Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

Rorsach

Hall of Fame
Very nice! It looks as though it was strung incorrectly; there should be another cross at the bottom of that, if I remember well.

I think it's missing 2 crosses at the bottom. Going from other examples, tthere's also 2 shared holes at the bottom.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
I think it's missing 2 crosses at the bottom. Going from other examples, tthere's also 2 shared holes at the bottom.

Ah, right you are - checked my old copy of Kneissl stringing patterns tonight, and you are correct. :)

Today's visit on the way home from work to a thrift store netted a nice, very early Prince Woodie and its cover for $1.99!
 

Rorsach

Hall of Fame
And a new one:

ISixwnS.jpg
 

Gonzalito17

Banned
Actually found a an old 70s Donnay Borg big racquet bag, really cool, it could hold about five or six. I passed on it but now wish I bought it for like six bucks. It was gone when I went back.
 

Baxter

Professional
Wilson Triad 6.0 Midplus for $9.99. I'm going to hit with it tomorrow morning. I would post pics if it wasn't such a PIA to do it here.
 
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jonestim

Hall of Fame
Another bumperless St Vincent Pro Staff 85 came home with me today. That's three in the last two years, and one more with a bumper. This one is in the best condition so far. The grip looks new. The grommets appear to have just a couple string jobs on them. There are a few chips in the paint, but it's really nice.
 

chrisberchris

Semi-Pro
Bought a k90 for $40 and a grey/blue graphite matrix for $10 at a play it again sports in atl. I'm excited to play with the matrix!
 

Matt G

Rookie
Wilson Reflex Mid and a Wilson staff composite from the Highbeam series

The Reflex is going to be fun to play with i think!
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
^ Wow, that Donnay brings back some late-80’s memories. For the edification of those who weren't around back then:

Guillermo Pérez-Roldán:

1988-rg-perez-roldan.jpg

Made the QF at Roland Garros in 1988, defeated by Agassi.

Guillermo Pérez-Rodan:

rodan.jpg

Destroyed some villages in Japan in 1986, defeated by Godzilla.
 
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michael_1265

Professional
I found this at Goodwill for $3.25. The is the fourth split throat wood racquet I have found at this particular Goodwill, all in great condition.
I don't think that these are really common. Maybe Spalding didn't sell that many?
10494685716_8204f81ff9_b.jpg
 

Joakley

New User
Just scored a Wilson Pro Staff 125 St. Vincent for 8 bucks at play it again. The frame and grip are in great condition but the throat grommets are shot. Going to try to find some so I can string it and have a hit.
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Just scored a Wilson Pro Staff 125 St. Vincent for 8 bucks at play it again. The frame and grip are in great condition but the throat grommets are shot. Going to try to find some so I can string it and have a hit.

Nice Score!!! Surprisingly good frames - not fantastic but a nice frame to have in the arsenal. I've hit some great ground strokes with mine Chicago 125 and volleys are sweet
 

michael_1265

Professional
I found a bag stuffed with racquets! A retro Prince 1991 bag with four Princes and a Dunlop. Other than the nasty grips, they all look to be in 8.0 or better condition. I bargained the guy down to $25. CTS Synergy, Lightning, Storm, and a Mac Boron. I really liked the CTS series, and could not resist.

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frinton

Professional
Finally a successful trip to the goodwill yesterday - scored 2 Lacoste metals.

IMG_3432.JPG


IMG_3435.JPG


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I have yet to look up what they are called - or can anybody help me out (I actually also don't know what the "original T-2000 Lacoste"'s name is?)
anyway...one is a Light Medium, with broken strings (379g), the other a Medium Top, 390g.
 

BlueB

Legend
Other day I picked Prince Trycomp 90 and Pro Kennex Graphite Summit 95, both in very sweet condition.
Interesting thing:
Prince, as a descendant of Spectrum Comp, has the same 93 sqin head, as oposed to marked 90. However, the PK, in despite of being marked 95 is bearly 90 sqin...
 

VGP

Legend
About a month ago I thought I had a good score.

I went to a local thrift store and in the pile of stuff I saw peeking through the classic orange and yellow stripe on black.

I pulled it out and it was a Belgian PS85 for $3. Looking it over, it was pretty beat up. Head wear and the butt cap was banged up. Upon closer inspection...cracked.

Oh well.
 

frinton

Professional
About a month ago I thought I had a good score.

I went to a local thrift store and in the pile of stuff I saw peeking through the classic orange and yellow stripe on black.

I pulled it out and it was a Belgian PS85 for $3. Looking it over, it was pretty beat up. Head wear and the butt cap was banged up. Upon closer inspection...cracked.

Oh well.

I would have still bought it for 3 bucks ;-)
 
I got myself another T-2000. And a Yonex Rexplay 2, whatever that is. Both in relatively nice condition. Only thing is that I paid an absurd amount of money for them...

