Funny story re: 1st Gen. Pure Drive+ with 2nd Gen PJ

[ipitythefool]

This funny thing happened. Don't know if I should laugh or cry lol.

Today I was browsing for Pure Drives on the Bay. (Basially because I have been in search of weighted pro stock Pure Drives for a while)

So I came across a listing that said "2 Babolat PD+, NON CORTEX, rare"
In description, the sticks were described as 2nd Generation pro stock, and they were brand new. The listing price was $530 or best offer. I checked out the pictures of the racquets. Since I am kind of familiar with Pure Drives (actually, not much, compared to most PD players here on the boards) But I noticed the grommets as being slightly different, compared to later gen. PDs. That, these racquets had the grommets extending through 3&9, with like additional mini grommets.
I know this from Ericsson's posts. I asked him a question before so I learned that, those grommets with mini add'l grommets at 3 & 9 do come with 1st Gen. non-cortex and non-woofer racquets.

So, I asked few questions to the seller, if those are 1st gen. grommets on the racquets; the specs of the sticks, if any lead/silicone on them and what pro they belonged to.

Afterwards, I was gone out for a while, came back home few hours later and checked my messages. Received two separate messages from the seller.

1st one: "I honestly have no ideas if that's the 1st
generation grommets.. It came like that..
I just checked, there is no hidden lead tapes on
the racquets.. I don't know if there is in the
handle either.. I think these are just brand new
ready for customize..
These are Pro Stick for Jeff Tarrango"

2nd message: "Hi..I just spoke to Jeff and yes.. These are original
1st generation babolat, paint job as second one..
NO CORTEX, NO WOOFER.. these are super rare ones."

And then I wanted to check the pics of the racquet again. But when I clicked on the link, some other sticks appeared, like the seller took the listing off! So, I e-mailed him thanking for the info and what happened to the sticks, as they don't appear on e-bay anymore, but some other sticks. I just received an immediate response back:

"yeah.. after I check the rackets.. it's a paint
job of the 2nd generation.. It is the actual
Original 1st generation pure drive plus.. I called
Jeff and spoke to him and he confirmed it.. yup..
I sold for $700 a pair after a change the
description and the price like 15 mins..
unbelivable.. THANKS TO YOU.."

LOL!!! I don't know if I should laugh or cry. Not that I was very interested due to high prices, and I am not a collector, but I do feel kind of bummed out now LOL.

Again, I am no expert on old collectible pure drives (I am only interested in trying a pro weighted babolat) But are these 1st Gen Pure Drives so sought after like that? Perhaps them having a paint job contributed to this? Either way...LMAO...

 

[Fed Kennedy]

It's kind of funny that you can get Fed's pro stock for 150 on tw but Tarangos will run you $700.
Gimelstob pro stock price must be astronomical!

 

[ericsson]

I can confirm that they are sought after, i sold about a dozen of them (some in new condition) and went out very easy, prices can go very high...

 

[ipitythefool]

I can confirm that they are sought after, i sold about a dozen of them (some in new condition) and went out very easy, prices can go very high...

Hallo Ericsson, when will you hook me up with a pro stock Babolat?

Dank u wel!

 

[ipitythefool]

It's kind of funny that you can get Fed's pro stock for 150 on tw but Tarangos will run you $700.
Gimelstob pro stock price must be astronomical!

Federer's sticks for 150? Whereat?

 

[ericsson]

Hallo Ericsson, when will you hook me up with a pro stock Babolat?

Dank u wel!

I must admit, your dutch is quite good! No more pro stocks for the moment, i do have some original Pure Drives though ;-)

 

[ace0001a]

I must admit, your dutch is quite good! No more pro stocks for the moment, i do have some original Pure Drives though ;-)

So what's so good about the original Pure Drives compared to the current ones? Do they have a classic feel to them? Of course I don't mean classic in the sense of a classic flexy racquet, but relative to how the Babolat racquets have been to now. I do recall reading somewhere that people say the old models felt more hollow.

 

[MarrratSafin]

The original PD is a spin monster, simple as that. It doesn't have the classic racquet feel, in fact I'd rate is as a racquet that changed the game a bit- one of the first 'modern' frames. I value it highly as well, and there are definitely collectors who are after them.

Very interesting experience by ipitythefool, a 1st gen with 2nd gen pj is as rare as it gets, I'd love to own one too but 700 bucks is really out of range.