oldmanyellingatcloud
Semi-Pro
I'll have to share pictures of my baby, my Ti. Radical MP. Swapped out the grody replacement grip with some I'm assuming synthetic leather since it's not labeled calfskin and it's wonderful.
Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?
- Thread starter flashfire276
- Start date
KungfuTennis
Semi-Pro
Not Goodwill, but I bought at TGK232.2 for 30 bucks at PlayItAgainSports. I nearly sh*t myself in the store, didn't really hit with it because I wasn't really an 18x20 user at that time, but when I get back to the states you bet I'm stringing that thing up and giving it a try!
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
In what state?
KungfuTennis
Semi-Pro
Pretty great state for that price, grommets are all in tact, though with some scraping at 12.
What are you interested in it or something
5sets
Hall of Fame
Just drove through hard rain and ice to go thrifting. Picked up a handful of racquets, only three being “classics; ” a Don Budge wooden racquet, a Pro Kennex aluminum racquet and a Pro Kennex Copper Ace with pristine grommets and original case. Others I picked up were some probably box store specials from the Nineties- Dunlop Pro Graphite Plus Widebody, Prince XLT Comp Lite 107 extended widebody, and Wilson Sledgehammer 4.8 110. Those last three have some killer Saved by the Bell like graphics.
kevin qmto
Legend
Gotta do what you gotta do.
the sledge hammer 4.8 (95 head version) was the racket of choice of a hip older kid I knew growing up in the late 90’s-early 00’s. The kind who had the frosted tipped spikes in his hair and had his own computer way before anyone else I knew did. (Back then we all worked off the one “Family Computer”)
So as a result I’ve always mentally held that racket in higher esteem than it probably deserves.
Found 5 racquets at a Goodwill today.
2 FXP Instinct MP; both 4/10 showing heavy wear on the bumper L4 $4.99 each
2 Pure Drive+ Roddick Cortex; I believe, one 6/10 and another 4/10 L2 $3.99 each
1 Pro Staff 95 BLX; 7/10 L3 $3.99 each
In total cost me $24 for some real nice racquets.
2 FXP Instinct MP; both 4/10 showing heavy wear on the bumper L4 $4.99 each
2 Pure Drive+ Roddick Cortex; I believe, one 6/10 and another 4/10 L2 $3.99 each
1 Pro Staff 95 BLX; 7/10 L3 $3.99 each
In total cost me $24 for some real nice racquets.
Last edited:
kevin qmto
Legend
All in the same store? Wow. Even in poor shape that’s a steal.
Yeah, found them all in same store. I also just finished replacing the grip and every racquet, but one has strings. I'll restrung them later or never. I'm actually happy I even found them since I wanted try an extended racquet and never got around to it, now I own one.
Last edited:
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
The consistent wear pattern on each of those sticks suggest a good player / coach was the previous owner.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
As it's the Season of Goodwill to all Racketaholics, it's time for another Rackets Heading back to the Thrift Store. These three are heading to Cambridge charity shops today.
From L to R, first is my mysterious Ncode Nblade fake. Throat says 304g, scales say 250g strung (balance HH!). Actually hits fine if weak and flexy, but it's too much to investigate removing the hollow handle and getting a moulded one with 30g of lead added. Kneissl White Star Pro 25. Weirdly full weight (354g), but only 26 inch. Feels very nice and solid to hit and SW must be <320. Ideal for a serious 8 year-old. Finally, a Sting squash bat I got in a job lot with the Kneissl.
From L to R, first is my mysterious Ncode Nblade fake. Throat says 304g, scales say 250g strung (balance HH!). Actually hits fine if weak and flexy, but it's too much to investigate removing the hollow handle and getting a moulded one with 30g of lead added. Kneissl White Star Pro 25. Weirdly full weight (354g), but only 26 inch. Feels very nice and solid to hit and SW must be <320. Ideal for a serious 8 year-old. Finally, a Sting squash bat I got in a job lot with the Kneissl.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Cool paint job on the KneisslAs it's the Season of Goodwill to all Racketaholics, it's time for another Rackets Heading back to the Thrift Store. These three are heading to Cambridge charity shops today.
