Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[retrowagen]

Recent finds on my travels include a nice, clean Head TXE (with good grommets!) for $4.50, a Dunlop Biomimetic 500 25 for Retro, Jr for $3.00, a good Head Graphite Edge with cover for $1.00, and a Head Radical Tour (Chinese reissue) “bumblebee” oversize, also for a buck.

Yesterday, I spotted a grubby full-length Yonex R-24 cover in a bin of scuba fins, catcher masks, and racquetball racquets. It had that floppy feeling like there was a smaller racquet inside, not taut as if its intended Yonex was inside. Sure enough... unzipped it, and there’s the dirtiest, messiest Wilson ProStaff mid I’ve ever seen. It was literally covered with greasy dust, and appeared to have scratching all over both sides... but no cracks. Paid $3.20 for it. I get it home, and with a rag and rubbing alcohol, discover a St. Vincent mid (code KHQ) in solid 7.5 or 8/10 condition, in my favorite grip size!

 

[re_ipsa]

Recent finds on my travels include a nice, clean Head TXE (with good grommets!) for $4.50, a Dunlop Biomimetic 500 25 for Retro, Jr for $3.00, a good Head Graphite Edge with cover for $1.00, and a Head Radical Tour (Chinese reissue) “bumblebee” oversize, also for a buck.

Yesterday, I spotted a grubby full-length Yonex R-24 cover in a bin of scuba fins, catcher masks, and racquetball racquets. It had that floppy feeling like there was a smaller racquet inside, not taut as if its intended Yonex was inside. Sure enough... unzipped it, and there’s the dirtiest, messiest Wilson ProStaff mid I’ve ever seen. It was literally covered with greasy dust, and appeared to have scratching all over both sides... but no cracks. Paid $3.20 for it. I get it home, and with a rag and rubbing alcohol, discover a St. Vincent mid (code KHQ) in solid 7.5 or 8/10 condition, in my favorite grip size!

Share the photo then!

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[Sarcastic]

I found this Spalding Power Tech 80 at the thrift store for $5. Used maybe one time. The cover is in fantastic shape. This one goes in the unusual file.

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[graycrait]

I found this Spalding Power Tech 80 at the thrift store for $5.

There is one on the auction site not as nice for buy it now at 139.00. Great find.

 

[dak95_00]

I found this Spalding Power Tech 80 at the thrift store for $5. Used maybe one time. The cover is in fantastic shape. This one goes in the unusual file.

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This definitely looks like a racquet I would dread stringing. Crossing the mains in those tiny places at the top and throat looks like a pain.

 

[Sarcastic]

There is one on the auction site not as nice for buy it now at 139.00. Great find.

I have a knack for finding great deals at thrift stores.


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[graycrait]

I have a knack for finding great deals at thrift stores.

Good, find me a cheap Head Specter!

 

[Sarcastic]

Good, find me a cheap Head Specter!

I’ll keep an eye out. [emoji12]


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[graycrait]

$1.88 but I felt expansive so had Goodwill round it up to $2.00. Pretty decent shape. Red clay around the grommets, broken strings. I'm going to string it with some black syn gut.

Buttcap decal sticker was interesting. Looks like this sporting goods store north of Hamburg went out of business in 1996.

 

[graycrait]

Went to another Goodwill around supper time. Had to round up to $2.00 for this Head Tournament Edge (aluminum), nice leather grip and weighs 12.6oz.

 

[ItalianStallion]

Went to another Goodwill around supper time. Had to round up to $2.00 for this Head Tournament Edge (aluminum), nice leather grip and weighs 12.6oz.

OMG!!!! That is the same racquet I used when I played high school tennis back in the 80's...12.6 ounces??? How did I manage that as a skinny 16 year old kid?

 

[graycrait]

OMG!!!! That is the same racquet I used when I played high school tennis back in the 80's...12.6 ounces??? How did I manage that as a skinny 16 year old kid?

Come on, man up! I was born in 1955 and from age 13 - 21 played with Spalding, Davis and Wilson Autographs, the lightest of which was my Pancho Gonzales Spalding at 13.0 oz. This is exactly why my current D1 college player acquaintances have told me that my strokes are "weird." These kids use 71 RA Babs that don't weigh 12oz, I like to call them "ladymen" until I see that 95mph crosscourt forehand come whizzing by. Man, those kids can hit a ball with those "skinny" sticks. Heck, even the D1 women make me look like an old timer.

