❓What Is Your Setup, and WHY?

[draxtor]

2 Setups I use:

1. First one
   1. Nittaku Sieger PK50 on FH - low arc, sticky and fast
   2. NIttaku Hurricane 3 on BH - good spin
   3. Nittaku Factive Carbon blade - no reason
2. Second One
   1. Andro Rasanter 52 on FH - great for spin, fast, forgiving
   2. Yasaka Shining Dragon 2 on BH - good spin and block and allows mid distance play
   3. Joola Xylo 5 blade - all wood with hinoki on top

Plan to try Xiom
1. Hayabusa ZLC blade
2. dr Jekyll v52.5 on FH
3. Vega Korea on BH

 

[Hyooong]

Currently using:

Blade: RallyAce Maple straight grain Inner Carbon (MPS - C - IN)

Rubbers:
FH - DHS Hurricane 8-80 (38d DHS - max)
BH - Xiom Vega X (47.5d ESN - max)

As somebody who's been playing at a club for only a few years, this setup is perfect for me right now. My first step into using a carbon blade, coming from Tibhar SPW. The blade is essentially a Nittaku Acoustic Inner with a Maple top veneer instead (RallyAce were the Japanese OEM manufacturers for Nittaku's instrument line). Their 'straight grain' series uses specially selected sheets of maple from the centre of the log, providing a beautiful finish and extra flex from the hard maple topsheet, making it a loop machine. Having spoken directly with their reps, RallyAce by Center-Field Japan are the real deal.

The rubbers work wonders too - H8-80 is a killer rubber with so much spin potential, I'd say it's closer to a Euro hybrid than a Chinese hybrid, but it really excels in all areas of the game. That moderately sticky topsheet is great on the #80 sponge, and those saying the rubber feels dead just haven't got the minerals to use it properly 💪💪. Vega X is just ridiculously good on bh. In table flicks are too easy. Loops? Easy. Speed? As much as you like. Maybe a bit lively on the blocks, but controlled enough to keep the ball on the table. Active blocks are rapid.

 

[Egon]

What kind of wood are you using and in which order?

Sipo/limba/kevlar carbon/kiri/kevlar carbon/limba/sipo

 

[rbtitco]

Currently using:

Blade: RallyAce Maple straight grain Inner Carbon (MPS - C - IN)

Rubbers:
FH - DHS Hurricane 8-80 (38d DHS - max)
BH - Xiom Vega X (47.5d ESN - max)

As somebody who's been playing at a club for only a few years, this setup is perfect for me right now. My first step into using a carbon blade, coming from Tibhar SPW. The blade is essentially a Nittaku Acoustic Inner with a Maple top veneer instead (RallyAce were the Japanese OEM manufacturers for Nittaku's instrument line). Their 'straight grain' series uses specially selected sheets of maple from the centre of the log, providing a beautiful finish and extra flex from the hard maple topsheet, making it a loop machine. Having spoken directly with their reps, RallyAce by Center-Field Japan are the real deal.

The rubbers work wonders too - H8-80 is a killer rubber with so much spin potential, I'd say it's closer to a Euro hybrid than a Chinese hybrid, but it really excels in all areas of the game. That moderately sticky topsheet is great on the #80 sponge, and those saying the rubber feels dead just haven't got the minerals to use it properly 💪💪. Vega X is just ridiculously good on bh. In table flicks are too easy. Loops? Easy. Speed? As much as you like. Maybe a bit lively on the blocks, but controlled enough to keep the ball on the table. Active blocks are rapid.

Cool. I saw those blades in Japan and always wondered how they played.

 

[Federal_Agent]

I have some configurations and I like them all, however the special one, that combine with my technical level and playing style:
✔️ Viscaria ALC 92g - H3 BS national 39° (booster) - Victas V15 stick;
- The feel of the outer carbon is incredible and the backhand shots are fast and rotating, whether topspin, punches or blocks;
- Forehand with hurricane provides a low arc, a jump (kick) that go to horizon and great short game control;
- Backhand with V15 sticky is versatile, easy to generate spin and opening loops.

