How I customise mine: 1) string racket 2) use the racket 2 times 3) sell racket 4) buy a new racket 5) use racket 6) regret selling first racket 7) sell second racket 8) buy 3rd racket that is nothing like either racket 9) sell 3rd racket as is too out of spec range 10) buy first racket again 11) remember why I sold it in the first place 12) sell racket 13) buy a forth racket 14)......
I got a racquet consultation from you a while back and funnily enough we're now both using the 290g Rafa Aero. Such a great racquet, unique static weight/swingweight combo. Such a beast of a racquet!
Hey TC, I am surprised you are not using playdough or puddy weighted to the estimated lead tape weight and stick it to your frame to test on the SW1 to confirm the swing weight and then add the lead tape just once, way easier
Have you done a video on how to know if your racquet is too fatigued/potentially damaged? Is there a tension test or something that looks for that sort of thing while the racquet is unstrung? There's a lot of chatter out there about 2 years, 60 string jobs, or until it literally crumbles. Im currently in the third camp, but without A/B testing a brand new racquet against a 10y/o one, I dont have another frame of reference.
In adding some more customization to my dunlop cx 200 tour 18x20 , I tried putting weight at the upper part of the grip and some interesting results occured . If weight is added to this location , other than lowering the sweetspot , it also seems to increase power , yet this may also be stiffening the racket which would increase power . The power increase is proportional to the weight added . It did hurt the wrist . The sound emited from the strings become far less tingy due to stablization created in the balancing of added weight to the head . What seems to work well is tail weighting and weight towards the top of the grip together . A way to test and ajust , is to take an unpeeled over grip and test wrap it seperately , in both locations and increase tape or bands over it until it feels wright . Then you test the weights and positions as you play or test the various results of each aspect of the game , until perfect for you and the specs of the racquet . 6.67 grams for all the elements of a dunlop overgrip and 2 grams for a rackets rubber band . Vibration dampeners to test near the neck of course as well . All tested before adding the lead tape and concentrated and alterable weighted tungstan putty in the but cap .
Hey Beckett, your unstrung spec is 312g, 32.5cm, 304 sw. With 1.25mm strings and dampener and og, the static is 339 and also the sw, what is the balance?
Hi Becket, I have a question How does swing path influence racket choice? For instance, take the vcore 95 and the prostaff 97 - the 95 has a higher launch angle (I think?) So say that you had an eastern forehand, which was quite linear and not too much of a ‘windshield wiper’ compared to a western grip forehand. Would one racket be more suited?
Good question. I should make a video on that. I find that the Prostaff 97 v14 and current VCORE 95 actually play quite neutrally., I've been able to hit a few different forehand types with each of them.
@@TennCom I would go real Tungsten Tennis tape or real Tungsten tape used in some plumbing applications personally for all my tape and bonus is much heavier then lead so way less is needed in each spot.
Whats the Twistweight of the Rafa 290? Ive recently learned my favourite specs is concentrating weight at the tip of the racket, and the 7 inches in the handle, low twistweight, hate weight under the butt cap too.
Do perfect matching rackets really feel the exact same or you can always tell the differences ? Genuine question because I guess the weight distribution in the whole racket isnt exactly the same despite the same balance and sw so when swinging you might get different feel.
I haven't noticed a difference between these two racquets yet (played them 3 times). I did notice more differences between my Whiteouts, but only if I really concentrated on the differences.
Recoil weight is the inertia about the balance point. The more weight there is further away from the balance point, the great the recoil weight. th-cam.com/video/a1wCQ4cADBY/w-d-xo.html MGR/i describes the angular frequency of a racquet under the assumption that the forehand stroke is a double pendulum. I discuss it at length in the Boom MP review from the other week
4:18 how to extend racket from 27" to 28"... But i ended up adding a wilson buttcap for the added flare out on my PA98 to help loosen my grip to help the golfers elbow tendonitis.
If you used the calculator I shared in the forum, you didn't have to do any estimation. I always end up within 1 kgcm of swingweight but I measure the location where I would put the lead thoroughly. It is all about placing the leadtapes centre of gravity to the location calculator finds.
Just wondeirng if anyone could help me. i have a pure aero team with hypger g @ 52 lb, and am switing to wasbi hybrid of wasabi(mains) and wasabi x(crosses). does anyone have a recommend tension?
