50 Words or Less
The MCA Tensei AV Raw Orange shaft is similar to the AV Raw White, but with counterbalanced weighting. Strong enough to handle aggressive swings without feeling harsh.
Introduction
It might be easier to name the top players who haven’t put the Mitsubishi Tensei Orange into play than to name those that have. Over the last couple years, a wealth of gear stories have focused on players using the Tensei Orange and the ball speed gains they’ve achieved as a result. New for 2020, MCA is updating the Tensei line with a new weave and a modified look.
Check out the new TENSEI 1K Pro Orange HERE
Looks
For the new Tensei AV Raw series, Mitsubishi kept some of Tensei’s aesthetic hallmarks the same. The colored band near the grip is still present as is the Tensei branding. Additionally, the AV Raw borrows from the CK Pro line with the dark lower portion of the shaft.
What’s new is the namesake raw finish on the butt section of the shaft. This finish reveals the Aluminum Vapor (AV) Coated Weave which is the key to upgraded performance of this line. It’s the most eye-catching part of this line and one of my favorite shaft “graphics” ever.
Feel
The stiffness curves of the Tensei AV Raw White [review HERE] and AV Raw Orange are very similar. The Orange is slightly softer, particularly in the mid/tip section, but the difference is too small for me to notice. Overall, the Tensei AV Raw Orange is very smooth but without any kick. The shaft easily stayed with me on swings ranging from 50% effort to 110%.
Where the AV Raw Orange differs from the AV Raw White is the weighting. The Orange is counterbalanced or counter weighted, meaning that there’s more weight placed near the grip. This is done to create “normal” swing weights with heavier heads or longer shaft lengths. For me, the difference in the weighting was immediately noticeable when switching between the White and Orange.
Performance
Testing the three Tensei AV Raw shafts together provided an opportunity to see how differences in shaft profiles and weighting affected my driver. As I expected, the Tensei AV Raw Blue [review HERE], which is the most active profile, had a slight tendency to favor the left side of the fairway. With the AV Raw White, I had my most accurate driving. The AV Raw Orange, with a profile similar to White but with more weight in the hands, shifted my dispersion pattern slightly to the right.
What I have found over time is that counterbalanced shafts tend to increase my angle of attack. Please note, this is not a hard and fast rule for all golfers; it’s how things work for me. I already have a positive angle of attack, so this isn’t always a good change. With the AV Raw Orange, the impact on my launch and spin weren’t huge, but I did launch it slightly higher.
The bigger impact was on dispersion: the Tensei AV Raw Orange took the left side completely out of play for me. I did hit a couple of foul balls to the right, but I could aim directly at OB left and swing without fear.
Again, I need to emphasize the importance of being fit. It’s possible that a counterbalanced shaft will affect your swing the opposite way that it does mine. Or putting more weight in your hands might “fix” your downward angle of attack and add a lot of yardage to your drives. The only way to know is to try them with the guidance of a quality fitter.
The Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange shaft is available in four weight classes: 55, 65, 75, and 85 grams. TX flex is available at all four weights. Regular, stiff, and X are available at 55, 65, and 75 grams.
Conclusion
The three Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw shafts give golfers a wide array of choices to optimize their drivers. If you’re a player that likes the feeling of more weight in your hands and wants a stable shaft, the Tensei AV Raw Orange is something that you must try.
Matt Saternus
Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all)
- PXG 0311 XF GEN6 Fairway Wood Review - May 31, 2023
- Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Rangefinder Review - May 30, 2023
- Tour Edge Exotics E723 Hybrid Review - May 30, 2023
Thanks for the reviews. Are these a replacement for the CK series or the Pro Series? Do they contain a Boron Tip like the Pros? Thanks again
The TENSEI AV Raw in TX is comparable to the Pro Series, the other flexes are comparable to the standard CK.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt!
Interesting read Matt thank you. I am curious to see what my shot numbers would read among these shafts
Matt,
What can you do with counter weighted
shaft when you want to build shorter driver lengths?
Last winter i modified my F9 down to 44.5″ with the stock smoke
but it flew to high so i purchased a CK orange and i just could not dial
it in as far as swing weight.
