Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

davced1

Hall of Fame
I'd guess his main contract was 1982-86 as he went off the rails a bit for a few years after that, tried a few other sticks 88-89, and I don't recall his name on any main-line wide-bodies (no Phantom/Silhouette/Revelation McEnroes as far as I'm aware). But he clearly had a flexible arrangement given the various 'one-off' sticks through the 90s and 00s too.

As to the Pro Comp 10's timing, I noted that the same stick came with two different covers, one early-mid-80s style, another more mid-late 80s 'Pro Series' graphics, so I would expect it was overlapping rather than specifically after the McEnroe Comp II. There are a few others from that mould too, with the 'Graphite Composite' at the top, like the MAX LT, which was 1985.
I have this pro comp 10 but wasn't too impressed first time I hit with it maybe I should give it another go.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Excellent hunting today (on vacation with Mrs Retrowagen and Retro Jr.) in the Monterey Peninsula area of California. Picked up a Wilson K Blade 98, 1st-gen PK Silver Ace, a minty PK Destiny Comp widebody, a minty Matchmate Graphite, and minty Yonex RQ-180 and RQ-150 pair in original covers.

Also ate a plate of Jaegerschnitzel mit Spaetzle at my favorite Swiss restaurant, so - happy day!

That has got to be about $300 of thrifting. They must be rich in Carmel! I would be interested to hear how the RQ-150 compares to the RQ-180, if you plan to hit with them.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Tried the Puma Onyx Saber a long time ago; I too found it got pushed around by the ball and was not exemplary in any memorable regard.
it had a weirdly low launch angle, and I kept feeling hopeless on my topspin ohbh. I should be honest, I didn't just play a couple games with it, I played a whole set...

and got bageled with it lol.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Just a couple pics of the freshly stenciled pair. Man I love the matching blue strings in the Copper Ace. They're Babolat Fine Play 16, wish I could find a set, they play wonderfully in it, and my Ultra Kevlar. I wonder when they went out of production, and what the difference between fine play, and Super fine play was?
PwkLgen.jpg


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Gotta go red when stenciling a Donnay.
 
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Henry Hub

Hall of Fame
I had my annual first day of Wimbledon forage around the charity shops of south west London on Monday. Like most years since covid, there was very little to excite even the most optimistic racket collector.

While I picked up some Vapor 9.5s and this print below, I didn’t find much by way of rackets. I left a Yonex RQiS 10 in Putney and a couple of 1920s rackets in Parsons Green. Given that its main UK factory was in Putney, I am guessing the old rackets (concave and bevelled “College” and convex, 4x double strung “Practice”) were from Spalding.


I tried pastures new yesterday and found this egg-shaped Dunlop XLT Hyperon and Snauwaert Graphite Mid. The internet does not appear to have ever heard of the first one, which weighs a hell of a lot for a racket with a 4” grip.

 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I had my annual first day of Wimbledon forage around the charity shops of south west London on Monday. Like most years since covid, there was very little to excite even the most optimistic racket collector.

While I picked up some Vapor 9.5s and this print below, I didn’t find much by way of rackets. I left a Yonex RQiS 10 in Putney and a couple of 1920s rackets in Parsons Green. Given that its main UK factory was in Putney, I am guessing the old rackets (concave and bevelled “College” and convex, 4x double strung “Practice”) were from Spalding.


I tried pastures new yesterday and found this egg-shaped Dunlop XLT Hyperon and Snauwaert Graphite Mid. The internet does not appear to have ever heard of the first one, which weighs a hell of a lot for a racket with a 4” grip.


Being Size 0, is the Hyperon a junior racket, 26" long?
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
@Grafil Injection I just found some interesting strings on the bay from that brand Pro Supex I’ve seen you mention before. Poly strings and interestingly they’re made in Germany, not Asia like I’d have assumed.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
@Grafil Injection I just found some interesting strings on the bay from that brand Pro Supex I’ve seen you mention before. Poly strings and interestingly they’re made in Germany, not Asia like I’d have assumed.

