A Head classic that's a LEGEND in its own time...

Bud · 02-09-2009, 11:29 PM

The Head LEGEND, of course!

One of my all-time favorite Head classics!

Head Legend Specs:
Length: 26.5/27.5 (small collar/large collar)
String pattern: 16x21 (anyone know for sure? I only strung the Legend shown with the ProSupex Blue Gear mains)
Material: 100% graphite (another unknown)
Weight: 12.6 oz. (strung)
Balance: 3-6 pts. HL (strung)
Beam: 16mm

Does anyone knows the story behind the 2 different lengths?

The two legends above with the larger collars are both 27.5" long whereas the other 3 with the smaller collar are 26.5" long.

In addition, the full padded cover for the large-collared Legend is 1" longer than the other 2 covers (came with the small-collared Legends). Therefore, it was intentionally manufactured that length.

Conducting some research... I notice on the SP String Patterns there is listed a Head Legend (WB - widebody?) and Head Legend XL - both 16x19 patterns. I assumed these were later iterations of the recycled Legend name that have nothing to do with the original snowshoe racquet shown above.

http://www.sptennis.com/patterns/FramesHead.html

plasma · 02-09-2009, 11:49 PM

wow, I am a huge fan of these, been after one 4 ages!!! MUST>>>HAVE>>>ONE!!!!!!!...my collector friends also joke about the wilson legacy, the wood boron one with a plastic throat...yes they are both odd, unique, silly frames....but theres something seriously magical about them....and as for collectors who collect stuff like this for aethetic and historic purposes....your collection is an art, a sign of your rich life...I envy you and understand your collective artistry...Virginia's collection comes to mind....but these racquets are something else, a rare level of museum-worthy whimsical brilliance....apparently spin potential was something for sissies when these were created for leveling tennis balls instead of brushing against them gingerly!!!!

Virginia · 02-10-2009, 12:51 AM

These are really interesting - when did they come out?

Curiously, they aren't mentioned in Kuebler's book.

I love the Wilson Legacy - I was lucky enough to pick one up that's never seen a court. The beautiful leather grip has "Demonstration" engraved on it, but obviously it was just used for show.

Bud · 02-10-2009, 02:48 AM

Pardon the pun

Bud · 02-10-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virginia

These are really interesting - when did they come out?

Curiously, they aren't mentioned in Kuebler's book.

I love the Wilson Legacy - I was lucky enough to pick one up that's never seen a court. The beautiful leather grip has "Demonstration" engraved on it, but obviously it was just used for show.

A friend's father bought one in about 1981-82... I recall thinking it was the coolest thing on the planet!

I don't think there were too many graphite 'snowshoe' racquets produced.

The AMF Head Specter was another one.

Here's the Specter:

jimbo333 · 02-10-2009, 03:16 AM

Yes all the way through this thread I was thinking that Legend looks really similar to my Head Specter!!

Wow! Would really like one of those Legends and the Wilson Legacy, and the Wilson Sting. Oh dear that's more for my wants list !!!

Virginia · 02-10-2009, 11:44 AM

Bud, I have that Sting - it's awesome! Having seen the Head Specter, I just gotta have that one too!

plasma · 02-10-2009, 11:51 AM

do they play like a director?, If I had one it would definetely see the courts...looks powerful, unique and fun!!!

jimbo333 · 02-10-2009, 04:35 PM

And the Head Specter is probably my longest racquet at 28.5" long!!

Bud · 02-10-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma

do they play like a director?, If I had one it would definetely see the courts...looks powerful, unique and fun!!!

Not even close to a Director! Strangely enough, the thing is a total spinmonster. Perhaps because of the weight, balance and super long main strings.

It's a completely different experience playing with one.

plasma · 02-10-2009, 05:16 PM

Virginia, we need to see Wilson Legacy and sting pics pls!!! What does the side of the Head Specter and Legend look like??? The "Specter" is pure genius. Besides a badass retro name, the bright colors outline the elongated hoop. I love the Head Legend with the collarless grip...what is the reccomended tension on these snowshoes? I'm guessing 60+.....???????
THESE ARE CURRENT STATS:
Collarless Head Legend 26.5 (probably makes tennis feel like racquetball! wish I could try one)
Head Legend With Collar 27.5 ( "a bit bigger than usual", then again Plasma hears that all the time... )
Head Spectr 28.5 (crazy, looks capable of leveling balls accurately)

certified "cult" status, an absolute Legend...