From L to R, first is my mysterious Ncode Nblade fake. Throat says 304g, scales say 250g strung (balance HH!). Actually hits fine if weak and flexy, but it's too much to investigate removing the hollow handle and getting a moulded one with 30g of lead added. Kneissl White Star Pro 25. Weirdly full weight (354g), but only 26 inch. Feels very nice and solid to hit and SW must be <320. Ideal for a serious 8 year-old. Finally, a Sting squash bat I got in a job lot with the Kneissl.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
They didn’t make many of that model with the “Aero”-style graphics on them… actually quite rare!
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yeah, the graphics look good, but mine had a fair bit of rubbing at the top. If it were 27'' and a bit better condition, I would have kept it. Very solid feel.
5sets
Hall of Fame
Best tennis finds today were a Head Arthur Ashe 2, Prince CTS Approach 90, Dunlop Black Max, and a West Germany Ceramic Slazenger but I’m more excited about the nativity scene from General Foam Classics I got for $14 American.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Amazing haul! The CTS Approach 90 is the Prince I wanted in the CTS range. What is the name of the Slazenger wooden racket, with the black handle?
5sets
Hall of Fame
Thanks Grafil! Slazenger Olympic and she’s made in Taiwan.
Oddly, I think this is the first MidPlus Prince CTS MidPlus offering I’ve found in the field. I wonder if that’s just bad luck or there were less in production. I have a dozen Oversize.
The ceramic Slazenger is odd in that it doesn’t seem to have a name just made with OMS technology.
graycrait
Legend
@djNEiGht , Putting a Grip 4 TK82S pallet does not work on my Quantum Tour 10 hairpins. Just slapping the clam shells on the hairpin made the grip at least 4&5/8 with a gap on each side. I have no clue what a #2 or #3 TK82S might fit like over that Volkl hairpin. I am calling this experiment a failure. I will continue to play the Volkls with their rectangular original feeling pallets.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Have to say I really like both of those. The Olympic has a 1930s look with the gothic font, but I guess it's 1970s since Taiwanese. The Ceramic Series looks similar to the Panther Pro with OMS, and the dark colour looks great. First time I've seen a 4 2/8th rather than 4 1/4!
Sanglier
Professional
"OMS Plus" is its actual name. It appeared in 1989 alongside the Connors signature "Pro Ceramic" and wide body "Silhouette" series. I believe it's exactly the same racquet as the earlier "Panther Pro Ceramic OMS Plus", but with an abridged name; same as what they did with the non-OMS "Panther Pro Ceramic". It's an expedient way to get some more mileage out of these older (and soon-to-be obsolescent, according to contemporary concerns) designs by giving consumers the impression that these are brand new models, allowing the company to devote more resources to ramp up the development and production of those latest and bestest wide-bodies.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Shades of The Smiths’ “Paint a Vulgar Picture”…!
5sets
Hall of Fame
Wild! Thanks brother.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
I haven’t been thrifting much because I kept striking out over and over. But recently got a Wilson Matrix and a Yonex Rexking 24 for $2 each. I’ve owned the Wilson before and it’s worth the hit again. I’ve never hit with a Yonex even though I like the way they look. It’s just something I’ve never prioritized. Maybe this will be the one.
kevin qmto
Legend
Just the original graphite matrix? Does it have pws or not? And is it grey or black?
I found an old yonex rd7 while thrifting, it wasn’t my fav or anything. When it comes to isometric heads, I like the Fox WB-215. Strung through the throat.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Black, original, no PWS.
kevin qmto
Legend
2 more for under $20 US.
First off, a sister racket to the Pro Kennex Graphite Jupiter I bought about a month ago, this time with a super neat course finish, the Ceramic Tribute. Tribute to what exactly? Probably ceramic rackets in general I suppose, as this was likely made well after Ceramic layups were the flavor of the month/year in the mid-to-late 80s.
I can see it now, the PK designers were like: "I want this racket to feel like a ceramic pot in your hands", and it definitely succeeds in that. The neon orange graphics are so bright they almost seem to glow, I can dig it. This is an identical mold to the Graphite Jupiter, sharing its 14x18 pattern and 90in head. But the Ceramic Tribute is about 25 grams lighter at 350g. Man the Jupiter is a boat anchor lol. I believe the Ceramic Tribute dates later than the Jupiter, as despite sharing the same mold, the Jupiter referred to its frame as a "Wide Contour" whereas the Tribute embraces the term "Wide body" at the top of the hoop. Condition is excellent.
