Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[coachrick]

Sang...that's a pretty impressive collection. A Kramer Mid, I believe; R-22; and the Max Competition with the removable ball bearing weights...quite interesting.

When you said 'Spalding Smasher', I thought you meant the first 'expensive' racket I owned...the aluminum Smasher...FORTY BUCKS at Kmart in the late '60s...I didn't realize the name was resurrected for the composite.

The Genesis 660 was incredibly popular in Atlanta ca 1990...sold for ~ $200 the first year, then 'we' had them at Sports Authority a couple of years later...strung for $89...didn't even have to put them on the pegs...sold right out of the shipping boxes.

michael_1265, Austin has at least 15 GoodWill locations...7 or 8 along ONE highway!!! The GoodWill "outlet" used to be fairly close to us and I found some serious bargains for .99 or 1.99, but they relocated more than 25 miles away. I stop by 3-5 locations periodically; but it seems I'm only finding broken rackets or yet another Chemold piece of junk . I've still got 80 rackets on the wall and a few dozen in crates...I really need to either stop or seriously get started again!

[TMR]

I have been looking for the Dunlop Max Competition for a long time. I have lots to trade for if you are not attached to it.

[TMR]

Originally Posted by Sanglier

Thanks for the tip on the string locks and the explanation on the covers, Coachrick. It makes perfect sense.

During all the years of dropping off unwanted stuff at the back door of that particular Goodwill, I never thought of actually stepping through its front door to have a look until last year, because I had assumed that everything inside will be just as useless as the stuff I had dropped off. It so happened that this PS 125 was sitting right there on the sporting goods shelf on that particular day...

Naturally, I was instantly hooked. I couldn't believe that anyone would buy a racquet like this, keep it for more than two decades, and just toss it out like that. One man's junk may be another man's treasure, but still, people who buy high-end racquets would presumably never think of them as junk!

A few months later, I found that "Kennex" racquet at the same store; the subsequent search for its origin led me here, and eventually to this thread, and I came to realize just how much I had been missing out on by stupidly overlooking this inexhaustible supply of cheap fixes for racquetholics. One immediate effect of this late realization is that I am now completely weaned off of Play-It-Again-Sports.

After the initial find, I made the rounds of every thrift store within a 20 mile radius of my place for a whole week to see if this was a common occurrence. unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, for my wallet and sanity), it wasn't. And clearly, not all thrift stores are created equal. The ones bordering the more affluent neighborhoods are definitely better stocked. I am told by the staff at "my" GW that during much of the year, they tend to sell what they collect locally, it's only during the peak donation seasons (spring cleaning, Christmas New-Year) that they would pool everything at their main distribution center so as to spread the goodies around. This greatly reduced my urge to explore beyond my immediate horizons, and made it easier to rationalize the high frequency of store visits to myself.

Below is the rest of my haul over the last 10 months. As you can see, nothing spectacular there (although I rather enjoy the Spalding Smasher, which was unknown to me). I guess I have averaged a little more than one pick-up per month. A good bit more than the 2-3 per year rate I was keeping via PIAS, but for about the same price. I will probably have to be more selective in the future to make this a sustainable habit however.

In case it wasn't clear, I was referencing Sanglier and his haul.

[Clintspin]

That Spalding Smasher plays very nicely. It would surprise most people.

[Sanglier]

Originally Posted by Clintspin

That Spalding Smasher plays very nicely. It would surprise most people.

It certainly surprised me Very crisp and clean, reminds me a bit of the PS85, yet different somehow. Dimensionally, it is a virtual clone of those Wilson frames - only a tiny fraction of an inch shorter, though the string pattern is completely different. It is made with "continuous length" graphite fibers, which I take to mean they are braided (perhaps that's where the similarity with the PS comes from). This is what it looks like piggybacked to a PS85:




TMR: I haven't had the Max Competition for very long, so I am only attached to it to the extent that none of my other racquets comes with shiny little ball bearings! This racquet is far from pristine, but most of the wear appears to be directed at the bumper (see below). It's a size 2, so you will probably have to build up the grip if you plan to play with it. I am a sucker for weird and unusual racquets, but I don't usually go out of my way to look for anything specific; if you really want this thing and have something with equally unique features to trade, feel free to email me at tschapkaATyahoo.

[SFrazeur]

Found a Knessel WhiteStar Mid and a Wilson Graphite Matrix for $3.00 each. Both in fair condition.

[jonestim]

Just found a Prince Magnesium Pro 90. I almost left it there as I have a 110 version that I don't care for all that much - and I left both a Magnesium 110 and a Prince Pro at a different shop on Monday for $1 each. I said what the hell - it's only $5 and some folks think of this as the GROAT. I hit with it tonight with what appear to be the original Prince strings from 1986. It was very smooth with no metallic feel. It is softer than the POG with less spin. It and the POG are a 14x18 string pattern, but the spacing is tighter. The mains have about the same spacing as the 14 center mains of the Diablo Tour. The crosses are tighter as well but not quite as close as the 18 center crosses of the Diablo. It hits a ball more similar to the Diablo than the POG. I don't know how often I will play with it, but is is fun.

