Which Max 200G is best for me?

Virginia

Hall of Fame
Looking at the comparative RDC stats:

Dunlop Max 200G 375/13.23/43/364
Dunlop Max 200G Pro 387/13.65/32/349

It looks like the Pro version, with lower flex and lower swing weight might be better for me, as a female, with elbow problems. The Pro certainly feels lighter to swing, in spite of its actual weight of 387 grammes. Weight over the years hasn't been a problem for me and I'm used to 12+ ounce racquets, but maybe I should be a little more careful now, with advancing years and elbow problems starting to show up.

I have to admit I'm pretty clueless about all this, so would welcome expert advice from you 200G gurus.

As an alternative, it seems the Yonex RX-28 and RX-32 sticks (both of which I have) might be a possibility, though with their traditional head shape, is it possible the sweet spot area would be smaller?

I've read that the RX-32 is very easy on the arm and the RX-28 with RDC stats of 302/10.65/44/284, being quite a bit lighter, might also be a good candidate.

Opinions and advice please. :)
 

plasma

Banned
200g's are not neccisarily soft and friendly. They look pudgy and innocent, but they are powerful professional level t'ai chi masters. As hard as you push them, they push back equally. If you hit the ball too hard your shot will fail. The 200g gives you soooo much feedback and counseling on failed shots its profound. If you are late, using part of the body and not the center, trying to do too much, a screen on the Max 200g pops up and actually tells you the precise error (almost).
200g's are champions. They are extremely strong, but not ultra 2 gymrat type bench 250 no warm-up strong, they are more like the old tiny asian guy in my neighborhood who sells Samurai swords, he looks almost crippled the way he waddles, yet he needed no help when 5 big guys tried to mug him a few years ago, they were on their way to the hospital before anyone could help (true story). Don't take the 200g lightly, it's a serious pro tool that might be too much for someone who is injured. Virginia, have you tried the R22, the kneissls or Donnay? I think those might be easier on the arm than the 200g. I love the 200g but it's an innocent.
It is at once childlike, spontaneous, briliant, endomorphic horselike, intelligent, complex, serene, biblical, withdrawn and gracefully clubbish and primative, hearty, strong, well mannered, popular, mellow and well liked racquet
Havent tried the yonex but guessing those aren't soft either, although being lighter and having less mass might transmit less shock to your arm...
140aq05.jpg
 

tailofdog

Semi-Pro
Balance

I just picked up a Slanger S C 650 that weighs 12.8 oz yet swings ligther than my 6.1 classic 12.3 oz
I am playing with my Jenro (GRAPHITE KEVLAR) which is their best model with a weight of 12.07 oz. The Jenro wins hads down.
I would love to get the specs on the JENRO to be able to compare to other racquets i might want to play with
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
plasma, I've recovered from the injury, but I just don't want it to recur, so that's why I'm looking to change my racquet. It's like the gypsy's warning - I need to look to the future, if I want to continue playing for the next 20-25 years.

I know the 200G isn't the easiest frame to play well with - but my outing the other day with it, produced NO soreness the next day and it felt soft as butter. One swallow doesn't make a summer though, so that's why I'm also examining other options.

Having three versions, I also need expert advice as mentioned in my opening post.
 

pshulam

Hall of Fame
Dunlop Max 200G 375/13.23/43/364
Dunlop Max 200G Pro 387/13.65/32/349

It looks like the Pro version, with lower flex and lower swing weight might be better for me, as a female, with elbow problems.
I am definitely not an expert. Based on the flex rating, the pro version, as you said, is probably better for prevention of tennis elbow. Obviously, the racket is only one part of the equation. The type of string also plays a role. The softer one is better. Natural gut is definitely a good choice. Lower string tension also helps.

My 2 cents worth.
 

joe sch

Legend
I am definitely not an expert. Based on the flex rating, the pro version, as you said, is probably better for prevention of tennis elbow. Obviously, the racket is only one part of the equation. The type of string also plays a role. The softer one is better. Natural gut is definitely a good choice. Lower string tension also helps.

