ryushen21
Legend
Agree to disagree.
soft buttery 18x20 racquet
- Thread starter Taita87
- Start date
Agree to disagree.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I had that frame and it’s a stiff racquet. Not really in the buttery category, even with low tension.
Really great frame though.
The Wilson 6.1 95 18x20 scores way up there in terms of comfort. If you look at all of the TW testers scores they were primarily around 9/10 for comfort.
That has been my experience as well but if you string this frame with too high a tension it will get stiff. This frame is all about the string and tension and has tons of plow through. All you have to do is get it going in the right direction and it hits through the ball like a knife through warm butter.
That has been my experience as well but if you string this frame with too high a tension it will get stiff. This frame is all about the string and tension and has tons of plow through. All you have to do is get it going in the right direction and it hits through the ball like a knife through warm butter.
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ryushen21
Legend
No question it's a great frame. And it hits a monster ball. But in terms of feeling buttery, it definitely does not. It's hard to imagine a string set up, aside from full gut, that would make it feel buttery.
Guess I would prefer a frame that hits through ball with comfort and plow through. Different kind of butter for sure. The 6.1 will slice with the one handed backhand like a scalpel and easy on the arm. This kind of butter is soft enough for my game. Some of those other frames feel like mush with very little feel.
Blade V7 18x20 would be my next choice.
Blade V7 18x20 would be my next choice.
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Anton
Legend
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
I am not sure anymore if buttery is a good word for what I want from my rackets feel-wise. Of course I like very comfortable racket, but I also need really good feedback.
I need to hear what I am playing honestly. The are some frames that have good feedback – like RF97 – but are really stiff. Also Head TGT293 has good feedback
but it is too stiff more me. There are also very comfortable frames with not great feedback – Prince is doing a lot of such frames. I am not sure if I find Dunlop 200 line
frames comfortable – but for sure they have great feel and fantastic feedback.
As many of you I also find Head Pro Tour 630 as fantastic mix of feel, comfort and control. However playing against young hard-hitters I find easier to keep the pace with a bit lighter frames.
So I spent years looking for lighter copy of Pro Tour. Never really found one – exept PT57A2 which I can customize to a bit lighter than PT630 racket. But it doesn't play that well when it is lighter.
The comfort, feel, feedback and even stability is there – but you simply miss power.
So here is the list from what I manged to find over the years:
Head TGT292.1 – easiness of Radicals with more Prestige like feel, really comfy, however 16x19
Microgel Radical MP or TGK231.1 – best feeling Radical line. 57RA, full control, a lot of power.
From more recent rackets ––
Yonex 97HD has really nice feel, decent feedback, but seems a bit unpredictable and I miss 95" frame control.
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige MP has feel that really reminds me of old Prestige Tour 600, however I really miss older mold and smaller head size.
Also as someone mentioned – you need to add lead tape to that frame to get more power.
Dunlop CX200 Tour (18x20) is great and easy to use frame. Really low SW, stability, precision and fantastic feedback. It is much more comfortable than RDC readings.
Wilson Blade v7 (18x20). This one is really comfortable and plush. Enough power. However stability of upper hoop and feedback isn't the best one.
Also you need to try out Dunlop Revolution NT Tour 97 – most underrated current frame.
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I have hit with the Phantom Pro and it's great, can you elaborate how the Angell Lime compares?
ryushen21
Legend
Say whaaaaaaat? I've been getting excellent control with this frame. I'd even say it's one of its defining features.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
Check out the Prince Tour 100P. Also the Phantom Pro
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Donnay Pro One Pentacore 18x20. Plays very soft and muted because RA is 57 and the entire racquet is foam-filled, but like the PT630 you'll need to supply your own power; a few grams of lead or tungsten at 12 o'clock should get you some extra oomph. Sweet spot is big and the actual head size is 99 sq. in. (even though advertised spec is 97 sq. in.). Quite spin-friendly too for a 18x20 pattern.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
I keep hearing about this racquet; gotta try it one of these days. Love the green PJ.
Gee
Hall of Fame
Then the Ultra Tour is your last resort! You can customize it perfectly to your liking.
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There are so many racquets that I want to try them all lol
There's a pro one 97 hexacore 18x20 that's on sale, I think it plays like butter but I don't know if it's easier to play then a tc95.
The Dunlop cx 200 tour I've been told plays similar to tc95 (so small sweet spot).
Yonex 97 hd, I don't know, it doesn't click my interest.
I downvote the prestige being low powered at 320grams.
I remember the pro Kennex q tour to be very nice, but they only make a 18x20 325 grams version, quite heavy already.
Never tried the ultra tour, as I already told I think my perfect weight is between 310.and 320.
I downvote the new Wilson blade too, everyone seems to agree its previous versions were better (I like muted buttery feel)
There's a pro one 97 hexacore 18x20 that's on sale, I think it plays like butter but I don't know if it's easier to play then a tc95.
The Dunlop cx 200 tour I've been told plays similar to tc95 (so small sweet spot).
Yonex 97 hd, I don't know, it doesn't click my interest.
