The Official Angell Users Club

emhtennis said:
Great review. I play with a TC97 18x20 and agree with pretty much every aspect of your review. Sorry to hear about the string issue. I play with 18g Tier 1 Black Knight (poly) and don't have any wear issues. I am usually cutting it out by choice around the 12-15 hour mark, and I play with a decent amount of spin.

I don't know if I'll every be able to switch racket companies, my serve is my best shot, and Angell frames seem to amplify all the good parts of your serve!
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It's too early to tell if the string thing is a big issue.

I really like good QC. Whenever I try to customise my frames I always mess up. They just end up feeling "wrong", so no Dunlop CX200 Tour "platform frames" for me. I want matched frames but they are hard to come by affordably in Australia (you can get them, but it will cost you more than an Angell/Yonex frame).

So my options are essentially Angell or Yonex.

The Angell flared "Wilson-style" buttcap (Type B) is also a pretty major plus for me. Obviously I'm never going back to Wilson and Yonex just doesn't have that flared-ness to the buttcap I need to feel out the bevels. Also I don't like VDM, the handle dampening that Yonex has on every frame now.

Continuity is great. The grommets finally broke on my Wilson Prostaff 90 and nobody can sell me a new set. If Angell continues making TC97s until the end of all time with the same grommets I'll be a very happy camper. If I can avoid it, I'd like to never change frames. It is incredibly frustrating to relearn your strokes, serve, volleys etc.
 
Mkiske said:
I am 41 years old and I am more used to playing with a 100" racquet, it helps me in defense and it is not tiring after an hour of playing on clay. I have been playing with the Tc101, 300g, balance 325mm, swingweight 285 for 6 months. Exceptional, balanced in all aspects, forehand, one hand backhand, slice and excellent for touches.
But an opportunity came up, and I ended up buying a used pair of Tc 100 RA70, 300g, when the racquets arrive home I will start with the tests.
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Any updates? Have you tested those side by side?
 
topspn said:
Looks like TC95 16x19 is only available in 63RA now
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tbh I hit with63 & 70 ra’s in the 95 & 100 and I didn’t notice much between them. Always thought the63 was pretty crisp for it’s RA rating. And since the version 2 high SW differences on the 63 have been sorted out maybe there’s little love for the 70’s.
 
ed70 said:
tbh I hit with63 & 70 ra’s in the 95 & 100 and I didn’t notice much between them. Always thought the63 was pretty crisp for it’s RA rating. And since the version 2 high SW differences on the 63 have been sorted out maybe there’s little love for the 70’s.
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I definitely notice a different and yes 63 plays a bit more crisp since its flex is so uniform. I presume the decision was based on sales
 
ed70 said:
tbh I hit with63 & 70 ra’s in the 95 & 100 and I didn’t notice much between them. Always thought the63 was pretty crisp for it’s RA rating. And since the version 2 high SW differences on the 63 have been sorted out maybe there’s little love for the 70’s.
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I agree with you @ed70 I play TC95 in both RA 63 and 70 and the difference is very subtle at least for the V3 version I play. The same kind of difference going up or down 2lb in tension, some will feel that a lot while others will hardly notice. Both RA are extremly arm friendly.
 
topspn said:
I definitely notice a different and yes 63 plays a bit more crisp since its flex is so uniform. I presume the decision was based on sales
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I guess we are all different when it comes “feel” and response with racquets. I remember a few customers bought 63 RA & questioned if they got 70RA’s. I always felt both the 63 & 70 played comfortably enough but both needed stringing 50 or lower in poly for my elbow.
 
ed70 said:
I guess we are all different when it comes “feel” and response with racquets. I remember a few customers bought 63 RA & questioned if they got 70RA’s. I always felt both the 63 & 70 played comfortably enough but both needed stringing 50 or lower in poly for my elbow.
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On the TC95 whether it was 63 or 70RA, i strung in the range of 48-50lbs
 
Happi said:
I agree with you @ed70 I play TC95 in both RA 63 and 70 and the difference is very subtle at least for the V3 version I play. The same kind of difference going up or down 2lb in tension, some will feel that a lot while others will hardly notice. Both RA are extremly arm friendly.
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The V2 could have a large difference between SW’s the 63RA being noticeably higher than the 70RA. This obviously had an impact on playability between the 2, not necessarily just on the stiffness. The V3’s are Pretty much same SW’s, in fact I know there was a batch where the 70’s had a higher SW than the 63’s. I really could not notice any real difference in them (16x19).
 
