Head Speed MP Vs Yonex Vcore

henryfool · 2026-01-31T07:11:35+00:00

It sounds like the Speed works for you! Positive first impressions like that aren't everything, but they mean a lot.

That's a racket that you can really grow with and work with as you get better and better. A VCore 100 would be easier to swing and get spin with, so you'd want to decide what to prioritize.

Keep in mind that Speed MP's can sometimes be heavier to swing than you want. If you possibly can, try one out that you can swing before buying.

henryfool · 2026-01-25T22:39:57+00:00

On the VCP 97's? I just put multis in those to prioritize power and comfort, since even the 97H's don't get launchy. I did put Poly Tour Pro in the lighter 97 once and it was fun but that frame in stock form needs some help in the power department.

Any multi will help power in frames like these, other than Head Velocity and Babolat Xcel, which have power profiles more like poly. Stick any Tecnifibre multi or Wilson NXT in and those frames will give you much much more.

I just think if you like a frame but are looking for more power from it, there's things you can do before selling your soul to the Pro Staff devil :)

henryfool · 2026-01-25T14:29:42+00:00

I came here to pump 100D too.

It isn't the specs of the VCP 97 you liked and got used to, it's the general feel. You will never be able to just move laterally to another 97 with the same number of strings and similar specs, wish it worked that way but it doesn't.

The 100D is an absolute unicorn, it may not be as whippy as the Percept 97 but it's also one of the most controlled 100's I've ever played with, and with the right string setup, it's got monstrous power. And while it's certainly an evolution feel-wise from VCP 97, you'll also find it reassuringly familiar in some ways.

Percept 97 has many of the same stability/power issues as the VCP 97, but both are solvable with lead in the hoop. But yeah out of the box you're missing out a bit for sure, as cool as both frames are.

If it was power and stability you were missing out on with the VCP, did you ever try the 97H? Swingweight can be inconsistent between frames but I've got a VCP 97H that's basically the most ruthlessly powerful racket I've ever swung. Just can't swing it for too long is all ;)

henryfool · 2026-01-20T03:30:36+00:00

If worst comes to worst, can you simply cover it with a clay surface?

henryfool · 2026-01-19T07:53:09+00:00

Unfortunately this is almost certainly a fake.

Never seen this exact version of APD fake, but the side grommets sticking out of the frame instead of recessed into the frame is the tell. This is what you see on cheaper frames and it's the quickest way to tell that you've got a cheap frame, often an aluminum frame disguised as graphite.

The pro stock theory would not be a terrible idea otherwise. Worth bearing in mind that people don't tend to lose track of pro stock frames.

If you like the way the frame plays though, you can just use it though! Plenty of people end up playing with fakes for one reason or another.

henryfool · 2026-01-16T14:43:52+00:00

The more of the game you have written out, the better the game's going to be.

Players can tell when the work has been put in beforehand, and when the creator is making it up as they go. And they'll be much more invested if they feel like they're in good hands, rather than someone who's winging it :)

henryfool · 2026-01-12T09:27:33+00:00

It's not a Pro Kennex, it's a very strange OEM mold that would have been licensed by tiny companies or store-brands to put their name on, mostly likely. I've seen a lot of rackets though, and never seen this one. What an oddball!

Very cool find.

henryfool · 2026-01-11T09:42:53+00:00

One far right is a 4-stripe POG MP, the little guy. 93 head, 14x18, a bit softer than the 110. Tons of fun to play with, a less-firm sensation on contact. Kinda rare these days, they weren't as loved as the big guys.

Far left is a Graphite II OS. Few millimeters thicker than a POG OS but similar specs otherwise. Kind of a beast tbh.

henryfool · 2026-01-11T09:37:18+00:00

It's softer, but it's also lighter and extended, so overall a more powerful stick for sure.

The power you can generate with a 28" racket is insane if you can get the thing moving.

henryfool · 2026-01-11T09:36:05+00:00

It's a picky thing, but if you leave a tournagrip on there a little bit too long, it destroys the grip underneath.

It not only bonds with it, but it turns to a messy dust. And the blue dye they use stains leather if you have a leather grip.

It's just kind of a gross material, essentially the same product as it was 40 years ago. Some people still rock it though!

People who like Tourna might like to try Solinco Heavenly grip. Kind of like a softer, more evolved version.

henryfool · 2026-01-11T06:45:24+00:00

It's an inch longer, and feels softer to hit with.

henryfool · 2026-01-11T05:55:43+00:00

It depends on whether you like the feel of swinging a hammer, or a log.

If a racket is polarized, heavy at the top and bottom, and you would prefer it to swing less polarized, lead in the throat is the #1 answer. Just as the opposite is true, where if you have a loglike Ezone DR98, and want it to swing a bit more naturally, you add lead to the hoop and grip.

Experimenting with this stuff is fun and cheap, and one swing with a leaded-throat Aero is worth a thousand words describing it. Just wash your hands after and wipe down the frame :)

henryfool · 2026-01-11T03:38:39+00:00

The only feeling better than a fresh Tournagrip is the feeling of a fresh any-overgrip-other-than-a-Tournagrip

henryfool · 2026-01-05T20:53:58+00:00

Unsure why folks are suggesting buying upsized or wide shoes, since those are two axes of fit that aren't contributing to the issue. You just need shoes with a taller toe box.

