Head Graphite Pro TF

[Alex78]

Picked up a Graphite Pro Twaron Fiber in great condition - minus the grommets, which disintegrated quickly, which is, of course, to be expected with these old Head racquets
It's the constant beam version, which Head is rumoured to have made for Boris Becker in order to entice him to switch to Head.
Does anybody know if there are any grommets (readily) available today that will fit this stick? It's an 18x20 string pattern but the hoop is slightly larger than the hoop of a Prestige Mid, and the grommet holes are spaced just a little differently, too.

 

[vsbabolat]

Picked up a Graphite Pro Twaron Fiber in great condition - minus the grommets, which disintegrated quickly, which is, of course, to be expected with these old Head racquets
It's the constant beam version, which Head is rumoured to have made for Boris Becker in order to entice him to switch to Head.
Does anybody know if there are any grommets (readily) available today that will fit this stick? It's an 18x20 string pattern but the hoop is slightly larger than the hoop of a Prestige Mid, and the grommet holes are spaced just a little differently, too.

Im in the exact same boat as you.

 

[Alex78]

Im in the exact same boat as you.

So that means you haven't found a solution, have you? I suppose one could still get grommets from someone who's a real menace to the tennis society, but at too steep a price...

 

[vsbabolat]

So that means you haven't found a solution, have you? I suppose one could still get grommets from someone who's a real menace to the tennis society, but at too steep a price...

I still have a set of TK8 grommets for the turquoise Graphite Pro. The weird thing is the bumper guard at the top fit perfectly while the grommets for sides and throat peice did not. I'm thinking of using IG Prestige grommets. The good news is the throat bridge grommets fit great. I have to cut off the excess Cap grommets.

 

[Alex78]

I still have a set of TK8 grommets for the turquoise Graphite Pro. The weird thing is the bumper guard at the top fit perfectly while the grommets for sides and thrust peice did not. I'm thinking of using IG Prestige grommets. The good news is the throat bridge grommets fit great. I have to cut off the excess Cap grommets.

Hmm, I think the mold of the Graphite Pro is a little different, the hoop is wider. Seems like it's between a Prestige Mid and MP. In all likelihood, I won't keep mine, though...

 

[1010]

3 are the GraphitePro. Watch for the decals. But pls search them in the hoop, not on the sides like today!
e.g. Graphite Pro is written in the hoop 6pm. Then:
1) Graphite Pro, the 1st
2) Graphite Pro + Twaron Fiber (find it at 5pm)
3) Graphite Pro + Twaron Fiber (5pm) + Power Wedge (find it at 9am, inner side)

It's a tiny diff, the 3 versions have peculiar molds, the kind you can appreciate in mm (micrometer needed)
Hence, diff grommets. You can't really recycle the grommets between versions.

Best solution? reinvent the wheel. Someone in this forum was able to CAP. he didn't leave us the procedure. Here's the pic I saved in my hdd ('cause you know, photobucket).

Notice this CAPed stick is the n.2 per previous classification.

Or, contact @jetlee2k the Prestige collector. He probably CAPed a Graphite Pro TF too.

 

[Alex78]

So I've had more fun CAPping regular Prestiges - but thanks so much, 1010, for pointing this out!
333g, roughly 32cm balance, both unstrung, though not sure if I'll string it up...

 

[1010]

@Alex78 How about a small guide to repeat it?

 

[vsbabolat]

So I've had more fun CAPping regular Prestiges - but thanks so much, 1010, for pointing this out!
333g, roughly 32cm balance, both unstrung, though not sure if I'll string it up...

I will try that with mine.

 

[Alex78]

@Alex78 How about a small guide to repeat it?

I installed YouTek IG Prestige Mid CAP grommets.
Not really any magic needed - just some (a lot of) patience.
What helped was starting at the bottom (starting at the top did not work for me!) and using an awl to guide the grommets through the holes and punch them in so they stay fixed. Tie-off grommets were a pain because they have a larger diameter in more recent Head sticks. What would help here is carefully enlarging these grommet holes, e.g., with a Dremel-like tool. I didn't do it on this one but it would probably make for a nicer fit.

 

[Alex78]

With a synthetic grip, specs come out at 329g, 32.5cm-ish unstrung. Grip size is 4 1/2.

 

[Alex78]

Here's some Graphite Pro for you: The first person to contact me via PM will get this stick for free (as pictured), all I'm asking for is coverage of my shipping fees. I'm in Germany and will ship anywhere if my shipping expenses are covered. Have a nice weekend and enjoy your tennis!
Update: Racquet is on its way to Jon from tennisnerd.net. He's going to playtest it and subsequently publish a review - already curious how he'll like it!

 

[retrowagen]

Well done, Alex! So nice for you to share the technik, and the racquet!

Doch echt klasse!

 

[Alex78]

Well done, Alex! So nice for you to share the technik, and the racquet!

Doch echt klasse!

Danke, Retro

 

[1010]

Great job and great explanation

 

[vsbabolat]

Thank you @Alex78 for showing your Graphite Pro TF. I have just put IG Prestige Mid grommets in mine. It was a PIA!
I'm going to string her up tomorrow.

 

[vsbabolat]

All strung up and ready to go

 

[Alex78]

Looks so great! - I wonder how much weight is added with the CAP grommets vs. the original grommets. Are you going to install a leather grip to counter some of that additional weight in the hoop? Happy hitting with this beauty!

