Sweet spot of Max200g

MichaelChang · 12-18-2012, 04:49 AM

I picked up a used Max200g strung with random syn guts with low tension. The stick weights 13.4oz. The head sure looks like a 85 or so, but the sweet spot feels much bigger than a Wilson 85. The 200g plays very flex, and very sweet on most shots, including some off-center shots. Hmm... Is that so to you too?

Hannah19 · 12-18-2012, 10:55 AM

The MAX 200G is more like an 80 than an 85. I believe the playability of the MAX is due to the IMF process.

michael valek · 12-19-2012, 06:00 AM

there is no softer feeling frame. at the correct tensions, if you hit it right, you can hardly even feel that a ball has hit the strings.

max · 12-19-2012, 08:50 AM

Yes to OP. I played with the Max 200 G for many years and then bought and spent a summer with a PS 6.0/85. While the PS was much better for my serve, and whippier for my forehand drive, the Max outshone it in other categories. . . it was a much more aggressive frame and excellent for mixing it up. Felt like a much larger sweet spot, and the weight made off center shots work just fine. Pickem up and getem back.

MichaelChang · 12-19-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max

Yes to OP. I played with the Max 200 G for many years and then bought and spent a summer with a PS 6.0/85. While the PS was much better for my serve, and whippier for my forehand drive, the Max outshone it in other categories. . . it was a much more aggressive frame and excellent for mixing it up. Felt like a much larger sweet spot, and the weight made off center shots work just fine. Pickem up and getem back.

I was hitting with the 200g, Wilson JackKramer prostaff 85 and the Wilson 6.0 85 side by side. The wilson 85s both are much easier to whip, feels much ligher to swing, but the sweet spot of 200g is just obviously feels bigger and sweet. I can't put it down. The wilson 85s felt tiny compared to the 200g on ground strokes.

Mick · 12-19-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

I was hitting with the 200g, Wilson JackKramer prostaff 85 and the Wilson 6.0 85 side by side. The wilson 85s both are much easier to whip, feels much ligher to swing, but the sweet spot of 200g is just obviously feels bigger and sweet. I can't put it down. The wilson 85s felt tiny compared to the 200g on ground strokes.

turn the racquets to the side, the max 200g's thickness is almost double that of the PS 6.0 85's

Backhanded Compliment · 12-19-2012, 12:00 PM

I played it in the 80's and picked one up last year for 25 bucks. We all used to call it "The Doom Log" and even today I cant hit a heavier flat forehand or backhand slice than with that thing. There are shots one can really only hit with the IMF 200G. I remember something about the 200G's injection moulding process giving its hoop tremendous ability to not distort (especially on off center hits). It may flex but it has a strange stability that allows it to be perhaps the most ridiculous vollying/touch/graphite racket ever made.

It had immense power on tap for everything but serves and topspin and reacts well to low tension poly. I have Black Magic on mine in the 40's and its accuracy is legendary. I literally aim for lines with it. Stopped using it because it held my second serves back.

Also, the IMF process created larger string holes than usual... in fact Prince had to wait for its patents to expire to do their moulded vs drilled hole rackets

Headsize is like 83.9 inches and the whole thing feels like a sweetspot.

BlueB · 12-19-2012, 08:28 PM

Damn, now I have to go play with the bloody thing!

Rock Strongo · 12-20-2012, 02:05 AM

Is it just me who thinks it has obscene power for some shots? I hit some ridiculous returns with mine last week and couldn't really believe how much oomph they had.

MichaelChang · 12-20-2012, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backhanded Compliment

I played it in the 80's and picked one up last year for 25 bucks. We all used to call it "The Doom Log" and even today I cant hit a heavier flat forehand or backhand slice than with that thing. There are shots one can really only hit with the IMF 200G. I remember something about the 200G's injection moulding process giving its hoop tremendous ability to not distort (especially on off center hits). It may flex but it has a strange stability that allows it to be perhaps the most ridiculous vollying/touch/graphite racket ever made.

It had immense power on tap for everything but serves and topspin and reacts well to low tension poly. I have Black Magic on mine in the 40's and its accuracy is legendary. I literally aim for lines with it. Stopped using it because it held my second serves back.

Also, the IMF process created larger string holes than usual... in fact Prince had to wait for its patents to expire to do their moulded vs drilled hole rackets

Headsize is like 83.9 inches and the whole thing feels like a sweetspot.

Thanks for sharing your experience with it. 25 bucks sounds a sweet deal. I have to try get one in better condition. Definitely a classic worth to own. These sticks are not for match play now these days, can't use them in serious competitive singles matches, but lots of fun and vintage on casual hittings/practises/doubles.

joe sch · 12-20-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

Thanks for sharing your experience with it. 25 bucks sounds a sweet deal. I have to try get one in better condition. Definitely a classic worth to own. These sticks are not for match play now these days, can't use them in serious competitive singles matches, but lots of fun and vintage on casual hittings/practises/doubles.

