After some customisation I have a new favourite Angell... I bought a used pair of ASi's a while ago and have tried several string/lead/balance combos. I'm a grip 5 so building up the moulded #3 handle added too much weight (tried various ways including balsa wood etc)and it became too heavy and way too headlight (around 10-12 points). This may sound a bit drastic but I cut the moulded handle off, underneath is the standard sized Angell hairpin with the weight slots etc. I put 10 grams of blu-tac in the lowest weight slots (5 each side), fitted a 5 B pallet/butt cap, put 3grams of lead at 12oclock and another 5grams under the trap door. Static strung weight is 330g and 7 point head light. Currently strung with Pros Pro Blackout at 46/44. It plays similar to a TC100 with a lower launch angle and more control which is exactly what I was hoping for.
The Official Angell Users Club
- Thread starter The_Racketeer
- Start date
julianokay
New User
I saw earlier in the thread that you also played with the Pure Strike VS (2022), which is my current stick. How would you compare these two?
Now this sounds like an ASi I would love to try!
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Yes and NoSounds like someone is back with their old love.
i am looking around. Would be cool to have 98” frame similar to angell. But i have now also string preferences as well so it must suit certain strings too 
Always feels like Paul slips FedEx an extra $20 to make sure the Express is extra-Express
Nope. Ive ordered twice within the last month. No issues whatsoever
Isn't that just a Blade?Yes and No
Recently bought a React MPP (thanks @KC!) and the beam looks identical to a Blade. Only differences are the top of the React flattens a bit and the thoat is different
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Blade has a different weight distribution, bigger TW which is making the frame feel a bit more cumbersome. If you add weight to the handle it kinda looses it's magic and mine angell was 310mm. It's a great frame and performance-wise it is similar to Angell but feel-wise (especially of how you feel the loop) it's different.
True, it does seem like they could've tried to make a heavier spec Blade with a more HL balance. Maybe it'd overlap too much with the Pro Staff in Wilson's mind.
landcookie
Professional
Played my first serious set since switching to TC 95 (from 100); serve and backhand were great and dug me out a win - but I still cannot find my forehand which is usually my biggest strength.
The journey continues!
The journey continues!
Weekendhacker
Rookie
How does the React 99 18x19 compare with the K7 lime if same weight? I’m guessing a little more power? Is it whippier? More stable?
Carreau
Semi-Pro
Do not make early decisions. My last two TC100s were different specs than I used to. So, it took almost 6 weeks to find my groove with them.
landcookie
Professional
Ah - I'm not moving on from my 95s. Rather sticking with them and trying to figure them out!
Definitely see how it can be interpreted that way though.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Couple of asi2 grip 3 here if anyone wants to try them
what_army
Professional
Happened to me too with my TC95 16x19 (everything was great except the forehand) but some lead (brought sw from 287 to 297) definitely helped. Early on this year (after 7 years with the tc95s) I eventually moved on to the blade 98 18x20 for that extra bit of control but I certainly miss the TC95 on serve and backhand. Nonetheless I’m happy with the compromise, you can’t have it all I suppose.
landcookie
Professional
Interesting. What did you find was missing on the forehand for you?
what_army
Professional
In my case plow was missing. In the backhand I didn’t feel it as much as I have elite preparation and timing (not bragging, but it’s the only way I found to make 1hbh work over the years) but in the forehand I am a bit more all over the place and can make a lot of small variations work (mostly hitting higher balls instead of taking a step back or hitting farther from the body instead of taking that small step closer) which means I’m overall a bit lazier. When I switched to the blade (v4 and v7) I immediately noticed fantastic plow-through and I felt I was hitting a bigger ball and could generate more pace on my fh side. Lead (both at 12 and 9-3) on the TC95 helped a lot but eventually I went ahead with the switch. Backhand is typically my best shot by far but with the switch it got a bit more even.
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Happi
Hall of Fame
What is your current spec and unstrung SW ?
Carreau
Semi-Pro
315g, 309mm and surprisingly low 291SW (for 63RA TC100s).
