Why the demo process keeps me from buying a new frame...

[louis netman]

I currently play with more than 10 yr old frames (Prince Precision Response Ti) strung with 17g gut hybrid and am down to my last half dozen. I had a box of demos sent to me last week. They consisted of the latest frames (Donnay Black99&94, Red99, BB London, and Dunlop Biometric 200 100"). All I can tell you is that they all SUCKED BIG TIME due to the terrible string setups.

There is simply NO WAY to make an accurate estimation of a frame's playability using the current demo system if you're a high level player with preference for a particular setup.

The only way is to take the risk of buying a used frame of whatever model you're interested in and stringing it up with your own setup. Period.

Sorry TW, but that's just my experience...

 

[WitheringDemise]

Try out the YouTEK Prestige Mid/MP/Pro. I think those might feel better to you.

 

[Devilito]

I find demoing racquets often useless due to terrible string set ups. Bad strings, bad tensions etc. At best, you can get a feel of how the racquet swings and moves in your hand so at least you know you’re buying something that has potential. This is also the reason I’ve bought and sold about 3 sets of racquets in the past 3 years before finally settling on what I use now. Poor strings on racquets is like putting some crappy all season tires on a Ferrari and driving it around a track and complaining about the traction. Tires make a huge difference on a car just like strings on a racquet.

 

[aimr75]

The only way is to take the risk of buying a used frame of whatever model you're interested in and stringing it up with your own setup. Period.

I agree, testing a frame with a less than desirable string job on a demo isnt a great inidicator of whether the frame will work for you. The frame might be ok, but with a doo doo string, it will most likely play badly

You could string up the demo frame, but even i wouldnt like to put a nice premium string in a demo

 

[DAS2011]

You could string up the demo frame, but even i wouldnt like to put a nice premium string in a demo

Thats the cost of being sure about your racquet selection, I guess.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Buy to try

 

[0d1n]

I think finding out if your timing and stroke mechanics "agree" with the racquet is still a valuable piece of information.
If the racquet feels half decent and you see that you can center the ball with it and it isn't sluggish you haven't demoed for nothing...it's actually useful.
IMO most people should be able to do at least a decent playtest with a basic synthetic gut or basic multi and be able to at least "extrapolate/extract" some great info from the demo process.
Racquets which are restrung with random strings and/or hybrids by other people who demo are indeed pretty much useless though.

 

[SirGounder]

I think finding out if your timing and stroke mechanics "agree" with the racquet is still a valuable piece of information.
If the racquet feels half decent and you see that you can center the ball with it and it isn't sluggish you haven't demoed for nothing...it's actually useful.
IMO most people should be able to do at least a decent playtest with a basic synthetic gut or basic multi and be able to at least "extrapolate/extract" some great info from the demo process.
Racquets which are restrung with random strings and/or hybrids by other people who demo are indeed pretty much useless though.

This is what I figure as well. All the demos I've received came with synthetic gut. I think it's the perfect demo string since it's cheap and doesn't do anything really great. It lets me get a feel for the racquet and also let's me know that I can change some things if I want to by putting in different string.

 

[louis netman]

I think finding out if your timing and stroke mechanics "agree" with the racquet is still a valuable piece of information.
If the racquet feels half decent and you see that you can center the ball with it and it isn't sluggish you haven't demoed for nothing...it's actually useful.
IMO most people should be able to do at least a decent playtest with a basic synthetic gut or basic multi and be able to at least "extrapolate/extract" some great info from the demo process.
Racquets which are restrung with random strings and/or hybrids by other people who demo are indeed pretty much useless though.

I agree, however I always end up tweaking the frames I use anyway. BTW, three of the demo frames I received were strung with a dead poly that had lost all tension, and the BB London had a synth gut in it. It ended up being the best feeling frame for that reason, but was still way too light to produce a heavy ball...

 

[retlod]

Buy to try

Also, one hour, one set, one match, one day, and one week are insufficient for demoing. I like to know how racquets play when I'm at full speed or tired, or against different opponents, or when strung multiple ways. Demoing has shown me a spec range that I like. From there, I'm with Fed.

 

[Carolina Racquet]

I completely agree with the OP's position on demo racquets. The best thing you can do is invest in some lead tape to do on-the-spot modifications that can be undone later.

For me, I've felt more comfortable buying closeout frames "sight unseen" knowing if I didn't like it, I'd only be out less money.

 

[themitchmann]

For me, demoing helps me determine how the stick swings and the location of the sweetspot.

 

[Icedorb217]

TT is a great source for what I called "extended" demoing. Just buy a used stick from the classifieds and if you like it keep it or sell it and get another stick. its a bit more trouble but its worth it.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

This is the reason I generally cut the strings out of the demos and restring them, even though they don't recommend it. None of the companies have ever mentioned it when the racquets were returned, I am not certain they even realize the strings are different.