Babolat first generation

ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
The last weeks and months i've received quite some mails about the the first Babolats, well here it is.
I know many of you don't think they are classics, well i do and that's why i want it to post here.
I will start with the first "Pure" series developed between 1994 and 1996.
These first generation Babolat rackets were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

Babolat Pure Drive
Babolat Pure Control
Babolat Pure Power


2ij0xm9.jpg
 
S

schu47

Rookie
Ericsson,

You're just the man. I've had this Babolat for a few years, but never been able to figure out where it fit in. I've never seen another one like it, with the flat head. Do you know if this is first generation, or when it might have been made?

Thanks.

P1050365.JPG


P1050366.JPG


P1050367.JPG


P1050370.JPG
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
schu47 said:
Ericsson,

You're just the man. I've had this Babolat for a few years, but never been able to figure out where it fit in. I've never seen another one like it, with the flat head. Do you know if this is first generation, or when it might have been made?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Hi, that's the second generation Pure Power with woofer, completely different mold and very powerful.
 
S

schu47

Rookie
ericsson said:
Hi, that's the second generation Pure Power with woofer, completely different mold and very powerful.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I knew I could count on you. That's a great collection. One of my sons plays the Pure Drive GT Plus -- I assume those early Babolats had a much different feel. He certainly didn't like this second generation Pure Power at all.
 
Y

yuth

Rookie
Wooww. Interesting, for me I love to play with pure control version. It's good in control the ball. I love it because it's box beam frame.

PS: Steve, How are you? I am good in Madison. I love this city.

Yuth
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?
IMG_0009.jpg

IMG_0010.jpg

This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage....
 
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MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power?:) Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently.:shock: Only realized that after the auction...:oops:
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
MarrratSafin said:
Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power?:) Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently.:shock: Only realized that after the auction...:oops:
Click to expand...

Yea they are pretty rare and very hard to find, i will post the specs soon...
 
flashfire276

flashfire276

Hall of Fame
My coach has the first generation Pure Drive. Why does it feel so great? I mean, I honestly hate the newer Pure Drives. But there's something about this one that feels good.
 
coachrick

coachrick

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
ericsson, have you ever seen one of these?
IMG_0009.jpg

IMG_0010.jpg

This is the very first Babolat racquet I ever saw back in 1989. It was for testing cordage....
Click to expand...

I remember those being mounted on the stringing machines in the Bab booth at the Super Show. Quite a buzz about them, secrecy, rumor, denial, etc. :)
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Lovely frames ericsson, i've been using the "gt" pure drive this last week i just wish they'd remake something like the first one.Suppose they wouldn't sell as well but they were nicer frames.I hoped the 135th frame might be a limited re issue of the first one, sadly no!
Do you have a "soft drive" from that first family? I like the bags too, had the all blue on and still havve the large holdall/soft brief case they've lasted well.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Dave M said:
Lovely frames ericsson, i've been using the "gt" pure drive this last week i just wish they'd remake something like the first one.Suppose they wouldn't sell as well but they were nicer frames.I hoped the 135th frame might be a limited re issue of the first one, sadly no!
Do you have a "soft drive" from that first family? I like the bags too, had the all blue on and still havve the large holdall/soft brief case they've lasted well.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, yea i like the covers and early bags too, so stylish with that double line.
Anyway yes i have the 1ste Soft Drive too, my soft line is coming up but i'm too busy right now so have some patience, also great frames!
 
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D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
ericsson said:
Hi Dave, yea i like the covers and early bags too, so stylish with that double line.
Anyway yes i have the 1ste Soft Drive too, my soft line is coming up but i'm too busy right now so have some patience, also great frames!
Click to expand...

I remember ordering a soft drive from the factory and being so dissapointed as thy sent me a secon generation one, which was an entirely different racket, where i think it had originally (when i tried one it looked to be the same) it seemed to be the same as the PD.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Dave M said:
I remember ordering a soft drive from the factory and being so dissapointed as thy sent me a secon generation one, which was an entirely different racket, where i think it had originally (when i tried one it looked to be the same) it seemed to be the same as the PD.
Click to expand...

