Yamaha Secret Appreciation Thread

kevin qmto · Nov 12, 2022

I don't expect this to be a very large club, but I know some of you either used, or knew someone who used a Secret, probably the 04. It seems like that's the only one that could remotely be classified as 'popular' in the states despite many others being sold here. I found my example a few months back and hit with it against a wall. Thought it was ok, and sat it in one of my 3 bodybag sized racket bags. But I decided to take it out to the courts recently, mostly because I wanted to restring it, and needed to gauge how it felt as is to make the best guess what to slap in. Currently it has Leoina 66 at ??? tension, guessing high 50s.

But the thing is, its hitting wonderfully. I find it incredible this came out in what, 1989, 1990? Feels sooooo ahead of its time. Good gracious this thing has a wonderful feel when you crank on it. Now I'm not even wanting to cut out the Leoina 66, it feels so fitting for the frame. Toa Strings were before my time obviously, but they're the same company as Toalson right?

Here's some of my highlights from 2 days hitting with it. The older guy in the first video used to use one of these back in the early to mid 90s. I'm the man in the hat obviously.

Upon further inspection, the mold is identical between these two Secret frames, and likely others too, just different layups. Wish there was a way to know what the difference between all the numbers and lettered versions.

Always love hearing peoples stories, both old and new about these things. Trying to write my own right now. Will probably update when I break the strings and put in new ones. Thinking of going with some Volkl V-Star soft poly. The orange matches the orange highlights on this frame. Obviously this is the most important detail...

Grafil Injection · Nov 13, 2022

I hit with the Secret 04 when it first came out. It was similar to the Profiles & Thundersticks with massive power, but a slightly more crisp feel that made me think it had ceramic in the layup, but perhaps it's just the result of the thick beam design. I did find that constant beam probably gave it a bit more control compared to others. The problems was that when new it gave everyone TE very quickly. I suggest not changing the strings until you really have to. There's a magic in vintage strings that is impossible to replicate.

Grieeegoorr · Nov 13, 2022

Yamaha made the Secret 04 so good it doesn't really matter what it is strung with, play with it until the strings break then restring with whatever you have lying around.

michael valek · Nov 13, 2022

Please stop it I’ve just fixed my shoulder

tennistiger · Nov 13, 2022

michael valek said:
Please stop it I’ve just fixed my shoulder

Why? German Tennisrevue MEASURED Secret 10 and 04 as very easy in the arm! Despite the stiffnes. Also the EOS range too.

michael valek · Nov 13, 2022

Id use them all the time. Nothing cooler. Just too heavy these days.

georgeyew · Nov 13, 2022

I have 2 Secret 06s but have not hit with the 04. I wonder if the stiffness is different enough to be felt.

tennistiger · Nov 13, 2022

michael valek said:
Id use them all the time. Nothing cooler. Just too heavy these days.

Then try the EOS series. Balance and weight as Wilson Hammers.

kevin qmto · Nov 13, 2022

tennistiger said:
Then try the EOS series. Balance and weight as Wilson Hammers.

Did they sell anything besides oversized Eos’s? All I ever see pop up are 110s.

Purestriker · Nov 13, 2022

kevin qmto said:
I don't expect this to be a very large club, but I know some of you either used, or knew someone who used a Secret, probably the 04. It seems like that's the only one that could remotely be classified as 'popular' in the states despite many others being sold here. I found my example a few months back and hit with it against a wall. Thought it was ok, and sat it in one of my 3 bodybag sized racket bags. But I decided to take it out to the courts recently, mostly because I wanted to restring it, and needed to gauge how it felt as is to make the best guess what to slap in. Currently it has Leoina 66 at ??? tension, guessing high 50s.

But the thing is, its hitting wonderfully. I find it incredible this came out in what, 1989, 1990? Feels sooooo ahead of its time. Good gracious this thing has a wonderful feel when you crank on it. Now I'm not even wanting to cut out the Leoina 66, it feels so fitting for the frame. Toa Strings were before my time obviously, but they're the same company as Toalson right?