Eventually i dumped it but i was really confused even after reading
about counter weighted and putting a mid-size heavier grip, i was lost.
I purchased a hand full of shaft, used the hazrdus black during the spring and
finally landed on an old MOTORE F1 (my gamer)
Is there a course i can take on how to build modern drivers at shorter lengths? i want to
get an orange and modify it to 44.5″ again but i want to know how to do it properly this
time.
thanks.
The problem you’re running into is that a counter weighted shaft and a shorter shaft both create lower swing weights. You can add more weight to the head to counteract all this, but the head will feel unwieldy at some point.
Best,
Matt
The weight of the counter balanced shaft after but trimming always feels soo light that no matter
what head i assemble it, the head always feels heavy.
i couldn’t make it work.
Raw Orange v CK Pro Orange?
Basically the same?
THX
The TX version of the AV Raw Orange is meant to replace the CK Pro Orange.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I Just tested the Ping G425 and wish to go with the AV Orange. I am used to the Alta CB in my G410 in regular flex. Which in your opinion would be more similar the AV Orange 55 or 65 to the Alta CB regular?
Thanks
Rick,
I don’t think the Alta is that close to the TENSEI Orange. If pressed, I’d go lighter.
-Matt
Matt,
I am considering this shaft for the new Ping G425 driver and possibly even the 3 wood and hybrid. Can you compare the Tensei to the Alta CB Slate Ping stock offering? I have read that both are mid launch and mid spin, but I have also read that the Tensei is mid-high launch, but I can’t imagine it would launch higher than the Alta.
Any thoughts on how these shafts compare?
Thanks.
John,
I haven’t hit PING’s Alta shafts in a bit, but I would think that they will be among the highest launching options.
Best,
Matt
I have the CK Orange 60 S in my Ping 410LST. I am looking at getting a Ping 425 LST. I was thinking of the AV Raw Orange 65 S. Do you think the Raw Orange 65 S will be similar?
Eric,
Yes, I think you’ll find them to be similar.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks for sharing these helpful info. And I got some issues hope you can help.
I’m currently using stock tensei av white 65g in x stiff with tsi3 and which is switched from cobra sz HZRDUS smoke yellow in stiff. The reason I switched to the new driver is because I had way too much spin on my cobra and the ball also snap hook. The tensei white did some help to lower my spin and also no more snap hook, but I felt the driver head is little bit too heavy that tend to have too much inside out path also feel hard to control the face to path, and I have to open my stance a lot to control the ball not curve to the left too much(right handed golfer).
I’m thinking will the tensei orange could help for me to lower my swing weight(currently between D4- D5). By the way, my max out swing speed around 129, and average on course 114-116mph, which flex should I choose if I switch to av raw orange? Thank you so much for the help.😊
Peter
Peter,
You’re correct that the Tensei Orange, being counter weighted, will help to reduce the swing weight a bit. Beyond that, I would only be guessing as to how it would work for you. I can only recommend that you get fit. With all your speed, a fully optimized set up would be an absolute killer.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Appreciate for the help, will try to get a local shop to demo or fit for it. Again, thanks a lot.
Peter
Thanks for all your reviews, read them all the time never comment. I have a question regarding cutting this shaft down. My son is 12 and plays his drivers at 42″ though he gets taller everyday so maybe 42.5 or 43 with this one. This shaft comes in the Ping G425 Max at 45 3/4″‘and playing it at 42″ would be removing close to 3″. Would this remove the counterbalance? Is the weight right at the end or dissipated through out the butt end?
Excellent question. I’m not sure on exactly the weight distribution of the counter balanced PING shafts. Regardless, if you’re cutting off that much length, I think the counter weighting will be irrelevant because you’re going to end up with a much lighter swing weight.
Best,
Matt
I have a very compact swing with an aggressive transition thru the ball. Which Tensei AV Orange Shaft would you recommend? It will be installed in a Ping G425 SFT Driver/ Thank you. Ted
Ted,
My recommendation is always to get fit. No one can make a credible recommendation over the internet.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt.
Great review how would this shaft compare to the hzrdus smoke yellow.
