My PUMA Holy Grail!

[VikingSamurai]

Ok. For the younger members of this board. I thought I would share some 80's history with you.. As a mid teen growing up in the mid 80's, I idolised Boris Becker..

Well, as an adult with a family, I am a little more grounded now, but still have a soft spot for the old guy, and have always wanted to create a collection of his racquets (post adidas days).

So, I set out on a quest to find the 5 main racquets that displayed his name. Although Beckers name has appeared on many frames, there were 5 that I wanted to get my hands on the most.

Maybe I will extend it to all racquets that bare his name, but for now, I have what I would call the Holy Grail.. Why.. Because this collection contains one racquet that doesnt actually display his name, but was the racquet that he won his first Wimbledon with. It is the PUMA G. VILAS. If you have seen my thread about the G. VILAS Puma, then you will know that Becker used a re-painted Silver and Red G. VILAS to win Wimbledon. And not the Puma Winner we see today!.

So my collection thus far contains the Puma G. VILAS, Puma Becker Winner, Becker Super, Becker Pro, and the Limited edition Estusa Becker proVanTech.

I also have a few other Puma racquets that I have stashed away, but this is the shrine for me.. Hope you enjoy the pics..

 

[WhiteSox05CA]

Nice air conditioning remote and windchimes. Big fan.

Those look sweet. I want one.

 

[TokyopunK]

Yes, I dig the Nagasaki!

 

[Lakoste]

Very nice collection, whats your main racquet? If you don't mind me asking, how much did the G. Vilas set you back? I unfortunately only have one Puma racquet, but I got a couple Estusa racquets, great sticks.

 

[VikingSamurai]

Nice air conditioning remote and windchimes. Big fan.

Yes, that wall is just temp for now..

Wind chimes ect.. Hhmm yes, any married man will feel my pain...

Lakoste, I have a few spare Supers, and Winners, but they have been restored. I now have 3 Estusa Power Beam Pro's in the bag.. I gave up tennis for about 10 years, but have started to get back into it again.. I tried to use a modern stick, but just levitated back to the Puma/Estusa frame.

As for the G.Vilas, I was lucky to have a guy here in Japan to let it go rather cheaply.. I dont think he knew the value of it.. I also got the original graphite G.Vilas that he first used by Puma with the plastic bridge.. It is aqua blue and silver.

 

[armand]

I'd love to try one...

does anyone have the specs for all these?

and what are the wind chimes for? Is it a rememberance for the bombing?

 

[VikingSamurai]

92 sq inch heads on all. The Vilas (Gold) and the Becker Winner (Silver) are 80/20 graphite fibreglass, the Becker Super (Red Navy) and proVanTech are 50/50, and the Becker Pro (White Red Navy) is graphite/ ceramic/ kevlar..

All come to 27 inch in length, but can be shortened if need be with the 2 kinds of PCS Power Control Systems.

The Becker proVanTech doesnt have the PCS, as all Estusa versions, and is a strait 27 inch in length.. The Vilas and Becker Winners are the most flexible, with the Super in the middle. With the added ceramics, the Pro is the most stiff..

As for me, I now have 3 Estusa Power Beam Pro's in the bag. As I always prefered the feel of the Becker Super.. All the Puma versions have been wrapped in cotton wool..

As for the Nagasaki wind chime. We got that from some touristy place when we took my parents there.. My wife is from here in F u kuoka where we live.. Nagasaki is about 2 hours away by car..

 

[VikingSamurai]

Just thought I would add a few others from the collection..

Puma Davis Cup

Original Vilas with plastic bridge and PCS system.

Boris Becker Youngster

Estusa Power Beam Pro

 

[ericsson]

that puma davis cup has a nice pj, do you know the specs?

 

[VikingSamurai]

It is exactly the same as the others as far as head size and length.. Handle is 4, 3/8... 3.. It's also up for sale..

 

[georgeyew]

Very nice collection. I am impressed with your intensity for Puma/Estusa racquets. How well do you play with them? I have a Power Beam Braided. It is a bit too head light for my ground strokes, but I love it when I play doubles.

 

[kissmyace]

Hey Chris, very nice...i noticed that you don't have the 1995 World Championship racket that Becker used at the end of his career, the one with the plain red and blue frame.

 

[vkartikv]

Man you tempt me! Where did you get those stencils?

