Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

Sanglier

Professional
I’m traveling, where there is no access to any of the common video and image hosting sites. I have no choice but to sit this one out.
 

emkayenaim

Rookie
I’m so glad TennisTV did this challenge again this year. I’m a little shocked I couldn’t immediately tell what models they’re using. If you guys remember last year, they totally screwed up both players choices. Dimitrov’s racket was supposed to be from the 50’s but was clearly from the 70s (70’s era Kramer Auto) and Rublev’s was supposed to be 80’s but was also the 70’s (red head tournament)


Alright eagle eyes @Sanglier @Grafil Injection what do we have here?

Of the 1980s Yonex frames available, Stan could've picked up a Rexking frame.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
I think Stan is playing with the Yonex R-1; he stayed on the good graces of his racquet sponsor with that!

Le Monf looks to have a Rawlings or Seamco?
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I think Stan is playing with the Yonex R-1; he stayed on the good graces of his racquet sponsor with that!

Le Monf looks to have a Rawlings or Seamco?

I'm fairly sure it's the Yonex OPS-5 as it has an oval shape, shown in the back row:

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Whereas, the R-1 was renowned for having the isometric shape:

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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I'm fairly sure it's the Yonex OPS-5 as it has an oval shape, shown in the back row:

Classic-Monte-Carlo-rackets.png


Whereas, the R-1 was renowned for having the isometric shape:
Looking at that photo, they don’t seem to have a racket for the 2000’s. Babolat is from the 2010’s I think. And the radical OS is from the 90’s. Well, actually I suppose it could be the first Agassi signature reissue from 2006 or so. But then they’d have nothing for the 90’s. Either way there was an error here again. Probably the same people who set it up this year as last year. Not exactly experts I think.
 
Wowie. Tonight was a 5 racket night... total spent, $28. Found at a goodwill that almost never has anything decent.

Models:
2021 Head Prestige Pro
2010 Wilson PS BLX Six One 90
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One Tour 90 (x2)
2012 Wilson PS BLX Six One 95

Taking pics tonight.
You should be VERY pleased with these finds...good job!
Now the question is...are you gonna take them out on court for a spin?
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
nice score but those finds are rare/weird/unique/woody enough to go out for a spin. ahahhaha
You know me pretty well haha. A lot of my objectively good finds have a way of finding their way to the back of my closet while the weird/obscure/cheap sticks get used lol.

But I do have all 3 PS90’s in my bag right now.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I was a little concerned that this Silhouette Shadow 95 might be a much lighter model, but luckily it comes in at 360g, 33cm balance, which I believe the original paintjob version used by Arantxa would have been near to too. It also happily has fewer of the go-faster stripes; so I see this as a 'Noir' edition of the day. The beam is a subtle dual taper from 19mm at the handle to 25mm at 3&9 then down to 23mm at the top, which makes the sweet spot feel high in the hoop. Looking forward to hitting soon.
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I recently found out that my Slazenger Silhouette Shadow came out in 1991 at the same time as a Silhouette Spectre, both whilst the original Silhouette was still available. The difference being that the Shadow was slightly more flexible than the original, and the Spectre was slightly more stiff. Based on my estimate that the Shadow is around 62RA, I guess the original was 65-66ish and the Spectre around 70. Nice idea. Like the PS 7.0, 6.1 and 5.5 I guess.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
I recently found out that my Slazenger Silhouette Shadow came out in 1991 at the same time as a Silhouette Spectre, both whilst the original Silhouette was still available. The difference being that the Shadow was slightly more flexible than the original, and the Spectre was slightly more stiff. Based on my estimate that the Shadow is around 62RA, I guess the original was 65-66ish and the Spectre around 70. Nice idea. Like the PS 7.0, 6.1 and 5.5 I guess.
We only got the original Silhouette in the USA. It’s too bad fat Mike won’t let Slazenger be a premium tennis brand again.
 

Kevo

Legend
Found this one yesterday. Prince Spectrum Pro 90. Along with period correct Klip overgrip.
When I was a freshman in high school I was pegged by a senior who used that frame. It was the hardest I've ever been hit playing tennis. I was sore for days. I think the ball went like 50ft in the air after hitting my shoulder. Needless to say that frame holds a special place in my heart. :laughing:
 
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ey039524

Hall of Fame
Found this one yesterday. Prince Spectrum Pro 90. Along with period correct Klip head tape.
Wow. What kind of grip did it come with?

I recently bought a couple of new old stock powerflex 90s with a synthetic grip that disintegrated. Replaced them w leather.

I had a Wilson ceramic that I used as a junior. Some kid at my clinic pretended to swing his racquet at mine, while I was standing in line and accidentally hit it and cracked it. I was bummed. Moved on to the Wilson profiles after.
 

RDM

Rookie
Wow. What kind of grip did it come with?

I recently bought a couple of new old stock powerflex 90s with a synthetic grip that disintegrated. Replaced them w leather.

