Odd looking classics
- Thread starter Virginia
- Start date
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
Yeah I agree, not at all odd, some of the best looking frames ever
I have 9 different versions of the Concept 3, which laughably I didn't realise was named after the 3 pronged throat!! Honestly it just didn't register with me until recently!!!
Bud is saving this one for me, to make it a round 10 in my collection!! Honestly he is
I have 9 different versions of the Concept 3, which laughably I didn't realise was named after the 3 pronged throat!! Honestly it just didn't register with me until recently!!!
Bud is saving this one for me, to make it a round 10 in my collection!! Honestly he is
Bud
Bionic Poster
Yeah I agree, not at all odd, some of the best looking frames ever
I have 9 different versions of the Concept 3, which laughably I didn't realise was named after the 3 pronged throat!! Honestly it just didn't register with me until recently!!!
Bud is saving this one for me, to make it a round 10 in my collection!! Honestly he is
What do the last 3 letters signify?
I've got some odd ones, Virginia, but here's one of the oddest. It's called a Chris 5-Star. Easy to see why this one didn't take off. It's like a racquet UFO. Odd thing is, I've played with it, and it actually is a nice racquet -- not nearly as clunky as it looks. Anyone else tried this beauty?
Kirko
Hall of Fame
I thought it might be fun to post pics of some of our more strange looking racquets - ones that perhaps didn't take off, for one reason or another.
My Wilson Legacy is certainly strange looking, but it also has a certain beauty - what do you all think?
Oh my ! I rmember the legacy and if we ever hear "the technology to end all technolgy" all we have to do is remeber the groundbreaking legacy !
very neato Virginia !
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
I love those, Bud - I have the Noah TF-40 (with the ultra thin middle throat piece) and the Roscoe Tanner model. I think the design is quite beautiful and not odd at all...
The Noah not only looks good, it is also very nice to play with. The specs measured on my racquet:
Weight 356 g./12.56 oz
Flex: 60
SW: 342
Deuce
Banned
I remember wanting one of those in the 80s.
I've got some odd ones, Virginia, but here's one of the oddest. It's called a Chris 5-Star. Easy to see why this one didn't take off. It's like a racquet UFO. Odd thing is, I've played with it, and it actually is a nice racquet -- not nearly as clunky as it looks. Anyone else tried this beauty?
In my adolescent mind at the time, I concluded that it must be very stable.
I never did get one.
Never even hit with one.
But I remember them very vividly.
roundiesee
Hall of Fame
Didn't Yannick Noah use one of those to win his French title against Mats Wilander? I thought he served and volleyed beautifully for 3 sets! Must have been a great all-court racket to use!
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
No, in 1983 he used the Concept 3 oversize. It looks like this:
I measured the the following specs on one of mine:
Concept 3 Oversize
Weight: 382 g./13.48 oz
Flex: 49
SW: 351
dataseviltwin
Rookie
That's the one...
Definitely the right stick... There were later models, but that's the one Noah used to win the French. I've got the later Noah TS-25 (all black), but I'm still in less-than-50-post jail, so I can't post a picture yet. :evil:
No, in 1983 he used the Concept 3 oversize. It looks like this:
I measured the the following specs on one of mine:
Concept 3 Oversize
Weight: 382 g./13.48 oz
Flex: 49
SW: 351
Definitely the right stick... There were later models, but that's the one Noah used to win the French. I've got the later Noah TS-25 (all black), but I'm still in less-than-50-post jail, so I can't post a picture yet. :evil:
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
Oh, and here is what the TF-40 looks like:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Racquet-sports/Tennis/Racquets/auction-201758250.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Racquet-sports/Tennis/Racquets/auction-201758250.htm
Was Noah's racquet graphite or wood? I always assumed it was graphite but then I thought I read it was wood...
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
The Concept 3 oversize is made of graphite reinforced wood.
Chris 5-Star
Deuce and Virginia. This thing isn't quite as monstrous as it looks when you set it on top of another racquet. It's probably got about a 110 sq. in. head, like the Prince oversize it's sitting on top of. Not real heavy, either -- probably less than 12 oz. It seems so odd to me, but some of these racquet manufacturers didn't put any real information on their frames, like head size, composition, weight. This one just says "Composite," although a composite of what is anybody's guess. About the only thing it has is this extended pseudo-scientific gibberish about the racquet's "essentially larger radius of gyration." I guess all those things are part of the charm of these frames.
