How to measure blade frequency?

[TTFrenzy]

I downloaded the Spectroid app as suggested, but I don't know really what I am looking for.

1) How hard am I supposed to bounce the ball on the blade? Does bouncing harder or softer make a difference in the frequency?

2) When I bounce the ball, I see a long wavy line from left to right. Where am I supposed to measure the frequency? at the peak of the wave?

What is the point of this? Even if u know the frequency of your blade, is that so important? I mean what do you actually gain by knowing this information?

 

[TensorBackhand]

What is the point of this? Even if u know the frequency of your blade, is that so important? I mean what do you actually gain by knowing this information?

I dunno. That's what I'm trying to understand. How much does the frequency really tell you about the blade.

 

[Jan_]

I dunno. That's what I'm trying to understand. How much does the frequency really tell you about the blade.

It tells you how hard it is. A higher frequency means it's vibrating faster, so it's stiffer and more solid. It tells a lot about a blade. 2 blades with different weight will have different pitch when bounced a ball on. Get a guitar tuner app and bounce the ball, the tuner will pick up the frequency of the blade. It would be more accurate to find the highest pitch it picks up by recording some samples of the same blades with a good microphone and running it through Audacity.

 

[TensorBackhand]

It tells you how hard it is. A higher frequency means it's vibrating faster, so it's stiffer and more solid. It tells a lot about a blade. 2 blades with different weight will have different pitch when bounced a ball on. Get a guitar tuner app and bounce the ball, the tuner will pick up the frequency of the blade. It would be more accurate to find the highest pitch it picks up by recording some samples of the same blades with a good microphone and running it through Audacity.

So, why are the readings for Viscaria varying so much from 1370 to 1550?

These are totally different blades if what you say is true.

Imagine a 1370 Viscaria and a 1370 Long 5 and a 1550 Viscaria. Is the long 5 closer to the 1370 Viscaria than the 1550 Viscaria is in terms of performance and characteristics?

 

[Jan_]

So, why are the readings for Viscaria varying so much from 1370 to 1550?

These are totally different blades if what you say is true.

Imagine a 1370 Viscaria and a 1370 Long 5 and a 1550 Viscaria. Is the long 5 closer to the 1370 Viscaria than the 1550 Viscaria is in terms of performance and characteristics?

Not really, weight difference is made from inconsistencies in wood density. A lighter viscaria will feel more hollow, have less dwell and be a bit slower slower than a heavier one due to having less mass and having less inertia.

The wood is wood though, the overall characteristics will remain the same with minor differences, the main will be feeling. The long v's inner carbon and limba outer will have more dwell than viscaria.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Not really, weight difference is made from inconsistencies in wood density. A lighter viscaria will feel more hollow, have less dwell and be a bit slower slower than a heavier one due to having less mass and having less inertia.

The wood is wood though, the overall characteristics will remain the same with minor differences, the main will be feeling. The long v's inner carbon and limba outer will have more dwell than viscaria.

I'm more confused now

 

[TensorBackhand]

I tested the frequency on my 75 inner with 1 rubber on, it came out to be 1277

The Arthur Pro ZLC only came out to be 1113.

But I'm sure the 75 inner is much flexier...

 

[thisisit]

I tested the frequency on my 75 inner with 1 rubber on, it came out to be 1277

The Arthur Pro ZLC only came out to be 1113.

But I'm sure the 75 inner is much flexier...

although you ask a lot of questions, which is a good thing. you seem to ignore the answers you are presented with.

 

[_ak]

I tested the frequency on my 75 inner with 1 rubber on, it came out to be 1277

Rubber lowers frequency a lot, you should pull them off. Both my 75 inner where around 1420-1430

 

[Choosikick]

So, why are the readings for Viscaria varying so much from 1370 to 1550?

These are totally different blades if what you say is true.

Imagine a 1370 Viscaria and a 1370 Long 5 and a 1550 Viscaria. Is the long 5 closer to the 1370 Viscaria than the 1550 Viscaria is in terms of performance and characteristics?

