Help Please! Ordered a Jack Kramer Autograph

[DriveKing]

So I am pretty into rackets. I currently use an RF97. I'm about a 3.5, close to 4 player from what I've been told. Started playing about 3 years ago—I'm 29. My racket fascination had me ordered two pre-owned, wooden frames.

The Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph and the Spalding Pancho Gonzales. I received the Kramer and wanted to bang around it for fun this week before I ended up mounting it in my office...

That being said, does this look safe to hit with? I noticed these glue-looking elements on the side. Is this normal or has someone fixed this up? My fear is I take a big cut, or shank a ball and the frame shatters in 2.

https://ibb.co/mdNyHd

https://ibb.co/mWkUOJ

Thanks!

 

[MAX PLY]

Are you talking about the clear plastic power pads? If so, those were common back in the day (they were there to protect the string at that angle--often leather but there were commercial plastic ones on the market then), so those are not a problem. As to whether the racquet is otherwise safe to hit, hard to tell with a picture but it looks to be in good shape. Tap it lightly and see if you hear any weird vibration and also inspect it very closely for cracks. Only one real way to tell . . . I will note that the blue spiral nylon strings will likely be a bit dead!

 

[DriveKing]

Are you talking about the clear plastic power pads? If so, those were common back in the day (they were there to protect the string at that angle--often leather but there were commercial plastic ones on the market than), so those are not a problem. As to whether the racquet is otherwise safe to hit, hard to tell with a picture but it looks to be in good shape. Tap it lightly and see if you hear any weird vibration and also inspect it very closely for cracks. Only one real way to tell . . . I will note that the blue spiral nylon strings will likely be a bit dead!

Cheers, Thank you! Any recommendations for strings? I'm very new to this whole wooden game.

 

[MAX PLY]

It would likely play splendidly with gut but unless you have the budget, I suggest a soft multi like NXT or X-1 Biphase. Use a thinner gauge and string between 45-50 lbs. If it were me, I'd re-grip it too. When you hit it, try regular duty balls.

 

[DriveKing]

Thank you. I'll look into that! Yeah should be fun to mess with. Again, I'm not an elite player by any means. But love the sport and love rackets, so it's great to go out and try. I have a Spalding Pancho coming too but only paid $8 bucks for it, so I think it's going to be in rough shape ha

 

[Steve Huff]

Not necessarily. Sometimes you can pick up a good wood for cheap. Getting one that's not warped is the key. If gut is out of your budget, a multifiliment would be next best. Alpha Gut 2000 is fairly cheap, but plays well. Like MaxPly stated, I'd string it in the 45# range. The Kramer is probably going to be a little more solid than the Spalding. It's probably a newer frame.

 

[max]

those power pad dingies are a step up from leather choks. Maxply's 100% accurate.

 

[max]

I ran into a Kramer for $2, in my right grip size, in a good weight and balance. . . but with the traditional blue twist nylon gack. I haven't yet tried it out.

 

[DTA Dropshots]

Cheers, Thank you! Any recommendations for strings? I'm very new to this whole wooden game.

Try either some gut or something old school like Leonia 66 or UFO.

 

[jm1980]

So I am pretty into rackets. I currently use an RF97. I'm about a 3.5, close to 4 player from what I've been told. Started playing about 3 years ago—I'm 29. My racket fascination had me ordered two pre-owned, wooden frames.

The Wilson Jack Kramer Autograph and the Spalding Pancho Gonzales. I received the Kramer and wanted to bang around it for fun this week before I ended up mounting it in my office...

That being said, does this look safe to hit with? I noticed these glue-looking elements on the side. Is this normal or has someone fixed this up? My fear is I take a big cut, or shank a ball and the frame shatters in 2.

https://ibb.co/mdNyHd

https://ibb.co/mWkUOJ

Thanks!

Yes, that is normal. But do check if it's warped or has any cracks.

Back in the day players would snap these frames all the time.

Good news is, this was a very popular racquet and pretty easy to find for a couple of bucks

 

[max]

Heck, I'm looking at this heavy (15 gauge?) string and it's all nylon, and I'm thinking that before I even take it out, I should restring it with a 17 gauge synthetic gut.

Realistically, I know a flexible, heavy frame is a lot less string sensitive. Perhaps I should keep in the old crap. But man it's so thick! And that's a very dense string pattern, too.

 

[MAX PLY]

^^^good call on the 17g restring. I think you will find it quite string sensitive. Have fun!

 

[graycrait]

I've restrung a number of woodies lately with syn gut 16g at 55lbs. I have a couple of old JKAs, even a Spalding Pancho Gonzales. I take them out and hit the heck out of them and lend them to others. There are so many inexpensive "good" woodies on the big auction site I don't hold them in reverence with regards to hitting with them or restringing.
http://www.thewoody.net/webpages/racquets/kramerreview.html

 

[max]

At this late date in the day, I don't buy'em anymore unless exactly right. I've got a closet with a half dozen woods and don't play much at all with them.