Overdrive
Legend
Nah, I'm gonna spend $1400 plus shipping on some obsolete Donald Young frames. :lol:
Head Pro Stock Really Worth It?
- Thread starter JDMasFCK
- Start date
Nah, I'm gonna spend $1400 plus shipping on some obsolete Donald Young frames. :lol:
president.s
Rookie
Fisrt of all 700 is indeed a lot of money. Everyone has a fair amount in his mind and the rackets worth that extra amount than retail. they are much lighter so that players can customize them to thei exact specs. TGKs and retail do not feel the same. In retail the materials are distributed in a different way in order to reach the specs of the racket.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Buy 2 head mg radical mp's from TW. Also buy some 1/4 strip lead tape from TW. Cut 8 total four inch strips for your 2 shiny new frames and place em at 3/9 inside the hoop. Buy 2 Babolat leather grips also from TW. I suggest you ask TW to string with intellitour at 57# for starters. Super low tension full bed poly works good too. I suggest 18 g MSV focus hex you pick what you like but 40# is very sweet with the 18x20 pattern.
Replace the stock grip with the leather. You have just spent about $225 and you are as close to Prostock as you can get!
Life is good!
Replace the stock grip with the leather. You have just spent about $225 and you are as close to Prostock as you can get!
Life is good!
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Those MG radicals are not the same. New batch, and most people say they don't have the same quality. It's not going to feel like a pro stock racquet.
I owned a TGK. It flexed differently, but the materials were the same as retail.
If you want a pro stock frame, buy the Tfight 315.
I owned a TGK. It flexed differently, but the materials were the same as retail.
If you want a pro stock frame, buy the Tfight 315.
vsbabolat
Talk Tennis Guru
I'll say this, when you remove the pallets of a retail frame and see the same corresponding engineering code that a Pro Stock has. Its not a coincidence. Also the reason its lighter because they are made without the commercial weights that are put in frames during the manufacturing process. Its the same reason why a IG Radical MP is lighter than a IG Prestige MP.
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hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Agree on the Tfight but a much more expensive proposition to match up a pair of those. That is the route I would take tho if I wa refilling my tennis bag.
I do find it hard to believe TW is selling a substandard frame, tho I have not hit one of the current batch. I may pick one up to see if what you say is true.
I thought the MG Radical Mp I hit previously was excellent... and I am super fussy.
loubapache
Professional
I have a few MG Radical MP. Is there a way to tell which batch they are?
One I just got has a full bed of gut and I think the previous owner got it very recently from TW so it should be the latest batch. I have to say this: it plays beautifully (with some weights added).
One I just got has a full bed of gut and I think the previous owner got it very recently from TW so it should be the latest batch. I have to say this: it plays beautifully (with some weights added).
DavaiMarat
Professional
Well like the reasons stated before the main reason you want to get this frame is customization. The hair pin is lighter however you'll have to read up on how to customize this frame the way you want it.
Other then that they are just made in different factories. One in Kennelbach Aus, the other in some place in China. You can say quality control is better in one place or the other but it's like saying a Toyota built in Japan is better then one built in America...even though they are all build by the same robots!
Feel is different yes. The Prostocks definitely feel more solid. HOWEVER, that has more to do with the lead in the hoop and the silicon in the butt and not with the materials the rackets are made from. I have two TGK237.1 and two TGK237.2s they feel way different then the commercial.
Will the fix your game? No. Will they make you win more games? No. However, if you are looking for a specific feel....yes they will give you that.
Other then that they are just made in different factories. One in Kennelbach Aus, the other in some place in China. You can say quality control is better in one place or the other but it's like saying a Toyota built in Japan is better then one built in America...even though they are all build by the same robots!
Feel is different yes. The Prostocks definitely feel more solid. HOWEVER, that has more to do with the lead in the hoop and the silicon in the butt and not with the materials the rackets are made from. I have two TGK237.1 and two TGK237.2s they feel way different then the commercial.
Will the fix your game? No. Will they make you win more games? No. However, if you are looking for a specific feel....yes they will give you that.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
You can build a very light or heave frame with a pro stock and they can definitely feel a lot less solid than retail frames without any lead in the hoop. I have had a few that weighed less than retail and they felt harsh with a really small sweetspot. Adding lead fixed that. Of course you could do the same thing with a retail frame but the Pro Stock gives you more overall flexibility to do what you want to. There are configurations with Pro Stocks that aren't possible with Retail Frames.
The thing that I want most in frames is consistency. The ability to get a matched set. I can modify them to the specs that I like myself or pay someone to do it. The next thing that I'd like is XL, around 27.75 inches and that's hard to do with retail frames.
