Stocking up: how many?

[VGP]

We all know that choosing a racket is a personal thing.

Given the current retail paradigm of introducing "new" frames every two to three years, I'm curious amongst us TW board members how many frames you purchase when you decide to "stock up" on your favorite frame.

I guess this includes buying new and/or tapping into the used market.

 

[callen3615]

Im gonna go with three. Altho I still havent found what im lookin for.

 

[Loco4Tennis]

while the number depends on the way you play and how quickly you go through a frame, i am a firm beleiver that if you really like a frame, you should have a back-up for the back-up, 3 is my choise at a minimum when possible, 2 is necessary if you take tennis to a serious enough level, any more is gravy and or specific to your tennis needs

 

[VGP]

Thanks for the posts so far.

I guess the purpose of this thread is a bit different (and perhaps not) than how many rackets you take with you to play matches.

There are several threads where people will take multiple frames to the courts for backups for string breakage or different tensions. Perhaps different string setups depending on conditions (i.e. synthetic gut as a backup for natural gut if it rains, etc.).

I guess this could go beyond that. More frames for a stash, per se, that could carry players way beyond the production time of their favorite frame......

 

[SteveI]

4 and pick up some grommet sets to boot!

 

[Loco4Tennis]

i would say the number then would be 10 for me, if money was not an issue, but loosing ineterest would be my only concern, finding a better one in lets say 4, 5 years down the road is very likely,,, now adays, they make so many good racquets finding something else you want latter is very easy to do. i think if money is an issue i would still only go with the bare minimum of the racquets i would use now and play them until i get bored with them, 3; 5 if you like to have different tensions in your bag

 

[Keifers]

4 and pick up some grommet sets to boot!

Same here.

Grommets are important also because I may end up buying used examples of the racquet later and want to freshen them up.

 

[Il Mostro]

Same here.

Grommets are important also because I may end up buying used examples of the racquet later and want to freshen them up.

Smart, smart move. I cannot believe the prices I pay for bumper/grommet sets -- Trisys 260 and Ultra FPK 95 sets are just *brutal* and becoming unobtanium.

 

[GS]

If you really love your chosen stick, then get 4 in your bag. You never know when it'll get discontinued, or when the graphite goes soft on you (depending on how often you string, how high a tension you play with, and how hard you hit).
Plus, yep, get those replacement grommet sets while you can! Then you'll be okay.

 

[RyanRF]

Stocked up on 3 nblade 98s as soon the last online retailer stopped selling em.

 

[Kemitak]

I liked the Jack Kramer (that Mandlikova played with) so much, I bought 10 that didn't quite make it to tour players from a warehouse in Scotland. Lacquered and painted, but no decals. They ended up costing about $25 each.

 

[film1]

I liked the Jack Kramer (that Mandlikova played with) so much, I bought 10 that didn't quite make it to tour players from a warehouse in Scotland. Lacquered and painted, but no decals. They ended up costing about $25 each.

Cool, Do you have any pictures?

 

[mtommer]

Well, I have now got 15 M-Fil 200 for the sole reason of never running out of a racquet. I went through my 3 Ti Radical OS in three years and I swore I would get enough racquets to last me my lifetime the next time I found one I liked. I plan to get up to 20. I also have replacement grommets per racquet (thanks TW!). The nice thing is that they're only $30 - $60 a piece depending on the source.

 

[sawedust]

Three for me. Two used to be sufficient enough for me as I only played once or twice a week, but since I've been asked to help out my alma mater's high school tennis team I figured I better get into shape and get into shape quickly. :/

 

[BreakPoint]

Im gonna go with three. Altho I still havent found what im lookin for.

Hey, that would make a great name for a song.

 

[couch]

I typically play 3-4 times a week and have been playing with my Volkl Tour 8 since it came out about 7-8 years ago. I have broken a few throughout the years so I always want to make sure I have plenty to spare. If I see a good deal on the bay then I will buy it "just in case". ;-)

The number you need depends mainly on your level, playing style, string/tension, and how often you play. Also, some racquets are more popular than others and some are basically the same re-incarnation year after year. If you play with a Pure Drive odds are you could get away with just 3-4 because the next generation will be fairly similar. The Wilson 6.1, Head Prestige, etc. fall into this category also.

 

[Kirko]

two max >>>>>>>

with an extra grommet & bumper strip for each frame.

 

[fuzz nation]

4 and pick up some grommet sets to boot!

Yep, that would cover it.

 

[dincuss]

4-5 for stocking up, unless their cheap, then get more.

 

[PBODY99]

For stocking up, I look at how long I expect a set of 4 frames to last. I then buy a second set when the frame is discontinued, with 2 bumper kits for each frame.

 

[Fedace]

Rule is ONe racket per year. AFter one year, Racket will go dead so you have to toss it. So if you want it to last, 10 rackets for 10 years

 

[pshulam]

too many frames for me .. 15 and counting.

 

[Kemitak]

Rule is ONe racket per year. AFter one year, Racket will go dead so you have to toss it. So if you want it to last, 10 rackets for 10 years

Really? I find that wilsons take about 6 months to break in. What are you playing with?

 

[DennisK]

Rule is ONe racket per year. AFter one year, Racket will go dead so you have to toss it. So if you want it to last, 10 rackets for 10 years

Do you really throw away a racket after one year? Hmmmmm. :-?

 

[equinox]

Generally three racquets is fine for tournament play with a stringer available.

Hasn't helped me in finals, twice i've busted threes strings on the big match day..

Two for a casual hit.

i've three POG OS that have been sitting in the closet for 12 months.

Four npro opens which never get hit but i'm sure they're still my most successful racquet.

Two lonely cheapy babolat contest si, in mourning for there destroyed buddie.

ntrp sticks

6.0+ 12+
5.0+ 6+
4.5 3+
4.0 3
3.5 2
3.0 1

 

[Marshredder]

6.0+ 12+
5.0+ 6+
4.5 3+
4.0 3
3.5 2
3.0 1

I dont think rating has anything to do with how many racquets you need. I'd say the amount of racquets needed is related to technique and frequency of play rather than your level. A 3.5 big hitting baseliner who plays weekly tournaments will need more sticks than a serve & volley 5.0 player playing monthly tournaments etc.

 

[BobFL]

I dont think rating has anything to do with how many racquets you need. I'd say the amount of racquets needed is related to technique and frequency of play rather than your level. A 3.5 big hitting baseliner who plays weekly tournaments will need more sticks than a serve & volley 5.0 player playing monthly tournaments etc.

There is no such thing as "3.5 big hitter"

 

[Marshredder]

Rule is ONe racket per year. AFter one year, Racket will go dead so you have to toss it. So if you want it to last, 10 rackets for 10 years

Yeahhhhh, thats rubbish though isn't it?

Yes.

If that was true, surely vintage wood racquets would be unplayable, especially as wood is much more likely to warp. I still use the racquets I used when I was 14 (8 years ago) and theyre just as good as they were back then.

 

[K Factor]

Yeahhhhh, thats rubbish though isn't it?

Yes.

If that was true, surely vintage wood racquets would be unplayable, especially as wood is much more likely to warp. I still use the racquets I used when I was 14 (8 years ago) and theyre just as good as they were back then.

its truly embarrassing. racquets are durable pieces of equipment-racquets dont tend to wear out that fast. its more like the racquet is wearing you out and you want to just get something new.