Too much in my head. Need help settling on a racquet.

[LoanStar]

On another thread @Trip replied with a post that resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as he put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. I have an older-school play style, serve and FH are weapons, 1HBH w/mostly slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed. I’m 63, fit and good mover but not especially strong. Arm/shoulder safety are a priority given tendency to TE and shoulder surgery in ‘22. Currently bouncing around the following:
-PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)
-Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)
-Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)
-All strung with Triax 55/53

Previous racquet history includes Yonex DR98 (loved it), Yonex Ezone Tour (aggravated my shoulder), and PK Black Ace 300 (helpful post-surgery)

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations.

 

[GravitysElbow]

Take this with a pinch of salt, because I am a low level player, so my experience may not be helpful, but I also owned all three of these at the same time. I am late 40s, also older style.

Prince had the best feel at contact but felt clunky to swing and strangely, despite the soft feel, it bothered my forearm. I struggled on serve with the clunky feel. I didn't keep this. Loved the cosmetic though...

Yonex feels good but the swing weight is low and I feel it hits a fast and spinny, but somehow still light-ish ball. Directional control is great but I find I hit long with it too often (obviously that's a me issue not the racquet, but I also think it's partly because I feel I need to swing faster). I feel like this is a great frame that I am not good enough to get the most out of, and suits a modern game more. Plays better for me with weight in the handle, but if you have shoulder issues that could be a problem.I would say it also feels stiffer to me than it's RA would suggest.

The PK doesn't have the greatest feel but has a chunky swing weight and so it hits a big ball. It just does everything well and I feel it does so without having to swing for the trees. The sweet spot isn't the biggest but it's pretty stable when you miss hit and I find I hit pretty accurately with it. For me, this one suits a more classic, perhaps slower swing the best. The only thing I would say is that the high swing weight could cause shoulder or TE issues, but if you are already using it successfully, then I guess that's ok?

 

[Trip]

Hi again @LoanStar.

From the sounds of it, I think you're already getting somewhat close to the best style frame for you and your game. On that note, great, highly-relevant input from @GravitysElbow to start things off.

Before looking at other frames, how much have you tried to tweak your current ones? Specifically:

• PK Ki Q+ Tour (300g) - Opening up the sweet spot:
  • Lowering and/or using variable-tension (example: the Sergetti method). Sometimes that helps enough; other times, it causes to much of a loss of control. Hard to know in a particular frame and string combo without trying it.
  • Using a softer string than Triax, even just in half the string job (example: TF Multifeel Black in the crosses, plus stringing the whole setup lower).
• ATS Tour 98 - Reduce the "thick"/kludgy feeling:
  • Handle-weighting it a bit more, to lower the balance point and make it rotate easier/faster
  • Removing some face weight by possibly going to a thinner gauge of Triax, or lighter string altogether, maybe just in the crosses for starters? Even though it's face weight you'd be lowering, that may make enough of a difference.
• VCore 98 - Make it work more for you:
  • Technique - As you said, working on higher RHS, closing the racquet face properly and hitting with more swipe; that said, we can only change so much about ourselves, and it may just not be a fit.
  • Increase tension, for increased control
  • Thicker gauge of Triax, also for more control and to close up the pattern a bit
  • Trying perhaps hybriding Triax with a more controlled but still comfortable soft and slick poly cross, such as Diadem Flash Navy

Beyond that, if you were to look at new frames, sticking to your "DNA", but addressing your gripes above, I'd look at the following:

