Chopping and slicing TGT291.2 to see how it's built.

[Subaruvich]

I tend to smash racquets from time to time when things don't go my way. Last week it was the TGT 291.2 with Head Graphene XT Prestige S paint job which took the punishment [emoji4]

First of all I want to say, this was a very good pro stock racquet, it had the feel!!!
Unstrung RA62, strung RA59. The best modern Head prostock I have tried.
Today I had time to chop and slice it open to see and show you guys how it's built.
It cracked in two places, at 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock.

I removed grommets and found 3g of lead underneath . And silicone in the handle of course . (Bought 2 of them new and already customized.)

Next surprise for me is is a metal strip in the handle running 7cm from the bottom between the graphite tubes. Obviously it adds some weight and stability.

In the throat closer to the handle the graphite layer is thinner and gets thicker closer to the bridge. At least it looks so with naked eye.

The racquet is hollow as expected except in the bridge. The bridge is filled, but it is not a foam, it is denser and harder material, still lightweight.

All in all I would say the built quality is great. Decent thickness of quality graphite.

 

[rlau]

Thanks for sharing Subaruvich!

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Interesting that the bridge is filled, could it be to stiffen that section? I've found that my head liquidmetal radicals really benefited from lots of lead at 6 for serving. Unfortunately not great for the rest of my game. But a stiffened bridge might just be the solution.

 

[n8dawg6]

smash & chop, i like it.

 

[Doubles]

Damn, smashed a prostock? That's why you keep a spare retail frame in your bag to smash as you please!

 

[n8dawg6]

also think its interesting that there are pros out there using the much maligned prestige pro/S mold, even if it is just a hairpin

 

[14OuncesStrung]

I appreciate the sacrifice just to see what's inside...

 

[dgoran]

Hundred thumbs up...

 

[dgoran]

What were your specs before smashing

 

[CopolyX]

k now put it back together...

 

[TennisHound]

Interesting that the throat is solid. I would like to see it compared to a retail GrPrestS and see the wall thickness, as well as the location of the metal plate in the handle. Nice thread

 

[hotasice]

thanks for the prostock autopsy!

 

[dgoran]

Would be interesting to compare it to retail. You don't happen to plan on smashing retail counterpart?

 

[dgoran]

Interesting that the throat is solid. I would like to see it compared to a retail GrPrestS and see the wall thickness, as well as the location of the metal plate in the handle. Nice thread

lol I posted without seeing your post...great minds think alike

 

[Subaruvich]

Would be interesting to compare it to retail. You don't happen to plan on smashing retail counterpart?

I've hit with the retail XT Prestige S, I wouldn't mind smashing it, but that was a demo racquet Totally different racquet, no feel at all.

 

[Anton]

Would be interesting to cut it up to get a weight distribution map!

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

Really great thread! Rare opportuninty to see the prostock frame in full detail.

I've hit with the retail XT Prestige S

Can you tell which grommet should I use to for TGT 291.2? Is it the same as the one for retail Prestige S?

 

[Zoolander]

Just came across this awesome thread. Nothing better than someone smashing a racquet and then cutting it up for posterity. Great work!

Is the 291.2 the youtek ig prestige s, anyone?

Would be interesting to cut it up to get a weight distribution map!

You know this would be a great idea with the pre and post crapene versions of head racquets, just to see how much weight they shifted to the ends to get the polarised feel.....

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

Is the 291.2 the youtek ig prestige s, anyone?

For sure it is IG Prestige S mold – but the string pattern is much denser despite still being 16x19. I think that Graphene Prestige S wasn't that far from the feel TGT292.1 – however prostock feels simply better.
Graphene XT and Touch Prestige S is far away feel-wise from 291.2

Anyway – spend almost two years playing with this stick. As with prostock – different lead placements could change the racket stability and launch angle.
But the feel is really okay. Modern Radical MP.

 

[Zoolander]

For sure it is IG Prestige S mold – but the string pattern is much denser despite still being 16x19. I think that Graphene Prestige S wasn't that far from the feel TGT292.1 – however prostock feels simply better.
Graphene XT and Touch Prestige S is far away feel-wise from 291.2

Anyway – spend almost two years playing with this stick. As with prostock – different lead placements could change the racket stability and launch angle.
But the feel is really okay. Modern Radical MP.

Yep was just reading your thread on them. Howd you like the 293.1? Dont know what the flex is on them do you?

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

IG Prestige MP – especially 25th anniversary edition was favorite Prestige MP for really long time. So I bought 293.1 with high hopes.
But 293 prostock rackets are stiffer from retail versions. I still have some mixed feelings about 293.1. But I do love IG Prestige Mid.
They should be around 64RA. But do feel stiffer for me.

 

[topspn]

oh no, you didn’t

 

[Zoolander]

IG Prestige MP – especially 25th anniversary edition was favorite Prestige MP for really long time. So I bought 293.1 with high hopes.
But 293 prostock rackets are stiffer from retail versions. I still have some mixed feelings about 293.1. But I do love IG Prestige Mid.
They should be around 64RA. But do feel stiffer for me.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

2021 Update –

Spoiler: More photos...

 

[Arjuntino]

What tool do you use to get such a clean cut on the handle? Electric or manual? A mitre saw?
What type of blade?

Was trying to do some doctoring of my own.

I tend to smash racquets from time to time when things don't go my way. Last week it was the TGT 291.2 with Head Graphene XT Prestige S paint job which took the punishment [emoji4]

First of all I want to say, this was a very good pro stock racquet, it had the feel!!!
Unstrung RA62, strung RA59. The best modern Head prostock I have tried.
Today I had time to chop and slice it open to see and show you guys how it's built.
It cracked in two places, at 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock.

I removed grommets and found 3g of lead underneath . And silicone in the handle of course . (Bought 2 of them new and already customized.)

Next surprise for me is is a metal strip in the handle running 7cm from the bottom between the graphite tubes. Obviously it adds some weight and stability.

In the throat closer to the handle the graphite layer is thinner and gets thicker closer to the bridge. At least it looks so with naked eye.

The racquet is hollow as expected except in the bridge. The bridge is filled, but it is not a foam, it is denser and harder material, still lightweight.

All in all I would say the built quality is great. Decent thickness of quality graphite.

 

[Crazydoc]

What tool do you use to get such a clean cut on the handle? Electric or manual? A mitre saw?
What type of blade?

I saw up rackets quite often. I use an electronic jigsaw with a metal saw blade.
Regards

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

@JGads I feel I am coming back to this one after our hitting with all Radicals possible – including TGK231 and TGT260.5.

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

Is it common that a different amount of lead is used like shown in the first post? Is it likely that SWs differ on each side?

 

[Fintft]

@JGads I feel I am coming back to this one after our hitting with all Radicals possible – including TGK231 and TGT260.5.

Have you tried the 293.1?

 

[Songs For A Dead Pilot]

Have you tried the 293.1?

Head Pro Tour 2.0, 293.2 and 293.1 are my favorite frames!

 

[coolbh6]

Head Pro Tour 2.0, 293.2 and 293.1 are my favorite frames!

75 day late responses are the best though