Yes, I really don't understand these type of companies. You can find a website that has all the details about their strings, grips, stringing-machines, and TENX rackets, but no link to anywhere you can buy them. I guess they are essentially wholesalers who look to partner with local retailers. You can get their strings at various UK online sites.

They still market a number of different sets which have dated back to the early 00s at least. Although they are a Taiwan HQd company, I think they use overseas manufacturers (Kirschbaum (Germany) and Toa (Japan) ?) for manufacture. There are various threads on here that say that the strings are good value and performance, but I haven't tried any specifically. However, the installed syngut in the two Pro-Supex rackets I have is completely fine. I think one is their Spiral Syngut, which looks good and feels very similar to Prince.
 

mavsman149

Hall of Fame
Finally found something amazing at the thrift shop.

Found two great condition Head Radical Tour OS, the one after the bumblebee I think. 7 BUCKS EACH!!!

I always hope to find old pure drives up to 2012 version since that's what I use, but I'm highly tempted to get these strung!

If uploading pics wasn't complicated I'd do it!
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Finally found something amazing at the thrift shop.

Found two great condition Head Radical Tour OS, the one after the bumblebee I think. 7 BUCKS EACH!!!

I always hope to find old pure drives up to 2012 version since that's what I use, but I'm highly tempted to get these strung!

If uploading pics wasn't complicated I'd do it!

Check the weight and balance unstrung. They can be beasts, so thin strings may be best.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I had to get this minty Fin IQ300 squash racket to go with my Genius:

IMG-20240627-163110-2.jpg


Has the same split throat bridge joined with a dampener, and the same precise weight & balance sticker.
 

5sets

Hall of Fame
Finally found something amazing at the thrift shop.

Found two great condition Head Radical Tour OS, the one after the bumblebee I think. 7 BUCKS EACH!!!

I always hope to find old pure drives up to 2012 version since that's what I use, but I'm highly tempted to get these strung!

If uploading pics wasn't complicated I'd do it!
Ahh, c’mon show us. Just use Imjur. That’s either the “Zebra” or the “Candycane”, someone here will speak up. I read somewhere that Andre’s were actually custom and like 20 x 21 string pattern or something.
 

HBK4life

Hall of Fame
Ahh, c’mon show us. Just use Imjur. That’s either the “Zebra” or the “Candycane”, someone here will speak up. I read somewhere that Andre’s were actually custom and like 20 x 21 string pattern or something.
He went to that 20 x 21 pattern off and on I think
 

davced1

Hall of Fame
I don't know what's going on here in Stockholm but there has been a serious drought now for a long time. I went to my old hunting grounds today where they last summer at this time had at least 20 racquets and almost gave them away on a summer sale. Went there today, 0 racquets. What a pity and it's the same across the board tennis racquets are far between and I haven't found something decent since last fall. I miss the days when every thrift store seemed to have some racquets almost every time.
 

esm

Legend
found a Donnay Pro Cynetic 12 the other day at a charity shop.

it was quite beat up and dirty, came with a dirty full cover too. gave it a wipe and added a leather grip. kept the yellow string (syn gut, i think) and the blue "D" weight at the end of the butt cap. The blue weight felt quite stiff to turn, so kept it on.

i read this is the Pro Cynetic 1 with the wights for butt cap and 3&9. there is a plastic piece on the outside of 3&9 on both sides, but not sure how the weighting system works at 3&9. this is a made in Belgium version, but no code to be found. there is a "37" number on the handle though.

quite cool to have a this as the same mould as the PC1 used by Pete Sampras in his earlier days.

the current measurements are 357.5g/31.6cm - very different to the TW PC1 specs... lol

didnt bother with the SW and TW as i couldnt remove the blue weight at the butt cap. anyway, here are some "clean" pix.





