HEAD PT57 and PT10 -my opinion on what makes them so special

[ivo]

and different from other HEAD pro stock TGK's and all other manufacturer's racquets.

I did not check very much racquets, so I can be wrong but from what I have seen so far, it looks that only PT57 and PT10 have their bridges hollow and totally empty. (all pictures are PT57A)

It mean that they are much more polarized than other racquets and mass from the bridge can be used somewhere where is it more usefull. I think that it is much more difficult to manufacture hollow bridge because it is not connected to other part of the frame and it cannot be "inflated" during molding and that is why all other racquets have their bridges full of foam = heavier.

Can somebody check other racquets (for example: PT161, PT219, H22, other TGK's or normal stock racquets) if any other manufacturer does it? What about Pro Tour 630 (which is probably very polarized)? What are your opinions?

 

[floydcouncil]

They are better because they cost much more!!!










scarcasmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[tandayu]

I have new trek font pc600 unstrung with plastic wrap on leather grip: 340 gram

I also have a new trek font pc600 for sponsored player, unstrung, plastic still wrap on leather grip, silcone on handle: also 340 gram

 

[cnr1guy]

Recreational 3.0 players feel special having frames that pros play with. They think the racquet makes the player not the player makes the frame!

 

[vsbabolat]

and different from other HEAD pro stock TGK's and all other manufacturer's racquets.

I did not check very much racquets, so I can be wrong but from what I have seen so far, it looks that only PT57 and PT10 have their bridges hollow and totally empty.

It mean that they are much more polarized than other racquets and mass from the bridge can be used somewhere where is it more usefull. I think that it is much more difficult to manufacture hollow bridge because it is not connected to other part of the frame and it cannot be "inflated" during molding and that is why all other racquets have their bridges full of foam or resin = heavier.

Can somebody check other racquets (for example: PT161, PT219, H22, other TGK's or normal stock racquets) if any other manufacturer does it? What about Pro Tour 630? What are your opinions?

All of the HEAD racquets have a hollow bridge.........................

 

[cork_screw]

haha.................

All of the HEAD racquets have a hollow bridge.........................

 

[ivo]

You are not correct in this case.

I have checked more of them and not only normal stock HEAD racquets but even another pro stock head TGK 238.4 has full bridge.

 

[OldButGame]

Recreational 3.0 players feel special having frames that pros play with. They think the racquet makes the player not the player makes the frame!

^^^ Merriam-Webster definition = 'Arrogance'

 

[ivo]

All of the HEAD racquets have a hollow bridge.........................

VS, all people here consider you as HEAD racquet expert (me too, indeed) and they automatically believe all what you say, but even on your pictures from Head factory you can see that bridge (throat layup) is normally full of foam.

 

[vsbabolat]

VS, all people here consider you as HEAD racquet expert (me too, indeed) and they automatically believe all what you say, but even on your pictures from Head factory you can see that bridge (throat layup) is normally full of foam.

My Made in AUSTRIA HEAD frames that have a hollow bridge are:
i.Prestige
Pro Tour 630
Prestige Classic 600
Graphite Pro
Comp Pro
Graphite Pro

I just double checked them.......

If you need photographic proof that can be arranged.

 

[ivo]

My Made in AUSTRIA HEAD frames that have a hollow bridge are:
i.Prestige
Pro Tour 630
Prestige Classic 600
Graphite Pro
Comp Pro
Graphite Pro

I just double checked them.......

If you need photographic proof that can be arranged.

I don't need a proof. I believe to you. I have never said that ALL Head racquets have full or empty bridges. But now it looks that old Head racquets, made in Austria have empty bridges. And modern racquets are with full one.

I have checked Head Prestige Pro, Extreme Pro, Instinct and TGK 238.4 and they had full bridges.

All I wanted to do with my post was to find current ( not pro stock) players frame of any manufacturer with hollow bridge.

