The Official Angell Users Club

J

John Z.

Semi-Pro
Two questions for you guys:

1. Looks to me like the head shape of those frames (say TC90, TC95) are quite elongated, somewhat similar to Prestiges frames ? Is the "swing style" of those frames closer to prestiges than to prostaffs?

2. TC95 16x19 seem to have a fairly open string pattern, how does that frame compares in control and spin to PS90 or Ezone DR 98 ? (those are frame i know very well)

Thanks in advance!
 
J

John Z.

Semi-Pro
Two questions for you guys:

1. Looks to me like the head shape of those frames (say TC90, TC95) are quite elongated, somewhat similar to Prestiges frames ? Is the "swing style" of those frames closer to prestiges than to prostaffs?

2. TC95 16x19 seem to have a fairly open string pattern, how does that frame compares in control and spin to PS90 or Ezone DR 98 ? (those are frames i know very well)

Thanks in advance!
 
S

SinjinCooper

Hall of Fame
John Z. said:
1. Looks to me like the head shape of those frames (say TC90, TC95) are quite elongated, somewhat similar to Prestiges frames ? Is the "swing style" of those frames closer to prestiges than to prostaffs?
Click to expand...
They play a lot more like Prestiges than they do like ProStaffs. That said, they're certainly not exactly like Prestiges, either, and I haven't used any of the most modern ProStaff incarnations except the RF. Angells play nothing like the RF, thank God. Don't know what you mean by, "swing style."
 
E

ed70

Professional
Is the power that people talk about with the TC 95 63ra partly due to the high swingweight on the older frames? Just wondering as the new one's apparently have lower swing weights maybe only slightly higher than tc97's.
 
E

ed70

Professional
Is the power that people talk about with the TC 95 63ra partly due to the high swingweight on the older frames? Just wondering as the new one's apparently have lower swing weights maybe only slightly higher than tc97's.
 
808

808

Professional
Dropped off the TC97 18x20's at my stringer today. Going to do some string testing.

Will update once I actually had a chance to play the new strings.
 
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J

joohan

Guest
808 said:
Dropped off the TC97 18x20's at my stringer today. Going to do some string testing.

Will update once I actually had a chance to play the new strings.
Click to expand...

Have you used gut/poly hybrid in your TC97 yet?
 
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J

joohan

Guest
808 said:
Dropped off the TC97 18x20's at my stringer today. Going to do some string testing.

Will update once I actually had a chance to play the new strings.
Click to expand...
 
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J

joohan

Guest
Oh yes, I forgot you replied to a similar question already. Excellent, thanks.
 
zalive

zalive

Hall of Fame
ed70 said:
Is the power that people talk about with the TC 95 63ra partly due to the high swingweight on the older frames? Just wondering as the new one's apparently have lower swing weights maybe only slightly higher than tc97's.
Click to expand...

I think it's because of combination of excellent layup quality (with high energy return), relatively high SW (it's a stock polarized frame racquet actually) and relatively open pattern in the groundstroke hitting zone.
 
J

John Z.

Semi-Pro
John Z. said:
Two questions for you guys:

1. Looks to me like the head shape of those frames (say TC90, TC95) are quite elongated, somewhat similar to Prestiges frames ? Is the "swing style" of those frames closer to prestiges than to prostaffs?

2. TC95 16x19 seem to have a fairly open string pattern, how does that frame compares in control and spin to PS90 or Ezone DR 98 ? (those are frames i know very well)
Click to expand...

SinjinCooper said:
They play a lot more like Prestiges than they do like ProStaffs. That said, they're certainly not exactly like Prestiges, either, and I haven't used any of the most modern ProStaff incarnations except the RF. Angells play nothing like the RF, thank God. Don't know what you mean by, "swing style."
Click to expand...

Thanks Cooper. Everything else being equal, elongated head shape (prestige like) tend to swing very differently than rounder frames (most prince & babolats for example), with prostaff being somewhere in-between. That's essentially what i meant by "swing style"... and since i tend to dislike long head shape (not sure why, but i grew up playing with prince) i should probably be careful before investing in TC95...
 
