The Official Angell Users Club

BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
Power Player said:
He said some key stuff you may have missed - To paraphrase "if you are a fan of the heritage Dunlop frames, you may want to give this frame a look" "This compares favorably to the Dunlop 100".

He's also written about it as well. I like their reviews. To ask it to be like TW is pretty picky. You are aware that TW reviews are planned out, heavily edited and scripted right? It's a lot easier to remember to cover all the bases when you actually produce a video. These guys are putting up a video camera and speaking on the racquet in an improvised manner. There is no one else there directing and it's not going to be everything to everyone, but they are fun to watch.
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Thanks @PowerPlayer! And yes, I loved the Dunlop AG 100 back in the day and see the Angell TC 97 as a larger, more powerful, and certainly more forgiving, incarnation of that frame. I would also describe it as significantly more comfortable. In fact, the Angell 97 is one of the most solid feeling and 'plush' frames I've ever hit without feeling the least bit 'noodly'. I'm sure this is not easy to accomplish from an engineering standpoint! :)

As for the reviews, we actually get a kick out of filming them but you are right about the bare-bones approach. I't Geoff, myself, and my VolleyCam! No editing, just whatever we come up with on the fly! And as you saw, knowing you will be watched can affect a man's toss! :) If you guys would like, I can post a 'blooper' from this morning which will show just how low tech things really are for us!! ;)
 
S

sma1001

Hall of Fame
Thanks BHBH for your time and efforts in videoing and posting your review. Great to see the TC97 in action, and to hear your thoughts on it. 68 pounds! Wow! Scary!
 
B

Bogdan_TT

Hall of Fame
Power Player said:
He said some key stuff you may have missed - To paraphrase "if you are a fan of the heritage Dunlop frames, you may want to give this frame a look" "This compares favorably to the Dunlop 100".

He's also written about it as well. I like their reviews. To ask it to be like TW is pretty picky. You are aware that TW reviews are planned out, heavily edited and scripted right? It's a lot easier to remember to cover all the bases when you actually produce a video. These guys are putting up a video camera and speaking on the racquet in an improvised manner. There is no one else there directing and it's not going to be everything to everyone, but they are fun to watch.
Click to expand...
No way. TW reviews are ad-hoc and genuine. Not at all scripted, generic and biased. Tztz...
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
sma1001 said:
Thanks BHBH for your time and efforts in videoing and posting your review. Great to see the TC97 in action, and to hear your thoughts on it. 68 pounds! Wow! Scary!
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You're welcome! I know 68# is, shall we say atypical, BUT the frame plays very nicely at that tension. I might go slightly lower next outing, maybe 66. [emoji56]
 
S

smirker

Hall of Fame
Kudos for the review. It's actually more interesting to hear how it plays and the detail about the flex etc than if it hits good backhands/forehands etc. That is entirely dependent on skill level ie a pro could hit good shots with any racket. To hear how it compares to other frames is a far more useful term of reference.
 
JohnBPittsburgh

JohnBPittsburgh

Hall of Fame
Great work, enjoyed the vids! l, I hate when people walk in front of your camera!!! They must have been a little jealous because their shots didn't sound like the shotgun blasts you guys were hitting ;):D Look forward tho the next one!!
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
BounceHitBounceHit said:
Thanks for the kind words. :) I posted a full review on Friday (#1367, I think) in this thread. But I agree, we could be more thorough when providing our comments. Tell me what you'd like to know, and I'll do my best to respond! :) Best, BHBH
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I do appreciate you taking the time to film and share with us. I guess I was just hoping for a more "TW style" review where you go into details about what you liked/didn't like about the racquet. There is nothing wrong with your approach, but as a racquet-nut, I guess I was hoping for more juicy dertails on the TC97 and how it played :). But everyone else seems to like it, so I guess I'm in the minority. Was that Vandy's indoor practice facility? They let the general public play there as well? Nice.
 
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JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
He said some key stuff you may have missed - To paraphrase "if you are a fan of the heritage Dunlop frames, you may want to give this frame a look" "This compares favorably to the Dunlop 100".

