Older classic rackets up to 1/2" shorter than they should be?

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Retrovet

New User
I have already eluded to this in a previous post but I thought to ask generally if other people have found when they source used, older classic rackets they are sometimes less than the standard 27" in length (up to 1/2" in some cases)? I've found this mostly on the thinner beam more flexible frames from the 80's. Stiffer frames seem less prone. If they are short when I get them I remove the strings and hang them up on a hook by the hoop for several weeks, but once they are 'short' they seem to stay set short, none have returned to the expected 27".

For comparison, the rackets I've played with forever and a day are Prince Graphite Oversize (4 stripe) which I've had from new. These have lost 1/4" (assuming that they were originally 27"). All the more modern rackets the rest of my family play with are all still 27". I string all my family's rackets on the same machine with 6 mounting points, and I'm very picky about making sure rackets are mounted properly.

Has anyone tried reshaping a 'short frame' by maybe warming it up and placing a wide ratchet strap around the centre of the hoop and gently squeezing it to reshape, and then plunging it into cold water? Just a thought ... probably a bad idea!
 
Thanks for that, I didn't know. The specific rackets I've had problems with have mostly been Austrian made Heads from the 80's. Although I did receive one that was exactly 27" but the hoop shape looked weirdly elongated and narrow compared to two other copies of the same model which were both 26 1/2".
 
Retrovet said:
Thanks for that, I didn't know. The specific rackets I've had problems with have mostly been Austrian made Heads from the 80's. Although I did receive one that was exactly 27" but the hoop shape looked weirdly elongated and narrow compared to two other copies of the same model which were both 26 1/2".
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Not sure if your referring to these models, but my Magnum Fibre and Magnum Graphite are both 27'', whereas, my Graphite Edge and Comfort Edge are 26.75''. The former may look like elongated versions of the latter, but in fact they are different moulds.
 
I have a few different Head models but the current 'set' are three Head Graphite Pro's. I was trying to 'recreate' my tournament self from the 80's when I used these rackets. One is 27" the other two are 26 1/2". Two are identical in shape length and weight but the 27" one seems to be the exception. Looks elongated, weighs 20g less than the other two (it is a grip size 2 whereas the other two are size 3), also it is less head heavy than the other two, which is at odds with the probably lighter pallet. They were compared stripped back with no strings and bare pallets, no grips. Paint is identical on all three. I notice that there is a three digit number stamped on the side of the frame just above the pallet on all the Head rackets of this era. The two identical spec rackets have a number beginning with '4', the odd racket has a number beginning with '0'.
 
1/2'' is a huge change. Should not be possible with deformation or mould wear. Perhaps a ladies or junior version.

My various Pro mould models are all just shy of 27'', about 26 7/8''. And their codes begin with 0, 2 and 4, so I don't think it's that.
 
Size 2 was considered very small in the 80s, so everything points to a ladies / junior model. My Comp Pro with 055 code, is size 4, almost 27'' and 362g just like my others, so I don't think the code is key.
 
OK - I measured the rackets a few weeks back, bare before stringing. I have since restrung them and regripped them. You had me doubting myself, so I've just remeasured with two different metal tape measures. I've also hit with one of the rackets tonight for the first time. So now strung and left for a few weeks two are measuring 68.2 cm and one 67.8 cm (metric was easier to read accurately). The weights are 349g, 363g and 365g respectively. Identical strings, dampeners, grips and overgrips.

So it looks like a fraction of the length has been restored after stringing and settling. I still have one a bit too short, but it did play very nicely tonight. I think I may sell the size 2 as it does seem a little at odds with the others, and wait for another 3 or a 4. Good ones are hard to come by though.
 
Retrovet said:
OK - I measured the rackets a few weeks back, bare before stringing. I have since restrung them and regripped them. You had me doubting myself, so I've just remeasured with two different metal tape measures. I've also hit with one of the rackets tonight for the first time. So now strung and left for a few weeks two are measuring 68.2 cm and one 67.8 cm (metric was easier to read accurately). The weights are 349g, 363g and 365g respectively. Identical strings, dampeners, grips and overgrips.