2nd is a frame that highly reminds me of the ever popular ProStaff 6.1, except this "Classic" family member is the less common 4.2, weighing in at 348g, about 20g less than my 6.1. I dig the paint on it, it definitely takes after the 6.1 but with its own unique graphics. Look close on some of the pics, and not only does the finish go from matte to gloss, but the matte black areas have little blue speckles in them. Condition is ok/good. some scrapes abound but nothing suspect, and of course no cracks. Original strings lead me to believe this hasn't actually seen much play time in its 25-27 year life.
quick google search, looks like that shop is still around, its come a long way to STL from Los Angeles!
looks like someone intentionally punctured the cap here?
First off, a sister racket to the Pro Kennex Graphite Jupiter I bought about a month ago, this time with a super neat course finish, the Ceramic Tribute. Tribute to what exactly? Probably ceramic rackets in general I suppose, as this was likely made well after Ceramic layups were the flavor of the month/year in the mid-to-late 80s.
I can see it now, the PK designers were like: "I want this racket to feel like a ceramic pot in your hands", and it definitely succeeds in that. The neon orange graphics are so bright they almost seem to glow, I can dig it. This is an identical mold to the Graphite Jupiter, sharing its 14x18 pattern and 90in head. But the Ceramic Tribute is about 25 grams lighter at 350g. Man the Jupiter is a boat anchor lol. I believe the Ceramic Tribute dates later than the Jupiter, as despite sharing the same mold, the Jupiter referred to its frame as a "Wide Contour" whereas the Tribute embraces the term "Wide body" at the top of the hoop. Condition is excellent.
2nd is a frame that highly reminds me of the ever popular ProStaff 6.1, except this "Classic" family member is the less common 4.2, weighing in at 348g, about 20g less than my 6.1. I dig the paint on it, it definitely takes after the 6.1 but with its own unique graphics. Look close on some of the pics, and not only does the finish go from matte to gloss, but the matte black areas have little blue speckles in them. Condition is ok/good. some scrapes abound but nothing suspect, and of course no cracks. Original strings lead me to believe this hasn't actually seen much play time in its 25-27 year life.
quick google search, looks like that shop is still around, its come a long way to STL from Los Angeles!
looks like someone intentionally punctured the cap here?
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
You did well there. I think the pumice-stone finish is a very fitting tribute! I've always wondered how the 4.2 hits compared to the 6.1. Is it too stiff?2 more for under $20 US.
First off, a sister racket to the Pro Kennex Graphite Jupiter I bought about a month ago, this time with a super neat course finish, the Ceramic Tribute. Tribute to what exactly? Probably ceramic rackets in general I suppose, as this was likely made well after Ceramic layups were the flavor of the month/year in the mid-to-late 80s.
I can see it now, the PK designers were like: "I want this racket to feel like a ceramic pot in your hands", and it definitely succeeds in that. The neon orange graphics are so bright they almost seem to glow, I can dig it. This is an identical mold to the Graphite Jupiter, sharing its 14x18 pattern and 90in head. But the Ceramic Tribute is about 25 grams lighter at 350g. Man the Jupiter is a boat anchor lol. I believe the Ceramic Tribute dates later than the Jupiter, as despite sharing the same mold, the Jupiter referred to its frame as a "Wide Contour" whereas the Tribute embraces the term "Wide body" at the top of the hoop. Condition is excellent.
2nd is a frame that highly reminds me of the ever popular ProStaff 6.1, except this "Classic" family member is the less common 4.2, weighing in at 348g, about 20g less than my 6.1. I dig the paint on it, it definitely takes after the 6.1 but with its own unique graphics. Look close on some of the pics, and not only does the finish go from matte to gloss, but the matte black areas have little blue speckles in them. Condition is ok/good. some scrapes abound but nothing suspect, and of course no cracks. Original strings lead me to believe this hasn't actually seen much play time in its 25-27 year life.
quick google search, looks like that shop is still around, its come a long way to STL from Los Angeles!
looks like someone intentionally punctured the cap here?
kevin qmto
Legend
I will find out. Frankly I don’t think the 6.1 is too stiff, it’s just too heavy lol. My serves start going long after a set and a half due to arm fatigue and not getting the racket head around the ball enough in time.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I agree on the PSC6.1 regarding the heft. Great for one set though. Seems like the 4.2 will be more manoeuvrable, so it will be interesting to hear whether the 4.2 feels more stiff. I guess 4.2 equates to about 74 RA.
kevin qmto
Legend
Update. On the first outing with the Project Matrix, I shanked a serve and broke a cross string at the grommet.Wilson Project Matrix
that was about 30 minutes into the hitting session. Initial impressions are - I feel like I need to add some lead to this. Has an odd sound signature. Feels surprisingly low on power, and is relatively spin friendly, but maybe that’s also due to the light weight.