Hello , Might be off topic but since this is an Angell racket dedicated thread i thought I'd ask ,Anyone has an idea of the extra cost involved , due to Brexit , of buying Angell rackets from an EU country now ? , for example I read from the Dutch Tax office website that on top of the VAT , additional import duties would need to be paid if products cost more than €150. if this is the case , that 's no good news as a buyer and also for Angell. I would like to buy a new frame but curious on how much additional cost i need to plan for. Thanks
 
Anyone have paired rackets but different colours?
I have 2 TC100's (320g, 310mm, 63RA) the only difference is one is copper with a black grip and the other octane with a tan PU grip.

Since I bought a stringing machine and now quicker to give up on a set of strings (ie, mid match) I've been feeling that the octane one is heavier.

I've been meaning to contact Paul and ask for the final specs on the octane (I bought it 3 months after the copper) but haven't got around to it. I have the final specs on the copper and asked specifically for the octane to be paired to it.
 
I had a hit with my TC95 63RA 18x20 today. I strung several racquets with the same strings and at the same tension and had a chance to compare them today. I had Cyclone 18L (1.15mm) in the mains @ 48 lbs and Ashaway ZX MonoGut (1.22mm - natural colour) @ 48 lbs with a 10% pre-stretch in the crosses.

The DT in the TC95 was 38, which is spot-on where I like it. All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW. Doing this has shown me yet again just how special these racquets are. My other racquets played well with this string combo, and it's one I will definitely use again, but the TC95 was the supremo of them all. The plushness was off the charts, the power was enormous yet very controlled, the feel was excellent, and my touch shots were so good that at times I even surprised myself. The sound off the string-bed was a glorious, deep thwack that made you want to hit ball after ball after ball.

Paul Angell... please never stop making these racquets!!!
 
Gee said:
Hi BC,

Nice to see you again into this thread after a long time!

I also experienced that exactly (see bold phrase above).

Since a few months I switched from Wilson Ultra Tour to the TC95 16x19 63RA.

Compared to the UT I gained a lot of power and plowthrough, easier depth and spin. A bigger sweetspot because of the more open pattern that is especially noticeable with my return of serves. Besides the D-beam frame feels more aerodynamic and versatile as well.

Earlier I played with TC95 18x20, TC97 18x20, K7 Lime and TC100 but I think this is my favourite Angell up to now.

First I played with full bed Pacific Poly Power Pro 1.25 that I liked but it lacked a little feel/touch especially with my drop volleys. That's why I had it strung with a multi/copoly hybrid with Head RIP Control 1.25 (mains) / Pacific Poly Power Pro 1.25 (crosses) and that felt better. However the multi into the mains broke very soon while I seldom broke strings into my 18x20 frames.

Like @flanker2000fr mentioned I also think a round copoly is a better option for the TC95 16x19. Earlier I strung my TC95 18x20 with shaped strings like MSV Focus Hex that cut through the softer Angell grommets.
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That's likely true... Back when I used a Head prestige MP I loved volkl cyclone but I think its gear shape made it a bit non linear. Ive got some Yonex Poly Tour pro in black still sitting around so that gets tried first. Then perhaps Kirschbaum Max power. As y'all know I love the TC95 63ra 16x19. its a beast... my favorite description is my own, "A telephone pole filled with butter." My main hitting partner uses one now too and we play very differently so its pretty versatile.

