fake youtek prestige or not?

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 01:54 AM

Hello everyone, this is my first post, I hope you can help.

I bought a used youtek prestige mp from a recreational player.. Since I'm new to head racquets and didn't play tennis for a long time, I didn't pay much attention on some details before buying, I was just impressed with solid feel of the racquet and decided to buy it.
Accidentally I discovered some posts on web about fake head youteks, and then noticed some strange details on my racquet that really concerned me, because word "fake" was not even on my mind..
I would be really grateful if you can help me, especially owners of that particular model..

ok lets start.. first there is no ser. number on the buttcap, please don't pay attention on lousy grip and overgrip because I removed them and installed few times

then, no hologram sticker.. does anyone have that stick with "made in china" label??

can you compare font with your racquet?

paintjob..

I can't post more then 4 pics in one post, so I will continue..

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 02:06 AM

owner played with it 1 year, is this normal paint coming off around string holes? I expected better quality pj if this is genuine racquet..

can you compare this pattern with yours:

I removed grip, pallet says TK82 4, I believe this is oem? there is some wrapped tape around pallet and silicone on the butt cap but guy told me that it became loose so he fixed it that way..

I will continue..

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 02:24 AM

ok, the butt cap.. is it oem, TK219? you can see holes from staples that were before his "arrangement"

inside there are only two staples, ok it is because of that described before, does this hairpin look suspicious to you? don't pay attention on silicone..

another thing that looks strange to me is the shape of the hairpin inside, on the end I guess it looks ok (?) but in the middle of the handle it has reinforced but uneven shape on left and right side, look the pics below.. can you check this on your racquet?

I will continue..

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 02:38 AM

Ok just few pics left..

I know that the main proof that the racquet is genuine is the look and code beneath the pallet, however I don't want to remove it and mess up with that yet..

that pic below isn't mine, it's from other member and different head racquet.. can you find any similarities to my pic above? Or should I still remove the pallet? That code beneath should be tgk 238.4, for youtek prestige mp?

Thank you for any help and patience, because of the long posts

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 02:46 AM

I forgot to post the entire racquet pic

one pic more..

any help appreciated..

Geology_Rocks! · 10-16-2012, 07:52 AM

The fake ones I've seen have a molded handle, since yours got pallets I think it's real.

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 07:56 AM

is it possible to be genuine without hologram sticker, and ser.number on butt cap?

floydcouncil · 10-16-2012, 08:02 AM

Looks real, but the previous owner did some work to the pallet. Staples are incorrect. It's obvious something was done (probably a change in grip size).

movdqa · 10-16-2012, 08:06 AM

I've heard about complaints on the paint flaking on the YTs PMPs from other posters here though most of the folks complaining said that it lifted off when they removed lead tape from the hoop. I haven't had any paint issues.

The frame looks legit to me. My frames are in my car right now (going to play in about 20 minutes). I'll check them for the hologram later on.

cluckcluck · 10-16-2012, 08:16 AM

And this is why you buy from a reputable retailer like Tennis-Warehouse.

Bdarb · 10-16-2012, 08:19 AM

I have a Ytk radical mp I know to be genuine. It doesn't have a made in china print but the specs part has no hologram and has d3o print just like yours. The paint around grommet holes has worn the same as yours. I don't know if these have holograms but I know they come off over time on all racquets so I wouldn't worry about that. It hits solid and has pallets Its probably fine. As for the "paint chipping" the paint isn't chipping it's a print on the racquet over the red paint, same as on my radical. I know they aren't identical but I imagine these aspects of the racquet to be congruent throughout the Ytk line. The made in china label is the only thing that I wonder about as its not on mine.

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 08:40 AM

thank you guys for replies..

well, again, I haven't played tennis for years so didn't really know what details to look at since that is a used racket..

I know that friend's genuine Youtek Speed 18x20 has "made in china" label but also has hologram sticker which this prestige doesn't have..

Can any owner of this stick tell if there is "made in china" label like above?

Also, can you remove the plug from the butt cap and look if the hairpin inside looks little strange as this one on the pictures (reinforced shape deep inside)?

ace0001a · 10-16-2012, 10:21 AM

Looks legit to me as I've read about flaking paint on the YT Prestiges before and the fakes at best have a yellow urethane handle or at worst are a molded handle from the same graphite as the entire frame, never having pallets. Just like Wilson and their varying quality control, this one is simply one that probably barely passed QC...

dadozen · 10-16-2012, 10:25 AM

The racquet seems ok from all the pics. The Made in China sticker seems to have fallen off the buttcap and the previous owner installed it on the throat.

It also seems that he changed pallets, that's why the holes in the buttcap don't match the current staples. If he used a new pallet and buttcap, it won't have serial number on it, as shown in the pics.

Font and everything else looks OK too. YT and IG racquets are known for bad paintjob quality, so it's normal to have a lot of chips in the racquet. YT and IG racquets are also known for lots of problems in the silver HEAD letters @12, but when I had the YT I didn't have this problem in the grommet holes, but, again, it's a known problem and I didn't have them for a long time to experience that.

