Meaghan
Hall of Fame
^^^^^only spray n pray so far.....
Vantage Bast Core
- Thread starter Meaghan
- Start date
^^^^^only spray n pray so far.....
Boxofweasels
New User
I wanted a racquet that was lighter than my current setup. My PK BA98 was a little over 12 oz with overgrip and a racquet grip insert that I use to make the bevels easier to feel. The insert is from a company called "Tennis Geometrics" and it adds a bit of weight to the handle. It was a bit much for my shoulder if I played quite a few sets. I figured that I could always add weight and the grip insert to the BC30 to make it more headlight and still keep it under 12 oz while if I did that with the BC20, I would go over my weight target.
ced
Professional
My BC20
My Vantage BC20 just arrived ..... rain last night, courts wet, so no
tennis this AM ..... only ordered it late Weds !
It came strung (a surprise to me) and ready to play ...... appears to
be strung with a 16g multi or syn gut, probably about 55# ..... 1 pc
stringing, with Vantage stencil. I'll leave the string in for a week
or so then redo it with a 2 pc multi once i decide on the tension I
want.
Nice stick .... has a prime grade leather grip (which I like) and with
a Yonex overgrip added it weighs in at 11.8oz strung.
About right for me ... can't wait till monday to give it a trial.
My Vantage BC20 just arrived ..... rain last night, courts wet, so no
tennis this AM ..... only ordered it late Weds !
It came strung (a surprise to me) and ready to play ...... appears to
be strung with a 16g multi or syn gut, probably about 55# ..... 1 pc
stringing, with Vantage stencil. I'll leave the string in for a week
or so then redo it with a 2 pc multi once i decide on the tension I
want.
Nice stick .... has a prime grade leather grip (which I like) and with
a Yonex overgrip added it weighs in at 11.8oz strung.
About right for me ... can't wait till monday to give it a trial.
THe 20 has a really low RA but it flexes so differently to regular racquets it's hard to say it feels like others with similar ratings.IT's the first frames i have ever felt I can't say to someone "oh it's close to a c10" or something like that.Just very different, well worth a try if you get the chance.
rudester
Professional
Just now got my Vantage BC20, wasn't expecting to have it come pre strung. Has anybody here played with the racquet using this string? I generally put my own string in immediately, so just wondering if anyone has tried it with a full poly job. How does it play with existing string versus other strings. Poly vs Multifibre. Will probably throw in some poly at some point. Kind of actually like the graphics, you could do worse.
Man, i think this is crazy. I am very sorry to say that, i think only crazy guys would buy this type of racquets, or super-nuts. 1st of all, can someone tell me why we spend more money to buy a racquet that we never, ever have a chance to demo? You like its paint jobs? shapes? flex? or else? When i look at the BC30, i like the string pattern in a 100 sq in head for more spin. I also like, but not much, the paint job, and that's it. Guys, please LOOK AT THE PRICE. 209 for a racquet that i think i never have a chance to try or demo? What if i spend 209 for it and what if i hit with it for 10 minutes and didn't like it? I would re-sell it and what do you guys think i can get back for a 10 minute used BC30? I would be very lucky if i could re-sell it for 150. My 2nd thought would be going back to this TW website because there are many, many beautiful racquets with more attractive specs here, lower price, and the best part is i can demo any of them before buying. For instance, for a BC30, i can try the Utek Radical MP, Utek Extreme, Utek Speed Elite, Babolat PS GT 2011, Pure Drive GT, Aero Pro Drive, Prince EXO3 Black or White, Pro Kennex 5g, Gamma, Dunlop, Pacific, Tecnifibre.... so what does the BC30 have that any of the list above doesn't?
No
I cant say the racket feels flexible. I can tell you when you nail the ball slingshot with contol is the right adjective. Its wonderful for me.
Vantage customer service is crazy!