My 2 cents worth.

Very true. Virginia, what string and tension are you playing ? If not natural gut, then go natural, it will be soo much easier on your arm ! Also, try low tensions, these rackets become magical at lower tensions.

Best wishes,
Joe
 

Kirko

Hall of Fame
Very true. Virginia, what string and tension are you playing ? If not natural gut, then go natural, it will be soo much easier on your arm ! Also, try low tensions, these rackets become magical at lower tensions.

Best wishes,
Joe

so true ! its a tight pattern also. I would string @ 48 or 50 lbs. with natural gut like Joe suggested. would be very easy on a tender arm or elbow and beyond ; I bet you like it a lot.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
plasma, I've recovered from the injury, but I just don't want it to recur, so that's why I'm looking to change my racquet. It's like the gypsy's warning - I need to look to the future, if I want to continue playing for the next 20-25 years.

I know the 200G isn't the easiest frame to play well with - but my outing the other day with it, produced NO soreness the next day and it felt soft as butter. One swallow doesn't make a summer though, so that's why I'm also examining other options.

Having three versions, I also need expert advice as mentioned in my opening post.

If you find the 200G too heavy, give the PK 5G a look.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
I am definitely not an expert. Based on the flex rating, the pro version, as you said, is probably better for prevention of tennis elbow. Obviously, the racket is only one part of the equation. The type of string also plays a role. The softer one is better. Natural gut is definitely a good choice. Lower string tension also helps.

My 2 cents worth.

Very true. Virginia, what string and tension are you playing ? If not natural gut, then go natural, it will be soo much easier on your arm ! Also, try low tensions, these rackets become magical at lower tensions.

Best wishes,
Joe

Agreed. Even when I change out the crosses on my 5G's with poly... the elbow starts acting up... so strings are at least half of the equation.

If you have any arm problems... go natural gut all the way.
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
Ntural gut isn't an option in Auckland because of the humidity - I don't know of anyone who uses it - other than the odd millionnaire perhaps! My stringer doesn't even stock it any more. The last packet he had he put on one of my wood classics (a beautiful 1930's frame) but warned me not to try hitting with it. Basically it was strung with gut to preserve the "antique" look.

This afternoon, I went out and hit a few balls on the ball machine (probably a hundred or so) with the Max 200G Pro, a couple of the Yonex's mentioned above, a Copper Ace and one of my V-24's.

I had the best results with the 200G Pro, with the Copper Ace a close second. Results as in good strokes with no elbow twinges. Well, none of them gave me twinges, but the Yonex's felt harsh compared with the others, R22 being the best.

The V-24 was nice too, especially for serves, but it didn't feel particularly soft. I don't feel althogether comfortable hitting with such a rare and valuable racquet, even though I have three of them, but might take it out for a spin now and again.

Thanks, everyone, for your input - keep it coming! :)
 

plasma

Banned
I'd like you to flirt more with the scholarly intellectuals, the copper ace is the only one you mentioned, with soft hands of a corporate type, you wanna mess with max 200 g? he drives a pick up truck, he's heavy and reckless, loose and harsh at times. It might be fun at first but you know you'll get hurt in the end, Virginia, stop denying it. Go with the copper ace, think about your future, use your brain and not your heart on this one as much as that hurts, go with the sensetive guy and not the tough guy as much as you are attracted,
your friend,
plasma
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
Ah, but plasma, the Pro is so much more sophisticated than his little brother - he drives a Ferrari, smooth and powerful. I will keep the Copper Ace as his understudy though. :)
 

plasma

Banned
The only version I can use is the original two stripe (it has block letters, two green pinstripes, baby chevrons, and a butter snap crunch)
24y4air.jpg

after the 2 stripe came the green and gold two stripe, followed by the wavy (Xanadu) Max font
116ufex.jpg

the flex of the 200g is macro-cosmic, like a ps 85, ps 6.1 classic or other greats it's hard to move away from
 
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v205

Semi-Pro
Everytime I see a thread with different Max 200G's versions.. I get more confused. Were they suppose tobe pretty much the same weight (+ - 1 to 2g)? I dunno why I have one that is about 5-6g heavier than my other ones closer to 357 averages. And I can actually feel it swinging heavier too. How does one differentiate the Max 200g and Max 200g Pro versions?
 

