Genuine or fake Asian BLX 90?

[fms]

Hi all,

I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out on whether I've got a genuine or fake Japan BLX 90. Sorry for another thread on this. But from other threads here it seems the fakes get better and better (for instance the 4 vs 5 PWS holes isn't always valid anymore).

EDIT - I've uploaded a whole bunch of pictures, see the fourth post!
Pics: http://imageshack.us/g/820/dscn4422j.jpg/
& http://imageshack.us/g/59/dscn4433r.jpg/

I didn't buy the racket from the auction site, but from what one or two members here have said is a reputable Hong Kong online store.

Reasons why it might be a fake:
- behind buttcap I don't see two equal oval holes. There is foam (see pic below), but it could just as well be put there to cover up nails or something. It looks like someone put foam in a fake racket (so to add weight, get it up to specs, and cover any possible nails).
- some grommet holes are a bit 'unfinished' here and there.
- the plastic that was around the handle didn't have Wilson on it, and the bar code (WRT7018103) is the same as the one from this fake racket: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=4945923&postcount=13. Do all genuine as well as fake Asian BLXs have the same barcode?

Reasons why it can be genuine:
- PWS ok (but good fakes have 4 holes too)
- length is 68,6 cm - same as my Kfactor
- specs are approx. correct (but I haven't checked for lead tape inside handle or beneath grip)
- foam (although it doesn't look like other pics I've seen around here)
- someone recognized a fake from the real by the second grommet above the PWS, and mine is like the genuine version (but I don't know if the good fakes have resolved this), see here: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5229293&postcount=18.

The main thing I haven't done yet is see if there's lead tape and check if there are nails behind the foam, but I'm hesitant to unwrap the leather or to insert something in the foam.

 

[corners]

That's the two small rectangle variation. Rather than two oval holes there is a partition that divides the chamber into two rectangles, one larger than the other. I've seen that on both AK90s and ABLX90s in China.

The ones that I've seen had correct weight and balance. The AK90s hit like the ones I got in Korea and that I have no doubt are legit.

If you want to assure yourself that you have a real racquet I would advise that you get the weight, balance and swingweight measured (or do it yourself).

Correct strung specs:

335 grams
32.5 cm balance
~318 swingweight.

If someone is making a fake racquet they could stuff the handle with leadtape to get the weight and balance right, but they would have to be extremely lucky to get anywhere near the correct swingweight.

 

[fms]

Thanks very much for your reply. And thanks for the info regarding the handle. I'm frankly still a bit suspicious though - it's not really rectangle, and I think it looks like one of those fake's insides but with foam to cover up the nails.

The approximate specs are:
336 g
32,1 cm balance
315 swingweight
(Of course without the plastic, or overgrip or dampener.)
Keep in mind that I've used the Do-It-Yourself method for all, which is not entirely precise.

Why would it be lucky if they got the swingweight right? I would suppose if you get the balance right by adding foam, the swingweight would be automatically put somewhere near the genuine swingweight?

 

[fms]

Update: I've uploaded a whole bunch of images here:
http://imageshack.us/g/820/dscn4422j.jpg/

I'm bound to be overly suspicious now regarding the racket and probably overreacting, but here are a few things I'd like someone to take a look at amongst the pics:
-overgrip a bit high
-not entirely clear print of the "L3"
-a very few tiny bubbles here and there (on BLX gold is most notable one)
-some grommet holes look unfinished/imperfect
-white stripes above overgrip not straight at all
-overgrip wrapped not entirely smooth or even (a few knobbly places)
-sticky plastic on inside of buttcap?
-no oval holes, looks like fake insides from pics on this board but with foam
-barcode & green sticker is like fake racket from other poster (see link above)
-there's no pic of this, but Wilson hologram is on outside (opposite side of "L3" sticker)

Any input is most welcome! Thanks!

 

[fms]

Anyone, please?

Meanwhile I took off the leather grip and took a few pics. I have no idea how a genuine BLX 6.1 racket is supposed to look underneath the leather grip, so I was hoping someone who does could take a look at the pictures.

Here is the link:
http://imageshack.us/g/59/dscn4433r.jpg/

I suppose the plastic is the sticky tape that attaches the grip to the handle, but as you see that didn't come off easily so I just took off the leather.
I don't know what the two red/pink blotches are. Besides the yellow handle, the only other thing were a few tiny holes on the sides, and one bigger hole in the middle.

 

[vincent_tennis]

a) Where did you get it from
b) the sticky tape is like that.

 

[tennisnut09]

I have both us version and asian version. They look the same but different in weight. I've bought my 2 ablx 90s at the wilson exclusive distributor store in vietnam with warranty. I've seen the fake ablx 90. They do a good job with the cosmetic. However, if you look closely, you would find some error. For ex, the word wilson at the throat it is not the same. You would rec if you have the authentic one. Also, the fake one plays horrible, hollow and vibration.

 

[corners]

Thanks very much for your reply. And thanks for the info regarding the handle. I'm frankly still a bit suspicious though - it's not really rectangle, and I think it looks like one of those fake's insides but with foam to cover up the nails.

The approximate specs are:
336 g
32,1 cm balance
315 swingweight
(Of course without the plastic, or overgrip or dampener.)
Keep in mind that I've used the Do-It-Yourself method for all, which is not entirely precise.

Why would it be lucky if they got the swingweight right? I would suppose if you get the balance right by adding foam, the swingweight would be
automatically put somewhere near the genuine swingweight?

Notice that only one manufacturer, Prince, prints the swingweight on their racquets. Why? Because it is very difficult to get the distribution of material the same in every racquet mold. Most racquet models will vary by up to 10 swingweight units between different frames.

Getting the weight right is very easy, getting the balance is trickier but most anybody can learn to alter the balance of a racquet precisely in 10 minutes. Getting the swingweight right reqires 1) knowing what swingweight is and how to measure it and 2) precision and experience laying up graphite instruments.

2 grams (about 2 pieces of popcorn) added or subtracted from anywhere near the tip of the racquet head will change swingweight by eight units. Do you think guys in China making fake racquets can keep track of two grams of graphit and epoxy? Do you think they care?

 

[fms]

Thanks for the informative reply, corners.

So there's nothing suspicious about the racket then, from the pics, that you guys see?
Does the yellow handle check out?

I'm still in a little bit of doubt because of the inside of the handle (and the weird plastic on the inside buttcap), and the bar code, which is WRT7018103, while according to the Wilson site it should be WRT7018203.

Last question, does anyone know how to let Wilson check out the Quality hologram code?
I've e-mailed the Hong Kong representative, as well as Wilson via Wilson.com, but haven't heard back from either of them.

 

[drgchen]

Some of the fake racquets are nearly identical. A guy tried to sell me one on the courts in Detroit. After discusssion he admitted they were fakes. Some fakes are made as 'third' shift products from the same factories that make the real deal. Apparently those have nearly identical specs, but perhaps not the same quality control or licensing. Others are made by some random factories. Those don't play nearly the same.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Some fakes are made as 'third' shift products from the same factories that make the real deal. QUOTE]

That is just an apocraphal story.