• Dunlop CX 200 Oversize - I'm not sure if >100" is something you'd even consider, but this could/should be a serious look if so.
• Head Boom Pro - Kind of a cross between a Yonex EZone/Percept, Radical and ATS 98. Very muted feel and a bit hot in the upper string bed, so crisp controlled string are the order of the day. Worth a try.
• Head Gravity Tour - I know many would say "Nah, go Pro!", but for the sake of your shoulder, I'd go Tour. You still get the 18x20, but a higher-power 22mm beam. Won't hit as big a ball as the ATS 98 or PK in stock form, but once customized up, will be close, and with the Tour, you'll have more room to do so. Only question is if you get along with the tear-drop head shape. Some like it, some don't.
• Head Radical MP, maybe Pro - Might not solve the sweet spot size issue, but the Rad is definitely head's most consistent string bed on a modern-enough frame. Could be worth a try. Nice for the 1HBH as well.
• Prince ATS Tour 100P - Easier/faster to wield than the 98, still handles more like a 98 than a 100. Thinner beam up top than the 98 as well, and the brilliant 18x20 pattern, which spins/lifts more like a 16-main. Won't hit as big a ball as the 98 or PK Ki Q+ 5 in stock form, but with some light modifications, could be great. The 100P is like a faster, more smartly-designed Speed Pro for flatter OHBH all-courters. Also, should be strung lower than you might think, to maintain the nice and forgiving sweet spot.
• Prince Phantom 100X 305 - Pretty sure a bit higher power-to-weight ratio than the Phantom 100P. Still might be a bit too low-powered/floppy/frying-pan-shaped for your taste, but might be worth a try.
• ProKennex Black Ace 300 - The BA 300 might not hit as big a ball as the Ki Q+ Tour 300g in stock form, but the sweet spot may be a tad more accommodating (from the semi-open 16x19 and super soft 55RA flex). Might be floppier than you want, though.
• ProKennex Ki Q+ 5 - Would probably hit the biggest ball of anything in stock form on this list. Has the magic 100" 16x20 balance of a more accommodating sweet spot, plus the control of the 16x20, which is more dense centrally than the BA 300. Potentially worth some consideration.
• Wilson Blade 100 v9 - Not sure if you're Blade material (ie. liking a bit more mass in the head), but it might be a good substitute for an ATS 98 -like experience, just a bit less kludgy, and a bit more room between 10 & 2 for more modern swipe, if you ever feel like developing more of it.

If you're willing to look at direct-to-consumer (I'd only go here if you've exhausted all major retail options):

• Angell TC99 - Nice middle-ground hoop size and string pattern of 18x19. Foam-filled. Very stable. Good off-center comfort. Will probably hit a similar-sized ball in stock form as the ATS 98. I'd probably go with the 300g/325mm or 305g/320mm spec. Could be a really nice match for you, but I'd only consider it if you can't nail down a retail option.

Frames I'm leaving out, with reasons:

• All open-patterned spin/power tweeners - just don't think they'll be a fit.
• Any other PK - Not sure you're going to get any better balance of spec vs what you have right now.
• Dunlop - CX Tours not forgiving enough, 200 is way too under-spec, 400 Tour probably would feel too "thick" if the ATS 98 felt too thick.
• Volkl - IMHO, just don't have anything to fit here.
• TF40's - Beautiful control 98's, especially for slicing, but I think you'll find them too under-powered, especially on serve, requiring more swing weight than your shoulder may ultimately want to wield.
• WhiteOut 18x20 - Probably a better fit for a bit more new-school technique, and firmness is edging closer to too firm territory for what you're probably looking for
• Strike's - The 98's won't be much, if any, improvement in kludgy-ness over the ATS 98, and neither will the 100's, from the combination of extra hoop circumference plus the long neck members, making the entire "system" seem a bit floppy, with a bit too much handle-disconnected-from-head kind of feeling (especially the 100 16x20).
• Other Yonex's - Not sure they have anything else for you. The Percept 100/100D might be worth a try, but if the ATS 98 felt thick, not sure either would feel thin enough.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[Soundbyte]

Boom Pro

Cx200 - this one can be modded to your hearts content. But you might actually like it close to stock. But with some lead added to the hoop it becomes quite good.

 

[timmyy]

If you have too many racquets in your head, stay away from this forum.

After committing to one racquet, I only post here to either share my previous experiences or for posts like this

 

[Anton]

On another thread @Trip replied with a post that resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as he put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. I have an older-school play style, serve and FH are weapons, 1HBH w/mostly slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed. I’m 63, fit and good mover but not especially strong. Arm/shoulder safety are a priority given tendency to TE and shoulder surgery in ‘22. Currently bouncing around the following:
-PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)
-Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)
-Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)
-All strung with Triax 55/53

Previous racquet history includes Yonex DR98 (loved it), Yonex Ezone Tour (aggravated my shoulder), and PK Black Ace 300 (helpful post-surgery)

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations.

Since you like Yonex. Precept 100D would probably fit you game better than V98 because it will let you flatten out without fear. With a few grams of lead you can get great comfort and huge spin too.

