No1e's Racquet
- Thread starter Fabfed
- Start date
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
ooops, sorry, I read it wrong. I thought drak would know better. It has NOTHING to do with the Instict mold (I read LM Rad without ridges)...
tennis_balla
Hall of Fame
You're getting old, eye sight is going, alzheimer's kicking in....
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
that all started about 5-6 years ago. It is advancing daily...
I did however, string two finalists racquets, including the woman's champion.
Seeing as you possibly got a closer look at the grommets, if the other finalist you're referring to is indeed Novak, I'd appreciate to hear any knowledge or any theories you might have.
For the record, I do mildly believe, that it is a Radical MP mold from years back based on the head shape, but the certain differences will always keep me doubtful and open to other assumptions.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Can you please tell us what the differences are (except the PJ)?
I noted them in my first post, but I understand I'm being very picky.
"but I was just wondering if someone familiar with this topic could clarify something, since the beam width of his racquet in the pictures provided by Fabfed, is wider (looks to be 22mm) than the retail Speed, which has a listed beam width of 21/20/21mm. Now, I checked the listed specs of the Ti, i, MG, and LM radicals and they all have a listed beam width of 21mm themselves. So is it just likely that his actual mold is the Radical MP mold from 1999-2007 with the possibility of just a wider beam width?
I also recall some people saying (in previous threads) that the bridge area on his racquet is actually different from the MG Radical MP mold. If the MG Radical MP mold is the same as the Ti, i, and LM Radical MP molds, why is it that some people claim the MG Radical MP has a different bridge design compared to the other racquets (I can't say for myself, I only own the LM Radical MP). Also, why would Novak's racquet have a different bridge if it's 100% spot on the same exact Radical MP mold used in the racquets I mentioned previously?"
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
The first one is just a guess -- it could be an optical illusion due to different colors and patterns. I actually have both (MG Rad MP and IG Speed MP) and will check, but I could have sworn that the Radical is definitely wider (looks that way). I always thought that the Prestiges were 21mm and Radicals 22mm straight?
The bridge on the MG Radical MP and Novak's actual racket looks identical to me.
Yeah, the Radical MP molds from that era, MG and LM, have a listed beam width of 21mm, same with the Prestiges. I'll check my LM, but it looks to be the same width as the Prestiges.
Now, about the bridge, I've read some posts where people claim the bridge on a MG Radical MP gets slimmer along the middle main strings area (IIrc I found this to be true with MG Radical MPs I've held before, granted I don't have any right now to confirm), while for Novak's racquet, the bridge width remains constant.
Again, I know I'm being very picky. :neutral:
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
So, I looked and compared them tonight.
The MG Radical MP is DEFINITELY thicker in the Hoop, the throat area may be the same thickness (I did not measure). I believe the IG Speed is 21mm in the throat and 20 in the hoop.
I will measure if that helps.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt the grommet code on his and stepaneks frame do not match that of a Radical MP. Its hard to see what exactly is the code of his frame, but it is a variance of one of the following:
TK221, Tk231,or Tk281. or "7" replacing the "1". The "k" appears to be backwards. Also, the middle "2" is very hard to read so it could be a 2, 3, 6, 8.
Now, this does not necessarily mean it is not a Radical MP mold. Could very well be with a different code. Holding both racquets in my hands (the joker and stepanek) frame, one thing is for certain,,,,,,, they are identical. To me, they seemed to closely resemble the Instinct, minus the ridges, and a few other stringers agreed. The frame simply looks thicker than the radicals, which is why it seems to more closely resemble the Instinct.
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dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Interesting observation, however, looking at the Fabfed's pictures, it has absolutely nothing to do with Instinct -- shape, thickness, throat. Not sure how you came up with that?
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
because it looks thicker than a radical.
Thanks for getting back to me.
Thanks for this. Yeah, the thickness of the frame keeps throwing me off as well.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Again, I am not sure I understand your comment - looking back at the post #25 of this thread, there is nothing strange about the thickness of this racket. The stock speed is definitely thinner than the Radical, and Novak's stick looks just slightly thicker than the stock Speed.
I think you're mistaken.
Lefty78
Professional
Head never made clear grommets for either the MG Rad MP or the LM Instinct, so naturally the Nole/Stepanek grommets will have a unique engineering code.
schap02
Semi-Pro
Drak - did you string any H19's or h22's in Cincy? I have a pair of h19's in the 18 x 20 pattern and I've spoken with several guys on Wilson's tour stringing team - they tend to think that Novak is still indeed using the same h22 mold he used at wilson....according to them my h19's are wilsons version of the pt57a....anyways, just curious, Novaks frame looks identical to my h19s with a thicker beam....