 

[vsbabolat]

Looks so great! - I wonder how much weight is added with the CAP grommets vs. the original grommets. Are you going to install a leather grip to counter some of that additional weight in the hoop? Happy hitting with this beauty!

My racquet came with a white leather grip. I'll be taking the plastic off the leather when I get to the courts. I'm excited to hit with it. I heard that same rumor about Becker that you heard back in the day. Ultimately Becker ended up just having HEAD manufacture his racquets for him. Remember when HEAD was a great manufacturer?

 

[Alex78]

Hmm, is that a real leather grip? I've always had the impression these whitish grips are synthetic leather... They sure are very thin, and I'll say they feel different from all the leather grips I have used so far. But I may be wrong here.

 

[vsbabolat]

Hmm, is that a real leather grip? I've always had the impression these whitish grips are synthetic leather... They sure are very thin, and I'll say they feel different from all the leather grips I have used so far. But I may be wrong here.

Its really leather. Same leather grip on my White Comp Pro. I also hit with it today. Its very Prestige Pro like. Feels like it has a little less power though.

 

[1010]

I also hit with it today. Its very Prestige Pro like. Feels like it has a little less power though.

Uh. I never found the Graphite Pro TF similar to the holy PP.
I feel the original Graphite Pro (plain), among the three models, is the one closer, but not equal, to PP.

 

[vsbabolat]

Uh. I never found the Graphite Pro TF similar to the holy PP.
I feel the original Graphite Pro (plain), among the three models, is the one closer, but not equal, to PP.

Maybe because its the similar weight and balance to my PP. I actually like the white Comp Pro better than the black EU Graphite Pro.

 

[PhilSki]

Well, I’ve not long fitted TK237 grommets to an Elite Pro and TK291 to an Elektra Pro and then…attempted TK237 on a Graphite Pro TF. It was all going too well, I cannot for the life of me get them on the Graphite Pro. It seems they are ever so slightly different in terms of alignment (grommets and drilling) but enough to make this a pig of a job. What are my options? I don’t want to ruin the TK237 grommets but I don’t want to sell or throw away the racket. Should I attempt to enlarge the drill holes?? Suggestions please!

@vsbabolat, @retrowagen, @Alex78 et al…

 

[vsbabolat]

Well, I’ve not long fitted TK237 grommets to an Elite Pro and TK291 to an Elektra Pro and then…attempted TK237 on a Graphite Pro TF. It was all going too well, I cannot for the life of me get them on the Graphite Pro. It seems they are ever so slightly different in terms of alignment (grommets and drilling) but enough to make this a pig of a job. What are my options? I don’t want to ruin the TK237 grommets but I don’t want to sell or throw away the racket. Should I attempt to enlarge the drill holes?? Suggestions please!

@vsbabolat, @retrowagen, @Alex78 et al…

Get TK292 grommets. They are much more flexible and warm them up with a hairdryer.

 

[PhilSki]

Correction, I fitted TK292 to the Elektra, not TK291! Have I got no chance with TK237 then, if not, I’ll probably get another set of TK292?

On a side note, I take it TK237 fits Prestige Classic 600 and I.Prestige Mid?

 

[retrowagen]

The 18x20 drill pattern of the 1989 Head mids (TF models) was maddeningly different in its spacing than the other, prior mids (Prestige, Elite, Elektra, and older “box beam” Pro models...

I don’t have a good solution for you, sorry!

 

[vsbabolat]

Correction, I fitted TK292 to the Elektra, not TK291! Have I got no chance with TK237 then, if not, I’ll probably get another set of TK292?

On a side note, I take it TK237 fits Prestige Classic 600 and I.Prestige Mid?

TK237 won’t fit. I have fitted TK292 to my Graphite Pro TF. It was a pain but doable with the aid of a blow dryer and awl.

 

[vsbabolat]

Correction, I fitted TK292 to the Elektra, not TK291! Have I got no chance with TK237 then, if not, I’ll probably get another set of TK292?

On a side note, I take it TK237 fits Prestige Classic 600 and I.Prestige Mid?

Yes, TK237 fit the Prestige Classic 600 and i.Prestige Mid

 

[vsbabolat]

@PhilSki

 

[PhilSki]

Thanks @vsbabolat and @retrowagen. TK292 with blow dryer and awl (and patience) it is then. I’ll save the TK237 for when my PC600 or i.Prestige Mid calls for it. Cheers!

 

[vsbabolat]

Thanks @vsbabolat and @retrowagen. TK292 with blow dryer and awl (and patience) it is then. I’ll save the TK237 for when my PC600 or i.Prestige Mid calls for it. Cheers!

Let us know how you do.

 

[PhilSki]

@vsbabolat and @retrowagen - success! Although, it took me a considerable time and much cursing and colourful language, aided with the trusty family hair dryer and a poking implement (found my awl to not be of great use)! Pleased it’s on, ready for stringing. I’ve noticed a few grommets are flush with the frame and not poking through, I assume on stringing these will be pulled in?

Few images:

https://imgur.com/HTk4wHB

https://imgur.com/I5JckOF

https://imgur.com/eFKFhcb

Thanks guys, happy days!