Advice please choosing classic racquet

N

Neazapada

New User
I'm a bit stuck in choosing a new old stick for myself as i've become rather enamoured with the legends and aesthetics of classic racquets. I will eventually get more (maybe even all my current choices) but i wanna start really strong so my question will be : which of the following would be better, "bester" :
Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G,
Head Graphite Pro, Head Graphite Director 2,
Fischer Twin Tec Pro, Fischer Vacuum Pro,
Prince Graphite Comp II, Prince Graphite Pro ( both 90 and 110), Prince Graphite Tour (93 in2),
Wilson Pro Staff Tour Classic
which i can get cheap or splash out a little and get the
Head Prestige Tour 660,
Head i.Prestige or
Head Tour Radical Performance MP 630 Twin Tube?

I'm a 4.0 player, i favour aggressive baseline but like coming to the net when i hit good shots, i previously played with the Head Graphene Speed Pro, Babolat Pure Control Tour and Babolat AeroPro Drive Original 2005(leaded and siliconed to 385 grams). I started liking heavier racquets recently and hitting flatter(getting tired of topspin). Here's hoping for your informed opinions. Thanks!
 
Neazapada said:
I'm a bit stuck in choosing a new old stick for myself as i've become rather enamoured with the legends and aesthetics of classic racquets. I will eventually get more (maybe even all my current choices) but i wanna start really strong so my question will be : which of the following would be better, "bester" :
Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G,
Head Graphite Pro, Head Graphite Director 2,
Fischer Twin Tec Pro, Fischer Vacuum Pro,
Prince Graphite Comp II, Prince Graphite Pro ( both 90 and 110), Prince Graphite Tour (93 in2),
Wilson Pro Staff Tour Classic
which i can get cheap or splash out a little and get the
Head Prestige Tour 660,
Head i.Prestige or
Head Tour Radical Performance MP 630 Twin Tube?

I'm a 4.0 player, i favour aggressive baseline but like coming to the net when i hit good shots, i previously played with the Head Graphene Speed Pro, Babolat Pure Control Tour and Babolat AeroPro Drive Original 2005(leaded and siliconed to 385 grams). I started liking heavier racquets recently and hitting flatter(getting tired of topspin). Here's hoping for your informed opinions. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would suggest, from your list, the Prince Graphite first and then the Wilson Pro Staff....
 
Neazapada said:
I'm a bit stuck in choosing a new old stick for myself as i've become rather enamoured with the legends and aesthetics of classic racquets. I will eventually get more (maybe even all my current choices) but i wanna start really strong so my question will be : which of the following would be better, "bester" :
Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G,
Head Graphite Pro, Head Graphite Director 2,
Fischer Twin Tec Pro, Fischer Vacuum Pro,
Prince Graphite Comp II, Prince Graphite Pro ( both 90 and 110), Prince Graphite Tour (93 in2),
Wilson Pro Staff Tour Classic
which i can get cheap or splash out a little and get the
Head Prestige Tour 660,
Head i.Prestige or
Head Tour Radical Performance MP 630 Twin Tube?

I'm a 4.0 player, i favour aggressive baseline but like coming to the net when i hit good shots, i previously played with the Head Graphene Speed Pro, Babolat Pure Control Tour and Babolat AeroPro Drive Original 2005(leaded and siliconed to 385 grams). I started liking heavier racquets recently and hitting flatter(getting tired of topspin). Here's hoping for your informed opinions. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Well, I would say you should think what you're looking for: an old school racket just for fun hitting, or a practice tool (I love classic sticks for practice or 30 minutes warm up), or you intend to move from a tweener to one of those sticks as your new "go to" stick

If you want the racket just for fun hitting, just choose whatever you like the most, my first classic, as a regular PS 6.0 95 user it had to be the 85 sq.i. version, and that's a racquet I always keep on my bag for fun hitting, practice tool (for the obvious reason, it's the closest thing to the 95 version)

If you want to change to classic sticks, it's the same process with modern sticks, test as much as you can until you find "the one"

As for the rackets you mention, most of them I never hit a ball with, but I have a couple of those or tested somehow, I can say something about them

I have the MW 200, POG 93, PS 6.1 Classic, and tested the Prestige MP, youtek version ( I have the 600 Classic version, that's a true classic racquet)

Both MW 200 and the Prestige 660 feel very close (the Prestige is a bit flexier), both are great rackets, and very similar type: 18x20 string pattern on a 95 sq.i. headsized stick, control oriented feel, great for flat and/or sliced strokes.