 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
found a Donnay Pro Cynetic 12 the other day at a charity shop.

it was quite beat up and dirty, came with a dirty full cover too. gave it a wipe and added a leather grip. kept the yellow string (syn gut, i think) and the blue "D" weight at the end of the butt cap. The blue weight felt quite stiff to turn, so kept it on.

i read this is the Pro Cynetic 1 with the wights for butt cap and 3&9. there is a plastic piece on the outside of 3&9 on both sides, but not sure how the weighting system works at 3&9. this is a made in Belgium version, but no code to be found. there is a "37" number on the handle though.

quite cool to have a this as the same mould as the PC1 used by Pete Sampras in his earlier days.

the current measurements are 357.5g/31.6cm - very different to the TW PC1 specs... lol

didnt bother with the SW and TW as i couldnt remove the blue weight at the butt cap. anyway, here are some "clean" pix.





Wait, so what’s the balance point? Somewhere between 31 and 34? I’ve never seen a ruler printed on the side of a frame before lol.
 

esm

Legend
Wait, so what’s the balance point? Somewhere between 31 and 34? I’ve never seen a ruler printed on the side of a frame before lol.
lol. This one came up at 31.6, according to the side scale.
It has a big range probably due to the butt cap and 3&9 customisation options, donno…..
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Spent the night using this. It's good for blasting flat serves and punch volleys. Couldn't get much spin to save my life but hit more than my share of aces with it. My opponent thought it looked really cool.
fHbTwKY.jpg


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just took a pic with my current fav strings and balls. Multis: X-one Biphase and Gamma Ocho XP, Poly: Yonex Poly Tour Rev. Balls: High end: X-ones, mid range: Dunlop Grand Prix
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
here's some King of the Hill played with some college kids I hit with sometimes. Used the Pro Kennex Copper Ace for every point here, it was surprisingly good on serves, I was blasting em pretty good at times eh?

Eventually I get to stay on the close end and the points improve, at least I think so.

 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Return of serves were really good too! That IO at 3:13 was money! (y)
It did feel pretty good indeed.

I’ll say, the best kick I get out of hitting with an old racket like this is just taking it out and showing it to these kids (aged 20 and 21). And seeing what they make of it. Because their only frame of reference to a box beam player stick is like a BLX 90 or 100 from a dozen years ago. Like they know what that is and assume this is from about the same time. Seriously one of them guess this racket was about 15 years old. And I’m like, actually it’s nearly 40 years old…

Come to think of it, I don’t actually know what year the Copper Ace debuted? I’d guess 85 or 86?
 

davced1

Hall of Fame
Just found a Wilson hyper hammer 5.2 95 in the trash can at the court. Broken strings but the racquet seemed intact so I took it to the local pro at the club and he was keen to string it for me he also confirmed the racquet was ok and added it’s a classic racquet it would be a shame to waste it.

Will have it strung by Monday he recommended 21.5 kg so I will go with that not sure what string he has but he said it was some blue Head string and he offered it for free so I assume that’s the string he plays with himself.

Will take some pictures when I get it back but as far as I could tell the condition was pretty good except for the head guards. It's grip size 3 and had no overgrip on just some Wilson replacement grip in good condition but it was wrapped in a way I don't like so will have to re-wrap it but that's no biggie.
Here is that Hyper hammer straight out of the bin I mentioned before now freshly strung with Head Velocity MLT 17g at 21.5 kg. I thought the grip felt off and too big for a 4 3/8 so I removed it only to discover there was in fact a thick cushioned replacement grip on top of the old replacement grip, strange preference. Now it looks good though so on with a fresh tourna grip and I'm good to go.

Update: Disappointing hit so far. It feels very stiff and uncomfortable even at 21.5 kg which is low by my standards. It could be because that particular Head string is new to me but I get no action on the ball. On the other hand l strung my trusted Head extreme mp at only slightly higher tension and that feels similar so maybe it’s not a very lively string. I doubt I will give this one much more time not worth the effort to find the right string setup for it so I might donate it to a thrift store for a change and let someone else have a go at it.

Before letting it go I did some small adjustments. Built up the butt cap slightly and removed the led tape from the bottom of the throat so I will play it in stock form.
z5lh2rQ.jpeg
 
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Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
It did feel pretty good indeed.

