Downs_chris, it looks like you still didn't find your holy grail.. :)

[ivo]

Or what else can I think about that you have tried and sold so many racquets?

I found out, only coincidentally, you used or wanted those racquets :
PT57A, TGK238.2, TGK238.4, TGK238.5, YT Prestige Pro, Radical MP, BLX90, APDGT, PureStorm Ltd.

What is very interesting to me, is that most of them you had customized to 340g/310SW unstrung, which mean you can perfectly compare all those frames.

Could you please tell me, if you know some SW and maybe weights, balance, of PT57 and those TGK's before customization = without any lead in the head or without silicone?

What frame do you currently play with? Which one did you like most?

Can you compare those three rare TGK's to PT57A?

Thank you.

 

[downs_chris]

haha...the sad part of all that, is there are many more frames you're leaving out -- 237.1, 237.3, PC600 (which i still have a few of)...Pure Drive Roddick, AeroStorm Tour, all the microgel prestiges, some dunlop frames, etc, etc, etc...but i won't get into that

so yeah, to put everything on a level playing field i try to get my racquets customized to my specs (which have actually changed slightly in the recent months -- i've gone about 10 grams lighter on the weight)...i try to use my "standard" string -- which has been cyber flash 1.20mm for a while now (although i have been enjoying the first 4 to 5 hours i get out of rpm blast -- much more comfortable and easier on my joints)

so yeah, after trying, what seems like every single frame out there, i've settle on the PT57A for the past few months -- to be honest, i didn't want to like this frame...why? because a) they are expensive and hard to find and b) see a) haha...but it just has this ridiculous feel to it (and i mean ridiculous in the best way possible) and i just feel very confident with it...it just has this combination of control and feel that i can't find in any other racquet...controlled-power is probably the best way i can describe it...but definitely know what specs work for you -- that could make all the difference in the world...i've bought some older ones (before i got my 4 new ones) that weren't built to my specs...it felt ok -- but for some reason i just couldn't get used to it...

i don't know if you can really compare the PT57A to any of the TGKs...i mean to me, the TGKs are very good racquets...usually they're all a bit stiffer (the ones i've hit with) -- although some of the newer ones with the youtek prestige paint, seem to be slightly softer in my opinion (i have no actual data to back this up -- just based on feel)...but yeah, the PT57A is just a great racquet...i know there are people out there that think it's overrated -- and they are entitled to their opinion...all i'm saying, is that it works very well for me...

in terms of SW / Balance / Weight of the hairpins (uncustomized without the pallet or anything) -- they are usually very light...i'm not sure of the exact SW or balance...but a TGK hairpin that i've seen weighed before customization was around 258 grams...if i remember correctly...so yeah, very light...

 

[ivo]

Thank you...

Even TGK238.4 with Youtek Prestige PJ wasn't very similar or better than PT57A?

Because I know that players which were using PT57A for many years are getting this TGK. At least one I know, but it is perhaps mainly because he is not very high in the ranking.

 

[pshulam]

Thank you...

Even TGK238.4 with Youtek Prestige PJ wasn't very similar or better than PT57A?

Because I know that players which were using PT57A for many years are getting this TGK. At least one I know, but it is perhaps mainly because he is not very high in the ranking.

LOL - does someone has to be in high ranking to play the racquet in question?

 

[ivo]

People here are saying that only about top 150 ATP can get PT57.

Highest rank of the player I mean was 500 and he played with PT57A anyway for 8 years. He doesn't know why, but this year he got only TGK238.4

Hope it is more clear now...

 

[pshulam]

People here are saying that only about top 150 ATP can get PT57.

Highest rank of the player I mean was 500 and he played with PT57A anyway for 8 years. He doesn't know why, but this year he get only TGK238.4

Hope it is more clear now...

Yes, it's clear. Thanks - I 'm learning something new everyday.

 

[Ross K]

Er... PT57A = PT630 right?

R.

 

[pshulam]

Er... PT57A = PT630 right?

R.

just the mold only, I think?

 

[downs_chris]

Thank you...

Even TGK238.4 with Youtek Prestige PJ wasn't very similar or better than PT57A?

Because I know that players which were using PT57A for many years are getting this TGK. At least one I know, but it is perhaps mainly because he is not very high in the ranking.

the only thing that's really similar is the paint job

the PT57A has so much more feel....it's not even close...

 

[pshulam]

to be honest, i didn't want to like this frame...why? because a) they are expensive and hard to find ..

Yea, you are right - $400.

 

[PED]

the only thing that's really similar is the paint job

the PT57A has so much more feel....it's not even close...

