Secrets of the Dunlop Max 200G
- Thread starter Virginia
- Start date
ilian
Semi-Pro
200g and 150 feel like rubber to me. Wouldn't wan't to play with a noodle. Like a T'ai Chi Master there is resilient rubbery sublime strength hidden inside the softness. 200g has awesome response and is able to tell you in 12 languages why you hit the ball too hard, prepared late, etc...it saddens me that 4.0-4.5 "players" think that a $300 BB11 will make them a 5.5, sorry Charlie...
can the magic be recovered? (stay tuned)
well, i just bought an original 200G (double green line!) on **** and i'm going to see if the magic is still there or not.........it arrived today in great condition but is strung with some multi-colored stuff which will be replaced with gut at 54 pounds.............also will need to have them build up the handle a bit as the size was smaller than i normally play with
i've been using a volkl c10 pro classic since it was the closest i could find to the old 200G (in the days before **** made these racquets readily available again on the used market)
i hope to play with it this weekend..............will the old magic still be there???
i'm dying to find out
well, i just bought an original 200G (double green line!) on **** and i'm going to see if the magic is still there or not.........it arrived today in great condition but is strung with some multi-colored stuff which will be replaced with gut at 54 pounds.............also will need to have them build up the handle a bit as the size was smaller than i normally play with
i've been using a volkl c10 pro classic since it was the closest i could find to the old 200G (in the days before **** made these racquets readily available again on the used market)
i hope to play with it this weekend..............will the old magic still be there???
i'm dying to find out
i never understood why the original double green stripe 200g was so good and later iterations of the 200g sucked so bad!
Bud
Bionic Poster
The Max 200G has won a number of GS titles (in the right hands) so I doubt anyone on this board is too good/not good enough to be using it to win matches.
It's the player, not the racquet.
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
:twisted:In the right hands the 300i is a dangerous weapon:twisted:
It's the perfect racquet for me. I have a shorter flatter swing that is perfect for the 300i
let's do an injection molded gator trade!!! I'm on a gator roll!!! (feel that equijet comin soon!!!)
the graphics on the 300i are superb. When (if ever) have you seen muted colors in the same palete on a frame????? so subtle, so tasteful, different tones with the same brightness, god's surreal unfinished black and white oil painting of a 200g. I wanted to love her soooo bad. But not as thick, juicy and soft as my soulful educating friendly and real Serena-like 200g and 150g. I stopped answering her calls, it's over 300i...plenty of fish in the sea!!!!
the graphics on the 300i are superb. When (if ever) have you seen muted colors in the same palete on a frame????? so subtle, so tasteful, different tones with the same brightness, god's surreal unfinished black and white oil painting of a 200g. I wanted to love her soooo bad. But not as thick, juicy and soft as my soulful educating friendly and real Serena-like 200g and 150g. I stopped answering her calls, it's over 300i...plenty of fish in the sea!!!!
gymrat76
Banned
First time I picked up my Max200G and air swung it at my living room, it felt quite heavy. However, once at the court, with little early preparation, the racquet was moving like a swan!
The racquet had a loose synthetic gut on it first time I got it, and I was really enjoying "painting the lines" on both sides, due to extreme control you feel -as opposed to modern sticks. But the strings were moving like crazy.
So just few days ago, I decided to have it strung with a piece of VS gut that I HAD TO cut out of a PT630. I certainly don't want to break the bank for putting new strings on this racquet, which I don't normally play with. And my stringer fixed a lux poly for the crosses. Looking at me with a total puzzled face for seeing a Max200G, my stringer in fact asked me a good three times if I actually play with this bat!
Had the natty/poly combo strung at 55lbs. The racquet feels super powerful! I wish I had it strung with poly in mains!
