AMF Head Professional "Red Head" -- still great after all these years

ext2hander

Rookie
I pulled my classic AMF Head Professional aluminum from the closet, and tested several days this week. The head seemed so small, and I wondered how I ever hit with the racquet in the mid-70s. I recall the Pro had a solid feel, with good punch and control -- one could direct the ball on target better than the Head Master (Blue). Does anyone know when the Pro was introduced. I'm thinking 1972, since I recall my TAD Imperial immediately snapped at the tapered throat when I started working. Check that cross-section profile I sketched! Constant-beam width of course.

Head-Pro-Racquet.png


Right from the start, hitting practice baseline strokes the racquet was solid, no vibration yet with good punch and control. Definitely not flexy, very comfortable hitting topspin, flat, or slice. Amazing, after all these years. So my recollection was right, in that it was the best of my racquets in the 1970s, before migrating to the larger Head Tournament Director, and then onto Prince Graphite DB 90 -- and to the heavy & stiff Prince CTS Approach 90 (which gave me a serious case of tennis elbow). That forced me to switch to the now classic Head Prestige Tour Midplus with damped handle I still use, along with the Head i.Prestige Tour MP, and Prince NXG Graphite Tour MP, ... and a Woodie too for fun play. All my graphite racquets are on the flexible side, including a Dunlop CX200 OS 2021 I found for $92 barely used.

AMF-Head-Pro-2.png


Today was the 3rd day with the Head Pro, for 3.5 hours mid-level doubles -- didn't bother switching to my graphite, for having so much fun. Once loose, my serve was strong as ever, hitting deep into the corners -- maybe stronger than my flexy Head Prestige Tour MP (RA 56)? but less stiff than the i.Prestige MP or NXG Graphite Tour MP (~RA 62). And I was able to hit good ground strokes, with good penetration and spin. The measured 12.5 oz strung weight gave good plow-through, which helped hitting strong serves or ground strokes. My serve and two-hand backhand are my best strokes, for which I can compare with my graphite racquets. After 50 years, tension was still 43 lbs measured via Racquet Tune iOS app for the solid core synthetic. I'm getting it restrung with Gamma TNT2 React Pro 17 at 50 lbs, which ought enhance play. The TNT2 React Pro 17 tends to lose 10% tension after break-in, so I expect 45 lbs which is plenty on the small head.

Since the Head Pro is extruded aluminum, I assume its solid aluminum. Correct? If hollow it would bend like a noodle. The angled shape gave the Pro its greater stiffness. Based on the major and minor diameter at inner perimeter, an online calculator gave 72 in2. Another TW poster said 65 in2: Jan 9 2013 post by max legend, more likely for the smaller Head Master. The Head Pro used Alcoa Aluminum 7005, for its greater ultimate strength and resistance to cracking or fracture. Whereas, the Master I believe used Alcoa 6061 with lower yield and ultimate strength. Modulus of Elasticity is 10,400 ksi, ~1% higher than 6061, i.e. stiffness, but the yield stress and ultimate tensile (breaking) stressof 7005 is considerably higher than 6061. This varies with the specific heat treatment used. Here's a good site to investigate for material properties: Aluminum Alloy specs, and for a description of yield vs ultimate tensile stress: Yield Strength vs. Tensile Strength - What's the Difference?

Feel free to add your comments and experiences, or other vintage racquets that perform similarly whether wood, metal, or graphite. In the meantime, I'll continue to have fun with my newly restrung Pro as the small racquet head size was simply not an issue. All my graphite racquets are weighted to 12.25 oz, so weight is not an issue either.
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I love that you’re enjoying using old metal frames, I made a similar thread months back when I gave my mothers old Prince Classic some court time and actually played very well with it.

I think it has a lot to do with a higher focus on figuring out what one must do to their swing to get the most out of any given racket.You have to ‘discover’ how to wield them. And that can be a fun challenge on its own, and quite rewarding when you get it right. My partner shook his head several times after I hit winners with the old metal hoop lol.
 
The Head aluminum frames of the early to mid 70's were great. My first "serious" racquet was the Head Master in about 1975. Won my first tournaments using it. I still have two of them. My Dad concurrently bought the Head Pro and as I got better I "borrowed" his for a bit (still have one of those too) before switching to the Ashe Comp 1. I actually took a Master out a couple months ago for a giggle hit and it had a nice soft feel with decent pop. Now you have inspired me to get my Pro strung and put a grip on it and go hit with it.
 

