Must Play Frames

bumfluff

bumfluff

Semi-Pro
Post the name of a racket which in your opinion plays great and give us reasons why.

The aim is to come up with a comprehensive list of frames that are a must to try (I know people have different opinions, but the world of discontinued frames is so big that its good to know whats out there).

1.POG 4 stripe
2.kneissl white star twin
3.Yonex r22
4.Donnay WST cobalt
5.Wilson Pro Staff Classic 6.1
6.Rossignol F200
7.Head Prestige Classic
8.Dunlop 200G
9.Wilson Pro Staff Original 6.0 85
10.Yonex RD Ti 70 88
11.Yamaha YFG30
12.Rossignol F300
13.Yonex SRD Tour 90
14.Volkl Tournament Pro Tour 93
 
Last edited:
I wish I had one now- keep em if you got em
1.POG 4 stripe
No other racquet comes close for feel and plough thru.
2.kneissl white star twin- unusually great feel, a magic stick
3.Yonex r22- old school feel, new school preformance
4.Donnay WST cobalt- feels even better than the kneissl
5. Prostaff China, (although not as buttery as the st. vincent, much more manuverable) sceintifically proven to give normal players superhuman powers!!!
admit it bumfluff, the psc is sweeter than the n6.1, even though it doesn't look as cool...
 
admit it bumfluff, the psc is sweeter than the n6.1, even though it doesn't look as cool...
Click to expand...

Of course I admit it, my PSC is my main stick. I will recommend the PSC (its really the only classic frame I have). It has great manouverability and a lot of power and I like the open string pattern (my n6.1 is the closed and I don't like it so much). The PSC would be the best frame EVER if it had the flex of the n6.1 rather than being so stiff although i guess thats what makes it what it is. Don't flame me for saying that.

Anyone else with recommendations?

Perhaps I should add recommendations into the first post.

Edit: I think I prefer the looks of PSC 6.1 to n6.1, its more understated and more people ask you what it is when they get a closer look because none of the pros are seen to use it. With the n6.1 people just think you are copying Federer of old.
 
Last edited:
bumfluff said:
Post the name of a racket which in your opinion plays great and give us reasons why.

The aim is to come up with a comprehensive list of frames that are a must to try (I know people have different opinions, but the world of discontinued frames is so big that its good to know whats out there).

1.POG 4 stripe

4 stripes? 1987 model?? MID? Oversize?

POG MID 1983 model is really a plow thru racquet with some lead at on to it..
Click to expand...

I would say must try include

GTX PRO (or PRO-T)
Puma (Super, Winner)
Dunlop 300i, 400i
Wilson Ultra (ultra standard, MID, Ultra 2)
HEAD XRC
 
If you could all include reasons as to why they are must play frames then I will include them in the list. It seems to me that you shouldn't be able to recommend a must try unless you know why it is, granted those are probably all great frames, but it would be good for people to be able to come to this thread, search for one of the frames in the list and read why it is a good frame.
 
Hi Bumfluff!

I think the Rossignol F200 should be included on your list. The super flexy feel is special and ought to be experienced.

Another racquet to add is the Head Prestige Classic. In spite of its mid headsize and 18x20 pattern, it's actually a very versatile reacquet, which can be seen by the many different pros that have used this stick.
 
I think we should include the Dunlop 200G - there's no other racquet like it. The feel is amazing and the bigger your swing, the harder (and faster) the stroke. It must be something to do with the injection moulding, I think.
 
Donnay Pro Cynetic One...actually I havent tried it yet..about to purchase it lol I know it doesn't necessarily reflect my thoughts as my best choice lol. They say this racquet was Donnay's answer to PS6.0 85. It looks identical and with same braided kevlar/graph. I dont know much about the racquet although came across few threads that some ppl think it actually plays better than the PS85. We'll see..

My choice would be a bumperless SV 6.0 85 with lead at 3&9 and strung at no less than 66lbs. Any tension less (ie below 60) I basically hate it as the racq. will be too powerful
 
not even the best inventors and engineers know what you know intuitively mel. Stats are bs, it's all about feel...response....mojo baby,,,yeah!!!!
10xu2au.jpg

my list was more obscure than comprehensive...pls add the suggested frames aside from the pro cinetic which looks great stats-wise, but needs us all to take a hit before being officially declared: "da bomb shniggity shnoo!"
 
gymrat76 said:
Donnay Pro Cynetic One...actually I havent tried it yet..about to purchase it lol I know it doesn't necessarily reflect my thoughts as my best choice lol. They say this racquet was Donnay's answer to PS6.0 85. It looks identical and with same braided kevlar/graph. I dont know much about the racquet although came across few threads that some ppl think it actually plays better than the PS85. We'll see..