My only little problem (and this problem did not occur when it had synthetic gut strings in it) is that, since you really feel that the racquet stiffens when hitting harder, or in a sense: changes gears; or drops gear when hitting touch shots: it is very hard to figure out how to thoroughly control the racquet. But, with gut strings, and a dampener, the racquet plays sooo smooth!!!
not yet, but i hope to............picked it this morning restrung with VS gut at 54 lbs and the handle built up form 4 3/8 to 4 5/8..................i have to go out and swing it a bit this afternoon, then have a team practice tomorrow morning if it doesn't rain............summer leagues are starting up soon and if it plays like i remember, i will certainly use it in league play (i play 4.0 mens and master).
the only stick i've found close to this is the original volkl c10pro classic which is my current racquet but later c10 pro versions are terrible..............i just bought a lightly used c10 pro classic last night so i'll have a backup for my
current racquet........................between the original 200G and original c10pro classic, i should be in great shape
after i hit a bit, i'll let you know if 20-25 year old memories of a magical racquet survive modern day reality
vs205, I can call connections and check the stats I estimate over a decade of production, maybe a million 200g's???
I began coaching almost 15 years ago, before playing 4 years of championship college ball. i am certified by the PTR ( a 21 stroke test which is far more difficult than many tournaments I've won!!!) I play exclusively with discountinued racquets. I see good/ decent players ( 5.5+) using matched ps 85's and pc 600's often. Wood tennis guy is a PTR rated 5.5 and he uses a 200g...
I began coaching almost 15 years ago, before playing 4 years of championship college ball. i am certified by the PTR ( a 21 stroke test which is far more difficult than many tournaments I've won!!!) I play exclusively with discountinued racquets. I see good/ decent players ( 5.5+) using matched ps 85's and pc 600's often. Wood tennis guy is a PTR rated 5.5 and he uses a 200g...
gymrat76
Banned
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
During McEnroe's prime he used Amber colored Pacific Natural Gut. The last I heard McEnroe was using BDE Natural Gut.
that's amazing, which generation 200g is that? I hope to make tons of Shekels this year so I can meet all fellow rackaholics in person. For anyone who hasn't been to Italy...GO! Even the boring parts are magical, the people are beautiful, both physically and how they act and dress, and the food, even the most simple food, is equivalent to "top American gourmet cuisine". Italian pizza is sold by weight, cut to order from a square pan, I don't think an Itallian would let a dog crap on the Pizza they sell in my city, I miss New York, only good pizza in USA is in NYC, just go to the "Original" rays pizza (17 different pizzerias claim to be the original rays, the real original rays is on 6th ave. and 12th st.!)
Rorsach
Hall of Fame
No idea. I've never seen a Pro in this livery before.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
In 1990 Dunlop sold the Max 200G Pro with those cosmetics in the U.S. I never saw one with a green grip though. I have a bunch of them with the tan grip. When I have the time I will post some photos of them. It maybe a while though. You should notic that on those racquets the word Hysol Grafil is missing. It just says Grafil
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
The Italian Stallion, also known to some of us as Massimo, has unearthed another gem. A friend of his gave him the item pictured, brand new, with the grip still covered:
WOW! Superb looking racquet!
Very jealous:twisted:
jimbo333
Hall of Fame
I think all of these version graduated from black above grip, up to a metallic green at top of hoop?
Sure the mighty Vsbabolat will know
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I think all of these version graduated from black above grip, up to a metallic green at top of hoop?
Sure the mighty Vsbabolat will know
Yeah they all turned metallic green at the top of the hoop.
gymrat76
Banned
The new 200G I have at post #63 (and also linked below) came to me with a green string. Feels like a nylon, really outdated string, btw.
The racquet is brand new, unplayed, never seen court or ball, just that it does not have shrink wrap on the grip.
I am wondering if these Max200G racquets were strung at the factory, or, if the original owner strung them (and also tore shrink wrap) after purchasing them?
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/3/6/2/4/webimg/200408336_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/3/6/2/4/webimg/201737364_o.jpg
The racquet is brand new, unplayed, never seen court or ball, just that it does not have shrink wrap on the grip.
I am wondering if these Max200G racquets were strung at the factory, or, if the original owner strung them (and also tore shrink wrap) after purchasing them?
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/3/6/2/4/webimg/200408336_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/3/6/2/4/webimg/201737364_o.jpg
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I have never seen or heard of a pre-strung Max 200G.
still waiting to find out.............i've strung it with gut and went out on the court to see if the old magic was there and..............
1. it felt quite heavy compared to my current volck c10 pro classic but i got used to that pretty quickly.........serves seemed to have some additional pop but............