Yes it is the exact same mold as the pure drive and play likewise but softer and lighter, perfect platform for custumizing.

btw: did you ever saw the 125th edition? i just loved that paintjob, regret i sold that one...i never saw another one again.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
gunnd5000 said:
125th edition of the soft drive? can you give me any picks cos I dont think ive seen one
Click to expand...

No no it was a pure drive limited edition, i think it was the woofer series. Anyway the paintjob was spider web like, very nice. I will search my database at home, let me see if i can find something...
 
MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
ericsson said:
No no it was a pure drive limited edition, i think it was the woofer series. Anyway the paintjob was spider web like, very nice. I will search my database at home, let me see if i can find something...
Click to expand...

Ericsson, you reminded me of something. Was it a millennium edition Pure Drive to celebrate 2000 at that time? There was one such frame, with a beautiful black paintjob with spider web like lines (in gold?). I searched for it for years but never came across one. I remember only 2000 were made worldwide.
 
jimanuel12

jimanuel12

Semi-Pro
ericsson said:
The last weeks and months i've received quite some mails about the the first Babolats, well here it is.
I know many of you don't think they are classics, well i do and that's why i want it to post here.
I will start with the first "Pure" series developed between 1994 and 1996.
These first generation Babolat rackets were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

Babolat Pure Drive
Babolat Pure Control
Babolat Pure Power


2ij0xm9.jpg
Click to expand...

i had no idea they had been around that long, learn something new every day.
but i was out of tennis for about 10+ years, things got by me and when i returned to play, i could not believe rackets had changed so much.
very interesting, thanks.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
MarrratSafin said:
Ericsson, you reminded me of something. Was it a millennium edition Pure Drive to celebrate 2000 at that time? There was one such frame, with a beautiful black paintjob with spider web like lines (in gold?). I searched for it for years but never came across one. I remember only 2000 were made worldwide.
Click to expand...

Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about :)
Nice memory!

gunnd5000 said:
do you think you have any pictures then or just hopping thanks as usual
Click to expand...

Of course i have pictures, look here:

fe17rn.jpg
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
MarrratSafin said:
Great pics ericsson, first time I've seen that Pure Power. They have the side grommets too! Can you reveal the specs of the Pure Power?:) Btw it's my belief that I actually went into a bidding war with you for couple of first gen PD's most recently.:shock: Only realized that after the auction...:oops:
Click to expand...


Here the (unstrung) specs for the Pure Power:

Weight: 310g
Flex: 70
Balance: 330mm
SW: 310
Pattern: 16x19

The racket hits a very heavy ball but controllable, totally different the the others, interesting stick.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
gunnd5000 said:
that looks sooo cool, do you own one or know somewhere where you can get them, I take it thats a 2nd gen pure drive

the stats of the pure power sound good, was that sort of replaced by the pure drive roddick in a way

ohh and an edit: what the hell is up with the strings in that pic it doesnt look like its being strung and theres no strings on the top half in the pic
Click to expand...

I have owned one but sold it, anyway i will get one sooner or later again i think.
The strings in the pic are cut thats why it looks like that.
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
ericsson said:
Yes it was, that's the one i'm talking about :)
Nice memory!
Of course i have pictures, look here:

fe17rn.jpg
Click to expand...

I remember seeing these in a catalogue,(or maybe a press release) they were very limited as you say i sem to remember our rep here in the UK not wanting us to buy them.Wish i'd of tried harder now didn't realise they were that limited!
 
MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
ericsson said:
Here the (unstrung) specs for the Pure Power:

Weight: 310g
Flex: 70
Balance: 330mm
SW: 310
Pattern: 16x19

The racket hits a very heavy ball but controllable, totally different the the others, interesting stick.
Click to expand...

That is very interesting specs indeed, strung up and the SW should be higher than static. Even (almost HH) balance for a 310g frame! Wow. And stiffer than the 1st gen PD, Pure Power is a good name for this frame.:twisted:
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
droliver said:
I think Carlos Moya was always reported to play with Soft Drives under the Pure Drive paint job
Click to expand...

I think you are right because if it's not a soft drive it's a pure drive with a lay up just like the soft!
I believe they were just too stiff stock for him but babolat were sure the PD would become a good seller with the right marketing.Though at the start it was only him, then the Lapenti brothers, just think though if they'd of signed some random French player then they'd of not had Nadal sign with them so easilly!
 