 

[John_Doe]

I don't need a proof. I believe to you. I have never said that ALL Head racquets have full or empty bridges. But now it looks that old Head racquets, made in Austria have empty bridges. And modern racquets are with full one.

I have checked Head Prestige Pro, TGK 238.4 and Instinct and they had full bridges.

All I wanted to do with my post was to find modern ( not pro stock) players frame of any manufacturer with hollow bridge.

That's very interesting, my TGK238.4 have a hollow bridge.

 

[ivo]

That's very interesting, my TGK238.4 have a hollow bridge.

If anyone else will confirm that his TGK238.4 has totally hollow bridge even withoat foam (exactly same as on my pictures), I will cut my expensive very fresh string on my TGK which I never wanted strung again (because I wanted sell it) and I will check it again and post picture if I remember well ( because I have checked it long time ago, when it was not interesting me).

 

[dr325i]

I don't need a proof. I believe to you. I have never said that ALL Head racquets have full or empty bridges. But now it looks that old Head racquets, made in Austria have empty bridges. And modern racquets are with full one.

I have checked Head Prestige Pro, Extreme Pro, Instinct and TGK 238.4 and they had full bridges.

All I wanted to do with my post was to find current ( not pro stock) players frame of any manufacturer with hollow bridge.

yep, checked a few of my Head sticks -- majority have foam in the bridge.
Good observation Ivo!

 

[tandayu]

yep, checked a few of my Head sticks -- majority have foam in the bridge.
Good observation Ivo!

Which Head rackets have foam in the bridge?

 

[ART ART]

Not only those PT57 have hollow bridges.

Dunlop AG 300Tour have their bridges hollow and totally empty.

At least mines have... can anyone check others?

 

[treblings]

interesting observation.
and does everyone here agree, that a hollow bridge
makes for a better racquet?

 

[sman789]

interesting observation.
and does everyone here agree, that a hollow bridge
makes for a better racquet?

It'll definitely give you a different feel. You can set up a polarized racket with lead but having a hollow throat gives you more customization room.

 

[sman789]

And the Youtek Speed MP 18x20 and Youtek Prestige MP have a foam filled throat.

 

[dgoran]

My Made in AUSTRIA HEAD frames that have a hollow bridge are:
i.Prestige
Pro Tour 630
Prestige Classic 600
Graphite Pro
Comp Pro
Graphite Pro

I just double checked them.......

If you need photographic proof that can be arranged.

Interesting, nice find Ivo:

I just checked my pt630's (I checked only 2 of 8 but one was Designed In Aust. the other one was Made In Aust) and they are all FULL, not sure FULL of what looks like brushed metal. I'll try to attach pictures later

-Goran

 

[ninjatennis]

ivo,

good post. i think you're on to something. confirmed that my microgel prestige is a FULL bridge.

Interesting, nice find Ivo:

I just checked my pt630's (I checked only 2 of 8 but one was Designed In Aust. the other one was Made In Aust) and they are all FULL, not sure FULL of what looks like brushed metal. I'll try to attach pictures later

-Goran

this is interesting. does this mean that a p57a is NOT a pt630.

 

[tandayu]

It will take time......I will check all my Pc600, PT630, Pt57a

So far I found:
- one Pc600 (trek font) has hollow bridge

- one PC600 (made in Austria above the handle) , not holllow between two middle holes. This particular sample is more than 10 gram heavier than the first sample (trek font). I have been wondering why my Pc600 frames has weight ranging from 327 gram to 341 gram unstrung

- One PT630: not hollow

I am not jumping to conclusion, I have about 60 frames to see, probably by this weekend

 

[dgoran]

ivo,

good post. i think you're on to something. confirmed that my microgel prestige is a FULL bridge.




this is interesting. does this mean that a p57a is NOT a pt630.

You know to avoid flame wars and countless post regarding if pt630 = pt57 I reached a conclusion through many many posts here by lots of tt-ers that this depends on how are you looking at the issue.