He's also written about it as well. I like their reviews. To ask it to be like TW is pretty picky. You are aware that TW reviews are planned out, heavily edited and scripted right? It's a lot easier to remember to cover all the bases when you actually produce a video. These guys are putting up a video camera and speaking on the racquet in an improvised manner. There is no one else there directing and it's not going to be everything to everyone, but they are fun to watch.
Click to expand...

No I didn't miss anything. I do remember the Dunlop 100, but that frame was so ridiculously out of my ability range at the time, I never had a reason to try it. I never said I didn't like their reviews...I like anything to do with tennis racquets...I even watch all the horrible reviews they do on tennis xpress :eek:, but I was just giving BHBH my opinion. He is free to do his reviews however he likes. Of course I realize TW puts a lot more time and effort into their reviews, since they are in the racquet selling business. However, I do enjoy TW's reviews a lot, but in the end the only review that matter is the one you do yourself. What I find most useful is comparisons to other similar racquets and what the differences are. I wish they (TW) did more of that in their reviews.
 
T

teekaywhy

Professional
BounceHitBounceHit said:
Thanks @PowerPlayer! And yes, I loved the Dunlop AG 100 back in the day and see the Angell TC 97 as a larger, more powerful, and certainly more forgiving, incarnation of that frame. I would also describe it as significantly more comfortable. In fact, the Angell 97 is one of the most solid feeling and 'plush' frames I've ever hit without feeling the least bit 'noodly'. I'm sure this is not easy to accomplish from an engineering standpoint! :)

As for the reviews, we actually get a kick out of filming them but you are right about the bare-bones approach. I't Geoff, myself, and my VolleyCam! No editing, just whatever we come up with on the fly! And as you saw, knowing you will be watched can affect a man's toss! :) If you guys would like, I can post a 'blooper' from this morning which will show just how low tech things really are for us!! ;)
Click to expand...
I'm trying to sneak off from the office desk just to watch the video. Of course, the work puter doesn't allow YouTube on the intranet.
But having had the TC97 for about 6 months, I'm finding that I have to restring about twice as frequently due to the inherent power the racquet produces.
Like BHBH, I'm upping the tension on the TBS and actually looking to find a lower powered string. I just threw Solinco Hyper G in it last night at 53# so we'll see how that goes.
I'm thinking YPTP at 54 might be next up just to see if I can get more than 6 hours out of the stringbed.
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
smirker said:
Kudos for the review. It's actually more interesting to hear how it plays and the detail about the flex etc than if it hits good backhands/forehands etc. That is entirely dependent on skill level ie a pro could hit good shots with any racket. To hear how it compares to other frames is a far more useful term of reference.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I tried to reference The two frames with which I have the most recent experience, namely the Wilson AK 90 and Babolat Pure Aero
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
teekaywhy said:
I'm trying to sneak off from the office desk just to watch the video. Of course, the work puter doesn't allow YouTube on the intranet.
But having had the TC97 for about 6 months, I'm finding that I have to restring about twice as frequently due to the inherent power the racquet produces.
Like BHBH, I'm upping the tension on the TBS and actually looking to find a lower powered string. I just threw Solinco Hyper G in it last night at 53# so we'll see how that goes.
I'm thinking YPTP at 54 might be next up just to see if I can get more than 6 hours out of the stringbed.
Click to expand...

A racquet's power doesn't cause restringing issues....it's the openness of the pattern causing the strings to wear out quickly...that and the way that you hit. Extreme topspinner wear out strings faster than flat hitter.
You might want to try thicker guage durable poly's to try.
 
T

teekaywhy

Professional
JackB1 said:
A racquet's power doesn't cause restringing issues....it's the openness of the pattern causing the strings to wear out quickly...that and the way that you hit. Extreme topspinner wear out strings faster than flat hitter.
You might want to try thicker guage durable poly's to try.
Click to expand...
Let me clarify. The tension loss with poly stringbeds causes the racquet to become less controllable much sooner.
I normally get 8-10 hours out a full bed of TBS in my GPP before I begin missing the baseline. With the TC97, its much sooner.
I don't break strings so the only reason why I need to restring is due to the above.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
teekaywhy said:
Let me clarify. The tension loss with poly stringbeds causes the racquet to become less controllable much sooner.
I normally get 8-10 hours out a full bed of TBS in my GPP before I begin missing the baseline. With the TC97, its much sooner.
I don't break strings so the only reason why I need to restring is due to the above.
Click to expand...