Backup:
✔️SuperVis 86g - H8 prov 38° (pure) - Victas V15 stick;
10% more fast and low arc than regular Viscaria, super felling and power backhand 👊🏼

 

[hayhayc86]

Current set up:
Blade: butterfly ovtcharov inner alc
FH: H3 bs 39
BH: D09C

My journey so far:
Only restarted playing tt 2 years ago in my late thirties. Started with Nittaku So-ten with H3 Fh and rakza 7 Bh. Quite liked the set up but curious to experiment, tried with g1 gh and Z2 bh. Liked the Z2 but hated the bounce from G1, just never clicked with it. Had the opportunity to travel to Japan, bought the ovt and pair with D09c fh and T19 bh. Certainly a mistake as it's too fast and the blade felt too stiff. Went on this forum and had some great advice, switched back to H3 39 on fh and H3 37 on bh. Really make it a lot easier for me. Much better control and I start winning more games in my local league. And I even managed to win a banded tournament (altho in a relatively low banding)

Now my coach is desperate to move me away from my hurricanes lol so I plan to switch to D09c both side this off season. Manage to travel to Asia again this month so managed to buy a Hina h2 and fzd alc. Glued some old d09c on both blades and will A B test them and decide which blade to use this coming season. Interested to try the v15 sticky and omega 8 china at some point too

 

[AmanooMan]

DONIC Waldner Offensive JO Shape (all wood blade)
FH: DHS G888 (not boosted)
BH: DHS Neo Hurricane 2 (not boosted)
(used to use H2 Neo on forehand and G888 on backhand, but changed it due to G888 being harder)

My first setup ever. Wanted to learn the techniques properly, so chose a slow yet spinny setup. It did serve its purpose, as I have learned to generate fast and spinny shots with the right technique. However, I am thinking about changing my current setup. As of now, I am considering Viscaria ALC, Xiom 36.5 Alx, and Nittaku Acoustic Carbon with H3 on both sides, but nothing is confirmed yet.

 

[Perure85]

Have just started gatecrashing club table tennis here in Sweden with two different setups, a fake cybershape from Temu with Sanwei T-88 III rubbers and a Hueison blade of unknown model with Hueison Thunder rubbers and I gotta say I am satisfied with the speed but could do with a little more spin and the coaches want me to move up one group after just a few practises... Even if I am in reality still waiting in line to join officially...
I do also have a PimplePark Murus blade and two sets of PimplePark Bloxx 1.9mm rubbers to assemble but my skills with mounting is abysmal to put it nicely... 😅

 

[Yoruzuya@26]

As an EJ, of course many setups but the key primary ones are:
1) Butterfly Ai fukahara ZLF innerforce with Yasaka Rising Dragon FH and Xiom vega pro BH
2) Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC with DHS H3 NEO provincial blue 40'(boosted) FH and Tibhar evolution MX-S BH
3) Nittaku Nordlinger inner ALC with DHS H3 41'(Bossted) FH and Donic Baracuda(Blue) BH.

Ai fukahara blade why? best Butterfly blade aesthetically speaking and a great transition blade when wanting something close to the Eternal Korbel Japan but with a bit more edge and without the carbon. fantastic with the hidden beast FH rubber which is Yasaka rising dragon but Xiom V pro just doesn't work on this blade will replace with H8-80 after giving it a chance for 6+ months.