T

tototouri

New User
Pure Control | French market

I purchased these sticks in France in 1996, from a guy who had been playing with them for a little over a year. I believe this first generation Pure Control was never sold in the US.
I LOVE these racquets (in spite of the nasty paint job, which is a huge compliment coming from me). Unfortunately, they are massive (363 grams strung, no lead) and very head-heavy. I do not have the strength (or technique) to hit effectively with them for more than an hour!
http://picasaweb.google.com/tototouri/PureControl?authkey=Gv1sRgCK7Oq_fnndqgYg#
 
MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
tototouri said:
I purchased these sticks in France in 1996, from a guy who had been playing with them for a little over a year. I believe this first generation Pure Control was never sold in the US.
I LOVE these racquets (in spite of the nasty paint job, which is a huge compliment coming from me). Unfortunately, they are massive (363 grams strung, no lead) and very head-heavy. I do not have the strength (or technique) to hit effectively with them for more than an hour!
http://picasaweb.google.com/tototouri/PureControl?authkey=Gv1sRgCK7Oq_fnndqgYg#
Click to expand...

Wow, they look very interesting indeed. I'd love to try one, although I doubt I can handle them for too long as well!:shock: Please email me if you think of letting them go anytime. syforever87@yahoo.com :)
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
tototouri said:
I purchased these sticks in France in 1996, from a guy who had been playing with them for a little over a year. I believe this first generation Pure Control was never sold in the US.
I LOVE these racquets (in spite of the nasty paint job, which is a huge compliment coming from me). Unfortunately, they are massive (363 grams strung, no lead) and very head-heavy. I do not have the strength (or technique) to hit effectively with them for more than an hour!
http://picasaweb.google.com/tototouri/PureControl?authkey=Gv1sRgCK7Oq_fnndqgYg#
Click to expand...

Great to see photos of that frame again, so they don't get taken out much?Were they really that head heavy, I don't remember that from testing them, just the next generation ones when they became more red.
 
Xenakis

Xenakis

Hall of Fame
Interesting stuff here thanks, I know very little about old Babolats.

Incidentally, does anyone know the history of the AeroPro Drive?

I've got two of the earlier ones without cortex, one without the Aero logo above the handle, were these the first APDs?
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Xenakis said:
Interesting stuff here thanks, I know very little about old Babolats.

Incidentally, does anyone know the history of the AeroPro Drive?

I've got two of the earlier ones without cortex, one without the Aero logo above the handle, were these the first APDs?
Click to expand...

Yesmate, i think there have only been 3, there were some other aero rackets in the family of the black ones you have, but they were IIRC the Tour range.
THey ae basically an aerodynmic framed version of the Pure drive.(Nadal used them originally because of Moya)
 
Xenakis

Xenakis

Hall of Fame
^^^Cheers Dave :)

So in chronological order you've got..
APD
APDC
APDCGT

Right?

Any idea of years of manufacture?

There should be a website about racquet history with all the companies' models and years of production. I imagine if some of the more knowledgeable posters around here got their heads together it would be a possibility. Might even earn a bit of cash in advertising if it was done right.
 
T

tototouri

New User
Head heavy?

Dave M said:
So they don't get taken out much?Were they really that head heavy, I don't remember that from testing them, just the next generation ones when they became more red.
Click to expand...

They do not get taken out much, but they still do.
Well, as far as being head heavy, I'm not sure how they would compare with current racquet models. All I know is that they are not as maneuverable as, say, the Redondo I use now. They are very solid racquets, they can deliver the goods when needed, but they are also very demanding. I certainly prefer the feel of those early Pure Control to that of the most recent models. I tried a Pure Control in 2003 or so and did not like that version at all.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
tototouri said:
I purchased these sticks in France in 1996, from a guy who had been playing with them for a little over a year. I believe this first generation Pure Control was never sold in the US.
I LOVE these racquets (in spite of the nasty paint job, which is a huge compliment coming from me). Unfortunately, they are massive (363 grams strung, no lead) and very head-heavy. I do not have the strength (or technique) to hit effectively with them for more than an hour!
http://picasaweb.google.com/tototouri/PureControl?authkey=Gv1sRgCK7Oq_fnndqgYg#
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot to post these mate!, i never got my hands on these beauties, also first generation but these are the very early ones (double line logo)
They are not head-heavy, infact they are a little head light but what you probably mean is they are very solid, a lot of mass in the head and intire frame what makes it very difficult to get around, a beast of a racket, note that the specs are slightly different then the later ones, the very early ones were 335 grams unstrung, the ones i have are 330g unstrung, flex and balance were slightly different too, here the card board of my PC 1 gen:

