Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Something should be done?
MAX 200G 40th Anniversary?
- Thread starter Grafil Injection
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Oh yes, I don't expect SRI-Sports Direct-Sumitomo-Dunlop-Srixon to bring out a new version! There's no way they'll be able to replicate the Grafil injection process nowadays! I'm just thinking about a gathering in the UK around Wimbledon. Perhaps a tournament where it's the only racket allowed, Steffi and JMac in attendance!
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Anyone else use it? Not necessarily Slam-champion caliber players, but just players who were around during that era of racquets and had decent careers.
In high school I used Max 400i which was in the same vein in terms of size and Grafil injection, but not the same weight/balance. I loved it.
Did they ever try some cheeky marketing with Graf and Grafil. Lol.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
There were quite a few players that used the Max200G and other IMF’s. Christiano Caratti used the Max 400i. Omar Comparesi used the Max200G. Ramesh Krishnan used the Max200G, Jan Apell used the Max200G
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Good memories. After using a wooden racquet for the first 2-3 years of playing tennis in the Borg era, I graduated to a Max200G and used it throughout my high school/college tennis days in the Eighties. For whatever reason, I didn’t bring it with me when I moved to the US for grad school and haven’t played with one for the last thirty years.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Whoops. Looking at pictures, I realize I used the 300i, not 400i.
But my point remains the same - I loved it. Good stuff.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Max200G and Max300i were the same molds.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I had a 400i and really enjoyed playing with it.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Martina Navratilova used the 200g briefly, as well!
But if they were so prone to warping as many peope've been saying, isn't it a flawed method of making racquets?
While ago I wrote in another thread that mid plus or oversize version of Max 200G would be great, and someone replied something like the frame getting warped before finishing writing my post.
Sidenote: I've gone through several 200Gs and didn't experience any warpage problem.
While ago I wrote in another thread that mid plus or oversize version of Max 200G would be great, and someone replied something like the frame getting warped before finishing writing my post.
Sidenote: I've gone through several 200Gs and didn't experience any warpage problem.
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coachrick
Hall of Fame
A WAY high percentage of the 200Gs I sold (after Mac switched) warped, owing in part to the heat of the American Southeast and in part to the high tensions folks were using to harness the power(especially those coming from wood to the 200G blaster!!).
I've told the story before...Mac switched to the 200G in my hometown of Columbia, SC in an exo against Vilas. No announcement, he just had a few strung up and switched that night. The 200G had been a fair seller to that point; but the warehouse in Hartwell, GA was completely sold out in three days after the switch(and this was before any sort of "social media" to spread the word).
coachrick
Hall of Fame
IMO, the 400i "should" have been the ticket; but it never caught on in my area. I played the 300i for a minute; but it was a club(much like many 200Gs were).
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
For me, the 400i was definitely the ticket.
much more user friendly.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I believe many pros used the racket early to mid 1980s as woods disappeared, but there wasn't so much marketing in those days unless you were a GS winner. Most keen amateurs had tried it.
Regarding warping, the later version with long handles seem to fair better (Glossy, Purple). I believe the McEnroe Signature version was the first with the 55lbs warning to prevent warp. As far as I can tell, there were 7 main paintjob variants in the 10 years, with about 20 paintjobs in total including 'Pro' sub-variants.
Regarding warping, the later version with long handles seem to fair better (Glossy, Purple). I believe the McEnroe Signature version was the first with the 55lbs warning to prevent warp. As far as I can tell, there were 7 main paintjob variants in the 10 years, with about 20 paintjobs in total including 'Pro' sub-variants.
