Pro Stock Racquets 101 (Head)

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Down_the_line

Settle down there, champ. Maybe some people, like myself, just don't have the time to take equipment that seriously. Some people don't care. I'm fine with simply buying a racquet off the shelf in retail form, stringing it up how I like and maybe experimenting with some lead tape.

I do have one question, though. The consensus seems to be that Djokovic really uses a Microgel Radical MP under his IG Speed paintjob. What would the code for that be, seeing as how it sounds like every frame has a code?

Off the top of my head it's a 23X.X. If I remember it's in the 230's, I'll try to find it for you though.


EDIT: From what I see, it's the 231.2.

-Fuji

[Big John]

That would make sense , the 231.2. As luck would have it I've got a couple of those.. They actually hit really well. I tried capping one, that wasn't a massive success but the other one actually hits really well. I'll go and flex it if anyone is interested?

[Down_the_line]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Off the top of my head it's a 23X.X. If I remember it's in the 230's, I'll try to find it for you though.


EDIT: From what I see, it's the 231.2.

-Fuji

Much appreciated, Fugi. Thank you!

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Big John

That would make sense , the 231.2. As luck would have it I've got a couple of those.. They actually hit really well. I tried capping one, that wasn't a massive success but the other one actually hits really well. I'll go and flex it if anyone is interested?

That'd actually really awesome of you, I've been wanting to know the flex on them for a while.

-Fuji

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Down_the_line

Much appreciated, Fugi. Thank you!

You're welcome!

-Fuji

[Big John]

Originally Posted by Down_the_line

Settle down there, champ. Maybe some people, like myself, just don't have the time to take equipment that seriously. Some people don't care. I'm fine with simply buying a racquet off the shelf in retail form, stringing it up how I like and maybe experimenting with some lead tape.

I do have one question, though. The consensus seems to be that Djokovic really uses a Microgel Radical MP under his IG Speed paintjob. What would the code for that be, seeing as how it sounds like every frame has a code?

Easy with the 'champ's, Greg's actually a very knowledgeable guy who can actually play who is as frustrated as many of us with people that stumble across this forum (which from its title of Pros' Racquets and Gear one could reasonably assume to be there to discuss exactly that) trying to say that retail racquets are the same and play the same as retail racquets.

There is a wealth of information already on these boards yet many seem to have to repeat the same old stuff and it gets a bit tedious.

If you've gone to the trouble and expense to buy and play with pro stocks as Greg and quite a few other members here have, one would hope that those who haven't would have the sense to ask questions and to try and learn rather than saying how to suck eggs?

It is guys like Greg that will provide the answers to the harder questions out the there on pro stocks that many don't even know exist, not the retail racquet buyer.

To try and help with where I think you're going with this, the retail Microgel Radical MP could well be light enough to add a fair bit of lead and silicone to it to make it play damn close to the 231.2. Funnily enough I didn't even know the 231.2's I had were the Microgel Radical MP, thats why I capped one, only bumper I could find that fitted! One of the ones I have was used by a top 100 woman on tour. Most other retail sticks like the prestiges generally and the Tour 90 are just too heavy stock to achieve similar feel to the equivalent pro stock at a practical weight for your average player?

[Down_the_line]

Originally Posted by Big John

Easy with the 'champ's, Greg's actually a very knowledgeable guy who can actually play who is as frustrated as many of us with people that stumble across this forum (which from its title of Pros' Racquets and Gear one could reasonably assume to be there to discuss exactly that) trying to say that retail racquets are the same and play the same as retail racquets.

There is a wealth of information already on these boards yet many seem to have to repeat the same old stuff and it gets a bit tedious.

If you've gone to the trouble and expense to buy and play with pro stocks as Greg and quite a few other members here have, one would hope that those who haven't would have the sense to ask questions and to try and learn rather than saying how to suck eggs?

It is guys like Greg that will provide the answers to the harder questions out the there on pro stocks that many don't even know exist, not the retail racquet buyer.

To try and help with where I think you're going with this, the retail Microgel Radical MP could well be light enough to add a fair bit of lead and silicone to it to make it play damn close to the 231.2. Funnily enough I didn't even know the 231.2's I had were the Microgel Radical MP, thats why I capped one, only bumper I could find that fitted! One of the ones I have was used by a top 100 woman on tour. Most other retail sticks like the prestiges generally and the Tour 90 are just too heavy stock to achieve similar feel to the equivalent pro stock at a practical weight for your average player?

Thanks for the input Big John. I didn't mean to disrespect Greg in any way, I just thought he was overreacting. There are different ways to handle the newbie questions, even if they are constant and repetitive, and lambasting the newbs for not grasping more complex tennis equipment concepts is not a good way.

Anyway, again, thanks for the input. I'm finding this pro stock stuff interesting and am just starting to scratch the surface of it all.

[Big John]

That's ok, I can relate to him sometimes, you're trying to show people something new or talk about something that isn't generally known or common knowledge and people seem to want to have potshots at you rather than be interested in it.