Chris, I know you didn't have it for very long but how was your YT Prestige Pro compared to the TGK series. I've never gotten the chance to try out the tgks, but was curious to how similar /dissimilar they were to the YT.

 

[Pioneer]

Head is gonna shut down the Austrian factory that produces the PT57s and the PT10s and from next year the pros that use them are gonna get TGK238.4 and TGK237.1. What will happen to Murray and Djokovic?

 

[PED]

Head is gonna shut down the Austrian factory that produces the PT57s and the PT10s and from next year the pros that use them are gonna get TGK238.4 and TGK237.1. What will happen to Murray and Djokovic?

I think if you are in the top 5, Head will do what ever you want

 

[downs_chris]

Chris, I know you didn't have it for very long but how was your YT Prestige Pro compared to the TGK series. I've never gotten the chance to try out the tgks, but was curious to how similar /dissimilar they were to the YT.

the YouTek prestige line didn't do it for me...they just felt like stiff / muted racquets with minimal feel...the TGKs are nice solid frames -- probably on the stiffer side, but still have a lot of good feel (since they're 100% graphite)...

 

[Ross K]

the YouTek prestige line didn't do it for me...they just felt like stiff / muted racquets with minimal feel...the TGKs are nice solid frames -- probably on the stiffer side, but still have a lot of good feel (since they're 100% graphite)...

How about the MG frames before (like the MG Pres Pro and I'm specially thinking about the MG Pres mid)?

R.

 

[bdawg07]

Chris, you need to check out the Wilson H22--if you haven't already done so. I, like you, tried the TGK sticks and have been playing exclusively with the PT57A for the last 9 months.

About two weeks ago, I had the chance to pick up a couple H22s. I really didn't want these sticks to play better than my trusted PT57As, but they have everything the PT57As have plus quite a bit my or pop/power.

Email me off the forums if you are interested and I can let you know who to pick some up from.

 

[downs_chris]

How about the MG frames before (like the MG Pres Pro and I'm specially thinking about the MG Pres mid)?

R.

i kind of enjoyed the microgel frames...more so than the youtek technology...i thought they had more feel / comfort than the newer ones....i just couldn't get used to the youtek prestiges...

 

[PED]

i kind of enjoyed the microgel frames...more so than the youtek technology...i thought they had more feel / comfort than the newer ones....i just couldn't get used to the youtek prestiges...

Chris, last question, how is the power level of the pt57's versus the various TGK's? Isn't the sweet spot of the pt57 much smaller?

 

[downs_chris]

i think the PT57A has less power than the various TGKs that i've tried (probably due to stiffness) -- but for me, i don't feel like it's under powered (i know some people have complained about that)...i think the reason i'm loving this frame so much right now, is because i found the specs that i really enjoy...unstrung, 330 grams with a 310 SW...for me, it's just perfect...i had a few PT57As before, that weren't customized to my specs -- they were nice and had good feel, but something about them was off...

i don't really feel like the sweet spot is noticeably smaller than the TGKs -- i mean, if anything, the racquet feels more comfortable all around...

but yes, i've found my holy grail

 

[harryz]

Chris, how would you rate the AG200?

Like you, I've tried and owned just about every player's stick imaginable over the past 20+ years-- probably 50-60 models and 200+ sticks. PS 85s, PC 600s, PT 280/630, MW 200G to the MG and K series Wilsons; lately, I'm finding the AG 200 to be really close to the PT280. For me, Dunlop is making the closest frames to the best of the late 80s and early 90s stuff. Frames are soft, have great feel and responsiveness, good control, manageable weight, thin box beams etc... So I'm really curious what you think of them.

 

[downs_chris]

I don't have a lot of playing time with the AG200...but I do think Dunlop makes a good frame...i did play with the Hot Melt 100g for a while, which i had to special order from australia (90 sq in 18x20 string pattern) -- really good stick...my younger brother still plays with his MW200g, so I do get to hit with that every once in a while...that is a solid, solid frame...i think it plays very similarly to the old PC600...

how does the AG200 compare to the older MW200g?

 

[Nextman916]

whos downs chris?

 

[downs_chris]

whos downs chris?

someone with a racquet problem

 

[Lphansen]

It is possible that I did not pay attention but can you get a pt 57a with 16 x 19 pattern ??

Lars

 

[PED]

It is possible that I did not pay attention but can you get a pt 57a with 16 x 19 pattern ??

Lars

If you last name is Murray, then the answer is yes.

I believe Murray is one of the few with a pt57 and an open pattern-he switched back in 2008. (he uses the E I think FWIW)

 

[tennis005]

How does the TGK238.2 compare to the Youtek Prestige Pro?