K

Khoi Pham

New User
joohan said:
Compared to TC95, TC97 does not possess the menacing power and spin. It has a bigger sweetspot that produces exactly what you put into the stroke. I'd like to underline the word exactly because TC95 is somewhat similar but has that extra hidden potential that's begging to come out in form of a booming groundstroke. TC97 feels more refined in that matter...it's like TC95 is a racquet ideal for someone like Del Potro who needs tons of control but also some heat when he decides to unleash and finish the point at will. TC97 is not a shotmakers rifle like TC95 or Tour G 330, it's a frame ideal for, say, Andy Murray, who wants/needs/knows to dose power and spin in nanowatts and single units of RPMs. If TC95 has the potential to be a weapon of mass destruction, TC97 18x20 is a weapon of mass construction in capable hands. I mistimed a bunch of my first serves but seconds were simply awesome. I could hit lines at various speeds, kicks, slices at will.
Click to expand...

Can I ask you to clarify on your comparison TC97 vs Tc95. You said TC97 doesn't have the power/spin of TC95, but then describe TC95 as a racquet for someone who needs a lot of control and describe TC97 as a racquet for those who need power. I have a TC97 18x20 and like you, it didn't live up to my expectations initially but after a few sessions it felt like something I will keep for the next 5+ years or so. I just ordered a TC95 18x20 70 RA seeking for a bit more control and I was hoping if you could add some more comments on TC95 now that you've hit with it for a while. Also, what was your SW for TC95. I play with the same specs and I tend to gravitate towards roughly 300 unstrung.
 
K

Khoi Pham

New User
joohan said:
Compared to TC95, TC97 does not possess the menacing power and spin. It has a bigger sweetspot that produces exactly what you put into the stroke. I'd like to underline the word exactly because TC95 is somewhat similar but has that extra hidden potential that's begging to come out in form of a booming groundstroke. TC97 feels more refined in that matter...it's like TC95 is a racquet ideal for someone like Del Potro who needs tons of control but also some heat when he decides to unleash and finish the point at will. TC97 is not a shotmakers rifle like TC95 or Tour G 330, it's a frame ideal for, say, Andy Murray, who wants/needs/knows to dose power and spin in nanowatts and single units of RPMs. If TC95 has the potential to be a weapon of mass destruction, TC97 18x20 is a weapon of mass construction in capable hands. I mistimed a bunch of my first serves but seconds were simply awesome. I could hit lines at various speeds, kicks, slices at will.
Click to expand...

Can I ask you to clarify on your comparison TC97 vs Tc95. You said TC97 doesn't have the power/spin of TC95, but then describe TC95 as a racquet for someone who needs a lot of control and describe TC97 as a racquet for those who need power. I have a TC97 18x20 and like you, it didn't live up to my expectations initially but after a few sessions it felt like something I will keep for the next 5+ years or so. I just ordered a TC95 18x20 70 RA seeking for a bit more control and I was hoping if you could add some more comments on TC95 now that you've hit with it for a while. Also, what was your SW for TC95. I play with the same specs and I tend to gravitate towards roughly 300 unstrung.
 
J

joohan

Guest
Khoi Pham said:
Can I ask you to clarify on your comparison TC97 vs Tc95. You said TC97 doesn't have the power/spin of TC95, but then describe TC95 as a racquet for someone who needs a lot of control and describe TC97 as a racquet for those who need power. I have a TC97 18x20 and like you, it didn't live up to my expectations initially but after a few sessions it felt like something I will keep for the next 5+ years or so. I just ordered a TC95 18x20 70 RA seeking for a bit more control and I was hoping if you could add some more comments on TC95 now that you've hit with it for a while. Also, what was your SW for TC95. I play with the same specs and I tend to gravitate towards roughly 300 unstrung.
Click to expand...

It's actually the other way around. TC97 is perfect for someone who is after total control, 63RA TC95 has significantly more pop and more spin at its disposal at the same specs, pattern. Plus I was impressed with the TC97 from the first practice session since it's very much like my leaded Dunlop Bio300Tour both in feel, power level and performance.

I don't know the SW of my tennis racquets. If you search this forum for posts from @ugly duck he had one of my TC95s for a play test and I think he mentioned the SW in one of his posts. There is not much to add, though. I can feel the difference in flex between the D shaped TC95 and boxier TC97(preferring TC97), they are both very comfortable (I've only played with 63RA TC95)with sweetspot being bigger in TC97.

Biggest difference is power. Both racquets are very linear in power department but TC95s power function curve is much steeper than that of TC97 - you get more pop from TC95 with strokes being equal. For spin the difference is about the same. Control level off of the stringbed is about equal but if you add power element (or lack of...) into equation, TC97 helps you keep the ball within lines more. On the other hand, if you learn to use the power potential of TC95 to your benefit, it's easier to win matches with it as you can dominate anyone with whatever tennis racquet they play due to its commanding plow over the ball.