P.S. If you want my Head Tournament Edge I'll trade you for an interesting 80s graphite, especially a Prince although I am pretty sure I also need a Chris 5-Star

 

[ItalianStallion]

Come on, man up! I was born in 1955 and from age 13 - 21 played with Spalding, Davis and Wilson Autographs, the lightest of which was my Pancho Gonzales Spalding at 13.0 oz. This is exactly why my current D1 college player acquaintances have told me that my strokes are "weird." These kids use 71 RA Babs that don't weigh 12oz, I like to call them "ladymen" until I see that 95mph crosscourt forehand come whizzing by. Man, those kids can hit a ball with those "skinny" sticks. Heck, even the D1 women make me look like an old timer.

P.S. If you want my Head Tournament Edge I'll trade you for an interesting 80s graphite, especially a Prince although I am pretty sure I also need a Chris 5-Star

I'm afraid my friend that I am now one of those 71 RA Bab-wielding 'ladymen'
Have a Prince 110 Graphite Comp from a thrift store, but sorry - no Chris 5-star...never seen one in person, just in Tennis Mag...oh and on the movie "Total Recall"

 

[graycrait]

just in Tennis Mag...oh and on the movie "Total Recall"

Dang it! I wish you hadn't shared that with me. Auction site cost so much more than Goodwill. I will trade for the Prince Comp if you want the Edge.

 

[ItalianStallion]

Thanks - I think I'd rather keep the Prince Comp over the Tournament Edge - nonetheless, very cool find on your part and thanks for jogging memory lane for me!

 

[Ultra 2]

Most of these with the exception of the mag 90 & comp 90 came from various thrift stores.

 

[ItalianStallion]

^^^ Nice collection - I like your PVC racquet stand too. I was planning on making something similar, my collection is a mess right now.

 

[Ultra 2]

Thanks! Yeah I have a few more stored away. Found some really nice ones this week.. so will post pics later.

 

[Ultra 2]

Revisiting this thread may be stop by my Salvation Army and was rewarded with these:

Super clean Secret EX for $3.99 which I strung up with Kevlar/syn Gut which went straight into my bag next to the 04.

Although unique, I bought the Mono for $2.50 which I particularly don’t care for.

A pretty cool Head Graphite Vector for $2.99 which I strung up with Gutex Graphite and using it to practice serves with. It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

 

[frinton]

Revisiting this thread may be stop by my Salvation Army and was rewarded with these:

Super clean Secret EX for $3.99 which I strung up with Kevlar/syn Gut which went straight into my bag next to the 04.

Although unique, I bought the Mono for $2.50 which I particularly don’t care for.

A pretty cool Head Graphite Vector for $2.99 which I strung up with Gutex Graphite and using it to practice serves with. It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

Nice finds... interesting racket the white red green one...never saw or heard of it. If you do not dig the Mono much, I might happily take it off your hands, if it's in good shape and a reasonable grip size. Let me know, if you are interested in selling or trading it. Cheers, Mischa

 

[coachrick]

It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

PTR was founded by Dennis Van der Meer in the '70s. They were with Spalding in the early days, switching to HEAD later on(not sure of the year).
http://ptrtennis.businesscatalyst.com/about.htm

 

[coachrick]

duplicate post

 

[coachrick]

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[Ultra 2]

Thanks coach!

 

[Ultra 2]

Thanks coach!

 

[dak95_00]

Revisiting this thread may be stop by my Salvation Army and was rewarded with these:

Super clean Secret EX for $3.99 which I strung up with Kevlar/syn Gut which went straight into my bag next to the 04.

Although unique, I bought the Mono for $2.50 which I particularly don’t care for.

A pretty cool Head Graphite Vector for $2.99 which I strung up with Gutex Graphite and using it to practice serves with. It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

Nice pickups.

The Secret was used by Gabriella Sabatini. The Mono is still used by me and was made for Jimmy Connors. He’s still seen using it at times. I’d also trade for it.

 

[dak95_00]

Revisiting this thread may be stop by my Salvation Army and was rewarded with these:

Super clean Secret EX for $3.99 which I strung up with Kevlar/syn Gut which went straight into my bag next to the 04.

Although unique, I bought the Mono for $2.50 which I particularly don’t care for.

A pretty cool Head Graphite Vector for $2.99 which I strung up with Gutex Graphite and using it to practice serves with. It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

Nice pickups.

The Secret was used by Gabriella Sabatini. The Mono is still used by me and was made for Jimmy Connors. He’s still seen using it at times.

 

[Slingerland61]

Today I picked up a nearly mint Wilson Billie Jean King Autograph light at Goodwill and a really nice Wilson Prostaff Classic 6.1 si at Salvation Army.

Really looking forward to hitting with the ProStaff.



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[Slingerland61]

Shoot...it kept telling me it wasn't posting. Looks like it was.
Sorry 'bout that!

 

[Slingerland61]

Duplicate post. Sorry!

 

[Slingerland61]

Duplicate post. Sorry!

 

[Slingerland61]

Duplicate post. Sorry!