 

[VikingSamurai]

Thanks everyone..

georgeyew: I have always enjoyed the Becker Super, but have at times gone back to the Winner.. I have found for me, that the Power Beam Pro is a nice mix of the 2.. I dont have the Power Beam Braided, but I am looking at getting one.

kissmyace: cant say I heard of that one.. please share any info you have on it! I did get a second hand Super a while back with a really bad re-paint, and someone said that it is an original Becker.. ha ha ha.. I know he re-painted them, but dont think it was done as poorly as this one and with a paint brush aswell! The only reason I got it, was because he through it in as a sweetener.. When I saw it, it wasnt very sweet..

vkartikv: I have tempted you how? he he he.. The stencils I made myself!

Chris

 

[ericsson]

Chris, you never heard of the limited world champion edition?? and you're such a collector... strange ;-) Anyway, you must have it, it comes in a wooden box and all rackets (dont know howmuch, i think couple 1000) are numbered with certificate. I have to tell you they dont come cheap and very hard to get. It should be the exact copy (without custumization) of the racket boris played.

 

[VikingSamurai]

Actually I have heard of it, I just never heard of it called that.. The Bosworth edition is how I know it.. Does anyone have any pictures of it. I would like to have a look.. Does it have any markings on it, or is just a paint job?.. Very curious.. Thanks for the heads up ericsson..

 

[ericsson]

that's the one! (along with an old puma winner)

Doesnt it look beautiful?

 

[VikingSamurai]

Thanks for that.. It does look good.. I take it that is your collection?.. I like the Winner that you added there also! Problem is, Becker never used it!..

 

[ericsson]

Thanks for that.. It does look good.. I take it that is your collection?.. I like the Winner that you added there also! Problem is, Becker never used it!..

No no it's not mine, i'd wish it's from someone here at the board. i know about the winner, but that can be said for the bb super too, experts told me he never played that one eighter, i mean the mold yea but not the composition, rumor goes that always played 80 % graphite/20 % glassfiber and not 50/50.

 

[vkartikv]

Thanks for that.. It does look good.. I take it that is your collection?.. I like the Winner that you added there also! Problem is, Becker never used it!..

What do you mean?? Isn't that what he used back in '85 for his maiden Wimbledon crown?

 

[ericsson]

What do you mean?? Isn't that what he used back in '85 for his maiden Wimbledon crown?

nope, the paintjob yes but underneath was the vilas

 

[vkartikv]

nope, the paintjob yes but underneath was the vilas

It still was a very good frame and served as the prototype for all estusas to come...

 

[VikingSamurai]

Yes, he actually used a re-painted Vilas to win his first Wimbledon.. That is why the Gold Vilas is the grand daddy of my collection.. I wouldnt part with that for a million dollars....

ericsson, if your theory is correct, and he didnt use the Super either. Then that might explain why you wont find many Vilas's around?.. If he kept to 80/20, then maybe he grabbed them all up and thats what he used re-painted silver & red, and then navy & red, with a fused handle set at his specs...

 

[TokyopunK]

Chris were you selling some Pumas on the famous auction site?

 

[VikingSamurai]

maybe

Why do you ask...

 

[VikingSamurai]

Tokyo, are you in Japan.. Just curious..

 

[TokyopunK]

Tokyo, are you in Japan.. Just curious..

I really wish I was.

 

[VikingSamurai]

he he he.. After 5 years. Sometimes I wish I wasnt...

But I cant complain.. We have a good life here. But I do miss the sunshine back home in sunny Brisbane..

 

[proracketeer]

Davis Cup Competition vs BB Super

that puma davis cup has a nice pj, do you know the specs?

Is the Davis Cup Competition lighter and stiffer than the BB Super ??

 

[VikingSamurai]

In all honesty, I have never hit with it.. Sorry...

I have re-strung it for display, and was going to have a quick hit with it. But thought better of it..

 

[Sixpointone]

Chris,

That is an incredible collection that you have. Thanks for sharing it with us.

All My Best,
John

 

[VikingSamurai]

Thanks John, but it has become somewhat of an obsession, and a sickness! he he he jokes.. I have all up about 15 Puma and Estusa frames..

That is why I have decided to keep my 4 Becker named racquets and the Vilas. But let the rest go to someone that can enjoy them as well....

 

[Roger Federer]

that's the one! (along with an old puma winner)

Doesnt it look beautiful?

i just want to say, that this is my collection! :grin:

 

[ericsson]

nice collection man, take good care of it, its timeless.

 

[Roger Federer]

thanks mr. ericsson!!

 

[Buckeye10s]

You all rock! The BB Super was my first adult racquet, but they all broke up at 2 o'clock. The only BB frame I have now is a BB Winnner. SOooo flexible.... I take it out of the moth balls about once a year to bat a few balls around. I never thought the Estusa played as well as the old Pumas. One day I hope to have a room of my own that my wife will let me decorate with old skool sticks!

 

[proracketeer]

Davis Cup Competition vs BB Super

In all honesty, I have never hit with it.. Sorry...

