I have tried dif. standard length racquet but still going back to my old head i. prestige MP xl,I serves great and groundies are awesome,control and pace are plenty but...paint are peeling off and outdated.So,maybe anyone can point out a replacement to this stick in terms of specs and playability.
Looking for replacement for my head I. prestige MP XL
- Thread starter JUREX
- Start date
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
You could try the the Babolat Pure Storm Tour+ GT
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Storm_Tour_Plus_GT/descpageRCBAB-BPSTRP.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Pure_Storm_Tour_Plus_GT/descpageRCBAB-BPSTRP.html
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
TW may have 2 versions of the PST+ (NOT GT) for sale. The link above seems to be for the newer 2011 GT version. If they still have the non GT 2009 version, that has a flex of 62? Search for it via racquetfinder.com and uncheck the current models box. May be more up your alley.
Bab Pure Storm Tour Plus (2009 version)
98 sq in,
27.5 in,
9 pt HL,
WTG STR 11.8 oz,
SW 336,
RA 62,
STR PATT 16x20,
RGE 50-62#
Bab Pure Storm Tour Plus (2009 version)
98 sq in,
27.5 in,
9 pt HL,
WTG STR 11.8 oz,
SW 336,
RA 62,
STR PATT 16x20,
RGE 50-62#
Last edited:
flashfire276
Hall of Fame
This is a toughie, because nothing really feels had the Intelligence feel. Muted, yet pure.
I would go with the suggestion of the Babolat PST+ Non-GT. I just checked out the TW website, and looks like they're not in stock. So unless you can hunt around tennis shops and find it or willing to go used, cross that off the list.
You can take your chances with the GT version. It's not muted by any means, but still great solidity. Maybe you'll like it. But if possible, demo it!
I would go with the suggestion of the Babolat PST+ Non-GT. I just checked out the TW website, and looks like they're not in stock. So unless you can hunt around tennis shops and find it or willing to go used, cross that off the list.
You can take your chances with the GT version. It's not muted by any means, but still great solidity. Maybe you'll like it. But if possible, demo it!
Thank you guys 
,I'm overwhelm with the support I'm getting since new and just my 2nd posting here.I will demo the PSTGT+ since it's the closes in specs besides the string pattern but have some concern with tennis elbow based on costumer feedback on this one,but will demo it anyway.
,I'm overwhelm with the support I'm getting since new and just my 2nd posting here.I will demo the PSTGT+ since it's the closes in specs besides the string pattern but have some concern with tennis elbow based on costumer feedback on this one,but will demo it anyway.Had a chance to hit w/ PSTGT+2011 yesterday,and it's not quite the same as my Head I. Prestige mp xl.It swings a little heavy,feels dif. And ball tends to sail long on me,unstable at all.I'm disappointed coz I thought it is the one,next will try on Head youtek speed mp .25" long with 16x19 SP.Hope this would be close,thanks guys.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
There are not that many half inch longer player's racquets. Sorry it did not work out for you. Have you demoed the YT Prestige MP?
Spin-A-Lot
Rookie
I read in a thread somewhere that apparently the YT Prestiges are the closest to the i.Prestiges in terms of feel...don't quote me on that though (can anyone confirm this?)..but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try them out ..other than the length, it's practically the same specs..
..other than the length, it's practically the same specs..
ryushen21
Legend
Yes the racquetaholics can give help.
The i.Prestige is really hard to compare to though. As soon as I hit with my i.Prestige mid, I knew my time with the YT was over. It really does have a unique feel to it, soft, slightly muted, but perfectly responsive and lively.
Have you checked the bay or other sites to see if you can snag some used ones? I have seen new and excellent condition used frames around for pretty resonable prices.
ger_greeny
New User
I still use the i.prestige mp xl. I've owned 4 all together. Three said "made in austria" on the throat and one didn't have its origin on the throat at all. I assume that that one was made in china. All of them felt slightly different from each other but the china made one felt as if it was made of a different material where the austria made ones just had differences in weight and balance. I think what made the i.prestige xl so nice was the good power and the flex in the hoop that made it feel so forgiving. I have sold the china made one and cracked two of my austria made ones. Its really been hard trying to find a replacement for these so I'd like some help on this topic as well.
I agree with what you said about the pure storm tour + but so far it is the closest racquet that I've tried. I didn't like the YT speed mp at all. It felt stiff and it didn't go through the ball well and it had a smaller sweet spot even though it had a bigger head. The YT prestige mp felt close to the china made i.prestige which I didn't like and had a much smaller sweet spot but it hit the ball pretty well. The solinco looks interesting but it seems hard to find.
