Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?
- Thread starter flashfire276
- Start date
Grafil Injection
Legend
I don't know it, and WKU could suggest 2007, but I'd go 2017 because of the condition and it seems similar to the Federer Tour XP 103, which you can still buy.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Found a Head TXE in 8/10 condition and in my grip size, for $6 this afternoon. Made my day!
Grafil Injection
Legend
Don't forget your safety glasses when taking to the court. 360-degree random grommet explosions guaranteed.
Grafil Injection
Legend
Many Maxplies and Forts show up in local charity shops, but the Tournament model is fairly rare around here, so I thought I'd take a closer looks at this one from the 1950s-early 60s. You can tell the date from the three different types of shoulder binding, rather than the uniform style from the mid-60s onwards. Hits surprisingly nicely with a stable hoop and taught strings. Must have been a serious player's stick with that diamond of string-savers that seem totally robust too.
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retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the concern and warning, but this one does not seem too brittle at all! I cleaned and restrung the frame over the weekend and it now seems closer to 9/10 condition! A keeper.
kevin qmto
Legend
Absolutely stoked to add this Yamaha XAM 6 to my collection, a frame on my ultimate tennis racket bucket list can be checked off! Of that line I always thought the 6 looked best, it resembles a piece of expensive 1980's hi-fi equipment or a computer or something. It just has this feeling of unmistakable quality, or at least it seems like it does! For a frame from the mid 80's its a bit odd seeing individual grommets still, but maybe that was so you could slap on one of those weighted grommet strips on top of them. I love how that tunable weight fad of the time fit right in with Yamaha's musical instrument origins. The XAM 6 comes in at 358g strung so I don't think it needs to be much heftier. I'm not positive this example is strung to factory specs, its currently sporting a unique 16x17 string pattern, that bottom cross does seem a bit high so maybe that was just a stringers custom. I don't know what 'Super Graphite' is but this conceptually designed, resonance tuned, equilibrium balancing tennis racquet is chock full of it! Lots of pics incoming because just look at it, it deserves being seen from many angles. Love that beveled hoop edge.
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162...k/3297982933923021/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162...k/3297982933923021/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
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michael valek
Hall of Fame
you'd think they could have got the word 'performance' on one line
kevin qmto
Legend
Yamaha respects the intelligence of the public enough to format their blurb like it’s an excerpt from a classic novel.
Grafil Injection
Legend
Nice condition XAM 6. The XAM range came out in 1983 according to Kuebler (but 1984 according to UK magazines I've got), which kinda explains the single grommets. Still a bit late though.
Pretty sure Annabel used the XAM 8 then Ceramic Gold 100 from 1986-7 after her Ultra II, which was the top of the line of the normal size models. The XAM 4 & 6 were midsize, and the XAM 8 was slightly larger called large-midsize. XAM 10 was oversize. The XAM 8 had Boron in the layup, and had gold and red pinstripes. The Ceramic Gold 100 (which you can see her using at Wimbledon 1987) was similar, but just had gold pinstripes and the big 100 label above the handle, which could look like a XAM6 in B&W. In semi-retirement (Age 21!) in 1988, she went back to Wilsons.
Pretty sure Annabel used the XAM 8 then Ceramic Gold 100 from 1986-7 after her Ultra II, which was the top of the line of the normal size models. The XAM 4 & 6 were midsize, and the XAM 8 was slightly larger called large-midsize. XAM 10 was oversize. The XAM 8 had Boron in the layup, and had gold and red pinstripes. The Ceramic Gold 100 (which you can see her using at Wimbledon 1987) was similar, but just had gold pinstripes and the big 100 label above the handle, which could look like a XAM6 in B&W. In semi-retirement (Age 21!) in 1988, she went back to Wilsons.
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kevin qmto
Legend
Ah ok yeah that does look more like the 8 in photos I found now.
Interesting, I didn’t know what the deal with the XAM 10 was, I knew the 4 was a graf/fiber comp, the 6 was all graphite, 8 was graf/boron and 10 was ? I guess it was just an oversize 8?
Interesting, I didn’t know what the deal with the XAM 10 was, I knew the 4 was a graf/fiber comp, the 6 was all graphite, 8 was graf/boron and 10 was ? I guess it was just an oversize 8?
Grafil Injection
Legend
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Gotta love 5 digit uk phone numbers from the 70s/80s. 22285 was my grandmothers number remember it very clearly.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
And answering the phone by saying the number 
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
The Yonex UK HQ was just a couple postcodes away from my teenage summer home in SW14.
kevin qmto
Legend
I still remember all my childhood friends phone numbers... ah simpler times.
One more note about the XAM 6 is how well the grommets have held up. None are broken, they don't even have any stress marks on the corners. The strings in the frame are a mystery to me, the only text I can make out is "Graphite" printed on them and followed by 16 or 15L, every instance is smudged and I can't truly make it out. I think I've seen a black synthetic string called Prince Graphite before but I'm not positive it's this.