POG 93 is one of the biggest disappointments I ever had on a classic, for some reason I juts don't like the way it feels, I should probably blame the strings. The racquet has that raw feeling of an all graphite stick (that I like), very open string pattern (that I don't like), some weight but not much. Feels a bit stiffer than I expected; and it's a nice choice if you like to spin the ball but you don't like modern feeling racquets

PS 6.1 classic is the one I have more experience, It was my racket about 10 years ago. This a rock solid and very powerful frame, a bit stiff (strung it low...), and a dream of a racquet if you have solid technique, a strong arm (the racquet is sluggish to move around) and you like to attack. The 16x18 version has a bit more pop and spin access, while the 18x20 has more control, better on the net (it's a real volley machine) and better feeling on sliced backhand.

Still prefer the 6.0 95 over the 6.1, that's a classic racquet that allows you to do about anything you want from it
 
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I advice PS 6.1 Classic, 16x18 or 18x20 (i like this one more), then MW 200 and POG 93. PS 6.0 85 is almost the best one but it has smaller size, so it will take you some time to adapt. From Head there are PC 600 and PT 630/280 that are really immortal classic ones.
 
I can suggest a couple more classics:

From Prince, the Diablo Mid, and Rafter's Precision Response

From Dunlop, the timeless classic Max 200G, loaded with flex and feeling. I also have the Rev 90 (cool classic, very Prestige Mid like racquet) or, if you're looking for an almost classic but a bit more forgiving, the Aerogel 300 - I have the Tour (18x20 and a bit heavier), and it feels like a bigger Prestige, my favourite 98 sq.i. ever

Pro Kennex have the Redondo line, those are two racquets I would love to test

From Volkl, the C-10 could be a good choice too
 
In the meantime i've aquired two cheaps, not exactly what i was looking for, but hyped to try them out tomorrow : Kuebler Top Twenty and Prince Graphite Oversize. The Kuebler seems really powerfull and the Prince seems very stable (swinging with them in the air). Both have the same string MIG Fibrespeed 1.35 lol. Might as well start somewhere, not exactly the strong start i had in mind, but i will definetly continue searching and buying and testing classics. Do you have some info on these two racquets(maybe some string advice)? The Kuebler apperas to be undocumented on the web.
 
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Antónis said:
There's plenty of reviews of the POG OS, including TW's http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Classic_Graphite_107_Racquets/descpageRCPRINCE-PCG107.html
I have an old Series 90 and a 93 sq.i. version
Has I said, I'm not a fan of POG's, but I bet most people will tell you is to string it with some gut/poly hybrid

Don't know anything about the Kuebler
Click to expand...

What? I feel this will come across as rude but I feel you've disqualified yourself from further comments on POGs. Both the series 90 and 93 POG ARE 93 square inch head racquets. If you'd said you had a Graphite II MP and it was 97 with the same 14x18 string pattern, I'd forgive you.

String suggestions? Any Syn gut goes great with any POG. Want to be Agassi? Go Kevlar mains and Syn gut crosses at high tension close to 60-65lbs in that OS/110/107 and your 2hbh will be awesome (just kidding...maybe).

The open patterns on all Prince Graphite versions make them oddly strange to hit if you're used to tighter pattern racquets. My longtime experience suggests you'll have an immediately higher launch angle off of the racquet than other similarly but tighter pattern racquets. Like I said, string doesn't change this much.
 