| Description | Years | Name on Frame | Beam | Colours | Grip | MAX Letters | Arrows / Chevrons | Lines | Graphite / Grafil letters | Patent | Tension Instructions | |
| 1a | Graphite Tapered | 1982 | MAX 200G | 22-18 | Black - Onyx | Black leather perforated with gold Dunlop writing | Gold open | Medium gold & green close | 2 green above chevron | GRAPHITE at 12 o'clock | UK Patent Pending | ? |
| 1b | Graphite Constant | 1982- | MAX 200G, MAX Series | 20.5 constant | Black - Onyx | Brown leather | Gold open | Medium gold & green very close | 2 green above chevron | GRAPHITE at 12 o'clock, then GRAPHITE INJECTION | UK 2015886 & US PATENT 4297308 | ? |
| 2 | Graphite Injection (McEnroe) | 1984- | MAX 200G, MAX Series | 20.5 | Dark Green | Brown leather | Gold open | Small gold & green close | Green & gold above & below chevron | GRAPHITE INJECTION at 4 o'clock | UK 2015886 & US PATENT 4297308 | McEnroe recommends 55lbs |
| 3 | Grafil Injection | 1987- | MAX 200G, MAX Series | 20.5 | Dark Green | Tan leather Fairway | Gold solid | Large gold & green very close | Green & gold above & below chevron | GRAFIL INJECTION 4 o'clock, HYSOL GRAFIL neck | UK 2015886 & US PATENT 4297308 | Performs best at not more than 55lbs |
| 3b | Grafil Injection PRO 1, Pro 2 | 1987- | As 3 with Pro I / II | 20.5 | Dark Green | Tan leather Fairway | Gold swirly | Small gold & green close | Green & gold above & below chevron | GRAFIL INJECTION | UK 2015886 & US PATENT 4297308 | ? |
| 4 | Golden Grand Slam (Steffi) | 1988/9 | MAX 200G. Special Edition & Grand Slam | 20.5 | Dark Green | Black leather Fairway with Grand Slam written in gold | Gold swirly | Solid gold top, open green below and in 2 positions | Green & thick gold from top of throat | GRAFIL INJECTION | UK 2015886 & US PATENT 4297308 | None |
| 5a | Glossy (black) | 1990 | MAX 200G | 20.5 | Black top gold spots. Green sides. Glossy | Turquoise leather | Gold swirly | Gold & turquoise close | None | GRAFIL FIBRE INJECTION | Patented Injection Molded Frame | 52-55lbs recommended |
| 5b | Glossy Pro (black) | 1990 | MAX 200G PRO | 20.5 | Black top gold spots. Green sides. Glossy | Turquoise leather | Gold swirly | Gold & turquoise spaced | None | GRAFIL FIBRE INJECTION | Patented Injection Molded Frame | 52-55lbs recommended |
| 6 | Teal | 1989- | MAX 200G | 20.5 | Teal-purple fade | Turquoise leather | Red swirly | Large red & white very close | Red & white above chevrons | HYSOL GRAFIL injection molding | Patented | Performs at its best at not more than 55lbs |
| 6b | Teal Pro II (Europe) | 1989- | MAX 200G PRO II | 20.5 | Teal-purple fade | Turquoise leather | Red swirly | Large red & white very close | Red & white above chevrons | HYSOL GRAFIL injection molding | Patented | Performs at its best at not more than 55lbs |
| 7 | Pro (black-purple) | 1992 | MAX 200G PRO, PRO III | 20.5 | Purple-black fade. 16 gold dots | Black leather | Neon green | None | None | GRAFIL (handle). INJECTION MOLDED (outside hoop) | ? | ? |
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yep, disguised as a Yonex as was allowed in those days.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yes, my 32 year-old frames are also un-warped. As a novel process the MAX 200G was not sufficiently tested at high tensions >60lbs, despite being common in the wood era, so it took until around 1984 for a strong recommendation to not go above 55lbs to be added. So I don't think people can say the process was flawed if the aim was to make a racket comprehensively better than any wood, but with similar playing characteristics (weight & flex). However, by the end of the 1980s the game had changed, so IMF was no longer competitive for larger hoops, but Dunlop/Slazenger were also not slow to move to the current standard pre-preg baking process.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
That the late 1984/85 McEnroe signature version came with a 55lbs recommendation is no coincidence! I believe he used the 'Medium' version (13.5oz, 380g unstrung), whereas the 'Light' version (12.5oz, 350g unstrung) was most popular.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
She also used it with full Dunlop Max200G cosmetics
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
There were 2, 95sq.in head size in the Max800i and the Max500i. The 500i was a real club.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
That's a gem! Almost too mint to play with. This is where I get confused: Swirly MAX and Grafil Injection indicate >1984, but black & gold grip suggests original 1982 version. Did you add that grip?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I added nothing. This is an actual John McEnroe Max200G from his personal stock that was set up by Dunlop in England. This is a 1988/1989 model. McEnroe kept the original butt-cap and original black grip with gold Dunlop for his frames no matter the cosmetics.
