ProKennex Ace series

[Tennis Man]

I played with Boron Ace yesterday and loved it. It's an old frame and I got it by accident but it plays like classic.

Now looking for more Aces, info and specs (preferably 85-90 sq inch head):

Boron Ace 90 (90% graphite, 10% boron)
Black Ace 86 (100% graphite, black with red piping), Black Ace 90)
Diamond Ace (???)
Silver Ace 90 (80% graphite, 20% Fiberglass? all it says on it is "soft foam core, glass & graphite")
Olympic Ace (70% graphite, 30% Fiberglass)
Bronze Ace (60% graphite, 40% Fiberglass)
Golden Ace (Wood with graphite overlays). Also Boron Golden Ace, Graphite Golden Ace ...

[Wilson6-1]

I own a Silver Ace from ~1982/1983 timeframe. It is graphite, 90 head size and at least 12+ oz. Unfortunately, it does not have specs on the racquet but I believe it is slightly HL, but not by much. It is a small beam (don't know the measurement) and plays great today. Mine is black with a light blue stripe and a brown leather grip.

Based on your description of the Boron Ace, I would definitely recommend the Silver Ace. They are usually up for sale on e-bay and are inexpensive.

Hope this helps.

[psp2]

Here are few PK aces that I recommend:

Silver Ace
Copper Ace
Black Ace (there are several versions out there)
Diamond Ace (contains boron...stiff!!)

[VanGuy10]

hey! well I agree with you. the older midsize (midsize to me is 90 sq in) raquets are the best. I've been playing with them for 3-5 years now. My main stick has been warped though. If you look at it from the side, you can see that the raquet is bent back a little bit. especially from my forehand. The only problem I've had with these raquets is that no two are alike. Similar, but different. You'll notice it when you need the control, its a little different with all the midsize PK raquets I have. But they are great. Thats why I collect them

[Tennis Man]

Thank you, guys.

I'm just rediscovering the older PK frames and yes, they play great compared to some current midsize frames and are really cheap on the auction site. I just picked up a few very decent graphite sticks.

BTW, if anyone wants to unload a few (at least 2-3), let me know. As long as they are structurally sound and have grommets in place. Grip size up to 1/2. Don't care about the strings, only about grommets. I will restring them anyway.

[anirut]

How 'bout turning this thread into the PK Ace Club?

I'm joining with the Black and Golden Aces. Will post pics after my son returns with my camera.

Please post your pics too.

[movdqa]

Does that mean I have to get one? I'm sure my friend with the Golden Ace will trade it to me for a Redondo.

[gsquicksilver]

black ace gets my vote. it's my only PK stick i own.

[ThompsonSports]

I own 10 of the real Black Ace's, ones that Steve Denton used to make the Australian Open final in 81-82. They are 100 graphite with foam core, red pin stripe. Hits very closely to the Wilson PS original.

[anirut]

Originally Posted by movdqa

Does that mean I have to get one? I'm sure my friend with the Golden Ace will trade it to me for a Redondo.

Why not? You can always get a new Redondo, but not the GoldenAce.

If I were you, I would.

There was also the Boron GoldenAce. I had that but sadly gave it away as a donation. I now have only the Graphite GoldenAce.

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by anirut

How 'bout turning this thread into the PK Ace Club?

I'm joining with the Black and Golden Aces. Will post pics after my son returns with my camera.

Please post your pics too.

Anirut, any pictures yet? I will be posting more as they arrive.

I'm creating the Best of Aces collection. Here's a summary based on the feedback received:

Boron Ace 90 (90% graphite, 10% boron), stiffest and most expensive)
Black Ace 86 (100% graphite, black with red piping), original, stiff, Black Ace 90 – later version
Diamond Aces (rare, these were really the most expensive, contains boron...stiff!!)).
Silver Ace 90 (80% graphite, 20% Fiberglass, (black, blue, & white), very popular in 80s
Olympic Ace (70% graphite, 30% Fiberglass)
Bronze Ace (60% graphite, 40% Fiberglass)
Copper Ace (40% graphite, 60% fiberglass, dark grey with copper colour piping)
Golden Ace (Wood with graphite overlays). Also Boron Golden Ace, Graphite Golden Ace?
Fiber Ace ("wimpier version of the Copper Ace")
Ceramic Ace 90 ..........................
Composite Ace 90 ..........................
Graphite Ace 90 ..........................
Tour Ace 90 ..........................
Tournament Ace ..........................

to be continued ...

