NEW Prestige MP 360

J-Wildcard · Jan 13, 2020

When you look at the prestige line, the only thing left now is the full cap grommet, even the pallets have gone square? The frame is a shadow of its former self. I think most Head frames now have a horrible feel since they introduced the graphene as has been said by many in here. I thought they may have moved onto to another material by now as this one has done enough damage. It was interesting when they did the online pro type sale option but it was just a few minor tweaks too the balance and stiffness but I would say that should be there as an option again as weight, balance would be great to choose. I personally thing the mp is too heavy once you put strings in and an overgrip it weighs in at around 350g (most pros only run @350g strung weight and they play everyday for. Several Hours so. Obviously their strength level. Is as high as it gets really. No room to change things. Ideally I would like a prestige coming in at around 300/305 then u can add to it as you need to, low stiffness of course around 58. Is that sound like a pt-57a? I would take one of those but they are crazy money aren't they?

TennisHound · Jan 13, 2020

chicubs said:
Ya, I hear ya. I mean I don't get what they're really doing with the Prestige lineup as a whole both in regards to naming and specs.

To be fair, Head never hit true rock bottom line Prince did. (As far as I know.)

Prince hit rock bottom business-wise, Head has hit some pretty low lows engineering-wise.

Soznie · Jan 13, 2020

ProRadTour said:
Is the grip shape on the MP now also using the S Pallet i.e. more rounded handle?

I don't know for sure because I didn't pay any close attention to the palette. But there was nothing off with the handle I feel, so I guess if you're playing with the recent HEAD releases probably it's not going to be a problem.

kailash said:
Anyone played with both the 360+ pro and Yonex vcore pro 330g (green)? How does the the new prestige pro compare to vcore 330? Control, comfort , power & stability wise.

Pretty much echoed chicubs's opinion: Control-wise it's not like a 95" racquet at all, it's as powerful as Vcore 97, IMO. Comfort is subjective, but I feel more connected to the ball with the Vcore 97 than I did with the Pro. Both of them have the same 65 RA, IIRC. Stability wise IMO Vcore Pro is better. There's plenty of plow already, you could play it in stock form unless you're regularly playing with players with massive serves and groundies.
The only upside for the Pro for me is its maneuverability, but VCORE 95 is a whippier and more comfortable option if what I am looking for is a 95 inches racquet.

chicubs said:
1. I actually really dig the new look. Neon works in the context of a racquet. For those concerned, the neon makes it easier to not feel like you have to match with your outfit lol. I am employed in the digital design field for what that's worth. It's not perfect aesthetically but it's cool. It's a modern look for a modern playing update.
2. People will either like Graphene 360 or not. I actually happen to like the new Graphene 360 feel (as seen in the Extreme Pro, Gravity and new Prestige).

It's less ugly than what I anticipated but it's still... not good. Like, they are marketing the new color scheme as a throwback to the classics, I guess but I think the PJ is simply not my thing.

Yeah, I think it's a common knowledge by now manufacturers especially HEAD are using cheaper materials to maximize their financial profits, but while Graphene 360+ still cannot undo their "mistakes" in the past decade or so, it's at least an inch closer toward making a racquet that's solid and plush like the racquets of old. Maybe. Hopefully.

MisterP · Jan 15, 2020

ProRadTour said:
Sounds like the MP is a 98sq inch Gravity Pro, that's not horrible if that's the case.

Curious how it will compare to the Blade V7

The Blade has more power and way more plow, but isn’t as easy to swing. Similar in other regards. MP is better for customization.

Daphantom99 · Jan 15, 2020

Just curious... all the negative feedback for the new prestige line. How many actually played with them with different string setups with longer hitting sessions and still have negative feedback?

vsbabolat · Jan 15, 2020

ProRadTour said:
Sounds like the MP is a 98sq inch Gravity Pro, that's not horrible if that's the case.

Curious how it will compare to the Blade V7

Blade has a lot more power. The Prestige MP is underpowered.

vsbabolat · Jan 15, 2020

J-Wildcard said:
When you look at the prestige line, the only thing left now is the full cap grommet, even the pallets have gone square? The frame is a shadow of its former self. I think most Head frames now have a horrible feel since they introduced the graphene as has been said by many in here. I thought they may have moved onto to another material by now as this one has done enough damage. It was interesting when they did the online pro type sale option but it was just a few minor tweaks too the balance and stiffness but I would say that should be there as an option again as weight, balance would be great to choose. I personally thing the mp is too heavy once you put strings in and an overgrip it weighs in at around 350g (most pros only run @350g strung weight and they play everyday for. Several Hours so. Obviously their strength level. Is as high as it gets really. No room to change things. Ideally I would like a prestige coming in at around 300/305 then u can add to it as you need to, low stiffness of course around 58. Is that sound like a pt-57a? I would take one of those but they are crazy money aren't they?