2 people asked me what it was and if it was new.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
LOL. I think there's a good reason this stringing method didn't take off! What were they thinking?! Definitely worth keeping though. Must be rare.
kevin qmto
Legend
Your guess is as good as mine, I can’t find any online. Static stock weight is 306g strung. I bought a balance board, need to open it up and find that out.
Just found a Head Youtek Graphene Instinct MP in mint condition.
Not sure how old this would be. It appears to have been professionally extended since it is about 28 plus inches with a joint line half way up the pallet. It also had lead strips from about 8-4 and two overgrips which gives it a Thor like heft.
The racquet shows no wear so I can only assume the owner suffered a fatal arm injury.
$5.
Not sure how old this would be. It appears to have been professionally extended since it is about 28 plus inches with a joint line half way up the pallet. It also had lead strips from about 8-4 and two overgrips which gives it a Thor like heft.
The racquet shows no wear so I can only assume the owner suffered a fatal arm injury.
$5.
Sanglier
Professional
Mine weighs exactly the same as yours, to the gram, with a neutral balance (0.5 Pt head heavy), 320 swing weight, and a flex measurement of 52 RA.
The suspension stringing on the "Project Matrix" may look very "uncomfortable" for the strings, but isn't really any worse than what is found on the Lacoste/Wilson T-2000 family of racquets. The advantages of having the strings suspended internally were twofold: 1) the integrity of the hoop is not compromised by having a bunch of holes drilled through it; and 2) the strings are fully protected from court abrasion even in the absence of a bumper. There were also claims that this type of string bed can better "pocket" the ball on contact than conventional frames, though I have a hard time imagining why that should be the case. As for the stress placed on the strings making those unsupported sharp turns, they could have easily mitigated this problem by adding some radius to the string guide to spread out the load; which some older internally-strung designs had wisely incorporated into their architecture (such as the type seen on the 1968 Midland "STR" below, which Olympian Sports briefly revived in the early '80s on some racquetball racquets), but which Wilson chose not to bother with for whatever reason when they toyed with this design concept.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
This is an extremely round hoop and evenly spread string-bed. It looks like the string guides are moulded as part of the frame?Mine weighs exactly the same as yours, to the gram, with a neutral balance (0.5 Pt head heavy), 320 swing weight, and a flex measurement of 52 RA.
The suspension stringing on the "Project Matrix" may look very "uncomfortable" for the strings, but isn't really any worse than what is found on the Lacoste/Wilson T-2000 family of racquets. The advantages of having the strings suspended internally were twofold: 1) the integrity of the hoop is not compromised by having a bunch of holes drilled through it; and 2) the strings are fully protected from court abrasion even in the absence of a bumper. There were also claims that this type of string bed can better "pocket" the ball on contact than conventional frames, though I have a hard time imagining why that should be the case. As for the stress placed on the strings making those unsupported sharp turns, they could have easily mitigated this problem by adding some radius to the string guide to spread out the load; which some older internally-strung designs had wisely incorporated into their architecture (such as the type seen on the 1968 Midland "STR" below, which Olympian Sports briefly revived in the early '80s on some racquetball racquets), but which Wilson chose not to bother with for whatever reason when they toyed with this design concept.
Sanglier
Professional
Yes, it's a one-piece aluminum frame, made using a pressurized die casting process called "Acurad", developed by General Motors, which eliminated pores in the cast and consequently increased the latter's density and strength. This was the only way to make a cast metal racquet that was as strong as a wooden frame. However, it came with a weight penalty relative to tubular frames that proved impossible to overcome. Mine weighs 418g.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
I was wondering when discussion of the Wilson Project Matrix would offer a tip o’ the hat to the old Midland STR(ange)… 
In the immortal words of Solomon (that’s King, not ski), “there is no new thing under the sun.”
In the immortal words of Solomon (that’s King, not ski), “there is no new thing under the sun.”
graycrait
Legend
Who has one of these and just curious how it "swings?"