In the open patterned tc95 I like a pretty dead and ultra predictable (very linear) response for strings. The frames have a lot of power and I have plenty myself so Im looking for strings that dial it back. Has Paul created any strings that are like RS Lyon?
 
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Classic-TXP-IG MID said:
I had a hit with my TC95 63RA 18x20 today. I strung several racquets with the same strings and at the same tension and had a chance to compare them today. I had Cyclone 18L (1.15mm) in the mains @ 48 lbs and Ashaway ZX MonoGut (1.22mm - natural colour) @ 48 lbs with a 10% pre-stretch in the crosses.

The DT in the TC95 was 38, which is spot-on where I like it. All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW. Doing this has shown me yet again just how special these racquets are. My other racquets played well with this string combo, and it's one I will definitely use again, but the TC95 was the supremo of them all. The plushness was off the charts, the power was enormous yet very controlled, the feel was excellent, and my touch shots were so good that at times I even surprised myself. The sound off the string-bed was a glorious, deep thwack that made you want to hit ball after ball after ball.

Paul Angell... please never stop making these racquets!!!
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Over all of the Wilson Pro Lab frames? I'd like to revisit the TC95 18x20, now with some added weight/swing weight to gain a new perspective on what it was I walked away from. Maybe in octane.
 
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I hit people off the court with the TC95. Punches way above it's class. Feels special and has all those factors that get me all jazzed up about a racquet. The difficulty I've had is mainly down to it being somewhat string sensitive and tension sensitive. It played well with gut mains vs a poly cross. Legend vs max power rough. Forget the tension but I have it written down somewhere. I will try a soft poly low 50s or high 40s next and keep experimenting.
VNF3xxXm.jpg
 
Pneumated1 said:
Over all of the Wilson Pro Lab frames? I'd like to revisit the TC95 18x20, now with some added weight/swing weight to gain a new perspective on what it was I walked away from. Maybe in octane.
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I didn't have enough Ashaway ZX MonoGut and Cyclone 18L (actually would have left me with 1/2 sets of both and I didn't want to have to store them around and worry that they will unravel), so I strung the Blade Pro with MSV Co-Focus 1.18mm and WC Explosiv (1.30mm)... therefore, I couldn't compare them side-by-side. I will try it in the future though.

I tend to string 4-5 racquets at a time, and my collection is now in the low 60s, so I have to pick which ones I want to play with. Because I feel bad if I don't use my racquets, I tend to try to rotate them around. It doesn't work perfectly of course, but I try.

The difference between a UP (either string pattern) and a TC95 18x20 63RA, is that the latter has much more inherent power built-in. The UPs feel fantastic to hit with, have amazing precision and/or variety, but I feel at the same weight, SW, and balance, the TC95 would produce more power and weight-of-shot.

If I had to rank my favourite racquets of all that I have tried, they would be:

Angell TC95 18x20 63RA - modified
Head PT630 (I haven't tried my PT 2.0 yet) - not modified except for overgrip and rubberband dampener.
Head RT630 (Zebra for the moment, as I haven't compared the three versions side-by-side with the same string and tension) - modified
UP/UT 18x20 - modified
Blade Pro 16x19 (which I haven't played enough with and dialed in the perfect string combo and tension) - modified
UP 16x19 - modified
Tecnifibre TFight 315 Limited 18x20 (2013) - modified
Fischer VT95 16x20 (330g) - just 2 overgrips
Volkl C10 Pro - modified (could throw in the BB Melbourne here as well)
Wilson Classic 6.1 95 16x18 - no mods, just overgrip
Head Youtek IG Prestige MP - modified
Prince Phantom Pro 93P 18x20 - modified
Angell TC97 18x20 - modified
Yonex Ezone DR98 - modified
Yonex Vcore 95D - modified
Yonex VCore Tour G/ Duel G (330g, 16x20) - 2 overgrips

Out of all of these, I think the TC95 is at the top. All the others kind of oscillate and jostle for second and third place. I must admit that due to circumstances I have not had enough time to hit with the BP 16x19 and UP 16x19. Out of those two, the BP 16x19 is more likely to challenge the TC95 18x20. If Paul Angell ever produced a slightly more open TC95 (but not as open as the current 16x19), whether that is a more open 18x20, a denser 16x19, or a 16x20, I think it would be game over though. I would have to admit to myself that I would have a collection of racquets that are there because I can't bear to sell them, but would ultimately be collecting dust.

