True. But then I would actually guess that it’s a matter of manufacturing variation/deviation, causing variation in SW, which they use as a way to “customize“ the SW for us. Simply selecting a frame that has the wanted SW.
The Official Angell Users Club
- Thread starter The_Racketeer
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Happi
Hall of Fame
Of cause that is part of how racquets are cusomized. Angell meassure every single racquet, and when you order one, they pick the one that is closest to your desired spec and work from there.
Midplus or Oversize?
I’ve played an hour with my react MPP, 305/31.5/291. Customized with Wilson leather grip, adding 2 g when I remove the grip rubber.
Comparing it to my TC97 16x19 310/31.5/303, which I’m considering to give up to get a less swing heavy and more maneuverable:
- Much more whippy, giving more access to spin. Suits a spinny playstyle. More traditional strokes or flat hitters might like the TC line more.
- Both racquets have plenty of control.
- On the power, I felt more consistent thanks to the bigger sweet spot. But the power access might be lower though.
- Somehow it felt more stable at the net. Easier to hit deep volleys.
- I got much more power in my defense in the corners thanks to the maneuverability and bigger sweetspot.
- Serving felt great, easy access to spin. Didn’t really try flat serves.
- Slightly better feel on TC thanks to the foam.
- No issues on the comfort, but didn’t feel too much like a noodle.
Gonna give it some more hours but I’ll likely make another order.
Comparing it to my TC97 16x19 310/31.5/303, which I’m considering to give up to get a less swing heavy and more maneuverable:
- Much more whippy, giving more access to spin. Suits a spinny playstyle. More traditional strokes or flat hitters might like the TC line more.
- Both racquets have plenty of control.
- On the power, I felt more consistent thanks to the bigger sweet spot. But the power access might be lower though.
- Somehow it felt more stable at the net. Easier to hit deep volleys.
- I got much more power in my defense in the corners thanks to the maneuverability and bigger sweetspot.
- Serving felt great, easy access to spin. Didn’t really try flat serves.
- Slightly better feel on TC thanks to the foam.
- No issues on the comfort, but didn’t feel too much like a noodle.
Gonna give it some more hours but I’ll likely make another order.
Paulo Braz
Semi-Pro
Why didn't you choose a react 96 16x19? It comes a lot closer to the tc97 and you would get even more handling.
Solely to get a bigger sweet spot. I tend to have quite a few off center hits.
Is that the 18/19 string pattern? Still good spin from it?
18x19 yes. I think it’s easier to generate a spin motion because of the whippiness, making it easier to generate spin. But if we talk about free spin I’m not sure. Maybe slightly less on React.
Did you add any lead to it? If so, where and how much?
djNEiGht
Legend
I think it comes down to $$$ that the other companies can put up to pay a player.
I've added 2 g at 3' and 9', 1 g on each side, to get even more stability for my off centre hits and to get some more SW without polarizing it too much. That makes my strung SW 323, weight 326 g and balance 32.5 cm without overgrip. Still feels much more whippy than the TC97, which is what I want. Made the racquet more stable but also got a bit more power, so I might try increasing the tension a pound or two.
DrTompu
Rookie
In your opinion, 18x19 is more indicated for 18x20 or 16x19 users... or both?
Regards.
Not sure what to answer, but I would say somewhere in between. Someone who wants a bit more of a forgiving racquet without loosing too much control, which can be the case with 100" 16x19 racquets. I used Gravity Pro 2 years ago. The React MPP maybe reminds me a bit of that in terms of spin and control, but I wouldn't say they are super similar. Gravity Pro as I remember it was more stable but heavier to swing and tougher to maneuver.
djNEiGht
Legend
That's pretty cool. hope it helps Angell get on the big stage.
But I'm am guessing so take it with a grain of salt...it's possible that those juniors and top 300 female players were just getting the gear but not a salary on top of that.
Same reason why Sergio Tachini (sp?) Almost went bankrupt when sponsoring Novak in the early days.
His contract had all these bonus clauses for winning big tournaments and slams - who thought 2011 would be 2011?
I don't remember all the details, but the short version is that Novak won so much and triggered so much bonus money that ST couldn't pay it.