 

[glenWs]

On another thread @Trip replied with a post that resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as he put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. I have an older-school play style, serve and FH are weapons, 1HBH w/mostly slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed. I’m 63, fit and good mover but not especially strong. Arm/shoulder safety are a priority given tendency to TE and shoulder surgery in ‘22. Currently bouncing around the following:
-PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)
-Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)
-Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)
-All strung with Triax 55/53

Previous racquet history includes Yonex DR98 (loved it), Yonex Ezone Tour (aggravated my shoulder), and PK Black Ace 300 (helpful post-surgery)

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations.

You’re up to your ears in rackets and I wouldn’t want to start talking rackets not having seen you play. Find something you want to play with and has the feel and weight your like and stick with it for at least a month and experiment with strings. I will only add that the Prince Tour 98 was the racket I was using when I got tennis elbow and eventually found myself getting elbow surgery about 1 year later. I am currently using the latest Head Extreme Pro and Boom Pro when I want something a little heavier. Great sticks.

 

[C.H]

On another thread @Trip replied with a post that resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as he put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. I have an older-school play style, serve and FH are weapons, 1HBH w/mostly slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed. I’m 63, fit and good mover but not especially strong. Arm/shoulder safety are a priority given tendency to TE and shoulder surgery in ‘22. Currently bouncing around the following:
-PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)
-Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)
-Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)
-All strung with Triax 55/53

Previous racquet history includes Yonex DR98 (loved it), Yonex Ezone Tour (aggravated my shoulder), and PK Black Ace 300 (helpful post-surgery)

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendatio

IMO, you should get a racket that compliment your OHBH.

I played with PK Qi K+ Tour 300g, weighted up to close to 360g with a leather grip. Added lead, negligible weight at 2 and 10 o'clock. String up with polyester string art 48 pounds, it played like a dream.

The comfort is amazing. Without the lead, the racket flexes a little too much to my liking. With the lead, I felt the string bed response firmed up a bit, the balls bounced off the string bed with more velocity.

I have the red wawrinke's vcore 97 tour, stock weight at 330g. Strung up and with an overgrip, the static weight came up to 360g. Power is great, spin too.

Hope it helps.

ns.

 

[tele]

On another thread @Trip replied with a post that resonated with me in terms of matching a racquet to technique, physical capability or "DNA" as he put it. I've been a mess with this lately and would really like to commit to something. I have an older-school play style, serve and FH are weapons, 1HBH w/mostly slice, flatter hitter in general, medium swing speed. I’m 63, fit and good mover but not especially strong. Arm/shoulder safety are a priority given tendency to TE and shoulder surgery in ‘22. Currently bouncing around the following:
-PK Qi K+ Tour 300 (serve best with this one, but sweet spot feels small for groundstrokes and volleys)
-Prince ATS Tour 98 (serve well, and solid contact on the ball, but sometimes it feels "thick" swinging it)
-Yonex Vcore 98 '23 (not sure this matches my flatter strokes and have to remember to keep RHS up)
-All strung with Triax 55/53

Previous racquet history includes Yonex DR98 (loved it), Yonex Ezone Tour (aggravated my shoulder), and PK Black Ace 300 (helpful post-surgery)

Would welcome any thoughts or recommendations.

I find the ats 98 feels like it has less "drag" with more weight in the handle. I added around 10 grams. It will not make it swing like a prestige mid, but is something to consider since you already have it. In addition to @Trip 's suggestions,
you might also want to look at the ats 95, which imo is even more arm arm friendly than the 98 and hits well with a full bed of multifilament. It has a sizeable sweet spot for a 95 and the most pleasant sensation of all the ats tour racquets I have hit with (i have not used the ats 100p btw). It is slightly less powerful than the 98 and cuts through the air a bit better.

 

[LoanStar]

This has been great feedback and is much appreciated. @Trip, your comprehensive reply was impressive and thank you for putting so much thought into this for me. I have much to think about but in a good way.

I played this morning and because my arm was a little sore I decided to go with my PK Black Ace 300. I forgot how much I like this racquet and despite the low RA I am able to get good power (the flex creates something of a slingshot effect on groundstrokes) and hit both penetrating flat and spin serves. I just have to focus on being intentional with volleys and slice backhands.

The constant switching around is adversely affecting my arm so I’m going to commit to the PK BA 300 for the next several weeks and consider the Prince ATS Tour 100P given the similar specs and slightly higher RA.

Thanks!

 

[GravitysElbow]

Excellent. Can I ask how the Black Ace plays compared to to Q+Tour? Faster swing? Similar string spacing?

