Hip to be square: "R" you ready? Yonex R Series...

[VGP]

Seems this was a pivotal time for Yonex tennis as the "isometric" square head shape has been used by them since the design of these frames. I guess it harkens back the the old flat-top and semi-flat top frames from the early 1990s.

According to the Yonex page on Wikipedia, the 80's era were the R-2, R-3, R-5, R-7 (used by Martina Navratilova), R-10 (used by Vince Van Patten), R-18, R-19, R-20, R-22 (used by Martina Navratilova and Andrés Gómez - and Jaime Yzaga (had to add that)), R-23, R-24 (used by Pam Shriver), R-27 (used by Martina Navratilova and Aaron Krickstein), R-30, R-50, R-60, R-70, R-80, R-271, RX-32, RX-37.

As of this post, in poking around on the internet, I've seen pics of the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5, R-7, R-10, R-18, R-19, R-23, R-24, R-27, R-20, R-50, and the R-271....

Thought I'd share some pics of some Yonex Rexkings (thread encouraged by Virginia).....

1982 advertisement:

 

[VGP]

R-7:

code: 92910 on throat collar

 

[VGP]

R-22:

(from the R-22 appreciation thread)

code: 6110US on throat collar

 

[VGP]

R-18:

code: 7031US on throat collar

note: the bottom frame was stamped as a demo below a code 7031US on the throat collar....

 

[VGP]

R-24:

code: 7011US on throat collar

 

[VGP]

After my infatuation with the R-22 and picking up a few of these frames, the next ones I'd like to see first hand are the R-23 and the R-27.....

 

[VGP]

Another ad from 1985:

 

[Dino Lagaffe]

Thanks, VGP! Nice thread, nice pictures. Love the old adds... I do have a few of the racquets mentioned, including the R-22 that I've heard so many good things about, but haven't played with yet.

 

[VGP]

Thanks Dino.

The funny thing is I've been put off on Yonex frames since the early 90's when I demoed a white RQ-180.

A year back I handled an RDS 001 mid and it felt great. I was even thinking about getting some as player frames......but I discovered the Wilson Graphite Force.

As a tribute to one of my favorite players I picked up an R-22 and posted in the R22 appreciation thread. Given the frames I've collected, at this point I'd choose the R-24 as a player as it's a graphite/kevlar mix. It feels solid and dampened, but not as soft as the R-18. The R-22 is nice.

It was an interesting time for frames as racket companies used the same molds but made frames with different layups.....

I found these pics online that show some differences in the R-22 cosmetics that tandayu mentioned.....and in some other R series frames which would be appropriate here too.

 

[VGP]

I do have a few of the racquets mentioned, including the R-22 ....

Which frames do you have? Are they listed in your RDC log?

 

[pyrokid]

I had an R22.

I gave it to a guy named Rex, haha. He was happy.

 

[VGP]

lol

.....at least you gave him an R-22 and not an R-27 Rexboron. Sounds too much like Rexmoron.

 

[Dino Lagaffe]

I have the R-18, the R-22 and one R-single digit, can't remember which one. And an RX-28. Really thought I had more sticks from the R-series... Only the R-18 and the RX-28 are in the log. To do-list: 1) Get more racquets. 2) Update the log... :wink:

 

[Dino Lagaffe]

BTW, I played with one of my SRD Tour 90s a couple of days ago. What a terrific racquet it is! So solid. There's something special about those old Yonexes.

 

[galain]

I never realised Yonex had so many Rexking models. My very first graphite frame was the R10. When every other kid was swinging a Silver Ace i was doing my best to unleash hell with my R10!

Damn - I loved seeing all the old pics. I don't know why most of the newer sticks don't get me as excited as seeing some of these older models does.

 

[vsbabolat]

I have a R-50 and a R-70.

 

[Virginia]

My list:

R-1
R-4
R-5
R-7
R-18
R-22
R-23
R-32

Plus RX-32 - conventional head shape equivalent of R-22
RX-28 - presumably the conventional head shape equivalent of R-18?

 

[VGP]

Damn - I loved seeing all the old pics. I don't know why most of the newer sticks don't get me as excited as seeing some of these older models does.

I feel the same way. I think it really was the time. A real transitional time for the game and the gear that was available. Back then, the advertisements weren't as "pro endorsement" based. I think it was split 50/50. There were advertisements for certain companies series of frames and there were the ads that showed a pro that used a particular model. Since every pro was picking up a graphite frame, you could trust that what was available in the stores was what the pro was using (minus mods).

These days, you never really know.....

