Yamaha Composite history

netman · Apr 19, 2009

I played the Yamaha Composite YCR-126 (top frame in pic) for a couple of years in the late 70's and have one in my collection. I also have the lower-end YCR-124 that looks similar to 126 except its blue and a bit heavier due to a thicker beam. Just picked up the other Yamaha Composite in this pic yesterday. It is a different design. As you can see it has an opening in the throat and an egg-shaped head. Its still a beast at 388g (13.7 oz.) which is exactly the same weight as the YCR-124. There are no model numbers listed and no markings indicating date of mfg. Construction on all these is similar to the Head Ashe Competition series and too snow skis of the time.

Can someone fill me in on the Composite line? What model is my new one and when was it made. Did this open throat design come after the YCRs or before them? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-k-

jimbo333 · Apr 19, 2009

Hi, the red one with the open throat is the YCR 130, I have no idea what year it was made. There is also a YCR 134, which is very similar and has a slightly less egg shaped head and is black and yellow and has an open throat.

By the way the YCR 124 also came in blue as well as orange

jimbo333 · Apr 19, 2009

Also I think these Yamaha Composites are some of the best looking racquets I've ever seen, the colours on them look amazing

They are very flexible to hit with, and make a unique twanging sound

jimbo333 · Apr 19, 2009

So the known currently Yamaha Composite series are:-

YCR 124 (2 Versions, one Blue/white, one Orange/white)
YCR 126 (Orange/white)
YCR 130 (Open thoat, Red/white)
YCR 134 (Open throat, Black/yellow)

Any more out there?

jimbo333 · Apr 27, 2009

So does nobody else know anything about these?

netman · Apr 27, 2009

jimbo333 said:
So the known currently Yamaha Composite series are:-

YCR 124 (2 Versions, one Blue/white, one Orange/white)
YCR 126 (Orange/white)
YCR 130 (Open thoat, Red/white)
YCR 134 (Open throat, Black/yellow)

Any more out there?

Just want to clarify. The YCR 126 is red/white. My camera made it look orange, but it is very much a red/white combo.

The YCR 126 red is a brighter red than the 130, which is more of a blood red.

-k-

netman · Apr 27, 2009

jimbo333 said:
Hi, the red one with the open throat is the YCR 130, I have no idea what year it was made. There is also a YCR 134, which is very similar and has a slightly less egg shaped head and is black and yellow and has an open throat.

By the way the YCR 124 also came in blue as well as orange

Thanks for the info on the 130.

Here is a pic of my YCR 124 and YCR 126. My camera still insists on making the 126 look more orange than it is. It is really a bright red color. And the 124 is a dark royal blue color, not the brighter blue shown here.

-k-

netman · Apr 27, 2009

jimbo333 said:
Hi, the red one with the open throat is the YCR 130, I have no idea what year it was made. There is also a YCR 134, which is very similar and has a slightly less egg shaped head and is black and yellow and has an open throat.

By the way the YCR 124 also came in blue as well as orange

Thanks for the info. I have seen a black and yellow open throat come up for auction, so now I know what it is.

Looks like I have 3 of the 5 Composites offered for sale. BTW, I had great success with my YCR-126. Loved the way it played.

-k-

jimbo333 · Apr 28, 2009

I agree, these do play very well, certainly good fun, if I remember rightly

They are very flexible frames. I love the sound they make on impact, a real twaaaannnnngggg!!!

Similar to a Kneissl White Star Twin, although even more twangy

plasma · Apr 28, 2009

white star twin has the best feel of any racquet ever, nothing sweeter than twins!

jimbo333 · Apr 28, 2009

I wouldn't disagree with this

Just saying these Yamaha Composites are mighty twaannnggyyyy

adidasman · Apr 28, 2009

plasma said:
white star twin has the best feel of any racquet ever, nothing sweeter than twins!

Ugh. The White Star Twin was awful. Simply awful. A bigger bust than Salma's, if you ask me.

retrowagen · Apr 28, 2009

I have one each of the orange/white and blue/white YCR-124's, gathering dust here. Don't really want or need them.

They do remind me of the concurrent ski construction (just like the concurrent Head 'Competition' frames of the era): foam core between aluminum alloy sheet faces.

jimbo333 · Apr 28, 2009

If anyone has a spare YCR-126, then I would certainly be interested in it

plasma · Apr 29, 2009

I love the twang of the white star twin, the whole racquet resonates and massages your arm with a crisp yet soft ceramic goodness. I'll say it again...nothing feels as good as the white star twin (on par with Salma!)

I was going to go back to the txe or 150g for headsize, but I might end up choosing the twin for feel; different feel and balance than any other racquet, heavenly, accurate, austrian, Kournikova-like....that triangular head-shape makes for a great hit

P8ntballa · Apr 29, 2009

plasma said:
white star twin has the best feel of any racquet ever, nothing sweeter than twins!

Salma is awesome!

plasma · Apr 29, 2009

there's really no need to Hiyack this thread

white star, kneissl, blah blah...mmmmmm Salma....mi alma, mi corazon
yo quero, llame me!!!

Boristennis · May 29, 2014

Yamaha Compoiste

I also think that the 130 also came in black?

Boristennis · Jun 9, 2014

There is also a YCR130 that is black as well

Snaab · Mar 7, 2018

I've seen the Composite in green and white (similar to the orange and white) but am not sure if it is a YCR124 or 126.

Slingerland61 · Mar 29, 2018

I picked up this YCR-126 a few months ago. Haven't hit with it yet, but I'm looking forward to hearing that "twang" I've been reading about. [emoji41]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 Moons · Sep 28, 2023

Hi guys i am new on the forum.
I am french and live in the Philippines. I need your help about the series YCR 124, 126 and 130 :
- Are they full composite or considered wooden racket still?

I am asking this because here the new generation guys do not not how to string wooden tennis rackets.

- What is the tension you would recomnend for an Intermediate lift player on these rackets?
In advance thanks fir your help.
2 Moons

Yonex RD7 · Oct 6, 2023

2 Moons said:
Hi guys i am new on the forum.
I am french and live in the Philippines. I need your help about the series YCR 124, 126 and 130 :
- Are they full composite or considered wooden racket still?

I am asking this because here the new generation guys do not not how to string wooden tennis rackets.

- What is the tension you would recomnend for an Intermediate lift player on these rackets?
In advance thanks fir your help.
2 Moons

They are full composite not wooden. Check outside the grommets and wooden rackets have a long side and a short side composites don’t.

Yamaha Composite history

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Banned

Hall of Fame

Professional

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Banned

P8ntballa

Guest

Banned

New User

New User

Semi-Pro

New User

New User

New User

Similar threads