And now that I have two T-2K's, I'm contemplating playing with them for a while, while I'm waiting for my Speed to come back and my Mono, which seems to be permanently lost, sadly... Never got a call back from the other club...
 
2 Donnay Borg Pro's, different versions, for 2 euros each. One new, one lightly used.

MJcSzbS.jpg

That grip. I've never seen a Borg Pro in person before, but it looks extremely long compared to a normal racquet. It's something I've always been wondering about. How much longer is it compared to a conventional racquet?
 

Rorsach

Hall of Fame
Top to bottom:

Dunlop Max400i
Donnay Borg Pro long grip version
Donnay Borg Pro short grip version
Wilson Steam 99S
Yonex VCore 98D
Babolat AeroPro Drive

w9XEe56.jpg
 

struggle

Legend
That grip. I've never seen a Borg Pro in person before, but it looks extremely long compared to a normal racquet. It's something I've always been wondering about. How much longer is it compared to a conventional racquet?

I never understood the x-long grip on the Borg Pro's.
I understand that he was a unique two hander on the BH
(at the time),but he didn't keep his off hand on the racket as long as most
of us 2HBH folks do. I never have felt the desire for a longer
than normal grip , although I'll run my OG up a little past the
leather sometimes.

still cool. did his Bancrofts ever have the XL grip?
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
I never understood the x-long grip on the Borg Pro's.
I understand that he was a unique two hander on the BH
(at the time),but he didn't keep his off hand on the racket as long as most
of us 2HBH folks do. I never have felt the desire for a longer
than normal grip , although I'll run my OG up a little past the
leather sometimes.

still cool. did his Bancrofts ever have the XL grip?

The Bancroft Borgs we sold in South Carolina had slightly longer grips; but not the length of the Donnay. That Donnay grip was so extreme, if felt like the difference between wearing shoes and wearing boots. Many a case of tennis elbow was exacerbated by installing replacements or even the extra-length(width actually)Fairway. IMO, the grip length on the Chris Evert or the 'two hand' T2000 was all that was needed for a retail racket. Some of those Donnay Borg customers nearly choked when they heard the cost of a replacement grip!
 
^I remember this!^
We had one good (open/a player) in the area who just worshipped borg. European guy, fila headbands, 2handed bh and everything. Had a bunch of donnay borg pros and bancrofts, too. He used to hit with us kids sometimes. He taught me how to wash grips with ivory soap and water. used castor oil to preserve his grips so he did not have to buy new ones. Did the two grips system on one of his sticks as a replacement.

I remember liking my one hander and figuring it was just better and more economical to be a one hander whether it was with a bancroft, a donnay, a wilson or a dunlop!
 

VGP

Legend
It happened again.

In the years looking at thrift shops and used sporting goods stores in my area I hadn't come across a Dunlop Max 200g.

I would like one but I just never wanted to pay internet prices.

This weekend I came across one for $12. Good cosmetics, the yellow hadn't even faded like it does on many. Babolat head guard tape, original leather grip....

.....warped.

Oh well.
 

VGP

Legend
I know.

It must be a regional thing. Perhaps the frames you find in different communities reflects the tastes and trends of the area.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
I know.

It must be a regional thing. Perhaps the frames you find in different communities reflects the tastes and trends of the area.

...Or a regional sales rep from one brand or another who was doing a tremendous job selling product to local shops.

I can also remember occasions back in the 80's and early 90's, when one club pro or another would sell one model of racquet to everyone he taught or advised in the pro shop... to the effect that I could guess with good accuracy who a certain player's coach was, by the racquet in his hand. :neutral:
 

austintennis2005

Professional
I just found a prince with "EXPERIMENTAL" engraved on side, fairly heavy, thinner beam, head light for $19.95 should I get it as an investment?
 

PBODY99

Legend
I just found a prince with "EXPERIMENTAL" engraved on side, fairly heavy, thinner beam, head light for $19.95 should I get it as an investment?
Generally good hitters.
In fun yes. Many of those frames made there way to NJTL programs.Is the engineering code in the throat area ?
 

austintennis2005

Professional
actually i just remembered something unique about the frame: on the sides of the shaft just above the handle there were very small, thin cut out areas-rectangular that went all the way through to the other side...almost like a slot you could put a penny through...never seen that before
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
actually i just remembered something unique about the frame: on the sides of the shaft just above the handle there were very small, thin cut out areas-rectangular that went all the way through to the other side...almost like a slot you could put a penny through...never seen that before

The original 'ports' perhaps?
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
Just picked up a nearly mint 4-stripe POG OS w/ suede bag for $15 and a Head Youtek Radical MP that appears new or on first set of strings for $25. Now if the snow would just melt!
 
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