What is your favorite frame?

[JPtennis]

Since we are all a bunch of gear heads on this forum I thought it would be fun to hear about favorite frames. Which one works for you and what do you like best about it?

For me, the feel of the Avery M3 is just great. The frame offers great touch along with control, and the flex seems to really add kick to spin shots. But the strung weight (12.5 to 12.7 oz) makes me a bit arm weary, which is an issue given lingering elbow and tricep problems. Even at 12 pts head light I sometimes have a trouble moving it around quick enough, especially during high-paced points. So I keep going back to my old standby frame: the Dunlop Mcenroe Maxply, which you can grab for about $65. It is by far the most dependable and stable racket I have ever played. Just feels perfect in my hands weighted up to 12 oz (the removable butt cap makes this easy). Even playing around with different string and tension combinations doesn't mess up how consistent it is and how well it plays. With the natural leather grip, the Maxply is a totally old school racket both in appearance and feel, and that is just the way I like it.

[PBODY 66]

I change the balance to 5 pts headlight, and string no higher than 55 llbs. I don't notice a difference between the Ozone 4, O 3 Citron, O 3 Blue and the various paint jobs in the big box stores of Royal,Orange & Emerald.

[JPtennis]

What is the total weight of your Prince frame strung and rebalanced? Do you increase the weight to gain more control and do you use poly strings?

[PBODY 66]

The lead is added until I get the balance I want so the heaviest is 10.7 oz.
The balance is closer to the way my rackets have felt since the 1960's when I started playing. I'm mainly a doubles player.
I use many different strings, including poly Hybirds but never a full poly set up at my age. My Speedport Blue has a set of RECOIL that I'm testing.

[Racqueteer]

Current favorite frames are my Wilson K-Pro Tours. They are simply a dependable frame for playing both singles and doubles. 96sq.in. is a good compromise between mid-plus racquets and players frames. 11.4oz weight with a head light balance gives good stability and quick response at net while 16x20 pattern is open enough for spin generation without losing control. I also like the leather grip for its more pronounced bevels, making it easier to switch grips in the heat of action. Note that the grips on this frame run one size large.

I also like hitting with my Prince O3 Black (102sq.in with basically same weight and balance with 16x19 pattern) but find its tendency to trampoline hits on center a problem when hitting from baseline. I can hit tremendous backhands and quick volleys with this racquet making it good for doubles but hate watching the occasional groundstroke sail. :eek: As a result, I usually only use this for hitting around for fun.

I used to like my Volkyl and then Boris Becker DNX-V1 Midplus' for their comfort but wanted heavier racquets to produce more penetrating shots.

Note that the Wilsons and BB are much easier to string than the Prince. No locking the turntable for ports and fewer crossovers to thread through. :D

[TennezSport]

JP,

You already know my choice in racquets (see sig if not sure), but I thought I would chime in anyway. My favorite strings are Tec X-1 BP 17, Bab Addiction and Wilson Hollow in the multi family. Kirschbaum's Spiky Shark and MSV Focus Hex 17 for Poly strings. My Yonex RDS002 Tour is standard with two layers of head protection tape on the bumper guard at the head. For me a great combination of control, spin, power and feel.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:

[Audiophile]

Original Prince Graphite Mid Plus and 80's Dunlop 200g or 300i. I've tried and played with many of the newer frames. To me, there are none that can match the feel of the older ones. Just something a little different about them. Most of the new racquets are being made in China while older ones were made in England, US, etc. Guess that could be a contributing factor?

[PBODY 66]

Original Prince Graphite Mid Plus and 80's Dunlop 200g or 300i. I've tried and played with many of the newer frames. To me, there are none that can match the feel of the older ones. Just something a little different about them. Most of the new racquets are being made in China while older ones were made in England, US, etc. Guess that could be a contributing factor?
The end of the cold war had a side "benefit " of increasing the supply of higher modulus graphite. This lead to an increase in the overall stiffness of frames and the decline in use of the blended materials that gave 1980's frames their feel.

