Calling Max 200G (IMF) users

[jatnut]

From your experience what is the best tension to use in this racquet to maximize power and control? Im using cheap syn gut @ 52 the control and feel
was great but too many balls came back that would have been winners with my diablo?

When the balls were struck they sounded / seemed to have nice pace but my hitting partner said he had a much easier time with them than with my diablo mid. Do i have to flatten out my strokes more with this stick???


Suggestions based on personal experience with this stick would be greatly appreciated?

 

[floydcouncil]

From your experience what is the best tension to use in this racquet to maximize power and control? Im using cheap syn gut @ 52 the control and feel
was great but too many balls came back that would have been winners with my diablo?

When the balls were struck they sounded / seemed to have nice pace but my hitting partner said he had a much easier time with them than with my diablo mid. Do i have to flatten out my strokes more with this stick???


Suggestions based on personal experience with this stick would be greatly appreciated?

Go back to the Diablo and deal some whoopa$$. Why on earf would you want to struggle with an antiquated frame in today's game?

 

[yonexRx32]

From your experience what is the best tension to use in this racquet to maximize power and control? Im using cheap syn gut @ 52 the control and feel
was great but too many balls came back that would have been winners with my diablo?

When the balls were struck they sounded / seemed to have nice pace but my hitting partner said he had a much easier time with them than with my diablo mid. Do i have to flatten out my strokes more with this stick???


Suggestions based on personal experience with this stick would be greatly appreciated?

This is puzzling. I had the exactly opposite experience and a USPTA pro that coached me tried the rackets side by side and clearly preferred the Max 200g.

 

[jatnut]

Why on earf would you want to struggle

Because in all my racoholic days I have never come across a sweeter sweetspot . Hitting with this stick
is sublime. The flex, the plough, the touch, no elbow / shoulder twinge I could go on on on.
Plus, since I am
a) Getting up in age
b) Not being paid win / lose
c) Of the opinion that limb preservation is preferable to winning, losing or that once in a while missile.

I dont mind cruising off into the sunset with a very comfy fastback with a drop top. I dont need nav, bluetooth or an ipod port.

With an antiquated frame in today's game?

I did not learn to play using today's game mechanics so this racquet suits me just fine. I have no problem dealing with the Nadal wannabes
and spin. As a matter a fact I think this racquet downright gobbles the spin up and spit it out with interest as opposed to my
diablo since the dwell time on this stick is insane.

This is puzzling. I had the exactly opposite experience and a USPTA pro that coached me tried the rackets side by side and clearly preferred the Max 200g.

You are right. I do prefer the 200g that is why I am so intent on tweaking it. I dont care if everytime I string I have to use tubing as I think
it is worth it. Granted I just only played 2 hours with it while have have been playing years with the diablo so I might just have to tweak
my swing path as I may need to hit through more rather than "brushing" as I did with the diablo.

 

[yonexRx32]

You don't need to use tubing. Buy replacement grommets from TW (4.7mm) and replace those worn our. It will save you a lot of time.

In terms of technique, you can go old style, eastern grip and flatten it with just a bit of top. It will make for a heavy ball that goes fast to the opponent and takes away his time. That is if you can keep it out of the net because you will be playing at less than 1 foot over.

My transition to semiwestern and heavier topspin took a while, more than two months. It is a bit challenging but can be done.

 

[jatnut]

You don't need to use tubing. Buy replacement grommets from TW (4.7mm)

Yes I took your advice and bought 2 sets in addition to 50ft of tubing for insurance.

 

[max]

I always used just basic syn gut at 55 lbs.

 

[AlfaAce]

Nat gut at 55# for me.

 

[joe sch]

The max 200g will play great at very low tensions.
I love hitting them with nat gut at 45 lbs
Topspin is more technique than racket ... if you need a modern racket to hit topspin then your probably going to be a flat hitter with the 200g. I use an eastern grip and can hit excessive topspin with the max 200g or a wood racket.

 

[Tennis Man]

Natural Gut between 50 and 55lb for me.

 

[max]

If you're looking for topspin, you might want to try a stiffer, larger frame; lighter, too: the max 200 g is probably the opposite of what you're looking for, imho.

 

[MAX PLY]

Back in the day, I usually strung my 200gs with Gosen OG Sheep micro 17 @ 48 lbs. If I ever used gut, I strung at 50. Within the last year I strung one for fun with Babolat gut 17 @ 50--still felt sweet. May have to do that again.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Mine has the same Prince synthetic as when I bought ut and at unknown tension aswell. I'm 19 and technically speaking I should be using something else but... It just feels right. The way it brings complete hell to the ball, it's just addicting.

 

[yonexRx32]

Best String for Max 200g

Having tested a few options I can say that, in order of preference, the following work well at tensions 53-55lbs

1. Natural gut (I used Babolat VS touch 16G) clearly the most responsive. Addictive feel.

2. Babolat Xcel Power 17G -- best option after gut. Slightly firmer feel, but still very playable, with good power and good spin.

