Anyone Know anything about Dunlop Black Max?

[AgassiFan12]

I was at a used sporting goods store today and saw a classic Dunlop racket. It was in pretty great shape and only 9.99 usd. I thought it may be the Dunlop 200g that Johnny Mac used back in the day, but it was a Black Max. It looks very similar to the 200g Mac used, but I was wondering if anybody has played with one or simply has any knowledge about the specs, play/feel of the racket. Any information would be great. I was thinking about picking it up just to add to my collection.

 

[vsdtrek]

I was at a used sporting goods store today and saw a classic Dunlop racket. It was in pretty great shape and only 9.99 usd. I thought it may be the Dunlop 200g that Johnny Mac used back in the day, but it was a Black Max. It looks very similar to the 200g Mac used, but I was wondering if anybody has played with one or simply has any knowledge about the specs, play/feel of the racket. Any information would be great. I was thinking about picking it up just to add to my collection.

I used it in the 80s - it was a very nice Graphite/fiberglass frame with a great flexy feeling. I think here have been a few posts on this in the past few months that you may find.

For 9.99 it is definitely worth it.

 

[Deuce]

The Black Max was one of the most popular top notch frames of the early to mid 1980s, along with the Kennex Black and Silver Aces, The Head Graphite Edge, Prince Graphite, and Wilson Pro Staff (the 6.0 was added later).

It's around the same size as the Pro Staff and Black Ace, I believe - about 85 or 86 sq. in.

The Black Max is not like the Max 200G at all, really - very different.

 

[drakulie]

This was my first graphite racquet. I still have it. I played with it for a few years when it first came out. It feels nothing like the 200G which is very flexy. Plays more like the ps85, but not as stiff or thick feeling as the 85. Still, a solid racquet. By the way, it is I believe a 85 sq inch. As we speak, I am placing it on top of a PS 85, and the size seems to be identical >> other than the PS85 having the pws.

for 9.99 it ain't a bad deal at all. Nice classic frame.

 

[AgassiFan12]

Thanks for the words everyone. I searched the past boards on this site too and did find some rather helpful information. I will probably pick it up for my collection. I'm sure I'll give it a hit or two, but it will be fun to simply have.

 

[AgassiFan12]

Oh, does anyone know roughly how much it weighs? And roughly the balance?

 

[drakulie]

hmmm. Not sure. I'll take mine to the post office later today and weight it on the way to work. I'll post the weight here.

 

[itsstephenyo]

My dad has two from the '80s. They're pretty heavy and very head light. It feels much heavier than my Liquidmetal Instinct that is about 325g after overgrip and a little bit of lead.

 

[drakulie]

Took my Black Max to the post office. No overgrip, dampener, lead, etc.

The strung weight is 12.5 ounces.

 

[LoveThisGame]

Black Maxes, there were a bunch of 'em:

64 hole version
70 hole version
II
Cadet
Metal
Plus
Pro
Stretch

But not so many as the Dunlop McEnroe (about 49)

A bunch were probably store "knock-offs", which often are listed anymore.

 

[vsbabolat]

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[Wilson6-1]

Played the Black Max in the early 80s and loved it. I remember it being a great racquet. Solid feel, decent power.

Received the PK Silver Ace as a gift instead so didn't end up getting one. Wish I did.

 

[dirtballer]

I still have a Black Max packed away somewhere in the basement. As someone mentioned earlier, it was head light and I remember I had to add some lead tape to the head. After I did that it played fine. A couple years later Dunlop came out with a Black Max Pro which I think had less fiberglass and wasn't as head light. I liked that racket also.

 

[drakulie]

dirtballer, you were putting lead on yours? How long ago did you play with it and how old were you?

I played with mine before I got to high school, and then roughly the first year and a half while on my highschool team. That was in the mid 80's. I hadn't even heard of lead back then.

 

[dirtballer]

It would have been mid-eighties also. I would have been around thirty. Lead tape was around then but not as widespread as it is now.