JW10S

Hall of Fame
I mentioned this in another thread but back in the day I used the HEAD Pros. On one hot and humid day I had one of them slip out of my hand while serving and it bent and ended up a little lopsided. I took it to my stringer and asked if he could do anything. I had 4 so figured anything was worth a try. His stringing machine was mounted on a stand that had 3 legs. He took the racquet and wedged in between the 3 legs and gave the butt end of the racquet a whack with a mallet. The racquet came out a little more diamond shaped but was symmetrical again. I had him string it up and it played fine. I used it as a practice racquet for a good while until I got new ones. I'm a bit surprised that there are no 'serious' metal racquets anymore. The only ones you find are cheaply made and sold in big box stores to people who don't know how to play or for players who are 4 years old.
 

ext2hander

Rookie
Wojciech Fibak (854 matches – 63.1% winning record, 15 career titles, #10 career-high rank; 52 doubles titles),
across hard court, clay court, hard court and grass. In a rare feat, all of Fibak’s 15 tournament wins came at
different events across multiple continents and courts. 1974-1988.
Polish Tennis Player Wojciech Fibak

Those who watched tennis in the 1970s-80s will remember Wojtek Fibak on the pro tour 1974-1988.
The Head Professional "Red Head" played against so many of the Tennis Greats, in Fibak's hands.

With still newer high-strength aluminums available today, might a a high-performance aluminum
might be made today -- yet light enough to satisfy current players requiring large OS heads
and ultimate stiffness. Perhaps even a 98" aluminum would be too heavy. One online seller
says his much larger Head Tournament Director weighs 13.1 oz.; wonder what its head size was
and how its stiffness compared. I had one, but cannot recall the experience if better or not.

1976 Wimbledon; and Clay Court
wojciech-fibak-of-poland-in-action-at-wimbledon-circa-1976-picture-id925585072
wojciech-fibak-of-poland-in-action-during-his-quarterfinal-match-at-picture-id452831984
polands-tennis-player-wojtek-fibak-hits-a-forehand-in-a-match-in-june-picture-id1203088870


2001 Wojtek Fibak with Ilie Nastase; 1977 World Tennis Cover
wojtek-fibak-and-ilie-nastase-at-thelaureus-sport-awards-in-monaco-picture-id163328378
images
 
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steveq81

Rookie
Wojtek Fibak and Bob Lutz are the two players that come to mind when I think of the Head Professional.
 

RDM

Rookie
Wojciech Fibak (854 matches – 63.1% winning record, 15 career titles, #10 career-high rank; 52 doubles titles),
across hard court, clay court, hard court and grass. In a rare feat, all of Fibak’s 15 tournament wins came at
different events across multiple continents and courts. 1974-1988.
Polish Tennis Player Wojciech Fibak

Those who watched tennis in the 1970s-80s will remember Wojtek Fibak on the pro tour 1974-1988.
The Head Professional "Red Head" played against so many of the Tennis Greats, in Fibak's hands.

With still newer high-strength aluminums available today, might a a high-performance aluminum
might be made today -- yet light enough to satisfy current players requiring large OS heads
and ultimate stiffness. Perhaps even a 98" aluminum would be too heavy. One online seller
says his much larger Head Tournament Director weighs 13.1 oz.; wonder what its head size was
and how its stiffness compared. I had one, but cannot recall the experience if better or not.

1976 Wimbledon; and Clay Court
wojciech-fibak-of-poland-in-action-at-wimbledon-circa-1976-picture-id925585072
wojciech-fibak-of-poland-in-action-during-his-quarterfinal-match-at-picture-id452831984
polands-tennis-player-wojtek-fibak-hits-a-forehand-in-a-match-in-june-picture-id1203088870


2001 Wojtek Fibak with Ilie Nastase; 1977 World Tennis Cover
wojtek-fibak-and-ilie-nastase-at-thelaureus-sport-awards-in-monaco-picture-id163328378
images

My Head Director weighs in at 360g (12.7oz). Head size I calculate to be 95 square inches (13.5" x 9" string bed). Flex I would estimate to be high 40's to low 50's in my "across the knee" test.
 