Good question. I only would if I noticed a difference between two frames and I have not noticed any difference. Since I don't notice I don't even want to measure them. Ignorance is bliss haha
Don’t you want a firmer leather grip to feel those bevels? And didn’t you take off the anti-vibration tech inner tale of the Advantec to thin out the grip?
Noticed that VT Advantec lists their grip as being 2.3mm thick - wondering if/how this does not feel as thick or thicker than other standard leather grips that are around 1.3mm - 1.5mm thick?
@vanodne idk man but ever since i started counter balancing 12 0'clock weight at the 7 inch magic rather than butt cap, ive felt increased stability, manouvrebility, plow, and connected swing feel. Its magic idk
Sorry, this is long... How I customize mine being mainly the blue & red old aluminum 25 inch Jr Pro Power Ace with the Power Contour head on the red and blue I use black cloth Hocky tape preferring Howies Hockey Tape, becuse of the durability for how thin it is still being a true cloth tape, being a smoother feel then most hockey tapes that are, and fact it is made in the USA/Canada and 3 rolls each roll 1inch by 25 feet so 1 inch by 75 feet for all 3 under $20 as I too like a thin grip, going over the old stock base pealing vinyl grip in 1/4 at most overlap spiral downward from a double loop at the top grip on the plastic part when at bottom to prevent the unraveling issue you use you waterproof glue of your choice I prefer the Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel control as it is waterproof unlike the standard Gel control Super Glue from Loctite. Next, because the grip will be sticky, I use some dirt or soil then brush of as much as I can off the grip then use a damp cloth/paper towel to remove/work into the grip the last bit of soil, so the grip no longer has a sticky issue and feels like a worked in grip without having to wait. later I take only on the blue & red and do on top like a head guard use some black rubber spray-paint very carefully becuse the paint is using a glossy coating for protection that could also be a very thin sticker, anyhow is less durable then the Chinese made yellow & black I have 2 of that used a mat enamel for the whole run. I also when strings break like on a yellow & black nearly new model due to faded strings, I am using a synthetic/nylon gut 16 gage strung at 55 pounds from Tennis Point free with the purchase of a $25 string job and $$ for shipping to send in. besides covering the head being scratched off of paint the reason I do on head of the older model some rubber spray in black put on carefully on blue & red on Taiwan from power contour to power contour is becuse the model is overall besides handle area is lighter then the Chinese matte yellow & black due to the flat enamel used is thicker then the paint/very thin sticker so this gives a closer model in swing feel for my liking even when the models are light enough that swing weight should not be an issue where balance in the swing is more important. Fun fact it looks to me like the yellow & black with a 4 inch grip size was a less liked model even by kids as more of this model come as less used, some being found new on e-bay way easier then the older Taiwan blue & red model (rarely if ever sold new on e-bay) that has a 4.25 inch grip size due to main fact the blue & red was likely because at the same time as the Taiwan blue & red Jr Pro Ace in Power Contour, an adult model of Aluminum ProKennex Ace Pro in Power Contour made had an identical royal blue but a lighter rose red/lighter watermelon red color for the red so older kids/young Teens wanted what the parents got for a cheap rec racquet/cheap racquet period for an adult or to hide they were using a Jr racquet as a young teen/small adult. You could not do this as easy with the Chinese 4 inch grip model becuse the yellow & black do not match an adult model of racquet that ProKennex made, close to a Titanium model but the Titanium the paint from the era was not quite the same in design with more of a dark almost black looking purple for a black replacement and had an extra wide beam head with a wide throat 105 square inch head. At least this is my theory, becuse the black and yellow also having a 4 inch grip means less adults could comfortably use the model I am also guessing the smaller full-sized adults used the Taiwan blue & red model as 4.25 inch grip size seems to be the smallest you find on most adult 27 inch or bigger racquets from the fully metal frame era on up unless model is one made for the Asian market.
For a long time I had two jobs. A lot of the stuff you see has been accumulated over several years and some of the stuff is being borrowed or was gifted by very generous viewers.
You spend all of this time on customization and play with all of these different rackets over many years. Has your UTR or WTN improved with all of this legwork? At some point, shouldn't finding the perfect racket and the perfect strings, so to speak, result in an objectively better tennis player?