 

[Slingerland61]

Duplicate post. Sorry!

 

[Slingerland61]

Sorry.

 

[Zodd]

Most of these with the exception of the mag 90 & comp 90 came from various thrift stores.

Nice finds! See a bunch of sweet sticks in there - and a profile for good measure! The Graphtech DB90 was one of the first frames i had a real revelation with when trying a friends out waaay back - great feeling rackets

 

[Zodd]

double post

 

[Zodd]

Revisiting this thread may be stop by my Salvation Army and was rewarded with these:

Super clean Secret EX for $3.99 which I strung up with Kevlar/syn Gut which went straight into my bag next to the 04.

Although unique, I bought the Mono for $2.50 which I particularly don’t care for.

A pretty cool Head Graphite Vector for $2.99 which I strung up with Gutex Graphite and using it to practice serves with. It came with a “USA Professional Tennis Registry” thermal. Does anyone know what that organization is/was?

Nice! The Yamaha frames always intrigued me but were unf very rare in my neck of the woods. What are the specs and how does it play?

 

[Ultra 2]

Yeah the dB 90’s were my choice of racquets when I stopped playing almost 30 years ago. I used them when I play singles and have been stock piling them when I can find them. I was pleasantly surprised to find 2 of these along with 2 tricomp 90’s at a Salvation Army (not all at the same time).

The Secret EX is a unicorn though. A little less stiff than its brother the Secret 04 but very playable. I can only compare the 04 to the Wilson Profile 2.7 while being a little more playable due to the thinner beam. I believe the Profile had widest beam ever made (pretty sure).

 

[Zodd]

Today I picked up a nearly mint Wilson Billie Jean King Autograph light at Goodwill and a really nice Wilson Prostaff Classic 6.1 si at Salvation Army.

Really looking forward to hitting with the ProStaff.



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Great find - the PC6.1 is a true beast if one can wield it - so plush and stable. Have a few myself and they feel fantastic even w old strings in them.

 

[Zodd]

Today I picked up a nearly mint Wilson Billie Jean King Autograph light at Goodwill and a really nice Wilson Prostaff Classic 6.1 si at Salvation Army.
Really looking forward to hitting with the ProStaff.

That wilson woodie is a beauty as well!

 

[Henry Hub]

Opening my account for the year:

Head Calibre 600. Grip is fading but, as a Ventoris user in what I laughably call my prime, this warms the cockles of my heart. £6 in Clapham.

Head Pure Competition XL Twin Tube (660). Sporting the only paint job that chips and scrapes actually improve, this is a new one to me. Also £6 in Clapham.

Beautifully preserved Maxply McEnroe, £4 in Balham.

Tecnifibre TFight 325 - think it's the original as it's the Texalium version. If it's seen more than an hour's action, I'd be amazed. £2.50 in Battersea. One of those wonderful moments when you spot a thin beam poking out of a bucket of badminton and squash rackets and your hopes rise the more you manoeuvre it out, until you're left with it in your greedy hands, scanning the hoop for cracks in a mixture of disbelief and glee.


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[RDM]

I’ve only started looking in Charity Shops recently and am restricting myself to “midsizish” and upwards aluminium or graphite racquets that look half interesting or which I know are good. Have also been badgering family and friends to turn out what they might have. This has so far yielded the following.
Dunlop Max 200G Pro $3
Puma Boris Becker Topstar $2
Pro Kennex Silver Ltd $5 (oversize)
Pro Kennex Micro Ace $5
Head Graphite Edge $9
Prince Pro $5 (oversize)
Wilson Reflex $10
Spalding System 20 OS $6
Dunlop Max 3000 Boron $6
Wilson Pro Comp (free)
Yonex OPS-32 (free - same as the RX-32 I believe)
Slazenger Silver Sovereign Ltd Ceramic $2 (looks to be exactly the same mould as the Dunlop Max 3000 Boron)
Yamaha XAM4 $10 (missing from image)

 

[frinton]

Head Pure Competition XL Twin Tube (660). Sporting the only paint job that chips and scrapes actually improve, this is a new one to me. Also £6 in Clapham.

Very nice start into 2018. I am intrigued by this Twintube... Can you post more detailed pics and does anyone know more about? Could be a Radical under different name and paint for a chain-store?

...fail better!

 

[Henry Hub]

Item # 273002461813 on the big auction site is the same model, Frinton. According to the collective wisdom of this forum (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ad-extreme-and-pure-competition-please.79629/ ):

They're all of twin tube and pyramid construction, and some were available in both standard and XL versions. Mats Wilander played with the Pure Competition XL for a while(just before he retired from the ATP Tour yet again), then went to a Ti Heat XL. While Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas were pushing the Extreme Competition. Both frames were 18 x 19, the Pure had I think a 21mm constant beam, while the Extreme I think was 23mm. They're both rather flexy low powered lightish frames. Being part of the Pyramid series, they were at times prone to cracking. And like other Head 660+ head size frames, they're rather soft in the hoop and can distort while stringing. They didn't hit half bad at all, had a nice feel to them.

