Soccer shoes

 List of soccer shoes I wore or own starting in junior high:

1993 summer

- umbro: probably a lower end speciali type, borrow from school, one of the best

- adidas mexico: bought to return the umbro

1994-1995

- adidas laplata: my dad's, outsole already cracked

- adidas copa mundial: small size but still fit, i lost from car break in 1996

- nike: lower end tiempo, plasticky upper

1996

- adidas azteca: a bit too big

- adidas questra finale: borrow from a friend, a very fine boots

1997

- mitre mundial SG: a bit too big, gave it too a friend

- nike tiempo: lower end, stiff leather

- adidas world cup: finest

- mizuno grandeza: nice leather, long studs

1998 - 2007

- adidas predator 1994

- adidas predator 1996

- adidas predator accelerator: nice low studs

- adidas predator precision: sold

- adidas predator manic

- adidas velez FG and SG

- adidas questra: lower end

- adidas contornis yellow: too small

- adidas nova mundial ID: too small

- puma king FG: too small

- puma KSL: sold

- puma cellerator: sold

- puma braziliero: for younger brother

- diadora brasil: sold

- nike tiempo SG: beat up one

- nike mercurial FG: too small

- umbro speciali yellow: too small

- umbro owen speed: lower end

- kelme duende: split heel

- kelme trueno blue: leather peel

- hummel: too narrow

- reebok bergkamp: sold

- reebok rampante: for younger brother

Cymbals weight

 Here is list of my cymbals with weight (in grams):

Hihats:

- Paiste 505 Medium 14" - B8: top 741, bottom 987

- Sabian AA Regular 14" - B20: top 1001, bottom 1354

- Zildjian K Custom Dark/Regular 13" - B20: top 792, bottom 1001

Crash and ride:

- Stagg CS medium thin 16" crash - B20: 1299 (sold)

- Paiste PST 5 medium 18" crash - B8: 1307 (sold)

- Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis 18" crash/ride - B20: 1682

- Zildjian K Custom Session 18" ride - B20: 1990 

- Sabian HH 19" crash - B20: 1823

- Zildjian K Constantinople 20" light ride - B20: 1965

- Zildjian K 18" flat ride

Below pic of K Custom Session:

CX200T16 vs F3T

 I played 2 sessions with this combination, for singles and then for hitting session. For the singles game, using CX200T16x19, I lost the set 3-6 but then changed to F3T won 5-1 before the sun was set. The CX200T was set up with leather grip, syngut 17g at 51 lbs, and lead 3g total at 10 and 2. The power compare to F3T is low. The control was good though, you can really direct the ball. Here is my review on it:

- forehand: power is low and with spin it can either drop short or long when hitting late. Need full swing. Comfort is good though.

- backhand: power is low, need full swing, good spin.

- serves: power is low, directional is good.

- volley: power is low, plush.

Overall with the current setup, striking from the baseline balls either drop short or long, striking from inside the baseline sets up nicely. With this racket, you can swing really fast and hard but the ball still goes in.

PS97 strings

 I have only strung my PS97 with 3 times: prince topspin 16g at 55lbs, babolat multi 17g at 57lbs, and prince syngut duraflex at 55lbs. Played the topspin until break, multi until uncontrollable, and syngut until it went hard and loose its pop. I just cut it today after playing it on Sunday where it did not feels right: the string moves around and pretty hard to get it straight again with that screeching sound. That sound means that the string have gone hard and times to cut it and restring. During last Sunday hitting, gripping the PS97 slightly semi-western felt good but we were using older balls and can be quite incosistent.

 

MFil vs F3T

 Played doubles yesterday with new balls (Head Davis), the results were 6-5, 3-2, and 3-6. All played with the MFil except for first game of first set. The MFil has easier power than F3T though swings heavier. Wonder if using F3T felt under power/plough when using new balls? Pic: Mauresmo with dunlop MFil colorway.

Racket customization

 Here is the list of racquet customization that I have:

- Pro Staff 97: leather grip 

- CX 200 Tour (18x20 and 16x19): 3 grams at 10 & 2

- Aerogel 300: 3 grams at 3 & 9

- Bio F3.0T: 3 grams at 3 & 9

- M-Fil 300: leather grip

- Warrior 107: leather grip

- Hot Melt: leather grip

- Radical OS: no customization

Pic below: D Collins and her customized racquet

F3.0T vs AG300

Played singles game using Bio F3T and AG300. The first set won 6-2 using AG300, the strategy was to attack the backhand. The second set was using F3.0T and lead 2-1 until sunset. The F3T is customized with total 3 grams lead at 3 and 9. Swinging F3T, the weight is in between AG300 (lightest) and MF3 (heaviest). The F3T plow through was better than before, better at redirecting heavy balls. The gamma strings on the F3T are already moving not as snap back as before, but have no complain since it has tight string pattern.