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ext2hander

Rookie
Thanks for submitting. Oh, a Red Head Tournament Director with ~95in2. It weight 12.7 oz including the 5 string dampers (0.1 oz each, i.e. 0.5 oz)? Cool. My Tournament Director was Black. When I moved to the Tournament Director, its head area seemed so large, but only in comparison. Yet, it seemed less powerful with less control than the Professional model.

Hence, its conceivable to make a Red Head racquet 95 in2, but with the Professional's stiffer cross-section, while keeping to just 12.7 oz.
 
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ext2hander

Rookie
By the way, after restringing with Gamma TNT2 React Pro 17 at 50 lbs tension, the Red Head plays really great. Solid hits with control and minimal vibration, hitting anywhere near the sweet spot.

Better than 50 year old strings.
React Pro: Multifilament outer wrap, solid core, slick outer coating for enhanced string sliding and reduced wear/notching.
From my experience the React Pro 17 loses 10% tension after break-in; versus 20% for Gamma Live Wire XP 17.
The solid core gives a firmer string bed, than the Live Wire XP might. I've tracked tension on other racquets
with the Racquet Tune iOS app $3 from new to break-in.

Gamma-TNT2-React-Pro-17.jpg


Overlaying the Head Professional with 72 in2 string bed, with the Prince NXG Graphite Tour 100 in2,
we clearly see the NXG's 39% more string area. A subtle revelation is the Sweet Spot for the
Professional is about 1" closer to the tip, versus the NXG. This gives a longer effective swing radius
when hitting near the sweet spot! With the Professional's 9" head width vs NXG's 10.5", the
Professional's polar moment of inertia (about long axis) is ~30-35% less, more maneuverable
about that axis (serve pronation; volley slice at net). Interesting? Its easier than you think to
hit with the Professional if you are a moderately good player.

Head-Professional-vs-Prince-NXG-Graphite-Tour-XP-100.jpg
 
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ext2hander

Rookie
With continued play with The Red Head, it feel stiffer than my flexy Head Prestige Tour MP (RA56), but slightly softer than my Head i.Prestige Tour, Prince NXG Graphite Tour, and Dunlop CX200 OS at RA62. My guess is RA60, given its solid hits when the ball is struck hard. Of course, no one really knows.
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
Thanks to steveq81, Bob Lutz
Bob Lutz, Men's US Open Championships ~1978
bob-lutz-of-the-united-states-hits-a-return-during-a-match-at-the-picture-id611118554


Tim Mayotte, Bettina Bunge
84608b9893801b519a44f714422c3a31.jpg
bettina-bunge-fba00e7f-ed7b-4f9e-8487-d15de55c1bd-resize-750.jpeg
I'll tell this story again...I'm indirectly responsible for Tim Mayotte's time with the Red Head as I was instrumental in switching his big brother Chris from wood to the Head Pro(Chris was #1 Singles for Univ of South Carolina and I did most of their stringing). Chris would often mention his "little brother" as a MUCH better player than Chris was!!!!! Chris played the Bancroft Players Special and an "autograph" model from our shop in Columbia...wearing the wood rackets out right zippy. He was tickled when he could get the Red Heads re-strung many times and have them play consistently vs maybe 2-3 stringings in is former wood frames. He didn't abuse or beat up his gear...just plain wore them out!!
All three of the Mayottes played HEAD for a number of years after that(Tim switching to the Graphite eventually).
Side note: Chris got SIX Red Heads in his first shipment and dropped all at our shop late that day...we had them all ready for his trip to the NCAAs the following morning!!! (Leoina 66 @ 64#...he didn't really care for the HEAD Gut that was part of his pkg).
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
Thanks for submitting. Oh, a Red Head Tournament Director with ~95in2. It weight 12.7 oz including the 5 string dampers (0.1 oz each, i.e. 0.5 oz)? Cool. My Tournament Director was Black. When I moved to the Tournament Director, its head area seemed so large, but only in comparison. Yet, it seemed less powerful with less control than the Professional model.