There is no racquet that has it all... that's the problem. I'm not stuck in my views either... so it's all fluid and things could change. Where I've come to in my "quest" is a set of criteria that I'm after. Any racquet that meets those criteria will be staying in the collection and I feel very grateful and privileged to be able to have a collection in the first place.
 
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Backhanded Compliment said:
That's likely true... Back when I used a Head prestige MP I loved volkl cyclone but I think its gear shape made it a bit non linear. Ive got some Yonex Poly Tour pro in black still sitting around so that gets tried first. Then perhaps Kirschbaum Max power. As y'all know I love the TC95 63ra 16x19. its a beast... my favorite description is my own, "A telephone pole filled with butter." My main hitting partner uses one now too and we play very differently so its pretty versatile.

In the open patterned tc95 I like a pretty dead and ultra predictable (very linear) response for strings. The frames have a lot of power and I have plenty myself so Im looking for strings that dial it back. Has Paul created any strings that are like RS Lyon?
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I didn't use the strings from Angell but did you compare RS Lyon with the Similar Strings Tool from TWU?

I didn't use the Yonex PTP but that one seems to be very similar to the Pacific PolyPower Pro according the Compare Strings Tool from TWU. Kirschbaum Max Power seems to be much stiffer (180 vs 241! ) than these aforementioned strings. I don't dare to hit with that one. :oops:

The first times I played with a fullbed Pacific Poly Power Pro 1.25 with my TC95 16x19 that played very well but it only lacked some touch (especially with my volleys). Sometimes it also felt a bit too lively. Maybe I'm still to much used to the denser patterns of my TC95 18m and Wilson Ultra Tour. On the contrary I love the extra power and spin of the 16x19.

That's why I tried a hybrid with Head RIP Control 1.25 into mains the next time that improved the touch. However it didn't last very long probably due the open pattern of the TC95 16m. Next time I'll try the Pacific PolyPower Pro into the mains and the Head RIP Control as crosses.
 
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Dansan said:
I hit people off the court with the TC95. Punches way above it's class. Feels special and has all those factors that get me all jazzed up about a racquet. The difficulty I've had is mainly down to it being somewhat string sensitive and tension sensitive. It played well with gut mains vs a poly cross. Legend vs max power rough. Forget the tension but I have it written down somewhere. I will try a soft poly low 50s or high 40s next and keep experimenting.
VNF3xxXm.jpg
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Think round poly below 50 was popular choice on here, I’m not sure if that has changed. I found RS Lyon too stiff in the 95, so used scorpion that’s softer. Agree that the 95 was string and tension sensitive at least compared to the Tc97 that I use. Lots of new strings on the market now though, probably been over 3 years since I hit the 95.
 
Gee said:
That's why I tried a hybrid with Head RIP Control 1.25 into mains the next time that improved the touch. However it didn't last very long probably due the open pattern of the TC95 16m. Next time I'll try the Pacific PolyPower Pro into the mains and the Head RIP Control as crosses.
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I just strung up Head RIP Control / Head FXP in a TC95 for extra comfort during winter time outdoor - looking forward to a hit.
 
Classic-TXP-IG MID said:
I didn't have enough Ashaway ZX MonoGut and Cyclone 18L (actually would have left me with 1/2 sets of both and I didn't want to have to store them around and worry that they will unravel), so I strung the Blade Pro with MSV Co-Focus 1.18mm and WC Explosiv (1.30mm)... therefore, I couldn't compare them side-by-side. I will try it in the future though.

I tend to string 4-5 racquets at a time, and my collection is now in the low 60s, so I have to pick which ones I want to play with. Because I feel bad if I don't use my racquets, I tend to try to rotate them around. It doesn't work perfectly of course, but I try.

