coming back after a decade off....need a new prestige 16x19

[Matt H.]

all of my racquets are 10-12 years old.

Playing with some weighted up YT prestige pros and a YT IG prestige pro.

Wanted to look for something newer and I see Head has changed everything up.

I've also read a lot on the pro stock TGT293 which is essentially the IG prestige pro. I guess it's still popular?

I think I've narrowed down to the retail prestige pro 2023 in 16x19 (with a leather grip added), or a pro stock tgt345.

Is there a pro stock version of the 2023? Would be nice to have the leather grip already on it. I'm still old school and play a fairly heavy racquet (340-345g)

 

[gsinko1]

The YT IG pestige pro is still one of my favorite frames I've ever used, but I recently got a 293.1 (16x19, the 293.2 is 18x20). The 293.1 has the same great feel as the IG PP, but has more easy power, plow, and just generally easier to use IME. I'm not super familiar with all of Head's pro stock codes but there is a good thread that you should be able to find them: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/head-codes-updated-list.449606/page-9

If you're wanting new retail frames, I think the new '23 aux 2.0 PP in 16x19 would be an easy choice

 

[eric42]

Is there a pro stock version of the 2023? Would be nice to have the leather grip already on it. I'm still old school and play a fairly heavy racquet (340-345g)

Pro stocks don't follow retail iterations except by paint job. The racquet companies develop molds that are used for both retail and pro stock versions, but the end results vary. The whole point of pro stocks is that they remain exactly the same over the years while the retail versions change spec and feel slightly every 3 yrs or so. The 2023 paint job TGT345s are the exact same racquet as the ones w/ 2021 paint job, and none of them feel exactly like any of the retail versions. There are differences in flex and feel between pro stocks and retail frames of the same mold. And pro stocks are not always naturally heftier. The opposite is the case with this frame.

I have a few pro stock TGT345.2 (16x19) frames which share the same mold as the current retail Prestige Pro. The raw unmodified frame is so light it's pretty much unplayable. I have a raw frame that unstrung is 279g w/ leather grip, 314mm balance, and 253 SW which is WAY under retail spec. It's a platform frame that's meant to have lead added under the bumper (usually at 12) and also more weight in the handle. Once that's done it's a wonderful stick. But this will probably have already been done to a degree if it's passed through the pro room. The ones you'll find for sale in the usual places have usually already been modified to some spec, which varies.

 

[Trip]

I think @gsinko1 and @eric42 have pretty much covered most of what you need to hear on the 98" 20mm TK345 mold. There's also the older true 95" pro stock (the one that's closer to what you're actually used to).

The other current options would be the TK291 (95" 22mm) or TK334 (99" 21.5mm) molds, in the form of the current Prestige Tour and MP-L. The Tour is more of a 6.1 95 -like, all-court attacker's first strike scalpel. Insanely lethal, especially with a 1HBH, but demanding and arguably a bit outmoded for the modern game. Nevertheless, it's a potent killer, if you can wield it. The MP-L on the other hand, would be the most forgiving Prestige, and plays in certain ways very similar to Sinner's 22mm GTouch Speed MP. But like the pro stock Pro frames, it's more or less a platform frame, just less under-spec. So it needs handle and hoop weight to play its best.

Anyways, with all possible 16x19 Prestiges talked about, you basically just have to decide how much natural forgiveness and power/control balance you want, then pick one. The current '23 Pro 16x19 is probably the best initial pick for the best balance of forgiveness to precision, the Tour the best for all-out-attack and the MP-L for the most forgiveness and easy launch angle and depth, but a bit less less precise and controlled.

Hope that helps.

 

[eric42]

Also, everyone seems to indicate that the old Youtek IG Pro (16x19) is significantly stiffer than the MP (18x20) version, though I haven't tried them myself. Those old frames also appear to actually be ~95" instead of the 98" printed on them, similar to how the "93" MIDs of this era were actually 89.5".

The new Prestige Pro (true 98" head) is a very flexy soft frame. I would think the new Prestige Tour (95" / 16x19) would feel and play more like your old Prestige Pros. I've played with the new Pros and the Tour, and the 95" Tour is significantly stiffer and a little more powerful than the 98" Pro.

 

[badmice1]

Former YT IG Prestige user and current Prestige Pro 16x19 owner.

