I've been playing tennis now for 10 years (I'm 29). I have been using the Max 200G almost non-stop for the entire time (July 12th 2012 - present)
MAX 200G 40th Anniversary?
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Grafil Injection
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You've probably chosen the perfect racket to develop skills, requiring early preparation and keeping your eye on the ball. Everything else will feel so easy.
Yeah, plus my arm doesn't kill me when I play a power game (here's lookin' at you Pro Staff 90/97), and I absolutely love being able to outplay people with brand-new Babolats too.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I have one Max 200G that I found in a thrift shop a few years ago for $5. Was in almost new condition, like it had never been used. I only hit with it once. Some surprisingly plush and decent hitting. Just added it to my collection because it is such an iconic racquet. Also have a Wilson T2000, which I tried hitting with once and hated, but kept it also.
Grafil Injection
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Confirming the weight specifications of the MAX 200G. Placards for it and the MAX 300i show that they were available in the usual L, LM and M weights as many rackets were in the early 1980s and before. The unstrung weight ranges were:
L: 336-355g (a huge range for Ls, which I believe was later subdivided with an SL 336-345g)
LM: 356-366g
M: 367-377g
Regarding the MAX 400i, which uses a slightly different mold with a 16x19 pattern, the weight ranges according to placards were lighter as follows:
SL: 321-335g
L: 336-350g
So a typical 400i should be about half an ounce lighter than a typical 200/300.
Balances for all 200, 300 & 400 were given (not very helpfully) as 305-320mm.
L: 336-355g (a huge range for Ls, which I believe was later subdivided with an SL 336-345g)
LM: 356-366g
M: 367-377g
Regarding the MAX 400i, which uses a slightly different mold with a 16x19 pattern, the weight ranges according to placards were lighter as follows:
SL: 321-335g
L: 336-350g
So a typical 400i should be about half an ounce lighter than a typical 200/300.
Balances for all 200, 300 & 400 were given (not very helpfully) as 305-320mm.
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Grafil Injection
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I was looking for an old review or any measurements of the MAX 200G on TWU, but there appears to be nothing at all. Perhaps the best 40th celebration would be if TW's Steffi Graf forehand impersonator (Michelle) were to take one for a review, with Chris and Troy obvs? Would be fascinating to get their opinion (only positive comments allowed!). Also, I think TWU is missing this reference stick's stats. There should be plenty of decent used ones around in California. Ideally I would suggest an 'L' about 370g and 31.75 strung specs. The logs around 385 are a bit much these days!
Grafil Injection
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Table updated for a Black Glossy paintjob for the MAX 200G without 'Pro' labelling. The Pro version seems to be the more common glossy version. So at least 11 paintjobs so far confirmed.
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A nice selection of Dunlop & Slazenger IMF squash rackets from an ex-pro and collector in the UK:
max
Legend
The racquet I use ends up having a big impact on the way I play tennis.
The T-2000 was something I used as a high school sophomore, and maybe my freshman year. Just awkward to use well, for me, bad balance.
I switched to the Head Pro, and then the Head Graphite Edge. Eventually I came to the Max 200 G and played it for about eight years. . . it was with the max that I found a racquet that really fit my game of getting to the net as soon as possible. Not great for serving, though.
I then switched to a Volkl C-9, and over 20 years experimented with strings, weight, tension, etc. NOW I'm thinking of switching into the C-10 and in the middle of trying it out.
I told my wife to bury me with one of my Max 200Gs.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Strung a Max200g with natty gut 17 gauga at 50 lbs and hit with it last night... Warm conditions hard court and found it to be a monster of a bat.
Love it.. To the Max
Love it.. To the Max
Grafil Injection
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Anyone know if the 'Demonstration' models are rare? I just got one first series 'Graphite', twin green stripes, with that written at the shoulder in the same font as MAX 200G. I guess these were provided to shops and clubs to tempt us all.
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Grafil Injection
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I do like the MAX 400i in the second paintjob. Anyone know if the 300i also had a swirly version? [I don't think so]
Grafil Injection
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I've never really collected anything before, then this happened:
Trying the 500i today. Came with reasonable specs: 350g, 33cm balance. Feels very similar to 800i so far, but beam is a bit more boxy, so hopefully it will have a bit more control.
