so i just came back from playing with my new at700 and towards the end, my hits felt really strange. the shaft or handle felt like it was vibrating/shaking and kinda scared me. is my racquet about to snap? - a very paranoid badminton player
The AT 700 is not designed for leisurely swings. If you do that, the racquet will feel strange. Instead, try this: As the shuttle drops from above, wait until the last possible moment... ...and then hit it with the fastest whipping action you can summon. Be prepared for a few Ooohs and Aaahs
ohhh thanks. cause i was so scared, but if i were to be do what you said, how would i do the softer hits such as drop shots or defending against a smash?
Generally, vibration occurs on "off-shots" meaning not on the sweetspot. So if your shots arent too accurate, be prepared to feel a little vibration. Btw, i agree with Oldhand =] P.S. I noticed that you got your At700 Overseas. When i played with my Ti-10 that i got oversees, i felt some EXTREME vibrations and i later found out it was the strings. So let the strings settle a little and everything will be fine.
What string-tension are you using? Lower tensions would exaggerate the trampoline effect. Higher tensions would dampen your softer shots. Broadly, the AT 700 is a snappy, whippy weapon. Wield it like you would wield a whip... and you'll be OK. To see how to use it for all sorts of shots, watch any of Lin Dan's games in 2007 or 2008
Ok then...Do u know where the vibrations come from?The cone?Have it consulted with the dealer ASAP if possible.
Sometimes very powerful angular shots will twist the racquet, similar to a powerful twisting of the shaft out from the wooden handle. The glue that is used to glue the shaft to the handle is normally strong enough at temperature extremes but can still come apart from such shearing forces. That is why there is a small screw near the top part of the handle that screws the handle into the shaft to resist this twisting force. If the screw is not in contact with the shaft the handle will become slightly misaligned with the frame, or it will create some sound.
so your saying i shouldnt use it like a sword, but hold it at the end (but) and swing it like a whip?
I guess you got alot of wrist power , same thing happened to my at700 , I would be very careful with it now if I was you, and gentle on those smashes. The one I had snapped about 7 inches from the handle while I was attempting a clearence. The head of the racket flew to the other end of the court- not pretty (same thing happened to my AMP95 ). I blame the extra stiff shaft !...Mate , my advice is to get it replace before it break !
Use it like any other racquet: You want fast drives, reflex play, move your grip up to the cone to increase swing speed. You want leverage and power into your strokes, move your grip down to the bottom.
if it is within warranty still, get a new one, if not just buy another racket and play with your AT700 as if you were playing the WC. The racket will give in soon, though I am still deciding between a 3U AT900p or AT700, I am going to buy two of which ever I chose and sell my 4u AT900t (too light)