Dunlop MAX 200G or it is Grand Slam Ultimate graphite?

[Tennis Man]

Just picked up this, Dunlop MAX 200G-looking racquet, the 2-stripes just like the original version, similar black leather grip but ... it's called "Grand Slam WW Ultimate graphite".

There is no plastic collar on the grip. The wight and balance is pretty close to MAX 200G.

Has anyone seen this racquet before? What is its backgound?

Here's a comparison with my MAX 200G pro:

 

[Tennis Man]

 

[gsquicksilver]

dude, u don't think it's a fake? i mean, back in the 80's too? and it has plastic grommets too. does it have the injection mold hole near the bottom of the throat as well? man, you got an interesting piece here...

 

[Tennis Man]

no, dude, I don't think it's fake ... it feels just like 200G but no mentioning of injection molding anywhere. I'm going to take it for joy ride right now

 

[gsquicksilver]

cool tennis man, let us know how it feels

 

[jimbo333]

It's a nice looking Max 200G copy

I really like copies like this, and as a huge fan of the best racquet design ever (200G), then if you ever want to trade it let me know

As a racquet in it's own right there is a very good chance it is awful to play with?

 

[jimbo333]

Oh, and I wonder if the "sleeved butt system" ever caught on

Actually thinking about it, I bet this was made in 89 copying the 200G Golden Grand Slam version?

It looks quite cheap, but very cool in my opinion

 

[gsquicksilver]

Oh, and I wonder if the "sleeved butt system" ever caught on

Actually thinking about it, I bet this was made in 89 copying the 200G Golden Grand Slam version?

It looks quite cheap, but very cool in my opinion

sleeved butt system? confused

 

[Tennis Man]

It's a nice looking Max 200G copy

As a racquet in it's own right there is a very good chance it is awful to play with?

Actually it's not much different from the original 200G. I took for a short test.

I'm not really good at comparing racquets but I can tell you that the grip feels quite different and more comfortable than the one with a collar. The frame is maybe a bit stiffer and there is the same flex and pop from the stringbed very typical for these graphite injected frames.

I have no idea what the "sleeved butt system" is though. Do you know?

 

[jimbo333]

No, I have no idea what the "sleeved butt system" is, but I do know it has a very funny name

I'm hearing what your saying having played the racquet, but I am surprised. I really would have thought the copy (non IMF) would feel completely different to the original 200G (IMF).

I've got a differnt 200G copy somewhere, will dig it out over the weekend and see what it's like!

 

[retrowagen]

It looks like a blatant copy of the Max 200G, even down to the "USA" typography font (being a match for the 1986 version of the Max 200G's).

However, it has a full grommet system on it (whereas a "real" 200G doesn't need one), and the throat isn't pinched like a 200G's, rather, the same thickness as the main beam as on a 400.

Weird mystery racquet...

 

[firefox]

I had a few fake 200G racquets back in the 80's, not injection molded, same shape and thickness as the real ones. They played really nice actually.

 

[Bud]

The frame doesn't appear to be an IMF.