They got rid of the Full CAP grommets on the mid. It’s only a matter of time CAP grommets are gone with the others

chicubs · Jan 15, 2020

Daphantom99 said:
Just curious... all the negative feedback for the new prestige line. How many actually played with them with different string setups with longer hitting sessions and still have negative feedback?

Unfortunately, my demo was with multifilament. I'm getting a poly one, so I'll be able to take a longer/fairer look.

TennisHound · Jan 15, 2020

Daphantom99 said:
Just curious... all the negative feedback for the new prestige line. How many actually played with them with different string setups with longer hitting sessions and still have negative feedback?

Some people will like them and some won’t. The 360 stuff they put in the Prestige’s isn’t going to make them a magically different racquet from previous iterations. It’s the same basic Graphene setup, with different masking agents to dampen the harshness from the thinner, more brittle tube walls. I’ve only tried the Tour so far but it felt pretty close to the Touch version.

Just for reference, I used the XTPMP for over 6 months (and the IG YT MG versions for years before that).

vsbabolat · Jan 15, 2020

TennisHound said:
Some people will like them and some won’t. The 360 stuff they put in the Prestige’s isn’t going to make them a magically different racquet from previous iterations. It’s the same basic Graphene setup, with different masking agents to dampen the harshness from the thinner, more brittle tube walls. I’ve only tried the Tour so far but it felt pretty close to the Touch version.

The new redesign 360 Prestige MP is awful. It feels dead and lifeless. Awful racquet just awful. When I went back to my Prestige Classic it felt like I had picked up a widebody racquet like a Pure Drive. The feel reminds me of the XT Prestige MP, dead and lifeless. I’ll give it another go with a different string and tension.

dr325i · Jan 15, 2020

vsbabolat said:
The new redesign 360 Prestige MP is awful. It feels dead and lifeless. Awful racquet just awful. When I went back to my Prestige Classic it felt like I had picked up a widebody racquet like a Pure Drive. The feel reminds me of the XT Prestige MP, dead and lifeless. I’ll give it another go with a different string and tension.

I was afraid this was the case. Similar to the gravity hype, it is faaaaarrrr from the great head feel we grew up with.
I’ll give it a shot tomorrow and report my observations

J-Wildcard · Jan 16, 2020

vsbabolat said:
They got rid of the Full CAP grommets on the mid. It’s only a matter of time CAP grommets are gone with the others

Sounds like they are dumbing down these frames, nothing special about the range now to me since the IG range. I am now looking into the wilson range which I haven't used for a long time. The ultra tour looks interesting and the blade V7 looks impressive. I like the 18/20 string beds. I was keen to try the gravity but I am not a fan of 100 head size, and would rather try something 300 or 305 possibly. I have recently also got an old microgel radical pro which I haven't strung up yet but looks an interesting racket, maybe not unlike the gravity? The beam on the rad pro is 20mm also. I have a liquid metal radical pro which feels nice but is very heavy and you need to be at your best to use that one.

vsbabolat · Jan 16, 2020

J-Wildcard said:
Sounds like they are dumbing down these frames, nothing special about the range now to me since the IG range. I am now looking into the wilson range which I haven't used for a long time. The ultra tour looks interesting and the blade V7 looks impressive. I like the 18/20 string beds. I was keen to try the gravity but I am not a fan of 100 head size, and would rather try something 300 or 305 possibly. I have recently also got an old microgel radical pro which I haven't strung up yet but looks an interesting racket, maybe not unlike the gravity? The beam on the rad pro is 20mm also. I have a liquid metal radical pro which feels nice but is very heavy and you need to be at your best to use that one.

I think the new Wilson Blade is a good racquet and you should demo that.

Kal-El 34 · Jan 16, 2020

I didn’t like the 100 head size on the gravity pro but it has grown on me the longer I have hit with it

vsbabolat · Jan 16, 2020

The launch angle on the MP is super low over the net. I really have to work to get the ball over the net. I also hit with the the Mid today. Plays like a normal racquet. One huge disappointment is that the design team butchered the CAP grommets.

