Cannon, C-6 and Phantom - the first graphites

Virginia · 01-25-2009, 01:52 PM

The Aldila Cannon came out in 1976 and the Tony Trabert C-6 in 1978, or possibly a little later.

Here's a photo of them together - you'll note the similarities, though the C-6 is a little bit longer.

There's also the Slazenger Phantom - Kuebler lists it as coming out in 1974, but this racquet didn't hang around long, because it tended to break easily. Luckily I was able to find one in pretty sound condition here in New Zealand and at the bargain price of less than US$2! This has to be one of the most beautiful graphite racquets Slazenger produced. See how well the grip matches the graphics - I had it put on after I bought it.

I haven't played with any of these racquets yet - has anyone here tried them out?

Capt. Willie · 01-25-2009, 06:52 PM

Someone on here had a Trabert C-6 that they bought at a garage sale for a couple dollars. Those things were very expensive back in the day.

Capt. Willie · 01-25-2009, 07:07 PM

Actually he paid $1.00

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...ht=trabert+c-6

khw72004 · 01-25-2009, 07:15 PM

C-6 is a great racket. I am not sure what happened to mine but when I played with it it played like a charm

Thepowerofchoice · 01-28-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia

The Aldila Cannon came out in 1976 and the Tony Trabert C-6 in 1978, or possibly a little later.

Here's a photo of them together - you'll note the similarities, though the C-6 is a little bit longer.

There's also the Slazenger Phantom - Kuebler lists it as coming out in 1974, but this racquet didn't hang around long, because it tended to break easily. Luckily I was able to find one in pretty sound condition here in New Zealand and at the bargain price of less than US$2! This has to be one of the most beautiful graphite racquets Slazenger produced. See how well the grip matches the graphics - I had it put on after I bought it.

I haven't played with any of these racquets yet - has anyone here tried them out?

The Tony Trabert C-6 plays fantastic. It is super stiff,hefty, crisp feel, with great control. It really plows through the ball and with super stiffness in such a small head gives a really unique sensation. I strung this racquet with Prince Synthetic Gut 17 Duraflex @ 45 lbs. I really love the way this racquet feel. Here are couple of pictures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Willie

Someone on here had a Trabert C-6 that they bought at a garage sale for a couple dollars. Those things were very expensive back in the day.

Yes, I'm that lucky guy. I found an old ad for this racquet in my old 1976 tennis magazine. It was retailed for around $170.00

khw72004 · 01-31-2009, 04:38 PM

What did you string yours at? I need to restring mine soon.

Bud · 01-31-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia

The Aldila Cannon came out in 1976 and the Tony Trabert C-6 in 1978, or possibly a little later.

Here's a photo of them together - you'll note the similarities, though the C-6 is a little bit longer.

There's also the Slazenger Phantom - Kuebler lists it as coming out in 1974, but this racquet didn't hang around long, because it tended to break easily. Luckily I was able to find one in pretty sound condition here in New Zealand and at the bargain price of less than US$2! This has to be one of the most beautiful graphite racquets Slazenger produced. See how well the grip matches the graphics - I had it put on after I bought it.

I haven't played with any of these racquets yet - has anyone here tried them out?

I have all 3 but haven't tried any of them. The Phantom is brand new and I'm reluctant to string it up.

Bud · 01-31-2009, 06:10 PM

BTW, is that Phantom strung correctly? It appear the last main is off by a grommet.

plasma · 01-31-2009, 06:18 PM

the strings do look fanned out like a Puma winner...is that on purpose???

Virginia · 01-31-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud

BTW, is that Phantom strung correctly? It appear the last main is off by a grommet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma

the strings do look fanned out like a Puma winner...is that on purpose???

I'm pretty sure I had it restrung after I bought it - deliberately with black string, to enhance the look. The stringer is the best in New Zealand, so I doubt he'd make a mistake. I guess it's intentional, but I'll run it past him next time I take him a batch of racquets that need new grips, so he can double check it. He put that cool grip on too by the way and luckily he still has a few really super leather grips left, even a Fairway or two. He keeps them specially for me, as his other customers all seem to prefer the synthetic ones. He's been a wonderful resource for me over the last couple of years, even giving me some racquets, such as the really beautiful Wilson World Class, that Rosewall used to play with at one point in his career - and a Hoad Autograph as well.

Bud · 01-31-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia

I'm pretty sure I had it restrung after I bought it - deliberately with black string, to enhance the look. The stringer is the best in New Zealand, so I doubt he'd make a mistake. I guess it's intentional, but I'll run it past him next time I take him a batch of racquets that need new grips, so he can double check it. He put that cool grip on too by the way and luckily he still has a few really super leather grips left, even a Fairway or two. He keeps them specially for me, as his other customers all seem to prefer the synthetic ones. He's been a wonderful resource for me over the last couple of years, even giving me some racquets, such as the really beautiful Wilson World Class, that Rosewall used to play with at one point in his career - and a Hoad Autograph as well.

Yeah, I have a few of those puppies. The World Class is my favorite of all the metal racquets.

jimbo333 · 02-01-2009, 05:02 PM

Hi Bud,

Yeah the Wilson World Class is a superb metal racquet, better than any of the many Wilson T-Series racquets I have (T2000/3000 etc). Although I have a rare Rod Laver metal racquet that is even better I would say!

By the way did you get my email?

Looking forward to hearing back!

Bud · 02-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo333

Hi Bud,

Yeah the Wilson World Class is a superb metal racquet, better than any of the many Wilson T-Series racquets I have (T2000/3000 etc). Although I have a rare Rod Laver metal racquet that is even better I would say!

By the way did you get my email?

Looking forward to hearing back!

Hi Jim,

Let me go look... I usually answer them all even if briefly. Perhaps, AIM placed it into the SPAM folder.

01-25-2009, 01:52 PM	#1
Virginia Professional Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,486	Cannon, C-6 and Phantom - the first graphites The Aldila Cannon came out in 1976 and the Tony Trabert C-6 in 1978, or possibly a little later. Here's a photo of them together - you'll note the similarities, though the C-6 is a little bit longer. There's also the Slazenger Phantom - Kuebler lists it as coming out in 1974, but this racquet didn't hang around long, because it tended to break easily. Luckily I was able to find one in pretty sound condition here in New Zealand and at the bargain price of less than US$2! This has to be one of the most beautiful graphite racquets Slazenger produced. See how well the grip matches the graphics - I had it put on after I bought it. I haven't played with any of these racquets yet - has anyone here tried them out? __________________ See my racquet collection at www.80s-tennis.com/pages/virginia-crawford.html and my addition to the Borg collection of the now rare Donnay Diamant. Last edited by Virginia : 01-25-2009 at 02:27 PM. Reason: Edited picture size

01-25-2009, 06:52 PM	#2
Capt. Willie Professional Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,379	Someone on here had a Trabert C-6 that they bought at a garage sale for a couple dollars. Those things were very expensive back in the day. __________________ Now fortified with tiger blood and Adonis DNA.

01-25-2009, 07:07 PM	#3
Capt. Willie Professional Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,379	Actually he paid $1.00 http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...ht=trabert+c-6 __________________ Now fortified with tiger blood and Adonis DNA.

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