My 63RA TC100 is 292SW, the assumption that the 63RA version is higher swing weight compared to the 70RA version isn't correct according to Paul Angell. In regards to weight placement, I'm certainly no expert but I found it useful to experiment with the different locations to see what feels best. On my ASi I started with 1 gram, then 2 grams at 3 & 9, I could immediately feel that the racket felt more sluggish, particularly on my ohbh. Moved them to 10 & 2, still felt sluggish, then moved to 12 and bingo, felt awesome. I use Tourna 1/4" lead tape in the hoop and blu-tac in the handle, while testing i just wrapped the lead tape around the frame and used a bit of tape to hold it there (didn't remove the cover for the adhesive backing), that made it easy to remove and move around the frame without wasting it. My two ASi frames are both setup at 330gram strung static weight and 7 points head light, to achieve that, one of them needed 3 grams at 12 and around 10 grams in the handle. The second one needed 10 grams at 12 oclock and around 5 grams in the handle, quite different stock specs, I assume this is likely down to variations in the foam filling. Santa is bringing me a Briffidi swing weight machine with the twist weight adapter so I'm looking forward to measuring the true specs and geeking out on it in general
Carreau
Semi-Pro
Thank you!My 63RA TC100 is 292SW, the assumption that the 63RA version is higher swing weight compared to the 70RA version isn't correct according to Paul Angell. In regards to weight placement, I'm certainly no expert but I found it useful to experiment with the different locations to see what feels best. On my ASi I started with 1 gram, then 2 grams at 3 & 9, I could immediately feel that the racket felt more sluggish, particularly on my ohbh. Moved them to 10 & 2, still felt sluggish, then moved to 12 and bingo, felt awesome. I use Tourna 1/4" lead tape in the hoop and blu-tac in the handle, while testing i just wrapped the lead tape around the frame and used a bit of tape to hold it there (didn't remove the cover for the adhesive backing), that made it easy to remove and move around the frame without wasting it. My two ASi frames are both setup at 330gram strung static weight and 7 points head light, to achieve that, one of them needed 3 grams at 12 and around 10 grams in the handle. The second one needed 10 grams at 12 oclock and around 5 grams in the handle, quite different stock specs, I assume this is likely down to variations in the foam filling. Santa is bringing me a Briffidi swing weight machine with the twist weight adapter so I'm looking forward to measuring the true specs and geeking out on it in general
I have 8 TC100s in total. 6 of them are V3s and these are 296-298SW. Maybe they have changed something with V4s.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
In my TC100 I don’t feel I need any weight in the head. However my SW is 332 strung so it’s healthy. I obviously don’t know what your SW is but sounds like you think you need some more. For a tweak in stability and more punch on the ball go in between and add weight at 2&10. I would start from 2nd cross string top of the head and layer downwards. To spread weight a little better, just put 1 strip at 2 and another at 10 but on the other side of the string bed.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Sorry, my conversation with him was the exact opposite. He explained, all things equal for the lower RA 63 frames they have to use a bit more graphite. In order to achieve more flex yet maintain structural integrity of the frame, more graphite layers are used in more angles. So on average the 63RA SW tends to be higher
Return_Ace
Hall of Fame
I thought it was that ever since v3 onwards and w.e. it was they added there, they were able to increase the consistency of the batches and so the 63RA vs. 70RA differences are no longer as much of a factor compared to v2 which could be fairly variable?
Carreau
Semi-Pro
Thank you for this advice!
Mine are 324SW strung (measured with SW1). TW was ~12,92 (lower as well comparing to V3s).
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, it is a good point. So when micro braid came around it was meant to tighten the tolerance but I believe that was for like to like. So tighten for the same layup not on different ones as in 63 vs 70. The 2nd thing that pops to my head is MB better controlled resin flow, not so much layering of graphite and angles. Obviously, I’m no structural engineer or racquet designer so my thinking could be wrong.
No. In the past there has been a 10% off a future order coupon inside a new racket box, and Paul has run flash sales to purge stock of K7 XL frames, and he did discount the old v3 series when the v4 came on board...
