*****THE OFFICIAL HEAD PRO TOUR 630/280 Club*************

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by jayserinos99

I personally wouldn't put lead on the 630. With that said, I think DF at 58 is a bit tight and maybe you can wait for it to loosen it up. I think on the serve it takes some getting used to since the frame doesn't get around that quick if you're just starting out.

Hi there Jay,

Well, I was meaning lead tips as regards my new 280 and not my older 630, which I wouldn't lead up because it's already hefty enough, although... ("DRAMATIC PAUSE.") actually a strange thing happened just yesterday...

With a bit of time on my hands, I had a rare chance to go over my fave frames and check for regripping, adding/removing lead and generally taking a look at and sorting out. So when I turned my attentions to the 630, it was with a certain casual attitude that I thought I may as well take off the grip that had been in place for a pretty long time... O... M... G!...

When I had the thing off I was dumbstruck by just how really really chunky it was. And on seeing that, I stuck a thin overgrip on it and... lo and behold... a few hours later when I had the opportunity to hit for a bit - long-standing PT 630 maneuverability issues gone!!!

Yep, I know... dear oh dear...

Suffice to say, with the 630 now playing akin to the first time I ever used it (no wonder I was remembering it differently?!), I'm suddenly having to revise my thoughts a bit... it's amazing how much difference a chunky, thick grip can make in terms of swinging.

R.

BTW, I take on board what you say re the 280, Duraflex @ 58 lbs, and giving it time to loosen... (TBH, it does actually feel a tad tight... as a 1st time DF user though, I do like it.)

[jayserinos99]

^ When I have my PTs or my Trek PC600s, I try for consistency in gripping, stringing, etc. I typically have a good stock of Head calfskin grips and use those with 1 overgrip on top. I try to have all my frames have an L3 pallet as well.

BTW, pallet makes a big difference. I let another poster on these boards try one of my PT630s but with an L2 pallet. He didn't like the lack of maneuverability but he did like the feel and pop coming from the stringbed.

As for leading a 280, what I did was just add iPrestige CAPs and it swung a tad heavier but not where it ruined the maneuverability. I didn't add lead at all.

I like DF but for about a few hours. It tends to go south pretty quickly for me and that crisp feel I love from it turns to mush. I haven't used it in a while but I may do a full Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 job since IMO it's comparable to DF.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by jayserinos99

^ When I have my PTs or my Trek PC600s, I try for consistency in gripping, stringing, etc. I typically have a good stock of Head calfskin grips and use those with 1 overgrip on top. I try to have all my frames have an L3 pallet as well.

BTW, pallet makes a big difference. I let another poster on these boards try one of my PT630s but with an L2 pallet. He didn't like the lack of maneuverability but he did like the feel and pop coming from the stringbed.

As for leading a 280, what I did was just add iPrestige CAPs and it swung a tad heavier but not where it ruined the maneuverability. I didn't add lead at all.

I like DF but for about a few hours. It tends to go south pretty quickly for me and that crisp feel I love from it turns to mush. I haven't used it in a while but I may do a full Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 job since IMO it's comparable to DF.

Interesting... I admit to not being so clued up re pallets etc and have a less discerning or rigorous attitude than most re gripping generally - although that might change now... I def think I've learnt a useful lesson here...

For the brief hit I had with my 630 minus the big grip, I found the control, maneuverability and feel all improved and as I kind of remembered it (and there I was before thinking it was string issues...??!!... ) I obviously need to get reacquainted with the rac but, having recently got the 280 as well, I can say that for me the 630 now play & feels much closer to the 280 (as I remember you saying before), albeit IMO the 630 feels more solid, lush and altogether super-smooth.

R.

[m1stuhxsp4rk5]

how is serving with this racket?

[Pleepers]

Originally Posted by m1stuhxsp4rk5

how is serving with this racket?

Serves BOMBS!!!

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Pleepers

Serves BOMBS!!!

Well... not for everybody... I'd say if you're not advanced level, or if you maybe don't have the most powerful serve, the bombs don't quite explode, if you what I mean?

