Noob alert!

[Mujician]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, and also table tennis. I love table tennis, and have played when I was younger (about 20 years ago), and I would like to play again. I don't have a great load of time to play as music takes up most of my free time, but I should be able to get out and play once a week or so with a friend. I was just looking at getting a new bat I don't want a cheap-o rubbish one that is mass manufactured, but equally I don't want something that is wasted on me. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should go for. There seems to be an inordinate amount of different models out there and, as a newcomer to the sport (proper) its overwhelming and I can't get my head around how laminated wood can feel so different!
I wondered if you guys might be able to tell me if I need a different bat for playing outside? I mean, I've seen some labelled as outdoor, but again, I can't understand how a bat can behave differently indoors and out. Balls, yes as lighter ones would blow away in the wind, but bats, no.
The thing that really got me thinking about table tennis, was a recent visit to Jersey, I was with some locals and they said, lets go to the 'ping pong bar'. We got there about 10:30pmand it was the coolest place Ive ever seen! A row of table tennis tables and a bar. It was a great night! If you don't know about the place, if you're in Jersey, go check out JB's! I played quite well considering I hadn't a clue what to do, until I played against a guy who served with a huge amount of top spin. I lost 21-1!
Anyway, if you guys could recommend a bat, or blades and rubbers for me to get that would be great. I don't seem to be able to find outdoor balls in the same online shops that have 'normal' balls. Any ideas> I'd like to get everything form one place if poss.

Thanks for reading

(TLR - I need some advice with equipment - where can I get a bat, and balls from - what do you recommend?!)

 

[Joepole]

I would get an all wood 5 or 7 p!y all round bat. Don't worry abouf the brand. A lot of the websites have what they call "cancelled" orders which can be a good deal. If p!aying outdoors then tacky rubbers will get dirty and be hard to clean. I bought some outdoor balls but they break very easily on concrete tables with metal nets. I quite like the social scene playing outdoor but if you want to improve you're best to join a local club if there is one. You can find them on the table tennis england website.

 

[Mujician]

Thanks dude, at the moment, I wouldn't have to to join a club. I'm already out a couple of nights a week. At the moment, I just want it to be a regular (somewhat serious) knockabout with a friend. Things may change as I'm considering stopping my twice weekly musical commitment.
Ah, understood. I guess playing outside wouldn't be quite so serious so it wouldn't be so important to have a good bat. However If I wanted to improve my playing using two different bats wouldn't help would it? Or (thinking out loud now), equally I wound be playing outside quite so often so wouldn't have as big an impact?
Thanks for you help

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Welcome to the forum.

Super inexpensive setup:

Blade: Yinhe Galaxy 896
Rubbers: Dawei 2008XP

That would be very inexpensive but much better than the price indicates. However, I am sure that would easy to get from the U.K. So shipping may alter the equation.

Something easier to get and a small step better but a noticeable amount more expensive:

Any one of these blades:

1) Donic Appelgren Allplay or Waldner Allplay
2) Stiga Allround Classic or Allround Evolution
3) Yasaka Sweden Classic or Sweden Extra
4) Butterfly Primorac Off-

And any one of these rubbers:

1) Yasaka Mark V
2) Butterfly Sriver
3) Xiom Vega Europe
4) Nexy Karis M

Get the same rubber for both sides. Thicker will be better for spinning the ball. But it will probably be harder for you to control. Slightly thinner than max like 2.0 or 1.9 may work better for you.

But, ultimately, if you want to learn to play, the thicker rubbers, 2.1 or max, down the road, will help you learn the technique and contact for getting more spin.

If I was you, since you are in the UK, I would look at one of the TT shops in the UK like Thornton's.

There will be people who can direct you to a good place where you can get everything you want from one store.

Also, don't bother with outdoor balls. In my opinion there is no reason.

Get something like the DHS D40+ 3 star Poly ball.


Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

As far as playing outside: you don't need anything different. Not balls or racket.

But the sunlight actually damages the rubbers and makes them stop gripping EXPONENTIALLY faster.