TC95 - pure first strikers frame
TC97 - counter punchers dream
 
K

Khoi Pham

New User
Dang that's disappointing. I hit quite flat so I need just a tad bit more control than TC97, although everything else is perfect. Is there any difference in terms of weight/flex distribution between the two?
 
ugly duck

ugly duck

New User
joohan said:
It's actually the other way around. TC97 is perfect for someone who is after total control, 63RA TC95 has significantly more pop and more spin at its disposal at the same specs, pattern. Plus I was impressed with the TC97 from the first practice session since it's very much like my leaded Dunlop Bio300Tour both in feel, power level and performance.

I don't know the SW of my tennis racquets. If you search this forum for posts from @ugly duck he had one of my TC95s for a play test and I think he mentioned the SW in one of his posts. There is not much to add, though. I can feel the difference in flex between the D shaped TC95 and boxier TC97(preferring TC97), they are both very comfortable (I've only played with 63RA TC95)with sweetspot being bigger in TC97.

Biggest difference is power. Both racquets are very linear in power department but TC95s power function curve is much steeper than that of TC97 - you get more pop from TC95 with strokes being equal. For spin the difference is about the same. Control level off of the stringbed is about equal but if you add power element (or lack of...) into equation, TC97 helps you keep the ball within lines more. On the other hand, if you learn to use the power potential of TC95 to your benefit, it's easier to win matches with it as you can dominate anyone with whatever tennis racquet they play due to its commanding plow over the ball.

TC95 - pure first strikers frame
TC97 - counter punchers dream
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't measure. My tc100 was reported by the previous owner at 331 (strung+dampener+overgrip).

In direct comparison your tc95 has a healthy dose of swing weight more. I can't put it in numbers yet maybe at the end of the week!
 
J

joohan

Guest
Khoi Pham said:
Dang that's disappointing. I hit quite flat so I need just a tad bit more control than TC97, although everything else is perfect. Is there any difference in terms of weight/flex distribution between the two?
Click to expand...

I guess you should buy one used and see for yourself. If you need more control than 97 and hit flat, you should consider TC90. Some users with eastern grips can't praise it enough.
 
J

joohan

Guest
Finally got a chance to hit some rallies with 18x20 TC97. I had to find my timing and range but once I have it's been incredible. Only aspect that was lacking a bit was playing heavy western forehands, especially on a stretch. I could feel lack of mass I'm accustomed to with my other sticks, resulting in less penetrating kick on the ball. Other than that, pure evil for those on the other side of the net (played one against two). As I suspected from my drill sessions, I could dose power and spins in nanounits with a feel of absolute control over my shots with only exception in going full out for the lines. This will take some more getting used to as I was often too fast in a stroke in the heat of the rally...same goes for volleys. Slices are deadly off both wings, offensive as well as defensive - if I was able to make a proper connection, the ball rarely came back from the other side of the net. Standout feature for me today was redirecting cross court backhands down the line, I don't remember missing a single shot of this type...very pleasantly surprised. Incredible asset.

As I've already mentioned - it's highly unlikely I will add any lead whatsoever. I wouldn't like to lose an inch of maneuverability I have now and will keep practicing those few shots that begged for lead at 3/9 today. I think I'm not getting ahead of myself if I say this is the best Angell racquet for my game (not that surprising given it's a clone of my long term go-to racquet), the specs are right on and at least one more TC97 18x20 will be coming in not too distant future.
 
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C

comeback

Hall of Fame
Re the Angell Grip;Grip shape – B
Grip type – High Tack PU Grey
I ordered a 4 1/4 but it's more in between a 4 3/8 -4 1/2..Also it's been tearing up my inner thumb..I don't use or want to use an overgrip..I'm playing well with the bigger grip but my inner thumb cannot take much more ..Has this happened to anyone else? The only solution i can think of is to replace the grip with a thinner, smoother, less tacky grip
 
Ft.S

Ft.S

Semi-Pro
comeback said:
Re the Angell Grip;Grip shape – B
Grip type – High Tack PU Grey
I ordered a 4 1/4 but it's more in between a 4 3/8 -4 1/2..Also it's been tearing up my inner thumb..I don't use or want to use an overgrip..I'm playing well with the bigger grip but my inner thumb cannot take much more ..Has this happened to anyone else? The only solution i can think of is to replace the grip with a thinner, smoother, less tacky grip
Click to expand...
This happens to me with any grip type or shape, I just let my thumb develop :) Now there is a thick multi-layer hard skin almost double the size of normal; no more pain or skin rash.
 
