn't good for the kicker. If you need a little more mass in the head, how about a little lead tape and try it again. If you do, let us know if it helps or not.

 

[Rabbit]

A buddy of mine who owns a proshop got me to hit with the Prince NXG mid and midplus. To my suprise, the mid played better than the midplus. I ususally don't like a tight string pattern, but the mid just plain hit better.

 

[sanitarium]

Really I think you're a bit off with the LM Prestige..
I suggest you add some lead tape (maybe 6g,)
2g at 10
2g at 2
1g at 8
1g at 4
(the LM points)

The prestige is the best service racquet for spin and kick available in my opinion, maybe you should focus on this racquet for a while and get a feel for it with the adjustments. Might be string/tension?

Thanks!

 

[tennisplayer3]

Benjamin, try adding some lead tape at 3 and 9 on the diablo midplus. I currently own one, and had the same problem you did on the kick serve. I tried out my friends though, who has lead tape at 3 and 9, and it helped a lot.

 

[ian5]

how much lead tape did you put at 3 & 9?

 

[tennisplayer3]

Hmm, not sure on the weight but the middle of the strip was right at the 3 and 9 on the racquet and it lasted for 5 grommets on each side overall.