HEAD Penn Official

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Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Welcome to the forums, you will quickly see some folks here can get pretty nutty about tennis racquets. I think a lot of people do miss the soft classic feel of the old prestige. If you re- released the PT630 I think it would be a huge hit with many players here.

Personally, I have a Graphene Prestige MP and think it's excellent and am using the IG Extreme Pros now, which are fantastic frames. I personally prefer it to Babolat frame, but I was wondering if you noticed more juniors using the Prestiges, Speeds or Extremes. To me the Extreme is the best modern Head frame but it isn't being used by many pros, so Im sure that impacts sales.
 
R

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
grip said:
I quite like using the Head ATP balls on clay(I can get 3 singles matches out of a set). I find that they wear better than the Slazenger ones that most people here use. Hey, aren't Head & Penn ball competitors?
Click to expand...

I really like the Penn ATP balls which I assume are the same.

I've been a head extreme pro player for a while now. It's a great frame for me. Also, I really like that head changed the grip shape!
 
hrstrat57

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
Will follow thread with interest. Have a pretty serious collection of 18x20 Head frames as you can see from sig. Also exclusively using Penn ATP Tour balls which are the most outstanding and consistent balls ever.....and they retain full bounce longer than any other ball. Excellent for coaching and hopper use too!

One question I have is regarding Head Intellitour string especially 17G. ITT has been my go to multi set up for many years and I am now having a hard time finding it....is production of Intellitour limited now? I see it listed on the Head website but again having hard time sourcing it. If production is winding down in favor of another Head string what is the replacement with similar playing characteristics? I have found it to be a most excellent multi especially in 18x20 frames - really has no weaknesses IMHO.

Thanks again and welcome!
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I use Head exclusively as well and have eleven frames, all Pro Stocks, though I mainly just use the set of four in my SIG.

Head is the easiest company in finding and understanding the characteristics of Pro Stocks out there.
 
P

Pieter12345

Rookie
Andy/Head Penn Official,

What are the main differences (improvements and trade-offs) between the Graphene Instinct MP and the new XT version?
 
dgoran

dgoran

Hall of Fame
I have a question/suggestion: would it be possible to add tgk231 micro gel radical mp mold to custom made that way us amateurs could easily obtain 16x19 version of this racquet that many pros are using and head gets paid in the process since we don't have to buy it second hand from pro stock resellers
 
Sander001

Sander001

Hall of Fame
0,,12781~13624243,00.jpg


Is that the new Radical?
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
Power Player said:
Welcome to the forums, you will quickly see some folks here can get pretty nutty about tennis racquets. I think a lot of people do miss the soft classic feel of the old prestige. If you re- released the PT630 I think it would be a huge hit with many players here.

Personally, I have a Graphene Prestige MP and think it's excellent and am using the IG Extreme Pros now, which are fantastic frames. I personally prefer it to Babolat frame, but I was wondering if you noticed more juniors using the Prestiges, Speeds or Extremes. To me the Extreme is the best modern Head frame but it isn't being used by many pros, so Im sure that impacts sales.
Click to expand...

Yes everyone loves the old Prestiges but I am glad to see you're liking the Graphene PMP. Of our top ranked juniors they are actually mostly using Radicals. From what I see personally from the college team I hit with sometimes is Radicals/Speeds.

Gasquet endorses the Extreme line and he has been playing well lately and had some nice runs in 2015. Some good exposure!
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
HEAD Penn Official said:
Hello All!

My name is Andy and I work for HEAD Penn Racquet Sports. I will be posting here as HeadPennOfficial for all your Head Penn product questions and needs. I will be active on this page and hope to answer all questions as quickly as I can. I do have a vast knowledge of tennis however if there is something I don’t know, I have a great team who I work with that will help me out.

There are a lot of people that play with HEAD and also a lot that don’t but we can all agree that tennis is an awesome sport! I am here to be your guide to everything HEAD and Penn related such as racquets, strings, accessories, footwear and tennis balls. I have used HEAD frames for most of my life and play tested all of the current in line frames so I have a good feel for how everything plays. If it helps I play a counter-punch baseliner style of tennis.

A little about myself and tennis background:

Playing Experience
College: 2 years at Glendale Community College (Phoenix) no.3 singles, no.2 doubles.
1 year at University of Northern Colorado (Division 1 BigSky Conf) no.4 singles, no.2 doubles.