I received my second BC 20 today. I use a 6 pack Vantage bag having tried several other bags. I sent my matching Wilson bags back (BLX) because of the plastic material like most bags have which I don't like and the material is worse in the cold weather. Way to stiff. I always liked the Vantage bag because of the flexible material (feels like soft denier) and the amount of pockets. My bag is 1 1/2 years old and still looks good. The six pack actually looks small but has bottom zippers for shoes, two open top compartments, one for rackets and one for accessories, two big side compartments with zippers, two inside attaching compartments for wallet, cell phone, one with a zipper, two padded back straps, and a hand strap. There are really nice zipper pulls on each zipper and I lost one. When I ordered my newest BC 20 I told Vantage I would like to have two zipper pulls in case another one brakes. Sven at Vantage said the bags came from a factory and he did not have any zipper pulls. My BC 20 arrives today. I see the box is a little big and too heavy for one racket. Before I open it I know they have made a mistake and put two rackets in the box. I open it and surprise! My newest racket is sitting inside a brand new Vantage six pack bag. Is that great customer service or what?
I received my second BC 20 today. I use a 6 pack Vantage bag having tried several other bags. I sent my matching Wilson bags back (BLX) because of the plastic material like most bags have which I don't like and the material is worse in the cold weather. Way to stiff. I always liked the Vantage bag because of the flexible material (feels like soft denier) and the amount of pockets. My bag is 1 1/2 years old and still looks good. The six pack actually looks small but has bottom zippers for shoes, two open top compartments, one for rackets and one for accessories, two big side compartments with zippers, two inside attaching compartments for wallet, cell phone, one with a zipper, two padded back straps, and a hand strap. There are really nice zipper pulls on each zipper and I lost one. When I ordered my newest BC 20 I told Vantage I would like to have two zipper pulls in case another one brakes. Sven at Vantage said the bags came from a factory and he did not have any zipper pulls. My BC 20 arrives today. I see the box is a little big and too heavy for one racket. Before I open it I know they have made a mistake and put two rackets in the box. I open it and surprise! My newest racket is sitting inside a brand new Vantage six pack bag. Is that great customer service or what?
A couple of yeas ago I saw a post about Vantage, became intrigued and studied every post I could find. Reading them one thing was clear, players loved them!
I ordered one to my specs and was told if I did not like it I could send it back. It was the most solid and quality racket I ever hit with. I wound up buying two at $249 each two years ago when you could buy a quality racket for $149. At age 63, I decided I wanted to have a lighter racket so knowing the quality of the company I called them and decided to buy a BC 20. I just bought my second one. Now they are more in line price wise with other rackets. Once in a while you can find one for sale in the TW classified but not very often. I guess with your thinking you will never buy one but if you ever get a chance to play with one you might have a Vantage purchase in your future. You will never know what Vantage is about until you hit with one.
I did not like the string and I cannot hit with poly. Look at my signature to see my string setup. I am stringing my second way the same except 3 lbs lower.
Hi Levy1, and thanks for your clear explanation. I used to have 3 Vt321 with strung specs: head 100, length 27.25, 11.3 oz, 2 points headlight, stiffness 63, beam 20mm, string 16x19, black paint job. You are right that i never would have bought them from Vantage, but i bought them in TW Calssified. I was very happy with these VT321 except they all were 4 1/2, which were too big for me. Also after playing with these VT321 with all the specs printed clearly at throats, i would understand what type of a racquet i can play with baesd on the VT321 specs. Of course i sold all 3 VT321 only because the grip size. I did check out the VT website and tried to contact them to order the new VT321 with my own specs like: head 100, length 27, weight strung 11.4 oz, balance 6 points headlight, string 16x20, stiffness 60, beam 22mm (i specifically asked for the RA and the beam width because i knew this way is best for me). The guy there was very nice to help me at first, but he disappeared when he saw my own specs. WHy? But guess what? I found a few with the specs i wanted: Fischer 100 tour UL, Babolat Pure Storm GT, Dunlop Aerogel 500 Tour, Head Utek Radical... and i chose to stay with Head Utek Radical. Anyway, just a little curious, the BC20 with only a few pictures, not enough specs, extremely low stiffness, what made you so sure to order one? I mean you did n't know the beam width right? Or you don't care?
rudester
Professional
Thanks for the response, I played with natural gut most of my life in my PS85, however there was just too much power when i put it in my custom Vantage 95, really felt nice though, you did answer a question i had about the quality of the string which came in BC20, did not want to cut it out if it was nice string. Think i will put some luxilon ace in the frame to try out, have plenty of string if I don't like it. I like full bed of mosquito Bite at 58lbs in my custom Vantages, so i can do the same if the Ace doesn't work out.