Now, your last sentence could hypothetically happen. Someone could like their Angells so much that they work out some 3 way agreement to have them painted by a major brand. But even then, the primary sponsor would probably just try and duplicate the mold/specs like Head did with Agassi's Donnay/Prince
I guess us old guys have a lot in common. I also used to be an Angel user and had TC 95’s and 97s and also had this racket. I sold it last year, I wonder if what you have is what I sold. I don’t remember it that well but I remember it had an old-school feel like old-school Prostaff and it was nicely muted, almost like it had Kevlar. But I don’t remember liking it better than my TC 97’s. Not sure how useful that is for you though.
I do have a v1 black and blue Angel bag that I have no use for if anybody wants it.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Just saw another post : http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...ket-cosmetic-of-all-time.755533/post-17561656
That Pro Kennex mold looks suspiciously similar to the Angell Reacts, doesn't it?
That Pro Kennex mold looks suspiciously similar to the Angell Reacts, doesn't it?
Haha, PK has probably invented all the molds and is just leasing them to everybody else.
I've always wanted to know how their contract with Babolat was structured to turn the Destiny into the Soft Drive/Pure Drive.
DrTompu
Rookie
I'd got for one year, but I sold because it wasn't my cup of tea. It's an old school racquet, with a nice touch but lack of power and spin; in addition it needed some lead on its head for more stability and loosinga bit of control (less HL). Steticaly, very similar to my father's Prestidge Classic.
The K7 Red is a superb racket. In many ways one of the very best in the Angell range.
Super comfortable, high spin potential, plenty of power, great feel, great control.
I've recently been trying it with Head Hawk Power at 40 lb tension and that seems a great combination. I might string my other one at 35 lb when the current Cyclone/ Powefiber string gives up the ghost.
The only modification made is adding a leather grip and it plays great.
It is also uncannily stable for returns and volleys.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
Because it's essentially a one-man company run by Paul Angell, and he wouldn't have the resources and (presumably) the inclination to mass produce and mass market. His is a very specific, boutique offering and I think he's happy with that.
I mean, he's the one who picks up the phone when you call the number mentioned on his website.
flanker2000fr
Hall of Fame
A 18x19 is generally going to react more similarly to an 18x20, given that the mains are the strings doing most of the work. It will provide a bit more power and access to spin, but within the parameters of a controlled string bed.
A 16x20 will generally behave more like a 16x19 for the same reason.
Matheus Fernandes
New User
hello guys, which racket from angell most resembles the prince Textreme Tour 100p?
I have found that I get more spin from an 18 x 19 than a 16 x 20. Maybe I'm just weird (not many would argue)
I would say the TC97 18x20. I have both a TT100P and the TC 18x20. Biggest difference is power, the Prince much less power than the Angell. Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.
The string spacing on the Angell 18x20 is also a lot tighter, so I tend to prefer 1.20 or smaller strings on the Angell, but can use up to 1.25 on the TT100P.
But, both have that nice box beam and great control.
Happi
Hall of Fame
TT100P (2015) was my racquet of choice before going to Angell.
Closest one would be React 99 or TC100. TT100P is in between with string spacing, head size very close. TC95 18x20 and TC97 18x20 are smaller in head size and much closer string pattern.
Matheus Fernandes
New User
I'm very curious to meet Angell React. How would you classify ( > and < ) React; TC 100 and TT 100p in terms of Spin; potency; control; confort and feel?
DrTompu
Rookie
I agree with you, only that it isn’t my racket compared to TC100
What strings/tension are you (or others) using in the React 99 18x19? Any additional feedback on feel, playability, pros/cons of this React?
I just received my TC97's 18x20 320g (the black/silver color) and played a few hours with them. Great rackets with a lot of control, nice feel and just enough power!
My go to racket the past few years has been the Yonex VCP100 300g leaded up to 335gram strung with OG. Also a nice (more forgiving) racket which I use with Solinco Hyper G 1,25mm at 21/20 kilo. I bought the TC97 because I want to work on my technique with a heavier racket and I like a smaller head with my OHB. The TC97 is 345 gram strung without lead.
I love Hyper G in the VCP but....I don't like it in the TC97... Too stiff, probably because the smaller head and the 18x20. Any recommendations for a better -and not too expensive - relatively soft copoly (full bed) that works well at low tensions in the TC97?
And.....does anybody now if the black/silver color is a V2...?
My go to racket the past few years has been the Yonex VCP100 300g leaded up to 335gram strung with OG. Also a nice (more forgiving) racket which I use with Solinco Hyper G 1,25mm at 21/20 kilo. I bought the TC97 because I want to work on my technique with a heavier racket and I like a smaller head with my OHB. The TC97 is 345 gram strung without lead.