The difference between a UP (either string pattern) and a TC95 18x20 63RA, is that the latter has much more inherent power built-in. The UPs feel fantastic to hit with, have amazing precision and/or variety, but I feel at the same weight, SW, and balance, the TC95 would produce more power and weight-of-shot.

If I had to rank my favourite racquets of all that I have tried, they would be:

Angell TC95 18x20 63RA - modified
Head PT630 (I haven't tried my PT 2.0 yet) - not modified except for overgrip and rubberband dampener.
Head RT630 (Zebra for the moment, as I haven't compared the three versions side-by-side with the same string and tension) - modified
UP/UT 18x20 - modified
Blade Pro 16x19 (which I haven't played enough with and dialed in the perfect string combo and tension) - modified
UP 16x19 - modified
Tecnifibre TFight 315 Limited 18x20 (2013) - modified
Fischer VT95 16x20 (330g) - just 2 overgrips
Volkl C10 Pro - modified (could throw in the BB Melbourne here as well)
Wilson Classic 6.1 95 16x18 - no mods, just overgrip
Head Youtek IG Prestige MP - modified
Prince Phantom Pro 93P 18x20 - modified
Angell TC97 18x20 - modified
Yonex Ezone DR98 - modified
Yonex Vcore 95D - modified
Yonex VCore Tour G/ Duel G (330g, 16x20) - 2 overgrips

Out of all of these, I think the TC95 is at the top. All the others kind of oscillate and jostle for second and third place. I must admit that due to circumstances I have not had enough time to hit with the BP 16x19 and UP 16x19. Out of those two, the BP 16x19 is more likely to challenge the TC95 18x20. If Paul Angell ever produced a slightly more open TC95 (but not as open as the current 16x19), whether that is a more open 18x20, a denser 16x19, or a 16x20, I think it would be game over though. I would have to admit to myself that I would have a collection of racquets that are there because I can't bear to sell them, but would ultimately be collecting dust.

There is no racquet that has it all... that's the problem. I'm not stuck in my views either... so it's all fluid and things could change. Where I've come to in my "quest" is a set of criteria that I'm after. Any racquet that meets those criteria will be staying in the collection and I feel very grateful and privileged to be able to have a collection in the first place.
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I would have a panic attack just trying to choose a frame:D

I don't regret buying/experimenting with my UTs, UPs, V7 Blade, and Gravity Tour, but I'm not sure why I felt the need to let my TC95 18x20s go to do so. That said, I'm not the type to keep a collection of frames around, so the elimination process was inevitable for me ... and must continue at this point, even if that means coming full circle. People rave about the 'feel' of the UT, but it's the TC95's feel (63RA) that I like best. And part of its secret, and I think it goes overlooked, is how well it moves; it's partly why it hits such a menacing ball, in addition to its layup/composition. I don't find it as stable or forgiving as the UT/UP, but there are always compromises. Perhaps this is just nostalgia, but after hitting a frame for three years, then walking away and trying a handful of others, I'd like to throw it back into the mix just to see how it stacks up.

All that said, I'm reaching for the Gravity Tour more than any other these days. Kind of amazed how much I like that frame on my 1hbh. Pretty sure it will be my tweener frame. Maybe I'll eventually have a purple tweener and purple Angell in the bag together.
 
Pneumated1 said:
I would have a panic attack just trying to choose a frame:D

I don't regret buying/experimenting with my UTs, UPs, V7 Blade, and Gravity Tour, but I'm not sure why I felt the need to let my TC95 18x20s go to do so. That said, I'm not the type to keep a collection of frames around, so the elimination process was inevitable for me ... and must continue at this point, even if that means coming full circle. People rave about the 'feel' of the UT, but it's the TC95's feel (63RA) that I like best. And part of its secret, and I think it goes overlooked, is how well it moves; it's partly why it hits such a menacing ball, in addition to its layup/composition. I don't find it as stable or forgiving as the UT/UP, but there are always compromises. Perhaps this is just nostalgia, but after hitting a frame for three years, then walking away and trying a handful of others, I'd like to throw it back into the mix just to see how it stacks up.