You would be surprised as its fun to use a classic racket in tournaments. Guess if your worried about a ranking then you may want a modern blaster. I loved using the max 200g to play serve volley tennis and played it will all natural at 50 lbs. The sweet spot, feel, and stability is just amazing. Also, this racket was made to last and even the models that have the paint warn off will still play great many years. I have even known some players that played them with major court rash. I prefer to play ones with all the graphite but don't care about the paint job.

BlueB · 12-27-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueB

Damn, now I have to go play with the bloody thing!

Did it! Played a pro-set tonight and won by usual margin with that opponent.
I used it with some ancient syn gut that was already in and it still played sweet. It deserves another trial with better strings, though.
Groundies are great when positioned right. Hits a bit flatter, which was expected. However, I managed to hit few very bouncy top spins, don't even know how... It was pretty easy to play an emergency backhand slice when not in position for a flat or spinny one. Also shanked few backhands...
Voleys were awsome. Directional control too. Some dropshots sailed a bit longer then intended.
Serving was absolute b!tch... Very hard, especially the topspin ones. The ones that I did strike right, felt great, though.
Feel is very flexy and plush, BUT, arm didn't like it much!? No problems with shoulder or wrist, that I sometimes get from racquets that are too heavy for me, but elbow...

Conclusion: From my goldy-oldies, I like PT280 and POG OS better. This is just as nice as Spectum Comp or POG M.
I think if I ditched the leather for a much lighter grip (maybe an overgrip only) and strung it with gut/poly, I'd like it even more.

Hannah19 · 12-28-2012, 12:55 PM

Come on guy's ( and gall's),
Let's face it.....WE WANT THIS ICON RE-ISSUED!!!!!
TW, go nag Dunlop into uncovering the dust collecting IMF machines and start moulding a few of these babies!!!
Make it a 85 weighing about 330 gr strung and 6 points headlight.

retrowagen · 12-28-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Come on guy's ( and gall's),
Let's face it.....WE WANT THIS ICON RE-ISSUED!!!!!
TW, go nag Dunlop into uncovering the dust collecting IMF machines and start moulding a few of these babies!!!
Make it a 85 weighing about 330 gr strung and 6 points headlight.

Does Dunlop really have the IMF machines laying in storage, or were they destroyed or scrapped (as I would expect)?

It's unlikely that the manufacturing process peculiar to IMF would be environmentally or fiscally viable - the amounts of aluminium alloy required for each racquet (to be molten out) makes it silly.

There are still lots of good Max 200g's out there... I found one (a lovely 1985 version, Light 5 size), with cover, at a California thrift store last night for the huge sum of $3.98...

Rock Strongo · 12-28-2012, 01:23 PM

Getting a second one in a few days hopefully. I have a hard time playing with anything else because of the unique feel to it to which I've grooved with. Had I just been older I could've stocked up, and probably the ones with a bigger headsize. Well, that's the perils of being a teenager!

Hannah19 · 12-28-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrowagen

Does Dunlop really have the IMF machines laying in storage, or were they destroyed or scrapped (as I would expect)?

It's unlikely that the manufacturing process peculiar to IMF would be environmentally or fiscally viable - the amounts of aluminium alloy required for each racquet (to be molten out) makes it silly.

There are still lots of good Max 200g's out there... I found one (a lovely 1985 version, Light 5 size), with cover, at a California thrift store last night for the huge sum of $3.98...

Frankly, I hav'nt got a clue if they still have these machines or not..

I know many are still around, I have several versions in multiple cosmetic conditions and even offer them totally refurbished to anyone who wants them. I strip them of all paint, give them a new stealthy matt black finish and apply a full grain leather grip and string job of choice.
Many judge these rackets by their cover, read: paint job, but fail to look beyond that. I believe that a solid structural condition is much more important than looks for these rackets.

hrstrat57 · 12-28-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelChang

I picked up a used Max200g strung with random syn guts with low tension. The stick weights 13.4oz. The head sure looks like a 85 or so, but the sweet spot feels much bigger than a Wilson 85. The 200g plays very flex, and very sweet on most shots, including some off-center shots. Hmm... Is that so to you too?

My experience 100%, the whole thing is a sweet spot, much bigger happy zone than the PS 85 or POG 90...not even close. Those are holy grail frames too of course but I also found them much more demanding than the Max 200 G.

String it up with natty gut at about 50# to experience tennis nirvana.

hrstrat57 · 12-28-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Come on guy's ( and gall's),
Let's face it.....WE WANT THIS ICON RE-ISSUED!!!!!
TW, go nag Dunlop into uncovering the dust collecting IMF machines and start moulding a few of these babies!!!
Make it a 85 weighing about 330 gr strung and 6 points headlight.