So it looks like a fraction of the length has been restored after stringing and settling. I still have one a bit too short, but it did play very nicely tonight. I think I may sell the size 2 as it does seem a little at odds with the others, and wait for another 3 or a 4. Good ones are hard to come by though.
Click to expand...

I would check the balances of your models too. With an over-grip, the shorter one may be ideal. Most junior sticks were 26'', so around 26.5'' could be a very useable training stick.
 
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I do have a Prestige MP Gold, but again I had an issue with it's shape. First time I started stringing it I did it one piece per the original instructions (crosses started at the bottom) but I noticed that the racket started changing shape like an upside down pear (not quite that extreme but you know what I mean!). So I stopped, removed the strings and did it two piece, starting the crosses at the top. I just didn't like how flexible the frame was to string. I played with the Graphite Pro's in the 80's for quite a while, playing with one tonight was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes!

I really only stuck with 4 racket models when I played competitively, Wilson Jack Kramer Pro Staff's in the wood era, then Head Edge Aluminium's in the metal era, then the Head Graphite Pro's and finally the Prince Graphite Oversize's which I still use today.
 
Retrovet said:
I do have a Prestige MP Gold, but again I had an issue with it's shape. First time I started stringing it I did it one piece per the original instructions (crosses started at the bottom) but I noticed that the racket started changing shape like an upside down pear (not quite that extreme but you know what I mean!). So I stopped, removed the strings and did it two piece, starting the crosses at the top. I just didn't like how flexible the frame was to string. I played with the Graphite Pro's in the 80's for quite a while, playing with one tonight was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes!

I really only stuck with 4 racket models when I played competitively, Wilson Jack Kramer Pro Staff's in the wood era, then Head Edge Aluminium's in the metal era, then the Head Graphite Pro's and finally the Prince Graphite Oversize's which I still use today.
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Cripes. What tension were you aiming for on the Prestige?
 
In other posts I've asked questions about one piece versus two piece stringing on classic 18x20 pattern rackets, as the crosses would mostly start at the bottom if you string one piece. Doing crosses from the bottom seems to be a bit of a no-no so I'm told. Back in the day I'm sure everything was one piece, unless they used to use around the world patterns back in the 80's, which I'm pretty certain they didn't, but I could be very wrong. Perhaps the old frames just go a bit soft over time?
 
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I think it's very frame specific. I've had 30+ classics restrung in the last few years, from 42 RA MAX 200Gs, to 82 RA Profiles, and never had any deformation.
 
The Prestige MP was the only one that I detected actually deforming while I was stringing. I'll post a picture of it and you can tell me if it looks odd to you :). Have to be tomorrow now though as it's getting late here in the UK. Thanks for all the information regarding the rackets, much appreciated.
 
Just a reference, I have a few POG with me. the grommetless POG, the 1 strip made in Thailand, the 4 strips made in Taiwan. All measured ~27inch at the moment, strung with various diff strings.
 
Here is the Prestige MP, not a great pic but ideal to see the shape.
54283430791_9cf3943d3f_b.jpg
 
You are right, I have managed to get hold of another one in the last two days, I've used it for comparison and while they are exactly the same length at 26 ¾", the top of the hoop on the one in the photo is wider between the two red marks (10 to 2) and slightly narrower between the two white marks at the bottom of the hoop. It also seems to have a very slight flat on one side of the hoop. Maybe it had been given a whack at some point in the past. Could Marat Safin have once owned it?

The difference is very slight but the eye sees it, and once I've seen it I can't ignore it! I've cut the strings out and I'm going to try to persuade it back into shape.
 