Mfil 300 vs Bio F3.0T

 Yesterday played doubles outdoor with Mfil3 and F3.0T. Started with F3.0T in warm up but couldnt connect then changed to Mfil3 to seek more power. Won first set with Mfil3 at 6-5. Then hitting with F3.0T and feels good. Finish the second set at 4-3. The current F3.0T has 3grams of lead at 3 and 9, the swing is much closer to MFil now. The Mfil was also have loss tension and moves and felt better for me. The F3.0T is less powerful but more control on and faster swing speed. The Mfil is really good for starting out because it is plusher.

MFil 3rd times (vs AG3)

Last sunday was my 3rd tries with MFil 300 and I brought along the trusted AG300. I started first with the MF300 but felt too heavy then changed to AG300. When playing the first set, we were down 4-1 then I changed again to MF300 because the other team switched player and his balls were heavier. At the end of the game, we lost 4-6 but the I was playing well with the MF3. We had a short second set, winning by 3-1. 

The MF3 can feels very soft at time also probably due to soft string that I used, old stock tecnifibre at 52 lbs. The metallic red color looks like a Head Prestige, shiny but not too bright. The paint marking are really old school.

Drums and Cymbals

Beside soccer and tennis, I also played drums in my spare times. When I was in the US, I trade use cymbals similar to racquets these days. You can really find great buy in ebay if you know the market price.

I prefer jazz cymbals due to their darker tone. I noticed that in live rock setting they are not as cutting.

The picture below is the K Custom Ride 20' that I bought. It is an early pre K Custom line, the hammering was very definite with square hammer which I thought was displeasing pattern, though great sounding.

Here are the cymbals I bought and sold(*):

Hi-hat: 

- Zildjian Avedis Mastersound 13' (*)

- Zildjian K Custom 13' 

- Zildjian Avedis New Beat 15' (*)

- Sabian Medium 14'

- Paiste 505 14'

Crash:

- Zildjian ZBT 16' (*)

- Zildjian ZBT Crash/Ride 18' (*)

- Zildjian K Custom 16' (*)

- Sabian AAX Metal Crash 16' (*)

- Istanbul Mel Lewis Crash/Ride 18'

- Sabian HH Medium 19'

- Paiste PST5 18'

- Stagg 16'

Ride:

- Zildjian Avedis Ping Ride 20' (*)

- Zildjian K Constantinople Light 20'

- Zildjian K Constantinople Medium 20' (*)

- Zildjian K Jazz 20' (*)

- Zildjian K Custom 20' (*)

- Zildjian K Custom Session Ride 18' 

 

String selection: gauge and tension

 String selection gauge and tension for a racquet's headsize and string pattern based on my racquet selections. I used mostly syngut of various brand. Need to adjust tension due to racquet power level also. 

Picture below is the new PS97 v13 with slightly adjusted tighter string pattern (most likely on the outermost strings). PS97 string pattern is very open compare to Dunlop 300 series.

headsize (sq-inch)	string pattern	gauge	tension (lbs)
95	16x18 (open)	16/17	52-55
95	16x19 (open)	17	50-52
95	18x20 (open)	17	50-52
97/98	16x19 (open)	16	52-55
97/98	18x20 (close)	17	50-52
100	16x19 (open)	16	52-55
107	16x19 (open)	16	55-58
107	18x19 (close)	17	52-55

Dunlop 300 series today's alternatives

 Comparison of classic Dunlop 300 series and today's alternatives:

*) conclusion: although similar specs (98 sq-inch, 16x19, 295-300 grams), todays racquet are stiffer and heavier

	M-Fil 300*	AG 300*	Bio M3.0	Graph Rad MP	CX 200	Touch Rad MP	360 Rad MP	AG 4D 300	Bio 300
Year	2006	2008	2012	2016	2021	2018	2021	2010	2011
Headsize (sq-inch)	98	98	98	98	98	98	98	98	98
Strung weight (grams)	309	309	312	317	323	312	318	309	309
String pattern	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19	16x19
Stiffness RA	61	61	66	64	64	65	65	60	66
Swingweight (grams)	317	316	318	316	317	323	326	320	308
Balance (cm/HL)	3 HL	4 HL	2 HL	33/ 4 HL	32.5/ 6 HL	33/ 4 HL	33/ 4 HL	3 HL	2 HL
Beam width (mm)	21.5	21.5	22	20.5/ 23.5/ 21.5	21.5	20/ 23/ 21	20/ 23/ 21	21	21

MFil 300 2nd tries

 Restrung the Mfil3 with old stock tecnifibre syngut at 52lbs with total weight of 320grams with leather grip and overgrip. No dampener needed with this one. Compare to AG3 (did not play during the session), this racquet is heftier. I used MF3 for the 1st and 2nd sets and used the F3T for the 3rd set, the F3T was way light and less control and heft resulting in a subpar performance. Overall for the MF3, easy volley-forehand-backhand-overhead-serves. This now reminds me of PS97 but in a slightly lighter and softer package. Need to try this on outdoor court and maybe singles.