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E

ed70

Professional
Ordered a tc95.... 16x19 63ra 315g 9pts headlight. Surely It can't surpass my TC97 Will string it up wit RS Lyon and write a review after I've had at least 10 hours court time
 
S

SideSpinSliceIsNice

Rookie
RGT said:
Pulled the trigger aswell on a TC95 16x19 63ra 320gr/305mm. Paul is even making a custom gripsize 4 3/4 for me so what a great service! Thanks for the input on my questions guys, much appreciated!

Verstuurd vanaf mijn HUAWEI VNS-L31 met Tapatalk
Click to expand...

That's really cool about the grip size! Be sure to tell us how it works for you!
 
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C

comeback

Hall of Fame
Ft.S said:
This happens to me with any grip type or shape, I just let my thumb develop :) Now there is a thick multi-layer hard skin almost double the size of normal; no more pain or skin rash.
Click to expand...
Thanks but i've been playing tennis for many years and seldom had this problem..The Angell grips on my 2 rackets are 1.5 sizes bigger.. so it must be that
 
E

ed70

Professional
Also think the grip seems v.slightly smaller than Wilson or head, on par with a few of the more recent prince frames which come up small. For me the Angell grips are unfortunately not the best, developed a callous under my little finger that's aggravated me for a while, never had this before, also the orange non leather grip got bitty and bits came away off the grip (maybe down to playing in UK in damp conditions from time to time) I don't use overgrip as I'm very grip sensitive, find the Angell quite pu grips quite firm compared to other brands
 
treblings

treblings

Hall of Fame
joohan said:
Finally got a chance to hit some rallies with 18x20 TC97. I had to find my timing and range but once I have it's been incredible. Only aspect that was lacking a bit was playing heavy western forehands, especially on a stretch. I could feel lack of mass I'm accustomed to with my other sticks, resulting in less penetrating kick on the ball. Other than that, pure evil for those on the other side of the net (played one against two). As I suspected from my drill sessions, I could dose power and spins in nanounits with a feel of absolute control over my shots with only exception in going full out for the lines. This will take some more getting used to as I was often too fast in a stroke in the heat of the rally...same goes for volleys. Slices are deadly off both wings, offensive as well as defensive - if I was able to make a proper connection, the ball rarely came back from the other side of the net. Standout feature for me today was redirecting cross court backhands down the line, I don't remember missing a single shot of this type...very pleasantly surprised. Incredible asset.

As I've already mentioned - it's highly unlikely I will add any lead whatsoever. I wouldn't like to lose an inch of maneuverability I have now and will keep practicing those few shots that begged for lead at 3/9 today. I think I'm not getting ahead of myself if I say this is the best Angell racquet for my game (not that surprising given it's a clone of my long term go-to racquet), the specs are right on and at least one more TC97 18x20 will be coming in not too distant future.
Click to expand...

sounds great. i´m trying to decide which of the Angells i should buy. you mentioned that the TC 97 18/20 is a clone of your long term racquet. what racquet would that be?
thanks
 
J

joohan

Guest
treblings said:
sounds great. i´m trying to decide which of the Angells i should buy. you mentioned that the TC 97 18/20 is a clone of your long term racquet. what racquet would that be?
thanks
Click to expand...

It's Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour with 10g of long strips of lead at 3/9 and a continuous strip from 11-1, all countered at the bottom of the grip + leather.
 
zalive

zalive

Hall of Fame
joohan said:
It's Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour with 10g of long strips of lead at 3/9 and a continuous strip from 11-1, all countered at the bottom of the grip + leather.
Click to expand...

That's quite interesting joohan...did you compare them (TC97 and Bio 300 T) side by side visually (head geometry, string spacing and positioning...)?
 
treblings

treblings

Hall of Fame
joohan said:
It's Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour with 10g of long strips of lead at 3/9 and a continuous strip from 11-1, all countered at the bottom of the grip + leather.
Click to expand...
thanks...i was expecting you to say some head prestige or maybe pro tour 630
the 300 Tour in extended length has been my long time racquet, with similar lead placement to yours.
 
J

joohan

Guest
zalive said:
That's quite interesting joohan...did you compare them (TC97 and Bio 300 T) side by side visually (head geometry, string spacing and positioning...)?
Click to expand...

I would like to do that but they are two hours by plane from each other at the moment and they won't meet until September 2017. IMHO they are extremely similar in all aspects mentioned and that's the main reason my transition has been so seamless.
 