Coaching Experience:
Tennis Counselor at New England Tennis Camp for 3 summers.
Assistant Men’s & Women’s Coach at Glendale Community 1 year. (Men finished 5th in the nation!)
I have taught various clinic and private lessons across the Phoenix area for different clubs.

Current Racquet:
Graphene Prestige Rev Pro grip 3 with Gravity hybrid string at 55lbs.
Click to expand...


Why don't you guys make few extended rackets like 27.5 inch or so ? for a Midsize frames ? I used to really like the Head Extreme and Instinct rackets and new tech it came with but you guys only make it now in Standard length so I stopped buying them. Can you make one with 27.3 to 27.5 inches long with lower swingweight like SW of 323 or so ?
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
hrstrat57 said:
Will follow thread with interest. Have a pretty serious collection of 18x20 Head frames as you can see from sig. Also exclusively using Penn ATP Tour balls which are the most outstanding and consistent balls ever.....and they retain full bounce longer than any other ball. Excellent for coaching and hopper use too!

One question I have is regarding Head Intellitour string especially 17G. ITT has been my go to multi set up for many years and I am now having a hard time finding it....is production of Intellitour limited now? I see it listed on the Head website but again having hard time sourcing it. If production is winding down in favor of another Head string what is the replacement with similar playing characteristics? I have found it to be a most excellent multi especially in 18x20 frames - really has no weaknesses IMHO.

Thanks again and welcome!
Click to expand...

I've seen your posts in other threads and I like your collection. You had the 25th Anniversary Prestiges I think, those have an awesome look to them.

The Intellitour string will be going forward through 2016 so you are in luck. We did launch 2 new MLT strings called Velocity and Reflex that you might like. Been getting good reviews on them thus far.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Reflex_MLT_16_String/descpageACHEAD-HRMLT16.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Velocity_MLT_16_String/descpageACHEAD-VMLT16.html
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
Pieter12345 said:
Andy/Head Penn Official,

What are the main differences (improvements and trade-offs) between the Graphene Instinct MP and the new XT version?
Click to expand...

The Graphene XT is 30% stronger than the YouTek Graphene this allows us to make the racquet 20% lighter but with the equivalent swing weight which allows you have a faster racquet with the same weight behind the ball.

You can check out TW's review on the frame below:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Graphene_XT_Instinct_MP/descpageRCHEAD-HGXIMP.html
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
dgoran said:
I have a question/suggestion: would it be possible to add tgk231 micro gel radical mp mold to custom made that way us amateurs could easily obtain 16x19 version of this racquet that many pros are using and head gets paid in the process since we don't have to buy it second hand from pro stock resellers
Click to expand...

We are unable to provide that at this time, sorry!
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
Nostradamus said:
Why don't you guys make few extended rackets like 27.5 inch or so ? for a Midsize frames ? I used to really like the Head Extreme and Instinct rackets and new tech it came with but you guys only make it now in Standard length so I stopped buying them. Can you make one with 27.3 to 27.5 inches long with lower swingweight like SW of 323 or so ?
Click to expand...

We do have the Graphene XT Speed Rev Pro that is 27.4 inches have you tried that one?
 
F

floydcouncil

Professional
HEAD Penn Official said:
Hello All!

My name is Andy and I work for HEAD Penn Racquet Sports. I will be posting here as HeadPennOfficial for all your Head Penn product questions and needs. I will be active on this page and hope to answer all questions as quickly as I can. I do have a vast knowledge of tennis however if there is something I don’t know, I have a great team who I work with that will help me out.

There are a lot of people that play with HEAD and also a lot that don’t but we can all agree that tennis is an awesome sport! I am here to be your guide to everything HEAD and Penn related such as racquets, strings, accessories, footwear and tennis balls. I have used HEAD frames for most of my life and play tested all of the current in line frames so I have a good feel for how everything plays. If it helps I play a counter-punch baseliner style of tennis.

A little about myself and tennis background:
Click to expand...

Thanks for being here, Andy.

I have said what I'm about to say many times to guys/ladies in various racquet sports "manager/director" positions:

Keep innovating, move forward and NEVER listen to a minority group for rehashing OLD racquets from the past.

The Prestige Mid line is dead, let it rest. There's no real need for that size frame in today's game.

The Radical OS sales plummeted when AA retired. Let it rest in peace.

Keep on moving......
 
movdqa

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Nostradamus said:
Why don't you guys make few extended rackets like 27.5 inch or so ? for a Midsize frames ? I used to really like the Head Extreme and Instinct rackets and new tech it came with but you guys only make it now in Standard length so I stopped buying them. Can you make one with 27.3 to 27.5 inches long with lower swingweight like SW of 323 or so ?
Click to expand...