Trying the 500i today. Came with reasonable specs: 350g, 33cm balance. Feels very similar to 800i so far, but beam is a bit more boxy, so hopefully it will have a bit more control.
I've never really collected anything before, then this happened:
Trying the 500i today. Came with reasonable specs: 350g, 33cm balance. Feels very similar to 800i so far, but beam is a bit more boxy, so hopefully it will have a bit more control.
Looks like a very complete collection. Well done!
Grafil Injection
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Got very lucky when a MAX 150G and 500i popped up last week.
Grafil Injection
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I can confirm that my MAX 500i (350g, 33cm balance) is very similar in play to the 800i despite that frame's quite different specs for me (380g, 31cm balance), in that it is also extremely comfortable and powerful. You really have to concentrate on not hitting the ball long. They also have the same 95sqi 16x19 pattern, which also has the slightly weird central 8 mains being in 4 groups of 2 strings close together, rather than 8 strings evenly spaced. It's not surprising that the 500i comes with recommended string tension of 58-63lbs.
In many ways, it truely is like a comfortable Profile 95. There is also a scary amount of power, with an extremely pillowy feel. You certainly sense the flex as you do with the 800i, but I think the 500i has a smidge more control. Beams are similar with the 500i being 21mm at the handle, then 25mm from the shoulders to the top. Overall, I like the 500i a bit more than the 800i because it feels a little like a typical MAX frame with its squared off beam, whereas the oval-beamed 800i feels more like the other wide-body frames of the era with even less directional stability.
In many ways, it truely is like a comfortable Profile 95. There is also a scary amount of power, with an extremely pillowy feel. You certainly sense the flex as you do with the 800i, but I think the 500i has a smidge more control. Beams are similar with the 500i being 21mm at the handle, then 25mm from the shoulders to the top. Overall, I like the 500i a bit more than the 800i because it feels a little like a typical MAX frame with its squared off beam, whereas the oval-beamed 800i feels more like the other wide-body frames of the era with even less directional stability.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Any other pros on the ATP tour that wielded the Max 200G?
Outside of Mcenroe, i recall Alberto Mancini and Gianluca Pozzi..
Outside of Mcenroe, i recall Alberto Mancini and Gianluca Pozzi..
retrowagen
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Peter Fleming… Patrick McEnroe… a bunch of top Indian pros…
Yes, Pozzi used it before going "XL" with the Dunlop Revelation Superlong +1.00" - both unique rackets in their own way.
Grafil Injection
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I've been comparing my collection of 200Gs to various other beefy, but well regarded rackets like PS Classic, RF97, Six One 95. I find the MAXes fit into two categories, which the condition usually betrays: (i) very minty MAX 200Gs that are >380g and have SWs that are at least 10pts more than the more modern frames. These are a challenge to play with. And (ii) well used frames that are typically <375g strung and <32.5cm balance (6pt HL), whose SWs feel fairly similar to the modern frames, probably around 340 SW.
Overall, I find the 'lighter' 200Gs to be more pleasant than the modern frames because the 85sqi offers more manoeuvrability, stability and precision. There is something unique in the feel, and using an 85 is no problem even to an amateur like me. Once you have your eye in, the whole racket feels sweet. The MAX 200G doesn't have the power on serves, but in most other areas is still a highly rewarding frame. Same goes for 300i and 400i, and a 'lightweight' (<375g) MAX 150G is also superb.
Overall, I find the 'lighter' 200Gs to be more pleasant than the modern frames because the 85sqi offers more manoeuvrability, stability and precision. There is something unique in the feel, and using an 85 is no problem even to an amateur like me. Once you have your eye in, the whole racket feels sweet. The MAX 200G doesn't have the power on serves, but in most other areas is still a highly rewarding frame. Same goes for 300i and 400i, and a 'lightweight' (<375g) MAX 150G is also superb.
