Returning player - confused & needs help!

Greetings everybody...

I used to play semi-serious TT (even some minor-league action) when I was a teenager. Now, after more than 10 years without TT, I am slowly returning to action - mainly in my Univeristy club.

I don't know how to describe myself, as I am not a beginner (I know the techniques), but I still have trouble with control and precision.

Anyhow - I am using a Butterfly Secretin blade, with Yasak Mark V on FH and Sriver D13 on BH. Yes - it is VERY old and beginning to fall apart. I definitely need new equipment.

I am very much confused by all the choices on the market. I would like recommendations for an alrround setup, that will enable me to play a balanced game - mainly close to the table, with some mid-distance excursion. I usually like to play topspin and attack on FH, with chops and slower looping on BH. SPIN is very important to me, much mroe than speed - and so is CONTROL.

For reasons of availability and sentimentality, I am only considering BTY and Andro equipment. I would like you input on the following options (and suggestions for others).

I will NOT be speed-glueing, and durability is an important factor.

Blade: BTY Grubba Carbon (All+) or Andro Super Core All+

Rubbers: FH > BTY Sriver EL, BTY Cermet, Andro Quad 450/420

              BH > BTY Sriver EL, BTY Tackiness Chop, Andro Quad 420

Should I consider more offensive blades like Andro Seive Kinetic Off, or BTY Korbel?

I would appreciate any suggestions...

Dani

10 years ago Mark V and Sriver is very popular. I think he will like something that similar to that so Hard Rubber is not good for him.

Blade - Korbel
FH - Bryce FX
BH - Tackifire C Soft

Try this first if you have problem then buy the old one that you have played at 10 years ago.

If your sticking to Butterfly and Andro equipment I would recommend the Andro Blax All+ with Sriver on both sides. It is a sensible combination and will enable you to play all the shots with plenty of control.

dkore wrote: 10 years ago Mark V and Sriver is very popular. I think he will like something that similar to that so Hard Rubber is not good for him. Blade - Korbel FH - Bryce FX BH - Tackifire C Soft Try this first if you have problem then buy the old one that you have played at 10 years ago.

Do you even have have a distant idea of ehat you are talking about.A Bryce FX on a korbel ...I would just say that Oh , 3rd place at the WCH 2005 , is using a korbel with a SLOWER rubber.So intersting how a newbie could possibly play with that.And also interesting how you handle those bryces of yours???

I used sriver el 1.9 on primorac2000 for a while, was o.k. until I need more speed. I think sriver 2.1 is probably best for you to start out if you chop. EL at 2.1 or max is great for looping though. sounds like chinese rubber would do well on your BH if you stay close to the table.

10 years ago, ball were smaller and speed and spin faster. nowadays, services has to be visible by the opposing player. sriver is more off a allround rubber instead of a "speedster" 10 years ago. if you don't glue Bryce FX is actually very controllable. however, the grip comes from the sponges, so the spin is less for slow shots compared with sriver also does not react to opponent spin as much.

back to korbel, it is supposely a harder feel looping blade compared to primorac. with sriver or specially chinese, Korbel should not be too fast. Korbel, FH:sriver 2.1 BH:chinese rubber?

Hello again...

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions...

I'll probably start of with the BTY Korbel and Sriver EL (2.1) on both sides, as BTY sells this combo at 10% discount and as it seems pretty close to what I am looking for....

Any comments?

Dani

mark v max, sriver max primorac off

If I were you my first step would be to put new rubbers on the old blade. Its so difficult to find a blade that you get on with. but it depends on whether "falling apart" refers to the blade. Then choose a Sriver or Mark v. I suggest 1.5 thickness on the BH.

I know this is a boring selection, but it will give you a reference point. Most returnees are going to try a few things anyway but the choice is bewilderingly wide. Once you have this baseline you can review things on a six-monthly basis.
One thing hasnt changed Sriver and Mark v and their variants are still top high performance rubbers with good lasting qualitys as well.
Bear in mind that speed glue is going to be ruled out soon
Another thing is that with bewildering array of 'blade systems' it can be difficult to replicate the feel of yr old blade without flexing a lot of plastic.