80’s Thin Beam, Heavy Racquets

[NawImNate]

Just bought a “poor mans” 85PS:
the Wilson Graphite Matrix (from the mid 80’s) ~12.5oz strung
85sq”
Red/Blk
For $5.36!
strung it with a hybrid setup myself this evening, hit great.

I love it, I used to be a highschool [K]Factor 90 player.

Wondering if some of you players can propose some models that compare.

My dad was telling me how he liked the Dunlop 200G, I was looking into that as well.

 

[max_brat]

Max 200G is probably the best 80s racquet produced. The RF97 of its day, it's flexible, arm-saving, but a very active racquet; you look at where you want the ball to go, and the Max 200G will take it there.

If you played a PS90 (Hyper Carbon Tour user myself), the Max 200G is a safe bet. First-gen (two green stripe or any model marked "Pro" or "Pro II" would suffice.

I've been playing the 200G for 10 years at this point, and though it still draws laughs from people who think 85 sq. inches is too small and the racquet is too heavy, it's still the best racquet out there.

If you need any advice on stringing (I have the stringing diagram as it is different than most racquets), or any other questions, just ask.

 

[dkmura]

I played with the Head XRC in the 70's and the Graphite Edge and TXE in the 80's. Later I made the change to the early Yonex graphite frames. All were relatively heavy thin beam frames.

 

[tennisnoob1949]

I have a Head Graphite Pro and Club pro. Both are very flexible racquets (High 50s and High 40s stiffness). They play really well, though I wish I had the game for them. I now play the Pro tour 280s / 630s which I think are not quite 80s racquets. They have the same soft stiffness but provide a little more power.
I’m going to hang on to my graphite and club pros though. They’re fun to hit with, incomparable feel.

 

[NickJ]

Head Magnum. I'm not saying its the best from that time, but that's what I used. I would have been 12, 13yrs old, trying to wield this overweight beast of a frame, and being taught one handed backhands gave us all forearms like Popeye. Back then, there was no such thing as 'junior' or 'kids' racquets, you used what was available. I first started when i was 7 using a full size wooden Donnay Borg.

 

[socallefty]

I used to play with a Max200G through most of the Eighties when I graduated from wood. The sweet spot was so small and it was so under-powered compared to today’s racquets - it worked OK when all you had were powerful gut strings. Now that we have poly strings to control power and impart more spin, I like modern players racquets much better.

 

[Jimb33]

I used to play with a Max200G through most of the Eighties when I graduated from wood. The sweet spot was so small and it was so under-powered compared to today’s racquets - it worked OK when all you had were powerful gut strings. Now that we have poly strings to control power and impart more spin, I like modern players racquets much better.

All that weight in the 200g helped a bit though didn't it, when you caught one right?

 

[joe sch]

I used to play with a Max200G through most of the Eighties when I graduated from wood. The sweet spot was so small and it was so under-powered compared to today’s racquets - it worked OK when all you had were powerful gut strings. Now that we have poly strings to control power and impart more spin, I like modern players racquets much better.

Yes gut strung loose and an old school flatter game and this racket was magic.
Great SV racket !

 

[socallefty]

All that weight in the 200g helped a bit though didn't it, when you caught one right?

I still play only with 12 oz racquets - old habits die hard.

 

[NawImNate]

I still play only with 12 oz racquets - old habits die hard.

I feel like its a weapon for me

 

[Steve Huff]

I played the old Pro Kennex Black Ace back in the 80s. It was a great racket. The Silver Ace wasn't half bad either.

 

[netlets]

I played with the Head XRC in the 70's and the Graphite Edge and TXE in the 80's. Later I made the change to the early Yonex graphite frames. All were relatively heavy thin beam frames.

I played with the Graphite Edge and TXE in the 80s as well. I still have the graphite edge racquets. I was sponsored for a bit by Fox - Brad Gilbert used them. Warren Bosworth's racquet line. I also have a Borg Pro behind glass in a display with a Borg and Mac signed tennis ball and a video of the Wimbledon 1980 tiebreaker that activates when turned on when you approach the display.