Is it worth the price? There's a different answer for every budget. If you have millions in the bank, $1,000 for a few frames isn't a big deal. If you have nothing in the bank, then even new retail frames could be a luxury. Are pro stocks necessary for the recreational player? NO. Are pro stocks helpful? To the extent that they detract from improving the more important things like technique and fitness, NO.
If cost isn't an issue and you just want to have some fun experimenting or seeing what pro frames play like, then sure, why not?
The thing that I want most in frames is consistency. The ability to get a matched set. I can modify them to the specs that I like myself or pay someone to do it. The next thing that I'd like is XL, around 27.75 inches and that's hard to do with retail frames.
Is it worth the price? There's a different answer for every budget. If you have millions in the bank, $1,000 for a few frames isn't a big deal. If you have nothing in the bank, then even new retail frames could be a luxury. Are pro stocks necessary for the recreational player? NO. Are pro stocks helpful? To the extent that they detract from improving the more important things like technique and fitness, NO.
If cost isn't an issue and you just want to have some fun experimenting or seeing what pro frames play like, then sure, why not?
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I can confirm this 100%. vsbabolat, as usual, is exactly right.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Why are you asking this when you have already posted the answer?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5232705&postcount=33
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Do a search on the MG rad and you will see users post about it. I remember asking about this because I shared your opinion as well. It's still not a horrible option to buy an MG Rad by any means.
IMO, it's not too expensive to match up Tfights compared to TGKs. I actually think TGKs are a pain to match up because you may buy 1 from a guy who has 1 and then the next one you get has a different layup ..etc.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Agree huge, I would only buy Prostock as a hairpin and build up from there... Buying an individual Prostock frame already built up to somebody else's playing specs makes zero sense to me. I have one Prostock frame and it is truly amazing but unique and a particularly heavy beast indeed. Traded for it just for giggles. Did not spend $300 bucks.
I need at least 1 pair of matched frames in my bag. I believe most good players do.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Agree huge, I would only buy Prostock as a hairpin and build up from there... Buying an individual Prostock frame already built up to somebody else's playing specs makes zero sense to me. I have one Prostock frame and it is truly amazing but unique and a particularly heavy beast indeed. Traded for it just for giggles. Did not spend $300 bucks.
I need at least 1 pair of matched frames in my bag. I believe most good players do. Both the Tfight 315 and the mg radical mp approach make good sense to me.
pt57a
Hi there, I have been using 5 TGK 238.4 grip 4 3/8 tk82s pallets , std length 321 grms and 32.1 balance, lead on the hoop and silicone in handle , strung at 52/54lbs whith 10% pre-stretch.
They are grate sticks and not similar to the retail Prestige Youtek MP.
Now I'm playing with 4 PT57A grip same layup and this is another history. PT57A are very very very soft. I have to put 54/56 15% of pre-stretch. I'm still getting used to them but they seem to be very buttery.
If you want I let you know later but so far ther very nice frames!
pictures at rfbeade@gmail.com
Hi there, I have been using 5 TGK 238.4 grip 4 3/8 tk82s pallets , std length 321 grms and 32.1 balance, lead on the hoop and silicone in handle , strung at 52/54lbs whith 10% pre-stretch.
They are grate sticks and not similar to the retail Prestige Youtek MP.
Now I'm playing with 4 PT57A grip same layup and this is another history. PT57A are very very very soft. I have to put 54/56 15% of pre-stretch. I'm still getting used to them but they seem to be very buttery.
If you want I let you know later but so far ther very nice frames!
pictures at rfbeade@gmail.com
Arize
Rookie
I am trying to decide which frames I want to use. I also have 4 PT57A and 3 TGK 238.4 and I like both rackets quite a bit :???:
Like I said before: that info was from a Tecnifibre Rep. ! OK ?
vsbabolat could know more info about HEAD rackets, if they in HEAD use or not, the same materials.
Capitche?
heartattack
Semi-Pro
what is pt57a? is it youtek prestige mp?
in my opinion the tgk238.4 youtek prestige mp was the worst pro stock racket, no feel, didn't have that solid feel, it was still better than retail matched with the same specs but not by much so i would not consider getting one of them if i was the op, i find that the thing with tgk's is they have to be leaded/siliconed with a nice sw of 340 or more to get the full benefit of the racket.
the best imo was the microgel series of tgk's , 238.1/2 very nice solid feel and a really nice sound when hitting, i have only played with tgk's so i cannot commment on the pt57's (which go for crazy $$ i'd never spend that much on one racket)
that said, i sold my 6 tgk's and bought 3 wilson blx 95's red/black while making a decent profit, added 8 grams of lead at 10 and 2 and i couldn't be happier.