WillGinRVA · Jan 16, 2020

vsbabolat said:
The launch angle on the MP is super low over the net. I really have to work to get the ball over the net. I also hit with the the Mid today. Plays like a normal racquet. One huge disappointment is that the design team butchered the CAP grommets.

What types of strokes do you have?

vsbabolat · Jan 16, 2020

WillGinRVA said:
What types of strokes do you have?

I have full strokes with an eastern forehand and a two handed backhand. My current frame is the Prestige Pro 600 and have no problems generating pace, power, and depth.

dr325i · Jan 16, 2020

WillGinRVA said:
What types of strokes do you have?

He’s a current 5.5+ former tour player, So not to bad I’d say

dr325i · Jan 16, 2020

Anyway, a sad story - went to my local store (PGA superstore) today (they carry latest rackets and have indoor test facilities) and the guys at the tennis department told me - unfortunately, we will not be getting the 360 Prestige because we barely sold any of the Graphene Touch prestiges. I looked at the shelf and the Prestige shelf was the only one almost full while wilson Blades, Yonex, Babolast were more than 1/2 empty.
Sad, but the reality.

ProRadTour · Jan 16, 2020

vsbabolat said:
The new redesign 360 Prestige MP is awful. It feels dead and lifeless. Awful racquet just awful. When I went back to my Prestige Classic it felt like I had picked up a widebody racquet like a Pure Drive. The feel reminds me of the XT Prestige MP, dead and lifeless. I’ll give it another go with a different string and tension.

Damn, was hoping this one might be half decent.

vsbabolat · Jan 16, 2020

ProRadTour said:
Damn, was hoping this one might be half decent.

Buddy of mine hit with it today just to get someone else opinion. My friend plays with the Wilson BLX 6.1 95 16x18. He picked up the Prestige MP it took him a little while to adjust to it to find the depth and said it felt flexible. He could feel the beam bend. He then starting hitting with his 6.1 95 and the first thing he said was that the Wilson 6.1 95 has a lot more power. I’m not the only one that thinks the Prestige MP is underpowered

avocadoz · Jan 16, 2020

dr325i said:
Anyway, a sad story - went to my local store (PGA superstore) today (they carry latest rackets and have indoor test facilities) and the guys at the tennis department told me - unfortunately, we will not be getting the 360 Prestige because we barely sold any of the Graphene Touch prestiges. I looked at the shelf and the Prestige shelf was the only one almost full while wilson Blades, Yonex, Babolast were more than 1/2 empty.
Sad, but the reality.

At this rate, how long can Head depend on star power to sell their racquets? They’ve been phoning it in for the past few years with nothing but mediocrity. I hardly see any recent iterations of Head racquets around local clubs. They’re all flocking to PA, PD, Blade, and now Clash. Even Prince is seeing a resurgent. They really need to get their act together.

ProRadTour · Jan 16, 2020

vsbabolat said:
Buddy of mine hit with it today just to get someone else opinion. My friend plays with the Wilson BLX 6.1 95 16x18. He picked up the Prestige MP it took him a little while to adjust to it to find the depth and said it felt flexible. He could feel the beam bend. He then starting hitting with his 6.1 95 and the first thing he said was that the Wilson 6.1 95 has a lot more power. I’m not the only one that thinks the Prestige MP is underpowered

Sounds like its crying out for some lead tape at 12. The swingweight is low based TW figures. Is the feel/response similar to Gravity Pro? How does the feel compare to the Blade v7? How do you think it would play if the swingweight was around 330-335 ?

I'd imagine the BLX 6.1 is heavier and would have a swingweight in the 330s. So maybe some lead at 12 and a leather grip might make it come to life in the power department.

vsbabolat · Jan 16, 2020

dr325i said:
Anyway, a sad story - went to my local store (PGA superstore) today (they carry latest rackets and have indoor test facilities) and the guys at the tennis department told me - unfortunately, we will not be getting the 360 Prestige because we barely sold any of the Graphene Touch prestiges. I looked at the shelf and the Prestige shelf was the only one almost full while wilson Blades, Yonex, Babolast were more than 1/2 empty.
Sad, but the reality.

I find it stunning that a big store like that won’t be getting any 360 Prestige in.

Bartelby · Jan 16, 2020

I suspect that the European market is Head's strength.

avocadoz said:
At this rate, how long can Head depend on star power to sell their racquets? They’ve been phoning it in for the past few years with nothing but mediocrity. I hardly see any recent iterations of Head racquets around local clubs. They’re all flocking to PA, PD, Blade, and now Clash. Even Prince is seeing a resurgent. They really need to get their act together.

