Thin Beam Trouble

[Recon]

Having a dilemma and tenniswarehouse forums have yet to fail me.

Explanation: Background, started tennis with ncode 90's prestige mids, greatful for starting with such racquets, from the beginning I have smooth solid strokes thanks to the training these babies put me through. In the last year or two I got into the k90's but by then my curiosity have taken me to other brands. I played a hell of alot better with babolats, I believe this to be the case for a lot of people but that's a different subject for a different topic...

Anyway I tried all babolats, there is no denying the performance these sticks can deliver, WOW never have I been playing better tennis than now, I love my pure storm GT Tour + and have yet to ever find a racquet with such performance without sacrificing that plush feel.

Call me crazy, but I'm ready to put aside the racquets that really have improved my performance on court for my heritage. Thin beam frames, I just can't get over the fact, there is something about having a thin beam frame that screams I belong on a tennis court. I just don't feel comfortable around the court with anything larger then a 18mm beam. I'll be first to admit-- yes I will shank more, yes I will lose spin and power, yes I know I wont perform as well, but straight up I want to play with what I like, and I'll do just that. I remember when I first picked up tennis maniaclly hitting against the wall enjoying tennis(i know im not alone here), didn't even know what topspin was ("look! cool, if i hit the ball like this, it comes off the wall differently" , albeit I didn't hit with much spin..- my first time hitting a topspin shot) And I did it all with my thin beamed frame.

Problem: Im a picky mofo. Right now, im looking online for ProStaff 6.0 95 (pete sampras old racquet but in the midplus size) because I still want the performance of a midplus frame, but the thin beam is essential. Obviously getting lucky and finding 4 of these are near impossible and I don't have the cash.

The new blx95's are too thick, I want it ncode 90 thin!
I need the racquet to be a midplus racquet, I know myself and I know I won't reach my tennis goals with a mid sized frame, I'm not stupid I can see the modern game, and federer is dying alone, no one is using that small of a frame, and I certainly don't think i'm that talented to get away with using one.

The other option is Donnays..i'm kind of holding back on that, just don't get the same vibe from them. They will be a last reserve though.

So I come to you tenniswarehouse, racquet suggestions? 15-19mm beam please. Open string pattern, I hate closed, no spin, seriously. Please help?

 

[Kal-El 34]

have you hit with the new donnays? just wondering because they seem right up your alley.

 

[forthegame]

Donnay Pro One 95sqin (in all it's versions)?

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

Similar boat but the stiff rackets were giving me tennis elbow.

I liked the new donnays, the Prestige MP and Pro are really nice too. I thought being older Id need 100 inches but these smaller midplus frames like my Prestige MP are just fine. Im pretty strong with long fast strokes.

also try the Dunlop 200's, Vokel 10's

 

[Power Player]

New Donnays is the way to go. I love thin beams too..they are so great. I use the Pure Storm GT myself, and maybe I am just numb to it from owning tweeners, but they seem thin to me.

 

[rdis10093]

rqis tour by yonex, is thin beam, and it is midpul feel

 

[rlau]

The Boris Becker Delta Core London has a relatively thin beam (20mm) and offers Babolat-type performance, yet with the renowned Volkl feel.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/BBDCL/BBDCLreview.html

Might be worth checking out. If you do, be sure to read the "Boris Becker (BB) London Club" thread for string and other advice.

Also, perhaps the new Prince Exo3 Tour 100 16x18 might be an option to consider. It has a nice thin beam and plays really soft and spin-friendly.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_EXO3_Tour_100_16X18/descpageRCPRINCE-PEX03T.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNHO4H5gZw (review)

 

[Hominator]

Have you checked out the Volkl PB10 mid? It plays like an old school racquet and the sweetspot is so large that it plays larger than a mid.

 

[Hominator]

BTW - why not try the newer Youtek version of your Prestige mids?

 

[fuzz nation]

I've always had a soft spot for the thin-beamed frames, too. I haven't tried everything under the sun, but I think you ought to have a look into the Volkl 10 series racquets. The C10 Pro seems to offer one of the best combo's of both old school and more modern design and performance. Haven't used the PB 10 mid yet, but it looks loveable.

 

[downdaline]

Hate to burst ur bubble dude but the ProStaff 6.0 95 has a 20mm beam width - 2mm wider than ur preference.

Still though, it's a luxury to hit with =)

 

[edman9898]

Prince Diablo.

