Fischer VT Classic Pro 90

[Brad Smith]

I bought this frame on the auction site recently and have taken it out a few times this week. Wow. Old school feel that makes my PC 600's feel like a Pure Drive, but it's still a modern racket that I felt comfortable using in real matches.

In looking at the TW Racket Finder I think it's the Fischer VT Pro Classic 90. The other Vacuum 90's are listed with SW's around 300 while this one is listed at 320. The flex of this one is listed at 57 and the others are 60/61. It feels higher than that to me -- more like 330+. It's got a weight and SW very similar to the PT 280 (albeit with even better feel) but I'm looking for something more mobile since I play mostly doubles.

I have a couple of questions for Fischer users.

-- How does this frame compare to the original Vacuum Pro 90 or the Vacuum Pro Midsize that (I believe) Stich used? The specs on these frames (12.1/12.2 oz, SW of 302/303, RDC 60/61) are very interesting because there is a lot of room for customization.

-- Which of the current Fischer frames have the most similar feel? The Pro Number One looks good with fiberglass and an RDC of 60 but RSI lists the RDC of the Pro Number One as 64. The RSI RDC number on the M Speed is 56, which is great, but I don't believe that frame uses Vacuum construction. I can (and probably will) demo but any input on this would be great.

-- If you've used this frame in the past and have switched what are you using now?

Thanks in advance.

 

[!Tym]

The Head Pyramid Tour feels more like the Fischer Vacuum Pro Mid than the Prestige Classic or Pro Tour 280.

The Pyramid Tour's feel is right smack dab in the middle between the feel of the Vacuum Pro 90 and the Prestige Classic in my opinion, though both of those rackets are of course much more demanding.

 

[NoBadMojo]

look at the suggested tension range..if very narrow <like 54-56> you've got a frame very similar to the one Stich used and by far the best of the lost IMO. These would be the early ones which actually contained ceramics and I know of no other frames which give you that feel. They all use Vacuum technique construction

 

[AAAA]

The original Fischer Vacuum Technic Pro Classic has two head sizes, 90" and 98". The 90" is 19mm wide and the 98" is 21mm wide, both constant beam. The paintjob is mostly blue with gold, black and purple sections. The gold and purple sections have a hatching pattern('criss-cross') on them.

Both head sizes were re-released with first an all-over navy blue paintjob followed a year or two later by an all-over white paintjob. They are exactly the same as the original version as used by Stich, only the paint jobs are different. <Edit: do not confuse the white version with the white retro version of the Pro Classic, the colour accents are different>

I have the original Pro Classic 90" 330g unstrung and the black/red and silver Pro #1 at 320g unstrung. There are big differences in how both frames play and I suspect the 10g weight difference is a big factor.

a) Firstly a 330g Pro Classic 90" is way way more solid feeling than a 320g Pro
#1. The Pro classic is rock solid even on mishits and frame shots. Cannot say the same for a 320g Pro #1. On mishits/frame shots the #1 feels more prone to twisting and doesn't absorb the shock as well, not that it's bad just isn't as good.

b) Flex - The flex on a Pro Classic 90" is very unique, it's flexible with an underlying firmness. Flex feels like it is evenly distributed over the whole frame while the Pro #1 definately feels more flexible with the flex concentrated in the throat area. Also the head on a Pro #1 feels much stiffer though not uncomfortably so. The affect on my game is that I can more easily hit loopy topspin groundstrokes with a Pro #1 but the Classic is better for flatter strokes for me. If you game is to pound flatish drives you'll love the Pro Classic.

3) For volleys I prefer the Pro Classic because it's more solid feeling and will not get pushed about by heavy pace.

4) Serving - I prefer the pro classic - easier to pick the spots and hit slice. On hard flat serves it feels like the ball is really being crushed.

From what others had said, the newer magnetic speeds are 'better' than the Pro #1s.

Ramble over.

 

[Brad Smith]

AAAA -- thanks for the details. The frame I have has a label saying it's 340 g +- 6 Unstrung. On the throat it says Vacuum Pro Classic 90 on one side and Fischer Tournament System on the other. At 12 oclock it says SIC-CERAMIC GRAPHITE on one side and MID SIZE 90 on the other. This is obviously the heavier model, just wondering if it's earlier or later.

If the lighter (330 g) model is still rock solid it is probably just what I'm looking for.

 

[Thaychua]

AAAA -- thanks for the details. The frame I have has a label saying it's 340 g +- 6 Unstrung. On the throat it says Vacuum Pro Classic 90 on one side and Fischer Tournament System on the other. At 12 oclock it says SIC-CERAMIC GRAPHITE on one side and MID SIZE 90 on the other. This is obviously the heavier model, just wondering if it's earlier or later.

If the lighter (330 g) model is still rock solid it is probably just what I'm looking for.

Hi,
i was wondering what color scheme is your racket? and does it have a sticker or any sign of where it's made?
i have one in blue/yellow fishnet pj and it says exactly what you have described but only difference is 330g +- 6 unstrung instead of the 340...
The thing i want to know is when this racket first came out, where was it originally made?

The fishnet fischer 90 plays like a dream but doesn't have a "made in xxxx" sticker..So i went out and bought another fishnet 90 and it turns out this one
had a "China" sticker..
I strung the China and noticed it didn't have a "tie-off" hole at 4 and 8 oclock, only at 7, while the other fishnet had it at both places..The grommet channels were a little different from the 3-4 and 7-8 oclock, almost looks like the China can only be string with 1 piece pattern......
Anyways, the racket played like Sh!et and i couldn't wait to get rid of it..
So i was just wondering were there different batches of this racket? from different manufacturing countries? And why are there 2-3 different color scheme for this racket... as i also have one in silver/red with a "China" sticker..

 

[uk_skippy]

Hi Brad

are you in the UK? I ask as I saw some on that auction site and wondered if you bought from him. How many did you buy and how much?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Brad Smith]

Thaychua -- I don't know anything about these frames as regards different versions, Austrian versus Chinese, etc.

uk_skippy -- this is a single frame from a guy in Texas.

 

[AAAA]

as i also have one in silver/red with a "China" sticker..

I've rechecked my brochure and the Pro Classic i thought, from memory, was white is indeed silver with red accents.

 

[AAAA]

AAAA -- thanks for the details. The frame I have has a label saying it's 340 g +- 6 Unstrung. On the throat it says Vacuum Pro Classic 90 on one side and Fischer Tournament System on the other. At 12 oclock it says SIC-CERAMIC GRAPHITE on one side and MID SIZE 90 on the other. This is obviously the heavier model, just wondering if it's earlier or later.

If the lighter (330 g) model is still rock solid it is probably just what I'm looking for.

Brad,
340g? I've never seen that version, interesting. My 330g version has the same labels as yours, on the inner side of the throat the side that lists the string tension as 51/49 lbs also has TOURNAMENT SYSTEM constant 19mm while the other inner side has balance 308mm +/- 5mm Weight 330g +/- 6g unstrung and a graphic of a frame in profile with a 'F' labelled arrow head pointing to the racquet tip and the words FLEX CONTROL.

Whether the 340g version is earlier or later I'd say it's from about the same time as the 330g given the trend towards lighter and lighter racquets.