How I customise mine:
1) string racket
2) use the racket 2 times
3) sell racket
4) buy a new racket
5) use racket
6) regret selling first racket
7) sell second racket
8) buy 3rd racket that is nothing like either racket
9) sell 3rd racket as is too out of spec range
10) buy first racket again
11) remember why I sold it in the first place
12) sell racket
13) buy a forth racket
14)......
What are you, a barbarian? Everyone knows you need to buy 2 of the same racket at a time so you can try different strings, have a backup, etc.
I got a racquet consultation from you a while back and funnily enough we're now both using the 290g Rafa Aero. Such a great racquet, unique static weight/swingweight combo. Such a beast of a racquet!
On Beckett's advice, I added 4 grams at 7" on the handle and 2 grams at 12 on my PA100, and it has been a game changer! Beckett FTW, as always.
Thanks for the in depth video on the racket customization👍
Hey TC, I am surprised you are not using playdough or puddy weighted to the estimated lead tape weight and stick it to your frame to test on the SW1 to confirm the swing weight and then add the lead tape just once, way easier
usually I don't screw up as much as I did in this video but moving the camera and stuff around leads to additional errors.
Excellent grip mobility
Have you done a video on how to know if your racquet is too fatigued/potentially damaged?
Is there a tension test or something that looks for that sort of thing while the racquet is unstrung? There's a lot of chatter out there about 2 years, 60 string jobs, or until it literally crumbles. Im currently in the third camp, but without A/B testing a brand new racquet against a 10y/o one, I dont have another frame of reference.
I usually recommend replacing your racquet after every loss, since it's obviously the racquets fault
@@simon3456ify Do I dispose of them Nick Kyrgios style? Two at a time in the restroom?
@@TheBCninja just don't forget to turn the taps on so people can't hear you crying. Made that mistake a few times...
I have no idea. Too many variables to make a good guideline. Just gotta wing it I guess.
Man this video makes me want to start customizing my racket!
customization videos never get old :)
In adding some more customization to my dunlop cx 200 tour 18x20 , I tried putting weight at the upper part of the grip and some interesting results occured .
If weight is added to this location , other than lowering the sweetspot , it also seems to increase power , yet this may also be stiffening the racket which would increase power . The power increase is proportional to the weight added . It did hurt the wrist . The sound emited from the strings become far less tingy due to stablization created in the balancing of added weight to the head . What seems to work well is tail weighting and weight towards the top of the grip together .
A way to test and ajust , is to take an unpeeled over grip and test wrap it seperately , in both locations and increase tape or bands over it until it feels wright . Then you test the weights and positions as you play or test the various results of each aspect of the game , until perfect for you and the specs of the racquet .
6.67 grams for all the elements of a dunlop overgrip and 2 grams for a rackets rubber band . Vibration dampeners to test near the neck of course as well . All tested before adding the lead tape and concentrated and alterable weighted tungstan putty in the but cap .
Warning ⚠️ graphic content at 4:17 😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Should"ve known by what he said at 2:23
@@xirx5260Haha! I thought the same (man, why didn’t he cut that one out?…)
Thanks for sharing!!
Beckett, i asked you on ig and ill ask again. Pwetty pwetty pwease make a stringing tutorial. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hey Beckett, your unstrung spec is 312g, 32.5cm, 304 sw. With 1.25mm strings and dampener and og, the static is 339 and also the sw, what is the balance?
Could you post the tools you use to weigh the racket and the swing weight?
Isnt it a Timemore for coffee nerds? :D
I went to the comment section right away.:D @TennCom filter gang?
Hi Becket, I have a question
How does swing path influence racket choice? For instance, take the vcore 95 and the prostaff 97 - the 95 has a higher launch angle (I think?)
So say that you had an eastern forehand, which was quite linear and not too much of a ‘windshield wiper’ compared to a western grip forehand. Would one racket be more suited?
Good question. I should make a video on that. I find that the Prostaff 97 v14 and current VCORE 95 actually play quite neutrally., I've been able to hit a few different forehand types with each of them.
@@TennCom interesting. Thanks for the reply, sorry I didn’t mean to misspell your name Beckett
What's special about the 7-inch location for adding weight?
