Anyone tried a custom made Vantage ??
I have been using my kps88 for a while now and playing very well. Recently tho with the cold wet weather ive been struggling with the heavy slow balls which makes my racket feel twice as heavy. So ive been looking for something I can mod a little to make a slightly easier playing version of my 88s.
I lke some of the older lighter pro staffs like the classic but i wanted something I wouldnt struggle getting hold of. The problem is there are very few modern rackets with old skool feel etc.
I recently picked up a vantage, quite by accident, I noticed it had the same short throat of the pro staff that i prefer for stability and consistency in my game. It was a 95 and I put the two heads together and other than the box frame of the 88 they were very similar in shape ie where the throat starts, ends, headsize etc.
I strung it up with full Alu at low tension (45lbs)
Vantage 95 - 18x20 - 362g - SW 338 - 10pts HL - full Alu @ 45lbs
Very similar in feel to my 88, although the box beam definately adds to stability, there's little in it, also the width of the throat above the handle is very similar to the 88.
What I did notice with the slightly larger head and whippier frame my forehand came back to me (someting that Ive struggled with with the 88 ).
To summize, the 88 for me raised my game in all departments except my forehand and the early signs with the Vantage are that all those positives have remained the same and my forehand has got back to normal.
I will be picking up a few more of these sticks from Paul in UK once ive tried the 16x19 pattern.
Vantage are a UK born company that allow you to configure and build your own racket. They are doing particularly well in US at the moment.
websites UK & US
http://www.vantagetennis.co.uk
http://www.vantagetennis.com
Comment
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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 23, 2010 at 6:05pm -
I'd love to try both of those racquets but I suspect I'd like the smaller head of the bc20 and the extra static weight.I think I tend to like 95-98. Also liked the Dunlop 4D 200 Tour (95 sq. in).
Trying a bigger headsize, I tried using a Radical Tour 660 (107 sq in) strung very tight but had too much spring. Then I tried a Donnay Supermid Touring (100 sq in) and that had no life, it already lost all its stiffness. The Youtek Radical Pro also had too much spring.
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Comment by Marcus Jones on December 23, 2010 at 3:19pm -
<333333333333333333333333 Vantage! So incredible at everything and so damn solid too!
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Comment by Meags on December 23, 2010 at 10:53am -
Polarising I suppose by accident as the extended weight is at the tip of the handle. I used to add lead at 9&3 and have weight above the handle and i liked this depolarised set up but now my racket is stable enough that it doesnt need help at those points it just needs the extra swingweight i like. Ive actually dropped my staticweight about 20g and upped my SW and this has helped a lot, esp in colder conditions. And yes i suppose i do hit with a lot of spin.
I have a pic of the bc30 for you......compare it to the bc20
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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 23, 2010 at 3:40am
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Very interesting modifications. I use Western grips when I get into heavy rallying. Polarizing it and extending it, you must hit with a lot of spin.
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Comment by Meags on December 23, 2010 at 3:35am
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The one i got to playtest was 330 strung, i have extended it half an inch to 27.5" and added about 7g to the top of the hoop. All in all I've added about 15g to its stock weight and raised the SW to about 360. My balance is now about 7 pts. As you can see in the foto I've modded my handle tip to utilise my western grips on both sides.
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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 23, 2010 at 3:06am
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Wow! The bc20 has my ideal specs. 330g/8pt HL. Perfect.
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Comment by Meags on December 23, 2010 at 3:03am
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Yeah Tim green is bc20 95", 330g, and i think about 8pts hl.
The yellow is bc30 100" 320g and fairly even balanced. And i think there's a larger headed one too.
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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 22, 2010 at 7:07pm
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There are three different specs with those Bastcore as you mentioned. What specs are the green racquet in the picture? Do they each have a separate model name according to differing specs?
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Comment by Meags on December 22, 2010 at 5:56pm
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designation ????
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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 22, 2010 at 5:48pm
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lol... cheapish Dunlop! Well, that sounds exactly what I want, soft for control, firm enough for serving. So it's called Bastcore. Is there any more model designation?
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