 

[Sarcastic]

I generally pick up frames from the 70’s and 80’s, but for $4 I couldn’t pass up the chance to see why these have become so popular. In decent shape with no chips or cracks. Just court rash.

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[dak95_00]

I think I might be cured. I passed on about 6 racquets today that I had many reasons to buy.

Woods:
Dunlop Marty R(somebody) Autograph Model in new condition.
Wright & Ditson Melbourne in nearly mint condition

Graphites:
Prince More Approach
Four different Donnay racquets. They were all WST or VST models.

They were all between $2 and $8 and I walked away. Instead I bought a laser mouse for my computer and a laser pointer along with a foam roller. At another store I bought all of the necessary items to play RockBand and Guitar Hero on the kids Xbox 360. Lastly, I bought some dvds of workout videos for the kettlebells I’ve had for a handful of years. Those should provide me with many hours of fun.

 

[TCTEN]

I think I might be cured. I passed on about 6 racquets today that I had many reasons to buy.

Woods:
Dunlop Marty R(somebody) Autograph Model in new condition.
Wright & Ditson Melbourne in nearly mint condition

Graphites:
Prince More Approach
Four different Donnay racquets. They were all WST or VST models.

They were all between $2 and $8 and I walked away. Instead I bought a laser mouse for my computer and a laser pointer along with a foam roller. At another store I bought all of the necessary items to play RockBand and Guitar Hero on the kids Xbox 360. Lastly, I bought some dvds of workout videos for the kettlebells I’ve had for a handful of years. Those should provide me with many hours of fun.

I'm guessing that Marty R would have been Marty Riessen, an American player of note in the 60s and 70s.

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[dak95_00]

I'm guessing that Marty R would have been Marty Riessen, an American player of note in the 60s and 70s.

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That’s correct.

 

[max]

Guys, this is all good stuff. But given a basement and a closet with plenty of loose old racquets, I only buy what I think I might actually be swinging more than a time or two.

I love the old stuff. But I only have so much time to jerk with it.

I've passed up some decent frames because of this, with only passing regret. Someone else will buy.

However, some jackdad did a video on youtube about going to cheap stores and buying tennis racquets, as a profit making venture rather than for personal use. Sure, he's free to do that, but it stinks still. Much better to be in the hands of a real player rather than a grubber.

 

[Ultra 2]

Well, there’s two guys over here in SoCal that does this. I’ve actually got some really nice frames from them (Secret 04 & Elite Pro) at a decent price.

Other stuff I just pick up just for nostalgia, and others for donor/parts.

For me it’s pretty much 3 type of frames I keep.. Classic Prince 90’s, late 80’s Head pros & Secret frames. Those are the ones I hit with.

 

[graycrait]

I local teaching pro told me day before yesterday about someone who was selling 87 rackets on an auction site as a group. He told me that lots of folks will take these sorts of groups, bundle them in twos and threes and resell on The Auction Site. I guess that is how I got two nice Italian made Garcia wood rackets. I know these twins named Garcia who play pretty darn well and thought they would get a kick out them for wall hangers. Gave them to the twins the other day, they were tickled and were not aware those racquets had existed.

Classic Prince 90’s

Which Prince 90s do you find most appealing? Just wondered.

 

[Ultra 2]

My gamer for singles is the Graphtech DB90 which I have 5 of. A close second would be the Tricomp 90 (have 2 of those).

From there I sometimes use the POG, Spectrum, Response & Graph Comp 90’s in that order. I love the open string pattern on all of these.

When I play doubles I sometimes bring out the Secret EX and O4 but it feels like cheating playing with those.

For strings I use Kevlar mains and syn Gut crosses @ 65lbs on the princes and 67 on the Yamaha’s.

 

[AlexR]

NEW PERSONAL BEST: literally new, plastic on grip, never strung Prince Spectrum Comp 90, 4 3/8ths. $5. Grip's turning slightly brown due to being from 1986. Otherwise looks like it went straight from the rack to the bin.

 

[Ultra 2]

I'm trying to refrain, but came across these which were owned by the same person. Almost felt wrong to not keep the pair together. The Sting OS appears to be a similar one to the one Graycait posted on the Sting post, and know very little about the Javelin other than Edberg used the midsized model back in the day. Sting has UF stamp on the butt cap whereas the Javelin has the SF stamping. Barely used and only need to remove the gum from the head tape.