Using a thin guitar pick would also do the trick of putting lead tape under the bumper and it’s safer.
good idea I will try that
@@TennCom I would go real Tungsten Tennis tape or real Tungsten tape used in some plumbing applications personally for all my tape and bonus is much heavier then lead so way less is needed in each spot.
We are all waiting extreme mp/pro 2.0 review!! :)
Whats the Twistweight of the Rafa 290? Ive recently learned my favourite specs is concentrating weight at the tip of the racket, and the 7 inches in the handle, low twistweight, hate weight under the butt cap too.
Its around 15 strung which is usually way out of my comfort zone but there's something magic about the maneuverability where it swings way faster
Hi there ! What grip size do u personally use ?
Do perfect matching rackets really feel the exact same or you can always tell the differences ? Genuine question because I guess the weight distribution in the whole racket isnt exactly the same despite the same balance and sw so when swinging you might get different feel.
I haven't noticed a difference between these two racquets yet (played them 3 times). I did notice more differences between my Whiteouts, but only if I really concentrated on the differences.
What is the name of the swing weight tool you are using thanks
Briffidi!
What overgrip do you use?
But can you explain what recoil and mgri is?
Recoil weight is the inertia about the balance point. The more weight there is further away from the balance point, the great the recoil weight. th-cam.com/video/a1wCQ4cADBY/w-d-xo.html
MGR/i describes the angular frequency of a racquet under the assumption that the forehand stroke is a double pendulum. I discuss it at length in the Boom MP review from the other week
4:18 how to extend racket from 27" to 28"...
But i ended up adding a wilson buttcap for the added flare out on my PA98 to help loosen my grip to help the golfers elbow tendonitis.
Good call. I hit this guy's VC98 and he added a Wilson buttcap: absolute money
How would you feel about different grommets between rafa and rafa origin? Is it too different??
The string spacing is noticeably different to the eye but I didn't notice a huge difference in playability
Any clue how similar this racket is to the pure aero Rafa 2021 team. (I think team edition)
I think the layup is different (stiffer and more raw on the Rafa) and there's more headweight on the Rafa but I've never tried that old Team
If you used the calculator I shared in the forum, you didn't have to do any estimation. I always end up within 1 kgcm of swingweight but I measure the location where I would put the lead thoroughly. It is all about placing the leadtapes centre of gravity to the location calculator finds.
Would you string a gravity pro with a full bed of restring zero or hybrid with sync?
I'd hybrid it in that case
Finally!❤
Just wondeirng if anyone could help me. i have a pure aero team with hypger g @ 52 lb, and am switing to wasbi hybrid of wasabi(mains) and wasabi x(crosses). does anyone have a recommend tension?
Shouldn’t you match twist weight?
Good question. I only would if I noticed a difference between two frames and I have not noticed any difference. Since I don't notice I don't even want to measure them. Ignorance is bliss haha
Don’t you want a firmer leather grip to feel those bevels? And didn’t you take off the anti-vibration tech inner tale of the Advantec to thin out the grip?
I did that when I was trying to save weight one time but I prefer the feel with the backing attahced
Bro just jelqued the racket 😂
Why did the video end the way it did?
Noticed that VT Advantec lists their grip as being 2.3mm thick - wondering if/how this does not feel as thick or thicker than other standard leather grips that are around 1.3mm - 1.5mm thick?
The actual leather portion is quite thin and then the VT Material backing doesn't really compress at all
I do like to correctly center and align the lead. Could not live with your awl technic knowing things are not perfect under the bumper
Nerds only!
If lead is NOT under the bumper, things would have been a LOT easier. :)
Uhh excited
how should i customize my racket to beat you in a pro set
just use my affiliate links
Big butts, 7 inch magic, the demonstration at 4:17 - what is going on here?
What's "magic" about 7-inches (tennis racquets only...)
@vanodne idk man but ever since i started counter balancing 12 0'clock weight at the 7 inch magic rather than butt cap, ive felt increased stability, manouvrebility, plow, and connected swing feel.
Its magic idk
Sorry, this is long...