2. however, the original leather grip is way to hard for my hand.........the grip is uncomfortable on (inherited) arthritic fingers (thanks a lot dad!) so i had the grip redone with a wilson grip that is much more cushioned and forgiving.......i'll get out again as soon as the rain stops here in the northeast (could be wait)
ilian
Semi-Pro
Some of them used to come pre-strung. At least, the racquets we got in my tennis club, back in early nineties. They came with a 16 gauge synthetic gut and in several of the holes, there was white plastic tubing added for the string (mainly in the top center if I recall right).
ilian
Semi-Pro
I doubt that Dunlop strung their racquets with that string...
racquetfreak
Semi-Pro
i have several with exactly that set-up.
as for the green string - i don't think it is a factory option. i suspect it may may Vollmer (Becker) Super String (came in natural or bright lime green) installed after purchase. it looks great in Max 200Gs, especially first generation, Head TXPs and Becker Winners.
ilian
Semi-Pro
Most Max 200G users had to move to something else, but how succesful that was, I am not very confident about that, because my move wasn't succesful at all. When I switched from the Max 200G to another racquet, I felt as if my arm was cut off and an artificial one was put on its place... I feel this way to this day, no matter what racquet I get. And I was a junior national champion in my country, won against ATP ranked players, Davis Cup players, and played quarter finals at the nationals for men at the age of 15. I played on junior European championships and olympic games. All that with the Max 200G... At the end of that same year, I switched to a Head Prestige Classic and this was it for me in tennis. I kept on practicing just as before or harder, but at times I started losing to players I had never given more than 3 games per set before. Believe me, this drove me nuts, to say the least. But I was never able to change my faith. All that happened about 15 years ago. The worst thing was that I lived in a country where the economy was recovering (and it still is) from communism and there was no such thing as being able to test many racquets from a sports store and so on. On top of that, there was no one at the time to lead me into the lead tape world so that sealed my coffin for good.
Anyway, hopefully others had better experience transfering to another racquet.
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strike
Rookie
Interesting...
See my post from the other day: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=260548
I consider myself a racquet junkie...and have only ever been satisfied with 2 frames...
One of which is the Dunlop Max 200G.
I am still trying to find a suitable replacement. Currently trying the K95 and waiting on a MG Rad Pro.
gymrat76
Banned
Hey Ilian,
Want to take your suggestion on stringing the Max200G. basically I strung one with vs touch in mains and lux fluro at crosses, at 55lbs...but the racquet is TOO powerful now...very smooth...but VERY powerful...I thought the natl gut was supposed to go well with this...
ilian
Semi-Pro
You will have to experiment with the tension and you will get the right response. Also, keep in mind that what is good for one player, is not necessarily good for another. You should experiment with different gauges strings, strung at different tension. Do not be scared to try nylon strings and all other material varieties, because sometimes the answer comes from a place you least expect it to. For example, Michael Chang plays with a 15 gauge synthetic gut string at a not very high tension and a huge headsize, while Pete Sampras plays with 17-18 gauge natural gut at 74 lbs with an 85 sq. inch racquet, if I am not mistaken... Both of them are great players, but they have found comfort in completely different set ups. There are no boundaries with experimentation. Just keep in mind that your Max 200G is a softer, aged frame and it might not be able to take extremely high tensions. Let 55 be your starting point and average tension and try higher and lower than that. Good luck and report your results!
gymrat76
Banned
Thanks for the suggestion. well as for Max200G, do you think it is practicable to go higher than 55lbs? Racquet is all bueno, but dont want to end up with a spoon...
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Don't go above 55lbs. I think you should try a basic synthetic like Prince Synthetic Gut. That will most likely help with too much power.
ilian
Semi-Pro
I have strung the Max 200G at 66 lbs and nothing happened to it, but I am a very experienced stringer and I make sure that the racquet is secured very good and I follow how it goes as I string... Also, you need to remember that there is sometimes a big difference from one stringing machine to another as there is from one stringer to another. But yes, you can string the Max 200G above 55 lbs. You decide for yourself, but if it were my racquet and I thought the tension was too low, I would string it higher. If you do though, make sure you use the exact same string-combo so you would get relevant comparison results.
gymrat76
Banned
Thanks as usual, Ilian!