Grafil Injection
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Get on court with them! I think you'll be surprised!
michael valek
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Soooo here’s my question. If I want a max frame with a bigger head size, which one should I use ? 200g is great but the weight is prohibitive these days. And the head size could be 95 as well. 400i? 800i? I’m using the biomimetic max200g which is good but lacks the solid thump of the original. Dunlop suggestions welcome.
Grafil Injection
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I would say, unfortunately, nothing has the MAX 200G feeling of flex and solidity, apart from the, also 85sqi, 300i.
400i (also 85sqi) is an unusually lively frame IME. The launch angle is much higher than 200/300. I've seen measured RAs that are as low as 200&300, but I find it more crisp. It does have the solidity on full strokes, but doesn't quite feel as silky on the gentler shots. Still very interesting frame.
500i & 800i (95sqi) are extremely powerful, so whilst they are MAX flexi-comfortable, they don't feel as connected as 200 or 300. Dunlop should have probably made these 18x20 rather than 16x19. Of the two, I've found 500i to be most MAX-like, probably due to the boxier beam. I think they have to be strung tight with gut or syn gut to get control, but I haven't tried that yet. They are real wide-body frames (25mm) and that feels hefty at the high SWs.
For Dunlop non-IMF, Revelation 200G Pro Midplus or M-Fil 200 should have more thump than the Biomimetic, but still good flex.
Closest modern frame to MAX 200G is, weirdly given its much higher stiffness, to me the RF97.
Grafil Injection
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Just to give some notes on the MAX leather grip weights: I recently changed the stock leather on my glossy MAX 200G and found it weighed 19g. The glossy has the longer handle, so that weight makes sense given the leather grips on short-handle MAXs are around 16g. I replaced the leather with two OGs which totalled 11g, so I saved 8g and the balance moved 0.75cm towards the head, leaving a truly 'svelte' MAX 200G at 355g! Definitely an option to save some weight, if the balance is fairly head-light to start.
michael valek
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anyone know what those original bright yellow strings were which came new with the rackets? they seemed to suit the frame perfectly.
Grafil Injection
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I second that request, having never found a label on them. Not only do they look good in the black framed MAXes including the squash rackets, but they have a nice combination of comfort and power. I assume they're Dunlop/Slazenger syngut.
michael valek
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I’m sure someone knows what they are
Grafil Injection
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I think I've read a few snippets from this Dunlop MAX 200G / 300i pamphlet elsewhere, so now that I've got a copy I thought it would be handy to share the whole thing. The stringing instructions at the end are particularly useful.
teachingprotx
Legend
I still would love to hit with the 800 , isn’t like a 35 ra ? Sounds amazing
Dino Lagaffe
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Yes, I measured mine at RA36. The SW isn't too bad, in fact it's pretty ideal for me at 337 or so, but the static weight is 13 oz+ or some 370 grams. I haven't played it in a long time, but I remember liking it.
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Incredible power and comfort, but lacking control and feel. I realise now why they made the central main strings very dense.
teachingprotx
Legend
So strange .. I would think something so flexible would have no inherent power .. now that I know that , it making me back peddle
Grafil Injection
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Massive power probably because they are both 21->25mm tapered beams, which are thick in the cross-section, and 350g-380g. Similar to the Pince CTSs but heavier. I would like to try my 500i or 800i strung at 60lbs as their recommended ranges allow, but I am a bit worried about the old frames getting cracked in the process.
The 500i has a bit more control due to the box-beam, but they are both lacking in manoeuvrability. Fine for fun rallying, but not great in a game unless you chop trees for a living! The reasonable SW figures don't factor in air resistance, which is high. That may be why they made the 800i oval after the boxy 500i, but the oval shape loses some of the IMF directional control feeling.
The 500i has a bit more control due to the box-beam, but they are both lacking in manoeuvrability. Fine for fun rallying, but not great in a game unless you chop trees for a living! The reasonable SW figures don't factor in air resistance, which is high. That may be why they made the 800i oval after the boxy 500i, but the oval shape loses some of the IMF directional control feeling.