[StringingIrvine]

Prince original graphite mid 1987 4 stripe

[JPtennis]

Ever the schizophrenic, I switched back to my Volkl DNX 9 back in March and four months later it still feels like a perfect fit for my game.

[PBODY 66]

I added the Speedport Gold , strung as a 110 to my list of frames. Same balance with a very nice feedback sound on my service.

[JPtennis]

That is cool. One queston: just to be clear, what do you mean "strung as a 110"?

[PBODY 66]

I use the throat piece that fits the Speedport Blue { included with the frame} to string it without using the strung through feature. I used a Durbin years ago, and I don't feel that the extra five square inches of center mains helps my game with this frame.

[JPtennis]

Thanks. I've strung Prince racquets, including an 03 Citron yesterday, but haven't come across one with the throat piece yet.

[PBODY 66]

On a regular Speedport, it is the replaceable part of the grommet strip at 6 o'clock. Sorry, if I made it sound like the anti_torsion bar that is part of the Prince Graphite line.

[loudriver23]

I like the Head Microgel Radical Mid+. I've played with various Wilson's, and Prince's but there's something about the Mid+ I just love. Great maneuverability up at the net, great access to racket head speed, great control, and feel.
Honestly the only negatives I've found with it are that it's too light in general, and not the most stable on volleys. Both issues I've corrected at least for me with some lead tape.

[Anj]

Since we are all a bunch of gear heads on this forum I thought it would be fun to hear about favorite frames. Which one works for you and what do you like best about it?

For me, the feel of the Avery M3 is just great. The frame offers great touch along with control, and the flex seems to really add kick to spin shots. But the strung weight (12.5 to 12.7 oz) makes me a bit arm weary, which is an issue given lingering elbow and tricep problems. Even at 12 pts head light I sometimes have a trouble moving it around quick enough, especially during high-paced points. So I keep going back to my old standby frame: the Dunlop Mcenroe Maxply, which you can grab for about $65. It is by far the most dependable and stable racket I have ever played. Just feels perfect in my hands weighted up to 12 oz (the removable butt cap makes this easy). Even playing around with different string and tension combinations doesn't mess up how consistent it is and how well it plays. With the natural leather grip, the Maxply is a totally old school racket both in appearance and feel, and that is just the way I like it.

Please give us more than the frame - you know strings are a factor!

Thanks very much
Andrew

[JPtennis]

Maybe I simply should develop better "kinematics".

[Anj]

Maybe I simply should develop better "kinematics".

Although helpful motion analysis requires equipment such as HD camera, monitor and someone with a vested interest to assist.

In my case it has been a long learning curve which still continues (accidental knee injury pushed me back), developing better, more efficient ways to hit the ball and out-think and outmaneuver the opponent.
The process can be sped up by the assistance of a Professional.
Best wishes.

[smokingbs1]

According to me the best frame i've ever played is prestige classic 600 really huge... fantastic!

[JPtennis]

...and now really expensive even for used ones!

[smokingbs1]

yes unfortunately you're right, i bought one new for 500 euro, but i find one used just for 50 euro, so i have two frames, i can play with them

[JelenaJelena]

EXO3 Rebel

[ryangoring]

Current fav frame is the Wilson Kpro Tour, but all time is the Wilson PSC 6.1. love it!

[KendraB]

I like the Weed ZOne-35. I play at the 4.5 level, which is not bad for my age of 64 years. When I play with my Kennex Type C 93, which I love, I appear to be a good player to others, since I have smooth strokes. When people see me playing with my Weed they think I cannot be a good player since I am playing with a so-called "game improvement" racquet. But tournament players are different than park players. A tournament player will use a racquet that he or she can win with, even if it looks bad. The Weed is well made. 100 percent braided graphite. It is not good for the serve. It is great for the return of serve.