I’ll say, the best kick I get out of hitting with an old racket like this is just taking it out and showing it to these kids (aged 20 and 21). And seeing what they make of it. Because their only frame of reference to a box beam player stick is like a BLX 90 or 100 from a dozen years ago. Like they know what that is and assume this is from about the same time. Seriously one of them guess this racket was about 15 years old. And I’m like, actually it’s nearly 40 years old…

Come to think of it, I don’t actually know what year the Copper Ace debuted? I’d guess 85 or 86?

I think the Copper Ace was released in 1985, but annoyingly can't find proof at the mo. It is shown in 1986 discount retailer adverts, but since most of the other Aces were out by early 1983 (Diamond, Black, Silver, Comp, Bronze all shown in March 1983), I don't think it took more than 2 years to create the CA. Could even be late 1984.
 

esm

Legend
came across this one today, no idea what it is but kinda liked the throat design.
light and thick beam. came with a full sized cover - it said Deesse, the Swiss name for tennis. :-D
couldnt find this one/any details online and not much info on the racquet, so here are some pix.
measurements as is - 287.5g/36.4cm :-D







 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
came across this one today, no idea what it is but kinda liked the throat design.
light and thick beam. came with a full sized cover - it said Deesse, the Swiss name for tennis. :-D
couldnt find this one/any details online and not much info on the racquet, so here are some pix.
measurements as is - 287.5g/36.4cm :-D







They saw the Head TiS7 and were like, Yes! We gotta have some of that!

And yeah I can’t find anything about that racket anywhere.
 
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esm

Legend
They saw the Head TiS7 and were like, Yes! We gotta have some of that!

And yeah I can’t find anything about that racket anywhere.
Yeah. Head racquet crossed my mind when I saw that. It’s like a much beefier version of a squash racquet. lol.
 

ey039524

Hall of Fame
Yes, I really don't understand these type of companies. You can find a website that has all the details about their strings, grips, stringing-machines, and TENX rackets, but no link to anywhere you can buy them. I guess they are essentially wholesalers who look to partner with local retailers. You can get their strings at various UK online sites.

They still market a number of different sets which have dated back to the early 00s at least. Although they are a Taiwan HQd company, I think they use overseas manufacturers (Kirschbaum (Germany) and Toa (Japan) ?) for manufacture. There are various threads on here that say that the strings are good value and performance, but I haven't tried any specifically. However, the installed syngut in the two Pro-Supex rackets I have is completely fine. I think one is their Spiral Syngut, which looks good and feels very similar to Prince.
Por supex was all the rage when I joined ttw here back in the 00s. I had some of their blue gear (which was one of the first sharp-sided string) other polys, and their over grips.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Just when I was wondering if the Wilson Comp 100 was a replacement for the Pro Matrix (non PWS) I had seen pictures of, up pops the latter in a local charity shop for £5. I had to get it even though the strings are gone, just to compare the specs; and it's basically identical (dimensions, weight, 22c grommet strip etc), metallic grey paint, except for the decals. My Comp 100 being 1987 (SKU) and this Pro Matrix from 1985 (HNS), I suspect the Comp 100 was created when the Matrix and Pro Matrix versions with PWS were released.

To restore or not to restore, that is the question? It would be in reasonable condition with a new grip and strings, but I doubt I'd get the £25 investment back. However, I feel sad not to give this stick another 40 years of life.

Pro-Matrix-non-PWS.jpg
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Oh god. I entered what I thought was a type of tennis tournament that was 1 set matches, but turns out it’s best of 3. And I had one match tonight. 2 tomorrow, and 2 Sunday. And I’m already beat up lol. Came through round 1: 6/1, 2/6, 1-0 (10-2)


To make this post fit the thread. Before playing, I stopped by PIAS, and they were having quite the tennis blowout. Pics to come.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
You've tried the Head Prestige, now its Wilson's turn. It's the Prestige Comp 7.6si! I guess Head hadn't trademarked the Prestige name yet. Looks like there's 2 paint jobs of this frame, with this Profile-esque paint job being the earlier one. The later one is black with some green and purple highlights called the Prestige Select. I'd rather have found the 95 head size version but beggars at thrift stores can't be choosy, so here's the 110 in all its beige and burgundy glory. Like the Profile, I feel it looks slightly better in person than it does in pictures. NDN China buttcap code, so that puts it at what, around 1991?

