Black Max - what a beauty!

[Deleted member 775108]

Yes, I've posted a number of times in praise of this little machine, which is versatile, portable, has a tiny footprint, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to own.
...

This is why I love TTW! Thank you for the detailed reply @Sanglier

 

[Grafil Injection]

'Yes, I've posted a number of times in praise of this little machine, which is versatile, portable, has a tiny footprint, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to own.'

Could be talking about the Black Max too! What I like about it is it seems more manoeuvrable with better feel than the dozens of other Taiwan 85s. I do suspect, with the IMF rackets in the pipeline, and the MaxPly still on sale, that Dunlop spent a bit of time optimising the balance/flex/feel to be broadly similar to the rest of their stable.

 

[Backspin to the Future]

I`ve just managed to find my first Black Max and must agree that they are great looking rackets.
I`d be interested to know from any experts amongst you which version (I believe there were three ) I`ve bagged.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DfgC4RNhzUuTd-c2-b9a-cbrLPgTuaMd/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DUOXdnFR6k41g9BIxUj3E0kLqhcZsw57/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BVhx3OFv3-Fq6Dsn9HHR9cXawu
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q0wBoVl3N3KnLhSoGo8P35Jqop5ecx9j/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RzCtwwhMuKEmhv3U1tNbWRwfomspEy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15OU09U_gOnBZpJDlGawcy91rW7Mj5xHK/view?usp=drive_link

The racket and bag (similar style to the earler Dunlop IMF series) are in almost new condition.
The racket has 70 grommets which may or may not help with the date,maybe the bag design too.
Bag has a nice little inside zip pocket -for keys/coins/wristbands ??
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tzog0SIT8dpw7Urvt93srQy_MF8--bIW/view?usp=drive_link

Hope to be hitting for the first time with it tomorrow after protecting the original grip with an overgrip (L3 to small for me anyway )
Does anyone know what the MM 1 2326 code means ?
After tomorrows knock with it I may well start watching out for a Pro version too.


Apologies for only having pic links - I haven`t worked out how to embed them as photos from Google Drive yet.

 

[serveandvolE]

I`ve just managed to find my first Black Max and must agree that they are great looking rackets.
I`d be interested to know from any experts amongst you which version (I believe there were three ) I`ve bagged.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DfgC4RNhzUuTd-c2-b9a-cbrLPgTuaMd/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DUOXdnFR6k41g9BIxUj3E0kLqhcZsw57/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BVhx3OFv3-Fq6Dsn9HHR9cXawu
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q0wBoVl3N3KnLhSoGo8P35Jqop5ecx9j/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RzCtwwhMuKEmhv3U1tNbWRwfomspEy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15OU09U_gOnBZpJDlGawcy91rW7Mj5xHK/view?usp=drive_link

The racket and bag (similar style to the earler Dunlop IMF series) are in almost new condition.
The racket has 70 grommets which may or may not help with the date,maybe the bag design too.
Bag has a nice little inside zip pocket -for keys/coins/wristbands ??
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tzog0SIT8dpw7Urvt93srQy_MF8--bIW/view?usp=drive_link

Hope to be hitting for the first time with it tomorrow after protecting the original grip with an overgrip (L3 to small for me anyway )
Does anyone know what the MM 1 2326 code means ?
After tomorrows knock with it I may well start watching out for a Pro version too.


Apologies for only having pic links - I haven`t worked out how to embed them as photos from Google Drive yet.

Great looking example! It looks NOS- great find! I'm not an expert on the Black Max but I do know a little bit. I believe that you have a later production example due to: 1. It has individual grommets and 2. it has a bumper guard. I can't prove it, but I think that only the later production models came with a bumper guard logically before the Black Max II came out switching production of the Black Max lineage from Taiwan to Germany. I bet that case can also help determine the date- the cases I have for mine which seem more common don't look at all like that one.

 

[Backspin to the Future]

Thanks for the reply serveandvolE,
my racket being a mid or late example makes sense as it has plastic clips for the carry strap on the bag .
Siimilar Dunlop bags for some of their IMFs like my Max 300i had metal clips - by the time the Max 400i arrived they all seemed to be plastic.
I read somewhere about three bag designs but haven`t seen any photos yet.
I watched your video last night as I was unboxing the racket..and then the video on older racket grommets.
Luckily mine look fine but the proof will be I the hit tomorrow.
The stringing is the original set (synthetic gut ?) and sounds taught but I`ve no gauge to measure the tension.
I noticed that, suprisingly (to me at least ), it was designed in the U.S.A. and not England as I thought most of Dunlop`s designs at time would have been.
Made in Taiwan and looks a real quality job.

