I wanted to see if there are any fellow Clash 98 users who are in love with this stick. Also excited to see if any customizations and string set up have been tried on this stick. I switched from Ezone to Clash 98 few months ago. Loving it so far. I can really hit the ball deep with so much ease and also changing directions was also easy. Struggling at net a little but that might be an issue with me and not the racket.
Wilson Clash 98
- Thread starter agab
- Start date
Thanks. I have long history of arm issues which is one of the main reasons I switched to Clash. I am 4.5 player and so far I don't have any major issues with it and seems to be helping with my elbow issues.
DustinW
Professional
Clash 98: underrated racquet of 2019.
Swings like a feather, hits like a truck. Spin monster. J
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
The Clash was the most comfortable racquet I have ever played with, even strung with a stiff poly. I think it is more of a situation where the Blade matches my stroke mechanics better than the Clash. I highly recommend any of the Clashes to those with arm pain or joint stiffness. I found the Clash chunky and too wild.
Thanks. That's a good find for me. Appreciate it.Clash 98: underrated racquet of 2019.
Swings like a feather, hits like a truck. Spin monster. J
tennis347
Hall of Fame
I tried the Clash 98 for a month and had to add weight due to the extremely headlight balance. Even adding 2.5 grams at 10&2, it didn't have enough stability to handle very heavy pace and shots near the upper hoop transmitted shock to the arm. IMO the Blade v7 98 16 x 19 is more solid with better feel and offers better stability.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Hmm so far no positive comments
It's a great racquet! One of the better overall racquets out there actually. It is really fun to play with, but takes some time to adjust to the feeling of it.
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I have absolutely no concern when hitting with it from the baseline. However at the net I feel like I am missing quite a bit. And I usually have a good hand at the net but this being extremely head light makes it a little susceptible at the net. I will admit that I have had this racket only for a few months now and mostly playing singles and get a decent amount of wins at 4.5 level. I started doubles only recently which is when I noticed my net game taking a hit. Guess over time I will adjust to it, I hope
I'm a fan. I tried a ton of rackets and was leaning towards babolat before trying the blade and the clash and then those won me over since they had a lot of what I liked from the Babolat line and yet promised to be more forgiving on the arm (although I didn't notice problems with the Pure Drive, my favorite Babolat, for my own arm, just was warned by a number of vendors that I might over time). I had played 4.5 level for years and then quit for 20 years and just got back into it and back up to roughly that level. I like Luxilon 4g in the mains and Sensation in the crosses (54lbs and 52 respectively if I recall correctly).
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, it’s a great stick. Volleys well providing more precision and directional control than the Clash 100.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
there's plenty of positive feedback...Now we are talking! Love the positive feedbacks
Clash 98: underrated racquet of 2019.
Swings like a feather, hits like a truck. Spin monster. J
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
ichaseballs
Professional
not my main stick, but i liked it so much i got a 2nd one. definitely wish they offered a custom version like they do with a lot of the other wilsons
WYK
Hall of Fame
I am the same with the Clash 100(is the 98 any better?). It just could be so random. I'm still gonna give it another try with round 15G polys to see if I can tame it.
I went to a Blade 18X20(but I string it with 18G shaped polys for some grip and slightly less head heavy balance).
I am not a kid anymore, tho. There is a reason I tried the Clash. I need something easy on the arm and shoulder now.
I was wondering if I should try the Speed 18X20 since everyone says it's like a 'tweener' 18X20.
WYK
Hall of Fame
It's easy on the arm. I just want more poop on serve and back in the court with the control the blade has.
I may try the 16X19...
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I love hitting drills with my Clash 98 and serving is fun too. But in terms of point play and in-game variety, its unpredictability really shows up.
What string are you using? Have tested over 10 shaped strings so far in this racket and of those only 3 were passable control wise. Luxilon and Solinco family work well for consistency.
Honestly I haven't focused enough on the right string. I bought a gravity tour at the same time and havent looked back. But I do think a more control-oriented string with some good bite and not a lot of energy return is important to consider.
From observations, I think the Clash line really grooves with players over 40 or so. Players that hit with a lot of topspin but don't necessarily have a modern swing. Guy I played with used a very old-school forehand swing, essentially from the 2 to the 3 position, skipping the 1 all together. Normally you would lose a lot of power doing this, but the Clash's power and lift makes this kind of stroke a heavy topspin shot.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
did you happen to see my notes on hexagon-x from ytex in the clash 98?
I think so, just making sure.
How is the comfort and tension maintenance? I haven't tried Ytex strings before
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
If you have experience with poly, you will be surprised by Ytex. They are super comfortable and durable. They hold tension well.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
yep ytex is legit.
I have only been using their strings, over the past 5 months, super impressed.
I'm a stringer, I string 20+ a week, most of my friends who are open minded, and let me string with ytex have also converted.
my round string of choice is their ProTour 17L , I use that in my control frames like my ezone98
for the powerful frames that I play with, clash 98 and gravity tour, I use hexagon-x and it has become a game changer for me. they have 16g black or 16L red. I use the 16g in the clash 98, and the 16L in the gravity tour. this is b/c the clash is so whippy on it's own, that the extra weight of the 16g doesn't bother me.
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
I’ll give Pro Tour a try. I have a set lying around here. I love Square X in my Blade.
Tony Gareth
Rookie
I like the racquet. I have used Wilson Pro Staff (regular and RF models), and now i'm using Diadem Elevate Tour, and I think those racquets have better feel and control, but the clash has a little more power and an interesting feel and I'm getting older so I'm starting to gravitate back to the Clash. I use all poly @ 53 lbs. I'm actually thinking of adding a little bit of weight to the handle. Not sure on that I'll have to experiment. I've got some of my male students/friends using the 98 and 100
Tony Gareth
Rookie
I'm going back to the Clash 98 v1 (gonna buy many even though new ones are out) because I'm 50 now and I get a little more power with this frame, and it is somewhat arm friendly. I'm also having my male friends go to 98 and 100 models. I string with all poly and I'm considering adding a small amount of weight to the handle . I normally use pro staff type frames, which i do feel have better feel and control, but the clash is cool .
Tony Gareth
Rookie
I normally use Pro Staff type frames but I'm going back to the Clash 98 because it gives me a little more power, and it's supposed to be arm friendlier. I'm 50 now so the little bit of power it'll give me is beneficial. I have not modified it at all, but I am actually considering adding a small amount of weight to the handle. I know some people that add weight to the head, and someone that adds it everywhere, but I'm starting in the handle.
Tony Gareth
Rookie
4.5 is pretty good! Thats what I am now, but I was 5.0+. I'm 50 yrs old now and have decided to go to the Clash 98 v1 because it's supposed to be arm friendly, and I think it'll give me a little more power than the Pro Staffs did. I have not customized the frame at all, but I'm considering adding lead tape, probably starting in the handle.
Tony Gareth
Rookie
Luxillon Smart is great in the Clash, but I use all poly either Solinco Confidential, or a poly Diadem string at around 53 pounds. I like to match the strings color to the racquets too.
Tony Gareth
Rookie
I have the Clash 98 v1 and I string it with all poly at 53 lbs give or take. I have not customized it at all, but I'm considering adding lead tape to the handle to make it more head light, but I'm really not sure. Some use no lead, others use it just in the head, some use it everywhere! I've not tried any anywhere yet.
WYK
Hall of Fame
I went to the MP-L. Great control and a bit more punch and spin than the 16X19 Blade V7(though I hear the V8 has more punch?).