I have re-strung it for display, and was going to have a quick hit with it. But thought better of it..

Can you tell a difference between the Super and the Competition just by flexing it? I the Competition stiffer or just a different paintjob?

 

[Tennis Man]

Hey, Chris. I assume that you played with these frames. Which one do you like better, the Vilas (Gold), the Becker Winner (Silver) 80/20 graphite fibreglass or Becker Pro (White Red Navy) is graphite/ ceramic/ kevlar.

I believe they should be stiffer than 50/50% Super. Which is one would you be playing with?

 

[VikingSamurai]

I prefered the Vilas, with the Winner a close second.. The Super wasnt a stick that I liked, and the Pro is the stiffest of them all.. I didnt play alot with them, as they were for my collection. But I have now sold all but a Winner, Super and Pro. And I also have the Red Puma X-TRA POWER SUPER , and the Blue Puma X-TRA POWER PRO.

The problem now is, I want to get other frames and I want to limit my collection to one Puma stick, but cant decide if I want to keep the Super for display, or the Winner. The Puma BB Pro and Red and Blue X-TRA frames I want to let go aswell!

 

[Tennis Man]

Now you make me want Pro and Vilas. I guess i should try Europe as a source. abcs of tennis has been selling a lot of Pumas lately.

 

[VikingSamurai]

Now you make me want Pro and Vilas. I guess i should try Europe as a source. abcs of tennis has been selling a lot of Pumas lately.

Well, I sold my Vilas to a Chinese collector. But I have a BB Pro you can have for a decent price...

 

[Tennis Man]

Well, I sold my Vilas to a Chinese collector. But I have a BB Pro you can have for a decent price...

what is decent to you in Japan? 1 Million yen

BTW, I just got my Puma BB Winner. It's a beautiful frame and all but there is some rambling noise at 9 o'clock. I cut the string but there seems to be no way to inspect it inside and remove the particle. What could it be? Anybody?

 

[VikingSamurai]

what is decent to you in Japan? 1 Million yen AVL777@YAHOO.COM

BTW, I just got my Puma BB Winner. It's a beautiful frame and all but there is some rambling noise at 9 o'clock. I cut the string but there seems to be no way to inspect it inside and remove the particle. What could it be? Anybody?

I dont know why, but I heard Dr Evil's voice when I read your 1 Million yen comment!

I had a Winner that had a rattle in the hoop. Luckily the guy I sold it to just wanted to put it on a wall so he wasnt fussed, but yours is the second one now that I have heard that has has particles in it..

It is a beautiful frame, and I have always liked it more than the Super looks wise.. I guess as looks go, I even prefer the BB Pro over the Super.. I dont know why, but the white at the top gives it a fuller look, and they look chunky and business like from angle when they sit on the wall.. The Super kinda looks a little plain in my opinion..

 

[jace112]

Here is BB

and here my Puma Winner



BTW are you sure it's 80% graphite? It heard about 20% only...

 

[0d1n]

I also have a Puma Boris Becker Pro in very good condition (it's 4 5/8 - 5 grip size and I now play grip size 3 or 4 depending on racket). I will take it out tomorrow for my "6 a clock hit". Chris it's all your fault !

 

[VikingSamurai]

I also have a Puma Boris Becker Pro in very good condition (it's 4 5/8 - 5 grip size and I now play grip size 3 or 4 depending on racket). I will take it out tomorrow for my "6 a clock hit". Chris it's all your fault !

Happy to help!..he he he Wow, this thread dies and comes back!.. I only have my mint Winner now.. So from about 15 frames, I now only have the one!

Jace, you should have let me stencil that bad boy for you.. The cat is way too big and needs to be red..

 

[jace112]

Happy to help!..he he he Wow, this thread dies and comes back!.. I only have my mint Winner now.. So from about 15 frames, I now only have the one!
Jace, you should have let me stencil that bad boy for you.. The cat is way too big and needs to be red..

You're bloody right, but I was so exited that I tried to do it without any stencil. Anyway I have to restring it soon. I'll pay attention next time!

My Winner is 373 g strung, and much more HH than I expected (328 mm with the PCS at the lowest level)

What about yours? Did you ever tweak the PCS?

composition: 80% graphite or 20%?

Thanks!

 

[jace112]

I played with the Becker few minutes today. I'm pretty sure it's 80% fiberglass and 20% graphite. It's SO soft...

 

[luis]

****¡¡¡¡....that is amazing?...Can you sell me ones?....ESTUSA?, Boris Becker Super?....thanks

 

[stevekim8]

omg i want that stencil
it looks SOOOOOO cool!!!!