I have injected silicone in all my IG Prestiges and all of them had that weird shape inside the throat.

I think you don't have to worry.

hrstrat57 · 10-16-2012, 10:34 AM

Identical marking to my matched pair bought from tw with a couple of exceptions....

Mine have hologram, located near the handle in throat on next to "d3o"

My pair do not have a made in china stamp

Both have a serial number on the buttcap, in the case of my pair they are sequential from the same batch. I think your buttcap looks a bit suspicious....you may need to pull the pallets to be sure.

Have you hit with a legit 238.4 YT Prestige retail to compare?

If yours is a fake it is a real good one, which is scary.

There are a lot of experts on this topic around here, I suspect they will chime in.

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadozen

The racquet seems ok from all the pics. The Made in China sticker seems to have fallen off the buttcap and the previous owner installed it on the throat.

in fact that's not a sticker, but printed label on the throat.. but again I'm thinking, why would anyone print "made in china" if it's not necessary and it's a fake stick?

125inthemiddle · 10-16-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrstrat57

Mine have hologram, located near the handle in throat on next to "d3o"

My pair do not have a made in china stamp

Both have a serial number on the buttcap, in the case of my pair they are sequential from the same batch. I think your buttcap looks a bit suspicious....you may need to pull the pallets to be sure.

Have you hit with a legit 238.4 YT Prestige retail to compare?
in.

well the owner said it never had a hologram

yes the buttcap looks strange but the only good explanation is if he changed pallet and put on a used buttcap, other than that seems a little strange.

Well it feels very solid in game, unfortunately I've never hit with retail stick to compare and be sure it's equal feel..

stronzzi70 · 10-16-2012, 11:07 AM

sleep well,,,,your racquet is real......

royfrombigd · 10-16-2012, 11:09 AM

It's the real deal. Never really heard of a fake prestige, but anything I suppose is possible, but this one is too good. I agree the pallet may have been changed out, but that's not uncommon and I can't imagine someone buying a real Head pallet to replace the fake to look more legit. Now, for the hologram missing: could have fallen off or maybe the racquet was acquired directly from Head or possibly even a pro stock not made for retail. Have you weighed the racquet on a postal scale or food scale?

Lefty78 · 10-16-2012, 11:44 AM

That 'reinforced shape' deep in the handle is where the factory installs lead into the handle. Pro stock versions do not have this.

10-16-2012, 01:54 AM	#1
125inthemiddle New User Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 11	fake youtek prestige or not? Hello everyone, this is my first post, I hope you can help. I bought a used youtek prestige mp from a recreational player.. Since I'm new to head racquets and didn't play tennis for a long time, I didn't pay much attention on some details before buying, I was just impressed with solid feel of the racquet and decided to buy it. Accidentally I discovered some posts on web about fake head youteks, and then noticed some strange details on my racquet that really concerned me, because word "fake" was not even on my mind.. I would be really grateful if you can help me, especially owners of that particular model.. ok lets start.. first there is no ser. number on the buttcap, please don't pay attention on lousy grip and overgrip because I removed them and installed few times then, no hologram sticker.. does anyone have that stick with "made in china" label?? can you compare font with your racquet? paintjob.. I can't post more then 4 pics in one post, so I will continue..

10-16-2012, 08:06 AM	#9
movdqa Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,162	I've heard about complaints on the paint flaking on the YTs PMPs from other posters here though most of the folks complaining said that it lifted off when they removed lead tape from the hoop. I haven't had any paint issues. The frame looks legit to me. My frames are in my car right now (going to play in about 20 minutes). I'll check them for the hologram later on. __________________ 4 x IG Prestige MP, 70 cm, 376 grams, 386 SW, ALU Power @54

10-16-2012, 08:16 AM	#10
cluckcluck Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Between the baseline and netcord. Posts: 1,670	And this is why you buy from a reputable retailer like Tennis-Warehouse. __________________ Bullfan, "Bull rap, there is video evidence." and "Dude it's on the Internet, and hasn't been hidden."

10-16-2012, 08:19 AM	#11
Bdarb Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: New England Posts: 119	I have a Ytk radical mp I know to be genuine. It doesn't have a made in china print but the specs part has no hologram and has d3o print just like yours. The paint around grommet holes has worn the same as yours. I don't know if these have holograms but I know they come off over time on all racquets so I wouldn't worry about that. It hits solid and has pallets Its probably fine. As for the "paint chipping" the paint isn't chipping it's a print on the racquet over the red paint, same as on my radical. I know they aren't identical but I imagine these aspects of the racquet to be congruent throughout the Ytk line. The made in china label is the only thing that I wonder about as its not on mine. __________________ x2 babolat pure storm ltd. - vs natural gut 61 lbs.

10-16-2012, 10:21 AM	#13
ace0001a Semi-Pro Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 694	Looks legit to me as I've read about flaking paint on the YT Prestiges before and the fakes at best have a yellow urethane handle or at worst are a molded handle from the same graphite as the entire frame, never having pallets. Just like Wilson and their varying quality control, this one is simply one that probably barely passed QC... Last edited by ace0001a : 10-16-2012 at 10:55 AM.