MAX PLY

Hall of Fame
Once upon a time, I was on Dunlop's list and played exclusively with all of the various incarnations of the 200G from the early 80s on my college team until the mid-90s when I could no longer get a good supply. I still have a few (including 2 virgins) and hit with one ever so often--and yes, they are still very sweet. Despite all of the measurements, I never found a meaningful difference among the different versions. I always stung mine at 47 lbs. with 17 gauge soft synthetic and occasionally, thin gut. Try stringing one in the mid to high 40s with some NXT Tour 18 or comparable string and it will hit like a dream and will comfort your arm. Good luck.
 

gymrat76

Banned
With all due respect, Virginia, I highly doubt if you can swing any of these two 200g bros...unless you got a popeye arm with long reach that I can't see in the pic, or if you arent the shy-from-public sister of navratilova.

I think, a tweener oversize might be a better fit. Thanks.
 

plasma

Banned
navratilover was so fluid she could have played with a 2X4, like muhammed ali's jab Navratilovas athleticiscm, relaxation and grace were legendary!!! even less hitch and more fluidity than sampras, Navratilova was like water, like a finger, pointing at the moon....zen baby, pure zen
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
With all due respect, Virginia, I highly doubt if you can swing any of these two 200g bros...unless you got a popeye arm with long reach that I can't see in the pic, or if you arent the shy-from-public sister of navratilova.

I think, a tweener oversize might be a better fit. Thanks.
Whatever makes you think you are qualified in any way, to judge what I should or should not use?
 

joe sch

Legend
Once upon a time, I was on Dunlop's list and played exclusively with all of the various incarnations of the 200G from the early 80s on my college team until the mid-90s when I could no longer get a good supply. I still have a few (including 2 virgins) and hit with one ever so often--and yes, they are still very sweet. Despite all of the measurements, I never found a meaningful difference among the different versions. I always stung mine at 47 lbs. with 17 gauge soft synthetic and occasionally, thin gut. Try stringing one in the mid to high 40s with some NXT Tour 18 or comparable string and it will hit like a dream and will comfort your arm. Good luck.

Amen, the truth. My only diff from maxply is that I like the thick guage natural gut.
 

matchmaker

Hall of Fame
With all due respect, Virginia, I highly doubt if you can swing any of these two 200g bros...unless you got a popeye arm with long reach that I can't see in the pic, or if you arent the shy-from-public sister of navratilova.

I think, a tweener oversize might be a better fit. Thanks.

Sorry gymrat, I feel this comment is a bit out of line. There is also a latent misogynist tone in it.

Why couldn't a woman play with a 200g. One of the heaviest racquets wielded by a pro was Gabriela Sabatini's, it was heavier than the male pro's racquets.

Tennis is about technique and using the mass from the frame, not about brutish strength.
 

plasma

Banned
feels like a prostaff but more stable, heavier. The flex matches the pace of the shot. It's a very old school feel, if your body, mind, legs, timing and core can do a lot with the ball then it's for you. If you have the modern windsheild wiper wrist slap forhand the 200g will put you in the hospital after 20 minutes as it is suited for a more classical game. 200g's encourage perfect form, early preparation and contunuos strokes.
 

jimbo333

Hall of Fame
Right then here we go I don't claim to be an expert, so this will need correcting, but this is all I know, and some of it is probably wrong!!!

