No1e's Racquet

[Firstking]

Originally Posted by dr325i

The first one is just a guess -- it could be an optical illusion due to different colors and patterns. I actually have both (MG Rad MP and IG Speed MP) and will check, but I could have sworn that the Radical is definitely wider (looks that way). I always thought that the Prestiges were 21mm and Radicals 22mm straight?

The bridge on the MG Radical MP and Novak's actual racket looks identical to me.

Yeah, the Radical MP molds from that era, MG and LM, have a listed beam width of 21mm, same with the Prestiges. I'll check my LM, but it looks to be the same width as the Prestiges.

Now, about the bridge, I've read some posts where people claim the bridge on a MG Radical MP gets slimmer along the middle main strings area (IIrc I found this to be true with MG Radical MPs I've held before, granted I don't have any right now to confirm), while for Novak's racquet, the bridge width remains constant.

Again, I know I'm being very picky.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Firstking

Yeah, the Radical MP molds from that era, MG and LM, have a listed beam width of 21mm, same with the Prestiges. I'll check my LM, but it looks to be the same width as the Prestiges.

Now, about the bridge, I've read some posts where people claim the bridge on a MG Radical MP gets slimmer along the middle main strings area (IIrc I found this to be true with MG Radical MPs I've held before, granted I don't have any right now to confirm), while for Novak's racquet, the bridge width remains constant.

Again, I know I'm being very picky.

So, I looked and compared them tonight.
The MG Radical MP is DEFINITELY thicker in the Hoop, the throat area may be the same thickness (I did not measure). I believe the IG Speed is 21mm in the throat and 20 in the hoop.
I will measure if that helps.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by Firstking

Seeing as you possibly got a closer look at the grommets, if the other finalist you're referring to is indeed Novak, I'd appreciate to hear any knowledge or any theories you might have.


For the record, I do mildly believe, that it is a Radical MP mold from years back based on the head shape, but the certain differences will always keep me doubtful and open to other assumptions.

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:

TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.

Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by drakulie

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:

TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.

Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.

Interesting observation, however, looking at the Fabfed's pictures, it has absolutely nothing to do with Instinct -- shape, thickness, throat. Not sure how you came up with that?

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Interesting observation, however, looking at the Fabfed's pictures, it has absolutely nothing to do with Instinct -- shape, thickness, throat. Not sure how you came up with that?

because it looks thicker than a radical.

[Firstking]

Originally Posted by dr325i

So, I looked and compared them tonight.
The MG Radical MP is DEFINITELY thicker in the Hoop, the throat area may be the same thickness (I did not measure). I believe the IG Speed is 21mm in the throat and 20 in the hoop.
I will measure if that helps.

Thanks for getting back to me.

Originally Posted by drakulie

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:

TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.

Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.

Thanks for this. Yeah, the thickness of the frame keeps throwing me off as well.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by drakulie

because it looks thicker than a radical.

Again, I am not sure I understand your comment - looking back at the post #25 of this thread, there is nothing strange about the thickness of this racket. The stock speed is definitely thinner than the Radical, and Novak's stick looks just slightly thicker than the stock Speed.
I think you're mistaken.

[Lefty78]

Originally Posted by drakulie

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP.

Head never made clear grommets for either the MG Rad MP or the LM Instinct, so naturally the Nole/Stepanek grommets will have a unique engineering code.

[vsbabolat]

Originally Posted by drakulie

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:

TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.

Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.

It's not the OG Instinct without LM Ridges......... The yoke and shaft is a completely different design to joker and stepanek frames.

[schap02]

Originally Posted by drakulie

I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:

TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.

Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.

Drak - did you string any H19's or h22's in Cincy? I have a pair of h19's in the 18 x 20 pattern and I've spoken with several guys on Wilson's tour stringing team - they tend to think that Novak is still indeed using the same h22 mold he used at wilson....according to them my h19's are wilsons version of the pt57a....anyways, just curious, Novaks frame looks identical to my h19s with a thicker beam....

[AverageJoe]

Originally Posted by schap02

Drak - did you string any H19's or h22's in Cincy? I have a pair of h19's in the 18 x 20 pattern and I've spoken with several guys on Wilson's tour stringing team - they tend to think that Novak is still indeed using the same h22 mold he used at wilson....according to them my h19's are wilsons version of the pt57a....anyways, just curious, Novaks frame looks identical to my h19s with a thicker beam....

Speaking of which, has it ever been confirmed that Nole used the h22 and not the h19?

[schap02]

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

Speaking of which, has it ever been confirmed that Nole used the h22 and not the h19?

I will try to post a few pics of my h19's later and show how similar they "look" to Nole's racquet, string pattern, head shape, ect, weights are pretty close as well (I know that's not as big of a deal)....

but yea like I said, a couple guys I know string for the Wilson stringing team and they all commented that he used the h22....

[3fees]

Originally Posted by Fabfed

The racquet just arrived today. I will take it to be one of Novak’s Wimbledon final sticks, unless Ron tells me otherwise. Some lead tape around the 3 & 9 o’clock positions stretching to 5 & 7 o'clock. Sorry about the pics, I’m busy with some work now, but I will take a ton of nicer, close up pics for you guys tonight

nice find fabfed

[tistrapukcipeht]

Can't head sue Wilson for plagiarism??

It looks like Wilson copy racquets from head.

[AverageJoe]

Originally Posted by schap02

I will try to post a few pics of my h19's later and show how similar they "look" to Nole's racquet, string pattern, head shape, ect, weights are pretty close as well (I know that's not as big of a deal)....

but yea like I said, a couple guys I know string for the Wilson stringing team and they all commented that he used the h22....

Yeah, cause I've hit with a few H19's and they are MUCH closer in weight, balance and feel to his current Head than the H22's I've hit with were.

[threenil03]

I have a liquid metal radical and MG radical from tw. Both racquets have a seam throughout the hoop of the racquet, you call it twin tube technology. Does Novak's racquet have this is his racquet twin tube?

Thanks

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by tistrapukcipeht

Can't head sue Wilson for plagiarism??

It looks like Wilson copy racquets from head.

No, even if it were an exact copy of a Wilson racquet. It's a one-off racquet for an individual. Head is not selling it.

[vsbabolat]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

No, even if it were an exact copy of a Wilson racquet. It's a one-off racquet for an individual. Head is not selling it.

Djokovic's racquets are from the HEAD MG Radical MP mold. While Wilson makes racquets for their Pro's that are copies of HEAD racquets such as the Original Instinct and the Radical MP.

[Frankauc]

people say that they changed the mold for the new head speed that will be released in january 2013. Has head made the new version of the speed closer to what djokovic actually uses?

[schap02]

Originally Posted by Frankauc

people say that they changed the mold for the new head speed that will be released in january 2013. Has head made the new version of the speed closer to what djokovic actually uses?

Haven't seen the new speeds yet, should be some demos around shortly, but I have hear from the head rep that it's similar to the prestige line, with a few tweaks, he wouldn't elaborate, will post some pics when I'm able...