 

[Amaken23]

I have 2 racquets at the moment, one with Japanese rubbers and Swedish blade and other with all Chinese brands Using the latter at the moment.
1) Stiga Azalea Offensive (OFF- 5-ply wooden blade) with Nittaku Fastarc C-1 on FH and Nittaku Fastarc S-1 for backhand.
I used Stiga OFF- all-wood because I am more of a allround type player than strict offensive player, therefore I like little slower blade and rubbers. Both Fastarcs are 45 degrees hardness so not too soft but not too hard. I usually use medium rubbers because I want to have a good feeling for blocks, especially. Since my BH is FAR better than my FH, I use S-1 which has lower trajectory for backhand topspin and smashes while for my weaker FH I use C-1 which is for more grip on the ball and safer looping.
2) 729 Friendship Yellow ALC blade (5 ply wood + 2 ALC , inner-type configuration) with Yinhe Moon 12 Medium blue rubber on FH and Yinhe Moon red rubber on BH. I use this one currently and probably will stick to this one for a LONG time.
That one is interesting since I was searching for cheaper alternatives of famous European and Japanese rubbers and blades and found Yinhe and 729 brands. Not to mention, as mythology nerd, rubbers named after planets/Roman gods instantly caught my eye xD. Quite cheap too. Yellow ALC blade was for 20 USD, both Yinhe Moon rubbers for 12 USD each 44 USD for entire racquet, not too bad considering that is worth less than just ONE Fastarc here in Poland. It plays really well, good control, rubbers are not TOO fast but not totally slow for me which I like, not Tenso rubbers and with a lot of catapult so I can work on my FH technique on training days . Strongly recommend Yinhe rubbers
Also, 3rd setup which I use mostly for fun but suprisingly, it is quite good to play with :
3) Loki Kirin K2 blade + Yinhe Neptune 0.7mm long pips on FH + Yinhe Mercury on BH
Cost of entire setup...... 15 USD xD....but wow, it plays so nice. Chopping is really good, even my teammates at the club were suprised at good quality of chops I was able to give. Bought on Aliexpress and it works, suprisingly. Use it for training and when I need a good workout for my legs.

 

[Topspinslinger]

Dima ALC: I've a light version from japan, I prefer heavier blades but this one makes transitions fast. Still remains with good feeling and speed.
D09C: Expensive, but works in combination too well to give up.
DNA platinum M: pretty fast rubber and easy to use, especially against worse players. Slightly too fast and soft against the top players. I'm looking for something that might work better, T19 or Rakza X are on my radar.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Dignics 09C coz embraced seperinger-sepongi-X'ser.

 

[enoxzr]

Sauer & Tröger Banana ST
Love this blade, with a squared ST handle. Hard outer layers are good under LP's, both OX and with thin sponges.

Stiga DNA Platinum M - FH
When I switched to the all-wood blade, I decided to also switch my FH from Chinese to EU-Tensor, to compensate for the speed of a carbon blade on my FH amd better stylistic fit.
All in all, very safe feeling rubber, does everything well, with a comfortable bounce and arc. Touch play is also good, only thing it might lack is a bit of spin, especially on serve, especially compared to the Chinese rubbers.

Yinhe 955 Blue OX - BH
Converted to LP on my BH about a year ago, aiming to use them offensively, close to the table. First year I tested many LP's, but settled on the Yinhe 955 0.7, the thin sponge allowing for better hitting strokes. After a year of adaption to LP, I feel like I can harnas the speed and quirks of the OX version, with more danger to my opponent from the pips. Will try over the coming months if I go into the next season with OX or 0.7.

 

[sawbz]

ok so i was thinking of getting d80 on my fh in a few months time but apparently it got decimated in the chat. i am keen on d05 for bh since i hv played with it what do i get on my fh (good durability is a must)

 

[U871247]

Freitas ALC + H3 national neo 39 deg + Dignics09c
I also hav Timoboll alc with the same rubber however, I don’t like it bcoz it has less control compared to my Freitas which is why my main blade is Freitas☺️

 

[rbtitco]

ok so i was thinking of getting d80 on my fh in a few months time but apparently it got decimated in the chat. i am keen on d05 for bh since i hv played with it what do i get on my fh (good durability is a must)

More people play d80 on bh

 

[golden_son]

Blade: JOOLA Rossi Emotion
It has the most feeling of all the carbon blades I've tried while still having that carbon kick. The only thing I don't love about it is the flared handle, and I can't figure out if the problem is the thickness or if I prefer straight handles; I waffle back and forth. But the short play of this blade is top notch and I dread the day something happens and I have to replace it since it's been discontinued.