I know how you feel. I realized the Vantages were to heavy and stiff (70RA) for me after two years and 63 years old and went on a search for new sticks. I wanted about the same specs but less weight. I did not want to pay $450 again so I ordered about 22 demos. I wound up buying two Tecnifibre 320 vo max and sold them, then a Wilson 6.1 95 which gave me my first case of tennis elbow in 30 years, then 3 BLX pro opens, and finally thought I had the right one with the Becker London. Demoed it, was ready to buy it and then saw the post on the new Bast Core. Knowing their quality, I just did not want to make another mistake so after reading the posts I decided to buy willing to take the hit if I had to sell it. Best decision in a racket I have make yet. When you come off a court and people are complimenting you on your game, not once but three times and you know the only difference is the racket you probably have a better stick for your game. At least I do. If you email or call Vantage they will give you any info you want so I did know the specs.
I loved the Ace with natty gut but my arm stayed sore.
rudester
Professional
That is why i say i will give it a try, as i get tennis elbow from luxilon Alu, I have tried the ace, and was ok. Will probably not lower the tension too much in BC20, i want to see if the low RA will counter the string stiffness. i find that in my other Vantages Mosquito Bite and Bam are soft enough co polys as to not aggravate my arm. I think Ace may be a bit stiffer. I know now to cut it out at the first sign of discomfort in the elbow. Since i have not hit with the racquet yet, just don't know what to expect in terms of overall impact to the arm with various strings.
Let us know.
You have a point there.
I understand Vantage not being able to offer a demo program for custom racquets.
But on their non-custom bastcore line, they should seriously consider offering a demo program.
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
I think i came across Vantage when I picked up several sticks in a deal on the bay. Infact it sat in my cupboard for 6 months, I thought it looked lovely but I was playing quite happily with the kps88 that summer I think. Anyways I decided to string it up and give it a go one afternoon after Id done some research and was really surrised to find the amount of praise. I liked it straight away, i thought it had a lot of similarities to the 88 but with a bigger face which helped my fh.
Knowing there was a new line coming out, a year ago I decided to playtest some older plush rackets to get me in tune. So for a while ive used revelations, rad TTS, pt600, graphite pro and comfort edge. So when i had the chance to play the bc20 I felt comfortable tbh after one hit. There's a little satisfactory nod you give yourself when you know you have got something special. Ive only really done that with older rackets.
As for price we have discussed that before, they are the same price as 20yrs ago! If i wanted a head or wilson yeah I can demo, but Ive never done that Ive bought and sold rackets on the bay to support my addiction. Fortunately here in the UK we can demo and Im sure it will happen soon in the US. Saying that if you can get in touch with either aul or Sven they are nothing but helpful.
Ten nuts..... as for asking for a 22mm beam and 60 flex that doesnt fit in with their custom range and is too specific, Bosworth probably couldnt do that neither, no wonder you got the reply you did.
Knowing there was a new line coming out, a year ago I decided to playtest some older plush rackets to get me in tune. So for a while ive used revelations, rad TTS, pt600, graphite pro and comfort edge. So when i had the chance to play the bc20 I felt comfortable tbh after one hit. There's a little satisfactory nod you give yourself when you know you have got something special. Ive only really done that with older rackets.
As for price we have discussed that before, they are the same price as 20yrs ago! If i wanted a head or wilson yeah I can demo, but Ive never done that Ive bought and sold rackets on the bay to support my addiction. Fortunately here in the UK we can demo and Im sure it will happen soon in the US. Saying that if you can get in touch with either aul or Sven they are nothing but helpful.
Ten nuts..... as for asking for a 22mm beam and 60 flex that doesnt fit in with their custom range and is too specific, Bosworth probably couldnt do that neither, no wonder you got the reply you did.
forthegame
Hall of Fame
Meags and all, I'm getting the Vantage itch more and more. Still, I'm a member of the cheapplayersclub so I'll wait till I can get one el-cheapo!
Hmm.... wonder if I should break the cheapity and give myself a birthday present with the BC20?
Meags, how about a demo? I visit Liverpool quite a lot!
:twisted:
Hmm.... wonder if I should break the cheapity and give myself a birthday present with the BC20?
Meags, how about a demo? I visit Liverpool quite a lot!
:twisted:forthegame
Hall of Fame
Oooh, but I am! Never bought a full price racquet; actually I have but it was on sale at maybe 70% off!
Not bought a new racquet for about 5 yrs now. I only buy used but who knows, maybe the BC20 will tempt me!