These are Viscarias of different years of production. The ball changed, tennis changed, the requirements for blades changed and Butterfly released a new version of Viscaria, which was thicker than the previous one, which leads to such differences in the measured frequencies. https://ttgearlab.com/2023/07/18/butterfly-viscaria-current-model-photos-information/comment-page-1/

 

[Choosikick]

I tested the frequency on my 75 inner with 1 rubber on, it came out to be 1277

The Arthur Pro ZLC only came out to be 1113.

But I'm sure the 75 inner is much flexier...

Blade frequency should be measured only without rubber. Rubber dampens the sound very much and you will not get a reliable result.

 

[TTFrenzy]

I dunno. That's what I'm trying to understand. How much does the frequency really tell you about the blade.

The frequency and every other metric is useful (at least in my eyes) only to table tennis companies that produce rubbers and blades and make thousands of tests before releasing a product.

The best way to learn if a blade+rubber combo suits you is to play it and test it yourself, and since you are not a pro which means you wont have a custom blade tailored to your needs, then why bother learning all that stuff? Try different combinations and the answer will present itself, dont get too distracted with useless information

I dislike giving "advices" in general but seriously some things are definitely an objective truth for every player no matter his level. And this info comes from guy who has literally tested hundreds of combinations when it comes to equipment

 

[thisisit]

The frequency and every other metric is useful (at least in my eyes) only to table tennis companies that produce rubbers and blades and make thousands of tests before releasing a product.

The best way to learn if a blade+rubber combo suits you is to play it and test it yourself, and since you are not a pro which means you wont have a custom blade tailored to your needs, then why bother learning all that stuff? Try different combinations and the answer will present itself, dont get too distracted with useless information

I dislike giving "advices" in general but seriously some things are definitely an objective truth for every player no matter his level. And this info comes from guy who has literally tested hundreds of combinations when it comes to equipment

yes, don't bother learning stuff, it's useless! just buy a lot of stuff and spend your time on tiktok!
understanding the world is for nerds. are you a nerd?

 

[TTFrenzy]

yes, don't bother learning stuff, it's useless! just buy a lot of stuff and spend your time on tiktok!
understanding the world is for nerds. are you a nerd?

You totally misunderstood my post. Nobody said buy a lot of stuff. you can always test paddles from other players.

Knowing the frequency of a blade though, yes it is useless, especially for an amateur player.

If you play with viscaria and it has a frequency of 1000 and u want something faster, a blade with 1050 or 1100 does not mean it will suit you. Testing a paddle is always the best way. Equipment always comes last. always.

Proper training is what makes you improve whatever your equipment is.

 

[Jan_]

I tested the frequency on my 75 inner with 1 rubber on, it came out to be 1277

The Arthur Pro ZLC only came out to be 1113.

But I'm sure the 75 inner is much flexier...

The frequency changes feeling and power output because it is cause by wood density inconsistencies. The wood properties themselves don't change.

 

[zeio]

You will also have the sound from the ball not to forget. There will probably be different frequencies coming from the longitudinal as well as the latitude of the racket. Further it is also the question how fast the vibrations are being damped also what amounts of overtones are being produced. Anyhow I am not a practical expert of measuring table tennis rackets just know a little bit about vibrations.

The sound of the ball (vibrating at a far higher natural frequency) is actually strongly suppressed (because of the relatively long contact time between ball and blade), so it is not audible.

Since the antinode of the 1st membrane mode is in the center of the blade head, as long as the ball hits that area, that mode would be excited the most. The volume is loud like a speaker it's hard to get that mode wrong.

 

[TensorBackhand]

I had a chance to measure frequency of my sanwei inner 75 with rubbers off and it came out to be 1450.

That makes sense...it's quite snappy and responsive but still has good feeling and flex.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Ok I measured the frequency of my Atletico Power, and it comes to 1340. That seems like a nice low frequency, it should be a nice soft flexy blade.

But to be honest, I hate the feeling of the Atletico Power more than all my other blades. It feels way too stiff. So maybe frequency is only useful comparing blades of the same model/maker

 

[TensorBackhand]

And my favorite Stuor Harimoto ZLC is 1450. I think that 1400-1450 is my sweet spot

 

[Grumms]

And my favorite Stuor Harimoto ZLC is 1450. I think that 1400-1450 is my sweet spot

Mine is 1371, that's a huge difference.