Loving the Reissues

SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
I know that racquet reissues are anathema to the purists, but for plebes like me, they’re a way for me, a Boomer, to capture a little nostalgic magic from the past.
TW’s reissue of the PS 85 was my first. Followed by Microgel Radical MP, Head Pro Tour 2.0, and most recently Wilson K factor 6.1 18x20. I know they’re not the same as the originals but man, they look good to me, and although they don’t have the same nice feel as the originals, they are usually updated for more juice. And they’re priced lower than the latest new racquet.
What would people like to see reissued? How about the Prince Diablo Mid? Hard to find now. I know Prince has a racquet now that’s supposed to be the modern day version, but I’d like to see the original cosmetic updated.
 
nohandedbackhand

nohandedbackhand

Semi-Pro
Echoing what others have said here - not really a reissue but I want a 16x19 pro tour 2.0. I would honestly order 6 of them right off the bat. Loving the current one (tinkering with thinner gauge strings and lower tension) but I really think a more open pattern would shine here
 
P

PT280 Fan

Semi-Pro
nohandedbackhand said:
Echoing what others have said here - not really a reissue but I want a 16x19 pro tour 2.0. I would honestly order 6 of them right off the bat. Loving the current one (tinkering with thinner gauge strings and lower tension) but I really think a more open pattern would shine here
Click to expand...
You should try the Donnay Xenecore Pro One 97 (or GT). They modeled this racket after the PT57a and it's a big part of their marketing only it's a 16x19 not 18x20. I have both the original (PT280) and two of the Pro One GTs and find them pretty interchangeable. The Donnay has a little higher and bigger sweet spot with a firmer upper hoop but they both have the same launch. I like the extra spin I can get from the Donnay but the PT280 is easier on the arm.
 
P

PT280 Fan

Semi-Pro
I wish they'd reissue the Kneissl Aeramic Pro, only in a 95" not an 88"- the feel of kevlar, graphite and ceramic is just absolutely sublime! I played the Lendl White Star back in the day as well, great frame for a fly swatter but the Aeramic Pro though outsourced with cheap grommets, was thinner, bigger and I think better feeling.
 
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nohandedbackhand

nohandedbackhand

Semi-Pro
PT280 Fan said:
You should try the Donnay Xenecore Pro One 97 (or GT). They modeled this racket after the PT57a and it's a big part of their marketing only it's a 16x19 not 18x20. I have both the original (PT280) and two of the Pro One GTs and find them pretty interchangeable. The Donnay has a little higher and bigger sweet spot with a firmer upper hoop but they both have the same launch. I like the extra spin I can get from the Donnay but the PT280 is easier on the arm.
Click to expand...
Interesting- thanks!
 
S

slipgrip93

Professional
yes, I'd wish Wilson would reissue the old thin box beam racquets like the ncode90, k90, kps88, and the ps85, and similar others again. And why can't they make the newer racquets thin 17mm beam again with their current frame composition tech? like is the new tech of making these racquets somehow doesn't work with the classic 17mm box frame?
 
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A

Antónis

Professional
esm said:
Angell released a limited edition of this in 2018... no longer available/on their website, but there should be a few on the used market...
i recalled tennis nerd did a review on this LE version too.
Click to expand...

Yes, but Angell's Pro Braided had nothing to do with the original.

Slazenger's Pro Braided is basically a lighter Pro Staff 6.1 Classic clone, 95 sq.i. head size, stiff (like low 70 RA) 16x18
string pattern. The bumper/grommets are interchangeable, I know it because I did it with my Pro Braided

The Angell version is based on a K7 with a tad more weight, it's a 98 sq.i flexible (low 60 something RA) 16x19 frame. Besides the paint scheme, there's nothing similar between those two racquets
 
A

AverageForehand

Rookie
I am impressed that racket manufacturers are listening to the opinions/requests/suggestions from a very small yet loud and passionate customer base. Have been impressed by the Head PT 2.0 (agree that the 16x19 pattern would be amazing); the new Wilson Pro line (especially the Ultra Pro 16x19); Prince (Synergy 26DB MP was a pleasant surprise). Perhaps Tecnifibre can reissue their TFight Ltd lines, and someone needs to revive the Fischer/Pacific Pro classics.
 
SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
Antónis said:
Yes, but Angell's Pro Braided had nothing to do with the original.

Slazenger's Pro Braided is basically a lighter Pro Staff 6.1 Classic clone, 95 sq.i. head size, stiff (like low 70 RA) 16x18
string pattern. The bumper/grommets are interchangeable, I know it because I did it with my Pro Braided

The Angell version is based on a K7 with a tad more weight, it's a 98 sq.i flexible (low 60 something RA) 16x19 frame. Besides the paint scheme, there's nothing similar between those two racquets
Click to expand...
I still have that Slazenger. Light but the stiffness provides the juice.
 
mhkeuns

mhkeuns

Hall of Fame
How about bringing back some MP’s, which were over shadowed by the OS frames because of Agassi? The Donnay and the Radical Tour MP reissues would be great!

And..., the APD 2013.
 
P

PT280 Fan

Semi-Pro
SVP said:
I know that racquet reissues are anathema to the purists, but for plebes like me, they’re a way for me, a Boomer, to capture a little nostalgic magic from the past.
TW’s reissue of the PS 85 was my first. Followed by Microgel Radical MP, Head Pro Tour 2.0, and most recently Wilson K factor 6.1 18x20. I know they’re not the same as the originals but man, they look good to me, and although they don’t have the same nice feel as the originals, they are usually updated for more juice. And they’re priced lower than the latest new racquet.
Click to expand...
“Nostalgic magic” thank you for that! You gave me an excuse! I’m a boomer too and too serious about my game to admit I’m also a senior. I’d never bought a reissue before but a couple weeks ago in a weak moment I picked up a used prince response 97 just because Pat Rafter has to be my favorite player of all time. Crazy because in my whole tennis playing life, I’ve never had so many nice sticks.

So far not really sold on it. To this point I’ve leaded it up and replaced the grip, tomorrow I have some decent strings put on it. And all for a frame that will probably come in third or fourth when it’s all said and done. Damn nostalgia anyway!
 
SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
PT280 Fan said:
“Nostalgic magic” thank you for that! You gave me an excuse! I’m a boomer too and too serious about my game to admit I’m also a senior. I’d never bought a reissue before but a couple weeks ago in a weak moment I picked up a used prince response 97 just because Pat Rafter has to be my favorite player of all time. Crazy because in my whole tennis playing life, I’ve never had so many nice sticks.

So far not really sold on it. To this point I’ve leaded it up and replaced the grip, tomorrow I have some decent strings put on it. And all for a frame that will probably come in third or fourth when it’s all said and done. Damn nostalgia anyway!
Click to expand...
It’s nice to reach the age when one can afford to indulge in nostalgic longing. So what if that Prince racquet doesn’t quite meet your expectations? Sometimes I just like looking at my reissues.
 
A

Antónis

Professional
"Could the slazenger Pro Braid been a pro stock offered to the masses.... ? "


Dunlop's Option 2c is the pro stock racquet closest to Pro Braided. Don't know the specs, I know Tommy Robredo played with it for years, and it's supposed to be a 6.1 classic clone too
Slazenger and Dunlop are very close companies, this two racquets must me similar to each other
 
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Antónis

Professional
SVP said:
I still have that Slazenger. Light but the stiffness provides the juice.
Click to expand...
Me too, I have the harlequin version. I lead it up a bit, mine weights around 340 grams strung now, 6 grams a the top of the handle, 4 at 3 and 9, and a bit at the top, less than 2 grams (it was a leftover of lead tape). It's way more stable now, and I kept the head-light balance.
Still no 6.1 classic stability class, but very fast moving, and a top spin machine
 
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P

PT280 Fan

Semi-Pro
SVP said:
It’s nice to reach the age when one can afford to indulge in nostalgic longing. So what if that Prince racquet doesn’t quite meet your expectations? Sometimes I just like looking at my reissues.
Click to expand...
You right! Who knows, I might just fall in love with it with decent strings in it, strung to my specs. Makes a huge difference, kinda why I’ve never trusted the demo process.
 
