Dunlop Max200G - Definitive list of the different versions

Tamiya said:
ok fellow 200G fanatics... any idea what causes these frames to warp?? :confused:

just noticed my black-grip example to have taken a kink at top of hoop.
No frame cracks found, strings measured as evenly tensioned all round ok.

My green-grip Grafil (bought & owned new) has survived school
& left in hot cars etc yet still stays straight at the beam.

Worth clamping in a vice & torsioning it back? :)
Click to expand...

I think they warped mainly due to this frame basically being a soft graphite frame. Sometmes they were strung too tight, left in cars, strung from the bottom up, lots of other reasons as well, but basically yes, the oldest versions warp the most.

I have quite a few versions with warped heads, and once warped, I think that's it, it won't unwarp, but still plays well, unless very warped!
 
jimbo333 said:
I think they warped mainly due to this frame basically being a soft graphite frame. Sometmes they were strung too tight, left in cars, strung from the bottom up, lots of other reasons as well, but basically yes, the oldest versions warp the most.

I have quite a few versions with warped heads, and once warped, I think that's it, it won't unwarp, but still plays well, unless very warped!
Click to expand...

Jimbo, I think you are right...I've not the "final proof", but, by examining a lot of pics I've always been convinced that until 1986 Mac used the very first version of the 200g, that with round holes (and about that I'm pretty sure) and with taperad beam (this is my impression, in many pics I've observed over the years the top of the head seems thinner)...and I think this is why he switched only very later to his signature model (squared holes)...

About warping, I think that at least half of the frames I have owned were somehow warped...that is, is is much more difficult to find a straight 200g (any cosmetic) than a warped one!! In the end, they still plays pretty well...

You can try to unwarp it (I tried and it works) using the old trick suggested by my granfather when I was a child to unwarp wooden racquets...put the head of the racquet in a recepient filled with hot water for 10-15 minutes, then extract the racquet and 'clamp' it immediately. Or sandwich the head with heavy, say, books (enciclopedy) on the head. This procedure works for wood and also for plastic. Objects tend to be back to their original form. Leave it clamped for some weeks (say, a couple of months) and see the result...

And be very careful when you string the racquet...give always preference to stringers with six blocking points machines and string al tensions not above, say, 22-23kg. And enjoy!! :-)
 
paoloraz said:
Jimbo, I think you are right...I've not the "final proof", but, by examining a lot of pics I've always been convinced that until 1986 Mac used the very first version of the 200g, that with round holes (and about that I'm pretty sure) and with taperad beam (this is my impression, in many pics I've observed over the years the top of the head seems thinner)...and I think this is why he switched only very later to his signature model (squared holes)...

About warping, I think that at least half of the frames I have owned were somehow warped...that is, is is much more difficult to find a straight 200g (any cosmetic) than a warped one!! In the end, they still plays pretty well...

You can try to unwarp it (I tried and it works) using the old trick suggested by my granfather when I was a child to unwarp wooden racquets...put the head of the racquet in a recepient filled with hot water for 10-15 minutes, then extract the racquet and 'clamp' it immediately. Or sandwich the head with heavy, say, books (enciclopedy) on the head. This procedure works for wood and also for plastic. Objects tend to be back to their original form. Leave it clamped for some weeks (say, a couple of months) and see the result...

And be very careful when you string the racquet...give always preference to stringers with six blocking points machines and string al tensions not above, say, 22-23kg. And enjoy!! :-)
Click to expand...

This method would be true if the material that you try to soften is a thermoplast. Graphite does not soften when heated, it stiffens or bakes.
So IMHO this will not work for a 200G.
 
Modern carbon graphites are a epoxy cure resin (unaffected by heat)
but is the "Grafil injection" a thermoplastic resin shot into the mold?



paoloraz said:
About warping, I think that at least half of the frames I have owned were somehow warped...that is, is is much more difficult to find a straight 200g (any cosmetic) than a warped one!! In the end, they still plays pretty well...
Click to expand...

yeah still just looking at the banana, might try to play it first :)
Feels ok on the bench; curious if any difference between sides...

My warp measures about 8-9mm off level, not too noticeable to most eyes.
(It's still strung btw)


You can try to unwarp it (I tried and it works) using the old trick suggested by my granfather when I was a child to unwarp wooden racquets...put the head of the racquet in a recepient filled with hot water for 10-15 minutes, then extract the racquet and 'clamp' it immediately. Or sandwich the head with heavy, say, books (enciclopedy) on the head. This procedure works for wood and also for plastic. Objects tend to be back to their original form. Leave it clamped for some weeks (say, a couple of months) and see the result...
Click to expand...

ya, familiar with woodworking - old enough to have worked on English ash
frames... and racquet frames haha. It's more the steam/humidity to
make wood pliable enough to bend though, then dry it clamped to shape.
Doesn't work the same if you're just using a heatgun not a steamer.