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Look how good the HEAD PT57A looks in glossy red with black CAP grommets. Amazing how much better the TK57A looks. Much better design and much better frame!

https://imgur.com/a/iGXmdXc

ProRadTour · Jan 17, 2020

With the black caps it actually looks really good. Head made a mistake with red caps with this new line. Would have looked even better if the dark red/brown on the throat was also black.

dr325i · Jan 17, 2020

vsbabolat said:
Look how good the HEAD PT57A looks in glossy red with black CAP grommets. Amazing how much better the TK57A looks. Much better design and much better frame!

https://imgur.com/a/iGXmdXc

Unfortunately, there is no set of black CAPs that will fit the new line...

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

ProRadTour said:
With the black caps it actually looks really good. Head made a mistake with red caps with this new line. Would have looked even better if the dark red/brown on the throat was also black.

HEAD made many mistakes. The layup sucks and the new mold sucks

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

dr325i said:
Unfortunately, there is no set of black CAPs that will fit the new line...

On the Mid, Tour, and Pro you can put the black CAP grommets from the XT and Touch Prestige

Return_Ace · Jan 17, 2020

dr325i said:
Unfortunately, there is no set of black CAPs that will fit the new line...

I thought they were using the same mold for the Pro?

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Return_Ace said:
I thought they were using the same mold for the Pro?

Yes, the Touch Prestige Pro and the 360 Prestige Pro are the same mold. The 360 Prestige MP is a new mold

Return_Ace · Jan 17, 2020

vsbabolat said:
Yes, the Touch Prestige Pro and the 360 Prestige Pro are the same mold. The 360 Prestige MP is a new mold

Thanks,

I have a set of Touch Pro grommets lying around as I thought they'd fit my IG Rad Pro... they didn't

dr325i · Jan 17, 2020

Return_Ace said:
Thanks,

I have a set of Touch Pro grommets lying around as I thought they'd fit my IG Rad Pro... they didn't

Talking about the MP, the, what used to be, bread and butter of the Prestige line.

Return_Ace · Jan 17, 2020

dr325i said:
Talking about the MP, the, what used to be, bread and butter of the Prestige line.

Some people would probably argue it was the Mid

Christoforos Giatzakis · Jan 17, 2020

@vsbabolat what is your string setup?

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Christoforos Giatzakis said:
@vsbabolat what is your string setup?

In my racquets I do gut mains and poly crosses.

terg · Jan 17, 2020

vsbabolat said:
HEAD made many mistakes. The layup sucks and the new mold sucks

How can the mold suck? There are only minor changes possible like beam width, head shape and maybe shaft. It doesn't look like there is changed much from your beloved PT57A except a bigger head. I do think a layup can change the feel drastically, that's why every model feels different, but feel is just an opinion. Do you really think Head is using different carbon fibre sheets for there pro players. All they do is making the racquet specific for their players. We consumers don't get an inferior product, but that's just my opinion.

Daphantom99 · Jan 17, 2020

terg said:
How can the mold suck? There are only minor changes possible like beam width, head shape and maybe shaft. It doesn't look like there is changed much from your beloved PT57A except a bigger head. I do think a layup can change the feel drastically, that's why every model feels different, but feel is just an opinion. Do you really think Head is using different carbon fibre sheets for there pro players. All they do is making the racquet specific for their players. We consumers don't get an inferior product, but that's just my opinion.

I agree... I don't think any brand would spend extra time, money, and effort to make different racquets for their pro players. I can be wrong... but if I was in marketing department for Head, Wilson, etc... do I want to keep the paying 'non-pro' consumer happy or do I keep those 2%-5% sponsored pro player whom I would assume get their racquets for free?

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

terg said:
How can the mold suck? There are only minor changes possible like beam width, head shape and maybe shaft. It doesn't look like there is changed much from your beloved PT57A except a bigger head. I do think a layup can change the feel drastically, that's why every model feels different, but feel is just an opinion. Do you really think Head is using different carbon fibre sheets for there pro players. All they do is making the racquet specific for their players. We consumers don't get an inferior product, but that's just my opinion.

