You're right, I should have included it. The reason I didn't is because I have way, way, way more hours on the other paddles. But - I still should have included it.

@@MattsPickleballword, do you have any insights on the E? If I were to get a pulse that’d be the shape I’d go but more people talk about the v and s.

Let me know what you think about it after a few rounds!

I love the shape of this paddle. But now that you say it, I'm going to modify my Monarch (standard shape) and see what kind of crazy numbers I get!!

@@1hp322 the swing weight of the paddle is significantly lower, making it lighter and faster in your hands.

LOVE IT! (I'm not just staying that so you can use my code...MPB...either... I am using it in a tournament this weekend and I can post photographic proof!) :)

Thanks!

Whoa!!! You are brave! Did you add any additional weight to the paddle?

@MattsPickleball no I didn't. I like the twist weight low. It makes it easier to reset. I reset better with low twist weight. I Love to reset everything, especially drives and hand battles lol.

@@philamguambomb Whoa! I never thought about it that way...

@MattsPickleball yeah it's the perfect sword for me. I play the soft game(dink), drops, because the paddle is way more poppy than my previous paddle(Pikkl Hurricane Pro 14mm), the low twist weight makes it really easy to dink so transition to this paddle was pretty smooth. I now have more arsenal in the bag now because of its poppiness(for hand battles, speed ups) and more power for drives. Can't wait for you to try Ripple R2 with your mods(cut and add weight). I have a feeling you'll love it too🤭🤭

Oh, that is a CRBN 2X and I did not modify that - I just used it as a baseline.

Thanks! Side question: what device did you watch this video on? I'm wondering if I should stop shooting portrait and go for landscape.

I’ve been doing this but adding the weight to the bottom of the handle just like adding a slyce cap bc was told best way to make paddle feel less head heavy. If I’m just looking to improve head heaviness and lower swing weight Is it better to put the weight in the base or cap of the handle like that or to add it above the grip up sides of paddle face like you did increasing twist weight?

@ to be honest with you, I have tried a Slyce Cap and I’ve also tried putting tungsten putty in the endcap, and neither feels good to me. I believe that the increase in the static weight and just the physics involved in moving more weight make my arm more sore, and I find no performance benefit-and I’m only talking about me.

@@christianeprice I've used a "bolt" screwed into the end cap. Match the hole size so the bolt (course) threads to the hole size. I use a round head bolt.

It's a good question and good push! 1/ I'm new to video...clearly...but I'm pretty technically savvy. :) 2/ 67% of views are on a mobile device, so I figure that portrait is the way most people prefer to watch vs. rotating your device. TBH, I'm still learning what is best.

@ your video would look more professional..just my opinion. Anyway, your content is premium though. 👍

@@ouivu1 Appreciate the feedback!

I’d assume not

Technically, the rule book doesn't say anything about removing length. The rule book limits the maximum size of a paddle. Anecdotally, in a Discord I frequent, someone mentioned that a rules official said this does not constitute an illegal modification since you are removing length. Again, that's anecdotal.

@ so I believe usap has a rule about changing paddles interior , and not exterior

From what’s already been approved/ tested

@@xrpl I'd love to see a clear decision!

You would think, but I just can't. I have to hold it at the base - also - choking up doesn't reduce the paddle's swing weight. This modification does.

@@MattsPickleball ChatGPT: Gripping up on the paddle generally provides a more maneuverable feel compared to cutting the handle. Here’s why: Reversibility: Gripping up can be easily adjusted or reverted, while cutting the handle is permanent. You can experiment with different grip lengths to find the most comfortable and maneuverable position without altering the paddle's structure. Effective Weight Distribution: Gripping higher shifts the "effective" balance point closer to your hand, making it feel more maneuverable without physically changing the paddle’s actual weight distribution. Less Impact on Power and Stability: Cutting the handle can affect power and stability, as the mass and structural integrity may change slightly. Gripping up preserves these characteristics, offering more control without sacrificing the original performance dynamics. If your main goal is to improve maneuverability with minimal impact on the paddle’s inherent qualities, gripping up would be the better choice.

@@Matt-kl2dw Right, but it doesn't change the swing weight. Alsom it's a personal quirk, choking up never felt comfortable and coming from tennis, I have to hold the handle at the endcap. Nothing else feels natural. Appreciate the discussion! :)

@ 🤦‍♂️ it also says nothing about swing weight, which is very important. But I hear you, unfortunately, choking up, never felt comfortable to me.

@@marionsigurdson1392 Noted! Next video, I’ll make sure to bring both the radar gun and a rules official-wouldn’t want anyone doubting my ‘high-speed’ accuracy. 🤪

That's a great idea! Next time, I'll do that or have multiple cameras set up. As you can see, I'm new to video. :)

@@MattyRut2922 100%

Similar spin, but firepower depends on if your paddle opens up or not. If it does, the V will have more power, however, if doesn't, it will have marginally more firepower IMO.