Have had a little involvement in shaping/moulding plastics too;
some plastics are hydroscopic but aren't affected by water like wood does.
The water might cause bubbles within the plastic once heated to its
melt point though.


My warp seems to be axis'd horizontally across 10-2, not an overall curve.
Was testing a rig to clamp the top 4" level & cantilever a weight at the butt.
Will wait until I've played it first then cut strings out.




And be very careful when you string the racquet...give always preference to stringers with six blocking points machines and string al tensions not above, say, 22-23kg. And enjoy!! :-)
Click to expand...

ya I'll be weaving it myself on a 6pt, syngut 45-50lb.
Or might try it for a low tension experiment hehe
 
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Did Graf use the max 200g pro at roland garros 1987 ?
I thought she only used earlier 200g max and the videos I checked seem to confirm. When did she start using the pro version ?
 
joe sch said:
Did Graf use the max 200g pro at roland garros 1987 ?
I thought she only used earlier 200g max and the videos I checked seem to confirm. When did she start using the pro version ?
Click to expand...

Unlike McEnroe, Graf basically seemed to use the current Max200G paintjob from the time, and I don't think any of them were the "PRO" versions. She didn't start using the purple/green Max200G PRO until 1991.
 
jimbo333 said:
Unlike McEnroe, Graf basically seemed to use the current Max200G paintjob from the time, and I don't think any of them were the "PRO" versions. She didn't start using the purple/green Max200G PRO until 1991.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jimbo, I think you are the max 200g expert now.
I should remember more since I used them for many years.
 
just stripped down & cleaned up a black/green&gold "PRO"

Noticed text saying "John McEnroe recommends..." instead of
"This racquet performs best..." @ no more than 55lbs.
 
Here is a photo of one of my Max400i's with a unique Max200G paintjob, I have 2 different versions of these. I think this one is a prototype, and the other version is some sort of Pro racket paintjob.

15g6l36.jpg


Also later in the week, am going to start a thread on the Max400i with some photos:)
 
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jimbo333 said:
Here is a photo of one of my Max400i's with a unique Max200G paintjob, I have 2 different versions of these. I think this one is a prototype, and the other version is some sort of Pro racket paintjob.

15g6l36.jpg


Also later in the week, am going to start a thread on the Max400i with some photos:)
Click to expand...

Amazing Jimbo!!:shock:
 
Tamiya said:
just stripped down & cleaned up a black/green&gold "PRO"

Noticed text saying "John McEnroe recommends..." instead of
"This racquet performs best..." @ no more than 55lbs.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Green and Gold stripe with John signature has that.
 
I know a 400i is not a 200, but it's related. Anyway, I used 400i in high school, and it was sublime.

Injection molding wouldn't lend itself to bigger frames, would it? The 400i was probably 82 sq inches. Recreating that in a 95 or 98 sq inch size wouldn't work? (I wish it would). I'd assume it would be too heavy, or, alternatively, the frame would have to be more hollow, which would defeat the purpose.
 
vsbabolat said:
Amazing Jimbo!!:shock:
Click to expand...

It really confused me when I got this a few years ago, until I realised it was actually a max400i. I'm sure it's a protoype, the fact it says "grafil xas injection" and the "max200g" is in gold, as no max200g has this actual paintjob.

The other similar one I have, I think may be some sort of pro stock max400i with a max200g paintjob. I will hopefully take some photos by the end of the week and stick them up on here:)
 
bluetrain4 said:
I know a 400i is not a 200, but it's related. Anyway, I used 400i in high school, and it was sublime.

Injection molding wouldn't lend itself to bigger frames, would it? The 400i was probably 82 sq inches. Recreating that in a 95 or 98 sq inch size wouldn't work? (I wish it would). I'd assume it would be too heavy, or, alternatively, the frame would have to be more hollow, which would defeat the purpose.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd say the max400i was about 82sqin, it is definitely visibly smaller than an 85sqin racket head. Dunlop tried to do one at about 95sqin with the max500i and max800i. But the max500i was too heavy, and the max800i, although lighter kept snapping. They tried to redesign the max800i, but they still were not very strong structurally.

So there are 2 different molds of the max800i.
 
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Just thought I would add this info here, as the Max400i is another great IMF tennis racket. The thread below includes info and photos of all the different versions of the Max400i.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=460855

This is hopefully the definitive list of all the different versions of the Dunlop Max400i, a lot simpler than the Max200G thank goodness, and if anyone has any other versions, please let me know!

Mid-Production (still has alloy metal in the frame)
Prototype (with unique max200G paintjob)
Pro Stock (with retail "Grafil" max200G paintjob) - I forgot to put this one in the photo!
Max400i - 1988/89 version
Max400iL - 1988/89 "L" version (1" shorter)
Max400iPRO - 1990 "Pro" version
Max400i - 1990 2nd version
Max400iL - 1990 2nd "L" version (1" shorter)

mwejdi.jpg


Max400i Prototype and Pro stock paintjobs
jg2ycg.jpg


Max400i second versions from 1990 (including the second "L" version).
2u7sjyq.jpg
 
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Jimbo, can you check out the "YFG 90" thread and confirm or deny whether this is an IMF racket of some sort?
 