 

[LoanStar]

Excellent. Can I ask how the Black Ace plays compared to to Q+Tour? Faster swing? Similar string spacing?

For me it really comes down to the BA having a larger sweet spot, easier access to spin, and feeling more solid at contact despite the larger head size (perhaps because it’s less headlight?). I like the Ki Q+ but I find I frame the ball more on volleys and have to work harder to get depth on groundstrokes. Both are equally arm friendly.

 

[jimmy8]

Blade 98 v9 16x19 is amazing racket. Very maneuverable and very stable at the same time! Very good control.

Blade 100 v9 has very good reviews. Try this if you want more forgiveness than the blade 98.

Have you tried triax in the mains with a multi string in the crosses? This would give more comfort for your arm and shoulder and give you a bigger sweet spot, I think. I recommend head velocity 1.30 in natural color. It has good slickness for snap back, a thicker sheath for more control for a multi, and it's a good quality string.

 

[Trip]

@LoanStar – Glad it was helpful! The one thing I misinterpreted was the ProKennex model: you wrote "Qi K+ Tour 300", and aside from mistyping "Qi K+" (should be "Ki Q+"), for some reason I read Ki Q+ 5, which is the 100" 16x20 w/ upper-320's SW. Hits a heavy ball and maybe doesn't have the hugest sweet spot but isn't supposed to be exactly small... which is why I was a little perplexed as to you saying the sweet spot felt small, but now I realize yours is the Ki Q+ Tour 300g (98, 16x19). That is a smaller sweet spot, for sure (very Radical MP/Pro -like). That said, my guidance on how to improve the sweet spot size still applies, but I sense something simply more forgiving is probably a better call for you. So it's encouraging to hear you have a Black Ace 300 as well. That would be one of two alternate PK frames I would recommend; the other being the Ki Q+ 5, which will give you move power than the BA 300 but also a tiny bit more precision as well (from the 16x20). So if you want to stay the PK route and the BA 300 isn't giving you quite enough pop or counterpunching/defensive "thud factor", you might look into the Ki Q+ 5.

Hope that helps again.

 

[LoanStar]

Blade 98 v9 16x19 is amazing racket. Very maneuverable and very stable at the same time! Very good control.

Blade 100 v9 has very good reviews. Try this if you want more forgiveness than the blade 98.

Have you tried triax in the mains with a multi string in the crosses? This would give more comfort for your arm and shoulder and give you a bigger sweet spot, I think. I recommend head velocity 1.30 in natural color. It has good slickness for snap back, a thicker sheath for more control for a multi, and it's a good quality string.

I have paired Triax with MultiFeel Black and will likely go back to it since it does soften the stringbed, enhances spin, and strings stay in place. Also lowers the cost compared to f/b Triax.

 

[Trip]

I have paired Triax with MultiFeel Black and will likely go back to it since it does soften the stringbed, enhances spin, and strings stay in place. Also lowers the cost compared to f/b Triax.

Good call. Triax / MF Black is as solid a combo as you will find. In the BA 300, I would probably start with Triax 1.33 / MF 1.30, to fill in and clam down the pattern as much as you can, and boost durability as well. If you find that Multifeel 1.30 is breaking too fast in the crosses, I would consider swapping that out for Prince Lightning Pro (a split-core syn gut with poly ribbon wraps and silicone oil infusion) -- initially just as slick as MF Black, though not quite as permanently so, but durability is significantly higher.

 

[LoanStar]

Good call. Triax / MF Black is as solid a combo as you will find. In the BA 300, I would probably start with Triax 1.33 / MF 1.30, to fill in and clam down the pattern as much as you can, and boost durability as well. If you find that Multifeel 1.30 is breaking too fast in the crosses, I would consider swapping that out for Prince Lightning Pro (a split-core syn gut with poly ribbon wraps and silicone oil infusion) -- initially just as slick as MF Black, though not quite as permanently so, but durability is significantly higher.

I’ve developed arm pain after coming back too fast after being away two months healing a foot injury. Today I had to stop midway thru a doubles match. Hurts even hitting with the PK BA 300. Once the arm quiets down I’m thinking it may be best to go with gut for awhile…what tension would you suggest for the PK BA 300 and a nearly new Prince ATS TT 100P I was able to pick up?

 

[tele]

I’ve developed arm pain after coming back too fast after being away two months healing a foot injury. Today I had to stop midway thru a doubles match. Hurts even hitting with the PK BA 300. Once the arm quiets down I’m thinking it may be best to go with gut for awhile…what tension would you suggest for the PK BA 300 and a nearly new Prince ATS TT 100P I was able to pick up?