Btw- Have you ever heard of a Dunlop Max 4000 Pro Boron? Just came across this racquet. Very thin beamed green (as in max200g) graphite racquet..
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Bud
Bionic Poster
McEnroe Signature MAX 200G (Wibledon & USO)
Jimbo... I located my last remaining 200G and it's the version with McEnroe's signature on the side
Right then here we go
I think there are 6 main different versions, but it depends what you call "main", as there are lots of little differences. The main different versions of the MAX200G are:-
1. 1982 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - 2 green stripes (3 different molds, first had tapered beam narrowest at head with round string holes. Second had constant beam with round string holes and third had constant beam with squarish holes (this mold continues until 92 basically unchanged). And I think the 2 round string hole versions were only made in 1982.
2. 1986 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - green/gold stripes - Block letters, and "Graphite Injection" These have John McEnroes signature on side of frame and there is a different version celebrating his win in 1984 Wimbledon/US Open written on side of frame, possibly a US only import frame? (I want one of these so if anyone has one please contact me through my profile)
3. 1988 - Black Racquet, Green/Gold Chevrons - green/gold stripes - Curly letters, and "Grafil Injection" also another version of this was - Green Racquet, Red/White chevrons - red/white stripes, and I've heard other colours were done at this time also? (If anyone has any other colours, please sell me one as I collect them, eerrr obviously I suppose!!!)
4. 1989 - Golden Grand Slam - Numbered Edition
5. 1990 - Gloss Black Racquet, Gold/Turquoise Chevrons
6. 1991 - PRO - Purple Racquet with green writing in completly different style to other MAX200G's
Years could be very slightly wrong (especially versions 5 and 6).
There were definitely different PRO versions of 2,3 and 5 as well (and probably 1 as well, if anyone has a PRO version with 2 green stripes I'd like one). Version 2 had PRO written on it. Version 3 had PRO written on Black Racquet and PROII on Green Racquet. 5 had PRO written on it. 6 had PROIII written on it (again looking for one of these, please email through my profile). Again there are probably others.
If I start talking about the grips it's going to get a bit confusing, but the order is Black, Black with little Gold "Dunlop" written around it, then Brown leather "Fairway" and then Black Leather again, then Green leather, and then soft disintegrating grips which have all basically yes disintegrated if not wrapped!! Again I could well be wrong
As for the covers/bags, there's lots of different ones
Feel free to tell me I'm wrong (am sure the knowledgable Vsbabolat will for starters), as I quite possibly am; but look I am trying!!!
Jimbo... I located my last remaining 200G and it's the version with McEnroe's signature on the side
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racquetfreak
Semi-Pro
Hi, well if it's the "Wimbledon/US Open 84" version then I'm definitely interested
Will email you
me too!!!!! (10 char)
Bud
Bionic Poster
Hi, well if it's the "Wimbledon/US Open 84" version then I'm definitely interested
Will email you
Is this version difficult to find, these days?
I'll see if I can get a good pic... the graphics on these racquets was not good and this racquet appears to have been thoroughly enjoyed by its previous owner :-?
How did they get McEnroe's signature into the graphite? Was it engraved after the racquet was out of the mould? It appears to be engraved in fancy script... followed by Winner Wimbledon & US Open Mens Singles & Doubles
Bud
Bionic Poster
Funny to note... on the opposite side of the throat, it states For Optimum Performance John McEnroe Recommends a String Tension of 55 lbs.
The two stripes on this racquet are both green. Chevrons appear green and gold.
It appears to have its original Fairway leather and the numbers 207 are embossed on the plastic collar above the grip.
The two stripes on this racquet are both green. Chevrons appear green and gold.
It appears to have its original Fairway leather and the numbers 207 are embossed on the plastic collar above the grip.
racquetfreak
Semi-Pro
Is this version difficult to find, these days?
I'll see if I can get a good pic... the graphics on these racquets was not good and this racquet appears to have been thoroughly enjoyed by its previous owner :-?
How did they get McEnroe's signature into the graphite? Was it engraved after the racquet was out of the mould? It appears to be engraved in fancy script... followed by Winner Wimbledon & US Open Mens Singles & Doubles
can you say hen's teeth - not much more difficult than finding those.