In essence, if people don't like pro stocks or think they don't exist, don't come or post here! This is a place for people that do like them, some who use them and what I find most useful is being able to learn from others' experiences along the way.

I've just bought 5 actual Tipsarevic frames for instance and am trying to figure out how to best set them up. I'm not sure how many of these there are out there but some people may be interested. I've got a Verdasco Tecnifibre coming as well to compare, apparently it is a bit more flexy. I'll start a thread on those shortly when the Verdasco arrives and what's the bet someone will try and tell me that they are either fake or a retail Tecnifibre..

They seem to have head style pallets on them for a start, I found that interesting? I'm thinking extended..

I think it is hilarious that after all of this time the Djokovic racquet is a humble pro stock Microgel Radical MP.. The 51 flex rumour had been doing my head in for ages!

[Adidas_Anderson]

Originally Posted by Hidious

I guess because of where they are made + the hype/rarity factor.

are the latest Pt57a with IG paintjob is also made in Austria? i thought they were also made in china though :/
its a difference about 200 euro :/

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Adidas_Anderson

Just a question why a pt57a can be so much expensive than the prestige tgt series?
because of the low flex?

Because of the quality and feel and because it is a TRUE paintjob. The TGK, for the most of it is not a PJ, just the Pro stock version of the retail stick

[Adidas_Anderson]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Because of the quality and feel and because it is a TRUE paintjob. The TGK, for the most of it is not a PJ, just the Pro stock version of the retail stick

Quality reasonable answer!! thanks for explaining to me

[gsharma]

Am I correct to assume that most pro sticks are more flexible than retain ones? If the flex rating is in the 50s, that would explain how these guys can play with poly strings day-in, day-out (in addition to lower tension). But a stick with flex in 50s would be hard to play with against big hitters!

Also, how heavy/light are the typical pro sticks before any customizations?

Where can I get my hands on a pro stick? Would love to try one.

[vsbabolat]

Originally Posted by gsharma

Am I correct to assume that most pro sticks are more flexible than retain ones? If the flex rating is in the 50s, that would explain how these guys can play with poly strings day-in, day-out (in addition to lower tension). But a stick with flex in 50s would be hard to play with against big hitters!

Also, how heavy/light are the typical pro sticks before any customizations?

Where can I get my hands on a pro stick? Would love to try one.

Nope..........

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by gsharma

Am I correct to assume that most pro sticks are more flexible than retain ones? If the flex rating is in the 50s, that would explain how these guys can play with poly strings day-in, day-out (in addition to lower tension). But a stick with flex in 50s would be hard to play with against big hitters!

Also, how heavy/light are the typical pro sticks before any customizations?

Where can I get my hands on a pro stick? Would love to try one.

Nope, most of the Pro stock rackets are just the lighter versions of the retail stick (TGKs, TGTs...)
You can get them on e Bay or on string forum net

[gsharma]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Nope, most of the Pro stock rackets are just the lighter versions of the retail stick (TGKs, TGTs...)
You can get them on e Bay or on string forum net

But the mold and the layout is different for pro stocks, right? Even if I weigh up a pro stock to the weight of a retail stick, it would feel very different?

Just trying to figure out other than the lower weight (which allows pros to customize), what is unique about the pro stocks.

Thanks!

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by gsharma

But the mold and the layout is different for pro stocks, right? Even if I weigh up a pro stock to the weight of a retail stick, it would feel very different?

Just trying to figure out other than the lower weight (which allows pros to customize), what is unique about the pro stocks.

Thanks!

I believe this has been covered many times before. Shortly:
- The Pro stock versions of the Retail -- TGK/TGT, you cannot spot the difference by looking at the pictures. Surely, the pro stock comes with a player sticker inside the throar, most of the time with the Calfskin Head Leather and Pro stock buttcap. However, you can put all that on the retail or remove it from the pro stock. The mold is identical to the Retail. The stiffness and layup is MOSTLY identical (there are some TGKs with a special layup -- TGK238.3, TGK231.3 are examples). There are also some with a specific string patterns -- again 231.3 (MG Radical MP with 16x19), 260.2 (YT Rad MP 16x19), etc
- The Paintjobs (like the PT57A or PT57E) are painted molds that look like current, retail stick. The PT57A is almost identical mold as the TGK238.x or TGT293.x (Prestige MP) but not totally identical. Easiest way to spot it (not that the paint and markings are identical to the retail) is at the string channel endings that extends further passed CAP than the retail stick.

What is unique to the pro stock:
- To you, it may be nothing, to me it may be everything and vice versa.
- To me, the biggest advantages were -- ability to add silicone without getting it too heavy. I love the silicone feel, and love my racket to remain within 350g strung with OG.
- Also, the ability to set the weight and balance the way I want it. There was no way to set the retail Prestige at 350g strung with OG and at 32.8cm balance with silicone in the handle. The retail would easily fo to close to 370g trying to accomplish that.
- What I liked about the PT57A is the flexibility, softness and vibration frequency that helped with my tennis elbow.