Here's some of my highlights from 2 days hitting with it. The older guy in the first video used to use one of these back in the early to mid 90s. I'm the man in the hat obviously.

Upon further inspection, the mold is identical between these two Secret frames, and likely others too, just different layups. Wish there was a way to know what the difference between all the numbers and lettered versions.

Always love hearing peoples stories, both old and new about these things. Trying to write my own right now. Will probably update when I break the strings and put in new ones. Thinking of going with some Volkl V-Star soft poly. The orange matches the orange highlights on this frame. Obviously this is the most important detail...

Harry from TennisSpin recently reviewed and revealed that these were his favorite rackets as a junior. Worth a watch.

michael valek · Nov 13, 2022

tennistiger said:
Then try the EOS series. Balance and weight as Wilson Hammers.

I got 2! One from you I think….maybe not not sure

tennistiger · Nov 13, 2022

kevin qmto said:
Did they sell anything besides oversized Eos’s? All I ever see pop up are 110s.

Also EOS 100 + EOS RZ 100

kevin qmto · Nov 13, 2022

Purestriker said:
Harry from TennisSpin recently reviewed and revealed that these were his favorite rackets as a junior. Worth a watch.

I might be able to stomach watching a tennispin video if at least he's talking about something I like. Most times I just can't even with him though.

kevin qmto · Nov 21, 2022

I acquired this shirt. someone cut off the sleeves because I guess that's what you did in the 90s.

michael valek · Nov 21, 2022

If anyone has an eos rz110 purple one they wanna sell let me know.

tennistiger · Nov 23, 2022

michael valek said:
If anyone has an eos rz110 purple one they wanna sell let me know.

I told you that this is a fantastic racket!

michael valek · Nov 23, 2022

Yes it is. Was looking for a bit more power and spin than my regular pacific pro 1. And it certainly provides that. The best part is the lovely crack sound it makes when you hit just right. Resonance, I guess.

tennistiger · Nov 23, 2022

Yes all EOS have this special Kick-Back feeling which no other racket has!

BumElbow · Nov 26, 2022

I bought a Secret 10. It was light and very stiff and I could not play with it at all - it seemed to only flex on volleys and smashes otherwise it was a board. My best friend played with a Secret 04 and played great with it. It gave him lots of power but you had to be physically strong to use it because it was very heavy.

kevin qmto · Nov 26, 2022

BumElbow said:
I bought a Secret 10. It was light and very stiff and I could not play with it at all - it seemed to only flex on volleys and smashes otherwise it was a board. My best friend played with a Secret 04 and played great with it. It gave him lots of power but you had to be physically strong to use it because it was very heavy.

Idk I got skinny white boy arms and I do alright with the Secret 04.

BumElbow · Nov 26, 2022

kevin qmto said:
Idk I got skinny white boy arms and I do alright with the Secret 04.

The Secret 04 does the work for you with its combination of weight and stiffness! I too have skinny white boy arms and the much lighter Secret 10 - which was supposed to be flexible but wasn't - did not work for me at all! My friend with the Secret 04 was strong as an ox but eventually switched to something much lighter. He could play with any racquet he wanted.

Grafil Injection · Nov 27, 2022

Anyone know about the Hi-Flex Z? Slightly strange large oval shape with flat bridge and matt black paintwork. I remember it was positioned at the top of the Yamaha range in shops, after the Xams and a few years before the Secrets came out I think, so 1986 ish. Always wondered what that hit like.

PBODY99 · Nov 27, 2022

I spent a short period using the EOS 100. Sold them to a small lady who was looking for a light frame. She used them for years.

michael valek · Nov 27, 2022

Great frames. What do we think is the most similar these days? I have two eos 110 but that’s not a big enough stash.

kevin qmto · Nov 27, 2022

michael valek said:
Great frames. What do we think is the most similar these days? I have two eos 110 but that’s not a big enough stash.

A Yamaha frame that’s also similar to the Eos?

michael valek · Nov 27, 2022

Nooo a modern frame so that I don’t have to scour **** looking for them. Some kind of volkl maybe? Pure drive 107?

michael valek · Nov 27, 2022

Eeeee bbbbb ay I mean

tennistiger · Nov 27, 2022

michael valek said:
Nooo a modern frame so that I don’t have to scour **** looking for them. Some kind of volkl maybe? Pure drive 107?