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
800i came out first
Grafil Injection
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Question to stringing experts: are the detailed instructions from the Dunlop pamphlet I posted above, realistic and likely to have been followed? Or are they 'belt and braces' that most stringers would ignore? I don't mean the required pattern, rather the extra safety checks etc.
My stringer does, but he's a Max 200G expert, which is why I use him. One of the college kids who helps out at my club was offended I wouldn't let him string my Max 200G, but I explained that the racquet is somewhat different than his RF97 and that I don't trust anyone but my stringer after a guy at the big box store messed up one of my originals.
I remember this, the throat logo of chevrons was painted out?
Grafil Injection
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Yes, the 200G frame was blacked-out with a Yonex string stencil when she beat Steffi in 1987 WB, and when she lost to Steffi in 1988 WB. Dunlop had an advert saying Martina's prize was a pot of black-paint after it became clear she wasn't using a Yonex.
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Found another interesting MAX 200G analysis from Italy:
www.supertennis.tv
The Google translate is useful, however, most can be understood from the Italian.
In particular, the progression of the flex through the frame is even (like a wooden racket), and the measured twistweight is 16 kg/cm2, which I understand is very high. Potentially aided by the fact that the string-bed goes out to the edges, the high TW accords with my experience of the control you still get with off-center hits.
Tutti i segreti della vecchia, grande Max 200G
Un attrezzo che più di altri segnò il passaggio dal legno alla grafite: è la Dunlop con cui McEnroe vinse gli ultimi major e la Graf realizzò il Golden Slam. È l'unica che reagiva diversamente a seconda della forza dell’impatto
www.supertennis.tv
The Google translate is useful, however, most can be understood from the Italian.
In particular, the progression of the flex through the frame is even (like a wooden racket), and the measured twistweight is 16 kg/cm2, which I understand is very high. Potentially aided by the fact that the string-bed goes out to the edges, the high TW accords with my experience of the control you still get with off-center hits.
Grafil Injection
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Question to Golden Grand Slam MAX 200G owners: I recently enquired about one and was informed that it was 368g strung, which I had also seen as the weight of an actual Steffi stick. Is your GGS near to that weight, or something completely different? I.e. are all GGSs Steffi spec?
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Grafil Injection
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I found a picture of a Pro using a MAX 300i in the Wimbledon 1988 annual. Anne Minter using the 2nd cosmetic version (huge chevrons). The dot indicates some make of strings I believe?
The dot is the Bow brand gut strings. Lendl used the Bow brand gut.I found a picture of a Pro using a MAX 300i in the Wimbledon 1988 annual. Anne Minter using the 2nd cosmetic version (huge chevrons). The dot indicates some make of strings I believe?
retrowagen
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Stefan Edberg did, too, from 1988 or so.
Grafil Injection
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I have three very closely specced 200Gs that I use as my main hitters: 362g, 365g and 370g. The lightest and heaviest both have fresh syngut at 54lbs which I quite like, that is to say they're incredible, but now I want to try a poly just to see how it performs. Anyone have a 200G with a poly that they recommend? I was thinking PTP Yellow to match the classic Dunlop syngut, or RPM Blast in black might be fun too? Erring on the side of control and spin, since I get plenty of power from my MAXes already.
I don't have a poly I'd recommend, but why do you have yours strung at 54 lbs? I'm curious because I have some strung with Dunlop S-Gut at 52, but I also have some at 45 and they really play a lot better at lower rates (below the 50-55). I think Mac had his at 38...
Grafil Injection
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I find around 54lbs is ideal with SynGut or Gut to reign in the power. My 200Gs are fairly light and manoeuvrable (32cm balance), so I have no problems with power. I've also tried lower tensions I suppose when using old strings. They're fine too, but I just like the extra bit of precision the higher tension gives. I would consider lower with a Poly though. Probably about 48lbs. Plus Steffi was 56lbs I believe.
Yeah, I was gonna go 40, but my stringer (a Max 200G expert) said try 45 first, so that's what I did. Literally just bought two more Pro IIs from Japan today, so I'm gonna have to get more string haha.
Grafil Injection
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Nice, which paintjob are your Pro IIs?
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