​

​

 

[Grafil Injection]

Thanks for the reply serveandvolE,
my racket being a mid or late example makes sense as it has plastic clips for the carry strap on the bag .
Siimilar Dunlop bags for some of their IMFs like my Max 300i had metal clips - by the time the Max 400i arrived they all seemed to be plastic.
I read somewhere about three bag designs but haven`t seen any photos yet.
I watched your video last night as I was unboxing the racket..and then the video on older racket grommets.
Luckily mine look fine but the proof will be I the hit tomorrow.
The stringing is the original set (synthetic gut ?) and sounds taught but I`ve no gauge to measure the tension.
I noticed that, suprisingly (to me at least ), it was designed in the U.S.A. and not England as I thought most of Dunlop`s designs at time would have been.
Made in Taiwan and looks a real quality job.

​

​

How was that Black Max to hit with? I was wondering whether the addition of the head-guard on the later versions added much to the weight/balance/SW?

 

[Backspin to the Future]

My racket weighs in at roughly 380 grams with both an overgrip and grip band included.
Balance is head heavy- but not to the same degree as a 200G and it feels more manoeverable(maybe down to the thinner beam?)
I`ve just noticed that marked(factory painted) on the side of the racket is: MM I 2326 -I`ve no idea what this means.
Grip size is L3 4 3/8L
Mine ideally needs a re-string to give it a more pop and it lacks the relatively effortless plow through and heft on serves of rackets like the 200G or 300i.
Probably has a slight edge on the above for touch shots though..maybe as the frame is more flexible with the fibreglass in the mix.
I love the look of the racket.
If I`m up against a really heavy hitter though this one usually stays in the bag

 

[Grafil Injection]

My racket weighs in at roughly 380 grams with both an overgrip and grip band included.
Balance is head heavy- but not to the same degree as a 200G and it feels more manoeverable(maybe down to the thinner beam?)
I`ve just noticed that marked(factory painted) on the side of the racket is: MM I 2326 -I`ve no idea what this means.
Grip size is L3 4 3/8L
Mine ideally needs a re-string to give it a more pop and it lacks the relatively effortless plow through and heft on serves of rackets like the 200G or 300i.
Probably has a slight edge on the above for touch shots though..maybe as the frame is more flexible with the fibreglass in the mix.
I love the look of the racket.
If I`m up against a really heavy hitter though this one usually stays in the bag

Wow, 380g for a L3 is surprising compared to my 360g L4 without head-guard. I guess they didn't remove weight from anywhere then, when introducing the head-guard. Yeah, pretty much every midsize became over-powered once MAX 200G, POG Mid and PS85 arrived.

 

[Bambooman]

I just saw one of these at the thrift shop in great condition. I already have one in perfect shape though. Managed to pass it up.

 

[Backspin to the Future]

I`d take the weight accuracy with a pinch or 3 of salt as it was done on cheap kitchen scales .
I`m still on the hunt for a reasonably priced POG and PS85.
I did get lucky recently with a close relative to the PS85..a great condition Wilson Pro Comp Midsize complete with case and original leather grip..and strings..
I played with it for 30 mins yesterday and like it a lot .. the solid feel of many of these 80`s graphite frame is really nice and I`ve yet to have any elbow issues or problems with using them despite their extra weight compared with most modern frames.
Rackets like you mentioned may have a smaller head but they can still pack a punch on the serve and ground strokes.
But watching so many YouTube vids of people adding leads strips and all to their 98 sq in rackets ...I do wonder why they just don`t get a heavier racket in the first place.I
If I`m playing well and clout the ball with a flatter stoke on an older racket it hopefully gives the younger guys less reaction time than they`re used to when watch the ball drop back down from loopy moonballs.
That being said I play with more modern larger rackets too

 

[fritzhimself]

I thought I had already shown this video.
This is the German Erbacher version of the Black Max2.