All that said, I'm reaching for the Gravity Tour more than any other these days. Kind of amazed how much I like that frame on my 1hbh. Pretty sure it will be my tweener frame. Maybe I'll eventually have a purple tweener and purple Angell in the bag together.
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My TC95s are modified with weight in the head @ 3,9, and 12, as well as, weight in the handle. That solved the slight stability issue and the racquet still moves beautifully and effortlessly.
 
I tried to match up my pair of TC95s. One is the "custom" gun metal and the other is the black and grey. After opening up the pallets, I noticed the hairpin was different as well as the shape of the weights. I took out all the weights and started from scratch. Added back the weights and left out the odd ball weight that had a "button" on top of the square shape. I then added 5g of silicone in the area of the weights. End result was 327g and 329g. Was annoyed that I missed it by 2 g. I'm thinking the different shape of pallets might have affected the weight as I did the matching on the scale and balance board with just the hairpin and weights. One is B and one is C

A bit hefty but they still swing fast. I have tried them with a dead shaped poly from ProsPro. I know that the lack of activity over the past year has affected my strength and footwork. I was struggling to get the ball consistently 2-3 feet past the service line while doing rally drills with a coach friend. IIRC, I did enjoy this with Gamma FatCore as well as Technifbre HDMX Tour. I think I also liked it with Signum Pro Yellow Jacket. I'll try out a round poly next.
 
Pneumated1 said:
I would have a panic attack just trying to choose a frame:D

I don't regret buying/experimenting with my UTs, UPs, V7 Blade, and Gravity Tour, but I'm not sure why I felt the need to let my TC95 18x20s go to do so. That said, I'm not the type to keep a collection of frames around, so the elimination process was inevitable for me ... and must continue at this point, even if that means coming full circle. People rave about the 'feel' of the UT, but it's the TC95's feel (63RA) that I like best. And part of its secret, and I think it goes overlooked, is how well it moves; it's partly why it hits such a menacing ball, in addition to its layup/composition. I don't find it as stable or forgiving as the UT/UP, but there are always compromises. Perhaps this is just nostalgia, but after hitting a frame for three years, then walking away and trying a handful of others, I'd like to throw it back into the mix just to see how it stacks up.

All that said, I'm reaching for the Gravity Tour more than any other these days. Kind of amazed how much I like that frame on my 1hbh. Pretty sure it will be my tweener frame. Maybe I'll eventually have a purple tweener and purple Angell in the bag together.
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I've sold my 2 uber beefy BP16x19 (might go back to BP if a find a baby hulk version), and started back playing with TC95 (v2, 16x19, 63ra) and UT.
TC95 is so good at everything, albeit it could be a bit more controlled as we've been saying in these boards.
After struggling with BP, I'm amazed how TC95 can hit an equivalent mean ball but with such easy maneuvrability. Actually I've been mishitting higher on the hoop because it's so quick (336g, 350sw). Yet it's less stable (but what frame can compare to BP/H22 ?) but it's very effective.
Been back to tier one BK 1.28 and tried the hybrid with GW. I like it, I think it gives me more depth and spin than BK full bed.
My other usual string, Silver 7 tour, was a complete mess on the tc95. Too mich wildness !
Might try it again now that I have also relocated lead too make it more HL.
 
Getting towards the end of my reel of BK 18g and want to start thinking of some new combos to put it up against before I pull the trigger on another reel.

I play the V3 TC97 18x20. All court game, prefer string to help me out with generating additional spin and am fine with some free power as well. Whether that's thru shape of the string or smooth/snapback doesn't matter to me. Open to hybrid people like as well.