So, if you plan on playing outside a lot, get cheap, bad rubbers, because, if you get good rubbers, within a few weeks they will be bad rubbers that were much more expensive than needed.

The sunlight breaks down the moleculer bonds that make the fancy expensive rubbers SOOOO elastic and grippy.

If you are going to play outside a lot, I recommend the first setup I mentioned.


Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

 

[Mujician]

Thanks all, I will have a look. I don't plan on playing outside a lot, but should the need arise, I'd like to be able to. I thought heavier balls were in order for outside.

 

[langel]

Hi,
I would recomend Xiom Solo 7 blade with Xiom Vega Asia 2.0 mm rubbers.
You will feel very comfortable with that.
Solo 7 is maybe one of the best "clipper-kind" blades and Xiom Vega rubbers are very mid-level friendly.
After some time with this setup you will find with what to continue.

Not long ago I returned to TT after a more than a 30 years gap.
Wish you luck.

 

[Mujician]

Okay, so next problem, is I wasn't looking to pend more than £50 on my first bat. Should I reconsider and spend more, or could you advise further with this budget?

 

[langel]

Well, with this budget, I would recomend to start with Palio blades.
Palio V1 is a good about 20 pounds choice. It's composite but with a very good "wood" feeling.
Galaxy Moon /Euro non-tacky/ rubbers - about 20-30 pounds per pair.

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

Welcome to TTD! May you have fun getting back into TT... I started playing again ~2 yrs ago after a 30+ yrs break LOL

Good luck and have fun!

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, and also table tennis. I love table tennis, and have played when I was younger (about 20 years ago), and I would like to play again. I don't have a great load of time to play as music takes up most of my free time, but I should be able to get out and play once a week or so with a friend. I was just looking at getting a new bat I don't want a cheap-o rubbish one that is mass manufactured, but equally I don't want something that is wasted on me. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should go for. There seems to be an inordinate amount of different models out there and, as a newcomer to the sport (proper) its overwhelming and I can't get my head around how laminated wood can feel so different!
I wondered if you guys might be able to tell me if I need a different bat for playing outside? I mean, I've seen some labelled as outdoor, but again, I can't understand how a bat can behave differently indoors and out. Balls, yes as lighter ones would blow away in the wind, but bats, no.
The thing that really got me thinking about table tennis, was a recent visit to Jersey, I was with some locals and they said, lets go to the 'ping pong bar'. We got there about 10:30pmand it was the coolest place Ive ever seen! A row of table tennis tables and a bar. It was a great night! If you don't know about the place, if you're in Jersey, go check out JB's! I played quite well considering I hadn't a clue what to do, until I played against a guy who served with a huge amount of top spin. I lost 21-1!
Anyway, if you guys could recommend a bat, or blades and rubbers for me to get that would be great. I don't seem to be able to find outdoor balls in the same online shops that have 'normal' balls. Any ideas> I'd like to get everything form one place if poss.

Thanks for reading

(TLR - I need some advice with equipment - where can I get a bat, and balls from - what do you recommend?!)

 

[langel]

Wellcome to the "old school" thread

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

wellcome to the "old school" thread

lololol

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

A 7 ply wood blade that is Off speed rated would not be an intelligent choice for someone who is a beginner who has not played the game for 20 years.

It also would probably not be the right choice for someone who is just starting and mostly plays in recreational settings like a bar or nightclub with TT tables rather than a club and while training with tournament level players.

Same for a hard tensor rubber like Vega Asia.

Music Man, if your budget is under 50£ then that first setup I recommended:

Galaxy 896 blade with Dawei 2008XP would be the best choice for you.

896 Blade = $16.00
2008XP 2x = $8.00 + $8.00 = $16.00

$16.00 + $16.00 = $32.00

$32.00 = 24,76£

Shipping may be 20£. But it is still better and less expensive than so many other options.

Really there are many blades and rubbers from China, like the brand, Palio, that langel mentioned, that would be fine.