They changed head size, beam width, and made some changes to the inside of the shaft, and made the bridge thinner. You don’t know that the PT57A2 has a completely different layup than the 360+ Prestige MP. The materials are used in a different way. The 2 racquets play completely different. You are getting an inferior product. I’ve hit with both PT57A2 and 360 Prestige MP. I can tell you 360+ Prestige MP is inferior in every way

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Daphantom99 said:
I agree... I don't think any brand would spend extra time, money, and effort to make different racquets for their pro players. I can be wrong... but if I was in marketing department for Head, Wilson, etc... do I want to keep the paying 'non-pro' consumer happy or do I keep those 2%-5% sponsored pro player whom I would assume get their racquets for free?

You are wrong. I have Pro Stock racquets such as PT57A , PT10 TGT293.2, TGT292.1 and they play nothing like what they are selling today.

Bartelby · Jan 17, 2020

Yes, precisely, but no one talks about mids anymore because they are completely obsolete.

If you go back over TW reviews you'll find them obssessed by the mid and giving faint praise to the MP.

And yet now some want to give the impression that Head is betraying the MP model with recent changes.

Head moved on with the Prestige line because both the game and the market changed. They could have just killed it.

Return_Ace said:
Some people would probably argue it was the Mid

Daphantom99 · Jan 17, 2020

vsbabolat said:
You are wrong. I have Pro Stock racquets and such as PT57A and it plays nothing like what they sell. I also have other Pro Stock models and can tell form first hand experience they play nothing like what they are selling.

I had a feeling I was wrong... I wished I wasn't though and I do have a Wilson Pro-stock H22 racquet myself. If that is the case.. why in the world would I continue to buy retail racquet? Just a thought...

Bartelby · Jan 17, 2020

Head makes pro-stock racquets for a reason, but that does not mean that they would work in the marketplace.

Babolat just uses stock racquets because their pros don't want a softer pro-stock version, and until a year ago less flex and more stiff was the main trajectory.

vsbabolat said:
You are wrong. I have Pro Stock racquets such as PT57A , PT10 TGT293.2, TGT292.1 and they play nothing like what they are selling today.

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Bartelby said:
Head makes pro-stock racquets for a reason, but that does not mean that they would work in the marketplace.

Babolat just uses stock racquets because their pros don't want a softer pro-stock version, and until a year ago less flex and more stiff was the main trajectory.

I’m sorry you’re wrong about Babolat too. They have Pro Stock and paint jobs.

avocadoz · Jan 17, 2020

Bartelby said:
Head makes pro-stock racquets for a reason, but that does not mean that they would work in the marketplace.

Babolat just uses stock racquets because their pros don't want a softer pro-stock version, and until a year ago less flex and more stiff was the main trajectory.

Cuz the marketplace versions have been working out so well for them...

Ryanblessed · Jan 17, 2020

Not sure if it's just me, I feel new MP very stiff, higher than 61RA. Strung with full bed of Velocity MLT, the feel is very thin, and very lowpowered. disappointed about it.

Groovemaster85 · Jan 17, 2020

As a matter of fact yes, they are selling garbage with low quality materials for the public while pro stock racquets are of high quality plus highly customizable. And I actually prefer tgt 293.2 over PT57A , it suits my game better , and in the pro stock palette you actually have a choice of the model while at the same time materials are actually top notch. And I am not discussing the mold at the first place, I have owned bunch of pro stocks, long list before settling on the tgt 293.2 finally and every singe one of them was high quality material , so the choice was a matter of taste and preference. But to me, all head pro stocks aren’t comparable to retail in terms of material quality. And thanks to guys like @vsbabolat I was able to learn about the pro stock world and the truth - that they are selling garbage to the public.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vsbabolat · Jan 17, 2020

Ryanblessed said:
Not sure if it's just me, I feel new MP very stiff, higher than 61RA. Strung with full bed of Velocity MLT, the feel is very thin, and very lowpowered. disappointed about it.

That’s exactly what I experienced. The Mid felt much better

terg · Jan 17, 2020

vsbabolat said:
They changed head size, beam width, and made some changes to the inside of the shaft, and made the bridge thinner. You don’t know that the PT57A2 has a completely different layup than the 360+ Prestige MP. The materials are used in a different way. The 2 racquets play completely different. You are getting an inferior product. I’ve hit with both PT57A2 and 360 Prestige MP. I can tell you 360+ Prestige MP is inferior in every way

So you’re saying that the same materials are used but in a different way. Why would HEAD choose to make inferior product while with the same effort can make great feeling products. That makes no sense. They just innovate and try to make better products for the current playing styles. Why doesn’t Jannik Sinner use a PT57A2? I think he likes the new stuff better. Just like a lot of other players.

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