Grafil Injection said:
Many European rackets from the 70s and 80s come in at 68cm rather than 68.5cm, which is about 1/4'' less. Kneissl, Snauwaert, Donnay. Also, some Yonex as well.
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And a bunch of the Lesser models from Pro Kennex in 1980 are longer at 69 cm if being made in the Taiwan factories with the reason is Tiawan made round up at the time in cm rather then the house factory at inches. Same for the 25 inch Jr model actually being 65 cm and the 26 inch models often also 67 cm single ladies model or Jr being this if made Taiwan as well. Part of this Pro Kennex issue I blame on factories not accommodating the butt cap into the overall length during production where the flare out is often not over the inner handle material. Of course, in some catalogs you will see the one Ladies model Pro Kennex from the 1980's a Taiwan made being 67 cm and the longer Jr Pro Kennex all listed at 26 inches even if some were made at 67 cm.
 
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Just thought I would add an update:-

  1. I cut the strings out of the misshapen Prestige MP (gold) and placed a ratchet strap around the centre of the hoop and tightened it until the shape matched that of the reference Prestige MP. I left it for a number of days, heated it up with a hair dryer on hot and then left it to cool in our unheated garage. I took the strap off and back it went to the original odd shape :mad:.
  2. I restrung both the misshapen Prestige and the reference one, same tension, same string etc. After stringing they both maintained their original shape :). For me this is a win as it shows that its not my stringing or my (very old) machine. So I have a rogue Prestige MP, I'll live with it!
  3. I've now strung the Head Graphite Pro's and the Head Prestige MP's multiple times. After playing with them I have to say that stringing at 49lbs seems to be the sweet spot (full synthetic gut or syngut/poly hybrid) for these rackets (I never thought I would hear myself say that, I come from an era when 60lbs was the minimum).
  4. The Graphite Pro and the Prestige Mid seem to be the same shape and drilling (same mould?) but they play differently. The Pro is crisp the Prestige more cosseting. Comparing like sizes (grip sizes) the Pro is slightly heavier and slightly more head heavy, with the same strings/grips/overgrip.
  5. The finish on the black Pro is better than the gold Prestige. The biggest difference is the grommet strips. The Pro has nice tough but flexible grommets, the Prestige grommet strips are really brittle. Given that they are the same era and I've compared 5 rackets it looks like a failing?
Now I'm going to just play with them. Anyone know if compatible grommet strips are available anywhere?
 
Retrovet said:
Just thought I would add an update:-

  1. I cut the strings out of the misshapen Prestige MP (gold) and placed a ratchet strap around the centre of the hoop and tightened it until the shape matched that of the reference Prestige MP. I left it for a number of days, heated it up with a hair dryer on hot and then left it to cool in our unheated garage. I took the strap off and back it went to the original odd shape :mad:.
  2. I restrung both the misshapen Prestige and the reference one, same tension, same string etc. After stringing they both maintained their original shape :). For me this is a win as it shows that its not my stringing or my (very old) machine. So I have a rogue Prestige MP, I'll live with it!
  3. I've now strung the Head Graphite Pro's and the Head Prestige MP's multiple times. After playing with them I have to say that stringing at 49lbs seems to be the sweet spot (full synthetic gut or syngut/poly hybrid) for these rackets (I never thought I would hear myself say that, I come from an era when 60lbs was the minimum).
  4. The Graphite Pro and the Prestige Mid seem to be the same shape and drilling (same mould?) but they play differently. The Pro is crisp the Prestige more cosseting. Comparing like sizes (grip sizes) the Pro is slightly heavier and slightly more head heavy, with the same strings/grips/overgrip.
  5. The finish on the black Pro is better than the gold Prestige. The biggest difference is the grommet strips. The Pro has nice tough but flexible grommets, the Prestige grommet strips are really brittle. Given that they are the same era and I've compared 5 rackets it looks like a failing?
Now I'm going to just play with them. Anyone know if compatible grommet strips are available anywhere?
Click to expand...

Assuming you have the black Graphite Pro made in Austria, then the gold Prestige MiA is a year or two earlier so probably a different grommet batch. However, I have seen grommets on Graphites and Comps (also brown) disintegrate too.

I agree about the difference in feeling and find the Graphite and Comp are less lively compared to the Prestige.

Tk-237 are available at racquet!depot in the UK.
 
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