Do you miss speed glue?

I have never tried speed glue.

Back when I was at uni, this was when I started to get reasonably good at 'proper' TT as I became to think of it. As I have said before, TTS taught me the proper way to play, and really got me bang up to date with everything TT related.

Some nights before training, TTS would come round to my flat to chat about the state of the club (at the time he was in charge and I was taking over) and during this time he would also glue up his bat. I liked this idea of preparing the bat for battle as such before a session, really creates the feeling of a connection with the equipment and I guess a sense of pride. At this time I had asked TTS whether I should try glue, and he advised that because there was talk of a ban coming into place so I should probably try a tensor and after some thought recommended the rubber I still have today - Impuls Speed. Good advise.

My point is though, I never got to speed glue, and I would have loved to have tried it. I realise now that I just missed out on a whole era of TT and I was right at the start of the new generation (the rip off generation!). I love the sound my Impuls Speed makes (It's THE closest to speed glue I've ever heard, always get accused of using glue all the time, especially when new), but speed glue always sounds much better. Not just the sound of course (I'm not that sad!), I just liked the idea of preparing the bat and taking care of it, really good chance to get focussed before a game.

Is there ever a chance we may go back to gluing?

Do you miss gluing up your bat, or prefer the new 'just get it out and play' way?

Honey has EJ blood...:) taking care of bat, creating connection...that's it, you're infected :)

I'm gluing regularly before play for several months, 3-4 times a week. I started it only because I didn't want to miss one important era in tt, although it's on it's end I wanted to smell the glue. Fact is that I don't have brand speed glue, you cant buy it here any more, but some players/traders sell it still from their stock, it's maybe their home product, although they claim it's import from Hungary. Anyway, what gluing gives to me is (I play with soft rubbers): speed (more than I want), better elasticity (this is important) which allows deeper sinking of ball into sponge which is good for spin, also some block shots I can really play with index finger, which is great. Sound is really not important to me, but there's some sharp sound. Also, because ball penetrates deeper into sponge, it makes ball going much more direct where you want, you can easier hit through incoming loop.  Generaly it gives advantage if you play active and attacking with sinking ball into sponge a lot, but if you play passive (like pushing, choping, and passive blocks) you just losing control. Not to mention that returning services is harder.
Creating connection with equipment, haha, it's interesting first few times, but when you always losing 10 minutes to prepare bat, it's really nerving. If you forgot to glue before play, you have to lost 10 minutes, or you can't play with unglued, it's different rubber.
All in all, it gives you advantage if youre dedicated attacker but generaly boring. My next rubber will be with speed glue effect, maybe  Donic Desto F2 or F3.

I don't miss speed glue. But as a spectator, I certainly miss the 38mm ball. I think that with the ban on SG, they should consider bringing back the 38.

I wasn't really in either era. I bought a used sheet of Bryce once and tuned it when tuners first came out. Liked how it worked on Bryce. Positive aspect of tuning is that the player can make a cheep sheet of rubber play acceptable, without having to shell out Tenergy $$$. I am not dying to get back to that era. Modern blades and rubber make the ball go plenty fast and spinny as it is.

I'm with Tinykin, some of the greatest TT was IMO played pre speedglue with the 38mm ball, it allows more diversity of style, particularly defensive vs attack and also flat hitters/ blockers, even lobbers, because the ball is harder to time, so attacking has to be with an element of care.