Deuce and Virginia. This thing isn't quite as monstrous as it looks when you set it on top of another racquet. It's probably got about a 110 sq. in. head, like the Prince oversize it's sitting on top of. Not real heavy, either -- probably less than 12 oz. It seems so odd to me, but some of these racquet manufacturers didn't put any real information on their frames, like head size, composition, weight. This one just says "Composite," although a composite of what is anybody's guess. About the only thing it has is this extended pseudo-scientific gibberish about the racquet's "essentially larger radius of gyration." I guess all those things are part of the charm of these frames.
Virginia
Hall of Fame
And guess who the lucky auction winner was?
Dino, we must compare notes sometime - what part of New Zealand are you in? Or did you just google that racquet and come across the Trademe listing?
Dino Lagaffe
Hall of Fame
1. I think I know who... :wink:
2. I googled it. Actually I'm in Sweden. We still can compare notes, though.
Bud
Bionic Poster
I, too like the look of the strings!
What kind are they BTW... anyone recognize them? They are slightly textured.
One of these days, I'll get around to re-stringing it with some NG and Power Pads
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
Le Coq Sportif Concept 3/TXW
What an amazing series of racquets these Le Coq Sportif Concept 3 Series are
I have the following in my collection:-1. Roscoe Tanner TXM
2. TXO
3. Noah TCO
4. Noah TS-30
5. Noah TF-40
6. TF-30
7. C3-Mid
8. Noah PRO
9. C3 F100
Need photos really to show these, but still having problems on that front
And looking to add another at some point in the future!!!
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Bud
Bionic Poster
What an amazing series of racquets these Le Coq Sportif Concept 3 Series are
1. Roscoe Tanner TXM
2. TXO
3. Noah TCO
4. Noah TS-30
5. Noah TF-40
6. TF-30
7. C3-Mid
8. Noah PRO
9. C3 F100
Need photos really to show these, but still having problems on that front
Post the pics, already! :twisted:
I've got some odd ones, Virginia, but here's one of the oddest. It's called a Chris 5-Star. Easy to see why this one didn't take off. It's like a racquet UFO. Odd thing is, I've played with it, and it actually is a nice racquet -- not nearly as clunky as it looks. Anyone else tried this beauty?
My god. I bet you can make some pretty sweet airshots with that thoat
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
I'm not giving up
I have the new camera, and it takes great photos, and can transfer them to my computer, so am more than halfway there
But whenever I try to upload to photohost site, my computer crashes!! Someone is hopefully sorting this at the weekend. I've got loads of photos to show
I'm looking to match my tanner, please save the 85 non-widebody concept 3's that look like this for Plasma, without them: he is powerless!!!
my roscoe is part prostaff, part vacuum pro 90. It plays brilliantly, yet my inability to match it makes me weep.
Played the Tanner TXM my Sr. year in college in '85. Great serving racquet.
Robby C
galain
Hall of Fame
What an amazing series of racquets these Le Coq Sportif Concept 3 Series are
1. Roscoe Tanner TXM
2. TXO
3. Noah TCO
4. Noah TS-30
5. Noah TF-40
6. TF-30
7. C3-Mid
8. Noah PRO
9. C3 F100
Need photos really to show these, but still having problems on that front
Oh God mate - please post the pics when you can with perhaps a little review or summary of each frame. These things are pretty hard to find - I've never known anyone to have as many as 9 different models. Even start a new thread about it - I'm sure you'll make many many people very happy. Tinypic is a good host and allows you to resize photos as well.
Can't wait to to see the pics. I just found myself a TCO and was feeling pretty pleased - but I'm just a pauper in the fields compared to you!
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
Yeah these are great Racquets for sure
Photos will be on their way soon, hopefully after the weekend
Rorsach
Hall of Fame
What an amazing series of racquets these Le Coq Sportif Concept 3 Series are
1. Roscoe Tanner TXM
2. TXO
3. Noah TCO
4. Noah TS-30
5. Noah TF-40
6. TF-30
7. C3-Mid
8. Noah PRO
9. C3 F100
Need photos really to show these, but still having problems on that front
Get that camera already :evil:
What's the difference between the Concept 3 Oversize and the Noah TCO? I've seen pics of both, but they look the same.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Here is the Concept Three TXO that was considered Oversize in the early 80's.