Do you know the specs for the POG OS? Swingweight, static weight, stiffnes rating? I'm much more accustomed to polys, i have some Weisscannons laying around, Silverstring, Scorpion, Ultra Cable, Explosiv!(maybe i can replace gut with this). Gut is not an option for me, too expensive. Tension recommendation?
 
What? Did I said anywhere the series 90 or the current 93 were oversized racquets? give me a break, I have more than 30 years of tennis experience, I can see the head-size of a racket just by look at it in my hand

And, by the way, I don't pretend to be qualified to comment anything about POG's. Simply because I don't like them.

But I have two of them, if someone asks me an opinion about this racquet, I can tell a couple of things about it

Enjoy your POG's
 
So I played today with both sticks, can't believe it but i like the Kuebler much better than the Prince. I love the Prince on the serve and volleys, even the forehand is solid, but oh my god does it go all over the place on my 2hbh. I have to time it really really well to get something out of it and even then it kinda goes down the middle. I really wanted to like it, i especially like the feel of its grip in my hand, maybe the first grip that i've felt natural with. It also feels like a scalpel, surgical placement, even though an oversized scalpel, but still a scalpel. Too bad i can't play without a backhand.
The Kuebler on the other hand gives me a lot of power just as i suspected from first seeing it, and the cool thing is that's it controlable power, best kind of power. There's an easiness in hitting with it, everything goes just right, all my serves are deep near the line, i can really murder the ball with my forehand without leaning too much into the shot, the backhand goes everywhere i want it to go, spin and heaviness is all there, volleys and overheads are a dream, super easy. And all that with the old string, the Mig Fibrespeed which was @ 39 lbs. Tomorrow i'll test it stringed Ultra Cable crossed with Explosiv! @ 57 lbs. Can't wait. For the Prince Graphite OS i don't think strings will change too much about my 2hbh. Or will it?
You know how the POGOS looks here's two pictures of the Kuebler. Have you ever played with it?
i4o7AuX.jpg

i4o7AuX.jpg

8OjC2gq.jpg
 
Neazapada said:
So I played today with both sticks, can't believe it but i like the Kuebler much better than the Prince. I love the Prince on the serve and volleys, even the forehand is solid, but oh my god does it go all over the place on my 2hbh. I have to time it really really well to get something out of it and even then it kinda goes down the middle. I really wanted to like it, i especially like the feel of its grip in my hand, maybe the first grip that i've felt natural with. It also feels like a scalpel, surgical placement, even though an oversized scalpel, but still a scalpel. Too bad i can't play without a backhand.
The Kuebler on the other hand gives me a lot of power just as i suspected from first seeing it, and the cool thing is that's it controlable power, best kind of power. There's an easiness in hitting with it, everything goes just right, all my serves are deep near the line, i can really murder the ball with my forehand without leaning too much into the shot, the backhand goes everywhere i want it to go, spin and heaviness is all there, volleys and overheads are a dream, super easy. And all that with the old string, the Mig Fibrespeed which was @ 39 lbs. Tomorrow i'll test it stringed Ultra Cable crossed with Explosiv! @ 57 lbs. Can't wait. For the Prince Graphite OS i don't think strings will change too much about my 2hbh. Or will it?
You know how the POGOS looks here's two pictures of the Kuebler. Have you ever played with it?
i4o7AuX.jpg

i4o7AuX.jpg

8OjC2gq.jpg
Click to expand...

It's an interesting racquet.
 
I only know of or played with one Kuebler racquet; Wilson Profile. I know he had a long history of racquets though. Do you know the specs of it? Yours looks to me like a Yamaha racquet from the Secret series.

I only ask about the specs because Kuebler was only known to me to make the 'new era' wide body stiff racquets.

If you like the easier power, you definitely should try the Max 200G and the Wilson PS85. Both provide it in a flexier and more stable platform than the POG OS. If you find them to be too unfriendly in spin then give the POG MP a try. If you like the POG MP but want more precise launch angle or something easier to flatten out go with the PS Classic for a slight change with extra oomph or the Head Prestige MP for more control.

