Upgrading beginner setup advice

says 1-sided penhold is cool
says 1-sided penhold is cool
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Wouldn’t the XH be too hard & fast for a developing player? I myself would probably start with M first then move up from there. Unless there’s not much difference between that and R7.
Even the XH version of Mantra is not as hard as the standard version of Hurricane 3, and plenty of people learn to play with Hurricane 3. I haven't tried M, but I tried H and even H is somewhat mushy. I suspect M is pretty similar to Rakza 7. Also, by the time OP switches rubbers, they should have developed some technique which allows them to play with harder rubber. If OP has a weak backhand then maybe H is a better option, but even H is fairly soft.

In my experience, Mantra XH works exceptionally well on soft blades with the limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba composition. It retains a high degree of control, hitting slowly on soft shots but still allowing power on hard shots.
 
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Rakza 7 is fine, it's an all-round rubber and it doesn't do anything special. It's also kinda hard to loop with. Rakza X or Rakza Z are better options imo.

I'd urge you towards Hurricane 3 on the forehand, because it'll make you learn a better forehand topspin, but that's just me.

Nittaku Acoustic is a great blade, but the handle is somewhat small. Neottec Voodoo Classic has the same wood composition as the Acoustic, it has a better handle, and is much cheaper. Honestly I can't recommend Voodoo Classic enough.

You keep recomm Neottec voodoo classic makes me want to buy it as a test blade lol
 
says Pimples Schmimples
says Pimples Schmimples
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Rakza 7 is fine, it's an all-round rubber and it doesn't do anything special. It's also kinda hard to loop with. Rakza X or Rakza Z are better options imo.

I'd urge you towards Hurricane 3 on the forehand, because it'll make you learn a better forehand topspin, but that's just me.

Nittaku Acoustic is a great blade, but the handle is somewhat small. Neottec Voodoo Classic has the same wood composition as the Acoustic, it has a better handle, and is much cheaper. Honestly I can't recommend Voodoo Classic enough.
I would say the special thing R7 does is give great control across a variety of shots which makes it incredibly good to learn with.
I would also say from experience and observation that it is definitely not hard to loop with. I'm gonna say it's a technique issue and something that simply needs to be adjusted too, especially if you are using Chinese H3 and Skyline rubbers, they are very different.
I have it on my BH at the moment (and RXs on another blade) and have no problems with BH loop. And there are a few very good players at my club who use it also looping without problem.
 
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An Acoustic/Rakza7 is an excellent choice that will serve you well up to a pretty advanced level. And this means many years.

Reg. Acoustic has indeed a slim handle, LG handle is chunky, so an Acou SG Special, which is smth in between, should be a safe choice for most. I've had all three, and various weights as well. I've read that a new Acoustic G-Revision has same/close to a SG Special handle. The current sale price on Tabletennis 11 is so tempting I would have bought another one if I were still playing with an Acoustic.

Ask for a lighter one, a 80g and a 90g Acoustic are two different blades. A 90g is a classic for an advanced player, but a light one will give you more control and manoeuvrability close to the table and this is what you need at your stage. A heavy blade will be faster and will demand better anticipation and preparation/positioning, and this comes with practice, it can not be taught in a months or so, even by a top coach. A lighter blade will work your wrist and encourage you to try a variety of shots such as flicks and taking the ball earlier which will make your game instantly more dangerous in a match at an advanced beginner/intermediate lever.

Rakza 7 is an excellent choice as well, I used to play with this combo years ago.

And lastly, after you have bought it, forget about changing the blade, at least for two or three years, it's an excellent weapon able to carry you to a very high level. Realistically, unless you started training properly when a kid, you won't ever need a faster blade. If it was good enough for Ma Long it is more than good enough for us mere mortals.o_O I switched to other blades, but it's pure EJsm, nothing to do with an Acoustic lacking in something and I could gladly come back to it any moment.

One thing to bear in mind: an Acoustic gives you a tremendous feedback and creates a confidence-boosting feeling of control. But it is a lively blade which needs proper training in a short game, it is not a beginners' blade per se.

Further down the line, if you progress fast and start playing against better players, you may notice that Rakza 7 is easy and comfortable to play with, but it may be equally comfortable for your opponent to play against you.

There you may consider changing your rubbers, and there are two good options depending on the style you will have developed. You may try smth like a DHS GoldArc 8, which is a Rakza 7 on steroids - same feeling but a more offensive, tenacious rubber. Or you may go for a hybrid, smth like Rakza Z which allows you a more aggressive short all-round game and considerably more spin.

But for the next couple of years a light Acou/R7 should be exactly what the doctor ordered. I guess it will be a bit fast to start with, but in a month or so you will start to enjoy it. 🤩
 
says 1-sided penhold is cool
says 1-sided penhold is cool
Member
May 2023
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Read 14 reviews
You keep recomm Neottec voodoo classic makes me want to buy it as a test blade lol
It is a very good test blade, especially the FL version. The TT11 staff use it to test rubbers for reviews. It's $25 so it's not exactly going to break the bank if you don't like it.

Not a super fast blade -- I would call it OFF- or maybe even ALL+. Pretty similar to Butterfly Primorac. It has great feeling, and I think it pairs best with non-tacky hard fast rubbers like Stiga Mantra XH, Tenergy 05 Hard, or Rasanter R53.
 
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