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ChrisG

ChrisG

Professional
Antónis said:
My vote goes to my "go to" racquet: Wilson PS 6.0 95, or something with similar specs and proper boxed beam shape
Still very playable under today's conditions, and very different from the 6.1's
Click to expand...
I have one which I play with from time to time only to remind me how good this stick looks and play. What string would you advise to get the best of it on a match day scenario ?
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Antónis said:
"Could the slazenger Pro Braid been a pro stock offered to the masses.... ? "


Dunlop's Option 2c is the pro stock racquet closest to Pro Braided. Don't know the specs, I know Tommy Robredo played with it for years, and it's supposed to be a 6.1 classic clone too
Slazenger and Dunlop are very close companies, this two racquets must me similar to each other
Click to expand...
Dunlop Revelation Select Pro had it all IMHO. Open string pattern, damped, weight, the whole Enchirito
 
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SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
Antónis said:
Me too, I have the harlequin version. I lead it up a bit, mine weights around 340 grams strung now, 6 grams a the top of the handle, 4 at 3 and 9, and a bit at the top, less than 2 grams (it was a leftover of lead tape). It's way more stable now, and I kept the head-light balance.
Still no 6.1 classic stability class, but very fast moving, and a top spin machine
Click to expand...
I gotta take it out on the court again.
 
A

Antónis

Professional
SVP said:
I gotta take it out on the court again.
Click to expand...
Yep, you should do it. Mine was 328 grams strung originally, very far from my 6.0 95 's (around 345 grams without mods), I started with 10 grams added (6 + 4), and the racquet improved significantly in terms of stability.

I tend to get a funny elbow if I play more than 30 minutes with it, it's definitely on the stiff side, but not hollow like a babolat, or similar junk.

Here's two pics from my PB, before I add the 12 o'clock bit of lead left over, just for the racquet porn fun.

https://flic.kr/p/2iiwr1v

https://flic.kr/p/2iixAWB
 
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A

Antónis

Professional
ChrisG said:
I have one which I play with from time to time only to remind me how good this stick looks and play. What string would you advise to get the best of it on a match day scenario ?
Click to expand...

I can only tell you my string set up: MSV Focus Hex 1.23 mm (black), I have them strung at 27 kgs has I'm expecting the string loses about 2 kgs and stabilizes around 25 kg. This is a string that keeps tension for long time, very hard to pop (usually I cut the string once the string dies, I'm not a string killer) and has a nice combo of price, durability and feeling.

This keeps me happy for about 3 months ("ish", it can change) , than string starts to die and I have to cut them. I'm not a string killer, I hit kind of flat, so I don't pop strings very often, besides some hard shanking on returns of serves, or similar

I play with 6.0 95 since 1999 (yes, that's right...), usually I like control oriented strings - I can tell you one of the 6.0's I got was strung with RPM blast, and I just couldn't play with it, cut them of immediately.

Strings are very personal choices, once I'm comfortable, I tend to stick with them - I'm on my 3'rd real of Focus Hex.

I have 7 of these now, by the way
 
Alexh22

Alexh22

Professional
SVP said:
I know that racquet reissues are anathema to the purists, but for plebes like me, they’re a way for me, a Boomer, to capture a little nostalgic magic from the past.
TW’s reissue of the PS 85 was my first. Followed by Microgel Radical MP, Head Pro Tour 2.0, and most recently Wilson K factor 6.1 18x20. I know they’re not the same as the originals but man, they look good to me, and although they don’t have the same nice feel as the originals, they are usually updated for more juice. And they’re priced lower than the latest new racquet.
What would people like to see reissued? How about the Prince Diablo Mid? Hard to find now. I know Prince has a racquet now that’s supposed to be the modern day version, but I’d like to see the original cosmetic updated.
Click to expand...
I owned all these re issues from TW and they are decent frames even in today’s standard.
 