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A little early 90's nostalgia in near pristine condition. Restrung and hit a bit with it. Sure don't make sticks like this anymore. 95 in, 359g and 359 SW strung, stiff and clubby. An absolute hammer once you get it moving.
legrandLeconte
Rookie
Hello. Congratulations on your purchase.Absolutely stoked to add this Yamaha XAM 6 to my collection, a frame on my ultimate tennis racket bucket list can be checked off! Of that line I always thought the 6 looked best, it resembles a piece of expensive 1980's hi-fi equipment or a computer or something. It just has this feeling of unmistakable quality, or at least it seems like it does! For a frame from the mid 80's its a bit odd seeing individual grommets still, but maybe that was so you could slap on one of those weighted grommet strips on top of them. I love how that tunable weight fad of the time fit right in with Yamaha's musical instrument origins. The XAM 6 comes in at 358g strung so I don't think it needs to be much heftier. I'm not positive this example is strung to factory specs, its currently sporting a unique 16x17 string pattern, that bottom cross does seem a bit high so maybe that was just a stringers custom. I don't know what 'Super Graphite' is but this conceptually designed, resonance tuned, equilibrium balancing tennis racquet is chock full of it! Lots of pics incoming because just look at it, it deserves being seen from many angles. Love that beveled hoop edge.
FB link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162...k/3297982933923021/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
I have new XAM6, 8, and 10 models in my collection. My information indicates they are 88, 95, and 100 sq ft respectively. My XAM6 is still sealed and unstrung, but I understand the correct pattern is 16x19. It also came with a small bag containing the grommets for customization. I would love to find one to play with. Let us know how it performs. Best regards.
kevin qmto
Legend
I don't want this post to get buried before I say hats off to you and your fine taste in Pro Kennex sticks. That candy apple red always pops and looks amazing.
Anyways, hope you're not tired of wayyyy too long posts with lots of pictures. You clicked on the thread, you know what you're in for!
I was absolutely stoked to see this sitting front and center at, yes, Play it Again Sports. New in factory shrink wrap, a Head Test frame. Sadly the sticker on the grip has all relevant text eroded. Probably sent out as a demo or press frame. Guess they never got any feedback on this one, it's probably never even seen a tennis ball in its life. No stats, or anything except a gloss piano black paint job and a gold Head logo, making it seem extra exclusive and important-like. The only colored bits are the head guard and grip, which helped narrow it down to the model its related to, which I'm fairly sure is the Graphite Tour 600. It has that throat dampener like other Trisys frames so I'm guessing this dates to around 1993-95. But it's also clear that it bares a strong family resemblance to my older Prestige Pro. If you lay them on top of one another they match up perfectly. The main differences being the beam on the Test is slightly thicker, has no cap grommets, and a bit of a concave throat taper, but besides that they're siblings. Wish I could find a new base grip in the right color. I do plan on opening this and hitting with it at some point.
FB Link:
Tennis Vintage and Classic Racquets (Rackets) Show, Buy or Sell | Probably one the of rarest pieces in my collection now is this Head Test frame | Facebook
Probably one the of rarest pieces in my collection now is this Head Test frame. Sadly the sticker on the grip has worn off all useful information over the decades. It bares closest resemblance to...
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vsbabolat
Talk Tennis Guru
This is the Graphite Tour 600 known as the Trisys 270 600 in the USA. These were given out to accounts as test hitters (seeding) in early 1993 before the launch Trisys Line in USA in spring of 1993. I got a Test frame of the Prestige Tour 600 AkA Trisys 300 600 in the USA in Jan 1993 and I got my Trisys 300 in March 1993.I don't want this post to get buried before I say hats off to you and your fine taste in Pro Kennex sticks. That candy apple red always pops and looks amazing.
Anyways, hope you're not tired of wayyyy too long posts with lots of pictures. You clicked on the thread, you know what you're in for!
I was absolutely stoked to see this sitting front and center at, yes, Play it Again Sports. New in factory shrink wrap, a Head Test frame. Sadly the sticker on the grip has all relevant text eroded. Probably sent out as a demo or press frame. Guess they never got any feedback on this one, it's probably never even seen a tennis ball in its life. No stats, or anything except a gloss piano black paint job and a gold Head logo, making it seem extra exclusive and important-like. The only colored bits are the head guard and grip, which helped narrow it down to the model its related to, which I'm fairly sure is the Graphite Tour 600. It has that throat dampener like other Trisys frames so I'm guessing this dates to around 1993-95. But it's also clear that it bares a strong family resemblance to my older Prestige Pro. If you lay them on top of one another they match up perfectly. The main differences being the beam on the Test is slightly thicker, has no cap grommets, and a bit of a concave throat taper, but besides that they're siblings. Wish I could find a new base grip in the right color. I do plan on opening this and hitting with it at some point.
FB Link:
Tennis Vintage and Classic Racquets (Rackets) Show, Buy or Sell | Probably one the of rarest pieces in my collection now is this Head Test frame | Facebook
Probably one the of rarest pieces in my collection now is this Head Test frame. Sadly the sticker on the grip has worn off all useful information over the decades. It bares closest resemblance to...