 

[smalahove]

I still have two of my Prince Graphite Pro (series) 90. Wonderful frames, that can generate a lot of spin for a 93 sq in frame due to the open 14x18 pattern.

 

[Crocodile]

In that smaller head category I would compare it to;
1. Volkl PB 10 Mid 93
2. Prince Phantom 93P
3. Gamma 340x
4. Yonex V Core 95
5. Dunlop CX 200 Tour
If you want to hunt down some older frames how about the following;
1. Yonex RDX001 Mid 90
2, Estusa or Puma PBP

 

[mhkeuns]

Great frames from the 80’s:

Prince Original Graphite Mid and OS
Prince Spectrum Comp Mid and OS
Wilson Ultra 2
Wilson Pro Staff St. Vincent or Chicago
Dunlop Max200G
Yonex R-22
Donnay Pro One
Slazenger Panther Pro Ceramic
Fischer Vacuum Pro 90
Prince Magnesium Pro
MatchMate Graphite
Avant Garde Graphite Gold
Head Prestige Pro
AMF Head Graphite Director
AMF Head Graphite Edge

 

[Grafil Injection]

I remember the Graphite Matrix was a great stick.

If thin-beam and heavy is your goal, Pro Kennex Black Ace 93 from the late 80s hits the target: 17mm beam, 380g unstrung! Flex was somewhere in the 50s. If you were good, it was a bazooka. Similarly, MAX 200G is the one for that special flexy but powerful feel. Range from 336g to 380g unstrung! Thin beam in the usual direction, but somewhat chunky in the cross section.

 

[Bambooman]

Dunlop Black Max and Wilson Pro Comp.

 

[NawImNate]

I still have two of my Prince Graphite Pro (series) 90. Wonderful frames, that can generate a lot of spin for a 93 sq in frame due to the open 14x18 pattern.

I scored a great find, FB marketplace girl was selling used thrift store finds looks like. Just got the same racket for $25 shipped. Prince Graphite Pro 90. Great to hear good things about it, I should acquire it by the end of this week.
I put hybrid in the matrix, I may do the same with the Graphite Pro 90 as well, it looks like it was restrung w Prince duraflex Syn gut, which I know is good string, may rock that for a while, any tension recommendations? Do you do hybrid or full nylon?

 

[NawImNate]

I remember the Graphite Matrix was a great stick.

If thin-beam and heavy is your goal, Pro Kennex Black Ace 93 from the late 80s hits the target: 17mm beam, 380g unstrung! Flex was somewhere in the 50s. If you were good, it was a bazooka. Similarly, MAX 200G is the one for that special flexy but powerful feel. Range from 336g to 380g unstrung! Thin beam in the usual direction, but somewhat chunky in the cross section.

Nice user name there

 

[NawImNate]

In that smaller head category I would compare it to;
1. Volkl PB 10 Mid 93
2. Prince Phantom 93P
3. Gamma 340x
4. Yonex V Core 95
5. Dunlop CX 200 Tour
If you want to hunt down some older frames how about the following;
1. Yonex RDX001 Mid 90
2, Estusa or Puma PBP

Very intrigued about todays 93P. I’ve always been impressed with yonex too. Thanks for the lists

 

[NawImNate]

I still have two of my Prince Graphite Pro (series) 90. Wonderful frames, that can generate a lot of spin for a 93 sq in frame due to the open 14x18 pattern.

If you ever want to sell them lmk!

 

[movdqa]

I played with the Head XRC in the 70's and the Graphite Edge and TXE in the 80's. Later I made the change to the early Yonex graphite frames. All were relatively heavy thin beam frames.

I loved the XRC but I think that it was fiberglass, not graphite. Loved the sound that it made. As for something more modern? KPS88.