Dino, vsbabolat and Virginia - care to share some pics?

 

[Bud]

R-30 and R-70

I've posted pics of both the 30 and 70

The R-30 is reminiscent of the earlier series.

The R-70 is one of the most beautiful frames ever produced from any manufacturer, IMO. It's also rock solid and weighs right around 13 oz.

R-70 thread, pics and specs:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=355434

R-30 and R-70 thread:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=180148

 

[Bud]

I have a R-50 and a R-70.

VSB, would you post a pic of your R-50?

 

[tandayu]

NIce thread VGP

I am a fan of the R series. I will post some pictures of my Rs

 

[VGP]

Thanks tandayu. I'm new to the R series in a firsthand sense. Thanks in advance for sharing some pics. I'd love to hear more accounts from people that used them for extended periods of time.....

I always knew that they were used by Martina Navratilova and I enjoyed watching Andres Gomez, Jaime Yzaga and Aaron Krickstein use them. But I've been primarily a Wilson guy since the early 90's.

From a marketing and manufacturing standpoint I find them intriguing. Many companies used the same molds for several models, changing the the layups to suit different players' tastes.

Thanks for the links to your threads Bud. I remember seeing your R-70 thread and I agree that frame sure is pretty.

 

[VGP]

One more question to Bud: how do the R-18 and R-23 compare with each other?

As much as I love the cosmetics of the R-18, it sure feels soft.

 

[tandayu]

R-24, R-22, R-27, R-50, R-18, R-7:

R-27:

R-7:

RD-7, SRD-90, RQ-380:

 

[VGP]

Great pics, tandayu.

Thanks for sharing!

(love the silver R-7s, especially the one with the pink pinstripe)

 

[retrowagen]

At some point, the aluminum "squarehead" R-1 was superceded by a graphite composite "Rexplay" R-1, of the same muold as the R-22 but quite flexible for a Yonex product and, although I don't have much information on it, was downmarket from the R-22 and R-27 at the opposite end of their model spectrum:

 

[DFWLoop]

still have my R 22, great stick.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

(love the silver R-7s, especially the one with the pink pinstripe)

Am I remembering correctly a chocolate brown version of the R-7? Or was that a different mid-80's Yonex?

EDIT: Never mind. I just looked at the OP. Interesting; I never saw a silver one in person.

 

[VGP]

What's the difference between an R-5 and an R-7?

(and don't say two)

 

[coachrick]

What's the difference between an R-5 and an R-7?

(and don't say two)

They are both prime examples of the series.

 

[VGP]

*thanks*

(you know what I mean)

 

[VGP]

They are both prime examples of the series.

I re-read your response and that's a similarity, not a difference.....

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

I re-read your response and that's a similarity, not a difference.....

True, but he still gets points for mathematical cleverness.

I was about to post how pretty the R-50 was, until I scrolled down and saw that Super RD Tour. Wow.

 

[Steve Huff]

I played with the R 22 for a couple of years. It hit great, but it was fragile. I broke several of them. Fortunately, Yonex was very good about replacing them. Finally, I went back to my Black Ace. I think they were pretty much indestructible.

 

[VGP]

FWIW, just for fun I went digging through some back issues of Tennis magazine and the last time a Yonex R series frame was advertised for sale in the back among the retailers was the R-22 in January of 1992.

 

[kennydredrum]

I also have a R-1 with the correct cover,
It plays quite flexible.

At some point, the aluminum "squarehead" R-1 was superceded by a graphite composite "Rexplay" R-1, of the same muold as the R-22 but quite flexible for a Yonex product and, although I don't have much information on it, was downmarket from the R-22 and R-27 at the opposite end of their model spectrum:

 

[galain]

I've never seen the composite R1 before- that's really interesting. If i remember correctly, the 'original' R 1,2 and 3 were all aluminium.

 

[bluetrain4]

Reading this thread makes me remember how much I loved the R-22. My friend's dad used to have one and I'd hit with it often.

I'm probably being overly nostalgic, but graphite frames seemed so much better back then. There's really no Yonex frame that I like today.

 

[stevewcosta]

Reading this thread makes me remember how much I loved the R-22. My friend's dad used to have one and I'd hit with it often.

I'm probably being overly nostalgic, but graphite frames seemed so much better back then. There's really no Yonex frame that I like today.

Agreed. Loved the R-series. Favorite all-time racs. Haven't liked a single Yonex in the past 15+ years.

 

[123ten]

Some Yonex RX-32s

These are great racquets! They have thin beams (~18mm) and unlike the other typical Yonex racquets, have a regular oval head shape (~90”). They all (SL version) weigh around 345/350gms (~12.3oz), except for the heavier version (SH?), which weighs at around 375gms (~13.3oz)!