[Pro_Tour_630]

Originally Posted by Pleepers

There's a boat-load on the bay right now

yeah for $700 each

[hyogen]

i'm loving my new radical tour twin tube 1998 that I just got. had kirschbaum spiky mains 16g and vs touch gut crosses 16g. was too powerful for the most part for me. Not enough spin. a little too trampoliny but i really liked it. felt like a PT280 but maybe a tiny bit more comfortable. so possibly good enough for me or maybe too similar to a PT630 than I'd be able to tell. didn't have that big THWACKing sound that the PT280 did...maybe cuz of strings?

it looked very very similar to the pt280...i'm guessing exact same mold and I think I read that here somewhere

I just got a zebra twin tube mp also =D

[OnyxZ28]

Originally Posted by Pro_Tour_630

yeah for $700 each

Thaychua's new 630 went for a pretty penny a few days back, too!

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Pro_Tour_630

yeah for $700 each

They are much much cheaper than that, I see them all the time. No more than any other used racket, even seen new ones for $200.

[tlimster]

I've been looking to buy one of these rackets for a while now, and now have the opportunity to buy two PT 630s in good condition, which I'm hoping means about 8/10 condition (haven't seen them yet, but that's what the seller says, will see tomorrow; new grommets but there's lead underneath that I might need to remove). For the experts, I have two questions:

(1) Is $300 a reasonable price for both, or $160 for one? Seems like it is.

(2) Did PT 630s ever come with a suspension handle? The seller says one is a leather grip and one is cushion. I have not yet had a chance to ask him if the cushion just means the leather grip is switched out or if that means there's a suspension grip on it.

(3) Are PT 630s an better or worse playability-wise than the PJ 630s that sometimes go for sale on the big auction site? I've seen LM Prestiges that are claimed to be PT57A there occasionally. The MG PT57As are way beyond my price range.

Thanks ahead of time for any help you could provide.

[Matmac]

I'm not an expert, but I have 7 PT630s, 6 of them bought second hand.

(1) The price is just about reasonable if the racquets are in very good condition, not too scratched and no cracked grommets (unless you want to replace them). I would definitely ask the seller this: who played with them (at what level) and for how long, and base my decision on that.

(2) I don't think PT630's ever came with a leather grip, so that one must have been swapped. By "cushion" the seller could be referring to the original synthetic grip, I think cushion was part of its name.

(3) I've never played with a current PT57A, but I understand they are custom made for pros to their specifications, which you might not like at all, so I would prefer a regular PT630.

And one more thing. There was a lot of variation in the specs of PT630s, so you might want to check if the two you are offered are matched. If not, you could end up with two slightly different sticks, and the difference could be just enough to make you uncomfortable when switching between the two.

True experts, feel free to correct me.

[MichaelChang]

I wanted to ask for some comparison between the PT280 and the other HEAD rackets that share the same mold. Such as the i.Prestige MP, the HEAD radical TT MP, and the original Radical 260MP. I have had all these siblings to the 280, but never had a 280 so I am just wondering how different are they?

[tlimster]

Matmac, thanks for the input. I am going to check them out today. We're meeting at a tennis shop so I may ask them to compare the specs for me. It's good to know that cushion, not leather, was the original grip. Cheers.

[jackson vile]

Originally Posted by Pro_Tour_630

Jackson, I will buy few dozens at $200 a pop, and will give you $50 profit on each one you show me and bring to me. THEY MUST BE BRAND SPANKING NEW WITH PLASTIC STILL ON GRIP, EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE THAT IS FOR $700

Watch ****

[tandayu]

Originally Posted by Pro_Tour_630

Jackson, I will buy few dozens at $200 a pop, and will give you $50 profit on each one you show me and bring to me. THEY MUST BE BRAND SPANKING NEW WITH PLASTIC STILL ON GRIP, EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE THAT IS FOR $700

Same here...will buy as many as I can afford if it is new (made in the early 90s to mid 90s) at $200/each

[vsbabolat]

Hi guys thought I would show you what the HEAD Sports AG Facility looks like in Austria.

[OnyxZ28]

Scoping it out, eh? I like how you think!

[jayserinos99]

^ So when you get caught and need bail money, I'll be sure to take your Treks and PTs as collateral.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

Hi guys thought I would show you what the HEAD Sports AG Facility looks like in Austria.

Great work Special Agent Babolat!