Sorry...I thought you were restringing due to breakage.

I still think it may be due to the open pattern. Is the TC97 much more open in the center than the GPP?
 
B

Bogdan_TT

Hall of Fame
Can anyone pls tell me what is the exact space, in milimeters, between the strings, in the center of TC97 and where does it start to widen? Thanks!
 
T

teekaywhy

Professional
JackB1 said:
Sorry...I thought you were restringing due to breakage.

I still think it may be due to the open pattern. Is the TC97 much more open in the center than the GPP?
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we're talking fractions of millimeter. I doubt it makes a difference between the GPP and the TC97
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
smirker said:
Kudos for the review. It's actually more interesting to hear how it plays and the detail about the flex etc than if it hits good backhands/forehands etc. That is entirely dependent on skill level ie a pro could hit good shots with any racket. To hear how it compares to other frames is a far more useful term of reference.
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
loved the AARP mention :)

I was part of a cycling club before "PAA". Many members were of a "mature age/Masters category" and when I joined there wasn't too many in the sub 30s. I remember hearing jokes that the club was actually called PAARP.
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
JackB1 said:
I do appreciate you taking the time to film and share with us. I guess I was just hoping for a more "TW style" review where you go into details about what you liked/didn't like about the racquet. There is nothing wrong with your approach, but as a racquet-nut, I guess I was hoping for more juicy dertails on the TC97 and how it played :). But everyone else seems to like it, so I guess I'm in the minority. Was that Vandy's indoor practice facility? They let the general public play there as well? Nice.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the Currey Tennis Center at Vanderbilt, home of the National Champion Commodores Women's Tennis! :) BHBH
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
teekaywhy said:
I'm trying to sneak off from the office desk just to watch the video. Of course, the work puter doesn't allow YouTube on the intranet.
But having had the TC97 for about 6 months, I'm finding that I have to restring about twice as frequently due to the inherent power the racquet produces.
Like BHBH, I'm upping the tension on the TBS and actually looking to find a lower powered string. I just threw Solinco Hyper G in it last night at 53# so we'll see how that goes.
I'm thinking YPTP at 54 might be next up just to see if I can get more than 6 hours out of the stringbed.
Click to expand...

I am very picky about my string/tension so BB Ace 18 it shall be for me, but perhaps at a SLIGHTLY lower tension next go 'round. :) Thanks for posting in response to our videos! Best, BHBH
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
djNEiGht said:
loved the AARP mention :)

I was part of a cycling club before "PAA". Many members were of a "mature age/Masters category" and when I joined there wasn't too many in the sub 30s. I remember hearing jokes that the club was actually called PAARP.
Click to expand...

Just lovin' those buffet discount coupons and low cost rental cars! ;) BHBH
 
J

joohan

Guest
My TC95 is stuck somewhere in a courier van so I was "forced" to practice with what I have today. Side to side hit Donnay Pro One International Supermidsize strung with Babolat Hurricane vs. Fischer Pro No.1 330g(essentially a VT98Pro) strung with Luxilon BB Rough. Different feel, different personalities but both wonderful tennis racquets. The TC95 has a huge mountain to climb to be at least on par with those two and I'm really looking forward to comparing all of them in a play test.
 
D

dnlcarvalho

Rookie
7zero said:
well, this was my first customization job to be fair, and I am not typical DIY person either. It is not that complicated as the hairpin has slots for square weights. just calculate and fiddle a bit but only complication was I had to buy upholster stapler for 7 Eur or so in the hardware shop. I will make tutorial later I guess because I could not find any video about how to do it before. It is really easy. My second hand cost me 150 EUR as compare to 200-220 what would be new one. Worth a risk I guess
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Hi everyone.
I'm planning on opening the pallets and bringing the weights more towrards the butcap to make my TC95 more maneuverable. My original specs are 63RA 16x19 320g 310mm (10 pts HL), 4 1/4 shape B, black leathergrip.