As far as your backhand and the POG OS, it's probably the size combination with the weight and the flex causing the poor timing. Use it for practice to get your timing down better and you'll find your stroke will improve greatly. I'm only talking from my personal perspective and experience of going through the same thing with the Prince Mono which I loved except for the backhand. It took me a dozen sessions to love it all the way around and I couldn't turn away from it because everything else was just too good.

All that said..... If the Kuebler is good, stick to it! Enjoy and have fun!
 
dak95_00 said:
I only know of or played with one Kuebler racquet; Wilson Profile. I know he had a long history of racquets though. Do you know the specs of it? Yours looks to me like a Yamaha racquet from the Secret series.

I only ask about the specs because Kuebler was only known to me to make the 'new era' wide body stiff racquets.

If you like the easier power, you definitely should try the Max 200G and the Wilson PS85. Both provide it in a flexier and more stable platform than the POG OS. If you find them to be too unfriendly in spin then give the POG MP a try. If you like the POG MP but want more precise launch angle or something easier to flatten out go with the PS Classic for a slight change with extra oomph or the Head Prestige MP for more control.

As far as your backhand and the POG OS, it's probably the size combination with the weight and the flex causing the poor timing. Use it for practice to get your timing down better and you'll find your stroke will improve greatly. I'm only talking from my personal perspective and experience of going through the same thing with the Prince Mono which I loved except for the backhand. It took me a dozen sessions to love it all the way around and I couldn't turn away from it because everything else was just too good.

All that said..... If the Kuebler is good, stick to it! Enjoy and have fun!
Click to expand...

This is good advice and why the classic racket era was soo much fun and choice; different materials, shapes, and sizes to greatly change your playing experience. Today its pretty much OS hard carbon air shells. Many great playing rackets between the max200g and ps85 in terms of flex and power. If you need more power than the ps85 then you can try some of the wide body sticks like the profile. Start buying and trying and you will become an expert over time.
 
You say you're an aggressive baseliner? Then you might wanna try the last racket on your list if you have the chance, the Rad Tour twin tube. Some say it's the best baseliner's stick Head ever produced.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1562 met Tapatalk
 
Think i'll get a Yonex RDS002Tour. not really classic, but compelling. Do you have previous experience with it? Until then the Kuebler hits just fine.
Also, considering i hit a 2hbh, do you think it will be a problem going from 100 sq inch to 85(Dunlop 200g Prostaff 6.0)? On the forehand and serve i don't think it's a problem, i'm worried about the backhand though.
 
Last edited:
Neazapada said:
Think i'll get a Yonex RDS002Tour. not really classic, but compelling. Do you have previous experience with it? Until then the Kuebler hits just fine.
Also, considering i hit a 2hbh, do you think it will be a problem going from 100 sq inch to 85(Dunlop 200g Prostaff 6.0)? On the forehand and serve i don't think it's a problem, i'm worried about the backhand though.
Click to expand...

Courier did it with PS 6.0, Borg with small 70 in head, it depends on your technique and footwork.
 
[QU="Neazapada, post: 10743707, member: 746937"]Think i'll get a Yonex RDS002Tour. not really classic, but compelling. Do you have previous experience with it? Until then the Kuebler hits just fine.
Also, considering i hit a 2hbh, do you think it will be a problem going from 100 sq inch to 85(Dunlop 200g Prostaff 6.0)? On the forehand and serve i don't think it's a problem, i'm worried about the backhand though.[/QUOTE]
If you're worried about backhand thinking of small headsize you can try mega popular one of the best classic Head PT 630/280, it's 95 in.
 
Eddie Kao said:
One hand back hand? Yes, then 2013 pro staff 90 339g for intensive competition and pro staff 6.0 85 for normal leisure matches!

Heavy? Save you more energy if you know how to let the racquet work!

Bigger sweet spot? RF97!
20160925_215359_zpsxuotmd9s.jpg

Click to expand...

Nice racquets! But my choice will be: PS85 - PS90 (Hyper Carbon Tour, at least nCode) - PS 6.1 Classic.
 
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