Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)? - Page 4

michael_1265 · 05-15-2011, 03:09 PM

Looking for stuff for the game room wall, I found a TA Davis Imperial today in fantastic condition. What a a pretty stick! Also, a good condition Bancroft Bill Tilden All-Star. $4.25 apiece.

The Djoker · 05-15-2011, 03:13 PM

Just picked up an original Wilson Sting midsize graphite racquet for $1 at a local thriftshop.

I walked in with tennis on the mind and saw a guy walking from the back with a Head i.Radical. I was super bummed and figured he had snatched up any racquets worth a second glance. Turns out he left the Sting and I got lucky. Wish I would have arrived 5 minutes earlier though so I could have picked up the head.

I haven't hit with the sting yet, and it does have something rattling in the top of the hoop (grommet piece, i assume). Seems very solid otherwise, and I look forward to hitting with it.

michael_1265 · 05-21-2011, 11:01 AM

I tried to stay away from the Goodwill, but it just pulled me in yesterday afternoon. I went to the racquet basket and noted the two old Rosie Casals models, a decrepit Pancho Gonzales, and some split throat laminated Spalding in terrible condition (the X-40 or something like that). When I was walking out, I glanced into the houseware section, and sticking out of a big wok, I see two red W buttcaps. Two Kramer Speed Flexes, with covers. Both were pristine, but one had a serious warp. The other is nearly perfect. $4.

Tennis Man · 06-12-2011, 09:35 AM

JK Autograffs and other woodies are very typical "inventory" of the thrift shops' sports section. I'm yet to find a nice and mint PS85 there. So far a mint original MAX 200G was my biggest find.

Yesterday passing by a local Goodwill I picked up 3 interesting racquets (all in my grip size, eeh haw!!!)

Prince Woodie (great shape)
Pro Kennex Graphite 90 (first time ever saw one, going for a test drive tomorrow)
Tony Trabert Big Bubba (I had no idea about 29 inch frames)

coachrick · 06-12-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennis Man

JK Autograffs and other woodies are very typical "inventory" of the thrift shops' sports section. I'm yet to find a nice and mint PS85 there. So far a mint original MAX 200G was my biggest find.

Yesterday passing by a local Goodwill I picked up 3 interesting racquets (all in my grip size, eeh haw!!!)

Prince Woodie (great shape)
Pro Kennex Graphite 90 (first time ever saw one, going for a test drive tomorrow)
Tony Trabert Big Bubba (I had no idea about 29 inch frames)

The Big Bubba had a bit of a run in Atlanta, along with the MatchMate. Turned out the long, light, strong combo didn't quite come together for big hitters. Catch an overhead high in the face and there was a good chance you were headed to the sidelines to find another stick! The 'Plus 1, 1.5, 2' and others from Dunlop also had a following. Too bad we moved away from Atlanta before I developed an interest in the rackets of the past three decades...with the giant league memberships and plethora of retail tennis shops, the ATL must be a treasure chest of discarded rackets!

Good find TM!

Makes me want to head out to a local GoodWill!

gpt · 06-12-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_1265

Looking for stuff for the game room wall, I found a TA Davis Imperial today in fantastic condition. What a a pretty stick! Also, a good condition Bancroft Bill Tilden All-Star. $4.25 apiece.

Great find Michael. I used to admire these Davis bats in Tennis magazine ads in the 70's. I dont think that they were ever released here in Australia

Hewex · 06-13-2011, 05:27 AM

Just picked up a Pro Kennix Graphite Prophecy II for $1.99. It's not a classic, but still it's a fun find.

Bas · 06-13-2011, 06:08 AM

I found a Snauwaert Ergonom at the trift store. A tennis partner wants to buy it. Whats worth it? It is allmost a 10/10, only one the grip you can see there's played with it..

Avles · 06-13-2011, 06:43 AM

Today I found a Jack Kramer Staff midsize (graphite/fiberglass) in very good condition at the thrift store -- $2.

hrstrat57 · 06-13-2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avles

Today I found a Jack Kramer Staff midsize (graphite/fiberglass) in very good condition at the thrift store -- $2.

That is a St. Vincent frame......could be worth up to $200 if in top condition and you find the right customer.

Fantastic frame! Strung up with Nat Gut mid range those are about as good as it gets in the right hands.

VGP · 06-13-2011, 08:00 AM

The market's softened on the Jack Kramer Staff....it's more like $40-$80 these days.

Avles · 06-13-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrstrat57

That is a St. Vincent frame......could be worth up to $200 if in top condition and you find the right customer.

Fantastic frame! Strung up with Nat Gut mid range those are about as good as it gets in the right hands.

Haha-- too bad the right hands definitely aren't mine! Maybe I can trade it to a good player for a lesson or two..

Tennis Man · 06-13-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avles

Haha-- too bad the right hands definitely aren't mine! Maybe I can trade it to a good player for a lesson or two..

I can give you a couple of good lessons for it.

Bas · 06-13-2011, 10:12 AM

coachrick · 06-13-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avles

Haha-- too bad the right hands definitely aren't mine! Maybe I can trade it to a good player for a lesson or two..

If I may:

Lesson #1...'Tennis is a game of control and restraint--and hitting the ball where the other fellow ain't.'

Lesson #2...Always try to win the LAST point of the match.

coachrick · 06-13-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bas

I found a Snauwaert Ergonom at the trift store. A tennis partner wants to buy it. Whats worth it? It is allmost a 10/10, only one the grip you can see there's played with it..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bas

In my humble opinion, THAT is a collectible racket...unlike many of the 'classics' you see online every day. Put it on the freak wall, next to the 'Handler'.

slice bh compliment · 06-13-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachrick

In my humble opinion, THAT is a collectible racket...unlike many of the 'classics' you see online every day. Put it on the freak wall, next to the 'Handler'.