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Crocodile

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Yes I like reissues as well. Some manufacturers would do very well with them in particular Volkl where they are a lot stiffer these days. Some Volkl’s/ Boris Becker’s that could go again could include:
1. Tour 10mp Gen 1 and 2
2. Tour 10mp V Engine
3. Boris Becker Melbourne and London’s
4. Volkl catapult 10
5. The original C10 and C9’s
Dunlop could go again with its Biomimetic 200’s and 300’s, great frames
Prince could do a triple threat warrior no ( White))
Brands like Kneissl, Pacific, Mizuno, Yamaha, Rossignol and Snauwert could surprise us with a retro release.
 
SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
Antónis said:
Yep, you should do it. Mine was 328 grams strung originally, very far from my 6.0 95 's (around 345 grams without mods), I started with 10 grams added (6 + 4), and the racquet improved significantly in terms of stability.

I tend to get a funny elbow if I play more than 30 minutes with it, it's definitely on the stiff side, but not hollow like a babolat, or similar junk.

Here's two pics from my PB, before I add the 12 o'clock bit of lead left over, just for the racquet porn fun.

https://flic.kr/p/2iiwr1v

https://flic.kr/p/2iixAWB
Click to expand...
Nice. I don’t know how Slazenger did it, but there’s an old school feel to it that my boomer friends and I like even though it’s stiff.
 
SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
Antónis said:
I can only tell you my string set up: MSV Focus Hex 1.23 mm (black), I have them strung at 27 kgs has I'm expecting the string loses about 2 kgs and stabilizes around 25 kg. This is a string that keeps tension for long time, very hard to pop (usually I cut the string once the string dies, I'm not a string killer) and has a nice combo of price, durability and feeling.

This keeps me happy for about 3 months ("ish", it can change) , than string starts to die and I have to cut them. I'm not a string killer, I hit kind of flat, so I don't pop strings very often, besides some hard shanking on returns of serves, or similar

I play with 6.0 95 since 1999 (yes, that's right...), usually I like control oriented strings - I can tell you one of the 6.0's I got was strung with RPM blast, and I just couldn't play with it, cut them of immediately.

Strings are very personal choices, once I'm comfortable, I tend to stick with them - I'm on my 3'rd real of Focus Hex.

I have 7 of these now, by the way
Click to expand...
Awesome! I have an old 6.0 95 that I bought new. I’ll have to bring that one out. I remember it was very plush feeling but really hard for me to use with my old straight back backswing. Maybe my newly-developed modern stroke will help some
 
SVP

SVP

Semi-Pro
Crocodile said:
Yes I like reissues as well. Some manufacturers would do very well with them in particular Volkl where they are a lot stiffer these days. Some Volkl’s/ Boris Becker’s that could go again could include:
1. Tour 10mp Gen 1 and 2
2. Tour 10mp V Engine
3. Boris Becker Melbourne and London’s
4. Volkl catapult 10
5. The original C10 and C9’s
Dunlop could go again with its Biomimetic 200’s and 300’s, great frames
Prince could do a triple threat warrior no ( White))
Brands like Kneissl, Pacific, Mizuno, Yamaha, Rossignol and Snauwert could surprise us with a retro release.
Click to expand...
The Melbourne was very popular on these boards a while back. Time for a reissue.
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
BDAZ said:
How about a re-issue of a re-issue? TW Donnay Pro One OS and Pro One International. All three OS paint jobs... yellow/blue, orange/gray, and newsprint.
Click to expand...
Thought about this immediately. Anyone that can list all the TW re-issues, please do. Recall the Prestige Classic and the Donnays
 
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