3. Technifibre x-one biphase 17G -- slightly more feel than the Babolat but crosses fray very easily and lasted significantly less. The string bed ended up looking very fuzzy after a couple of matches.

4. Prince synthetic gut with duraflex 17G - Good feel for the first couple of matches. Loss of tension and control faster than the multi. Still, given the price, a very nice option. I heard that the non-duraflex plays even better but I haven't tested it personally.

 

[max]

yonex; the prince w/duraflex is horrible stuff, only popular due to its brand name and price. Stick with the original, or find a softer syn gut. The duraflex kills whatever feel you might have.

 

[jatnut]

I have three of them. Two black and one blue/green. 1 black strung at 55, Other strings look like the have not been replaced since new, and the grren was restrung with gosen 17 @ 48. I went hitting for 3 hrs last night indoor started out with the green but didnt like it and had to switch back to the blacks.
Im gonna restring later with forten / prince later.

All in all very pleasant hit. Working out a few kinks and might end up adding some lead to the green as it swings a bit different than the blacks. I have my own stringer so I will tweak a bit until I get it right.

Thanks to all for their input.

 

[jatnut]

If you're looking for topspin, you might want to try a stiffer, larger frame; lighter, too: the max 200 g is probably the opposite of what you're looking for, imho.

Not looking for spin. I am a flat hitter so this is right up my ally. I had to "brush" with the diablo to keep the balls from sailing.

 

[hrstrat57]

Natural gut at 50# was best for me back in the day. Very rarely broke strings, the pattern is so tight....so actually quite affordable to go with gut. I had 3 frames in the rotation and it was all good always a fresh stick and a decent backup in the bag ready to go. When I was bagging the 200G I attacked the net at every opportunity, serve and volley and chip // charge. Absolute butterific at the net.....

Since I can't attack the net anymore like I used to and I have to pound away at the baseline longer I switched to the Head 18x20 frames.

Everything the OP describes about the 200G is spot on here so all the sub 90 frame haters should go post in another thread.

 

[yonexRx32]

yonex; the prince w/duraflex is horrible stuff, only popular due to its brand name and price. Stick with the original, or find a softer syn gut. The duraflex kills whatever feel you might have.

Max,
What syn gut do you suggest? I have put gamma gut 2 on a racket. Will let you know how it went. Other than prince syn gut original, what else should I try?

 

[yonexRx32]

Not looking for spin. I am a flat hitter so this is right up my ally. I had to "brush" with the diablo to keep the balls from sailing.

I am totally mystified by your experience with the diablo. In my experience it was the least powerful racket I have played with. The Max 200g Pro is significantly more powerful, not to mention more comfortable. And I have compared them strung with the same string.

 

[joe sch]

Natural gut at 50# was best for me back in the day. Very rarely broke strings, the pattern is so tight....so actually quite affordable to go with gut. I had 3 frames in the rotation and it was all good always a fresh stick and a decent backup in the bag ready to go. When I was bagging the 200G I attacked the net at every opportunity, serve and volley and chip // charge. Absolute butterific at the net.....

Since I can't attack the net anymore like I used to and I have to pound away at the baseline longer I switched to the Head 18x20 frames.

Everything the OP describes about the 200G is spot on here so all the sub 90 frame haters should go post in another thread.

I agree with all you have stated and have a very similar racket history. I also used the thickest guage natural gut available which really made the endurance long lasting.

 

[jatnut]

I am totally mystified by your experience with the diablo. In my experience it was the least powerful racket I have played with. The Max 200g Pro is significantly more powerful, not to mention more comfortable. And I have compared them strung with the same string.

I dont know. I have both my diablos from (TW) and both play different by the way because of the poor quality control that prince has on those frames. The 200G max that I have is not the pro version (which I heard has a bit more pop) but the very older version.

You may be right that the max is more powerful and its the softness and flex of the frame that makes me think differently. With the max certain blocked shots with minimal back swing stay in but with the diablo I know for sure that they would be out. This plus my partner saying balls from the diablo were faster let me to my conclusion. With the max also their is the "sound" thing going on while the diablo doesnt have it. A ball that is decently struck with the max will easily turn heads as the pop it makes somewhat loud but you have to really nail it with the diablo to have that effect.

 

[joe sch]

I dont know. I have both my diablos from (TW) and both play different by the way because of the poor quality control that prince has on those frames. The 200G max that I have is not the pro version (which I heard has a bit more pop) but the very older version.

You may be right that the max is more powerful and its the softness and flex of the frame that makes me think differently. With the max certain blocked shots with minimal back swing stay in but with the diablo I know for sure that they would be out. This plus my partner saying balls from the diablo were faster let me to my conclusion. With the max also their is the "sound" thing going on while the diablo doesnt have it. A ball that is decently struck with the max will easily turn heads as the pop it makes somewhat loud but you have to really nail it with the diablo to have that effect.