Thanks
Leon,
I have a full review of the HZRDUS Smoke Yellow here: https://pluggedingolf.com/project-x-hzrdus-smoke-yellow-shaft-review/
Best,
Matt
I’m looking at cutting a shaft down short, building a 40″ driver. Doing this for control, but also just to fit better being a shorter golfer. If I went with the tensei av raw orange what might you recommend to help balance that out?
Thank you for your help.
Dan,
When you say “balance this out” are you talking about trying to get the swing weight to a “normal” number?
-Matt
Yes, I’ve seen people add extra weight to the head etc. I’d prefer not to deal with lead tape if possible.
Dan,
I believe that PING makes the back weights in different weights, but you’d need to talk to a PING fitter about getting those. You could also consider adding hot melt to the head, but you’d want a very skilled builder for that.
Best,
Matt
Sorry, this will be used with my Ping G425 MAX
I appreciate your time and opinion, always something to tinker with to try and get an edge. Thanks
What do you mean by this shaft increased your angle of attack? Meaning it made it steeper or you got higher launch out of it? I am to steep with my driver right now and looking for a shaft to fit my swing a little better. I need to get rid of some spin but also need to get a little higher launch as well.
Thanks
Conner,
“Increased angle of attack” refers to the driver swinging more upward into impact.
-Matt
I have the standard length AV orange 55 s for my Ping g425max (45 1/4). I also play the handcrafted project X LZ 50 in (45 1/2 and one that is 46 1/4). The AV is accurate yet the shortest, then the shorter LZ is the best for accuracy and distance, but the long LZ gains 15 yrds but not as accurate. I am a low spin player. How much length should I add to the AV to get the best of both worlds? Was thinking 1/2 inch to get a total length of 44 3/4, but before I do that was wondering why the AV comes shorter by standard issue from PING? The fitter liked the ball speed of the long LZ the best but I am not as accurate so thought I would tinker with the AV. Thanks!
Jeff,
It sounds like you have worked with a fitter; what did they recommend? My policy is to never second guess a fitter who has worked with someone in person.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, thanks so much for the reply. I had conflicting fits. I was fit by our club pro with the 45 1/4 Tensei 94-98 mph spin of 2300-2500 smash factor 1.49-1.5 but was also fitted by another fitter with the LZ 46 1/4 due to gain of several mph 98-100 spin of 2100-2200 same smash factor (fitter was very surprised at smash factor). I do gain yards w the LZ but lose the fairway more often. I was thinking of tinkering with an extra half inch on the Tensei to gain a few mph and split the diff but before I add an extender I was wondering why the Tensei comes shorter as standard on the Ping. I am sure each fitter would stick with their original fits but I am thinking of venturing into new territory that might deliver a better result. If your policy is to not second guess a fitter, no need to second guess two fitters—just wanted to share since I find your reviews super awesome.
Jeff,
My primary thought is that adding a half inch is going to have a marginal impact on speed, certainly not multiple MPH unless you’re an extreme outlier.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt, played the Tensei Raw AV orange and hit it great. Sticking with your recommendation of leaving it the same length and not tinkering. I will head back to the fitter and test again, I feel like my distances were comparable and I like the flight of the Tensei with the mid launch. Best, Jeff
What flex did you test? Averaging 108-110 swing speed wondering what flex is best.
The TX-flex shown in the pictures.
-Matt
Hi matt,
i am planning to replace my Ping 425 max with mitsubishi tensei orange, if my average driver swing speed is aroung 100-105, what type of mitsubishi tensei shaft that i used and in what weight ? regular or stiff ? thank and appreciated your reply
Darmanto,
Our advice is always to get fit. We recommend Club Champion as their club fitters and demo matrix is unmatched.
Best,
Matt
Hello,
Which is the best Tensei for a mid tempo swing?
Thanks,
Best regards
Seb,
I don’t think there’s a correct answer to that question. First, what is “mid tempo”? I’m not trying to be rude with that question, but I am trying to point out that it’s a nebulous concept. Your swing might feel mid tempo to you but look very fast or slow to me.
My advice is always to get a fitting before you spend money on new equipment. It’s much cheaper in the long run than buy-try-sell-repeat.
Best,
Matt