Jack Kramer Autograph Millennium Limited Edition

[Tennis Man]

I came across this racquet by accident and loved the look of it. It looks almost like it's made of bampoo. I was surprised to find out that it's actually made of HyperCarbon and Graphite, with no Fibeglass like JK Staff.

I did some research and couldn't find much of the history on this limited edition issue. It looks like there were numbered batches of 2,000 produced in the US, Canada and Europe. Not sure about Asia and Australia but I heard there were even smaller batches like 300 (in Australia), 600 in Japan. Then I see some batches of 3,000 in the US (???). I thought since it's Y2K edition 2,000 would make more sense. Does anyone remember what year was that issue released? I hear years anywhere from 1995 to 2000.

Release summary, quantity:
USA 2,000
USA 3,000
Canada 2,000
Europe 2,000
Asia 600
Australia 300 (?)

I got one brand new #XX/2,000 from an earlier batch and a few barely used #XXX and XXXX/2,000 and will customize the latter to match a Pro Staff Classic 6.1 95 in playability (suggestions would be great).

So, here are the short history and specs. I will post more pictures shortly:

Wilson replicated the original wood Jack Kramer autograph tennis racket as a hypercarbon Limited Edition Jack Kramer Autograph tennis racket. The original wood Jack Kramer was first introduced in 1948 and had sales of 10 million units --the #1 selling Wilson racket of all time. These wood racket stopped selling in 1984. Each New Limited Edition racket is numbered and packaged in an exclusively designed box, which also includes a Certificate of Authenticity and a set of string.

The racket has similar cosmetics to the original wood model, and features Hyper Carbon technology. The Jack Kramer is ideal for players with a fast swing speed and long, loopy stroke style. It is designed with a 95" head size, traditional 27" length, 21 mm flat beam, and weighs 10 oz unstrung.

Specs: 95" , 27", 16 x 19,
Tension: 53-63 lbs
Balance: 1.0 pts. Head Light,
Weight (Strung/Unstrung): 10.6 oz./9.9,
Flex: Medium, Swing
Speed: Fast, Stroke Style: Long, loopy
SI: 6.5 prostaff hypercarbon
Cross Section: 21 mm flat beam
Construction: 10% Hyper Carbon/70% Graphite/20% Kevlar
Suggested Retail: $399.99

The case is truly amazing. It looks like leather but I'm sure it's just vynil but very high quality. The grip is Fairway, the butt cap is white and has a 3-letter code on the top of W and China on the bottom. I didn't get the string (was it supposed to be there?)but the matching string would look pretty cool.

NOTE: Pleasa, skip page 2 of this thread as it is a discussion of computer software issues that have nothing to do with the main topic discussion.

[Tennis Man]

[Dgpsx7]

can you post some pics? I would love to see what it looks like.

[Dgpsx7]

Originally Posted by Dgpsx7

can you post some pics? I would love to see what it looks like.

haha, we posted that at the same time. I just looked at the picture, the stick looks sick.

[Tennis Man]

there is also Maxply Fifty that looks like real wood ... Anyone still has it? I personally don't like the look of MaxPly MacEnroe although I heard that it plays better than JK ME.

[plasma]

doubt it, jk me is an hps 95, far better imho than the stiff boring dunlops. as an artist I am overwhelmed with at these lovely pics. Proof that the companies can do much more with pj's than just the car paint robotech look. Has anyone ever seen a better pj than the Kramer MLE???
Just look at the structure of the hps compared to the frame of the dunlop, not to mention the materials are far superior

[Dgpsx7]

Originally Posted by plasma

doubt it, jk me is an hps 95, far better imho than the stiff boring dunlops. as an artist I am overwhelmed with at these lovely pics. Proof that the companies can do much more with pj's than just the car paint robotech look. Has anyone ever seen a better pj than the Kramer MLE???
Just look at the structure of the hps compared to the frame of the dunlop, not to mention the materials are far superior

definitely one of the nicest pjs I have ever seen. It only weighs 10oz right? If it was a couple onces heavier I would be after one.

[dirkgnuf]

It's essentially a paint-job of a Wilson Hyper PRoStaff 6.5 95, if I remember correctly, with a few differences(string Pattern)

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by dirkgnuf

It's essentially a paint-job of a Wilson Hyper PRoStaff 6.5 95, if I remember correctly, with a few differences(string Pattern)

if so, what are the exact specs for and composition of HPS 6.5 95? Thanks.

