Cheap Intermediate player paddle setup recommendations

[GameDump]

Hello! I have been playing on and off but I want to say I'm quite intermediate or maybe advanced, although I am playing as a hobby. I would like your opinion and recommendations on a new Paddle setup as I have very little knowledge with it.

My current paddle is a "hand-me-down" from my previous coach, who has lent it to me, its a very old setup and I would like to upgrade to a "newer" generation of paddles and rubber.
My old setup is
Blade: Stiga Master active
Rubber: Yasaka Mark V and Globe 888 short pips

It would be great if it's not too cheap but still has great performance, thinking about around the same price range as this old one. Thanks in advance!

 

[steve888]

Are you wanting a wood blade? Or do you want to go inner/outer carbon?

 

[Ultravisitor]

What's your budget? Are set on short pips for BH?

 

[GameDump]

Are you wanting a wood blade? Or do you want to go inner/outer carbon?

Honestly, I'm good with either but I'd like to experiment as well as I've been using wood blade all the time I've been playing, so inner carbon blade recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[GameDump]

What's your budget? Are set on short pips for BH?

Just a cheap budget around 50-60 USD if not cheaper, as I wouldn't be able to play a lot because I'm still in university.
For the BH, I was thinking of switching to an inverted rubber but I haven't really decided yet. I've been only using short pips ever since I outgrew my beginner pre-built paddle. But I'd be happy to look into any recommendations!

 

[Ultravisitor]

Just a cheap budget around 50-60 USD if not cheaper, as I wouldn't be able to play a lot because I'm still in university.
For the BH, I was thinking of switching to an inverted rubber but I haven't really decided yet. I've been only using short pips ever since I outgrew my beginner pre-built paddle. But I'd be happy to look into any recommendations!

Blade: Sanwei Fextra 7 or Yinhe U2
Forehand: Loki rxton 7
Backhand: Yinhe Moon 12 m-

 

[golden_son]

Just a cheap budget around 50-60 USD if not cheaper, as I wouldn't be able to play a lot because I'm still in university.
For the BH, I was thinking of switching to an inverted rubber but I haven't really decided yet. I've been only using short pips ever since I outgrew my beginner pre-built paddle. But I'd be happy to look into any recommendations!

That's a really tight budget for getting anything "modern". Your best bet is to save money on the blade by getting something Chinese. Loki Kirin K5 is a great Allround blade for ~$12 on AliExpress, or the Sanwei Fextra 5 if you want something a little more OFF-.

For more modern intermediate rubbers in that price range...at about $30 apiece, Xiom Vega Intro or Nittaku Factive put you just over your budget. You could switch to Yinhe Mercury II for very cheap (like $5 a sheet), but it's much harder and tackier than the Mark V you're used to, even if it isn't Hurricane 3-levels of either.

 

[steve888]

Cheap inner carbon - DHS pg5x or DHS pg301 (better feel), yinhe pro 5. Cheap outer carbon with good control - Yinhe pro 1 - meant to be like a viscaria but feel its more like Timo boll alc but with more control.

 

[ajtatosmano2]

Definitely get some chinese blade+rubbers prebuilt combo, they are the best bang for your buck and good enough for quite a long time.
Yinhe, Sanwei, Loki, Friendship 729 and DHS are the brands you should be looking for (there are a few others I can't remember)

 

[Tyce]

Fextra 7, and Mercury 2 both sides. You could be done for 35-40.

 

[GameDump]

Blade: Sanwei Fextra 7 or Yinhe U2
Forehand: Loki rxton 7
Backhand: Yinhe Moon 12 m-

I did consider these when looking up some stuff, I see a lot of replies with these recommendations. I'll have to check them out. Thanks so much

 

[GameDump]

That's a really tight budget for getting anything "modern". Your best bet is to save money on the blade by getting something Chinese. Loki Kirin K5 is a great Allround blade for ~$12 on AliExpress, or the Sanwei Fextra 5 if you want something a little more OFF-.

For more modern intermediate rubbers in that price range...at about $30 apiece, Xiom Vega Intro or Nittaku Factive put you just over your budget. You could switch to Yinhe Mercury II for very cheap (like $5 a sheet), but it's much harder and tackier than the Mark V you're used to, even if it isn't Hurricane 3-levels of either.

Yeah from what I've researched on blade it seems that I'd go for the Sanwei blades and Yinhe brands for FH and BH. I really wanted other people's opinions who definitely have tried multiple rubbers. Thanks!

 

[GameDump]

Fextra 7, and Mercury 2 both sides. You could be done for 35-40.

Yeah I think I'd go with the Fextra and Mercury 2 too. Really just want a newer paddle to play with and seems that most of the recommendations have been these as well

 

[Ultravisitor]

I did consider these when looking up some stuff, I see a lot of replies with these recommendations. I'll have to check them out. Thanks so much

The blades are great value and the rubbers don't need boosting. If you're open to that, there's more options. But it's hard to tell without more specifics from you or seeing you play.

 

[GameDump]

The blades are great value and the rubbers don't need boosting. If you're open to that, there's more options. But it's hard to tell without more specifics from you or seeing you play.

I'm more of a defensive player, usually wear out the opponent before attacking. I tend to read their pattern and look for their disadvantages and then drive. I think I developed that because I played doubles back then and my partner is much more of a offensive player than me. I'm okay with some cheap rubbers since I'll only get to play at least once a week on the weekends. It's tough to get the most out of really good setups if I rarely get to play much.

 

[J-fed]

Just a cheap budget around 50-60 USD if not cheaper, as I wouldn't be able to play a lot because I'm still in university.
For the BH, I was thinking of switching to an inverted rubber but I haven't really decided yet. I've been only using short pips ever since I outgrew my beginner pre-built paddle. But I'd be happy to look into any recommendations!

Sanwei has really impressed me with the echo blade, but it's Allround. Most peoploe seem to want faster and Sanwei have many other models including the parla. Fextra 7 is cheaper though. I'm gonna try the Fextra 5 because I like control over speed.
Rubbers? Again Chinese. I'm really interested to try the Palio AK47 with 38 rated sponge. It's apparently like a Japanese or Euro rubber. So cheap but I guess the quality will be really good.
My overall rec is The Sanwei Fextra 5 blade with Palio AK47 on the forehand and Friendship focus 3 snipe on the backhand. Should be under 50 dollars on Ali express I think. You will likely be able to find a pre made one with AK47 on both sides. Also great value.

 

[Der_Echte]

Maybe time to pimp the Der_Echte Special again.

 

[Grahf]

buy a yinhe v14 pro / yinhe pro 01 and paste a palio ak47 on each side, congratulations now you have a cheap build that can get you to advanced level !!!

 

[golden_son]

I've seen a lot of people speak positively about AK47 but I personally hated it (Red, the ~47° version), and I tried it on 4 very different blades. It always felt fast (which could be a plus) but with poor control and low spin levels. Not sure if I got bad sheets or what, but I figured it's worth mentioning your mileage may vary greatly with this rubber.

 

[Tyce]

I've seen a lot of people speak positively about AK47 but I personally hated it (Red, the ~47° version), and I tried it on 4 very different blades. It always felt fast (which could be a plus) but with poor control and low spin levels. Not sure if I got bad sheets or what, but I figured it's worth mentioning your mileage may vary greatly with this rubber.

Red sponge is pretty meh like you say. It has 1 gear which is quick, but if you add power it instantly bottoms out.
Yellow sponge worked better for me, and only on BH. Felt much more dynamic. I never did give blue sponge more than 1 try because it ripped apart completely when I wanted to move it to another blade.