Unsolicited advice, but I would avoid Triax if you are still having arm pain. When I was getting over tennis elbow the only string that offered significant pain relief was Isospeed Control Classic (or its thinner sibling, Isospeed Professional Classic). At tensions all the way up to 60, it felt softer than both Triax and Velocity at 50 lbs. I can't really remember what Multifeel felt like.

 

[Trip]

Yep, I would probably agree with @tele. Dump Triax for the time being, and either go Gut / MF Black, or go all the way and just do full-bed gut. Tensioned as low as you know you can usually control. In the BA 300, I would think low-mid 50's would be controllable enough. In the Tour 100P, perhaps 50-ish.

And if you're still having arm issues with the BA 300 and full bed gut, then it's probably not the racquet setup, but more so the overuse usually paired with some kind of sub-optimal technique, that needs addressing. A full break from playing, while also not abusing it doing anything else, plus daily flex bar work, then gentle reintroduction to the game, first using ZERO poly, then only partial-poly if desired, and if you ever go full poly, religiously cutting it out by 10 hours at the most, all while working on eliminating technical hitches that could be putting extra strain on the area, is usually the best formula for getting yourself back into the game, pain free. Here's a post I did a while back expanding more on each area:

Looking for rackets that are easy on the elbow/wrist

Hello everyone, I've started playing tennis 10 months ago, my technique is still developing. I am a person who is very paranoid about injuries so I am looking to buy a racket which is easy on my elbow and wrist. I've had wrist and elbow pain before. So let me summarize my history. Started...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[tele]

Yep, I would probably agree with @tele. Dump Triax for the time being, and either go Gut / MF Black, or go all the way and just do full-bed gut. Tensioned as low as you know you can usually control. In the BA 300, I would think low-mid 50's would be controllable enough. In the Tour 100P, perhaps 50-ish.

And if the BA 300 with full bed gut still contributes to your arm issues, then it's likely a technical deficiency combined with under-conditioned / under-healthy tissue, that is at the root cause, and only time off, gentle reintroduction and perhaps some technical clean up will really fix it, I would think.

Strengthening with a Flexbar seemed to help me as well, so OP might want to get one if he doesn't have one already. Of course, getting guidance from a medical professional is always a safe move.

 

[LoanStar]

Good feedback from all! Been down this road a few times; usually triggered by sloppy technique on OHBH…poor footwork, late and leading with bent arm. I don’t think all the racquet switching around lately has helped either. So, take a break, flexbar, follow string suggestions (did f/b gut and then gut/MF Black following shoulder surgery two years ago), ease back in, minimize repetitive hitting sessions and clean-up technique. Hope to be back soon!

 

[LoanStar]

Arm pain quieted down so was able to play both days this weekend with the practically new Prince ATS 100p I picked up. Strung with VS gut and TF MultiFeel Black at 55/53. The racquet and string set-up felt great; still able to bomb serves, hit everything with more accuracy and comfortable on the arm. Two times out doesn’t make a trend but hoping this is it!

 

[LoanStar]

@LoanStar – Glad it was helpful! The one thing I misinterpreted was the ProKennex model: you wrote "Qi K+ Tour 300", and aside from mistyping "Qi K+" (should be "Ki Q+"), for some reason I read Ki Q+ 5, which is the 100" 16x20 w/ upper-320's SW. Hits a heavy ball and maybe doesn't have the hugest sweet spot but isn't supposed to be exactly small... which is why I was a little perplexed as to you saying the sweet spot felt small, but now I realize yours is the Ki Q+ Tour 300g (98, 16x19). That is a smaller sweet spot, for sure (very Radical MP/Pro -like). That said, my guidance on how to improve the sweet spot size still applies, but I sense something simply more forgiving is probably a better call for you. So it's encouraging to hear you have a Black Ace 300 as well. That would be one of two alternate PK frames I would recommend; the other being the Ki Q+ 5, which will give you move power than the BA 300 but also a tiny bit more precision as well (from the 16x20). So if you want to stay the PK route and the BA 300 isn't giving you quite enough pop or counterpunching/defensive "thud factor", you might look into the Ki Q+ 5.

Hope that helps again.