I have added 3grams on F3T on 3 and 9 and will see how it next compares.

Racquet balances data

Below is the measure I took:

*based strung with synth grip; the formula for HL is that 343mm as center and 3.175mm per point

Racquet	Balance (mm)	Points HL
PS97 338gr (leather grip)	315	8.8 HL
200G 346gr (leather grip)	322	6.6 HL
Rad OS 311gr (overgrip)	334	2.8 HL
Six One Team 305gr	342	0.3 HL
Bio F3.0T 329gr (overgrip)	325	5.6 HL
CX 200T 339gr 18x20 (3g lead, leather grip and overgrip)	320	7.2 HL
CX 200T 339gr 16x19 (3g lead, leather grip and overgrip)	320	7.2 HL
AG300 319gr (3g lead, overgrip)	338	1.5  HL
AG300 295gr (unstrung)	330	4 HL
MFil300 301gr (unstrung, leather grip and overgrip)	330	4 HL
MFil300 321gr (leather grip and overgrip)	335	2.5 HL

M Fil 300 1st and 2nd tries

 Strung it with unknown string at 52lbs felt OK in the 1st tries but at the 2nd tries, it felt very bouncy and will restring. The MFil is head heavier compare to AG300. I change the grip to leather to add weight in the handle and it swung more balance. It was 321 grams strung and 301 grams unstrung, the string was heavy. Frame construction wise, MFil got thicker throat bridge compare to AG300. MFil feels head heavier thus seems swung heavier with slightly better plow through or easy to swing late.

Dunlop 300: MFil vs AG

 Just got myself a used C conditioned MFil 300. The difference to AG 300 is that the throat bridge of MFil are wider, AG300 throat bridge is thinner like Prince design. On spec, they are the same; MFil is a point heavier. Below is TW short description of AG 300. The current weight for the MFil is 318 grams while the AG is 316 grams.

Bio F3T and AG3hundred

 Played three long sets on Friday; the first 2 sets played against higher rank player with heavy shots with Bio F3T: shanks on hard serve and hard forehand slices. Bio F3T have more plow through than AG300. The AG300 is good for pushing slow incoming ball while heavier balls need heavier racquet and BF3T is at the edge; PS97, CX200T are better for heavy balls. BF3T needs that heavy incoming ball to shine though much like PS97 and CX200T. AG300 is also good for hitting out but due to tinny feel needs to strike right in the middle like Tommy Haas with AG300 painted 95 sq inch 18x20 pro stock.

Dunlop 300 line

The Dunlop 300 line starts from Hotmelt 300G, M-fil 300, Aerogel 3hundred, AG 4D 3hundred, Biomimetic 300, Bio M 3.0, and now the specs is similar to CX 200 LS. The 21.5 mm beam, mid 310g swing weight, 98 sq inch head, and 290g static weight. The RA starts low, goes up, and now to modern soft in mid 60s.

PS97 v10, 11, 12, CV, 13

 Not much different other than materials and addition/removal of countervail; I might like this CV but might not considering v10 with multi was hard to control.

PS97 (leather grip, Gasquet overgrip)

 After taking the leather grip off from my PS97. I put it back again, I just couldnt find the groove on the PS97 with synth grip, the balance and grip size seems off. So, I put it back again so that it can look good and better in storage; synth grip deteriorates overtime. It has Prince SGD strings and started to fray, rather than cut them, see if I can play to break. With leather grip that adds weight, can only put one overgrip on it. To contained the shocks and vibration of leather grip, I wrapped the overgrip layered like Gasquet, works well on the CX tour. 

So, I brought to practice yesterday, along with F30T. For warm up, I play with the PS97. It feels OK, string was a bit stiff, but control and spin was good, just feels right; stable, control, spin, and comfort. Switched to F30T and could not control it better, so switched back to PS97.

In the end, won both doubles games and a single game with PS97. Played outdoor, ball not as fast as in indoor. I see, it feels like playing with CX 200 Tour. Next is to wait for PS97v13 but still way overprice now.