I'm not really comortable in removing the staples and I'm afraid to break the pallets. Any help on how to do this would aid my confidence. Would I have to staple the pallets and the butcap back on (and to do so buy a specific stapler?)
Also, The 10 pts HL for the 320g is the most HL that Paul sells, I imagine for a reason...so I'm sketpical of making it even more HL by changing the location of the weights, placing them more towards the butcap. Should I be concerned with this type of change?

Thanks.
 
T

teekaywhy

Professional
dnlcarvalho said:
Hi everyone.
I'm planning on opening the pallets and bringing the weights more towrards the butcap to make my TC95 more maneuverable. My original specs are 63RA 16x19 320g 310mm (10 pts HL), 4 1/4 shape B, black leathergrip.

I'm not really comortable in removing the staples and I'm afraid to break the pallets. Any help on how to do this would aid my confidence. Would I have to staple the pallets and the butcap back on (and to do so buy a specific stapler?)
Also, The 10 pts HL for the 320g is the most HL that Paul sells, I imagine for a reason...so I'm sketpical of making it even more HL by changing the location of the weights, placing them more towards the butcap. Should I be concerned with this type of change?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
If working on the pallets and doing minor mods give you pause (can't really blame you), there are other ways of adding weight to the butt/buttcap without opening up the pallets.
Blue Tak/Silicone/Fishing weights all will add anywhere from 4-10 grams. Just pop open the trapdoor and go to town. This way, it's reversible (except the silicone) and you'll find out the answer to your question re:balance.
 
7zero

7zero

Semi-Pro
dnlcarvalho said:
Hi everyone.
I'm planning on opening the pallets and bringing the weights more towrards the butcap to make my TC95 more maneuverable. My original specs are 63RA 16x19 320g 310mm (10 pts HL), 4 1/4 shape B, black leathergrip.

I'm not really comortable in removing the staples and I'm afraid to break the pallets. Any help on how to do this would aid my confidence. Would I have to staple the pallets and the butcap back on (and to do so buy a specific stapler?)
Also, The 10 pts HL for the 320g is the most HL that Paul sells, I imagine for a reason...so I'm sketpical of making it even more HL by changing the location of the weights, placing them more towards the butcap. Should I be concerned with this type of change?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
first - I think if this is Angell most HL position, there will be no empty hole for weight in the hairpin to move weight in.
do what tekeyway recomends - open just butcap door and you will find foam filled space in the pallet: I would not play with silicone, just push some thin plate of lead into the foam - it should hold OK.
 
808

808

Professional
Well, it took me quite a while to really connect with the TC97, longer than usual, but now that I'm used to it and understand the way it responds and flexes I feel like I can do anything with it. And I serve better with the TC97 than with the TC95, so it's a done deal. Now I just need a few more (hurry up, Paul ;)).
 
BounceHitBounceHit

BounceHitBounceHit

Legend
808 said:
Well, it took me quite a while to really connect with the TC97, longer than usual, but now that I'm used to it and understand the way it responds and flexes I feel like I can do anything with it. And I serve better with the TC97 than with the TC95, so it's a done deal. Now I just need a few more (hurry up, Paul ;)).
Click to expand...

I'm still open to the TC97. I just need to try the TC 95 (and probably the 90 as well!) before making any firm decisions. :)
 
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808

808

Professional
BounceHitBounceHit said:
I'm still open to the TC97. I just need to try the TC 95 (and probably the 90 as well!) before making any firm decisions. :)
Click to expand...
The TC95 and TC97 feel and play quite differently in my opinion. I was (am) so used to the TC95's just because I had these for months (or rather, years) and initially I didn't really gel with the TC97. In a nutshell, I'd call the 95 a more control oriented racket and the 97 a spin racket (for lack of better words – sorry, I'm obviously not a native speaker). That's not to say that the 95 doesn't offer ample spin and the 97 control, but you get the idea, hopefully. It's best to try both, of course. ;)

Interested in the 90 as well. I used to have the Vantage 90, slightly extended. Unfortunately my knees aren't what they used to be, so realistically I need something more forgiving that copes better with subpar footwork. ;)
 
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