[michael_1265]

I found a nice Copper Ace today at Goodwill. I had been looking for one of these. $5.25.

[TCTEN]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

I found a nice Copper Ace today at Goodwill. I had been looking for one of these. $5.25.

Nice...I would really like to find one on my search through local thrift shops.

[Rock Strongo]

These are from my recent trip to 2 thrift shops.


The RQ-180 cost me the equivalent of 3€, the Vacuum cost me 5€, and not pictured here is a PlayStation 1, also 5€. Now I'd like to know what these play like!

Quick edit: stupid phone seems to only have focused on the Fischer... The Yonex is in quite splendid condition though.

Edit 2: Aaargh, so disappointing! I found a crack in the yoke on the Fischer! Might get that repaired though, but I'm rather disappointed!

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by Rock Strongo

These are from my recent trip to 2 thrift shops.


The RQ-180 cost me the equivalent of 3€, the Vacuum cost me 5€, and not pictured here is a PlayStation 1, also 5€. Now I'd like to know what these play like!

Quick edit: stupid phone seems to only have focused on the Fischer... The Yonex is in quite splendid condition though.

Edit 2: Aaargh, so disappointing! I found a crack in the yoke on the Fischer! Might get that repaired though, but I'm rather disappointed!

You should be really happy with that Yonex. From the condition of the grip, it has had very little use. I too have bought a couple of racquets at Goodwill, only to find small, but significant defects upon further inspection.

[retrowagen]

Originally Posted by Rock Strongo

These are from my recent trip to 2 thrift shops.
The RQ-180 cost me the equivalent of 3€, the Vacuum cost me 5€, and not pictured here is a PlayStation 1, also 5€. Now I'd like to know what these play like!

Quick edit: stupid phone seems to only have focused on the Fischer... The Yonex is in quite splendid condition though.

Edit 2: Aaargh, so disappointing! I found a crack in the yoke on the Fischer! Might get that repaired though, but I'm rather disappointed!

Oh, too bad! That model Fischer is the first model they made with the mold that eventually became the forst three versions of the Pro No. 1... and is also probably the best version of all!

[Rock Strongo]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

You should be really happy with that Yonex. From the condition of the grip, it has had very little use. I too have bought a couple of racquets at Goodwill, only to find small, but significant defects upon further inspection.

Well, the strings are worn but actually the previous owner seems to have taken care of it really well! Just some very minor paint chips and light scratching at the bumper.

Originally Posted by retrowagen

Oh, too bad! That model Fischer is the first model they made with the mold that eventually became the forst three versions of the Pro No. 1... and is also probably the best version of all!

I'd love to test it fully actually... Plan was to get both restrung. It'll work perfectly fine with the Yonex, just take it down to the shop and hey presto, new strings, but with the Fischer I may have to consult a friend to do it VERY carefully and then give him a return favor at any given time.

[jonestim]

I just picked up my third St Vincent 6.0 mid in a year. This one is an early bumperless one in my grip size (4 1/2") It seems like someone is telling me I should be using this racquet. My strokes disagree. I think I'll be making some posts in the For Sale section soon.

[michaelscoots]

Originally Posted by jonestim

I just picked up my third St Vincent 6.0 mid in a year. This one is an early bumperless one in my grip size (4 1/2") It seems like someone is telling me I should be using this racquet. My strokes disagree. I think I'll be making some posts in the For Sale section soon.

Is that the case with all of the St Vincent's you picked up? Try changing the string. I like a soft synthetic gut at 58lbs for both control and power. Prince Synth. Gut with duraflex is nice but doesn't last long. But oh, so much control! If you have proper technique enabling the kinetic chain by turning and then bending your knees you should have fun. Serves and volleys are oh so sweet!!!

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by michaelscoots

Is that the case with all of the St Vincent's you picked up? Try changing the string. I like a soft synthetic gut at 58lbs for both control and power. Prince Synth. Gut with duraflex is nice but doesn't last long. But oh, so much control! If you have proper technique enabling the kinetic chain by turning and then bending your knees you should have fun. Serves and volleys are oh so sweet!!!

And there in lies the rub. I have been playing for about a year. I am looking at a stack of vintage racquets in my closet that could pay for quite a few lessons.

[michael_1265]

Minty R-20. Two dollars. Cash.

[chollyred]

No pics, but picked up a Prince Graphtech DB 90 with original case for $3. The grip is pretty well dry rotted, but the frame appears to have never been used.

Saw a Prince Longbody (not sure which one) this weekend, but didn't have time to fully check it out. I'll go back this weekend to see if it's still there.

I haven't found any real steals at any of the stores I go to. I think the tennis public around here is too knowlegeable about what they have and make other arrangements to sell or trade.

[tennis legend 2]

i found a volkl v1 classic racket at a garage sale once

[Rock Strongo]

I found a T2000, I FOUND A T2000!!!


Old Wilson logo and all! It's a racquet I don't know much about, other than people saying how terrible it is yet envying Connors for successfully wielding one.

There was also a Yonex R-4, but I decided to pass on that.