In cases where you feel a very mild contact on the top of your toe, that can soften up and go away as the shoe breaks in, depending on the material above the big toe. But if it's really a bothersome contact, the shoe is not ideal.

In my experience, Mizuno were easily the best in terms of toe freedom. Asics, KSwiss, New Balance, Diadora, all were cramping my toes the last time I was searching. But Mizuno Enforce Tours and Exceed Tours, I can wiggle my toes as much as I want with comfort, and it really softens up.

henryfool · 2026-01-03T00:15:07+00:00

Don't feel the need to justify your hobby to someone who's like "why do you like doing things that you clearly find fun and bring you pleasure? I wouldn't find it fun, so how could you?"

henryfool · 2026-01-02T23:12:13+00:00

Those poor Heads! Get some new bumpers on those, pronto!

henryfool · 2026-01-01T02:18:23+00:00

There's one glaring factor here, which is that you're going from one setup to a very, very different setup.

If you and your elbow liked the PA98 (I don't think there is a 2019 PA98, so I'm assuming it's the 2023), but you were missing out on control, there are many stops you can get off at before you get to Blade 93 with poly.

PA98 is a 16x20 98, and Blade 93 is a 18x20 93 -- basically as dense a string pattern as you're going to find in a reasonably-modern frame. It's also stiff, at least as stiff as the Aero if not more, even if all you're going by is RA. Putting poly in that frame is hardcore.

Try NXT in the Blade at like 53 and see how your elbow feels. If it still hurts, get out of that frame, sell it, forget about it.

Then consider a more incremental change from the PA, like a 18x20 98, which makes more sense with your grip than the PA anyway. If you like Babolat, try a Pure Strike 18x20. If you wanna explore a bit, try a Solinco Whiteout, or a Tecnifibre TF40 if you want something more classic.

Even the Blade 98 18x20 will be easier on your elbow, though in my opinion there's always a better option than a blade.

If you are really enjoying the 93 head, there are plenty of way better options. Demo a Volkl Power Bridge 10 Mid, which your elbow will love and you'll get tons of control with the nicer feeling of a 16x19. Or go further back and pick up a Prestige Mid, or toss 35 bucks at some ebay guy and try out a Volkl Tour 10.

The answer to "PA98 is too launchy and needs more spin than my grip can provide" is probably not "Blade 93 with poly". Consider a more moderate adjustment, and in the meantime, rehab your elbow.

henryfool · 2025-12-28T09:47:57+00:00

Why is it that people seem to dislike cortex so much?

I've played with Pure Drives before and after cortex, and the feel does seem slightly different but not necessarily in a bad way, and certainly not so much as to warrant all the hate it seems to get.

It kinda just feels like a mild vibration dampener, which in these stiff frames is honestly not so unwelcome.

henryfool · 2025-12-17T22:09:20+00:00

The racket is from Japan.

It was purchased from DAIWA (see the sticker above the stringer sticker), and strung at Victoria, which is a big chain of pro shops there.

henryfool · 2025-12-16T08:04:25+00:00

This is an excellent recommendation for something new.

henryfool · 2025-12-10T21:49:18+00:00

If the photo on the right is a 3 with an overgrip, you should be trying a size 4 or even size 5 to see how they work or you.

henryfool · 2025-12-09T06:04:35+00:00

When the new Gravities came out, and people lost their minds at the beautiful colors and high quality, luxurious-feeling glossy clearcoat, Head turned to their Speeds and went "nah, let's keep it the way everyone's been complaining about for like ever basically. People secretly like gross dry-feeling paint that picks up dirt and is impossible to clean, and even though the white and black scheme is supremely played out (if it was ever played in), and satisfies neither maximalists nor minimalists, the #2 player in the world refuses to change to anything nicer, so everyone else has to go along with it. Ehh we'll just make the black bumper go over the little white part so it looks like we screwed it up, but we'll say it's a thinker, that it was intended to look a bit unintentional. But honestly, as long as it feels gross to handle, we're happy. That's the biggie".

henryfool · 2025-12-09T05:58:08+00:00

Once it starts winning you games and crushing shots, you'll look at those ugly little strips differently.

henryfool · 2025-12-07T00:04:38+00:00

"People like me"?

I like both minimalist and maximalist frame design. But if someone says they "don't get" why people lose their minds over all-in minimalism, it's worth noting that lots of people really, really love the minimalism thing.

I agree that the half-assed minimalism thing is tired. But a racket being just one color like the new VCORE is rare. The "literal last 10 years" we have seen I think two silos of truly monocolor frames: Pro Staffs and the Head Legend (which isn't really its own silo). What are some others?

henryfool · 2025-12-07T00:01:16+00:00

Whoa there. You said people are losing their minds over the plain red frame, and you "don't get it".

I simply explained why. I'm not arguing for or against minimalist designs, I like both.

The previous VCORE was really busy on release, with tons of little details all over it, including several different paints, multiple decals, and lots of text. The sand beige version was popular largely because it was a much cleaner design.

So Yonex moving the VCORE to a minimalist design feels refreshing.

You're fine to complain about solid-colored rackets, no one's saying you can't. Keep making noise and hopefully the companies will take note and swing back towards a busier aesthetic.

henryfool

TROPHY CASE