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
Meags and all, I'm getting the Vantage itch more and more. Still, I'm a member of the cheapplayersclub so I'll wait till I can get one el-cheapo!
Hmm.... wonder if I should break the cheapity and give myself a birthday present with the BC20?
Meags, how about a demo? I visit Liverpool quite a lot!
email sent my friend
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
The bc20 with solinco tour bite today played fantastically well, again in difficult conditions, low sun, windy and damp, Meaghan, Meags, Richie Rich played very well in defeating a solid div2 player 3&1.
Once again the return of serve with this racket is quite unique. Difficult serving day and had to dig out a lot of points but hey came through rather comfortably in the end......once again very happy boy and still top of the league and heading for the semi finals
Once again the return of serve with this racket is quite unique. Difficult serving day and had to dig out a lot of points but hey came through rather comfortably in the end......once again very happy boy and still top of the league and heading for the semi finals
Marcus
Semi-Pro
Guys....
I've just put £200 worth of Vantage stuff into my shopping cart and been asked to pay £45 delivery to the UK
Are all products now shipped from the USA or something ?
If that's the case then i'll also have to pay import duty which (along with the shipping) totally kills the whole thing... ?
Has anyone from the UK ordered anything from Vantage of late ?
If this is the way it's going to be I really can't see them selling anything in the UK
Mark
I've just put £200 worth of Vantage stuff into my shopping cart and been asked to pay £45 delivery to the UK
Are all products now shipped from the USA or something ?
If that's the case then i'll also have to pay import duty which (along with the shipping) totally kills the whole thing... ?
Has anyone from the UK ordered anything from Vantage of late ?
If this is the way it's going to be I really can't see them selling anything in the UK
Mark
Marcus
Semi-Pro
Hi
They cover this point in the FAQ sectionjust noticed thus myself as I was wondering the same
The custom stuff is specced at the unstrung weight while the Bast Core specs are strung
Regards
Mark
Thank you so much.
forthegame
Hall of Fame
Would like to know too. Would be a kick in the teeth for UK customers if that's the case.
DNShade
Hall of Fame
Not IN THE VIDEO - in the comments on the youtube page below the video...
"@tenniswarehouse do you guys have any plans on getting the new vantage bastecore racquets
Sen1Sky 4 days ago
@Sen1Sky,
We are testing some Vantage racquets right now.
Chris, TW
tenniswarehouse 4 days ago"
eleventeenth street
Semi-Pro
in case you missed it, kana posted pics of the TW racquet room/wall at their offices a couple days ago and it looks like they are indeed testing the bastcore frames (in between and slightly underneath the new volkl organix 10 and dunlop biomimetic 200 lite)
here is the link to the thread which includes more photographs
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=369580
here is the link to the thread which includes more photographs
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=369580
Last edited:
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
in case you missed it, kana posted pics of the TW racquet room/wall at their offices a couple days ago and it looks like they are indeed testing the bastcore frames (in between and slightly underneath the new volkl organix 10 and dunlop biomimetic 200 lite)
here is the link to the thread which includes more photographs
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=369580
Nice spot looks like they are testing the bc30. Hopefully the 20 is there too.
OK got it, this is going to be interesting if they sell them.
forthegame
Hall of Fame
Hmmm.... for TW to carry Vantage would mean Vantage couldn't sell direct to the public, right?
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
No i dont think that would be the case, just a retail outlet to widen their market. I think it will be very good for Vantage and interesting to see the TW playtests.
Meaghan
Hall of Fame
TBH im liking the cosmetic more and more.....
now with my blue revolution strings blue tournagrip and blue O damp.....
Anyone else colour coordinated??
I agree completely. Now there's a good chance i wil buy the vantage bastcore.
rudester
Professional
TBH im liking the cosmetic more and more.....
now with my blue revolution strings blue tournagrip and blue O damp.....
Anyone else colour coordinated??
Nice setup, i guess mine is color coordinated too with luxilon ace and a green overgrip.
galain
Hall of Fame
Oh man, I would love to love the paintjob, but you know, after seeing one hanging in the TW racquet room with all the other frames, it looks even worse. I cannot fathom it. The custom Vantages have beautiful paintjobs - among the best out there today. And these new Bastcores - I know the colours were a response to some customers who found the custom choices too bland, but they really are awful, and they really do look like toys to me.