 

[smalahove]

I scored a great find, FB marketplace girl was selling used thrift store finds looks like. Just got the same racket for $25 shipped. Prince Graphite Pro 90. Great to hear good things about it, I should acquire it by the end of this week.
I put hybrid in the matrix, I may do the same with the Graphite Pro 90 as well, it looks like it was restrung w Prince duraflex Syn gut, which I know is good string, may rock that for a while, any tension recommendations? Do you do hybrid or full nylon?

I haven't played with them for a while, as they're in France :-)
But I do remember restringing one with a poly (cyclone?) at 48 lbs or so, and that pocketed really well, so I would assume it works with a variety of strings. You do need a little help from the stringbed though, so I wouldn't go 60 lbs RPM Blast 1.35
Btw one of the frame had a super low SW, around 300sh strung, prob due in part to the balance, which was super head light. Didn't really notice it when playing.

 

[borg number one]

The Wilson frames are great. I used to play with the Pro Staff, Sting, and Javelin frames.

 

[max]

I used . . .

Head Graphite Edge
dunlop Max 200 G
Wilson Pro Staff 6.0/85

 

[MR.bkebab]

Just bought a “poor mans” 85PS:
the Wilson Graphite Matrix (from the mid 80’s) ~12.5oz strung
85sq”
Red/Blk
For $5.36!
strung it with a hybrid setup myself this evening, hit great.

I love it, I used to be a highschool [K]Factor 90 player.

Wondering if some of you players can propose some models that compare.

My dad was telling me how he liked the Dunlop 200G, I was looking into that as well.

Try the Head pro tour 2.0

 

[TennisHound]

Just bought a “poor mans” 85PS:
the Wilson Graphite Matrix (from the mid 80’s) ~12.5oz strung
85sq”
Red/Blk
For $5.36!
strung it with a hybrid setup myself this evening, hit great.

I love it, I used to be a highschool [K]Factor 90 player.

Wondering if some of you players can propose some models that compare.

My dad was telling me how he liked the Dunlop 200G, I was looking into that as well.

Nice, I have a grey Graphite Matrix strung around 45lbs. I play well with it

 

[NickJ]

The Wilson frames are great. I used to play with the Pro Staff, Sting, and Javelin frames.

I lusted after the Sting with the crossbeam for ages as one of the coaches at our club had one. Finally got my own a few years ago from the usual auction place.

 

[NawImNate]

Nice, I have a grey Graphite Matrix strung around 45lbs. I play well with it

I’ve been showing old 3.5’s my racket and they started to play w it and loved how I string it and were shocked about the headsize and the weight not being a problem.

 

[NawImNate]

I lusted after the Sting with the crossbeam for ages as one of the coaches at our club had one. Finally got my own a few years ago from the usual auction place.

Dang! I passed up on a sting at a thrift store yesterday should I go back and grab it? $2

 

[NickJ]

Dang! I passed up on a sting at a thrift store yesterday should I go back and grab it? $2

YES!!

 

[NickJ]

Dang! I passed up on a sting at a thrift store yesterday should I go back and grab it? $2

I had the blue one, the original Sting, then there was a brown/gold-y one which was the Sting 2. Or was it the other way round . . . . ? I might be wrong, please correct me anyone if I am.

 

[NawImNate]

Will go now, they open in 5 min, and also how do you get images embedded? I reached out to admins, I use Flickr
Take pic w my phone and upload them to Flickr album, then i make the photos public on their privacy settings, then I copy the url and paste it into this text field container’s modal that asks for it. Then it says I have to contact an admin, have you been able to post photos since you started? I’m probably nearing 50 comments on posts now as a new user.

 

[NawImNate]

I had the blue one, the original Sting, then there was a brown/gold-y one which was the Sting 2. Or was it the other way round . . . . ? I might be wrong, please correct me anyone if I am.

I believe the blue one is available at the thrift store. Jnhatch3@gmail is my email, send me an email I’ll send you pics

 

[NickJ]

I use Imgur. Upload then copy the 'Direct Link' and you should then be able to post on here. Yes, I believe you have to post so many comments before TW forums will allow you to post pics. Just comment on everything and you'll get there! I've just been on the auction place and bought the Largehead version for a few Pounds!