Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Had a pr of XL Prestige Classic 600's No CAPs. Never saw another like that.
Anybody still using a "Classic" racket (1990s and earlier) as their main racket?
- Thread starter serveandvolE
- Start date
CHillTennis
Hall of Fame
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
CHillTennis
Hall of Fame
These aren't the original Austrian-made model, but do I sortakindamaybe get honorary mention?
The Agassi Bumblebee racquets.
Are those oversized or midplus?
-Kap-
Rookie
They're all oversized 107's... two Radical Tours and four Limited Editions.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Nice, never saw them either.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Any noticeable difference between the Tour and the LE. Weight, stiffness. Reviews stated the LE was based on the Ti.Radical OS.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
My arm hurts a little just looking at that pic! A few of the Girls' Nat'l 14s players(ca 1981) got those on the free list. Fortunately, they also got nat gut to put in them.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Only used VS Africord, the red gut in it. Switched to the Head XRC, bit more comfy later. Still have both, Ultra 2 was killer stiff IMHO
ps Switched to the Yamaha Secret 04, then Wilson Air-shell Profile 3.0 95, stiff? Forgetaboutit!
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Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Your arm resemble that racquet?i dunno if its "classic" or not, but i hit over 1000 balls with my old rqis 1 tour one day last weekand i didn't die....
vandre
Hall of Fame
seriously though, no bruising but i chugged my chokky milks like i was baby yoda when i got home...
-Kap-
Rookie
The racquets have different molds, but the weight feels the same. A more advanced player might be able to distinguish differences in flex (if any), but I can use them interchangeably. The only real difference I notice is the grip shape, since I had swapped out the pallets on the LEs with the rounder Speed pallets, while the Tours still have the original, rectangular ones. (Note that my Tours aren't from the original Austrian production run, but a Chinese reissue that was released years later, and don't have any Twaron in the layup, so they may vary in feel from the original.)
Plainsman83
Rookie
Well that possibly why the top 14 & under girl in my hometown (and very strong sectionally) was playing with the Ultra right around that time. I was a bit of an equipment geek back then even at the tender age of 16 and thought that was a bit of a handful of a frame for a 14 year old girl. They were not a cheap frame by any means and I just put it down to her Dad (a successful local businessman) having the means to buy her "the best".
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Didn't Sister Mary Andrea Jaegermeister use the Ultra BITD?
Plainsman83
Rookie
I believe you are correct on that. Those are the memories that make this forum so much fun. Maybe you should take yours out for a moonball session.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Yep, Andrea Jaeger used the OG Ultra standard, and the Ultra 2 standard.
Her shoulder going bad might have something to do with that. I’ll have to read her autobiography again soon, to see if her equipment choices are discussed; I can’t remember.
Those Wilson Ultras were ultra-expensive back in the day!
Her shoulder going bad might have something to do with that. I’ll have to read her autobiography again soon, to see if her equipment choices are discussed; I can’t remember.
Those Wilson Ultras were ultra-expensive back in the day!
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Saw an exhibition between Harold Solomon and Jimmy Connors in our basketball arena. They hit moonballs over the Pat Rafters into the court. Memories
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
All the graphites were ~$200. May be surprised how expensive the Dunlop MAX200G was too
graycrait
Legend
This is the first professional tennis event I ever saw. 2 hours one-way on the bus to get there as a high school kid. I didn't get my 1953 3/4ton GMC pickup until 1973.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Moines_Open
muddlehead
Professional
Even before I lead it to 13.50 oz and string at 33 lbs.
(Not as beasty as the 120 version of this stick, however)
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Not sure what year but may be 76 or 77. Memories of the Way I Was BITD
Frankc
Professional
The classic frame in my bag has assumed the "big dog" role recently.
Those gorgeous MIA Fischer Vacuum 90s have come to life with a new Multi - low at 40M 38X... The control and touch and power is all there now... but those Austrian engineers knew that all along... Too much fun... Feel and power...in a gorgeous package...
Those gorgeous MIA Fischer Vacuum 90s have come to life with a new Multi - low at 40M 38X... The control and touch and power is all there now... but those Austrian engineers knew that all along... Too much fun... Feel and power...in a gorgeous package...
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Just whipped out the Revolution Vacuum Classic 98 yesterday. Could not master the Vacuum Classic 90 or find the ideal tension,
Plainsman83
Rookie
A friend of mine on my 55+ USTA team used a PT280 as his main racquet up until about 5 years ago when he switched to the ubiquitous Pure Drive. He didn't use the PT280 because he was an enthusiast but more because he didn't think it was worth buying new racquets. He only changed when he kept getting a lot of flack for "using that old piece of junk". We were chatting after playing last weekend and somehow the subject of the PT280 came up (I used them in the 90's and still have a pair that I take out occasionally since they play like a modern frame). He did not realize how well regarded the PT280/680/PT57A is regarded and that they are actually worth a couple bucks. Funny enough, our team captain uses a 15 year old Radical, another guy on the team uses an old Yonex, and another an old Head Liquidmetal. In fact, those of us on the team using "current generation" racquets are in the minority. Just to prove it ain't the racquet, our team is headed to Nationals in a few weeks (I can't go unfortunately).
graycrait
Legend
I've been messing around a heck of a lot this past couple of years with a lot of rackets and string. Once I got a feel what most folks are using around here I decided go for comfort and fun. Took the leather off of everything but the JKA. Also am using 17 & 18g syn gut for the most part, although I do have 16g OGSM in the JKA but will be experimenting with 18 and 17g OGSM in my other pair of JKAs. Right now I am having the most fun with the 13oz/369g JKA and the 11.6oz/329g 93" Quantum Tour 10 Volkl, with the 2008 C10 Pro 12oz/340g and Head Trysis 260 (Austrian made) 11.7oz/332g as my current back up "granny" sticks.