FH: Tenergy 05
This is an experiment, but one I'm largely enjoying. I was afraid it would be too fast or difficult to control, and I am still getting used to blocking with it, but boy the spin level and ability to fire winners is just that much better coming from the G-1. Even pushes are easy enough to keep short, though I credit a lot of that to the blade. I do think it would have been too much to handle had I not worked my way from Mark V→Rakza 7→various other EJ experiments→back to R7→G-1 first, in conjunction with coaching.

BH: Fastarc G-1
I was playing G-1 on FH but needed to replace my BH rubber and decided to flip it around to see how it felt. Turns out I may like the more linear playstyle better than the tensor I thought I would never move away from—Rasanter R42. The R42 could rip some really nice shots but the sponge just seems to die so quickly, even though the topsheet keeps its grip. Weirdly I found the R45 too uncontrollable, and a fling with Xiom Vega Pro H equally unsatisfying, but the G-1 feels about right.

 

[Egon]

Blade: JOOLA Rossi Emotion
It has the most feeling of all the carbon blades I've tried while still having that carbon kick. The only thing I don't love about it is the flared handle, and I can't figure out if the problem is the thickness or if I prefer straight handles; I waffle back and forth. But the short play of this blade is top notch and I dread the day something happens and I have to replace it since it's been discontinued.

FH: Tenergy 05
This is an experiment, but one I'm largely enjoying. I was afraid it would be too fast or hard to control, and I am still getting used to blocking with it, but boy the spin level and ability to fire winners is just that much better coming from the G-1. Even pushes are easy enough to keep short, though I credit a lot of that to the blade. I do think it would have been too much to handle had I not worked my way from Mark V→Rakza 7→various other EJ experiments→G-1 first, in conjunction with coaching.

BH: Fastarc G-1
I was playing G-1 on FH but needed to replace my BH rubber and decided to flip it around to see how it felt. Turns out I may like the more linear playstyle better than the tensor I thought I would never move away from—Rasanter R42. The R42 could rip some really nice shots but the sponge just seems to die so quickly, even though the topsheet keeps its grip. Weirdly I found the R45 too uncontrollable, and a fling with Xiom Vega Pro H equally unsatisfying, but the G-1 feels about right.

Your next step forward is Tenergy 05 Hard.

 

[ML fan]

Intensity with t05 and bluestorm z3. Blade gives crisp feeling with good control, t05 has stable high arc and good spin and z3 has great control and doesn't bite spin.

I am using Stiga Intensity NCT too. Before it, I am using the carbon, alc, zlc and other fast blade.
But now,.I have realized I am not a pro, so decided to use the 5 ply and dhs h3 both sides. So control. I have realized to that on carbon blades, I have good feel on topspinning and looping..however, on nonpros,.most of the points are in service receive, 2nd ball 3rd ball up to 5th ball. This 5 ply has advantage for me.

 

[John_]

I am using Stiga Intensity NCT too. Before it, I am using the carbon, alc, zlc and other fast blade.
But now,.I have realized I am not a pro, so decided to use the 5 ply and dhs h3 both sides. So control. I have realized to that on carbon blades, I have good feel on topspinning and looping..however, on nonpros,.most of the points are in service receive, 2nd ball 3rd ball up to 5th ball. This 5 ply has advantage for me.

I started playing with viscaria again, I had a lot of instability in matches with the Intensity and lacked a lot of speed. Here the game is mostly 3rd and 5th ball, so with this I can put lots of power and finish the point outright, and if the point continues, I have good power to keep the pressure.