I downvote the prestige being low powered at 320grams.
I remember the pro Kennex q tour to be very nice, but they only make a 18x20 325 grams version, quite heavy already.
Never tried the ultra tour, as I already told I think my perfect weight is between 310.and 320.
I downvote the new Wilson blade too, everyone seems to agree its previous versions were better (I like muted buttery feel)
Gee
Hall of Fame
The Angell K7 Lime meet all of these (in bold) features.
TennisHound
Legend
X2 on the 360+ PMP as a must demo.
Prince 93P as well, but it’s pretty lower powered.
Prince 93P as well, but it’s pretty lower powered.
Ok, I played again with the tc97 18x20, tc95 18x20 and textreme tour 100p.
The tc95 18x20 gave me some wrist discomfort. The textreme 100p is maybe a bit too large.
The tc97 has the better comfort and feeling...
But ..
I think I play better with the tc95. It seems to me that with my strokes the flexy head of the tc97 has some catapult effect if I'm not aiming every shot at the net.
With the tc95, even if I try to hit a fast loopy top spin ball, the ball remains really low on the net. And that works for my game style.
The textreme stays lower too, but the head is really.bigger.
I read that the ultra tour has a lower trajectory then the tc97, other candidates with my requests?
Keep in mind that the tc95 DOES INDEED impart spin. It seemed to me that the uniform stiffness of the head really transfers spin on the ball without altering the trajectory (becoming loopy). Even on slice serves, it has ton of precision, spin but still the ball remains low
The tc95 18x20 gave me some wrist discomfort. The textreme 100p is maybe a bit too large.
The tc97 has the better comfort and feeling...
But ..
I think I play better with the tc95. It seems to me that with my strokes the flexy head of the tc97 has some catapult effect if I'm not aiming every shot at the net.
With the tc95, even if I try to hit a fast loopy top spin ball, the ball remains really low on the net. And that works for my game style.
The textreme stays lower too, but the head is really.bigger.
I read that the ultra tour has a lower trajectory then the tc97, other candidates with my requests?
Keep in mind that the tc95 DOES INDEED impart spin. It seemed to me that the uniform stiffness of the head really transfers spin on the ball without altering the trajectory (becoming loopy). Even on slice serves, it has ton of precision, spin but still the ball remains low
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
That's interesting... I've played with both the TC97 and TC95 18x20s and I've had the opposite experience with respect to launch angle. The TC95 produced more loopy shots naturally, while the TC97 hits a flatter lower trajectory ball. This is the reason I prefer the TC95 to the TC97 in 18x20 format (both are great but the 95 is better). When I hit them in the 16x19 pattern the TC97 produces a lower trajectory than the TC95, and for this reason, is easier to handle. The TC97 16x19 is like the middle ground (trajectory wise) between the TC95 18x20 and the TC95 16x19.
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Wait a moment
I'm pretty sure the tc95 18x20 hits a lower trajectory ball... Even if you try to hit a loopy spin shot the ball remains low at high pace level, with the tc97 it tends to get higher
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Wait a moment
I'm pretty sure the tc95 18x20 hits a lower trajectory ball... Even if you try to hit a loopy spin shot the ball remains low at high pace level, with the tc97 it tends to get higher
I can hit the full range of shots with both TC95 and TC97... but in the 18x20 I find it easier to produce the loopy shots with the TC95 and the lower flatter trajectory with the TC97. That's just my experience. Would love to hear what others think.
The TC97 is supposed to be similar to the Head Prestige/ PT630 in the flex profile... and those racquets tend to have a lower ball trajectory, while the TC95 has uniform flex from the throat onwards.
beepee1972
Semi-Pro
Old: Prince O3 Tour 18*20
Even older: Volkl PB10 MP (98 head), 18*20
Even older: Volkl PB10 MP (98 head), 18*20
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
J
joohan
Guest
even older: all Fischers of the past. Kafelnikov and Stich fared well with them.
16x20 patterns most of them, though. Sweet sticks for sure (VT98Pro, Vacuums, Pro 1s, M Speeds...).
@Taita87 based on what I've read about CX200, it's more in the vein of TC97 (played with both TC97 and TC95 extensively...both 18x20).
time_fly
Hall of Fame
I played with the first generation Phantom 100 (18x20) with lead at 12. The feel and precision are amazing. The second generation has a power bump which should be appreciated. Ultimately I loved the feel and control, but I was working too hard in singles matches so I stopped using it. I would definitely give it a try if looking for an 18x20 with soft, buttery feel.
Tennisist
Professional
1) Wilson H22 : has all three: soft, 18x20, extremely stable.
2) Donnay Pro One 18x20 : dual core and quad core GT are most stable; (3,5 are not, and have not played 6).
3) Volkl Tour 10 Mid
4) Volkl C7 Pro: red one is sweet, but not sure if it would be stable enough for you; black one is stable, but not sweet.
5) Head IG Radical Pro (orange-brown): 18x20, soft, stable / rigid head.
2) Donnay Pro One 18x20 : dual core and quad core GT are most stable; (3,5 are not, and have not played 6).