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Plainsman83
Rookie
Volkl made some great stuff in the late 90's and into the 2000's along with some unmitigated crap. When Head discontinued the PT280 I switched over to the C9 Pro which was pretty similar and I played well with. The C10 Pro was another fine frame that several in my group used. When the C9 Pro was no longer available, my now defunct local pro shop inexplicably suggested one of the V engine models which seemed fine on demo but turned out to be the second worst racquet I ever played with after the original Wilson Profile that messed me up for years. The C9 Pro is one of my old sticks that I have never restrung and regripped (you all know how gross those old grips of that period can get). OK, now I think a trip to the pro shop is in order for this weekend.I've been messing around a heck of a lot this past couple of years with a lot of rackets and string. Once I got a feel what most folks are using around here I decided go for comfort and fun. Took the leather off of everything but the JKA. Also am using 17 & 18g syn gut for the most part, although I do have 16g OGSM in the JKA but will be experimenting with 18 and 17g OGSM in my other pair of JKAs. Right now I am having the most fun with the 13oz/369g JKA and the 11.6oz/329g 93" Quantum Tour 10 Volkl, with the 2008 C10 Pro 12oz/340g and Head Trysis 260 (Austrian made) 11.7oz/332g as my current back up "granny" sticks.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
I, too, switched from the PT280 to Volkl...mainly the lighter 7,9, 10 series(not the Pro variants). Great sticks...until about 2000 or slightly later when the line went crazy. I was REALLY upset when I didn't get a proto of the V-engine...until I finally hit with one. I agree that it was one of the worst Volkls ever made.
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Is that the +2.5 cm version, longer stretch racket?Just whipped out the Revolution Vacuum Classic 98 yesterday. Could not master the Vacuum Classic 90 or find the ideal tension,
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Have both the +1.5 (27.5") and +2.5 (28") cm versions https://web.archive.org/web/1999091...ennis-warehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=RPC98
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Will reply tomorrow. Haven't used either since 1997
Maybe Wednesday. Used a Wilson Rollers 3.6 today for three sets, Head Heavy fer sure
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aaron krickstein used it too at one point lol
Aaron Krickstein of the USA in action during the French Open Tennis...
Aaron Krickstein of the USA in action during the French Open Tennis Championships at the Stade Roland Garros circa May 1985 in Paris, France.
www.gettyimages.com
teachingprotx
Legend
How does the head extreme competition play ?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
The most linear racquets II ever used. Only got out what you put in. No flex, no juice unlike fiberglass racquets then.aaron krickstein used it too at one point lol
Aaron Krickstein of the USA in action during the French Open Tennis...
Aaron Krickstein of the USA in action during the French Open Tennis Championships at the Stade Roland Garros circa May 1985 in Paris, France.www.gettyimages.com
bcart1991
Professional
Flexible, but not as whippy in balance as my 6.0 95; solid but not as stiff as a Pure Drive.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Did the Head Extreme Competition only come in one head size and XL? Back-in-the-days of the Candycane Radical?
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Back then, 97-98, the pics show a 660cm2/102" head, 28" long. When Head racquets were flexy
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Owned all three but only have the Ultra 2 mid/85. Local MC Sports had a NOS Premier Tour for $29.95 before closing. Guess everyone read the TW reviews
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Seems like I’ll play with a certain model (in multiples) for s season or a year, then switch. Sometimes there’s a legitimate reason (i.e., coming back from an injury, having difficulty seeing the ball well, etc.), sometimes it’s just that I’d like a change.
Lately, my 1988 Head Elite Pros are parked, and I have been playing singles weekly with my 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptics and 1991 Vacuum Elliptic Pros. Working backwards, it’s been more or less like this:
Summer 2021- present: 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptic & Vacuum Elliptic Pro
2020-Summer 2021: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2019: Babolat Pure Strike 18x20
2017-2018: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2016: 1992 Fischer Elliptic
2015: Wilson Burn FST 95
2014: 1992 Fischer Vacuum Pro Classic 90
2012-2013: Fischer Vacuum Pro Classic 98
2007-2012: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2006: Head Prestige Classic 600
1991-2005: 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptic
1988-1990: 1988 Head Elite Pro
1987: 1987 Dunlop Max 200g, 1987 Head Club Pro
1984-1987: Kneissl White Star Pro Masters / Masters 10 / Adidas Lendl GTX Pro
1983: Head Graphite Vector
Lately, my 1988 Head Elite Pros are parked, and I have been playing singles weekly with my 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptics and 1991 Vacuum Elliptic Pros. Working backwards, it’s been more or less like this:
Summer 2021- present: 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptic & Vacuum Elliptic Pro
2020-Summer 2021: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2019: Babolat Pure Strike 18x20
2017-2018: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2016: 1992 Fischer Elliptic
2015: Wilson Burn FST 95
2014: 1992 Fischer Vacuum Pro Classic 90
2012-2013: Fischer Vacuum Pro Classic 98
2007-2012: 1988 Head Elite Pro
2006: Head Prestige Classic 600
1991-2005: 1991 Fischer Vacuum Elliptic
1988-1990: 1988 Head Elite Pro
1987: 1987 Dunlop Max 200g, 1987 Head Club Pro
1984-1987: Kneissl White Star Pro Masters / Masters 10 / Adidas Lendl GTX Pro
1983: Head Graphite Vector
Frankc
Professional
If the truth be told, the real reason for the Ultra 2 Mid in my bag is out of total, undying respect for Hana...
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
What, not a big David Pate fan?
I liked watching Mandlikova with the Ultra 2, but my personal mid-80’s crush was on another Ultra 2 mid user, Claudia Kohde-Kilsch.
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