I'd love a 28 inch frame. At the moment, I think that Prince is the only major retailer selling one of these. The advantage of selling a 28 inch frame is that someone that wants 27.3, 27.5, 27.75 could just cut it down.
 
hrstrat57

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
HEAD Penn Official said:
I've seen your posts in other threads and I like your collection. You had the 25th Anniversary Prestiges I think, those have an awesome look to them.

The Intellitour string will be going forward through 2016 so you are in luck. We did launch 2 new MLT strings called Velocity and Reflex that you might like. Been getting good reviews on them thus far.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Reflex_MLT_16_String/descpageACHEAD-HRMLT16.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Velocity_MLT_16_String/descpageACHEAD-VMLT16.html
Click to expand...

Thanks, nice!

My YT Prestige MP are a matched pair purchased new and tweaked by TW with sequential serial numbers. They have played most excellent both with Intellitour 57# and now with full bed of MSV Focus Hex 110 at 45# -mine are not the anniversary model - stock red paintjob (which is gorgeous IMHO) - see Avatar!

I was a huge Austrian racquet snob, these YT frames surprised we with the quality of manufacture and how nicely they play. They have 4" of lead at 3/9 and Babolat leather grips. That's all they needed to play perfectly.

I'll need to demo some of the new stuff just to keep current. The only post 2010 frame I have hit is the current Extreme, which I thought was quite an impressive hit.

Thanks again!
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
HEAD Penn Official said:
We do have the Graphene XT Speed Rev Pro that is 27.4 inches have you tried that one?
Click to expand...
Yes I have. Nice frame but I need little more power and little more stiffness. Like Head Extreme rackets and Instinct rackets, GREAT rackets. I used Extreme long ago when it was like 27.3 inches I think, loved that racket back then. I was hoping HEAD would make these Extreme and Instinct again in like 27.3 or27.5 inches long again. Thank you.
 
Sander001

Sander001

Hall of Fame
Nostradamus said:
Yes I have. Nice frame but I need little more power and little more stiffness. Like Head Extreme rackets and Instinct rackets, GREAT rackets. I used Extreme long ago when it was like 27.3 inches I think, loved that racket back then. I was hoping HEAD would make these Extreme and Instinct again in like 27.3 or27.5 inches long again. Thank you.
Click to expand...
You can pull out the pallet. Takes 10 minutes.
 
WINZOWAR

WINZOWAR

Rookie
I think the time is right for reissues of the Prestige Classic 600 and Pro Tour 280. Replacing the classic Prestige mid mold with the Rev Pro might even have been a brilliant marketing move in the lead up to a reissue release.
 
Z

Zhou

Hall of Fame
floydcouncil said:
The Prestige Mid line is dead, let it rest. There's no real need for that size frame in today's game.
Keep on moving......
Click to expand...

To Andy: I'll echo what everyone else has said, it's nice to see a company take such a vested interest and time to get so involved with the community.

I've been out of the loop for a few years due to one thing or another, so I have just recently learned of the departure of the Prestige Mid line.

I am all for innovation and moving forward, but I would caution you from saying there is no need in relation to the state of the game. I think the choice of frame one uses should be up to the player and not that of the state of the game. The deviation in the prestige mid line should be chalked up to HEAD's choice in innovating rather than saying that there is no need for a frame like the prestige mid in today's game.

For my stance, I'll continue to use my youtek prestige mid's until I get a chance to play test the new line. I think it is a little unfortunate though for the prestige mid to leave due to it being one of the last of it's kind on the market. Although it seems I'm rather late to the party on this one...
 
RalphJ

RalphJ

Banned
I think we need to realize that Head has turned a corner. Head will never return to the classic feel or the classic racquets. It is time to realize that these racquets are Head's new classics.
 
aimr75

aimr75

Hall of Fame
Welcome to the forum.

I know it's something unlikely to happen, but would be interesting if HEAD provided two separate lines. A rec series (endorsed by) and a pro series.

The distinction has already been made that pros only endorse racquets, so the pro series would provide access to frames they actually use.
 