I had a Wilson ceramic that I used as a junior. Some kid at my clinic pretended to swing his racquet at mine, while I was standing in line and accidentally hit it and cracked it. I was bummed. Moved on to the Wilson profiles after.
It has a leather grip. What I thought was an unused over grip that came with it turned out to be a length of head tape instead.
 

Bambooman

Legend
I caved and bought an original Graphite Edge from Play it Again for $30. I have two others that I got for a total of $10 so I figure that's OK.

Too many other gems were bought for practically nothing so it's OK to get burned once in a while.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I caved and bought an original Graphite Edge from Play it Again for $30. I have two others that I got for a total of $10 so I figure that's OK.

Too many other gems were bought for practically nothing so it's OK to get burned once in a while.
If something is uncommon and in great shape, it’s ok to splurge a little. Honestly 30 is about auction site going rate for a good Graphite Edge, or an Edge Special Edition.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I caved and bought an original Graphite Edge from Play it Again for $30. I have two others that I got for a total of $10 so I figure that's OK.

Too many other gems were bought for practically nothing so it's OK to get burned once in a while.

Just means you have to go out and buy a few cheaper sticks to keep your average price under control. That's what I tell myself anyway.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
I did take a few pics of the Orbi-Tech before boxing it up and shipping it out to hopefully maybe get some new pallets. I got no guarantees that RP would be able to help me, only that "he will try." The original buttcap remained stuck to the hairpin despite the rest of the pallet crumbling to dust.

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I like how their little Spalding Tennis logo guy even has one of these wide throat rackets. nice attention to detail right there.
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Both sides of the channel have some metal (lead?) in there, presumably to keep them close to balance specs?
What are some known advantages and disadvantages to having a throat of that shape on a racquet?
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
What are some known advantages and disadvantages to having a throat of that shape on a racquet?
Spalding said something about having a throat that was nearly completely straight that then carried on into the hoop added stiffness and stability that a curved beam would lack.

Update on that Spalding Orbitech - the post office has admitted it’s likely lost in a warehouse somewhere and advised me to put in an insurance refund application. RIP Orbi.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
the post office has admitted it’s likely lost in a warehouse somew
OMFG WOW! The insurance won't be able to cover the difficulty of how to find one of those things! :mad:

Really sorry to hear that man

I do wonder still though what DISADVANTAGES it would have considering if it added stability it would surely be on every racquet by now.
 

Bambooman

Legend
I saw one of these in mint condition a few months back. It just felt a bit too odd with that head shape. I think it was going for about $8
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
OMFG WOW! The insurance won't be able to cover the difficulty of how to find one of those things! :mad:

Really sorry to hear that man

I do wonder still though what DISADVANTAGES it would have considering if it added stability it would surely be on every racquet by now.
At this point I’d rather it have gotten lost as I only paid $12 for the frame and the box came with $100 insurance lol.
 

Sanglier

Professional
The late Rich Janes, one of the design leads behind the Wilson ProStaff, had become the design lead at Spalding when the Orbitech series was developed. The rationale behind the big round head and extra wide neck was to increase twist weight, like a spinning figure skater extending their arms out to come out of a tight spin, thus maximizing stability for a given head size and frame weight/balance, but it would have come at the theoretical cost of maneuverability. The idea wasn’t new, but Janes pushed it to the extreme. However, he also did not hesitate to call the unusual designs he had been responsible for at Spalding ‘gimmicks’. Spalding was making a final effort to regain a foothold in the increasingly cutthroat and consolidating racquet market; they had hoped that being different was going to do it for them. In the end, it wasn’t enough.

As for the racquet vanishing from the postal system, odds are the box or the shipping label had become damaged during transit or sorting, causing the content to be routed to the USPS ‘unclaimed’ parcel processing center (I was told it’s in Atlanta). They supposedly hold these parcels for several weeks, giving their rightful owner time to claim them, but they also tell you to wait for about the same amount of time before filing a claim! When the owner inevitably fails to file the claim on time to start the trace, the parcel is auctioned off to bargain hunters, some of whom immediately put these things on fleabay. It’s all perfectly legal!

I once bought the same racquet twice off of fleabay through this post office magic. To add a tragicomedic flair to this travesty, they will also send you a robot notice periodically, as required by law, telling you that they are still working very hard to locate your (by then already on fleabay again) parcel. You can send them the fleabay link, but there will be no response. After six months or so, they will send you a final notice telling you that their best efforts had failed, and that’s that.
 
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Bisquick

Rookie
Update on that Spalding Orbitech - the post office has admitted it’s likely lost in a warehouse somewhere and advised me to put in an insurance refund application. RIP Orbi.
Lost in a warehouse story- A few years back I bought a standup paddle from someone in LA, shipped same way. It got lost, same excuse. Seller refunded my money and insurance covered her side. Then about 4 months later, I’m leaving my place and there’s the paddle outside my front door :)
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
Heres the two versions of the BLX Six One 90 I got. I have 2 of the tours, and the pics here are of the one in better shape. The other one has the trademark scratches of someone who tosses a racket across a court like a boomerang. the face on one side of the hoop is scratched completely off. My teammate in high school had this racket and did the same thing.