Hhahaha, funny. But it's not as bad as the Handler, LOL!
At least it feels like a normal racquet.
It's a fun hit every now and then. Stringing it is even sort of fun. It'd be like driving a DeLorean or something. Emblematic of the non-risk-averse 1980s.

TiberiusGracchus · 06-13-2011, 02:02 PM

Long time lurker, first time poster...

I picked up an almost-mint Maxply Mcenroe woodie a few months ago...The buttcap has a crack through it and the head has a slight warp...Other than that, as far as I can tell, it had never hit one tennis ball in its life! Paid 4$ for it at a local Goodwill.

On the same trip, I also picked up some cheapish-looking Dunlop wood racquet that had the plastic wrap on the handle. It's autographed by Mcenroe (I'm assuming it's his signature lol) on the throat. I have not been able to identify it as of yet. It looks like a woodie that Dunlop produced recently for Mcenroe to autograph at a function or soemthing? I have now idea, lol. Paid 3 bucks for it.

The last racquet I picked up that day was a Wilson Pro Matrix. WOW...It's my #1 racquet right now...Put a new TW leather grip on it, lead at 3 and 9 o'clock...Just plays so sick.

Other good deal I got was a Yonex R-22 bought at a Play It Again Sports for 7.50$. The grip was abnormally large (I measured it at 3/8, but it seriously felt like 5/8 ), so I shaved it down to a 1/4 and it plays awesomely.

You guys got me into the classic racquet purchasing, and I just can't stop looking for and playing with these blasts from the past!...As a broke guy fresh out of college, there isn't a better hobby!

Tennis Man · 06-13-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiberiusGracchus

You guys got me into the classic racquet purchasing, and I just can't stop looking for and playing with these blasts from the past!...As a broke guy fresh out of college, there isn't a better hobby!

Welcome to the club and be careful, it's extemely contagious. A word of advise: leave the Walmart type of racqs to the kids. I've seen too many people wasting their money stringing and customizing them. There are plenty of nice racquets to go around, Wilson Matrix, Sting, Head and Prince Graphites are typical "inventory" of the thrift shops.

VGP · 06-13-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennis Man

Welcome to the club and be careful, it's extemely contagious. A word of advise: leave the Walmart type of racqs to the kids. I've seen too many people wasting their money stringing and customizing them. There are plenty of nice racquets to go around, Wilson Matrix, Sting, Head and Prince Graphites are typical "inventory" of the thrift shops.

The general public really doesn't know what a good racket is. I'm reminded of a time when I was at a local used sporting goods store and I saw a couple looking at tennis rackets.

The woman picked through the frames only to settle on a basic but new Wilson frame for $15 but they passed on a nice Prince Precision Graphite 640pl that was priced the same.

I know that the Prince isn't a great classic find, but a very nice frame definitely worth the $15 (and no, I didn't buy it).

Here's a pic of the frame....

IMO, many many decent frames can be found at used sporting goods shops, thrift stores, and garage sales. These days I am absolutely hard-pressed to buy a frame new.

......although I'm severely tempted by the Babolat Roland Garros APDC on the cosmetics alone!

05-15-2011, 03:09 PM	#61
michael_1265 Professional Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 900	Looking for stuff for the game room wall, I found a TA Davis Imperial today in fantastic condition. What a a pretty stick! Also, a good condition Bancroft Bill Tilden All-Star. $4.25 apiece. Last edited by michael_1265 : 02-19-2012 at 06:56 PM.

05-15-2011, 03:13 PM	#62
The Djoker Semi-Pro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: USA Posts: 470	Just picked up an original Wilson Sting midsize graphite racquet for $1 at a local thriftshop. I walked in with tennis on the mind and saw a guy walking from the back with a Head i.Radical. I was super bummed and figured he had snatched up any racquets worth a second glance. Turns out he left the Sting and I got lucky. Wish I would have arrived 5 minutes earlier though so I could have picked up the head. I haven't hit with the sting yet, and it does have something rattling in the top of the hoop (grommet piece, i assume). Seems very solid otherwise, and I look forward to hitting with it. __________________ Is Wayne Brady gonna have to Djokovic?

05-21-2011, 11:01 AM	#63
michael_1265 Professional Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 900	I tried to stay away from the Goodwill, but it just pulled me in yesterday afternoon. I went to the racquet basket and noted the two old Rosie Casals models, a decrepit Pancho Gonzales, and some split throat laminated Spalding in terrible condition (the X-40 or something like that). When I was walking out, I glanced into the houseware section, and sticking out of a big wok, I see two red W buttcaps. Two Kramer Speed Flexes, with covers. Both were pristine, but one had a serious warp. The other is nearly perfect. $4. Last edited by michael_1265 : 02-19-2012 at 06:57 PM.

06-12-2011, 09:35 AM	#64
Tennis Man Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 2,637	JK Autograffs and other woodies are very typical "inventory" of the thrift shops' sports section. I'm yet to find a nice and mint PS85 there. So far a mint original MAX 200G was my biggest find. Yesterday passing by a local Goodwill I picked up 3 interesting racquets (all in my grip size, eeh haw!!!) Prince Woodie (great shape) Pro Kennex Graphite 90 (first time ever saw one, going for a test drive tomorrow) Tony Trabert Big Bubba (I had no idea about 29 inch frames) __________________ Pro Staff Midsize

06-13-2011, 05:27 AM	#67
Hewex Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago, SW burbs Posts: 581	Just picked up a Pro Kennix Graphite Prophecy II for $1.99. It's not a classic, but still it's a fun find. __________________ Dunlop AG 4D100