Sanglier
Professional
My 418g example is 1 Pt head heavy, with a 420 swing weight (about the same as those tubular steel beasts like the Sterling and Tensor "Ultra"), and a flex of 42 RA.
It really doesn't play all that differently from a hefty wooden racquet, with a lowish sweet spot and a ton of frame vibration if you struck the ball with the upper part of the hoop. However, I think it is still a more competent frame than the ProAm (the only racquet milled from an aluminum forging), which is basically a low frequency tuning fork with a string bed attached.
kevin qmto
Legend
New acquisition. Adidas GTM- Designed by Adidas's French dev team and outsourced production to Kunnan Lo in Taiwan, There's 3 version of this mold for you to enjoy, GTM, GTO, and GMX! This is the more Graphite focused layup, as the hoop will tell you, instead of Fiberglass. I had to count the strings twice, because I had no idea who decided this thing needed an 18x21 string pattern. yes, 18x21.
This frame must have impressed Kunnan Lo enough, so that when Adidas decided in 198? that they no longer wished to sell this GTM/O/MX; Kunnan bought the design patent, modified the frame slightly, and sold it themselves for a year or so under the name "Pro Kennex Graphite 90". Looking at photos of Pro Kennex's version, its clearly identical, even down to the paint job, except it now sports a far more traditional 16x19 string pattern, and a modern grommet strip, as opposed to whatever these things are called again. Enlighten me!
Pics as usual:
don't know if those pads are original, they look a little too homemade.
Graphite eh? Some kinda space age material I tells ya!
Same style buttcap as the Lendl GTX series frames.
This frame must have impressed Kunnan Lo enough, so that when Adidas decided in 198? that they no longer wished to sell this GTM/O/MX; Kunnan bought the design patent, modified the frame slightly, and sold it themselves for a year or so under the name "Pro Kennex Graphite 90". Looking at photos of Pro Kennex's version, its clearly identical, even down to the paint job, except it now sports a far more traditional 16x19 string pattern, and a modern grommet strip, as opposed to whatever these things are called again. Enlighten me!
Pics as usual:
don't know if those pads are original, they look a little too homemade.
Graphite eh? Some kinda space age material I tells ya!
Same style buttcap as the Lendl GTX series frames.
I.M. Weasel
New User
Here is mine GTM Fiberglass
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=eXM0T3dSTjJ5S3B5R2gxTGhIUnBLeHFxWURMQ3VR
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=eXM0T3dSTjJ5S3B5R2gxTGhIUnBLeHFxWURMQ3VR
kevin qmto
Legend
You play with it ever?
I.M. Weasel
New User
Never... It is in my "museum" Spec are 365 grams and balance point 32,2 cm strung. It feels fairly flexible.
5sets
Hall of Fame
Scooped up these bad boys today. Volkl Servo-Soft, Wilson Super Oversize 125”, and a Wilson Sledgehammer 4.8.
davced1
Hall of Fame
What the? Was this a common butt cap shape back in the day? How does it feel to play with?New acquisition. Adidas GTM- Designed by Adidas's French dev team and outsourced production to Kunnan Lo in Taiwan, There's 3 version of this mold for you to enjoy, GTM, GTO, and GMX! This is the more Graphite focused layup, as the hoop will tell you, instead of Fiberglass. I had to count the strings twice, because I had no idea who decided this thing needed an 18x21 string pattern. yes, 18x21.
This frame must have impressed Kunnan Lo enough, so that when Adidas decided in 198? that they no longer wished to sell this GTM/O/MX; Kunnan bought the design patent, modified the frame slightly, and sold it themselves for a year or so under the name "Pro Kennex Graphite 90". Looking at photos of Pro Kennex's version, its clearly identical, even down to the paint job, except it now sports a far more traditional 16x19 string pattern, and a modern grommet strip, as opposed to whatever these things are called again. Enlighten me!
Pics as usual:
don't know if those pads are original, they look a little too homemade.
Graphite eh? Some kinda space age material I tells ya!
Same style buttcap as the Lendl GTX series frames.
kevin qmto
Legend
Honestly it doesn’t feel much different than your standard shape, as the contours of the rest of the handle are conventional. It doesn’t flare out much, so those who love thick buttcap flares would probably want to build it out a bit with tape.
