Marketing generated so much hype that even during pre-launch in late 2018, I received many questions from players about its potential to up their game.
It did not take long before both versions were sent in to me for stringing and modifications.
Dampener or not, the feel was very muted yet included a lot of buzz and trembling. This felt exactly like "hoop wobble" (link). Immediately, this hinted a potentially very soft hoop. Extra care needed when stringing.
When lacing up the centre main, what struck me was how big the modern grommet holes were. Every hole was large enough to be a tie-off hole. That made threading strings very easy.
My earlier suspicions were confirmed when tensioning the mains. Previous soft hoops I worked on warped more when outer mains like 6, 7 or 8 were tensioned. The Clash started warping significantly from inner mains like 3, 4 and 5. That is a very significant change and carries huge implications.
Crosses start very high and have smaller gaps near 12 o'clock. These gaps almost double near the last few bottom crosses. Another hint of potential erratic stringbed response especially nearer the top quarter or top third which most professional players like to contact the ball at.
When weaving the crosses, the gaps kept reminding me of the earlier Burn series. It was so wide it created control issues for many. And those that could somehow control the ball snapped strings too quickly. Would this happen with the Clash open gaps? (I was later updated by several their strings notched extra fast in the Clash compared to their own 16x19 stringbeds)
As I examined the throat area, I noticed a notched recessed area inside the throat. (Somewhere beside the "o" and "n" of the red "Wilson" wordings) This must be where the racket is flexing on impact. Interesting. Few rackets I can think of, other than wood, flex at such a low and faraway point away from impact point.
Not long after, another Clash came in. Brand new unstrung. For very heavy customizations for a touring professional.
Armed with the feedback from the earlier few Clashes, I took up the challenge.
It was a challenge because the Clash was marketed as a very powerful frame. Many complained of timing issues and erratic hot spots on the stringbed. And it had very open strings coupled with a very soft flex of about 55. All these pointed to control issues.
To add power or weight meant doubling up on these control problems.
Nevertheless, I did the calculations and it all added up nicely. So I proceeded.
First step, strip the grommets.
Now that you see how much lead tape I am adding, can you understand why I said it was a challenge to add control and keep the ball in? For a professional full time tennis player!
(I scribbled on the lead tape too!)
Grommet installation was very very easy. Took me about 4 seconds. Fastest I have ever reinstalled top grommets after adding lead tape.
For this ease of reinstallation, I have to thank Wilson for this modern grommet design. The centre pieces always cause the biggest obstructions. So they cleverly separated the centre 10 grommets from the bumper guard. And the drilling featured extra large holes for easy grommet installation. Well done Wilson!! And thank you!!
Typical of a new unstrung before racket, the grommets need to be seated properly to ensure a playable string job. Look at the red circles area below, compare the properly seated grommet with the "unseated" one.
Do not assume this happens automatically when you pull tension. I have several strung frames sent in to me with the grommets still "unseated".
Until now I do not understand why so many are enamored and mesmerized by silicone in the butt. Everyone I customize for asked for it!
Final checks before handing the frame over to the player. So far the hoop size QC seems very consistent. All Clash and Clash Tour I worked on measured 326mm length and 251mm width for the inside hoop from base of grommet to base of grommet. Zero hoop distortion achieved.
PS: No details of racket weights, specs nor string tensions would be revealed as these players are still actively competing. So please do not ask.