May be the Völkl V1 Classic.
But simply there is nothing what is comparable to the frame construction with its weight, solid feel, special twisting and bending in play.
May be I sell my last EOS one day...

kevin qmto · Nov 28, 2022

Gradually expanding my Yamaha Tennis wardrobe. This is probably from the mid 80s.

vsbabolat · Dec 9, 2022

kevin qmto said:
Gradually expanding my Yamaha Tennis wardrobe. This is probably from the mid 80s.

Growing up in the 80’s I knew one of the better members at my club that wore that in t-shirt form almost exclusively. RIP Mike

kevin qmto · Dec 9, 2022

vsbabolat said:
Growing up in the 80’s I knew one of the better members at my club that wore that in t-shirt form almost exclusively. RIP Mike

I’ll try and do it justice to your fallen friend then.

kevin qmto · Dec 18, 2022

This arrived yesterday, I was waiting for one of these to pop up online for a decent price, and in good shape to boot! The Secret EX! Slightly thinner in beam, but actually heavier than the Secret 04 (368g strung!) This is my favorite Yamaha paint job, and probably my favorite racket case ever.

love the little Yamaha branded zippers on the inside and outside of the case!

yet another effortlessly cool word mark.

a e s t h e t i c

georgeyew · Dec 18, 2022

kevin qmto said:
This arrived yesterday, I was waiting for one of these to pop up online for a decent price, and in good shape to boot! The Secret EX! Slightly thinner in beam, but actually heavier than the Secret 04 (368g strung!) This is my favorite Yamaha paint job, and probably my favorite racket case ever.

love the little Yamaha branded zippers on the inside and outside of the case!

yet another effortlessly cool word mark.

a e s t h e t i c

Let us know how it plays compared to the 04.

kevin qmto · Dec 18, 2022

georgeyew said:
Let us know how it plays compared to the 04.

Oh there will be a post and video about it.

In unrelated news, the 25+ year old Leoina 66 strings in the Secret 04 pictured at the top of the page finally gave way during overhead practice before a set the other day. Got 8-10 hours of play out of the old things, have to say they played beautifully while they lasted. Almost well enough for me to track down some NOS strings for it, but I decided that would be a bit silly. Here she is pictured outside the proshop before being dropped off for a makeover.

that classic syn gut fracture look. Don't get that often in these days of poly.

michael valek · Dec 18, 2022

I had a few of the secret ex and honestly preferred the 04. It’s fun but too heavy for normal use, and doesn’t have the 04’s ridiculousness. Feels softer but without anywhere near the same power. See what you think. The ex 110 is better even though just as heavy. Just my opinion.

michael valek · Dec 19, 2022

Revisiting mine now with some new pacific hybrid, very comfortable hopefully. Just wish I could take 10/15/20g of weight off it. It must just be metal or something inside the handle but no way to get in.

tennistiger · Dec 31, 2022

michael valek said:
Revisiting mine now with some new pacific hybrid, very comfortable hopefully. Just wish I could take 10/15/20g of weight off it. It must just be metal or something inside the handle but no way to get in.

If you want my last EOS RZ 110 tell me. You have my Mail, I lost yours.

NicoMK · Jan 1, 2023

kevin qmto said:
This arrived yesterday, I was waiting for one of these to pop up online for a decent price, and in good shape to boot! The Secret EX! Slightly thinner in beam, but actually heavier than the Secret 04 (368g strung!) This is my favorite Yamaha paint job, and probably my favorite racket case ever.

love the little Yamaha branded zippers on the inside and outside of the case!

yet another effortlessly cool word mark.

a e s t h e t i c

Absolutely beautiful.

I remember Yannick Noah playing with the Secret 04 in 1990. He made the semis in Australia that year with it.

kevin qmto · Jan 1, 2023

NicoMK said:
Absolutely beautiful.