W

whacktheball

New User
I tried stringing my new TC95 (2 piece) last night and had extreme difficulty in poking the last cross since two of the main strings were in it's way. I somehow managed to get them through but ended up damaging one of the mains while doing so. Wonder if there is an easier way of stringing it? I have minimal stringing experience ~ 1 year and haven't strung anything other than Babolat PC 95+ so far.

Can someone post a picture of strung TC 95 16X19 so that I can compare and learn? Thanks folks !
 
J

joohan

Guest
SideSpinSliceIsNice said:
Still interested in Halo 2. I know people have tried it out. Some more info on how it plays and durability would be great.
Click to expand...

Four outings, 1,5 hour each in temperatures from 0 - 10 celsius, TC97 18x20. Excellent control, adequate power for big groundstrokes (fairly low powered), adequate spin (although not as much as, say, Poly Tour Spin) and above average feel (inferior to RS Lyon 17L and Weiss Cannon Silverstring 17L). Tension maintenance seems to be pretty good.
 
C

comeback

Hall of Fame
BounceHitBounceHit said:
Sorry to hear that! Obviously a mistake. Betcha Paul will fix it if you ask. [emoji106][emoji462][emoji106] I actually find the Angell grips a bit smallish
Click to expand...
I switched out the original Angell grips for a softer Wilson sublime and wrapped it tight..Got it to 4 3/8 which is fine..I think the new tacky Angell matierial was tearing up my thumb
 
M

mxblink

Rookie
whacktheball said:
I tried stringing my new TC95 (2 piece) last night and had extreme difficulty in poking the last cross since two of the main strings were in it's way. I somehow managed to get them through but ended up damaging one of the mains while doing so. Wonder if there is an easier way of stringing it? I have minimal stringing experience ~ 1 year and haven't strung anything other than Babolat PC 95+ so far.

Can someone post a picture of strung TC 95 16X19 so that I can compare and learn? Thanks folks !
Click to expand...

This is a known issue, but it's not insurmountable. Two main methods that I've used:

1) Before pushing the cross string through, cut it at an angle, and then use your needle-nose pliers to advance it through a couple millimeters at a time. It may take a few tries (sometimes the string just gets crushed and you have to recut it - try to cut it at a very acute angle), but I've never not had the string eventually push through. The problem here is that oftentimes the cross "splits" the two existing strings, which is ugly and aggravates my OCD.

2) Place a piece of scrap string through the hole at the beginning of the stringjob, then string normally. When you get to the last cross, pull out the scrap string while simultaneously using your pliers to push the cross into the space that the scrap string occupied. Takes a tiny bit of foresight (and knowing which hole to put the scrap string in), but in my experience this works better.
 
SpinToWin

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
whacktheball said:
I tried stringing my new TC95 (2 piece) last night and had extreme difficulty in poking the last cross since two of the main strings were in it's way. I somehow managed to get them through but ended up damaging one of the mains while doing so. Wonder if there is an easier way of stringing it? I have minimal stringing experience ~ 1 year and haven't strung anything other than Babolat PC 95+ so far.

Can someone post a picture of strung TC 95 16X19 so that I can compare and learn? Thanks folks !
Click to expand...
String one piece around the world and it'll be easy
 
Ft.S

Ft.S

Semi-Pro
whacktheball said:
I tried stringing my new TC95 (2 piece) last night and had extreme difficulty in poking the last cross since two of the main strings were in it's way. I somehow managed to get them through but ended up damaging one of the mains while doing so. Wonder if there is an easier way of stringing it? I have minimal stringing experience ~ 1 year and haven't strung anything other than Babolat PC 95+ so far.

Can someone post a picture of strung TC 95 16X19 so that I can compare and learn? Thanks folks !
Click to expand...
You can use blunt needles: So, I broke my guide awl
 
S

SideSpinSliceIsNice

Rookie
Are you going to end up using it as your main string? I've been lazy and have only used Luxilon Savage ever since I got my first Angell in April. I should probably try out RS Lyon but I like textured polys for that snap back and biting into the ball sensation.
 
treblings

treblings

Hall of Fame
Georgo said:
Back in the time I played a lot with Pro Tour 630, my TC97 definitely reminds me a lot of the PT630 :)
But I went for the more open 16x19 version.
Click to expand...

according to @vsbabolat, particularly the 18x20 version plays like the PT630:) i can understand the similarity with the Bio Tour 300. it´s the same kind of
old school players frame i guess.

my favourite alltime racquet is the iprestige mp. now if only i could find a clone to that one
 
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