To some: pt57 is NOT equal if it contains even a gram of silicone or foam or lead or whatever material attached to it.

To others: pt57a is simply a copy a replica of pt630 w/o extra materials if you can find brand new uncustomized pt57a w/o silicone lead etc...) and in that sense pt57a is pro stock equivalent of pt630.

So to summarize if you like pt630 but you cannot handle the weight of close to 12 oz than look for pt57a if you need a heavier stick than 12 oz than get pt630 and add lead.

 

[dadozen]

I'll check my 4D100s again, but I remember removing the bridge grommets and it was empty as well.

 

[ace0001a]

You know to avoid flame wars and countless post regarding if pt630 = pt57 I reached a conclusion through many many posts here by lots of tt-ers that this depends on how are you looking at the issue.

To some: pt57 is NOT equal if it contains even a gram of silicone or foam or lead or whatever material attached to it.

To others: pt57a is simply a copy a replica of pt630 w/o extra materials if you can find brand new uncustomized pt57a w/o silicone lead etc...) and in that sense pt57a is pro stock equivalent of pt630.

So to summarize if you like pt630 but you cannot handle the weight of close to 12 oz than look for pt57a if you need a heavier stick than 12 oz than get pt630 and add lead.

Yeah I'm still puzzled these days at how people consider a 12oz racquet heavy when not that long ago, even kids were using racquets that averaged that weight. I'm not a particularly strong guy myself (not that young anymore either), actually average at best and so honestly I'm puzzled when people say a 12oz racquet is too heavy. With that said, I'm thinking that if you can't handle a 12oz racquet that I would believe an unmodified PT57A wouldn't actually be well suited for you.

 

[dadozen]

Yeah I'm still puzzled these days at how people consider a 12oz racquet heavy when not that long ago, even kids were using racquets that averaged that weight. I'm not a particularly strong guy myself (not that young anymore either), actually average at best and so honestly I'm puzzled when people say a 12oz racquet is too heavy. With that said, I'm thinking that if you can't handle a 12oz racquet that I would believe an unmodified PT57A wouldn't actually be well suited for you.

This argument always come in, from time to time.

Although it's true that kids started playing tennis with 12, 13oz racquets 30 years ago, tennis has changed a lot since then. It's much faster and stronger than that age.

 

[ace0001a]

This argument always come in, from time to time.

Although it's true that kids started playing tennis with 12, 13oz racquets 30 years ago, tennis has changed a lot since then. It's much faster and stronger than that age.

Yeah I'm not doubting that the game has changed, but I started playing around the time guys started hitting the ball hard and fast (late '80s and early '90s) and I know for a fact that in those days days that high school, college and even recreational young guys were taking big cuts at the ball trying to emulate guys like Agassi and such. Back then, most racquets were still around the 12oz weight and I don't remember ever hearing anyone say they wish their racquet was lighter. Not to veer too far off topic, but I tend to think racquet manufacturers had a lot of influence on making people wanting lighter racquets when they themselves started shovelling lighter racquets to the consumers in the late '90s. With that said, I can't say it's a bad thing because at least light retail racquets give you more room to work with as for as modifications versus a racquet that already comes 12oz+ stock. So in that sense, doesn't puzzle me too much, just only when grown people say they think 12oz is too heavy...and much so to grown people who prefer less than 11oz racquets....for kids, I can get it though. That's just my take on it anyway.

As for these Head pro stock models, I would say my game wouldn't warrant the cost of owning one...but as a racquetaholic, I wouldn't mind having one, hehe.

 

[Doubles]

My Radicals and Extremes are hollow...

 

[TheBoom]

This argument always come in, from time to time.

Although it's true that kids started playing tennis with 12, 13oz racquets 30 years ago, tennis has changed a lot since then. It's much faster and stronger than that age.

The rackets changed a lot and string choices have greatly improved. And hen massive topspin came in and ya

 

[chrischris]

My pockets are hollow from buying pro stock rackets.