My
Click to expand...
nice racquet... used to be Jimmy ARias' frame... rumuor has it that it was the frame for Sampras right before the WIlson 6.0 85....
 
gymrat76 said:
Donnay Pro Cynetic One...actually I havent tried it yet..about to purchase it lol I know it doesn't necessarily reflect my thoughts as my best choice lol. They say this racquet was Donnay's answer to PS6.0 85. It looks identical and with same braided kevlar/graph. I dont know much about the racquet although came across few threads that some ppl think it actually plays better than the PS85. We'll see..

My choice would be a bumperless SV 6.0 85 with lead at 3&9 and strung at no less than 66lbs. Any tension less (ie below 60) I basically hate it as the racq. will be too powerful
Click to expand...

yup.. definitely a must.. I have a few of these.... the screw & locks.. nice racquets.. I will post some pictures later.
 
Dino Lagaffe said:
Hi Bumfluff!

I think the Rossignol F200 should be included on your list. The super flexy feel is special and ought to be experienced.

Another racquet to add is the Head Prestige Classic. In spite of its mid headsize and 18x20 pattern, it's actually a very versatile reacquet, which can be seen by the many different pros that have used this stick.
Click to expand...

this belong to legend racquet club too.. one day I pulled it out the storage, with 20 year old string left on it and i hit .. wooww.. so much feel, touch and power.. one of the draw back is if this modern day game, blasting and booming serve, the racquet seems crack at the throat.. beside that F200 is one of a must try racquet..
 
Jet, you've probably hit with more frames than the rest of us combined, please give us a list of 10 must-play unknown classics...also pls create some threads in the classic racquet forum.....can't wait to see more of your monster collection and hear about some of these great unknowns...
thanks
Plasma
 
10 must play? I want them ALL!

I've added the PSO 6.0 85. Left out the Pro Cynetic for now until gymrat has actually used it. More please...
 
plasma said:
not even the best inventors and engineers know what you know intuitively mel. Stats are bs, it's all about feel...response....mojo baby,,,yeah!!!!
10xu2au.jpg

my list was more obscure than comprehensive...pls add the suggested frames aside from the pro cinetic which looks great stats-wise, but needs us all to take a hit before being officially declared: "da bomb shniggity shnoo!"
Click to expand...

YEAH, BABY! :):)


Since it will be eternal, once I come up a list of my favs, will write it down with reasons...
 
I guess I will try the Donnay Cynetic..it is cheap at 30 bucks and in very good cond. and it looked identical in pics, to a PS85..
I am stuck in between getting that or an excellent cond Rossi F200 again darn cheap..heck I might get both, but I am no collector :) I am a playa! :)
My SV PS85s, once in a while the 200G and some new school Becker frames keep me happy!

I think the classic racqs sub-section became a coffee shop for the great collectors out there, which is great!
 
we've all played the flexy and incredible f200, give the pro cinetic a try and let us know if it stands up to the ps 85, braided graphite sounds unbeatable...
I am currently using the stars and stripes which solves many problems we have both run into with the prostaff....kinda funny that it wasn't made in the USA yet is basically a u.s. flag...I wonder if safinizing a stars and stripes is a federal crime???
 
plasma said:
we've all played the flexy and incredible f200, give the pro cinetic a try and let us know if it stands up to the ps 85, braided graphite sounds unbeatable...
I am currently using the stars and stripes which solves many problems we have both run into with the prostaff....kinda funny that it wasn't made in the USA yet is basically a u.s. flag...I wonder if safinizing a stars and stripes is a federal crime???
Click to expand...

yeah infamous f200 is a must try..and donnay seems like it is something definitely not to pass. well all these frames are great to look at, though a pain for my bank acct lol...need to minimize all my racq stack down to a tennis bag full...nonetheless i might beat my head someday in future for passing on these great finds...

btw dan, try and find a san vincent with a 6.6 stars and stripes pj :) now that would be a racquet..
 
Last edited:
you need an ultra 2 mid, benching 250 with no warm up? (beast!) the ultra 2 mid and yonex super rd tour 90 were built for you!!!
kinda like...
jsbzno.jpg


LA face, oakland double wide!
 
