Mystery P1 TGK Prestige (Safin?)

[DavaiMarat]

Hi gang,


Here's one for you pro racquet connoisseurs. This is a HEAD TGK237.2 I bought off these very boards over a year ago.

Handle:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49288338@N08/5171766179/

Throat:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49288338@N08/5172367368/

Frame:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49288338@N08/5171763213/

Head:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49288338@N08/5171761645/

I love the frame but I've always wondered it's history. Most of the ones floating about were distributed by RPNY but this one came from Priority One meaning it was meant for a P1 client.

I know the tgk237.2 line was a experimental run of 16x19 prestige mids painted up like the microgel. This racquet weights (with string) 350'ish with the leather grip. It has lead at the 12 o'clock position and it may have lead at 3 and 9 but as you know the grommets are near impossible to get I've never peeled it down that far. It also has a bit of lead on the grip at the 7 inch mark (from the butt cap). It's balance is 32cms or 8 points head light. The grip is expertly wrapped (as only P1 can do) with a little bit of what looks like electrical or finishing tape at the end. It also has a little yellow sticker with 12 on it near the racquet code.

The gentlemen I bought it for said it was made for Safin to try but he didn't care for it. However from what I read I think his setup for a mid is quite different. So my question is, who was the racquet for? I know usually they stencil the name on the frame, but I doubt they would bother with a 'tryer'. The only other pro player I know (and could afford P1) that used a prestige mid was Acasuso (spelling?). So who was this originally meant for? Hmmmm.

Summary:
350g strung 32cm balance
lead at 12 and on grip (7 inch) possibly 3 and 9 but never checked.

Looking forward to your responses,

Mike

[RJYU]

Its one of ours, but from the looks of it, not one ever made for Marat. I'd have to look back at our racquet customizing history to find out who it was made for.

[DavaiMarat]

I would love to know.

Thanks,

Mike

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by RJYU

Its one of ours, but from the looks of it, not one ever made for Marat. I'd have to look back at our racquet customizing history to find out who it was made for.

there is a #12 sticker. I presume that would be for a certain player? I had one with a #13 and I know that player.

[DavaiMarat]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

there is a #12 sticker. I presume that would be for a certain player? I had one with a #13 and I know that player.

Hmmmmm Sebastion Grosjeans used a prestige as well. Hmmmm with a frame so head light I'd say doubles player but what would a doubles player want with a clay courter's pattern. Interesting.

[RJYU]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

there is a #12 sticker. I presume that would be for a certain player? I had one with a #13 and I know that player.

The numbers aren't specifically reserved for particular player. The pic with the number doesn't help me with any identification.

[DavaiMarat]

Originally Posted by RJYU

The numbers aren't specifically reserved for particular player. The pic with the number doesn't help me with any identification.

Excited about going home tomorrow? Then off to London?

Life at P1 is never slow eh?

Oh, I know you don't give out specs but you gotta tell me how Marats setup use to 330 grams? The stocks don't even come that light, do they? He must of had custom tgk237.1 mold with magic fairy dust inside to make it lighter. How could you even add any lead to thAt?

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by RJYU

The numbers aren't specifically reserved for particular player. The pic with the number doesn't help me with any identification.

oh, so what is that # for? just curious

[Mdubb23]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

oh, so what is that # for? just curious

Most likely it was the twelfth stick customized for said mystery pro.

[big bang]

Originally Posted by Mdubb23

Most likely it was the twelfth stick customized for said mystery pro.

It probably was, the Babolat pro stock frames I had came from Lyon with date and production number like this 12/7-09 nr 1.

[purple-n-gold]

very interesting this mystery stick....

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

Excited about going home tomorrow? Then off to London?

Life at P1 is never slow eh?

Oh, I know you don't give out specs but you gotta tell me how Marats setup use to 330 grams? The stocks don't even come that light, do they? He must of had custom tgk237.1 mold with magic fairy dust inside to make it lighter. How could you even add any lead to thAt?

I thought Marat's frame was a PT10.....

[Cooper_Tecnifibre4]

Yeh and i don't think Marat used that type of Head butt cap, no?

[DavaiMarat]

Originally Posted by ryushen21

I thought Marat's frame was a PT10.....

That's true...but he switched at some point after his return from injury. He played with the tgk237.1 which I believe has the mold of the iprestige but is a full graphite layup with tungsten. Also the old pt10 s were L7s meanwhile the newer prestige mids are all L6.

I really can't figure out marats setup now. The information on the boards is all scattered. I know he strung with with alu power at60 lbs but other then that you see weight from330 to 370. Also some impossibly low swing weights. I'd like to hear from someone with one of his current frames.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

That's true...but he switched at some point after his return from injury. He played with the tgk237.1 which I believe has the mold of the iprestige but is a full graphite layup with tungsten. Also the old pt10 s were L7s meanwhile the newer prestige mids are all L6.

I really can't figure out marats setup now. The information on the boards is all scattered. I know he strung with with alu power at60 lbs but other then that you see weight from330 to 370. Also some impossibly low swing weights. I'd like to hear from someone with one of his current frames.

wait a minute -- different materials than the Microgel Mid??
No way...

[DavaiMarat]

Originally Posted by dr325i

wait a minute -- different materials than the Microgel Mid??
No way...

Haha. All of us know that but considerate of the people that don't have our disease.

[Pioneer]

Marat Safin's balance is 32cm and his weight is 350-355g but he uses synthetic replacement grip now and has ever since like 2005 or something

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

Hmmmmm Sebastion Grosjeans used a prestige as well. Hmmmm with a frame so head light I'd say doubles player but what would a doubles player want with a clay courter's pattern. Interesting.

[Pioneer]

Lol L7? Safin's grip is L4. Greg Raven's website says 353g, 32cm, 347 SW which is pretty realistic. Nate Ferguson said he strings BBO 16 in the high 20s

Originally Posted by DavaiMarat

That's true...but he switched at some point after his return from injury. He played with the tgk237.1 which I believe has the mold of the iprestige but is a full graphite layup with tungsten. Also the old pt10 s were L7s meanwhile the newer prestige mids are all L6.

I really can't figure out marats setup now. The information on the boards is all scattered. I know he strung with with alu power at60 lbs but other then that you see weight from330 to 370. Also some impossibly low swing weights. I'd like to hear from someone with one of his current frames.

[tennisguy7482]

Originally Posted by Pioneer

Lol L7? Safin's grip is L4. Greg Raven's website says 353g, 32cm, 347 SW which is pretty realistic. Nate Ferguson said he strings BBO 16 in the high 20s

i think he means the numbers that head puts on their frames as a "swing style rating." L6 is printed on all the newer mids

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by dr325i

wait a minute -- different materials than the Microgel Mid??
No way...

stop it doc...this disease of yours has spread!