So, to me, the Pro stock was worth every penny. If you're buying it just to say you have it, it is not worth it and it is not going to make you a pro. It may improve your game though due to the points I listed above.

[gsharma]

Originally Posted by dr325i

I believe this has been covered many times before. Shortly:
- The Pro stock versions of the Retail -- TGK/TGT, you cannot spot the difference by looking at the pictures. Surely, the pro stock comes with a player sticker inside the throar, most of the time with the Calfskin Head Leather and Pro stock buttcap. However, you can put all that on the retail or remove it from the pro stock. The mold is identical to the Retail. The stiffness and layup is MOSTLY identical (there are some TGKs with a special layup -- TGK238.3, TGK231.3 are examples). There are also some with a specific string patterns -- again 231.3 (MG Radical MP with 16x19), 260.2 (YT Rad MP 16x19), etc
- The Paintjobs (like the PT57A or PT57E) are painted molds that look like current, retail stick. The PT57A is almost identical mold as the TGK238.x or TGT293.x (Prestige MP) but not totally identical. Easiest way to spot it (not that the paint and markings are identical to the retail) is at the string channel endings that extends further passed CAP than the retail stick.

What is unique to the pro stock:
- To you, it may be nothing, to me it may be everything and vice versa.
- To me, the biggest advantages were -- ability to add silicone without getting it too heavy. I love the silicone feel, and love my racket to remain within 350g strung with OG.
- Also, the ability to set the weight and balance the way I want it. There was no way to set the retail Prestige at 350g strung with OG and at 32.8cm balance with silicone in the handle. The retail would easily fo to close to 370g trying to accomplish that.
- What I liked about the PT57A is the flexibility, softness and vibration frequency that helped with my tennis elbow.

So, to me, the Pro stock was worth every penny. If you're buying it just to say you have it, it is not worth it and it is not going to make you a pro. It may improve your game though due to the points I listed above.

Thanks for the info. I understand it's just a racquet but I've always been curious about pro-sticks, especially PT57A. I play with old-schools racquets, high-flex, low-powered so it will be fun to try it out. Now I just have to find one in reasonable condition and for reasonable price.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by gsharma

Thanks for the info. I understand it's just a racquet but I've always been curious about pro-sticks, especially PT57A. I play with old-schools racquets, high-flex, low-powered so it will be fun to try it out. Now I just have to find one in reasonable condition and for reasonable price.

aren't we all???

-Fuji

[Adidas_Anderson]

Originally Posted by dr325i

I believe this has been covered many times before. Shortly:
- The Pro stock versions of the Retail -- TGK/TGT, you cannot spot the difference by looking at the pictures. Surely, the pro stock comes with a player sticker inside the throar, most of the time with the Calfskin Head Leather and Pro stock buttcap. However, you can put all that on the retail or remove it from the pro stock. The mold is identical to the Retail. The stiffness and layup is MOSTLY identical (there are some TGKs with a special layup -- TGK238.3, TGK231.3 are examples). There are also some with a specific string patterns -- again 231.3 (MG Radical MP with 16x19), 260.2 (YT Rad MP 16x19), etc
- The Paintjobs (like the PT57A or PT57E) are painted molds that look like current, retail stick. The PT57A is almost identical mold as the TGK238.x or TGT293.x (Prestige MP) but not totally identical. Easiest way to spot it (not that the paint and markings are identical to the retail) is at the string channel endings that extends further passed CAP than the retail stick.

What is unique to the pro stock:
- To you, it may be nothing, to me it may be everything and vice versa.
- To me, the biggest advantages were -- ability to add silicone without getting it too heavy. I love the silicone feel, and love my racket to remain within 350g strung with OG.
- Also, the ability to set the weight and balance the way I want it. There was no way to set the retail Prestige at 350g strung with OG and at 32.8cm balance with silicone in the handle. The retail would easily fo to close to 370g trying to accomplish that.
- What I liked about the PT57A is the flexibility, softness and vibration frequency that helped with my tennis elbow.

So, to me, the Pro stock was worth every penny. If you're buying it just to say you have it, it is not worth it and it is not going to make you a pro. It may improve your game though due to the points I listed above.

WELL EXPLAINED , THUMBS UP for many charc.

[Big John]

Managed to remember the TGK 231's. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Djokovic would be using the TGK 231.1, Microgel Radical MP mold in flexy form, around 60 flex, tight pattern?

The 231.2 is also tight pattern but is stiffer, more like a pt57e in flex. Was used by Chardy and Casey Dellacqua. Has much more pop but feels quite different to the 231.1, a little like the difference between a pt57a and a pt57e? Plays a bit like an uncapped pt57e in my opinion, quite liked it.

The 231.3 is the open pattern flexy version used by Cilic. Could be same layup as the 231.1 but in 16 19, so around the 60 flex mark?