Current candidates:
1. Tier 1 Black Knight 18g full bed - current setup at 49lbs, like it a lot. Sometimes wish it would give me a tad more spin. Errors from well struck (from a technical perspective) stroke are long by 3-6in. This is also how I know it's time to restring. Fresh up until 8hrs is great.

2. Tier 1 Black Knight / Ghost Wire Hybrid - If I can get similar playability to a full bed of BK, but with a softer stringbed feel I may make the switch.

3. Firewire Boost Hybrid - Ran this thru last year and still picked BK over it. However, my forehand and serve have evolved enough over the past year that I'm going to give it another go.

4. Solinco Confidential - Have friends who play with this and swear by it. Not thrilled its $160 a reel, but it's also not Luxilon expensive. If it's that good I'm fine paying for it.

5. Solinco Hyper G Soft - I've played hyper G in the past, but not in my Angell. Liked it a lot. Used 18g in a LM Prestige Mid and felt like I could shape shots in 4 dimensions lol.

6. What else is worth putting into the gauntlet? I have 3 frames, so I'm willing to do another bracketed "playoff tournament" if need be.
 
emhtennis said:
Getting towards the end of my reel of BK 18g and want to start thinking of some new combos to put it up against before I pull the trigger on another reel.

I play the V3 TC97 18x20. All court game, prefer string to help me out with generating additional spin and am fine with some free power as well. Whether that's thru shape of the string or smooth/snapback doesn't matter to me. Open to hybrid people like as well.

Current candidates:
1. Tier 1 Black Knight 18g full bed - current setup at 49lbs, like it a lot. Sometimes wish it would give me a tad more spin. Errors from well struck (from a technical perspective) stroke are long by 3-6in. This is also how I know it's time to restring. Fresh up until 8hrs is great.

2. Tier 1 Black Knight / Ghost Wire Hybrid - If I can get similar playability to a full bed of BK, but with a softer stringbed feel I may make the switch.

3. Firewire Boost Hybrid - Ran this thru last year and still picked BK over it. However, my forehand and serve have evolved enough over the past year that I'm going to give it another go.

4. Solinco Confidential - Have friends who play with this and swear by it. Not thrilled its $160 a reel, but it's also not Luxilon expensive. If it's that good I'm fine paying for it.

5. Solinco Hyper G Soft - I've played hyper G in the past, but not in my Angell. Liked it a lot. Used 18g in a LM Prestige Mid and felt like I could shape shots in 4 dimensions lol.

6. What else is worth putting into the gauntlet? I have 3 frames, so I'm willing to do another bracketed "playoff tournament" if need be.
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I really like Tourna silver 7 tour in my "classic" racquets. It gives a nice boost to the thin box beam frames, and added spin to the 18x20 pattern. It works very fine in my PC600 or I.prestige MP.
Not fond of fireboost as it felt either erratic in 16x19 or dull in 18x20. You'd better stick with BK or BK/GW
 
Jocko said:
Angell K7 Red vs Pro Staff 97...

Any thoughts on differences/similarities?
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K7 Red has noticeably more flex, and more power.
However, I still prefer PS97 to it.
1) FEEL: K7's impact lets much more reverberations through. PS97 impact is very muted, very short, barely perceivable and heard. ( I use the CV version ). PS97 feels so much "calmer" during play, which I prefer.
2) STABILITY: PS97 is much more stable. This is very noticeable on volleys. Not the doubles kind of pokes, but the volleys that you have to take mid-court, potentially bearing the full power of your opponent. K7 twists and rebounds, PS97 just plows forward like an armored vehicle.
3) SERVE: there is definitely more "action" on the ball with K7 -- the ball bends and bounces and sometimes catapults with a remarkable speed. But with all this, I also miss a lot, and I feel I cannot really aim. I get nothing of this excitement with PS97, and my serves with it are quite "subdued". However, I can aim pretty well. The ball goes where I intend it, and I barely miss a serve.
So, I feel much more "at home" and "in control" with PS97.
 