Bud · 02-10-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo333

And the Head Specter is probably my longest racquet at 28.5" long!!

Interesting... see my orifinal post concerning the lengths. The Legend came in two distinct lengths... 26.5" and 27.5"

BTW, if you ever decide to sell your Specter, let me know!

Bud · 02-10-2009, 05:18 PM

Perhaps one of the resident experts (VSBabolat or Retrowagen) will chime in and let us know more about these awesome and unusual frames

Bud · 02-10-2009, 05:24 PM

More pics!!

plasma · 02-10-2009, 05:51 PM

so there were only 3 versions that we know of??? new pics show specters pj to be almost identical to snauwaert dyno...badass simple old school graphics...awesome quality!

Bud · 02-10-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma

so there were only 3 versions that we know of??? new pics show specters pj to be almost identical to snauwaert dyno...badass simple old school graphics...awesome quality!

The headshape is similar to the Dyno, too... NOT!

vsbabolat · 02-10-2009, 07:16 PM

Here is the 1981 HEAD Made in Austria composite racquets Line-up for Europe. The Spector is at the top of the page and another "snow shoe" racquet that is blue is at the bottum of the page called the Classic Long.

http://80s-tennis.com/pages/head-1981-1.html

Bud · 02-10-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma

so there were only 3 versions that we know of??? new pics show specters pj to be almost identical to snauwaert dyno...badass simple old school graphics...awesome quality!

Hey Plasma,

Email me if you're interested in one of the shorties.

Bud · 02-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

Here is the 1981 HEAD Made in Austria composite racquets Line-up for Europe. The Spector is at the top of the page and another "snow shoe" racquet that is blue is at the bottum of the page called the Classic Long.

http://80s-tennis.com/pages/head-1981-1.html

Oh ya! Forgot about this picture... I have this saved somewhere.

I'd love to get ahold of a Specter and a Classic Long

Thanks again, VSB.

Bud · 02-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsbabolat

Here is the 1981 HEAD Made in Austria composite racquets Line-up for Europe. The Spector is at the top of the page and another "snow shoe" racquet that is blue is at the bottum of the page called the Classic Long.

http://80s-tennis.com/pages/head-1981-1.html

Based on your pic... all 5 of mine are strung incorrectly. It appears the raquet is supposed to be 16x20

Of mine...
(2) are strung at 16x23
(2) are strung at 16x22
(1) is strung at 16x21

Does anyone else see that from VSB's posted pic?

I'd REALLY dislike trying to locate grommets for these!

02-09-2009, 11:29 PM	#1
Bud Talk Tennis Guru Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 28,944	A Head classic that's a LEGEND in its own time... The Head LEGEND, of course! One of my all-time favorite Head classics! Head Legend Specs: Length: 26.5/27.5 (small collar/large collar) String pattern: 16x21 (anyone know for sure? I only strung the Legend shown with the ProSupex Blue Gear mains) Material: 100% graphite (another unknown) Weight: 12.6 oz. (strung) Balance: 3-6 pts. HL (strung) Beam: 16mm Does anyone knows the story behind the 2 different lengths? The two legends above with the larger collars are both 27.5" long whereas the other 3 with the smaller collar are 26.5" long. In addition, the full padded cover for the large-collared Legend is 1" longer than the other 2 covers (came with the small-collared Legends). Therefore, it was intentionally manufactured that length. Conducting some research... I notice on the SP String Patterns there is listed a Head Legend (WB - widebody?) and Head Legend XL - both 16x19 patterns. I assumed these were later iterations of the recycled Legend name that have nothing to do with the original snowshoe racquet shown above. http://www.sptennis.com/patterns/FramesHead.html

02-10-2009, 12:51 AM	#3
Virginia Professional Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,486	These are really interesting - when did they come out? Curiously, they aren't mentioned in Kuebler's book. I love the Wilson Legacy - I was lucky enough to pick one up that's never seen a court. The beautiful leather grip has "Demonstration" engraved on it, but obviously it was just used for show. __________________ 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 : 02-10-2009 at 12:56 AM.

02-10-2009, 02:48 AM	#4
Bud Talk Tennis Guru Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 28,944	Another Wilson Legacy is the original Sting! Pardon the pun

02-10-2009, 11:44 AM	#7
Virginia Professional Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,486	Bud, I have that Sting - it's awesome! Having seen the Head Specter, I just gotta have that one too! __________________ 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.

02-10-2009, 05:24 PM	#14
Bud Talk Tennis Guru Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 28,944	More pics!! More pics!!