The Concept Three TCO Noah that was wood reinforced with graphite which was also called Oversize at the time.'
Bud
Bionic Poster
Did it work? :lol:
Rorsach
Hall of Fame
Managed to find 2 Le Coq Sportif Classics. One Concept 3 Oversize, and one Noah TCO. If only the mail guys would hurry up and deliver them. Still don't know the difference between them though, but i think it's the same frame with 2 different names.
2 small, low quality pics:
2 small, low quality pics:
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I've got some odd ones, Virginia, but here's one of the oddest. It's called a Chris 5-Star. Easy to see why this one didn't take off. It's like a racquet UFO. Odd thing is, I've played with it, and it actually is a nice racquet -- not nearly as clunky as it looks. Anyone else tried this beauty?
Yep, I remember the Chris. There were a few different models - in terms of cost: the blue, the white and the black, not sure if there was another one as well. While you could certainly hit a reasonable ball with it (reasonable, not great) the design had one major flaw. As soon as it got windy the racquet would almost take on a life of its own and you'd end up using all your strength to stop it being pushed around by the wind . At impact it was okay but, due to the lack of weight, just not solid enough.
I do also recall that there was a Spalding frame from almost the exact same period of time that had a particularly unusual shape (one of a whole range that had an odd sort of style). It was taken up by a few pros and I remember David Pate and Tami (or Teri) Whitlinger using it. Jet black and exceptionally stiff. Also remember Bryan Shelton, Debbie Graham and Shaun Stafford using models in the Spalding range.
I'd love to get a spalding cross string racquet in 80 sq. in...perhaps the best and most enjoyable research on the subject of odd racquets; that I've found is:
http://www.tennishistory.com.au/
I wish that there was more info to read on racquets, guess I've got to get Keublers book...
http://www.tennishistory.com.au/
I wish that there was more info to read on racquets, guess I've got to get Keublers book...
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Managed to find 2 Le Coq Sportif Classics. One Concept 3 Oversize, and one Noah TCO. If only the mail guys would hurry up and deliver them. Still don't know the difference between them though, but i think it's the same frame with 2 different names.
2 small, low quality pics:
I know Le Coq Sportif did a limited edition re-release last summer of those racquets celebrating Noah's 25th anniversary of winning the French Open. They only sold those racquets in Europe last Summer.
The original production of the TCO had Oversize written on the bridge of the racquet. My TXO has oversize written on the bridge of the racquet. "Concept Three Oversize". They were considered Ovesize racquet back in the early 80's. Now they are considered Midplus
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Rorsach
Hall of Fame
If you manage to find an extra copy of that book, let me know.
OK, here is my March Madness Odd All-Star starting five, in addition to the others which have been posted so far:
Mad Raq New York
Blackburne DS107 Double Strung
Wilson Javelin 95
Bergelin Long-String (yellow version that has both MacGregor and Asics logos)
Snauwaert Ergonom.
Gotta be even weirder ones out there. Anybody else?
Mad Raq New York
Blackburne DS107 Double Strung
Wilson Javelin 95
Bergelin Long-String (yellow version that has both MacGregor and Asics logos)
Snauwaert Ergonom.
Gotta be even weirder ones out there. Anybody else?
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
Odd thing is, I've played with it, and it actually is a nice racquet -- not nearly as clunky as it looks. Anyone else tried this beauty?
It has a HUUUUUUUUUUGE sweetspot.
Just kidding
.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
Just stumbled across this thread...been reliving the 70s-90s on a couple of other threads. I actually have a Wilson Legacy, original strings...looks to have hit just a few balls.
I played and taught with the white Chris Star for a few months. Fantastic stability on off-center hits...a bit of a bother to string, depending on the machine. They had a bit of a following in Atlanta for a while. The Spalding that was similar had an even wider span at the throat...didn't mount at all on some stringers. Same idea for off-center stability but the junction of the throat and hoop was pretty weak and split easily.
I don't have one but I'm surprised the Durbin isn't shown here. Pretty strange for its day.
I played and taught with the white Chris Star for a few months. Fantastic stability on off-center hits...a bit of a bother to string, depending on the machine. They had a bit of a following in Atlanta for a while. The Spalding that was similar had an even wider span at the throat...didn't mount at all on some stringers. Same idea for off-center stability but the junction of the throat and hoop was pretty weak and split easily.
I don't have one but I'm surprised the Durbin isn't shown here. Pretty strange for its day.