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ChrisG said:
I've sold my 2 uber beefy BP16x19 (might go back to BP if a find a baby hulk version), and started back playing with TC95 (v2, 16x19, 63ra) and UT.
TC95 is so good at everything, albeit it could be a bit more controlled as we've been saying in these boards.
After struggling with BP, I'm amazed how TC95 can hit an equivalent mean ball but with such easy maneuvrability. Actually I've been mishitting higher on the hoop because it's so quick (336g, 350sw). Yet it's less stable (but what frame can compare to BP/H22 ?) but it's very effective.
Been back to tier one BK 1.28 and tried the hybrid with GW. I like it, I think it gives me more depth and spin than BK full bed.
My other usual string, Silver 7 tour, was a complete mess on the tc95. Too mich wildness !
Might try it again now that I have also relocated lead too make it more HL.
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The TC95 really does hit a big ball for such an agile frame. BK/GW is a great hybrid, and I know personally how good it is in the 18x20 but could see it being spectacular in the 16x19 as well.

Had a good outing today with the UP 16x19s and Gravity Tour. When hitting the UP, I was like, 'yeah, definitely the one.' Then I'd pick up the Gravity Tour and, although different, I felt the same. Could easily make it my main racquet. I actually like the feel and dwell of the GT better. Oh well, I have my main frames, UP 16x19s, (you have to hit this one) and a spare tweener, but the purist in me wants to get a TC95 again (undecided on string pattern) now that I know exactly the specs I want.
 
To my experience shaped strings tend to cut through the soft Angell grommets. However I experienced this with thin (< 1.20 mm) strings but maybe this doesn't happen with 1.30 mm strings?

Another question. Why a hybrid BK/GW?
 
I used to use black night on my TC95s. I think they’d also play pretty good with mayami tour hex and big spin
 
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Gee said:
To my experience shaped strings tend to cut through the soft Angell grommets. However I experienced this with thin (< 1.20 mm) strings but maybe this doesn't happen with 1.30 mm strings?

Another question. Why a hybrid BK/GW?
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It might depend on what you mean by "cut through". I replaced my grommets for the first time a few weeks ago and yeah, they showed some wear and mild burnt-grooving and the tie-off holes were a little mashed in but nothing out of the ordinary. This was after about 6 months of consistent 3-4x a week tennis with multiple restrings.

The grommet strip plastic itself is soft like everyone here knows. So, my plan is to replace them every six months or so. New grommets make it feel like a new racket, which calms the itch!
 
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Lol - all these talks about the TC95.. makes want to get them out again, even though we are still in lockdown 3.0.
love the TC95 feel - I can genuinely say them both were the only ones I have used for the whole local leagues round. The thumping sound was addictive. My fave was either the Halo 3 at 54/50 or the green Eruption at 33/30. Lol
 
Agreed, to lot of hype around TC95. Definitely will order it just to try this "hype monster".

Anyway, who playing with both open and closed patterns. How to change strings while moving from open to close to maintain the same power level? Currently, I'm using round poly on mains (IceCode, LuxElement) with 17 gauge. Which gives me enough power and control. But I want to try closed, and afraid, with the same string setup I will lose in power.
 
Hi Angell users, how good is the quality control of the Angell tennis rackets ?
Also, what is the approximate swingweight of the 310g/315mm/63RA version of TC100 v3, and does it vary based on the paintjob colour - copper/octane ?
Cheers,
Abhijit
 
abhi_trip said:
Hi Angell users, how good is the quality control of the Angell tennis rackets ?
Also, what is the approximate swingweight of the 310g/315mm/63RA version of TC100 v3, and does it vary based on the paintjob colour - copper/octane ?
Cheers,
Abhijit
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Angell quality control is one of the best in the industry. You will get exactly what you ask for. General consensus is that the Octane paint job swingweight is about 5 points more than the the copper paint job
 
Btw, a question to those who played both V2 and V3.
My TCV95 v2 is around 350 SW with a moderate static weight (336g). And SW on V3 is more "normal".
So what should I expect if I order a TC95v3 ? Would it be as good ?
 
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