Other than strings, I wanted this stick to move a little faster, especially for return of serves against huge bombers!
The bumper guard is removable and is touted to reduce about 15 swingweight points when taken off. So I tried it...
Checking the weight strung.
Weight unstrung.
Bumper guard weight.
Playing both rackets on court, one with bumper, one without, gave me a very quick feel and conclusion how they differed.
Undoubtedly, this racket's weight is polarized. Although the stock swingweight is a sizeable 331 kg/cm², when the bumperguard is removed, the mid-section felt too light and hollow to provide enough power and stability.
While I could move the head much faster, there was little I could achieve as I could neither send it back deep nor re-direct the ball confidently away from my partner. I felt like I only dinked the ball back, then got punished by a passing shot my partner effortlessly returned.
Feel wise, the feedback was completely lost. The strings felt hollow and boardy, like I was unable to load it. No spin either.
Comments from my partner who received my shots with both sticks echoed the same sentiments.
As a quick test that the culprit was the missing swingweight, I stuck two dampeners totaling 5 grams right at 12 o'clock and played with the racket. Everything came back.
I'll have to install the bumper guard back in.
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