I agree with what you said about the pure storm tour + but so far it is the closest racquet that I've tried. I didn't like the YT speed mp at all. It felt stiff and it didn't go through the ball well and it had a smaller sweet spot even though it had a bigger head. The YT prestige mp felt close to the china made i.prestige which I didn't like and had a much smaller sweet spot but it hit the ball pretty well. The solinco looks interesting but it seems hard to find.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
ALL i.Prestige were made in Austria. The one that did not have Made in Austria on the side of the shaft at one point had a sticker that said made in Austria on the butt cap. So actually you ended up selling a made in Austria i.Prestige MP XL.
ger_greeny
New User
Oh I wasn't sure where it was made. It was a guess as I had the same experience with lm radicals and where the china made radicals had a similar feel to that particular i.prestige xl. Either way I don't regret selling it. It didn't play or feel the same as the other three
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
This is your answer OP. They are on the big auction site all the time, often new old stock. Be patient and you will score a couple.
I am bias huge now towards Head 18x20 sticks(see signature) and I expect the only new racquet that would be satisfactory would be either a tgk 238.4 or a PT 57E hairpin cut by a pro to 27.5.
That would be a very pricey proposition indeed.
i Prestige MP is the way to go.
VS Babolat is spot on all i Prestige are Austrian and IMHO are a retail pro stock spec stick. Fabulous racquets!
I have 2 glossy paint frames and one original sticky paint frame, they feel a little different my speculation is it is the slightly different flex provided by the different paint jobs.
There has been speculation here that the i Prestige is a PT57E retail layup, no different than a pro room stick bumped up to the retail spec.
Perhaps VS Babolat can link to some threads or chime in.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
This is a good observation that I completely agree with....less of a diff now that I have placed lead at 3/9 on the YT Prestige MP but the sweet spot is smaller than my i Prestige MP's.
The YT Prestige makes up for the loss of sweet spot on groundies by being a brilliant serving racquet.....one of the best I have ever hit......it volleys brilliantly too.
Need to experiment with some nat gut/ poly hybrid set ups on my YT Prestige MP's......suggestions welcome.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Ooops, really should have asked here first before selling that frame, bad mistake!
Somebody took advantage of you with that deal!
Thanks for the info on Yt Speed mp greeny,take your word for it since we have same experience with iprestige mp xl.Will try Yt prestige mp per VS babolat,Spin_a_lot &others.
ryushen21
Legend
No doubt since this racquet was made in Austria,with dif. Material,technology make it an awesome stick.The only downsides for me are my slice,(since its 18x20)w/c is fixable and rediculous paint job,can actually scrape with my fingernails
Ahh, you have the original rubber paint version.
I've never had a problem with slice with any prestige though.
A few weeks ago I bought a new i. Prestige mid, without enquiring about its origin (my fault..);
it doesn't have "made in Austria" on its side, it does have a sticker on the butt cap, saying "made in Czech Republic"...
(probably....finished there, from what I read in previous threads, about the Classics)
I am happy about it, I like its paintjob, but I fear this feature will keep its possible...collecting value, lower, in future...
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Does your racquet have a Intelligence butt-cap? The paint job should hold up well on your racquet. It should have the hard matte black paint.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Pro Kennex 7G.
..yes, it has an Intelligence one (sorry for mixing matters, a bit),
see pic, you should also see the sticker
and its paint job is matt black
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
..yes, it has an Intelligence one (sorry for mixing matters, a bit),
see pic, you should also see the sticker
and its paint job is matt black
Thanks for the photo. Would you mind taking a close-up photo of the white label that is on the plastic of the grip?
..I'll do it asap;
(concerning the feature that might keep its value lower, I meant the fact that it is finished in Czech Rep.)
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Thanks. The value is not lower.
...here's the photo of that white label, I hope it is sharp enough
and I am adding a pic of the whole frame, too
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
...here's the photo of that white label, I hope it is sharp enough
and I am adding a pic of the whole frame, too
Apparently you have one of the very last i.Prestige Mid made. I did not know that they were still producing them in 2004. But obviously they were because according to the label it was produced September 1, 2004.
...many thanks, vsbabolat, for the very interesting info !
(I thought it might be older, too, anyway, it shouldn't be a fake, should it?
)If it's the figure at bottom right, 09.....01.....40 (?),
only the 4 stands for the year ?
OldButGame
Hall of Fame
I'd second this suggestion,...I also have the 2007 Red Star,...very nice stick,...smooth,...I'd say 'buttery',....Kneissl does nice stuff,and they kind of 'specialize' in extra length sticks,......dont know what You can obtain or where anymore.:-?
michael valek
Hall of Fame
for anything Kneissl, regular length or extended, email me michael.valek@thomsonreuters.com....cheers
