Weight
90g
Thickness
6.3mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
161x152
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Ma Long Seven
Nittaku Ma Long Seven is a 7-ply all-wood blade crafted for offensive players seeking a harmonious blend of speed, control, and feel. It provides a solid foundation for powerful topspin strokes while maintaining excellent touch for short game finesse. Developed in collaboration with Ma Long, this blade delivers a medium feel with mid-fast speed, making it an ideal step up for players transitioning from 5-ply blades to a faster, more elastic option. Its versatile performance suits both singles and doubles play, accommodating a wide spectrum of aggressive tactics.
The blade features a special 7-ply all-wood construction with layers of varying thickness. The outermost plies are the thinnest, followed by considerably thicker second layers, and third layers with intermediate thickness. This varied construction is key to the blade's unique performance profile and feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Nittaku Ma Long Seven operates in the mid-fast range, placing it at the higher end of OFF- to the lower end of OFF category. It delivers a strong blend of speed for drives and mid-distance shots, with a subtle catapult effect that aids in effortless power generation during offensive rallies.
Despite its offensive pedigree, Ma Long Seven offers outstanding control, especially on forehand and backhand drives. Its precise feel allows for accurate placement in blocking and the short game, making it a highly manageable blade for players who prioritize accuracy alongside their attacking power.
Ma Long Seven provides a distinctly medium feel, leaning towards the softer side which enhances touch and feedback. This characteristic offers excellent sensation for the short game while still providing a solid, connected feel for powerful topspin strokes.
Ma Long Seven produces a consistent medium throw angle on both slow and power loops. This characteristic contributes significantly to its versatility, making it easier to generate spin and maintain shot consistency across different strokes.
The blade offers average dwell time, which is perfectly sufficient for generating good spin on serves and loops, allowing players to execute a strong brushing contact with the ball.
This blade exhibits noticeable elasticity and some flex, which actively helps increase spin during fast looping. It's considered more elastic and less stiff than many comparable 7-ply all-wood blades, giving it a lively response.
Players report moderate vibration that contributes to good ball feedback without being excessive. The softer impact feel and medium character provide clear tactile information without overwhelming sensation.
The blade is praised for its excellent build quality. While some minor notes mention rougher spots on the edges that could be smoother, the overall construction is considered very good, with a solid and reliable finish that inspires confidence.
Technology
Nittaku Ma Long Seven utilizes a specialized 7-ply all-wood construction where the varying thicknesses of the inner wood plies are crucial to its performance. This design creates a nuanced feel and elastic response, a result of collaboration aimed at balancing offensive power with precise control and exceptional touch for spin-oriented play. Manufactured in China for the Japanese market, the blade's technology focuses on delivering a responsive yet controllable platform.
Similar Blades
DHS Power G7
Our testing shows the Nittaku Ma Long Seven plays like a slightly more elastic and less stiff version of the DHS Power G7. Both are 7-ply all-wood blades with similar offensive characteristics, but the Ma Long Seven offers a more nuanced, lively feel with greater linearity in its response.
Tibhar Samsonov Pro Black Edition
Similar to the DHS Power G7, the Tibhar Samsonov Pro Black Edition shares comparable playing characteristics with the Ma Long Seven. However, players report the Ma Long Seven provides more noticeable elasticity and a slightly softer touch, giving it a distinct personality in the same performance category.
DHS Hurricane Long 3
TTSensei experts note a key difference in composition: the Ma Long Seven features an outer Koto layer compared to the classic limba-ayous construction of the DHS Hurricane Long 3. This gives the ML7 a crisper backhand and a solid forehand, though with less overall flex. Some players prefer the HL3 for its lighter weight and comparable or faster speed, highlighting a matter of personal preference in feel.