 

[stingstang]

Would keep the babs but get a used 85/90 for the bag to satisfy your thin beam urge

 

[equinox]

just buy more n90's.

 

[Recon]

Would keep the babs but get a used 85/90 for the bag to satisfy your thin beam urge

Im a tournament player, I need 1 stick to only play with that one stick. Thank you. Seems to me like donnay is the answer. And yes Kal-El I've hit with the orange, great hit, felt really underpowered though, maybe because it was strung seriously above my tension with RPM in it. Like 65 lbs. I remember the feel being better then anything i've ever tried, and the control and the way it cut air was excellent, just felt extremely underpowered but i'm going to get ahold of the orange again and put in my string setup and check it out again. Thanks for the replies posters.

 

[TennisCJC]

Several good suggestions above. Wilson would sell millions of updated pro staff 95", 18-20 mm beam, 63-65 flex, 16x19 string pattern, 12 oz, SW around 325-330, and 8 HL. Put a cool paint job on it and they sell millions of them. I would also put a wide grommet down the sides like the Head prestige so you could hide lead tape under it and keep the static and SW a bit low in stock form. This way it would be easy to customize the static/SW weight and have it still look great.

Wilson Blades may work for you. The K blade tour is 93" and a good racket. The blx blade 98 is also a very good racket but I would but weight in the handle to make it more HL, and weight in the head for a bit more power.

Head YT Prestiges mid+ might work too.

Custom ordering a Vantage could be an option. I have not hit with this but people like them a lot.

Donnay's are close and may be worth a try. But, they are a bit underpowered for me. Great control.

Dunlop 300 Tour or 300 could be a good platform but both need weight added.

 

[Recon]

Several good suggestions above. Wilson would sell millions of updated pro staff 95", 18-20 mm beam, 63-65 flex, 16x19 string pattern, 12 oz, SW around 325-330, and 8 HL. Put a cool paint job on it and they sell millions of them. I would also put a wide grommet down the sides like the Head prestige so you could hide lead tape under it and keep the static and SW a bit low in stock form. This way it would be easy to customize the static/SW weight and have it still look great.

Wilson Blades may work for you. The K blade tour is 93" and a good racket. The blx blade 98 is also a very good racket but I would but weight in the handle to make it more HL, and weight in the head for a bit more power.

Head YT Prestiges mid+ might work too.

Custom ordering a Vantage could be an option. I have not hit with this but people like them a lot.

Donnay's are close and may be worth a try. But, they are a bit underpowered for me. Great control.

Dunlop 300 Tour or 300 could be a good platform but both need weight added.

If only wilson listened to the people, atleast head did that exact thing, They saw all the crazy paintjobs and went all classic with the youtek, the best paintjob of 2010. And wilson if your reading this, a cool paintjob is NOT, I repeat, NOT the blx, how do you go from the ncode to mcdonalds blx golden arches? Anyway most of the racquets you suggested are 18x20 which are no good for my game, and I felt the same about the donnays but I will try them again.

 

[max]

Good thread. I'm thinking Volkl C-10.

I liked the Wilson PS 6.0/95, but went for the 85, since it served, for me, better.

 

[backatcha]

If you like the the SW of the PST (SW 333) then go to the Donnay Blue 99 (SW 331)... the Orange is way too light and under powered coming from the Babolat... Also, check out the Black 99 with all the side and top weights installed as the SW is about 334 and a little more HL than the Blue.

PS The Prestige Pro is a good choice as well but you will have to lead the hoop to get to your current SW.

 

[Recon]

Great suggestions from all of you, Just went heavy testing of the orange donnay as its the easiest one available to me (hitting partner owns a couple) and its really nice, but just doesn't hit that same performance. Will be looking into your kind suggestions. Thank you for your kind regards and time for helping me out.

 

[LeeD]

If a fat beam Babs feels good to you, play with a fat beam Babs.
Substance over style.
Or get a 2.6 Wilson Profile out of the relics room.