Regarding the sound, the max 200g is about as quiet as a frame can get. Infact, if you play gut, the frame almost plays like a silent assassin ... some of the modern playes I played commented they could not hear the hits and it made it hard for them to pickup the returns.

 

[yonexRx32]

I hit for a few hours with the ball machine this past Saturday. I used a Max 200g strung with 15G Tiplop (they said 16G but I measured it and, even after stringing with the strings under tension, the gauge was 15G) in the mains and Gamma Gut 2 in the crosses. I compared it to a full bed of Gamma Gut 2 and two sets of multifilament. The Tiplop played with more power than any of the other options. The full bed of Gamma Gut 2 came in second in terms of comfort but had the least power. The multis were in between. More playing needed but will post a review in a week or so.

 

[eman resu]

I'm aware that the max 200g is very flat oriented, but what about the max 400i? Is it considerably spinnier with only 16 mains?

 

[yonexRx32]

I'm aware that the max 200g is very flat oriented, but what about the max 400i? Is it considerably spinnier with only 16 mains?

No, it is not "considerably" spinnier. It is easier to use with spin and it is stiffer, which gives it a feel somewhat closer to modern rackets but it is not a spin monster.

 

[yonexRx32]

Tiplop NG half bed on Max 200G

I clocked more time with the Max 200g with the tiplop 15G in the mains and Gamma Gut 2 in the crosses. I do like this set up a lot. I have hit for at least 6 hours now with the ball machine (the pressureless balls are heavier than regular) and the string bed hasn't budged. The tension, as measured with a stringmeter, shows 50 lbs uniformly across the bed. No loss since three weeks ago. I can impart a good amount of spin, much more than with a 16G synthetic , or even with a 17G. The strings don't move at all and the sound of the bed is very pleasant. There is no fraying visible. The string bed has significantly more power than with synthetic.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Have anyone experimented with a poly in the Max 200G? It feels like it could be the best of both worlds. Mind-numbing spin (thanks to the dynamic stiffness) but without arm-numbing discomfort.

 

[yonexRx32]

Have anyone experimented with a poly in the Max 200G? It feels like it could be the best of both worlds. Mind-numbing spin (thanks to the dynamic stiffness) but without arm-numbing discomfort.

Yes, I used technifibre red code in the mains. It played ok but it made for weird sensation. The racket lost from its buttery feel and felt more like a regular racket, more board like. For me, from now on it's half natural, half synthetic. And that's partly because a full bed of natural is more expensive, but mostly because it is too much of a pain to string (shared holes).

 

[joe sch]

Yes, I used technifibre red code in the mains. It played ok but it made for weird sensation. The racket lost from its buttery feel and felt more like a regular racket, more board like. For me, from now on it's half natural, half synthetic. And that's partly because a full bed of natural is more expensive, but mostly because it is too much of a pain to string (shared holes).

Or try the natural gut in the mains since these strings mostly determine the feel for the racket. Also use low tension since most poly strings at higher tensions really play stiff and rob the feel from frames. I personally do not like most poly strings as a full stringbed but do enjoy playing more lively copoly strings at low tensions (<50lbs) especially if natty gut in the mains.

 

[vintagefan]

Stupid questions...

What does IMF stand for? Is this the "holy grail" version of the Max 200G? How do I spot for one on the bay? Thanks!

 

[Rock Strongo]

Stupid questions...

What does IMF stand for? Is this the "holy grail" version of the Max 200G? How do I spot for one on the bay? Thanks!

Injection molded frame is the what is stands for. Nothing special though, they were all injection molded (You probably knew that).

And just give it a search! The UK bay has some reasonably priced ones. However, paint (or rather decals) WILL wear off, and very easily at that. Especially on the grey ones. My Golden Slam version hardly has any identifying features on it at all. It won't affect playability, and they tend to go a bit cheaper.

Also, it should say itself but check for warps.

 

[Tamiya]

like Capt Luc Picard... once it starts balding, shave it all off

Looks wicked in raw carbon black.

 

[Hannah19]

like Capt Luc Picard... once it starts balding, shave it all off

Looks wicked in raw carbon black.

Can't agree more..!
I use paint stripper and afterwards I sand it down gently.
Either finish with a matt black or matt clear coat.
Sweet.....

 

[vintagefan]

What cheap string and tension have synergy with the 200G?

 

[MAX PLY]

What cheap string and tension have synergy with the 200G?

Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 in natural (which is actually Amber) @ 48. I promise. Good luck.

 

[retrowagen]

Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 in natural (which is actually Amber) @ 48. I promise. Good luck.

Orrrrrrr...
Leoina 66 15L at 55 pounds. Also a fun window back in time.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Just to note that Wilson Synthetic Gut 15L (138, natural colour) works very nicely at 50lbs.