(Official) Wilson Sting Fanclub

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by ritton07

"I never saw a cover for a Sting Standard. Hell, I'm not sure I ever saw a Sting Standard"

...above, on this same page

(it must be a quite rare version..)

News to me . That picture is the only 'Standard' Sting I've ever seen. The mid- and largehead were very popular in the Atlanta area during the early '80s.

[lim]

Originally Posted by Don't Let It Bounce

• Standard: 70 sq in, same head size as old wood rackets, gray graphics on black, don't know about the cover
• Mid: 85 sq in, same as Pro Staff Mid, gray and blue graphics on black, black cover
• OS: 107-110 sq in, same as Prince Graphite except slightly more oval, blue graphics on black, gray cover

That's just for the early 80's Stingalings. The name and graphics were revived in the 90's for a lower-end frame that came in 95 and 110 sizes. Those are recognized by the words "High Beam", I think on the side of the frame.

I never saw a cover for a Sting Standard. Hell, I'm not sure I ever saw a Sting Standard. At that time, people who were ready to leave behind wood but weren't ready to leave behind standard-size heads were a niche market, and that market was pretty much adequately served by the Wilson Ultra and by Adidas's copy of Lendl's Kneissl (itself actually a smidgen larger than standard), and maybe a couple others that don't occur to me right now.

It's not a highbeam for sure. It has the same pj as the largehead version, but doesn't have it labeled like most of them do.

I want the mid version, but I think almost all the mids I've seen had it labeled "midsize" on the shaft at least.

This is what I'm talking about:

[lim]

Would anybody be able to measure the hoop on the mid version and provide the dimensions (in inches)? The seller said he would send me hoop measurements (width at widest point and length (top of the hoop to bottom)) and It'd be nice to verify if it was in fact a mid with someone that has one already.

[VGP]

lim - if the picture you show is of the frames you are intending to purchase, the one shown is a largehead. I assume the frame beside it is the same.

Apart from it looking bigger, the low narrow "v" at the throat is of the largehead, also there are four main string passes at the inside of the throat. The standard and midsize have three.

[schu47]

The Sting Standard is truly standard size, as in the standard size of wood racquets of the time. Here's mine, compared with one of my Sting Midsizes. The Midsize is 85 sq. in. -- the Standard is probably in the 75-80 sq. in. range. The Sting Midsize came out in about 1985, but I can't find any mention of the Standard in Kuebler's Book of Tennis Rackets or any source online. My guess is that the Sting Standard predated the Midsize, probably in the early '80s, as an alternative to the Ultra, which was much more expensive.
I'm a big fan of the Stings, and the Standard I have is the only one I've ever seen in searching for Stings in the past few years, so I don't think there are very many of them out there. they have the same graphite construction and that distinctive curved throatpiece of the Midsize, so the only real difference seems to be in head size.

[flair]

schu47,

Very nice photos! I would love to get my hands on both those racquets and take them out for a spin

A little off topic, I played with my Largehead today and I have been using it for a couple of weeks now with good results. I really got a kick when I pulled the Sting out of my bag and someone asked me what it was and if the racquet was aluminum . It really does look unique in comparison to today's frames!

[eman resu]

I guess I'll be joining by tomorrow. A beautiful Wilson Sting 2 Largehead, 4 1/2. Will be nice next to my Graphite Matrix, a courious pair at the club. But what are the specs on the Sting 2 largehead? Alson, how should I string it? My 100sqin ozone tour has 1.30 poly at 54, the 85sqin matrix has syn .gut at 50 (could go lower). Any thoughts for an 110 "classic"?

[ChadW]

So, what are the thoughts on the Wilson Sting 95? I just pulled my old one (mid nineties) out and put some fresh string and a new grip on it. It's got a great heft and plow through.

I'm not sure if it's at all related to those being pictured here though since it's a few years newer (and a different head size).

Regards.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by ChadW

So, what are the thoughts on the Wilson Sting 95? I just pulled my old one (mid nineties) out and put some fresh string and a new grip on it. It's got a great heft and plow through.

I'm not sure if it's at all related to those being pictured here though since it's a few years newer (and a different head size).

Regards.

sounds like you're referring to the Sting High Beam. it's around 12.5oz with a wide beam. if you can handle the heft, it hits a heavy, heavy ball. very stable. handles pace well albeit a little sluggish. i feel that it's a softer, kinder on the arm version of the modern day Bab Aeropro Drives.

[tbuggle]

they were the "poor man's" prince graphite. great sticks.

crush it.

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

sounds like you're referring to the Sting High Beam. it's around 12.5oz with a wide beam. if you can handle the heft, it hits a heavy, heavy ball. very stable. handles pace well albeit a little sluggish. i feel that it's a softer, kinder on the arm version of the modern day Bab Aeropro Drives.

Yes, it is a High Beam. I think that keeps me from liking it as much as my current Wilson BLX 6.1 95, or (recent) past Head YT Speed MP 16x19.

[eman resu]

Is there any way of removing weight above the balance point (Sting 2 Largehead)? MIne is 366g, around even balanced. I'd trim the bumper guard, but I don't know how much this would help. Besides, the racquet seems to have already little weight at 12 and lots on the rest of the hoop... I've already cut down pallets from the handle and even installed head ones to make it 27,25" - lots of work, not worth it probably - so I'm on for crazy creative alternatives, as long as it doesn't mess with the crossbar