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Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Heres the two versions of the BLX Six One 90 I got. I have 2 of the tours, and the pics here are of the one in better shape. The other one has the trademark scratches of someone who tosses a racket across a court like a boomerang. the face on one side of the hoop is scratched completely off. My teammate in high school had this racket and did the same thing.

r2nhdum.jpg

J8vYRMC.jpg

YGVvAiT.jpg

2mln7l6.jpg

N9FGNLt.jpg


0loni5N.jpg

8H69KaX.jpg

b5oNGo2.jpg

ooEP1bO.jpg

Well you'll certainly get your money back. Good to see they have no cracks at the shoulders, which was a common issue.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I thought about trying to find new headguards for both, but the few that have been hoarded by sellers go for as much as the rackets themselves lol.

I cut it off my Tour 90, which was in similar condition to yours, as it felt a bit clubby. Saved 3g I think, which I guess is about 9 SW pts.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Got this Puma Vilas from the internet. Bad condition + there are moving particles inside. I discovered the hidden screw turner in the case (green plastic of the Vilas vs. metal from Vilas Power). Racket weights 360grams without grip. With two discs 67,5cm long.

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Rare to see one with the handle extension pieces. Always wanted to play my Winner at 27'.
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I found what is perhaps the most advanced racket Davis ever sold, the Esprit. Circa 1984-86 if I'm not mistaken, one of about 3 full graphite frames sold by TAD. This had been on my radar for a long time and I was thrilled to find it at a Savers for $3! In decent shape, I love the classic 80's red perimeter stripe. It might not be original, but I dig its simple aesthetic. It's 100% graphite, strung very tight with some Toa Strings, which ones exactly I was unable to make out, very little of the printed on info remains on the strings themselves. Hit with it briefly and it was a joy. 334g strung, swingweight felt heavier, but its right in my sweetspot, up there with the Yamaha 90 which probably is no coincidence, though the Esprit is 85sq in. The TAD logo probably was painted on the buttcap at some point but has mostly worn away, and it appears to have never had a head guard. They also updated the diamond shape TAD logo, its not as regal as it once was, but maybe they did that to seem less old fashioned? My buddy Bob has about every Davis under the sun, including the isometric Boron graphite frame they had along with this, but somehow he didn't have an Esprit yet so I have that over him lol.

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Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I've come across a few sticks recently with similar fluorescent syn-gut strings. The Fin Genius and Slazenger Comp. They seem to hold tension really well and have a great feel. That TAD Esprit is unusually light for an early 80s 85sqi. Is there a leather under the OG, or just handle?
 

kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
I've come across a few sticks recently with similar fluorescent syn-gut strings. The Fin Genius and Slazenger Comp. They seem to hold tension really well and have a great feel. That TAD Esprit is unusually light for an early 80s 85sqi. Is there a leather under the OG, or just handle?
It had a single overgrip over the foam pallet for some reason. Guess they didn’t like cushioning lol. I put a Wilson comfort grip on, much better.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I found what is perhaps the most advanced racket Davis ever sold, the Esprit. Circa 1984-86 if I'm not mistaken, one of about 3 full graphite frames sold by TAD. This had been on my radar for a long time and I was thrilled to find it at a Savers for $3! In decent shape, I love the classic 80's red perimeter stripe. It might not be original, but I dig its simple aesthetic. It's 100% graphite, strung very tight with some Toa Strings, which ones exactly I was unable to make out, very little of the printed on info remains on the strings themselves. Hit with it briefly and it was a joy. 334g strung, swingweight felt heavier, but its right in my sweetspot, up there with the Yamaha 90 which probably is no coincidence, though the Esprit is 85sq in. The TAD logo probably was painted on the buttcap at some point but has mostly worn away, and it appears to have never had a head guard. They also updated the diamond shape TAD logo, its not as regal as it once was, but maybe they did that to seem less old fashioned? My buddy Bob has about every Davis under the sun, including the isometric Boron graphite frame they had along with this, but somehow he didn't have an Esprit yet so I have that over him lol.

1XW5dbr.jpg

3N3UjF4.jpg

zoduDqI.jpg

CWSIz86.jpg

3Y6PYYj.jpg

lK6gK4i.jpg
that looks really nice. And that TAD logo looks familiar. I think I have a Tad Woodie somewhere.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Almost their whole catalog is woodies, I think they scoffed at the idea of ‘plastic rackets’ for far too long and it was their undoing in the end.
Yup, TAD, Donnay, and Snauwaert embraced plastic reinforced with carbon fiber too late. Donnay even thought graphite was a fad that wouldn’t last.
 
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Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Ehh idk. Just overgrips are a blister recipe for my hands. I honestly love the plush, thick cushiony base grips with deep bevels.

It's weird, a regular opponent gets covered in blisters using mainly modern tweeners with cushy grips, and I never get them using all sorts of ancient leather grips, even some with just Pro Sensation (0.4mm) OG on the handle. Must be my old-school strokes.
 
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