I love Hyper G in the VCP but....I don't like it in the TC97... Too stiff, probably because the smaller head and the 18x20. Any recommendations for a better -and not too expensive - relatively soft copoly (full bed) that works well at low tensions in the TC97?
And.....does anybody now if the black/silver color is a V2...?
Last edited:
Yes, the black/ silver/ gray is V2. The other versions: gunmetal gray = V1, black with copper in the throat area = V3. Current version is V4.
Happi
Hall of Fame
I have an interesting question for you guys. If anyone took a look inside the handle to see Angell's custom frame weight system, do you remember where the weight was placed?
ideally for the frame that was customized to be around 320g and 310mm - 305mm balance?
It all depends, there are several spots to place the weights and of cause different weights. I think Paul measure without and the customize depending on what SW the customer needs.
Happi
Hall of Fame
You can do a quick calculation:
Going from 100 to 97 you multiply the tension by 0.97
Going from 16x19 (35 strings) to 18x20 (38 strings) you multiply the tension by 0.92
So in short your 21/20 kg on VCP Pro would be 18.7/17.8 kg for the TC97 18x20 to have the same string bed stiffness. In real life that is even too much so I would do 18/17 kg on your TC97 and try Hyper G again.
Happi
Hall of Fame
Its difficult as I am still in the middel of League Play and do not wish to shift racquet so still play with my trusted TC100. Later I will have another round with React 99 18x19.
Between TT100P (power level 800) and TC100, the prince powerlevel would be like 1200 for TC100.
Spin better with TC100, higher launch angle.
Comfort goes to TC100 RA63
Control godt to TT100P
Feel, I just love the feel of TC foam filled frames.
So, I ended up opening 4x of my Angells because they were all at 320g 305mm and they were just too heavy.I have an interesting question for you guys. If anyone took a look inside the handle to see Angell's custom frame weight system, do you remember where the weight was placed?
ideally for the frame that was customized to be around 320g and 310mm - 305mm balance?
If you look at the handle, there are three square compartments at the base beginning just above the buttcap, and one square at the top about a cm below the taper of the pallet (basically where your left index knuckle would be on your 2HBH)
I found three types of weights inside, lead square with a big nub on the back (~12-15g), big square with no nub (~8-11g) and a cut sliver of a square (~5g).
Because every raw pallet was different, there were different weights in each, but almost all had at least 2 squares filled at the bottom with the big weights and the square at the top with one - sometimes.
Favorite by far has been Tru Pro Black Knight 1.18mm at 46lbs.
Other good strings have been Volkl Cyclone 1.15mm and Hyper G 1.15 or 1.20.
I have always strung my 18x20s between 44-48lbs depending on time of year.
Have fun!
Found my pics of the surgeryI have an interesting question for you guys. If anyone took a look inside the handle to see Angell's custom frame weight system, do you remember where the weight was placed?
ideally for the frame that was customized to be around 320g and 310mm - 305mm balance?
And one last note, don't do this unless you REALLY want to. The buttcaps are the hardest part because -for me- I had to epoxy them to the pallet because I didn't want to risk cracking the pallet with more staples. I dropped down to 305g 315mm and absolutely love them now, but the butt caps will never come off again.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
What was the original spec?
320g 305mm/12pt hl
galapagos
Hall of Fame
so awesome! thanks
I've been hitting more and more with a Pro Kennex 7G. I like my 16x19 Angells a lot, but I still haven't found a string to make me comfortable going for smaller targets.so awesome! thanks
I really want to try an XL Lime, and then from there if it's too heavy see what a 27.5in 300g TC97 18x20 is like.
Grieeegoorr
Semi-Pro
Second to the Black Knight, to me the feel of the TC97 is crisp (especially compared to 63RA TC95/100), I felt like it needed a more muted string to balance that. I strung a 16x19 with Black Knight 1.33 50lbs/Mayami Tour Hex 1.25 48lbs, I went the hybrid path because Black Knight is fairly low powered and I feel it needs something extra to give it a touch more zing. I'm still adjusting to stringing with fixed clamps as apposed to floating clamps, string jobs were coming off the old Klippermate alot looser than they are now off the Stringway, so I think I will drop the tension right down (I'm thinking 40ish) and go full bed of Black Knight. Which when I look back now is really where I should have started. I was a tad reluctant because I had tried full bed of loose Black Knight in both TC95 & 100 and did not like it, but that is probably because those frames feel/work better with a crisper string.