[Steve Huff]

Boron Ace--stiffest and most expensive of the "Aces"
Black Ace--100% graphite, next stiffest and next most expensive
Silver Ace--80% graphite, 20% Fiberglass--nice hitting frame. I have one, although back in the 80's, I used the Black Ace
Bronze Ace--60% graphite, 40% Fiberglass
Copper Ace--40% graphite, 60% fiberglass--very flexible
Golden Ace--Wood with graphite overlays--I have some of these and they are nice too.
There were a few other Aces (Diamond Ace, Ceramic Ace, Ace Pro, Composite Ace, Junior Ace, Power Ace, Silver Ace Prophecy, Tour Ace, and Tournament Ace)
Diamond Aces were rare (these were really the most expensive). Most of the others came later and were relegated to discount stores. Some models, like the Black Ace, Copper Ace and a few others came with different string patterns. You could get these in a 16 X 19, 18 x 20 etc, similar to today's Pro Staff 6.1 models

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

Boron Ace--stiffest and most expensive of the "Aces"
Black Ace--100% graphite, next stiffest and next most expensive
Silver Ace--80% graphite, 20% Fiberglass--nice hitting frame. I have one, although back in the 80's, I used the Black Ace
Bronze Ace--60% graphite, 40% Fiberglass
Copper Ace--40% graphite, 60% fiberglass--very flexible
Golden Ace--Wood with graphite overlays--I have some of these and they are nice too.
There were a few other Aces (Diamond Ace, Ceramic Ace, Ace Pro, Composite Ace, Junior Ace, Power Ace, Silver Ace Prophecy, Tour Ace, and Tournament Ace)
Diamond Aces were rare (these were really the most expensive). Most of the others came later and were relegated to discount stores. Some models, like the Black Ace, Copper Ace and a few others came with different string patterns. You could get these in a 16 X 19, 18 x 20 etc, similar to today's Pro Staff 6.1 models

I had no idea that Boron Ace was the most expensive. It's also a bit too flexy for Boron.

[NadalClone]

I was at the local used sporting goods store the other day and was searching through the old racquets. After reading up on some of the racquets here, I decided to pick up an old PK Black Ace 98 for $10 today. It looks pretty good other than the top of the frame. It came with a PK cowhide grip which is still playable although I'm gonna throw an overgrip on top. For those of you that know, how does this racquet play. Did I get a good deal on it? How does it compare to the Prostaff.

[anirut]

Originally Posted by NadalClone

I decided to pick up an old PK Black Ace 98 ... For those of you that know, how does this racquet play. Did I get a good deal on it? How does it compare to the Prostaff.

Yes, you got a good deal, I suppose.

The Black is a hell of a control racket. PK's equivalent to the PS85, except for the headsize, which is a 90. God only knows why it's called 98. Keep the tension some where around 55 for easy feel. Hit with full, smooth swing.

BTW, lift some weights before going all out with this stick ...

[NadalClone]

Thanks anirut. I picked up the racket to have some fun with. I've hit a little bit with the prostaff and had some fun volleying with it. I don't think the black ace really fits my game, but i''m gonna work on my flat strokes and my one hander with it.

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by NadalClone

I was at the local used sporting goods store the other day and was searching through the old racquets. After reading up on some of the racquets here, I decided to pick up an old PK Black Ace 98 for $10 today. It looks pretty good other than the top of the frame. It came with a PK cowhide grip which is still playable although I'm gonna throw an overgrip on top. For those of you that know, how does this racquet play. Did I get a good deal on it? How does it compare to the Prostaff.

Good find. Pictures, please.

[NadalClone]

Originally Posted by Tennis Man

Good find. Pictures, please.

[joe sch]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

Boron Ace--stiffest and most expensive of the "Aces"
Black Ace--100% graphite, next stiffest and next most expensive
Silver Ace--80% graphite, 20% Fiberglass--nice hitting frame. I have one, although back in the 80's, I used the Black Ace
Bronze Ace--60% graphite, 40% Fiberglass
Copper Ace--40% graphite, 60% fiberglass--very flexible
Golden Ace--Wood with graphite overlays--I have some of these and they are nice too.
There were a few other Aces (Diamond Ace, Ceramic Ace, Ace Pro, Composite Ace, Junior Ace, Power Ace, Silver Ace Prophecy, Tour Ace, and Tournament Ace)
Diamond Aces were rare (these were really the most expensive). Most of the others came later and were relegated to discount stores. Some models, like the Black Ace, Copper Ace and a few others came with different string patterns. You could get these in a 16 X 19, 18 x 20 etc, similar to today's Pro Staff 6.1 models

Excellent list Steve ! The PK rackets are awesome rackets that probably never got the popularity deserved since this company never spent big bucks endorsing top players. Another addition to this thread, Im not sure if others have mentioned, is the Fiber Ace, which I believe TW had offered in the Bosworth rackets a year ago or so ... Here are the specs:

Pro Kennex Fiber Acer tennis racquet

classic graphite tennis frame from the 1980s ...

Weight: approx. 12.oz unstrung 12.7oz strung.
Headsize: Midsize, approx. 85-90sq.in.
String pattern: 16 main strings (number cross strings is 18 or 19).
Flex: flexible racquet contains fiberglass.

I have many excellent Pro Kennex rackets and will try to picture to show off ...

Joe

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by joe sch

I have many excellent Pro Kennex rackets and will try to picture to show off ...

Joe

Please, do.