But the short answer is no. To some degree I think it's a good thing. It means he doesn't need to because sales volume is healthy enough, and Angell is not the biggest company and managing promotions/digital marketing is it's own role/headache so no promotions means simpler operations on the back end.
Oh man, it was crazy! I still kick myself I let it pass too. I think they were all the way down to like £120 when it was going on.
landcookie
Professional
A smidge (2 string spacings) at 3 and 9 did it for me on tc100. Widens the sweetspot, gives it more twist weight, but doesn't affect ability to whip through on topspin shots all that much.
Carreau
Semi-Pro
Thank you! I have added weight at 2:11 yesterday and it felt much better. I'll experiment further and try your suggestion as well.
Any thoughts on whether a React 96 or the 99 might be better for doubles? Larger 99 head size would seem to be more forgiving…more powerful…maybe less apt to be overpowered at the net…but the 96 might be faster, more maneuverable (especially for OHB) and more accurate…and might the heavier, though smaller, 96 actually be less vulnerable to getting pushed around? Most older players (and I may be old, but I’m small!) seem to gravitate to larger & larger frames…going to a smaller head size would seem counterintuitive but I wonder if the more ‘rapier‘-like stick might be a better choice for doubles than a ‘broadsword’?…
AshenOne1988
New User
Could do with a bit of advice please guys, looking at a TC95 in the new V5 cosmetic but not sure on 16x19 vs 18x20. My favourite stick ever is the PT57E and I tend to drive through the ball rather than the Nadal style whip. Would also be looking at getting the 27.25 length. How open is the 16x19 ?
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Yeah open but TC95 18M is very tight so they’re polar opposites in string spacing. I’d check TC97 18M with thin strings like @emhtennis
Weekendhacker
Rookie
I haven't tried a React 18x19 yet but my modded ASi sticks play similar to a TC100 with a bit more control. The head shape and beam thickness looks pretty much identical but the ASi is 16x20 and not foam filled from what I can see. I'm loving the way they play, i'm currently experimenting with different strings/tensions. One has a full bed of Volkl Cyclone 1.20mm @46lbs, the other has Kirschbaum Spiky Shark mains and Pro line II crosses at 46lbs, both play very nicely, tonnes of power and spin. Both are setup at 330g static, 7 points head light (they needed different amounts of lead at 12 and in the handle to achieve this). I'm getting a Briffidi swing weight machine with the twist weight adapter in a few weeks, will post the specs compared to the TC100 and TC97 18x20 in case anyone is interested.
KC!
Hall of Fame
You have my interest, how is the launch angle of the ASI? The TC 100 would be so good with a tighter 16x19 or a 18x20. It has such a high launch angle for me though as is.
landcookie
Professional
Carreau
Semi-Pro
+1, Grapplesnake TS 1.25/1.30 solved my issues with launch angle.
Subjectivly..I would say it sits nicely between the TC100 and my Prince Textreme Tour 100P (open 18x20 pattern). But I agree that thicker strings work well with the TC100. I usually prefer thinner gauges but in the TC100 they feel too unweildy. I'm currently using Halo Bite mains 1.18mm (still a thin gauge) with Alu Power RG 1.28mm crosses, the thicker crosses seem to tame the launch angle nicely. I originally tried this setup on a whim as the clay court inspired RG edition of this string matches the copper colour of the TC100 V4 cosmetic but it works so well I've stuck with it. Just a side note, as I mentioned in a previous post I didn't really get on with the ASi in it's stock form. It was only after some fairly major customisation that I got this awesome feel. Part of that was to cut the moulded handle off and fit a regular pallet to the hairpin underneath...this was driven by the fact that I'm a grip 5 and the ASi only goes up to 3 but I found that the moulded handle and the adhesive underneath contributes to a fair portion of the overall weight, with that removed and a lighter pallet and butt cap fitted it left loads of options to tweak it to my preferred weight/balance...this is when this racket really started to shine for me.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
I haven’t tried TS on my TC100 I suspected it would be a good match and wanted to try it. The good direct feedback and lower launch of the strings I suspected would help so thanks for the confirmation