I still play the following racquet and lovin it:

- Yonex SRD Tour 90
- Yonex RD Ti 70 88
- Volkl Tournament Pro Tour 93
 
plasma said:
you need an ultra 2 mid, benching 250 with no warm up? (beast!) the ultra 2 mid and yonex super rd tour 90 were built for you!!!
kinda like...
jsbzno.jpg


LA face, oakland double wide!
Click to expand...

i bet there are so many lost remotes in there lol

i am sure my 6.0 85s are up to par in weight with the ultra 2 mid...but yeah, i wanna try that racq bec. it looks beautiful! am sure i will come across one around here someday lol
btw- i have an RD7 (which is comparable to srd tour 90, maybe) even though it is lighter than the 6.0 85s i have, i find the former to be harder to play with..i guess when a racquet has midsize head, the total weight of the racquet does not become very bothersome imo, au contraire it is a superb plough through advantage! my tinkered sv 6.0 85 strung at 66lbs, it can crash any incoming ball notwithstanding how heavy..
 
Last edited:
I think I meant the RD7 actually, but your prostaffs are chicksticks compared to the rich and meaty, heart satisfying goodness of the ultra 2 mid...the beam is totally different...better....until you have played with a stars and stripes or better yet an ultra 2 mid.....
 
In D Zone said:
I still play the following racquet and lovin it:

- Yonex SRD Tour 90
- Yonex RD Ti 70 88
- Volkl Tournament Pro Tour 93
Click to expand...

Yonex RD Ti 70 88 is one of the best Yonex racquet ever made.. so much control with nice weight & balance.. great serving stick too..
 
and if u can find one a Rossignol F300 series racquet with some weight added in the hoop... see my Sweet Baby Molassy post
 
gymrat76 said:
I guess I will try the Donnay Cynetic..it is cheap at 30 bucks and in very good cond. and it looked identical in pics, to a PS85..
I am stuck in between getting that or an excellent cond Rossi F200 again darn cheap..heck I might get both, but I am no collector :) I am a playa! :)
My SV PS85s, once in a while the 200G and some new school Becker frames keep me happy!

I think the classic racqs sub-section became a coffee shop for the great collectors out there, which is great!
Click to expand...

How are you liking the racket? I really wanna try it lol. BTW anyone know if there was a WST Cobalt Pro OS or was it just Mid? Looking for Pro Cynetic if anyone has one...(i know its not supposed to be here...but i really want one!!)
 
plasma said:
you need an ultra 2 mid, benching 250 with no warm up? (beast!) the ultra 2 mid and yonex super rd tour 90 were built for you!!!
kinda like...
jsbzno.jpg


LA face, oakland double wide!
Click to expand...

God, that poor motorcycle... I can almost hear it creak from here :twisted:
 
plasma said:
jet, which wilsons do you suggest???
Click to expand...

I love the Jack Kramer Pro Staff.. it's a ps85 with more flex. I strung it up with Luxilon/vstouch hybrid loose tension and wooww.. no need customization.. just crush the ball with it.

The Ultra 2 is another fine racquet ever made from Wilson.. It's stiff with Boron braided construction but hefty enough with lots of blow thru.. These 2 racquets are the ones just string it up and rip the ball..

The Wilson Ultra standard or Ultra II standard is another fine racquet.. just the head size so small that make it tough for competition but it's a great racquet to practic/hit with.. Train your eyes on the ball, foot work and perfect techniques..
 
In D Zone said:
Hey Jet!

Would you be able to give us your observations on the RDti70 88 compared to K88?
Click to expand...

Let me string it up with RDTi70 88 with my spec tomorrow and hit in the weekend.. This should give a better comparison b/c the last one I hit did not have my exact string specs.
 
yes the rd ti-70 and fischer vac pro were great and ps 85 level as well. I tried to play both this year but they lacked the cadillac cruise control that I get with the ultra 2's or prostaffs, the ability to change directions on a ball from the baseline...no one ever talks of the puma winner, can anything else really compare??? 200g's are also awesome but I had to try several until I found one I liked...they improve timing and form
 
1. Yamaha Ceramic Gold 90 - Provides amazing feel, control and pace, especially on serves
2. PS 85
3. 200 G (excellent feel & control)
4. Yamaha EX 97 (solid feel)

--
 
Above all others - Dunlop MAX 200G (in that category are also 150G, 300i & 400i)

Then a step below:

1. Adidas GTX
2. Kneissl White Star
3. Wilson PS 85
4. Rossignol F-200
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ciaron
Top 5 classic racquets of all time
Replies
37
Views
8K
BorgCash
B
C
Old and new collection
Replies
5
Views
2K
dak95_00
dak95_00
Dino Lagaffe
All RDC stats so far
2
Replies
67
Views
15K
Dino Lagaffe
Dino Lagaffe
Tennis Man
Timeline of the greatest racquets
2
Replies
78
Views
17K
jimbo333
jimbo333
d-quik
What Are Midsize Frames From The 1980s And 1990s That Had 18 Mains
Replies
3
Views
1K
BreakPoint
BreakPoint
Back
Top