How I customize mine being mainly the blue & red old aluminum 25 inch Jr Pro Power Ace with the Power Contour head on the red and blue I use black cloth Hocky tape preferring Howies Hockey Tape, becuse of the durability for how thin it is still being a true cloth tape, being a smoother feel then most hockey tapes that are, and fact it is made in the USA/Canada and 3 rolls each roll 1inch by 25 feet so 1 inch by 75 feet for all 3 under $20 as I too like a thin grip, going over the old stock base pealing vinyl grip in 1/4 at most overlap spiral downward from a double loop at the top grip on the plastic part when at bottom to prevent the unraveling issue you use you waterproof glue of your choice I prefer the Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel control as it is waterproof unlike the standard Gel control Super Glue from Loctite. Next, because the grip will be sticky, I use some dirt or soil then brush of as much as I can off the grip then use a damp cloth/paper towel to remove/work into the grip the last bit of soil, so the grip no longer has a sticky issue and feels like a worked in grip without having to wait. later I take only on the blue & red and do on top like a head guard use some black rubber spray-paint very carefully becuse the paint is using a glossy coating for protection that could also be a very thin sticker, anyhow is less durable then the Chinese made yellow & black I have 2 of that used a mat enamel for the whole run. I also when strings break like on a yellow & black nearly new model due to faded strings, I am using a synthetic/nylon gut 16 gage strung at 55 pounds from Tennis Point free with the purchase of a $25 string job and $$ for shipping to send in. besides covering the head being scratched off of paint the reason I do on head of the older model some rubber spray in black put on carefully on blue & red on Taiwan from power contour to power contour is becuse the model is overall besides handle area is lighter then the Chinese matte yellow & black due to the flat enamel used is thicker then the paint/very thin sticker so this gives a closer model in swing feel for my liking even when the models are light enough that swing weight should not be an issue where balance in the swing is more important.
Fun fact it looks to me like the yellow & black with a 4 inch grip size was a less liked model even by kids as more of this model come as less used, some being found new on e-bay way easier then the older Taiwan blue & red model (rarely if ever sold new on e-bay) that has a 4.25 inch grip size due to main fact the blue & red was likely because at the same time as the Taiwan blue & red Jr Pro Ace in Power Contour, an adult model of Aluminum ProKennex Ace Pro in Power Contour made had an identical royal blue but a lighter rose red/lighter watermelon red color for the red so older kids/young Teens wanted what the parents got for a cheap rec racquet/cheap racquet period for an adult or to hide they were using a Jr racquet as a young teen/small adult. You could not do this as easy with the Chinese 4 inch grip model becuse the yellow & black do not match an adult model of racquet that ProKennex made, close to a Titanium model but the Titanium the paint from the era was not quite the same in design with more of a dark almost black looking purple for a black replacement and had an extra wide beam head with a wide throat 105 square inch head. At least this is my theory, becuse the black and yellow also having a 4 inch grip means less adults could comfortably use the model I am also guessing the smaller full-sized adults used the Taiwan blue & red model as 4.25 inch grip size seems to be the smallest you find on most adult 27 inch or bigger racquets from the fully metal frame era on up unless model is one made for the Asian market.
Is content creation your only job? if so, how do you afford all these tennis equipment?
For a long time I had two jobs. A lot of the stuff you see has been accumulated over several years and some of the stuff is being borrowed or was gifted by very generous viewers.
Instead of an awl to lift bumper guard, I use a credit card so it doesn’t scratch the frame.
My broh looks like prof Xavier from X-men
Kimony Techni Leather
Every time you post a customization vid, I feel the need to add weight to my rackets :(
You forgot to lick those fingers after installing that delicious lead tape.
I did it off camera. It was a rather... intimate moment.
for a second I thought Ben Shelton shaved his head😅
I foresee some video segments getting an X rating…
What uh... What kind of "performance" are you optimizing here, exactly?
Smackn it real good
Still in disbelief that he went for the bulge reduction.
You spend all of this time on customization and play with all of these different rackets over many years. Has your UTR or WTN improved with all of this legwork? At some point, shouldn't finding the perfect racket and the perfect strings, so to speak, result in an objectively better tennis player?
When I first started customizing there was a noticeable improvement in my match results yes. This was prior to UTR to WTN though.
@@TennCom I see, and since then? UTR has been around for quite some time.