[jimbo333]

I have the Dunlop Maxply 50 and Dunlop McEnroe (looks awful I reckon) racquets you are talking about, and I think they are identical racquets under the paint. I've played with the McEnroe and it is very stiff, didn't like it.

I also have a Fred Perry Wimbledon '36 in a similar retro style, it's green and wood coloured, looks great (so wish I could show a photo)

[Bud]

Originally Posted by jimbo333

I have the Dunlop Maxply 50 and Dunlop McEnroe (looks awful I reckon) racquets you are talking about, and I think they are identical racquets under the paint. I've played with the McEnroe and it is very stiff, didn't like it.

I also have a Fred Perry Wimbledon '36 in a similar retro style, it's green and wood coloured, looks great (so wish I could show a photo)

Are you going to make me send you a camera, too!?

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by Bud

Are you going to make me send you a camera, too!?

Cheers

No, like I said it's my computer, whenever I try to upload a photo to a photohosting site, my computer freezes ("internet explorer not responding"). It happens about 95% of the time, so posting photos on here is just a nightmare

[anirut]

TennisMan, I have 206/600, oversize.

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by anirut

TennisMan, I have 206/600, oversize.

OS? pictures, please! There was no OS as far as I know.

[Princegod]

I had a JK Millennium a few years ago. I was crazy enough to string it up and actually play with it. The frame was a bit too powerful and a little too light. Was a handsome frame with a nice case and box. Mine was an Australian version. I only played with it two times and there wasn't a scratch on it, but sold it cheap.

Edit: found an old photo:

[Princegod]

If they would have based the JKM off this frame, I would have probably bought and kept several of them. This is the PS 7.1 which is based on the same mold as JKM but with different layup. This is the old Graf frame (well at least paint wise). Has 30% fiberglass, is heavier and far more playable IMO. Stick a leather on it and it's good to go.

[LttlElvis]

I have a JK Millenium 617/2000. I would like to string it up and play with it, but it's a piece of art. I'm thinking of putting it in a display frame in my game room someday.

BTW, mine didn't come with a set of strings.

That's pretty cool that you have Jack Kramer's autograph on the handle. How did you get it?

[Tennis Man]

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

That's pretty cool that you have Jack Kramer's autograph on the handle. How did you get it?

I don't. This is a picture from 80s-tennis.com. Mine is brand new and that makes it too boring to look at.

The other two I will lead up and take for a test drive soon.

[LttlElvis]

Off topic:

I have a patient who is pretty active in the local tennis community. He was a tournament referee for a tennis tournament in our city for years and got to know a bunch of the up and coming pros at the time (Borg, McEnroe, Connors, even Federer) before they became big.

I was asking about his tennis history, and he said " I was taught by an old pro you probably haven't heard of...... Don Budge." I laughed and was so impressed. He went on to tell me he used to play with Laver and Kramer too when they were young.

I asked if he had happened to get Jack Kramer to ever sign one of his racquets, and he said he wished he had thought of it at the time, but never did.

I think having an autograph of Jack Kramer on a mint wood racquet would be sweet.

[joe sch]

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

Off topic:

I have a patient who is pretty active in the local tennis community. He was a tournament referee for a tennis tournament in our city for years and got to know a bunch of the up and coming pros at the time (Borg, McEnroe, Connors, even Federer) before they became big.

I was asking about his tennis history, and he said " I was taught by an old pro you probably haven't heard of...... Don Budge." I laughed and was so impressed. He went on to tell me he used to play with Laver and Kramer too when they were young.

I asked if he had happened to get Jack Kramer to ever sign one of his racquets, and he said he wished he had thought of it at the time, but never did.

I think having an autograph of Jack Kramer on a mint wood racquet would be sweet.

I met a lady recently who had a similar story ... Her father was a tennis pro and played with some of the best players back then. I asked her is she remember any of the names, and she said I probably would not know any of them and then remembered a guy named Bill Tilden. I said you gotta be kidding and told her how Bill maybe the GOAT.

Also, that JKME racket was actually signed by Jack Kramer on the handle. Jack signed quite a few of them but those are still special and obviously worth more as collector items

Also noticed you have 0000 which is pretty interesting since from your story above, which was not clear to me, it looks like Jack Kramer returned the 1st production model, that he probably received complementary from Wilson as the endorser of these models. I bet Jack probably got 0000 .. 0025, ie 25 models from Wilson, to give to friends, etc ...


Cheers,
Joe