Curiosity Series 316 — Gosen RYOGA ISSEN

Karry September 21, 2024 0

This time, I have to set aside the “price” factor when evaluating this racket because most of the buyers aim to collect it, and they tend to be more tolerant of the high price.

However, is it really appropriate for an old racket from Gao Shen, which costs over 2000 yuan, to remain exclusive to a niche circle of players? I’m grateful to a friend for lending it to me, which allowed me to unveil the mystery of this racket, Yishan.

Specs: 3UG5, with grip tape, total weight in use is 94.1g, balance point 298mm, M40 shaft length of 220mm, medium-stiff, box frame, 76-hole string bed, with grooves at 9–3 o’clock positions, warranty included, strung at 26–27 lbs with Li Ning N65.

This racket was designed by Gao Shen in 2010, and its appearance is absolutely stunning, with no signs of age. The vibrant red and gradient black, along with a subtle touch of glitter, create a rich, layered design that will definitely catch the eye of those who know their equipment. It’s also full of intricate details. In addition to the technology labels and gradient color on the frame, there’s a cloud pattern around the edges, which reveals more the closer you look. Though some elements remind me of the YU5H I used, for a racket made 13 years ago to achieve a design that surpasses the aesthetics of that time is truly impressive.

The racket is marked as an 88g unstrung, stiff, head-heavy model, but don’t let the specs scare you. Even with the factory grip and shrink wrap intact, the feel in hand is quite similar to a balanced racket. It’s solid, and thanks to the rounded and relatively thin frame, its swing speed and maneuverability are excellent, especially for doubles.

When it came to adapting to it, I quickly realized this racket wasn’t hard to use. The long shaft offers good power and energy transfer during swings, making it easy to drive the shuttle. At the same time, the feedback upon impact is clear, with no unwanted vibrations or dullness, which adds to the overall pleasure of using it.

The M40 material in the shaft gives it nice elasticity, but I wouldn’t say it reaches the “top-tier” level that some fans claim. As for the so-called “Lingjia” technology—whether it’s a specific tech or a design philosophy—I’m curious if any other players could shed some light on it.

Now, onto its performance in drives and defense. While the elasticity might not be top-notch, the recovery speed of the shaft is impressive. Even with a long shaft, it allows for quick and continuous strokes. Compared to the Gravitas 9.0 I used earlier, the feel of the shuttle isn’t as hard or crisp, but for someone like me, the extra bit of flexibility helps compensate for my weaker finger strength, giving me more room to handle fast-paced rallies instead of just focusing on speed.

However, the frame size is fairly average. The sweet spot on the big square head is slightly larger, but when the pace picks up, the racket’s forgiveness seems a bit lacking.

In front-court play, the larger sweet spot does its job well, and the overall feel is easy to grasp, especially for tight shots like net rolls and net drops. It performs smoothly in quick offense-defense transitions during doubles play, and even when catching the shuttle slightly lower than ideal, it still allows me to return a shot without losing control, keeping the rally going. The racket’s control in defensive blocks is also excellent—no matter how aggressive the opponent’s attacks, with Yishan in hand, you can maintain a steady mindset.

On the downside, I wish it had a crisper feel when defending smashes. While it excels at returning high lifts during defense, when I try to counter a poor-quality downstroke from my opponent with a fast drive, it lacks the decisiveness I’m looking for. That said, for passive shots like backhand clears and lifts, it’s very obedient and performs flawlessly.

I was especially curious about how it would perform in offense. After testing, I didn’t find it overwhelmingly powerful, but it’s certainly effective. There’s a slight cushioning effect during heavy smashes, and the shuttle speed and power fall short of today’s top-tier attacking rackets, though it’s still decent. The racket’s quick release and excellent stroke continuity mean you don’t need to go all out to score a winning point. Just 80% power and consistent shots to the corners can already put pressure on your opponent, giving you confidence to play that way. Yishan is very obedient in terms of shot accuracy, with no “unpredictable” moments, allowing you to confidently hit sharp cross-court shots and steep smashes.