Hannah19 said:
Jimbo, can you check out the "YFG 90" thread and confirm or deny whether this is an IMF racket of some sort?
Click to expand...

As VSBabolat said these are not made in exactly the same process as used by Dunlop and Slazenger. But they maybe were made with a slightly similar manufacturing process, I don't know.

What a great looking racket that YFG90 is though:)
 
Just re-stringed recently, and played some hours with it.
Haven't seen a photo of this model on this thread.
I bought it in 1992, from a normal sport shop.
I was using this model, Steffy Graf, Omar Camporese, Gianluca Pozzi, not sure if McEnroe used it I cannot remember.


ps. sorry for the big foto di a little mess with imageshack.

20130609162800.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
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What's the different between the MAX200G Graphite Injection and Grafil Injection? different weight? different flex rate? or both 1982 original version, Graphite Injection and Grafil Injection are the same things, despite of the paint job?
 
Jimbo

Excellent knowledge on the Max 200g!

I have been collecting this model for a few years and I wish I had joined this forum from the beginning.

Did you buy my GL model (green and gold strip) I sold a few weeks ago.

I would like to think I have all the models but there may be i or 2 I missed out on.

I also have got the John McEnroe green signature on it and believe it or not I got it from Lithuania.

After nearly 30 years I'm still faithful to the old girl and will not part with her, will post some photos soon.

Excellent info, thanks
 
Well I havn't posted here lately, but have just taken some photos of a couple of rackets that I thought people here might like to see :)
 
bondchen said:
What's the different between the MAX200G Graphite Injection and Grafil Injection? different weight? different flex rate? or both 1982 original version, Graphite Injection and Grafil Injection are the same things, despite of the paint job?
Click to expand...

As Tamiya explained it is basically the same racket with different wording, the same manufacturing process was used with the same machines throughout the making of these rackets.

Although the later versions do seem to be a bit lighter and stiffer.
 
Chuck Savage said:
Jimbo

Excellent knowledge on the Max 200g!

I have been collecting this model for a few years and I wish I had joined this forum from the beginning.

Did you buy my GL model (green and gold strip) I sold a few weeks ago.

I would like to think I have all the models but there may be i or 2 I missed out on.

I also have got the John McEnroe green signature on it and believe it or not I got it from Lithuania.

After nearly 30 years I'm still faithful to the old girl and will not part with her, will post some photos soon.

Excellent info, thanks
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck,

Great stuff, yeah it was probably me that bought that GL version.

Amazing that you got that green Mac Signature version from Lithuania :shock:

If you've got any versions that I havn't mentioned please let me know, as always interested in hearing about unknown versions :)
 
Having a few problems putting up photos here unfortunately (it's been a while:-?), but will give it another go in a minute!
 
I need to break mine out again. If I could pick two sticks to be revived from the dead and be put back into production, it's this and the Prince Mono.
 
Right I have no idea what this is :shock:

It is very odd indeed and yet a genuine Max200G version from about 1983/4, but for some reason instead of saying "MAX200G" it actually says "MAXALTA2"!!!

Anyone have any idea what this "ALTA2" version could be please? Anyone seen anything like this before? Seems to be a normal Max200G with different lettering, but I'd really like to find out why this was made like this.

25stvmh.jpg


1olk6s.jpg
 
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ChrisABC said:
You could try sending a note to Dunlop for information.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but tried that a while ago.

Dunlop have literally thrown out all their old info etc, sad but true.

I've just realised that "ALTA2" could have something to do with "LTA" Lawn Tennis Association maybe?
 
jimbo333 said:
Dunlop have literally thrown out all their old info etc, sad but true.

I've just realised that "ALTA2" could have something to do with "LTA" Lawn Tennis Association maybe?
Click to expand...

Wow, you vanish for more than a year, only to pop back up with a puzzle like this? :)

If guessing is the only option left to us, how about a "Spain-Portugal-Latin-America-specific" model? Of course, players in those countries wouldn't be any less inclined to purchase a racquet called "200G" than players anywhere else, so it would have been silly to use a different name just for them. However, the words 'max' and 'alta' do go together quite well, to suggest something 'ultimate'...

Also, "ALTA2" implies the existence of an "ALTA(1)" (corresponding to 100G?), and leaves room for "ALTA3, 4, 5, etc." to follow. Perhaps this is the nomenclature briefly assigned to this series of frames before Dunlop switched to the more universal and technical-sounding numerical system?

Where is Coachrick? As a rep for Dunlop at around that time frame (IIRC), he ought to be able to offer more than guesses on this topic.
 
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