Hannah I thing I recall reading they just became too expensive to produce the manufacturing process was very complicated and I also recall it was a workplace safety nightmare too.

Way way ahead of it's time, would still be a state of the art frame if they could be produced IMHO. Dunlop really nailed it with that one. A lot of Grand Slam victories too!!

Also agree the nastier they look the cooler they are...stealthy. The 2 I have left have virtually no flaky paint remaining.

AlfaAce · 12-28-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe sch

You would be surprised as its fun to use a classic racket in tournaments. Guess if your worried about a ranking then you may want a modern blaster. I loved using the max 200g to play serve volley tennis and played it will all natural at 50 lbs. The sweet spot, feel, and stability is just amazing. Also, this racket was made to last and even the models that have the paint warn off will still play great many years. I have even known some players that played them with major court rash. I prefer to play ones with all the graphite but don't care about the paint job.

The side of the 200G says "John McEnroe recommends 55# string tension" (or something like that). Is it your experience that 50# is better? Of course, nat gut looses about 10# tension pretty quickly then stabilizes for a while. My 200G is calling for some Wilson 17G nat gut ASAP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Come on guy's ( and gall's),
Let's face it.....WE WANT THIS ICON RE-ISSUED!!!!!
TW, go nag Dunlop into uncovering the dust collecting IMF machines and start moulding a few of these babies!!!
Make it a 85 weighing about 330 gr strung and 6 points headlight.

I second the motion. In fact, I'll even put up some $ if anyone can find an IMF machine. Let's do it!

joe sch · 12-28-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaAce

The side of the 200G says "John McEnroe recommends 55# string tension" (or something like that). Is it your experience that 50# is better? Of course, nat gut looses about 10# tension pretty quickly then stabilizes for a while. My 200G is calling for some Wilson 17G nat gut ASAP!

I second the motion. In fact, I'll even put up some $ if anyone can find an IMF machine. Let's do it!

Yes, I played the max 200g's many years and really enjoyed them the most at 50lbs and with a thicker gauge natural gut. I have also always found the tension retention better with nat gut than any other string.

Would be great to get these reproduced but the injection molding process would make it much more expensive than the standard manufacturing.

12-18-2012, 04:49 AM	#1
MichaelChang Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,039	Sweet spot of Max200g I picked up a used Max200g strung with random syn guts with low tension. The stick weights 13.4oz. The head sure looks like a 85 or so, but the sweet spot feels much bigger than a Wilson 85. The 200g plays very flex, and very sweet on most shots, including some off-center shots. Hmm... Is that so to you too?

12-18-2012, 10:55 AM	#2
Hannah19 Professional Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 851	The MAX 200G is more like an 80 than an 85. I believe the playability of the MAX is due to the IMF process. __________________ 2x MAX 200G PRO, Nat.Gut/Ferry Force Super Touch at 58 lbs.

12-19-2012, 08:50 AM	#4
max Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,311	Yes to OP. I played with the Max 200 G for many years and then bought and spent a summer with a PS 6.0/85. While the PS was much better for my serve, and whippier for my forehand drive, the Max outshone it in other categories. . . it was a much more aggressive frame and excellent for mixing it up. Felt like a much larger sweet spot, and the weight made off center shots work just fine. Pickem up and getem back. __________________ Trustworthy - Loyal - Helpful - Friendly - Courteous - Kind - Obedient - Cheerful - Thrifty - Brave - Clean - Reverent

12-19-2012, 12:00 PM	#7
Backhanded Compliment Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 769	I played it in the 80's and picked one up last year for 25 bucks. We all used to call it "The Doom Log" and even today I cant hit a heavier flat forehand or backhand slice than with that thing. There are shots one can really only hit with the IMF 200G. I remember something about the 200G's injection moulding process giving its hoop tremendous ability to not distort (especially on off center hits). It may flex but it has a strange stability that allows it to be perhaps the most ridiculous vollying/touch/graphite racket ever made. It had immense power on tap for everything but serves and topspin and reacts well to low tension poly. I have Black Magic on mine in the 40's and its accuracy is legendary. I literally aim for lines with it. Stopped using it because it held my second serves back. Also, the IMF process created larger string holes than usual... in fact Prince had to wait for its patents to expire to do their moulded vs drilled hole rackets Headsize is like 83.9 inches and the whole thing feels like a sweetspot. __________________ Extreme Eastern BH, 1x Head IGPMP 12.8 oz, 8.3pts HL with toughgut16l mains and WCSS x's. 1 YTPMP, 1 YTPP, 1 Max 200g, 1 Becker London Tour Last edited by Backhanded Compliment : 12-19-2012 at 12:05 PM. Reason: headsize

12-19-2012, 08:28 PM	#8
BlueB Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 323	Damn, now I have to go play with the bloody thing! __________________ It's never too late for a happy childhood!