This is a website where you can order stuff like that:

colestt.com

There are other sites you can buy from. You can also just do a search for the products to find places to buy them.


Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

 

[langel]

Yes, Carl, I absolutely agree with you.
The only reason I usualy recomend Asia /Vega Asia to mid-level and above and Omega Asia to advanced and above/ is because even it's harder and more agressive, it has somehow much more "naturel" behaviour, reaction, feeling from the net itself to mid+ distance. I find it most balanced amongst its siblings for topspin and chopping and the easyest for return to choppers. It may play agressive, but it may play spin and tactic with great position precision too, no metter of distance. All other siblings have much more limitations. Which is why I think its a good choice for a mid to decide his perspectives.

 

[darucla]

If you are going to buy Chinese blade and rubber, probably best to look on Aliexpress, with a store like GH Sports there. Really good service in terms of reliable delivery, but can take 3-4 weeks (quickest has been 11 days for me). The bat recommended by UpsideDownCarl should be available, and the price will include shipping in most cases. I have bought a lot of items there, and had no problems at all.

 

[countrybread]

Just pick one of Carl's suggestions or get a pre-assembled paddle from Butterfly. Don't become an equipment junkie like me, kid. It's a tough life.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Yes, Carl, I absolutely agree with you.
The only reason I usualy recomend Asia /Vega Asia to mid-level and above....

If you are giving advice on equipment to someone, it is worth trying to sort out who they are and what they may need. You kind of have to read, pay attention and connect the dots.

The first clue is the title of the thread. "Noob Alert!"

We may have someone new here.

The second detail is:

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, and also table tennis.

Confirmation that Mujician is newer to table tennis. Yes he does say he played 20 odd years ago. But it does not make it sound like he really played and trained and got coaching and was a tournament level player 20 years ago. Perhaps he was. But he definitely makes it sound like he is trying to present himself as a beginner. It is really admirable when someone can present themselves so clearly.

I don't have a great load of time to play....

For now he is not going to be playing much more than once or twice a week with a friend.

....but equally I don't want something that is wasted on me.

Like a fast racket with expensive rubbers. Hmmm.

I played quite well considering I hadn't a clue what to do, until I played against a guy who served with a huge amount of top spin. I lost 21-1!

There are a few pieces of valuable information here that are important to pay attention to.

1) In how he is confessing he did not have much of an idea of what to do, he is admitting that his technique is not very high level. I think this is totally fine and actually, a great place to start. I can't think of a better place to start from. I remember fondly being there.
2) They were playing games to 21 which means this is recreational play. Again, I think this is a good thing. But it is worth understanding what it means.
3) Someone served the same serve to him over and over and he did not know how to adjust to the level of topspin. This was so noticeable that he tells us he lost 21-1.

In a later post, at the suggestion that Mujician join a TT club, his answer was:

Thanks dude, at the moment, I wouldn't have to to join a club. I'm already out a couple of nights a week.

This could mean Mujician is happy to keep his playing friendly and recreational for the time being. Or it could even mean that he did not understand what joining a TT club would be like; what it would mean; how much he could improve doing training drills with higher level players. It is hard to tell and it could be either of those. But it does mean he does not seem interested in joining a club at the moment.

When you add all this up--even before Mujician said he was looking to pay under 50£--the information leads towards the conclusion that Mujician will be best served by a fairly reasonably priced beginner's setup to help him learn and improve his technique, or more importantly, to allow him to play well and have fun.

And a fast blade with spinny, spin sensitive rubbers, actually may not be very fun for Mujician to play with.

 

[Gjayesh]

I would recomment premade bats of butterfly yuki thats what i started at usd15/-
Pretty much fast n control to have fun
As u advance u need to go deep pocket [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Musaab]

Not to be hard on you, but playing outside is indeed not a serious play, for that any thing but a premade from local sport shop is a waste of money (and time if you are going to command online)

 

[Mujician]

Musaab, yes I know - I just wanted to know whether I could use the same equipment outside or not. I was not intending on playing outside as a regular thing. I apologise if I wasn't clear enough in the original post.