I remember Yannick Noah playing with the Secret 04 in 1990. He made the semis in Australia that year with it.

You see some Secret 04’s with his signature on them from time to time. I don’t think they’re any different spec wise, at least I haven’t seen any posts saying so. It’s a fantastic and ahead of its time frame. Some people consider it a widebody, but I don’t personally.

kevin qmto · Jan 6, 2023

Well, my bonehead self hung the tarp mounted camera poorly, but that didn't stop me from making a new sort of video edit. Just contact highlights. I tried to keep this just neutral ball shots where I'm actually in frame. This was just us messing around after playing a match. I didn't use the Secret EX in the match, this footage is actually the first time I've struck balls in anger with it. It feels especially solid on the forehand. Very flat and powerful.

michael valek · Jan 8, 2023

Question - has anyone ever explored inside the handle of a secret / ex / EOS Yamaha? I’d love to know if the weight is removable. A 340g secret or ex would be much easier to handle than a 360g one.

georgeyew · Jan 8, 2023

Bummer, I trashed a cracked Secret 06 over the summer. I could have cut the handle to answer your question.

East Lions · Jan 27, 2023

After a long time searching I managed to find a secret. A white 06. Sourcing Yamahas in Greece and Europe in general is a bit hard and a few years back, a black one barely slipped of my hands. Racket is in good shape a few paint chips and scratches, grommets are thankfully intact and it weighs 364 gr. with base grip and no overgrip. Seems to be strung with some kind of poly, I put an overgrip on and can't wait to hit with it tomorrow!

michael valek · Jan 27, 2023

That’s nice. I’m trying to move a whole load of Yamahas if you are interested just ping me

teachingprotx · Jan 27, 2023

kevin qmto said:
I don't expect this to be a very large club, but I know some of you either used, or knew someone who used a Secret, probably the 04. It seems like that's the only one that could remotely be classified as 'popular' in the states despite many others being sold here. I found my example a few months back and hit with it against a wall. Thought it was ok, and sat it in one of my 3 bodybag sized racket bags. But I decided to take it out to the courts recently, mostly because I wanted to restring it, and needed to gauge how it felt as is to make the best guess what to slap in. Currently it has Leoina 66 at ??? tension, guessing high 50s.

But the thing is, its hitting wonderfully. I find it incredible this came out in what, 1989, 1990? Feels sooooo ahead of its time. Good gracious this thing has a wonderful feel when you crank on it. Now I'm not even wanting to cut out the Leoina 66, it feels so fitting for the frame. Toa Strings were before my time obviously, but they're the same company as Toalson right?

Here's some of my highlights from 2 days hitting with it. The older guy in the first video used to use one of these back in the early to mid 90s. I'm the man in the hat obviously.

Upon further inspection, the mold is identical between these two Secret frames, and likely others too, just different layups. Wish there was a way to know what the difference between all the numbers and lettered versions.

Always love hearing peoples stories, both old and new about these things. Trying to write my own right now. Will probably update when I break the strings and put in new ones. Thinking of going with some Volkl V-Star soft poly. The orange matches the orange highlights on this frame. Obviously this is the most important detail...

teachingprotx · Jan 27, 2023

Is there a soft flexy version of the secret ??? If so what is the #?

michael valek · Jan 27, 2023

Absolutely not.

georgeyew · Jan 27, 2023

East Lions said:
After a long time searching I managed to find a secret. A white 06. Sourcing Yamahas in Greece and Europe in general is a bit hard and a few years back, a black one barely slipped of my hands. Racket is in good shape a few paint chips and scratches, grommets are thankfully intact and it weighs 364 gr. with base grip and no overgrip. Seems to be strung with some kind of poly, I put an overgrip on and can't wait to hit with it tomorrow!

I have a white one as well. We have a matching set.

georgeyew · Jan 27, 2023

michael valek said:
That’s nice. I’m trying to move a whole load of Yamahas if you are interested just ping me

I can't seem to pm you. Can you send me a message?

teachingprotx · Jan 27, 2023

the white secrets look just so good and so does the ex . Always reminds me of Gucci .. the red and green .

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