I think there are 6 main different versions, but it depends what you call "main", as there are lots of little differences. The main different versions of the MAX200G are:-

1. 1982 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - 2 green stripes (3 different molds, first had tapered beam narrowest at head with round string holes. Second had constant beam with round string holes and third had constant beam with squarish holes (this mold continues until 92 basically unchanged). And I think the 2 round string hole versions were only made in 1982.
2. 1986 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - green/gold stripes - Block letters, and "Graphite Injection" These have John McEnroes signature on side of frame and there is a different version celebrating his win in 1984 Wimbledon/US Open written on side of frame, possibly a US only import frame? (I want one of these so if anyone has one please contact me through my profile)
3. 1988 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - green/gold stripes - Curly letters, and "Grafil Injection" also another version of this was - Green Racquet, Red/White chevrons - red/white stripes, and I've heard other colours were done at this time also? (If anyone has any other colours, please sell me one as I collect them, eerrr obviously I suppose!!!)
4. 1989 - Golden Grand Slam - Numbered Edition
5. 1990 - Gloss Black Racquet, Gold/Turquoise Chevrons
6. 1991 - PRO - Purple Racquet with green writing in completly different style to other MAX200G's. Years could be very slightly wrong (especially versions 5 and 6).

As for PRO versions. There were definitely PRO versions of 2,3,5 and 6(All these were PRO, but there was also a different PRO version 6) as well (and probably for version 1, if anyone has a PRO version with 2 green stripes I'd like one). So for the PRO versions; Version 2 had PRO written on it (this is the one Virginia has). Version 3 had PRO written on Black Racquet and PROII on Green Racquet. 5 had PRO written on it. 6 had PROIII written on it (again looking for one of these, please email through my profile). Again there are probably others.

If I start talking about the grips it's going to get a bit confusing, but the order is Black, Black with little Gold "Dunlop" written around it, then Brown leather "Fairway" and then Black Leather again, then Green leather, and then soft disintegrating grips which have all basically yes disintegrated if not wrapped!! Again I could well be wrong

As for the covers/bags, there's lots of different ones (I have at least 15 different versions).

Feel free to tell me I'm wrong (am sure the knowledgable Vsbabolat will for starters), as I quite possibly am; but look I am trying!!!
 
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jimbo333

Hall of Fame
Have posted the above here again just for info really, and will give people a chance to correct it (nobody has yet amazingly). Actually this might mean that all this info is correct (I know most of it is):)

The first version (double green stripe) came in 3 weights (Light, Light/Medium and Medium). I think all the other versions from 86 onwards were the same weight, including all the different PRO versions. Having said that I've never weighed any of them, and the last versions (90/91) did seem lighter than the others, and because of different sized grips etc they will vary a bit anyway:):)
 
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gymrat76

Banned
Lol I just wanted to give you little hard time, Virginia :) Hopefully you or other classicies here did not take any offense!

Nonetheless, again with all due respect, if you want to win, you are more likely to achieve so with a racquet that "helps" a bit, does not necessarily have to be new school, can be old school and being more OS, does not have to be like a baseball bat the way 200g is, and added power can def. be a good way to go, especially at younger ages. But if opting for living in the glories of the past, the times of woody/new graphite era, and no competition spirit is involved but a never dissolving crush over Mac, by all means go for the 200G.
 
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jimbo333

Hall of Fame
I think that may have just made it worse:(

Purely because you've just put baseball bat and 200G in the same sentence:)
 
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Virginia

Hall of Fame
I think that may have just made it worse:(

Purely because you've just put baseball bat and 200G in the same sentence:)
Not purely, jimbo, additionally. Sacrilege indeed, but not surprising, given that this poster clearly doesn't have any idea what he's talking about. :evil:
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
I used to play with NG in South Florida and never had an issue with it. The humidity there is also suffocating.

The Armour Pro Gut is also nice and has a coating on it that makes it more durable.

Keep it in mind if the arm starts acting up again ;-)
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
OK, Bud, I'll investigate further - I must say it would be nice to play with gut again - it does have a wonderful feel, there's no doubt about it. :)
 

gymrat76

Banned
Virginia, can you please investigate further into my racquet suggestion?
I personally think, 200G will be way too light and an unstable choice for your caliber.