28hofw6.jpg


Ps: take good care of them, they are extremely rare and very limited!
 
MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
tototouri said:
I am afraid I am too attached to them, I take them out onto the court every now and then hoping I might manage them better.
Click to expand...

No worries.:) I hope to find one to try someday too. What grip did you put on it? Leather grip helps make heavier frames more HL and maneuverable for me. Just a suggestion, maybe you can try that too.
 
MarrratSafin

MarrratSafin

Hall of Fame
Great info ericsson, thanks. I always thought the 1st gen Pure Control is heavier than the 2nd gen, but they are actually the same, 330g unstrung? (I have owned many of the swirly's but no 1st gens, always thought they are 335-340g unstrung) So does the 1st gen actually have a similar swing weight to the swirly 2nd gen? The 2nd gen's swing weight is perfect for me. I'm guessing it'd be less maneuverable though with the 320mm balance.
 
T

tototouri

New User
Specs

ericsson said:
They are not head-heavy, in fact they are a little head light but what you probably mean is they are very solid, a lot of mass in the head and entire frame what makes it very difficult to get around, a beast of a racket, note that the specs are slightly different then the later ones, the very early ones were 335 grams unstrung, the ones i have are 330g unstrung, flex and balance were slightly different too, here the card board of my PC 1 gen:

28hofw6.jpg
Click to expand...
Very interesting stuff here. The specs on my Pure Control are as follow:
P42 C58 M65
335g unstrung
Flex. 63
Equ. 31
Swing 300

It is a 16x18 string pattern.

You are probably right about the mass of the racquet being what makes it so hard to get around.
I did have leather grips on them and I'm sure that helped a bit.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
MarrratSafin said:
Great info ericsson, thanks. I always thought the 1st gen Pure Control is heavier than the 2nd gen, but they are actually the same, 330g unstrung? (I have owned many of the swirly's but no 1st gens, always thought they are 335-340g unstrung) So does the 1st gen actually have a similar swing weight to the swirly 2nd gen? The 2nd gen's swing weight is perfect for me. I'm guessing it'd be less maneuverable though with the 320mm balance.
Click to expand...

Well like i said, there are two different first generations Pure Controls; the early ones are 335gr unstrung and the "later" ones are 330gr, both essentially the same stick and yes they are less maneuverable then the 2nd gen's controls. I had both the 335g and 330g in the exact same paintjob, i also had a Pure Control 1nd gen in + (extra length)
(the first gen PC comes from the famous Pro One mold by Donnay)
 
Last edited:
flashfire276

flashfire276

Hall of Fame
ericsson said:
Thanks a lot to post these mate!, i never got my hands on these beauties, also first generation but these are the very early ones (double line logo)
They are not head-heavy, infact they are a little head light but what you probably mean is they are very solid, a lot of mass in the head and intire frame what makes it very difficult to get around, a beast of a racket, note that the specs are slightly different then the later ones, the very early ones were 335 grams unstrung, the ones i have are 330g unstrung, flex and balance were slightly different too, here the card board of my PC 1 gen:

28hofw6.jpg


Ps: take good care of them, they are extremely rare and very limited!
Click to expand...

What the?? There was a Soft Control??? I knew about Soft Drive, but never saw that before?
Anyone ever seen that racquet before?
 
D

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Originally for each family there (control, Drive and power) was a soft and a pure frame.They added to this as the year went by, one of my favourite and I havent seen one other than the ones i had was the VS family the drive looked a bit lik a pd but was lighter and had interchangeable bumpers for more weight.
 
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