I've been using the monarch all court for a while. This is much better in every way

@MattsPickleball thanks Matt! Did you ship your opened up paddle to pickleball apes so they can examine it? If so, did you get a new one and are you maining it now?

@@SukieNau-r1t I did! Yes! And, I didn't get a new one, hoping for new one...

@@SukieNau-r1t I did, and I'm happy to report that they found nothing wrong with the core. I'm still waiting for their official assessment. And I"m hoping to get a new one, yes, because I really enjoyed playing the "V!"

I have that one coming soon!

It feels more similar to the 16mm than the 14mm. More pop/power off the Pulse though, IMO, on the 16mm. Not the 14mm.

@@MattsPickleballthanks! Do you know when the v will be back in stock?

@@enrico8730 afraid not, but I imagine real soon

Did you already hit it? Ha! I'm continuing to play with my "S" to see if I can get it to open up.

Thanks so much!

Look, the ESQ is a GREAT paddle! There's more pop on the 14.3 ESQ, and in stock form, similar power, to the "V," but not the opened-up "V." It has more power, but that's IF yours opens up.

Even if it does, I believe Apes warranty will cover it.

@@MattsPickleball They just removed the V completely from their website.... Weird.

@ really???

@@MattsPickleball Yes. It used to say sold out restock on November 4th but now it's completely gone. I wonder if they are pulling them because of all the "opening" up when they said there was no break in.

@@bsu88 I'll ask in Discord

Let me know what you think about it!

@@joedamico3679 awesome!

I noticed the same thing earlier this morning. I guess they took it off the market because of issues.

I see the pulse v still on the site

@@SukieNau-r1t is back on the site. It wasn’t yesterday.

@@RTJ-PB nothing but stock! I would recommend that you play a good half dozen games with it stock, and if you feel the need, then make adjustments. I felt these paddles needed absolutely no modifications.

Amazing - thanks Matt! looking at the specs - I was struggling to find what I would need to bolster - I will give stock a whirl - keep up the great work!

@@RTJ-PB thanks!!

@@joedamico3679 Ok, Pulse S. Hmmmm…the 3S and S feel similar off the face, in terms of feel, maybe a little stiffer of a feel on the S…maybe…but not pop; anecdotally the 3S has more power and pop than the S. I can’t recall if I posted a video speed testing all of these paddles, if I didn’t, I should be posting it today or tomorrow.

@@MattsPickleball Thanks!

I'm trying now to replicate it on the Pulse S, and so for, unsuccessful. FYI "replicate it" means, just playing a ton with it.

@@MattsPickleball lol, please keep us posted.

Good! Ha! I was worried about that one!

I'm getting sent another one since I sent mine back to Apes. It could definitely be an "S-Tier" paddle contender. Let me know what you think of it after you get some more time on it!

Thanks!

@@KurtMueller thanks. I will try to add chapters this evening! (I’m a bit of a KZbin newbie)

Added Chapters!

MN! Thanks for the kind words!

@@kimleith1378 I found that paddle just too insanely powerful. 😏 The Ripples require a lengthy adjustment period. I bet that’s similar.

@@kimleith1378 what do you mean? 🤔

@@MattsPickleball Radar gun or???

@@jetjaguar5198 I will for sure do that next time I run one of these side-by-side’s! Thanks for the idea!

Let me know what you think about that setup after you change it! I regret adding a Slyce Cap to mine and I had to remove the Hesacire which adds a few tenths of an ounce.

I really like the slyce cap on my mod ta 15 14 mm. This is a very controllable paddle and reminds me somewhat of the paddletek 12mm. This paddle is completely different from the mod ta 15 16mm

He hit almost all his serves with all the paddles with his foot stepping on the line and even if he was stepping a few inches further for the two Scorpeus models, that only emphasizes how much more powerful the Ripples and Mod TA-15 really are.

Yeah, it’s a good callout. 😊 I was testing speed, though, not serves form or serves hit inbounds -which most were even still. 🙃 Too bad I can’t serve that freely in games! 🥴

@@MattsPickleball why even call them "serves" then, if you're not attempting to hit an actual legal serve? Whats to stop you from just cranking it to the moon if you aren't going to put some realistic bounds on the exercise?

Smart Pocker Radar amzn.to/3Afo4dl

Great question! ALL of the paddles I hit, have, a minimum of 30 hours on them, each. For context, my Apes Pulse V had 4-6 hours of solid play on it before it “opened up.”

Gosh, I’m hoping by the end of this year. Communication from Ronbus hasn’t been clear.

@@MattsPickleball thanks for the review.

@@macairtuber let’s gooooo! you just have to focus…hard. 🤣

I have a Pulsar FX R1 and used to think it was a power all-court paddle. After now playing with a Mod TA-15 14mm for almost a month now, going back to the Ronbus FX feels like I'm hitting with a control paddle with low pop & power. The feel off the face also isn't as plush as the Mod what with the stiffer face of the FX.