--

 

[VGP]

Cool. What is the makeup of the RX-32?

I read that the R-22 is 65% graphite, 35% fiberglass.

Yonex was one of the companies that prided itself on offering their frames in different weights.

XFL = Extra Feather Light == 9.9 - 9.9 oz
UXL = Ultra extra light = 9.9 - 10.6 oz
UL = Ultra ligt = 10.6 - 11.3 oz
SL = Super light = 11.3 - 12.0 oz
L = Light = 12.0 - 12.5 oz

Don't know if they have a medium - M that would be +12.5 oz. or heavy like in the wooden days that were 13+ oz.

The designations are definitely a carryover from wood.

I assume your SLs are over 12 ounces due to string type and overgrips....

 

[123ten]

Yonex RX-32

VGP, thanks for sharing the additional info on different weight categories. Yes, the weight I have are strung weight with overgrips. So it makes sense. The heavier version of the RX 32, weighs in at ~377gms (13.3oz), with strings and overgrips. All the other RX 32s are SLs and are consistent with what you mentioned.


Regarding the composition, the frame just mentions "Graphite Composite" & "RX-32 A superlative graphite racquet designed with a gigantic sweet spot and head light balance to satisfy player demands at all levels". Not sure about the actual composition. I have played with the RX 22, which is a very nice racquet. However, ended up going with the RX 32 because of the conventional head shape. Overall, the RX 32 is a great racquet!

Cool. What is the makeup of the RX-32?

I read that the R-22 is 65% graphite, 35% fiberglass.

Yonex was one of the companies that prided itself on offering their frames in different weights.

XFL = Extra Feather Light == 9.9 - 9.9 oz
UXL = Ultra extra light = 9.9 - 10.6 oz
UL = Ultra ligt = 10.6 - 11.3 oz
SL = Super light = 11.3 - 12.0 oz
L = Light = 12.0 - 12.5 oz

Don't know if they have a medium - M that would be +12.5 oz. or heavy like in the wooden days that were 13+ oz.

The designations are definitely a carryover from wood.

I assume your SLs are over 12 ounces due to string type and overgrips....

 

[sargeinaz]

Does anybody know the headsize of the R-18? Thanks!

 

[sargeinaz]

Well I just picked up a Yonex R-18 in 9+/10 condition off Craigslist. Im shocked at how good of condition it's in. Original yonex leather grip is perfect. Grommets perfect. Paint job only has some scratches at the top otherwise spotless. Got it for 5 bucks too. It is strung. The string is a golden color and says "TOA string TOA gold". Anybody know about the string?

 

[coachrick]

It is strung. The string is a golden color and says "TOA string TOA gold". Anybody know about the string?

Well, A) It wasn't all gold...plenty of colors and 2) It was a decent syn gut in its day. Was likely the 'core' string that was branded with many other marques. TOA was(is?) one of the largest string manufacturers in the world.

I always thought it ran a little 'large' for the indicated gauge and played softer/deader than expected as a result. Plenty of folks NOW would welcome that characteristic. Here's a description from one supplier:
"""Tennis string TOALSON TOA GOLD - Toa Gold is the most popular and the best known string in Toalson series in the world. Construction: the stable core with the multifilament sheet and with the stable coating. Characteristics: a high stability, the steady play characteristics. An optimal play feel, control and is excellent for the spin hits. Recommendation: suitable for all play categories. Ideal for any kind of rackets."""

In other words, one of the best strings EVER, since the BEGINNING of TIME!

 

[sargeinaz]

^^ much appreciated!

 

[Donquixote2u]

later models of R-series

At some point, the aluminum "squarehead" R-1 was superceded by a graphite composite "Rexplay" R-1, of the same muold as the R-22 but quite flexible for a Yonex product and, although I don't have much information on it, was downmarket from the R-22 and R-27 at the opposite end of their model spectrum:

just to add to the Yonex fund of knowledge, I too have seen a later composite version; this one of the metal R-2, the composite version also called a Rexplay 2.

 

[Autodidactic player]

Not a Yonex but pretty darn rectangular!

 

[Tacco]

My list:

R-1
R-4
CUTTED...

Could you please tell me something about this Rexking 4 (R-4)? I've never heard anything about it until last week, when I saw one for sale (used, in great condition) in a shop here in Milan (Italy). Any player used it back in the '90s? Info or specs...?
Thanks a lot!
Ettore

 

[paulielondon]

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