3) Volkl Tour 10 Mid
4) Volkl C7 Pro: red one is sweet, but not sure if it would be stable enough for you; black one is stable, but not sweet.
5) Head IG Radical Pro (orange-brown): 18x20, soft, stable / rigid head.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Just had a hit this morning and I have to say that if I had one racket to just hit all the time with it would be the Phantom 93P 18x20. I just love the connected feel with that frame. Its not the easiest racket to play with but it just feels good. The reward for a well struck shot is truly addictive.
In a doubles tourney, I'm just going to pull out my trusty POG 107. But if I'm just baseline hitting, I'm using that 93P.
In a doubles tourney, I'm just going to pull out my trusty POG 107. But if I'm just baseline hitting, I'm using that 93P.
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
GOAT post.
I am about to hit side by side with blade v7, ultra tour, vcore pro 97 hd, graphene 360+ prestige mp, nt tour 97, radical tour mp, and a leaded pacific x force lt no 1 (315gr, 31cm bal, 300 SW).
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
Good to hear I could be of any help as it was long post!
I must say that I still missing the bigger precision of 95" frames – so when I need to win a match I am picking up old Radicals (Liquidmetal/Flexpoint/Microgel), TGT291.2 (older Prestige S/Pro) or Dunlop 200/Prestige MP with 320g unstrung weight.However I like playing with Blade v7 (also liked 2015 and nBlade), Ultra Tour (this one needs more lead than Tecnifibre 315 Ltd.) and VCore Pro 97HD. In the end I am not a fan of the new Graphene 360+ Prestige MP. Prefer Microgel and YT/IG Prestige MPs much more.
Really would like to hear your thoughs about these frame after hitting with them.
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Caol-ila
Rookie
The TC97 is 66RA.
n8dawg6
Legend
kinda what i was thinking. if theres a control issue w the 97hd, i dont know what will work for you
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
I've hit extensively with the blade v7 which is my current racket of choice, the ultra tour and the vcore pro 97 hd. I've only hit briefly with the prestige, the nt tour and the pacific. I'll let you know of my impressions .Good to hear I could of any help as it was long post!
However I like playing with Blade v7 (also liked 2015 and nBlade), Ultra Tour (this one needs more lead than Tecnifibre 315 Ltd.) and VCore Pro 97HD. In the end I am not a fan of the new Graphene 360+ Prestige MP. Prefer Microgel and YT/IG Prestige MPs much more.
Really would like to hear your thoughs about these frame after hitting with them.
I'd second the Pro One but mine are definitely 97" not 99", same as my Pro Tour 280. Excellent frame though mine are 16/19 as opposed to 18/20. Perhaps heavier than advertised though (mine are 12.1 oz with overgrip and standard one inch lead tape at 10 and 2). A little lighter option that I would call buttery (64RA with Twaron) is Prince Beast 98 - very consistent 11.4 oz strung weight. That's if you don't mind a 16/20 (very spin friendly) and saving a ton of money (on clearance right now).
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
You're right... made a mistake... I've corrected it. However, what I was trying to get across is still the same. All the best.
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
The volkl v8 pro has got power out the Ying tang! Obviously tops in its class in that category.
Winners or Errors
Legend
It all depends on your definition of "buttery." You lost me at "stable upper hoop," because I can't think of a single "buttery" racquet that also has that feature. They are all tip-dead, meant to be hit lower on the stringbed. My Becker London Tours are "buttery," as I suspect the Volkl C10 is still - though they keep making them stiffer. Other than that, the Prince and Wilson Ultra Tour offerings may be the closest you'll get. They're still not "buttery" in comparison to old school flexy racquets.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
I think my Gravity Pros are pretty buttery. Strings make a difference too. The most buttery stick I ever used was a friends head classic Mp. It was dark red and I don’t know when they were made. But damn that thing was like a stick of butter. Oh, and also my old single stripe POG at 31.1oz. Most buttery current frame I have played was c10 pro. If they had a more square grip shape I would still be playing with them.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-agree with you here!!
-this is also why we have sooo many suggestions ^^, some i agree with, some i dont know about and some i disagree with
-feel is a personal "thang!!", different from one person to the next
-i however feel that "wilson.ultra.tour" is a buttery/flexible 18/20 stick, but that's my personal feel
-great platform-stick, that can/should be modified (with lead) for the specific player
Winners or Errors
Legend
Yeah, Wilson should be encouraged for trying to keep flex alive. Particularly disconcerting for me is that Tecnifibre has gone full bore "let's make it stiffer" with their new RS series. Hopefully, the TF40 will stay relatively flexible, though none of even the last generation of their sticks could be called "flexy." More and more heading for the Babolat dark side every day. That said, my time vacillates at the moment between the last iteration of the Six.One 95 16x18 and the XTC 305, so I've embraced it a quite bit as well. Hopefully, my arm will survive my passing interest in "modern" racquets.
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
I would say that 97HD has a little unpredictable trampoline effect sometimes. It is something I can feel at least. The precision coming from string pattern and thin beam is for sure there.