AverageJoe
Rookie
Speaking of which, has it ever been confirmed that Nole used the h22 and not the h19?
schap02
Semi-Pro
I will try to post a few pics of my h19's later and show how similar they "look" to Nole's racquet, string pattern, head shape, ect, weights are pretty close as well (I know that's not as big of a deal)....
but yea like I said, a couple guys I know string for the Wilson stringing team and they all commented that he used the h22....
3fees
G.O.A.T.
The racquet just arrived today. I will take it to be one of Novak’s Wimbledon final sticks, unless Ron tells me otherwise. Some lead tape around the 3 & 9 o’clock positions stretching to 5 & 7 o'clock. Sorry about the pics, I’m busy with some work now, but I will take a ton of nicer, close up pics for you guys tonight
nice find fabfed
tistrapukcipeht
Professional
Can't head sue Wilson for plagiarism??
It looks like Wilson copy racquets from head.
It looks like Wilson copy racquets from head.
AverageJoe
Rookie
Yeah, cause I've hit with a few H19's and they are MUCH closer in weight, balance and feel to his current Head than the H22's I've hit with were.
threenil03
New User
I have a liquid metal radical and MG radical from tw. Both racquets have a seam throughout the hoop of the racquet, you call it twin tube technology. Does Novak's racquet have this is his racquet twin tube?
Thanks
Thanks
sundaypunch
Hall of Fame
No, even if it were an exact copy of a Wilson racquet. It's a one-off racquet for an individual. Head is not selling it.
schap02
Semi-Pro
Haven't seen the new speeds yet, should be some demos around shortly, but I have hear from the head rep that it's similar to the prestige line, with a few tweaks, he wouldn't elaborate, will post some pics when I'm able...
NetNinja68
Rookie
22mm constant beam.
Blaxican10s
Banned
That would be a Radical mold.
Roger Wawrinka
Professional
Does anyone else notice that the lead at the head of the racquet is not equal? Why is this?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
What do you mean by that?
AverageJoe
Rookie
He saying the lead under the head guard isnt symmetrical
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Adidas_Anderson
Semi-Pro
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
probably getting the right weight is most important.....?
Actually it does to a pro
a quarter inch of lead tape is probably less than 1/2 g.
It does not matter!
AverageJoe
Rookie
I'm fairly certain they were the same frame. Greg Raven measured Djokers white speed pj frame at 360 grams, 371 SW, 32 cm balance and 51 flex. I have a friend with one of Novak's sticks from Wimby last year and it has the same specs as those from Greg Raven's measurements. And almost identical specs were also posted here recently regarding his latest paint job with the exception being his current pj has a strung flex of 60.
Here's a pic of his white speed with an identical lead set up.
Roger Wawrinka
Professional
^^^ Thanks for answering my question everyone
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Cao Mateo!
It is probably the same mold, however, Djokovic has changed his setup late 2010 as I recall when he added extra lead to the hoop.
I am almost certain that the white one had some lead under the black grommet.
Also, looks like the layup may have changed as the latest indication shows his stick to be around 60 RA
Pozdrav
AverageJoe
Rookie
Yeah, for a while he definitely didnt have visible lead.
Mateo
Rookie
Well maybe I am wrong, but to me it seems that beam width is different to, from pictures of white one and Ig, the throat of white pj looks to me as (liquid metal, PT without caps....) and Ig is similar to current radical molds, Ig pj mold looks rounder on edges of throat section and little wider beam, white one looks more box shape...as I said I am maybe wrong and it can be pj mirage.
What is the beam width?, 22mm constant beam?
....ps: pozdrav doktore.....
What is the beam width?, 22mm constant beam?
....ps: pozdrav doktore.....
Povl Carstensen
Legend
1/4 inch of 1/4 lead tape is 1/16 of a gram (1/8 if theres two strips).
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Gamma_Lead_Weight_Tape_1_4_inch/descpageGAMMA-LEADQUAR.html
I have bought the LM rad and the MG rad, and I can honestly say I believe Djokovic's racquet is far closer to the LM rad. the MG is just too flexi and to match specs with djoko its very very hard, as I have to put weight very far up in the throat area....this seems to give a very wierd power gradient.
my LM rad specd up to Djoko's specs here is just wonderful, its truely an all court racquet!
my LM rad specd up to Djoko's specs here is just wonderful, its truely an all court racquet!