Hence, its conceivable to make a Red Head racquet 95 in2, but with the Professional's stiffer cross-section, while keeping to just 12.7 oz.
I have that model and it's an absolute balloon compared to the actual Red HEAD. Note the rounded cross-section. I believe this and the added size contributed to the relative softness(like the original Edge somewhat).
The Vector was more along the lines of the Red HEAD in a larger face; but I was on the road selling Rossignol in early '79 and missed out on the Vector(that I begged HEAD to make for YEARS!).
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
I pulled my classic AMF Head Professional aluminum from the closet, and tested several days this week. The head seemed so small, and I wondered how I ever hit with the racquet in the mid-70s. I recall the Pro had a solid feel, with good punch and control -- one could direct the ball on target better than the Head Master (Blue). Does anyone know when the Pro was introduced. I'm thinking 1972, since I recall my TAD Imperial immediately snapped at the tapered throat when I started working. Check that cross-section profile I sketched! Constant-beam width of course.

Head-Pro-Racquet.png


Right from the start, hitting practice baseline strokes the racquet was solid, no vibration yet with good punch and control. Definitely not flexy, very comfortable hitting topspin, flat, or slice. Amazing, after all these years. So my recollection was right, in that it was the best of my racquets in the 1970s, before migrating to the larger Head Tournament Director, and then onto Prince Graphite DB 90 -- and to the heavy & stiff Prince CTS Approach 90 (which gave me a serious case of tennis elbow). That forced me to switch to the now classic Head Prestige Tour Midplus with damped handle I still use, along with the Head i.Prestige Tour MP, and Prince NXG Graphite Tour MP, ... and a Woodie too for fun play. All my graphite racquets are on the flexible side, including a Dunlop CX200 OS 2021 I found for $92 barely used.

AMF-Head-Pro-2.png


Today was the 3rd day with the Head Pro, for 3.5 hours mid-level doubles -- didn't bother switching to my graphite, for having so much fun. Once loose, my serve was strong as ever, hitting deep into the corners -- maybe stronger than my flexy Head Prestige Tour MP (RA 56)? but less stiff than the i.Prestige MP or NXG Graphite Tour MP (~RA 62). And I was able to hit good ground strokes, with good penetration and spin. The measured 12.5 oz strung weight gave good plow-through, which helped hitting strong serves or ground strokes. My serve and two-hand backhand are my best strokes, for which I can compare with my graphite racquets. After 50 years, tension was still 43 lbs measured via Racquet Tune iOS app for the solid core synthetic. I'm getting it restrung with Gamma TNT2 React Pro 17 at 50 lbs, which ought enhance play. The TNT2 React Pro 17 tends to lose 10% tension after break-in, so I expect 45 lbs which is plenty on the small head.

Since the Head Pro is extruded aluminum, I assume its solid aluminum. Correct? If hollow it would bend like a noodle. The angled shape gave the Pro its greater stiffness. Based on the major and minor diameter at inner perimeter, an online calculator gave 72 in2. Another TW poster said 65 in2: Jan 9 2013 post by max legend, more likely for the smaller Head Master. The Head Pro used Alcoa Aluminum 7005, for its greater ultimate strength and resistance to cracking or fracture. Whereas, the Master I believe used Alcoa 6061 with lower yield and ultimate strength. Modulus of Elasticity is 10,400 ksi, ~1% higher than 6061, i.e. stiffness, but the yield stress and ultimate tensile (breaking) stressof 7005 is considerably higher than 6061. This varies with the specific heat treatment used. Here's a good site to investigate for material properties: Aluminum Alloy specs, and for a description of yield vs ultimate tensile stress: Yield Strength vs. Tensile Strength - What's the Difference?

Feel free to add your comments and experiences, or other vintage racquets that perform similarly whether wood, metal, or graphite. In the meantime, I'll continue to have fun with my newly restrung Pro as the small racquet head size was simply not an issue. All my graphite racquets are weighted to 12.25 oz, so weight is not an issue either.
I don't believe the "tubes" are completely solid in the various HEAD aluminums of the day(Std, Master, Pro)...not sure how it was done; but there was a bit of a void in the hairpin(that would become obvious if one wore down the frame enough to expose the innards OR if one managed to break a frame and inspect the cross-section.
The angled cross-section of the Red HEAD(I believe) made for a stiffer flex in addition to the 7005 properties compared to the marshmallow-like flex of the Master and Standard.(The Standard almost looked like it was made with the **** of the Master production process!). We had a number of Standards broken by "average" players, although one of the top doubles players in South Carolina in the mid-late-ish '70s used it to good effect. Really cheesy grip/handle on the Standard meant it stayed on the "pre-strung" wall for the economy buyers ;)

The Red HEAD and the Yonex 7500 and 8500(Goldie and Greenie) were fantastic sellers for us as folks transitioned from wood throughout the '70s.