 

[equinox]

If only wilson listened to the people, atleast head did that exact thing, They saw all the crazy paintjobs and went all classic with the youtek, the best paintjob of 2010. And wilson if your reading this, a cool paintjob is NOT, I repeat, NOT the blx, how do you go from the ncode to mcdonalds blx golden arches? Anyway most of the racquets you suggested are 18x20 which are no good for my game, and I felt the same about the donnays but I will try them again.

these companies subscribe to the most hip seasonally updated consultant approved car detailing magazines.

i'd like them (wilson) to spend more on improving quality control and tightening the racquet specification error margins.

i rechecked an old 2007/8 ncode npro open, it was 10 grams off!

all four had varying balance points from 2-6pt HL.

only the two tw matched pair similar batch numbering were weighted the same.

luckly i had plenty of lead tape and TW handy online visual tools to correct the issues.

all feel and swing very similar now.

 

[equinox]

Good thread. I'm thinking Volkl C-10.

I liked the Wilson PS 6.0/95, but went for the 85, since it served, for me, better.

amazing one can still buy the wet noodle today.

very much an acquired taste with funky handle shape.

should be plenty of n90's left on the bay.

 

[LeeD]

Thin wet noodle doesn't play like fat stiff beams.

 

[JediMindTrick]

The Pure Storm has a thin beam, it's the same thickness as the Prestige MPs. So just stick with it.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Volkl C10 pro. Awesome frame.

 

[GoaLaSSo]

Volkl Power Bridge 10!

I went from hitting with a leaded up pure drive to the pb10 and it is amazing.

It is a great stick in all aspects and really has no weaknesses in my opinion.
Touch and feel are great and it hits with nice power and spin. It has a little less spin potential than my pure drives did, but there is not an extreme difference.

The best way to describe it is a hybrid of old technology/frames and new technology/frames. :shock:

 

[GoaLaSSo]

Volkl C10 pro. Awesome frame.

Also a great frame.

The pk redondo is good as well. It is 20mm tho :/

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

I rather dug the Dunlop 200 tour... amazing ground strokes but it just didnt suit my flat heater 1st serve. Fine for the spin ones though. Maybe the Dunlop 200? I grew up playing Dunlop 200G's but since then Ive not found a Dunlop that suited me but it might work for you.

 

[eagle]

Props to the Prince Diable Mids.

My weapon of choice: good size sweet spot, head light, and oh yeah.. thin beam.

r,
eagle

www.keohi.com/tennis

 

[Cooper_Tecnifibre4]

A thin beam is something to embrace. My son.

<3

 

[louis netman]

I've always had a soft spot for the thin-beamed frames, too. I haven't tried everything under the sun, but I think you ought to have a look into the Volkl 10 series racquets. The C10 Pro seems to offer one of the best combo's of both old school and more modern design and performance. Haven't used the PB 10 mid yet, but it looks loveable.

Agreed. I was on a 5 year hiatus due to injury and heartbreak.
I demoed a ton of frames and discovered the C10 Pro and then the C10 PT. I fell so hard for both that I married their denser cousin, the C8 Pro and geared her for my rehabbing cuff. I vowed one day to play the C10s again. I played the eight and got back through nine ...Then I met the Prince of Precision Response. My life has never been the same.

I'm thinking I was able to get through the 23mm beam issues of the Prince by having played Siggy's Wilson Profiles in the late 1980s. Great stuff!

PB 10 mid sounds enticing, perhaps lovable.

 

[ace0001a]

New Donnays is the way to go. I love thin beams too..they are so great. I use the Pure Storm GT myself, and maybe I am just numb to it from owning tweeners, but they seem thin to me.

PP, like you I am definitely old enough to remember how the old classic thin beamed racquets feel...though in my opinion, I consider anything 22mm or less to be thin beamed. But I guess what is considered thin will vary from person to person. With me though, I also have become used to the feel of today's popular modern frames that includes many tweeners.

 

[Bobby Jr]

I just don't feel comfortable around the court with anything larger then a 18mm beam. I'll be first to admit-- yes I will shank more, yes I will lose spin and power

There is little merit to the notion that thin beams cause shanks. In fact they should reduce them (less chance of the ball catching the frame). It's lack of head size or technique that should increase shank-ability.

There is, in theory, also little reason why a thin bean can't generate tons of power and spin too. I guess the reason they make thicker beam racquets basically is you can attain higher stiffness with less design effort and using cheaper materials.

Having said that - try a PS85 - you might be surprised. I've played with them for decades and any time I've played with something else the shank factor hasn't felt any different. (I play with a sw forehand and 1hbh)

 

[kevoT]

Dunlop 4d/bio/aero/mfil 2 hundred Don't understand why people suggest the 300, the 200 is probably much closer to what you're looking for.