I've primarily been playing with the PK Ki Q+ Tour 300 (weighted in the throat) with f/b Triax and hybrid Triax crossed with Multifeel Black, both at 52/50. This did help open up the sweet spot. I serve best with this stick and play better singles with it than doubles. The Prince ATS 100p with identical string set-ups is good, but I don't serve quite as well with it compared to the PK and I find I'm leaving a lot of balls short. Guys I play with regularly say I play better with the PK. You mentioned the Wilson Blade V9 100 so before chasing down a demo what are your thoughts compared to the PK and Prince? And the Blade V9 98?

 

[Trip]

@LoanStar - Nice to hear from you again. Curious, might you be stringing the ATS 100P at the same 52/50 as the PK? Because the 100P with it's 18x20, fairly traditional grommets, oval head shape, tends to require 10-15%+ lower tension than most 16-main equivalents, to get a roughly equivalent amount of sweet spot open-ness, pocketing, trampoline and routine depth. So if you haven't tried Triax/MFBlack at, say, 45/43 in the 100P, I would give something like that a try before writing off the 100P entirely. As for the Blade 100 and/or 98, I think it really comes down to if you can see yourself benefiting from the little bit thicker beam and head-heavy bludgeoning force of the Blade, versus the slightly more head-light PK. Blade 100 will maneuver similarly and precision will be close. Blade 98 will maneuver slightly quicker, possibly, and precision will be a tad better. But overall, fairly close. And for most modern competition for most players, to make a true case for the 98, IMHO you really need to be in 4.5-ish skill level territory to make a routine case for it over the 100. I'm sure I'll get flamed into oblivion by some for saying that, but that's just what I tend to see out on the court. And obviously, if you simply enjoy hitting the 98 more than the 100, then you're completely entitled to that, regardless of if you play more winning tennis with it.

Hope some of that helps again.

 

[LoanStar]

@LoanStar - Nice to hear from you again. Curious, might you be stringing the ATS 100P at the same 52/50 as the PK? Because the 100P with it's 18x20, fairly traditional grommets, oval head shape, tends to require 10-15%+ lower tension than most 16-main equivalents, to get a roughly equivalent amount of sweet spot open-ness, pocketing, trampoline and routine depth. So if you haven't tried Triax/MFBlack at, say, 45/43 in the 100P, I would give something like that a try before writing off the 100P entirely. As for the Blade 100 and/or 98, I think it really comes down to if you can see yourself benefiting from the little bit thicker beam and head-heavy bludgeoning force of the Blade, versus the slightly more head-light PK. Blade 100 will maneuver similarly and precision will be close. Blade 98 will maneuver slightly quicker, possibly, and precision will be a tad better. But overall, fairly close. And for most modern competition for most players, to make a true case for the 98, IMHO you really need to be in 4.5-ish skill level territory to make a routine case for it over the 100. I'm sure I'll get flamed into oblivion by some for saying that, but that's just what I tend to see out on the court. And obviously, if you simply enjoy hitting the 98 more than the 100, then you're completely entitled to that, regardless of if you play more winning tennis with it.

Hope some of that helps again.

Thanks for the quick and thorough (as usual) response. I did string the ATS 100P at 52/50 and 50/52, so I will try it lower like you recommended before making a final determination. As far as the head-heavy Blade I did experience that with the PK Black Ace 300 and didn't mind it but that might be because it had a lower RA, but in general I've tended to a 98 head size although the ATS 100P felt good and had nice control. I'm not the 4.5'ish level I was a few years ago now that I'm older (63) and have dealt with a few injuries and other life stuff.

 

[Trip]

Thanks for the quick and thorough (as usual) response. I did string the ATS 100P at 52/50 and 50/52, so I will try it lower like you recommended before making a final determination. As far as the head-heavy Blade I did experience that with the PK Black Ace 300 and didn't mind it but that might be because it had a lower RA, but in general I've tended to a 98 head size although the ATS 100P felt good and had nice control. I'm not the 4.5'ish level I was a few years ago now that I'm older (63) and have dealt with a few injuries and other life stuff.

Understandable on all points and will be interested to see your feedback on the 100P with a lower tension string setup. And all fair points on the Blades. Since you have that 4.5 level background and plenty of years of playing under your belt, you probably have a really good grasp on where you are (and aren't) performance-wise, so above all else, myself included, I think your "spidey sense" will be the ultimate and best decider on which way to go. But I think you're certainly in the right vicinity with the types of frames you're looking at. Looking forward to your next update, once you arrive at that point.