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A

Alex78

Hall of Fame
Nothing wrong with an evolving portfolio. However, it would be oh so sweet to have reissues of some legendary Head rackets every year. Make it a limited edition. One year, it can be the Prestige Mid, next year, a Radical OS, a Pro Tour 630 etc. Feature these limited ed sticks prominently on your home page, emphasize things like "legendary", "heritage" and what have you, portray the players using these sticks to attain glory, you get the idea. Use paint jobs that are similar to the ones that you used on these rackets back then, but do add some current accents, to make them unique. Definitely use the exact same molds (! Not like you did with the Agassi stick...).
 
A

a.ny

New User
Hey Andy/Head Penn Official: I just bought Graphene Instinct MP from sale. It came prestrung, do you know what string is in it? Head PPS?
 
courtrage

courtrage

Professional
Hi Andy, what grommets fit the Youtek IG Challenge MP and what string/tension is it prestrung with? They're black and looks on the thinner side and plays well. Thanks so much.
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
WINZOWAR said:
I think the time is right for reissues of the Prestige Classic 600 and Pro Tour 280. Replacing the classic Prestige mid mold with the Rev Pro might even have been a brilliant marketing move in the lead up to a reissue release.
Click to expand...
I will bring this up at the next sales meeting. Thank you for the interest.
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
Zhou said:
To Andy: I'll echo what everyone else has said, it's nice to see a company take such a vested interest and time to get so involved with the community.

I've been out of the loop for a few years due to one thing or another, so I have just recently learned of the departure of the Prestige Mid line.

I am all for innovation and moving forward, but I would caution you from saying there is no need in relation to the state of the game. I think the choice of frame one uses should be up to the player and not that of the state of the game. The deviation in the prestige mid line should be chalked up to HEAD's choice in innovating rather than saying that there is no need for a frame like the prestige mid in today's game.

For my stance, I'll continue to use my youtek prestige mid's until I get a chance to play test the new line. I think it is a little unfortunate though for the prestige mid to leave due to it being one of the last of it's kind on the market. Although it seems I'm rather late to the party on this one...
Click to expand...

Try demoing the Graphene Prestige Rev Pro and see what you think!
 
Federerkblade

Federerkblade

Hall of Fame
Hi Andy

Gravity is great for two sessions , then drops off greatly . have you also felt this ?

Secondly I have experienced the gravity cross breaking when Stringing on the cross grommet, so the grey coloured cross.

Have you come across this ... I know its 1.20 mm but it should not break right ,where's as sonic pro 1.25 mm is fine on the crosses when Stringing ?
 
HEAD Penn Official

HEAD Penn Official

Rookie
Federerkblade said:
Hi Andy

Gravity is great for two sessions , then drops off greatly . have you also felt this ?

Secondly I have experienced the gravity cross breaking when Stringing on the cross grommet, so the grey coloured cross.

Have you come across this ... I know its 1.20 mm but it should not break right ,where's as sonic pro 1.25 mm is fine on the crosses when Stringing ?
Click to expand...

I usually get in 4-5 sessions before I can notice it "deadening".
I haven't had any issues stringing. Are you stringing within the recommended tension range? The cross string is an 18g so you have to be careful with those sometimes but I haven't had any issues myself or from accounts.
 
n8dawg6

n8dawg6

Legend
I love those little rev pros ...

For me the gravity gets distinctly uncomfortable when the mains notch into the crosses and stop moving.
 
N

NLBwell

Legend
HEAD Penn Official said:
The short answer is that HEAD corporate is in Austria and very recognizable throughout Europe in both tennis and skis/snowboards so they use that name on the balls. In the states Penn has been around for over 100 years and very recognized here. In 1999 Penn was purchased by HEAD and we wanted to keep the branding they have established in the states.
Click to expand...

Just for interesting background, the Penn (formerly Pennsylvania) tennis ball company was previously owned by GenCorp / Aerojet General - so the company made rocket engines and tennis balls.
Also, for a while, the company focused on making itself into a real estate company, selling off it's old rocket engine building and testing facilities to take advantage of California's high real estate prices. Of course, it had to deal with the cleanup of the stuff in the ground from making rocket engines 50 years ago.
 
Winners or Errors

Winners or Errors

Legend
Andy. Simple question. What did Head do to the new Graphene XT Extreme Pro to improve upon the first version? IG's are still on the market. The first Graphene Extreme Pro is heavily discounted. Why should I buy it instead?
 
naturallight

naturallight

Semi-Pro
Hi Andy, for the "high altitude" Penn balls, what specific altitude are they calibrated for (so the feel would be equivalent to playing at low altitude with a regular ball)? 3000 ft? 5000 ft?
 
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