JPM senior passed away a few years ago. A storage unit went unpaid that senior owned. In the storage unit was a a treasure trove of John’s personal Maxply McEnroe that were really Maxply Fort in Maxply McEnroe paint, personal Max200G from 1988/89, and the infamous 1984 runner-up Davis Cup trophy. All these items found their way to auction
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
This is the original 1982-1983 round string hole Max200G. Then in 1984 the string wholes became square.
This is a 1986/87 Max200G with John’s signature.
The grip changed to tan fairway, the butt-cap design changed to more flare, no MIE and a recessed surface where the flying D is.
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Thanks, that explains it. I like Mac's taste! You don't know the date of the black glossy finished Pro version do you (turquoise & gold chevrons, no lines but gold dots, dark green glossy sides)? I'm guessing 1990.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yeah, I guess she started a tournament with the Dunlop exposed, then when she got near the final Yonex finalised her contract! Funny seeing her against Graf with the same racket but different logos!
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, that’s from 1990 wasn’t sold in the USA.
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I remember Martina using the Max200G in 1988 in full cosmetics. Then at the 1988 US Open Martina went back to a real Yonex RQ-180.
1987 Wimbledon Martina was using the Max200G blacked out with a white strip and Yonex stencil.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I played with one for the first time in 30 years a few weeks ago, expecting it to be a fun nostalgia trip. But this is no mid-life crisis frame, it's completely useable today with everything you need unless you're a Nadal-esque loopy spinner.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
She is a great negotiator!
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I didn't know that. I had heard that some Australia only versions existed too, but I've never seen them. I have a very distant recollection of a sand & green coloured version but that may have been another IMF model. BTW, were the two JMac sticks the same specs? 380g unstrung?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Yes, it was 2 tone light and dark teal green.
McEnroe’s racquets I have are around 350g-360g unstrung. Not 380g
It’s been a while since I weighed them don’t remember what they are exactly.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Ok thanks. The sand/green one I vaguely remember wasn't very teal coloured. At least not like the teal colour in the two teal-purple fade versions, more of a beige to mid-green.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
There was no beige on the racket.
Light teal and dark teal
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yep that's the normal teal (also issued as a Pro-II version). To me they are sage-green fading to purple, but teal seems to be the name most people use.
My recollection is of a light sandy-brown fading to mid-green. It's a real recollection, but I'm probably mistaken. Might have been an original colour that had faded in the sun! To me the original looks slightly green.
My recollection is of a light sandy-brown fading to mid-green. It's a real recollection, but I'm probably mistaken. Might have been an original colour that had faded in the sun! To me the original looks slightly green.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
There’s no beige racket. The original is black with green/gold chevrons and 2 green stripes.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Thanks. Must have been a squash racket or something! The other weird one is the single-stripe version I have read about. All the pictures I see are only 1-stripe because the 2nd gold stripe has worn away. The gold paint seems to wear easier also on the chevrons. Do you know if there ever was a real single-stripe?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
No single stripe racket
coachrick
Hall of Fame
The squash bat variant was gorgeous. I was like the game jumped an entire century when compared to wood.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Thanks, I agree from what I can see. Strange how many threads talk about it. Must be the gold wearing off easily.
You're probably getting bored of my questions, but finally, are the first versions with 18-22 tapered beams the only ones that mention UK Patent Pending, or are there some straight 20.5mm beamed ones before the patent was received?
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yeah, I remember every squash player moved in one season. The neck looks so long being similar colour to the grip and hoop.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
The tapered were very early production and have even some dating patent applied for. But my 1983 straight beam has both US and UK parents.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Thanks again. I have updated my table above with all these clarifications.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Hmm I tried this and be ready for shoulder surgery. None of us are 15 any more.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Soft poly at 18kg
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
True, but I'm enjoying the MAX 200G so much! Funny going back to a 330g 98 afterwards - feels like a TiS6!
coachrick
Hall of Fame
It's funny how people pick up my Pickleball paddle that weighs 9.2oz and talk about how heavy it is!!!
The 200G and the Maxply McEnroe bats were the last two I ever thought I wanted to "choke up on"
pianotennis
New User
I'm still using Max 200g as my main stick, along with original Prestige Pro. I played with full gut, guy/syn or gut/poly hybrid, now I string soft poly at 40 lbs. Yes the feel is not as heavenly good as with gut, but I can swing harder, and you still have everything you need: tons of power and precise control. The rest is footwork.