Ah, the good old days!!! Gimme a fresh 4 5/8L Pro (with Fairway grip!) strung with AFV @ 62 and I was a happy camper!
 

Frankc

Professional
Once read a pretty good source that the manufacturers hated the aluminum frames as people did not see them as big bucks items. Manufacturers loved graphite as the price tags could jump up with 'space age" tech...
He continued on that aluminum frames were very suitable for most players...
 

SVP

Semi-Pro
I always wanted the Red Head since I first saw Peanut Louie pounding backhands with it in Golden Gate Park in the 70s. I just acquired one a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t believe how solid and plush it was. The wonders of aluminum. I also got a Wilson Profile as part of my nostalgia tour; it felt like I generated more power with the Head and its tiny head.
 

Frankc

Professional
Those lovely Red Heads - so many pros played them - ah, Maria Bueno in her comeback wielded a Red Head, I believe...

Prime time for me was a Head Master 4 5/8 medium and loads of time on New England red clay - that softer Master could put the ball on a saucer...
 
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Bronze Ace

New User
Saw one of these at a thrift shop the other week. I had no idea that exact model was something top players used back in the day.
 
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ext2hander

Rookie
I love that you’re enjoying using old metal frames, I made a similar thread months back when I gave my mothers old Prince Classic some court time and actually played very well with it.

I think it has a lot to do with a higher focus on figuring out what one must do to their swing to get the most out of any given racket.You have to ‘discover’ how to wield them. And that can be a fun challenge on its own, and quite rewarding when you get it right. My partner shook his head several times after I hit winners with the old metal hoop lol.
 

ext2hander

Rookie
I'm used to heavier racquets for my classic strokes, versus 11 oz racquets customary for the top spinners. A few months ago, I found a pristine aluminum Prince Classic 110 at Goodwill for $5, with original strings and Prince stencil "P", and still measuring 47 lbs tension using the Racquet Tune iOS app. Playtesting among my various vintage racquets, the Prince Classic 110 is a wonderful racquet. No shortage of power and control, after all these years. Serves offered power, spin, and control. At 12.5 oz strung, its 0.25 oz heaver than my favorite graphite racquets strung. Big sweet spot.

Serving at 77 with my new $5 Prince Classic 110 in first 3 games in this video. Note the shiny aluminum racquet with Prince string stencil. Subsequent games shown were served with my favorite Head i.Prestige Tour MidPlus XtraLong, 12.25 oz. actual 95 in2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eygg51tLiR0
 
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muddlehead

Professional
@ext2hander
Just bot a red head. Feels wonderfully super stiff and robust. Unfortunately, strings too tight for me. Will string it like I do my Wilson Profile 95 2.7 Widebodies. 31.5 lbs hyper g soft. Can't wait. I'll let you all know.
 

shoesandko

Rookie
I recently returned from Japan and visited the largest used tennis store. Tennis support center, they advertise 7000 frames. Two floors a classic section that was huge. Brand new Slazenger Challenge #1 , Prince woodies, at least 8-10 wilson T2000's to name a few. Also my red head from my junior days. Had 4-6 of them. Was under $10 each! I have one left from back then , just dug it out, gonna clean it up and put some fresh string in!
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Sounds like a dream come true. Literally. I’ve had dreams of stumbling into a dingy back alley store only to find the walls lined with all manner of cool, but undefinable rackets. But as I try to fill my arms with them I always wake up lol.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
If you like the Head Pro, you'd probably really like the PDP Open (Tanner). Guys I was usually close with, I started beating 1 and 0. The PDP had a bigger sweetspot, and serving was so easy.
 

Frankc

Professional
Some great local players that I knew enjoyed the PDP. Including a regional star or two...
Yet was that an arm breaker in that era?
More of our top regional clay court players played the Head Master...
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Some great local players that I knew enjoyed the PDP. Including a regional star or two...
Yet was that an arm breaker in that era?
More of our top regional clay court players played the Head Master...
Nastase used the Adidas badged version of it for a time. That was the frame he had infamously spaghetti strung.
 
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