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
And Head also provided “Test” thermo bags during the same campaign.
kevin qmto
Legend
Kind of surprised they’d pick both the 270 and the Prestige to make Test frames of considering they’re already so similar. I’d have thought if they’re selecting several different models they’d be ones you could immediately tell apart.
vsbabolat
Talk Tennis Guru
The reason was because they were actually brand new rackets for 1993. The Suspension Grip on the Prestige Tour 600/Trisys 300 was a new feature and the Graphite Tour 600 was a completely new frame from scratch with wider beam than the Prestige and the SAS dampening system for shock and vibration. SAS is a specialized rubber and carbon-fiber dampening insert located in the bridge of the frame. That was the sales pitch back in 1993
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vsbabolat
Talk Tennis Guru
I had one. Lost it unfortunately.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
I had one as well. Sold it a few years back prior to a house move.
kevin qmto
Legend
Continuing whittling down my backlog. Found this Pro Staff Rok at a Play it Again for $9.99. Has a bit of head rash on the edge but its all in one piece still. I think this paint work looks better than the much more coveted Pro Staff Tour from that period. A 2002 release, and only 93sq in was starting to become a rarity by then, it appears they also sold a 102 version. The head shape is not quite your standard Pro Staff look, almost akin to the much later Babolat Pure Strike in its rounded edges, almost approaching Isometric but never quite committing to that life. But here the string pattern is dense, some might even say very dense. Despite its Rok name, it still feels softer than the Hyper Pro Staff 5.0 I have, even though I like that one quite a bit. Strangely this frame got so SI number at all, even though it was still very much in use on other frames, instead getting some Power Rating number that seems to make even less sense. Anyone here ever have a go with the Rok?
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162...k/3301396850248296/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/162...k/3301396850248296/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
fritzhimself
Hall of Fame
I found a rare Head Graphite Tour 600.
The frame weighs 320 g with a low swingweight of 279 (unstrung), a very low balance point of 308 mm, and a stiffness rating of 67 RA.
The frame weighs 320 g with a low swingweight of 279 (unstrung), a very low balance point of 308 mm, and a stiffness rating of 67 RA.
Grafil Injection
Legend
According to Serve & Volley April 1993, the Graphite Tour (at least the 660 model) was 60% HM graphite, 30% (normal) graphite and 10% Twaron. So a similar mix to the Prestige except for the Prestige has 5% fibreglass in place of some graphite. The Graphite Tour was £30 cheaper, so perhaps the Prestige's graphite was all HM.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Added a $10 Sting Largehead to go with my $10 Prince Graphite OS v1. Two 350SW beasts. So much fun (when hitting with people 0.5 NTRP lower)
kevin qmto
Legend
Those both play great, and at the time the Sting was a tremondous value considering it was like $100 cheaper than the POG and some might argue nearly as good.Added a $10 Sting Largehead to go with my $10 Prince Graphite OS v1. Two 350SW beasts. So much fun (when hitting with people 0.5 NTRP lower)
Nobody here has used or know anything about the Rok PS?
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thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
kevin qmto
Legend
Ok well the Rok sunk like a well... you know. But I can't expect eveyone to have some comment on every frame ever, sometimes its just a stick. Probably why Wilson never made the Rok a mainstay of the PS lineup.
So lets try another flavor of Wilson from around the same time. Hyper Hammer 5.9 in a nice matte paint job that isn't the dumb rubberized finish they've unfortunately decided to start using again despite its known deterioration issues that I doubt have been resolved. I decided to add some lead strips to the grip to make it a little less head heavy, taking it from 9pts HH to only 1pt HH at 304g strung. Condition is excellent, it was a goodwill find so only $4.92.
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627103527677645/permalink/3299139170474064/
So lets try another flavor of Wilson from around the same time. Hyper Hammer 5.9 in a nice matte paint job that isn't the dumb rubberized finish they've unfortunately decided to start using again despite its known deterioration issues that I doubt have been resolved. I decided to add some lead strips to the grip to make it a little less head heavy, taking it from 9pts HH to only 1pt HH at 304g strung. Condition is excellent, it was a goodwill find so only $4.92.
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627103527677645/permalink/3299139170474064/
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Grafil Injection
Legend
This Slazenger College Model wood is so clean and glossy, you'd think it was one of Grays latest sticks. But given the highly oval grip shape and leather butt-cap, it must actually be from the early 1960s or beforehand. With a simple 5-ply layup and not even a fibre layer, it seems to be similar in specs to the Royal Crown in the low-mid range. At just 357g, 32.5cm balance, I can imagine these being provided to schools by the score for new players to learn the game with. Beautifully rolled frame and gold treblings, I wonder if they made it in full weight.
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mavsman149
Hall of Fame
I’ll have to look this up but I think I just found the real Thomas Johansson stick he used in his career in solid shape for 2.99.
It’s the Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro MP. I’ll take some pics later.
It’s the Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro MP. I’ll take some pics later.