Please check my suggestion out. It is actually a mid with 12 mains to satisfy your spin needs. Comes with an o.g fairway grip to give you that old school feel.

I think this stick is a match made in heaven for ya! Whatcha say to this?


238903578_o.jpg
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
My coach has confirmed the 200G Pro is absolutely fine for my game and not to take any notice of anyone who says otherwise - he has seen me play and they haven't. :)
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
And by the way, he has seen (almost) all of my 300+ racquet collection and if he thought any other frame would have suited me better, he'd have said so.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
Virginia, can you please investigate further into my racquet suggestion?
I personally think, 200G will be way too light and an unstable choice for your caliber.

Please check my suggestion out. It is actually a mid with 12 mains to satisfy your spin needs. Comes with an o.g fairway grip to give you that old school feel.

I think this stick is a match made in heaven for ya! Whatcha say to this?


238903578_o.jpg

The string pattern on that is almost as open as the Snauwaert Hi-Ten :lol:
 

plasma

Banned
Hi Virginia,
square inch headsize is the only relevant stat to me: I find all versions of the 200g except for one totally unplayable and terrible. The version I find playable I happen to love and could gratefully play with forever exclusively (original 2 stripe). The others feel beyond unplayable to me. 2 stripe feels soft and forgiving, balance is perfect. Cosmetically they are all cool, but to me the real 200g is the first version, 2 green pinstripe mini chevron, made in england patend pending...the purple steffi pro version feels so much stiffer, like a taiwan compared to a st. vincent...2 stripe is sooo soft, too mushy to even pick up balls by dribbling them...until a fast ball comes in, it tuns into the perfect david carradine slow/fast tai chi power strike...like ray robinson the 200g transcends it's stats to deliver a power that shakes the universe and tears it from its cellular foundation, producing the sound of a tree falling or an elephant screaming...the universe is injection molded, 84 square inches, 27 inches long, our entire galaxy is not even a grommet!
 

tennisee

Rookie
Hi Virginia - just a suggestion about strings. (I'm in Adelaide South Australia by the way). I use a 320gram 18x20 95in racquet (Vantage) and I used to love nat gut 16g at 58lbs. My coach put me on to luxilon TiMo 17 at low tension (52) and I love it. Great spin! It might be worth trying at even lower tensions as the 200G seems to like them? I had wrist pain and am wary of tennis elbow, but no probs with this; and it lasts forever. I have 3 racquets and just rotate them to keep the tension loss even, then replace strings at the end of the season. - This playing 4-5 days a week too. For me the strings make a big difference wit racquets of similar specs; I'm sure with the right string you can adjust the results from your 200Gs to something you like. Good luck!
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
Hi Virginia - just a suggestion about strings. (I'm in Adelaide South Australia by the way). I use a 320gram 18x20 95in racquet (Vantage) and I used to love nat gut 16g at 58lbs. My coach put me on to luxilon TiMo 17 at low tension (52) and I love it. Great spin! It might be worth trying at even lower tensions as the 200G seems to like them? I had wrist pain and am wary of tennis elbow, but no probs with this; and it lasts forever. I have 3 racquets and just rotate them to keep the tension loss even, then replace strings at the end of the season. - This playing 4-5 days a week too. For me the strings make a big difference wit racquets of similar specs; I'm sure with the right string you can adjust the results from your 200Gs to something you like. Good luck!

Thanks, tennisee, I'll give that a try (assuming my stringer keeps that in stock). :)

I'd avoid poly string at all costs, for the sake of your arm.
 

Virginia

Hall of Fame
Guys, I know next to nothing about strings, so I always let my stringer guide me. It looks like there are conflicting opinions here, which seems a little strange.

I do believe Mike (my stringer) mostly uses Prince synthetic gut.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
Guys, I know next to nothing about strings, so I always let my stringer guide me. It looks like there are conflicting opinions here, which seems a little strange.

I do believe Mike (my stringer) mostly uses Prince synthetic gut.