[Gerwalk]

My favorite frame is the Fischer Pro No. 1 circa 2003 and earlier before they went to their new look. Best feeling racquet I ever played and really bit into the ball for great spin. I was in tennis racquet limbo after Fischer moved to the new shapes and color schemes until I saw that Tecnifibre picked up the mold because of Baghdatis. I picked up three of the Tecnifibres and the feel is very similar and the specs came out very close as well. All three with leather grips and an overwrap come out at 12.0 oz. Of course now Tecnifibre is ditching the mold too so I'm gonna pick up another three when they go on sale. Thank goodness the reviews on the frame have been awful so nobody else buys them.

[cheezhdinil]

My wooden Dunlop Maxply Fort! It's when I could play all day and NOT have to work!! But today, or perhaps this year, it's a weighted Wilson Kobra Tour. 9.5 points HL and 12 ounces -- heavy ball, and a quick head

[standupnfall]

Head Satellite Toup MP Circa 1997

Also use a Liquidmetal Instinct but doesnt feel as solid as the Satellite

[Gerwalk]

I also have soft spots for the Head Pro Tour 280, Yamaha Secret O5-RS and the Pro Staff Classic 7.5. The black, purple and turquoise model.

[benraschke]

2005 Head Flexpoint Radical OS. Great racquet for all court players. Provides feel, touch, power, and due to weight over 11 ounces strung it's easy on the arm.

[JPtennis]

For doubles, I tried out a Head Liquidmetal Radical OS and it was a beautiful playing frame. Loved the flex and the refined feel it offered. Unfortunately, the tighter string pattern as well as something about the frame was a bit rough on my arm. Even at lighter tensions 18/19 and 18/20 frames hurt my arm a bit. Now am using a Volkl V1 Classic strung with Competition/Sheep Micro. The slightly lighter weight, stiffer frame, and more powerful stringbed help me a bit in the faster game of 4.0 doubles. Control is a bit of a problem but I am still learning the art of doubles, with its sharp angles and shorter swings. Singles is still the good old DNX9....

[Gerwalk]

I haven't hit with it yet but those new Head Radical Tours look like they hit...well radical.

[standupnfall]

Just got a Kblade Team, much lighter feeling than my Head racquets

[jswinf]

I really like the Dunlop McEnroe Maxply, but I keep fooling around with other stuff. The player on the end of the racket makes more difference, I think.

[JPtennis]

The Mac is a great, great tennis frame. I loved the stability and power, and used to play it a lot although had to add a lot a weight to inside the butt cap to make the frame head-light enough for my tastes. And at $65 you can't beat the price.

[JPtennis]

Hot Damn! The price on the DNX 9 has come down to $99.

[Stefano]

Hot Damn! The price on the DNX 9 has come down to $99.

The new Power Bridge 9 will be out in January. I have been one of the lucky guys who hit with it already and I can tell you, it's such a "sweet girl".
Power, heaps of control, spin, very manoeuvrable, large sweetspot, very arm-friendly...Great racquet.

Going back to the topic, the best racquet I have ever had was the Fischer Vacuum Pro 90. I still have 2, but I haven't played with them for a while. I guess I would have a hard time now with a stick like that.

So I went to Volkl C10 Pro and I haven't regretted it. Great under every point of view ;)

[grip]

I used to play with Wilson nSix-two, 100 sq. in. 27 in. length. Over the last two years I gradually developed a better back swing and the racket became too powerful for me. I looked for a slightly heavier racket with less power, more control and about the same swing weight as my nSix-two. I found the specification in Tennis Warehouse in Wison KPro Tour. It was on sale for $89.95. I bought two based on specifications alone. It was a perfect fit for me. Since it looked like it is going out of production, I bought six more. I think I am set for a few years as far as racket is concerned.

[cougarnation]

Tecnifibre TFight 320 VO2 Max. It just feels right. Weight, swing weight, gives a lot of feedback, great spin potential. All my friends think its terrible on its best day.

[Dhaval Katbamna]

I personally prefer the Head Flexpoint Prestige. the reason why is because this is not a very powerful frame, which lets me actually swing. The 98 headsize gives a larger sweet spot. This is also a great racquet because i can crank my serves.