You will feel comfortable with the specs (mine averaged at 345g w/leather grip, 31.1mm, and 320SW) but the Auxetic 2.0 layup feels distinctively different, so I'd suggest you demo it first. I've had to lead up at 10 and 2 for plow

 

[eric42]

Former YT IG Prestige user

Pro or MP?

 

[J-Wildcard]

Also, everyone seems to indicate that the old Youtek IG Pro (16x19) is significantly stiffer than the MP (18x20) version, though I haven't tried them myself. Those old frames also appear to actually be ~95" instead of the 98" printed on them, similar to how the "93" MIDs of this era were actually 89.5".

The new Prestige Pro (true 98" head) is a very flexy soft frame. I would think the new Prestige Tour (95" / 16x19) would feel and play more like your old Prestige Pros. I've played with the new Pros and the Tour, and the 95" Tour is significantly stiffer and a little more powerful than the 98" Pro.

Yes having used the youtek IG MP prestige for a long many years yes I was shocked to see that the layup in the IG Pro Prestige was stiffer, the frame is also 5g heavier. It would have been nice to have had a retail version of the IG MP in a 16x19 pattern and keeping the existing layup. I appreciate that Head wanted to offer different options though. In the current market things have changed and there are now more variations. Moving into the recent prestige release, I would suggest a Prestige Pro in the 18x20 guise could be a nice option but in the Auxetic 1.0 layup. It is a little stiffer than the current 2023 model but still feels like a prestige and has a great feel to it with a bit more power and stiffness. Regarding the string pattern, it you are coming from on older prestige series. The string spacing in the newer versions, certainly in the case of the new bigger head the string spacing is slightly wider now. I haven't tried a 16x19 but find the 18x20 is definitely more forgiving than the older 95 18x20 head frames.

 

[eric42]

It would have been nice to have had a retail version of the IG MP in a 16x19 pattern and keeping the existing layup.

+1. One racquet Head never made is what's effectively a retail PT57A 16x19. I have one and it's at the top of my favorites. To me its 95" head is the sweet spot between forgiveness, solid feel, and maneuverability - and I like the 16x19 for a little extra launch and spin. The 95 and 93 retail frames they made in 16x19 are too stiff for my liking. Of course, if they'd have actually sold lots this type of racquet, they'd have probably made them.

 

[dr325i]

all of my racquets are 10-12 years old.

Playing with some weighted up YT prestige pros and a YT IG prestige pro.

Wanted to look for something newer and I see Head has changed everything up.

I've also read a lot on the pro stock TGT293 which is essentially the IG prestige pro. I guess it's still popular?

I think I've narrowed down to the retail prestige pro 2023 in 16x19 (with a leather grip added), or a pro stock tgt345.

Is there a pro stock version of the 2023? Would be nice to have the leather grip already on it. I'm still old school and play a fairly heavy racquet (340-345g)

Looks like you cannot receive PMs?
PM me if you’re looking for a 16x19 Prestige Pro

 

[badmice1]

Pro or MP?

Pro. I was much younger then.

 

[J-Wildcard]

I would say the older ig Pro is still a decent racket now for the right person. Maybe the static weight is slightly higher than many would like off the shelf but it's still a nice frame. I have a brand new one mothballed but when I tried a used one for a few hours I noticed straight away that the layup was different. It just wasn't the same feel and response as the MP. I also have that series frame in the mid version but it does have a small head size. I find it slightly demanded at times certainly in comparison to the standard MP model (many say that has a smaller sweet spot even compared to many other frames) I think you definitely need a good skill set and timing to get the most out of those frames. I find with the smaller sweet spot comes a bigger and better reward. This is why I am still having a go with the prestige pro as it demands me to be at my best. I have tried some prince frames recently and they are very nice and easier to hit with and certainly produce power. I hear many say the ultra pro (formerly tour) is the closest thing to the old IG MP frame that is currently still available retail (they do a 16x19 and 18x20) but it does cost a bit more as I think Wilson have made it pro labs only over th last couple of years. Initially as the tour it got a main release but the paint job is nice on the V4 and the 16x19 may be worth a demo. I still love the prestige range though. Finally another frame that may work for you is the prestige pro 360+ it has the smaller head size still (95) and slightly stiffer lay up and the open pattern string bed. I used one and found it a little stiff feeling but I didn't experiment much with the string setup but it handled well.