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HRPsT81.jpg
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
It appears Wilson came just short of labeling the frame with “besonders armschonend”…
Pretty cheeky of them to have used the Prestige name… on a rather downmarket frame, too! If only Head had a marketed a Chinese OEM budget model called the ProStaff Comp!
 

Casey 1988

Semi-Pro
I used a 1970's wood Wilson some white model called a Wilson Pro Staff model extra heavy where the model used a heavy springy wood like hickory in and had wide beams for the era almost like an early--mid 1980's Graphite in head. Racquet came from a thrift store, a Hospice for $2 and I got rid of it for an aluminum Red & Blue ProKennex Jr Ace Pro Power Contour in 2002--2003 I still have.

In 2023 and 2024 got more of same racquet 4 in Red & Blue as well as 2 Yellow & Black 4 inch grip all off e-Bay where I am sending 1 of 2 Yellow & Black in for restring with Tennis-Point using 16 gauge nylon guessing around 55 pounds as mine came in broken. I am fixing grip and making models more playable all but one I have to send in for a restring. Odd is both my Yellow & Black were supposed to be brand new but one was used up in strings and came in broken from shipping and was clearly a worn string bed seeing how string broke.
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
It appears Wilson came just short of labeling the frame with “besonders armschonend”…
Pretty cheeky of them to have used the Prestige name… on a rather downmarket frame, too! If only Head had a marketed a Chinese OEM budget model called the ProStaff Comp!
I think they had some right to it as they were using it on rackets like the Billie Jean King Prestige in the 70s, and on the bay right now there’s a racket called the Wilson Prestige that’s another variant of the 85sq in Wilson Midsize mold, that probably predates the original Prestige Pro, though maybe not the Prestige Midplus from Europe. I think there was a time Head couldn’t even use the name Prestige in the US but I assume they just opened their pocket book and paid Wilson to let them market their Prestige line once more.

Maybe the Wilson Prestige Comp wasn’t high end but I’m not sure it’s a bottom of the range model either, it’s full graphite and at least has a headguard, unlike the often sighted at thrift stores Graphite Aggressor 95. (Though I still want to try one of those someday, gotta know what that 8.5si rating feels like!)
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Idk if this happened sometime last year when my partner borrowing it, but I picked up my Prince Woodie to put it in my bag for practice for this years Woodie Classic, and noticed a crack at the top of the hoop :(
 
Idk if this happened sometime last year when my partner borrowing it, but I picked up my Prince Woodie to put it in my bag for practice for this years Woodie Classic, and noticed a crack at the top of the hoop :(
Prince Woodies are notorious for lacking durability, this is why I did not buy one last year when presented with the chance.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Idk if this happened sometime last year when my partner borrowing it, but I picked up my Prince Woodie to put it in my bag for practice for this years Woodie Classic, and noticed a crack at the top of the hoop :(

I'm sure you'll find a replacement or twelve in your closet. Anyway the Woodie (100sqi?) is somewhat cheating. Got to give your opponents a chance and limit yourself to 85sqi this year!
 

Casey 1988

Semi-Pro
I'm sure you'll find a replacement or twelve in your closet. Anyway the Woodie (100sqi?) is somewhat cheating. Got to give your opponents a chance and limit yourself to 85sqi this year!
A brand on AliExpress sells for $100 pre tax in a full wood/bamboo racquet something like an old 1960's--1970's using wood and slatted bamboo sheets model. From 1--2 reviews I have seen people say it plays like some of heavier brands of all wood designs like Wilson Pro Staff Heavy/Willson Duke wood models even when seller says model is not meant for play. Also, same exact model is expensive on USA Amazon for $150.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
It’s that time of year again. Where I post in my local area tennis Facebook page about the rackets I’m bringing and using for the Woodie Classic, and the very first post is someone complaining that graphite reinforced woods are still allowed (like they always have been. Since day one. 3 years running). Jesus people, these aren’t secret frames. You could actually just go buy one yourself. They’re not that big of an advantage anyways.
 
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