This board is full of conflicting opinions :twisted:

The general consensus is to avoid poly strings if you have wrist, elbow or shoulder problems.
 

plasma

Banned
has anyone here ever played with technifibre 515 or 505? they wore out and became unplayable quick but were softer, better and crisper than gut for the month or two that they lasted....do they still make strings that good? does anyone else remember these orgasmic watercress flavored purple colored strings???
 

tennisee

Rookie
This board is full of conflicting opinions :twisted:

The general consensus is to avoid poly strings if you have wrist, elbow or shoulder problems.


Yes - this is true. Becoming less true with the newer co-polys (of which TiMo is one) I'm suggesting a thinner co-poly and dropping tension considerably. I was wary of trying this for the reason you suggest but it's been fine for me for a year now.

No big deal, I'm sure Virginia's stringer will suggest something. I probably should have refrained from a string comment in a racquet thread, but arm protection is important to me, and this set up has really improved the way the ball moves for me while still being arm-friendly. (My arm hurts if I so much as look at a harsh set-up!)

I guess I was prompted to comment because I think selecting strings and tensions is as important as selecting a frame; the two really need to work together.
 

cat6man

New User
Hi Virginia,
square inch headsize is the only relevant stat to me: I find all versions of the 200g except for one totally unplayable and terrible. The version I find playable I happen to love and could gratefully play with forever exclusively (original 2 stripe). The others feel beyond unplayable to me. 2 stripe feels soft and forgiving, balance is perfect. Cosmetically they are all cool, but to me the real 200g is the first version, 2 green pinstripe mini chevron, made in england patend pending...the purple steffi pro version feels so much stiffer, like a taiwan compared to a st. vincent...2 stripe is sooo soft, too mushy to even pick up balls by dribbling them...until a fast ball comes in, it tuns into the perfect david carradine slow/fast tai chi power strike...like ray robinson the 200g transcends it's stats to deliver a power that shakes the universe and tears it from its cellular foundation, producing the sound of a tree falling or an elephant screaming...the universe is injection molded, 84 square inches, 27 inches long, our entire galaxy is not even a grommet!


(first post here)

plasma,

there are 2 of us! i also found the original 200G to be heaven and all the subsequent ones unplayable........why oh why did they do that? i actually tracked down the dunlop factory (i think it was in north carolina?) and talked to someone down there and asked why they had changed the feel of the racquet and that i had loved it..........his reply was that i was one of the only ones who loved it that way and they had too much invested in the mcenroe name to not keep the redesigned racquet with the same name.

question for anyone else who feels the same way about the original 200G.........what current racquets should i demo that have a similar feel to the original (not the later ones) 200G?

when i asked that question about 10 years ago to my (new at the time) local tennis shop, they said 'nothing is similar' to that racquet, but i eventually moved to a volkl c10 classic which i learned to love as well (and which did the exact same thing to me...........all subsequent c10 versions after the classic felt unplayable to me.........am i cursed or is this common?)
 

plasma

Banned
It's ironic, if you're the type to like cosmetics you'd hate the oldest versions as they wear soooo easily, but yes theirs no question, 100% different feel than any other version... no oversized sillicone chevrons, just her original matte baby chevrons.
nldftg.jpg


I like your spirit, when they ***** the Prince Graphite Series 90 midplus and remade her I called Prince. I have done that with several manufacturers who stopped making strativarius and started producing hyundais instead...I didn't even have to drop my creds to get respectful and intelligent detailed answers from the$e guys, most conversations would last almost an hour as we shared such deep common interest and knowledge of specs, layups, blueprints, materials, history etc....
 

max

Legend
You know, Virginia, the years I played with the max 200 g, I found that the kind of string never mattered that much (I used mostly synthetic gut).

The real factor going on with racquet feel there is the racquet itself! It's so plush that strings don't account for much, as they do is other frames.

I always liked Gamma Gut 2, Gosen OG Sheep, and Alpha 2000. But regular Prince syn gut's fine.
 
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