I think the 6.1 95's have that same solid feel that tgk's also have, although the qc of wilson is a little off it's something i can deal with.
the best imo was the microgel series of tgk's , 238.1/2 very nice solid feel and a really nice sound when hitting, i have only played with tgk's so i cannot commment on the pt57's (which go for crazy $$ i'd never spend that much on one racket)
that said, i sold my 6 tgk's and bought 3 wilson blx 95's red/black while making a decent profit, added 8 grams of lead at 10 and 2 and i couldn't be happier.
I think the 6.1 95's have that same solid feel that tgk's also have, although the qc of wilson is a little off it's something i can deal with.
vsbabolat
Talk Tennis Guru
Same materials. For example a retail TGK238.4 is the same as a "Pro Stock" TGK238.4, its just lighter to customize and match. Thats it, Nothing special.........
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
> in my opinion the tgk238.4 youtek prestige mp
> was the worst pro stock racket, no feel, didn't
> have that solid feel
I think that it has a ton of feel - perhaps too much. If you have a light configuration, then the sweet spot on this frame is tiny and it's unstable.
> i find that the thing with tgk's is they have to be
> leaded/siliconed with a nice sw of 340 or more to
> get the full benefit of the racket.
Not a problem for pros. BTW, I had one tgk238.4 that came in under 12 ounces and I couldn't stand the thing as it was but I guess there was some pro out there that liked it that way.
> the best imo was the microgel series of tgk's ,
> 238.1/2 very nice solid feel and a really nice sound
> when hitting, i have only played with tgk's
I haven't tried the 238.1s though I would like to try some of the softer pro stocks someday. Those of us in the US are at somewhat of a disadvantage as it seems like more of these are sourced in Europe and I'm not crazy about shipping frames across the Atlantic. I would like to get a pair of PT57As or Microgel Prestige MPs to play around with but my tennis time has already been trimmed back due to work and running.
The tgk260.2 isn't a bad frame.
The IG Prestige MP is a big improvement over the 238.4 in stability - I'm not aware of the tgk238.4 being PJ'd to something else so I'm assuming that pros that were using the tgk238.4 are actually using the tgt293.2 now.
> Do you agree that building up a couple of MG Rad
> mp's makes a good option as I described for about
> $225 total vs Prostock?
You might look into buying a used set of matched racquets - pro stock or retail.
> was the worst pro stock racket, no feel, didn't
> have that solid feel
I think that it has a ton of feel - perhaps too much. If you have a light configuration, then the sweet spot on this frame is tiny and it's unstable.
> i find that the thing with tgk's is they have to be
> leaded/siliconed with a nice sw of 340 or more to
> get the full benefit of the racket.
Not a problem for pros. BTW, I had one tgk238.4 that came in under 12 ounces and I couldn't stand the thing as it was but I guess there was some pro out there that liked it that way.
> the best imo was the microgel series of tgk's ,
> 238.1/2 very nice solid feel and a really nice sound
> when hitting, i have only played with tgk's
I haven't tried the 238.1s though I would like to try some of the softer pro stocks someday. Those of us in the US are at somewhat of a disadvantage as it seems like more of these are sourced in Europe and I'm not crazy about shipping frames across the Atlantic. I would like to get a pair of PT57As or Microgel Prestige MPs to play around with but my tennis time has already been trimmed back due to work and running.
The tgk260.2 isn't a bad frame.
The IG Prestige MP is a big improvement over the 238.4 in stability - I'm not aware of the tgk238.4 being PJ'd to something else so I'm assuming that pros that were using the tgk238.4 are actually using the tgt293.2 now.
> Do you agree that building up a couple of MG Rad
> mp's makes a good option as I described for about
> $225 total vs Prostock?
You might look into buying a used set of matched racquets - pro stock or retail.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
Ha ha not for me - I am all set have 2 perfect match I Radical L 5 mp' , 2 matched L 4 Chinese I rad mp's , 2 matched by TW YT prestige mp's (238.4) and 3 I prestige mp's that are close.
Was commenting on a cost effective mode for a player to approximate the Prostock experience.
What you describe about 238.4 I agree with 100% if I am not playing every day the sweet spot is too hard to find vs my other frames. I can't go much over 12 oz to game a frame for over 2 hours. Expect the 238.4 would shine with more weight. For the amount I am playing at present my other 18x20 frames are a better choice.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
My tgk238.4s (the ones that I use, I have several that I don't use) are 13 oz with about 372 SW. The setup is great for hitting fairly flat balls. They feel like feathers compared to my 293.2s.
I think that retail sticks are fine matched if you don't mind starting out with a higher weight.
I think that retail sticks are fine matched if you don't mind starting out with a higher weight.
hrstrat57
Hall of Fame
My very thought on why the retail radical mp is the perfect platform- super light in stock form/ plenty of room to bump up and still be playable for the average Joe!
