Single shaft Graphite Racquets

[Ash Doyle]

Have there ever been any racquets sold similar to the design of the Prince Mono? In other words, a modern (graphite) racquet with a single shaft between handle and head.

I've recently started playing with a Prince Mono I picked up off ****, and (at least for me) it is the best racquet I've ever played. I love it, and have been wondering if there are any other models out there similar to this.

 

[16]

I think the X-45's have a single shaft and there was another prince racquet with it also(but its a older one).

 

[AAAA]

Fischer released one years ago, at about the same time as the Pro Classic.

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

I think the Prince Extender Mach 1000 had a mono shaft...one beast of a racquet if I remember correctly! 29" long with a head size of approx. 124. There was also the Prince Extender Ripstick which was also 29" long and a more respectable headsize of 104.

 

[UpTheT]

ASH
Do you still like your Maxply McEnroe?

 

[Ash Doyle]

The Maxply is a nice racquet, but it finally got to the point where the racquet just didn't feel that good. It just did not feel as maneuverable as one would expect a racquet that was 11.3 ounces to be. I assume because of the almost even balance; although, I have a Tour 90 that is weighted at around 13.5 ounces and near even balance it doesn't even feel as unmaneuverable as the Maxply. The Maxply doesn't feel bad or TOO heavy, it's just a feel I don't prefer. I still think it is a very nice racquet, but ever since I got my Prince Mono thats been all I've used. I think I've found my new racquet...I even started trying to locate more Monos for sale.

I've heard of the Fischer Mono, but I've been unable to locate one for sale, or even a picture of one.

 

[Steve Huff]

I have 2 Fischer Monoshafts. They are standard length, 110 sq in and fun to play with. the monoshaft design seems to give it more manueverability.

 

[AndrewD]

Wasn't there also the Fischer Superform? Can't recall if that was a purely graphite frame though. Also, Ander Jarryd used a couple of Fischer racquets, one with a single shaft and one with an almost single shaft for quite some time. Think it would have been around the 90sq kind of size

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

I have never seen any of the Fischer Mono Shaft racquets but would love to find images. Does anyone have a link to such creatures?

Andrew, did you ever find a Prince Mono down under? I noted there is a brand new one with a 4 5/8 grip currently out on **** (as of 4/8/05).

I agree with Ash, the Mono is a superb stick. If it came out today, with it's player style specs and ease of use at net, it would potentially be the darling of the boards.

Comfort was an issue for me, but toss in some natty gut, a vibration dampener, an overgrip and the ride becomes smoother with just enough feedback so you can know what is happening with the shots. I have been using this racquet almost exclusively for nearly 3 weeks and am absolutely loving it. Results have been quite good and the racquet is a terrific blend of precision with just enough power. Compliments my game nicely. I play a lot of doubles and get tons of net action where I find it to be particularly nimble and nifty. I've grown into this racquet as it was too demanding for my game in the 90's. A nice fit today.

Ash, I think it would be hard to find a better playing mono shaft stick than the Prince Mono. In fact, I haven't found what it offers in any recently manufactured racquet. It is truly unique. Would love to see this technology resurrected, though I doubt it will be. Stock up while you can. Some can still be found if you are alert. New and used ones pop up on **** from time to time and sell from $30.00 - $80.00.

 

[Ash Doyle]

Jerry, tracking down monos on **** is exactly what I plan to do. Like you, I also wish a company would brave enough to issue a new mono shaft frame.

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Ash,

Out of curiousity what string setup are you using with your Mono? I curently have one strung with BDE gut 17 at 57.5. Will probably take it up to 58.5 next time. The other is waiting for some new strings to experiment with as I frequently playtest strings. I have ordered a third racquet and will use it as a backup. Let us know what set-ups you have tried and your impressions if you get a couple of minutes.

 

[Ash Doyle]

Currently, I have Prince Synthetic Gut 17 at 55 lbs. in mine. It plays incredibly, and has plenty of controllable power and feel. I've read on these boards that a lot of people prefer this racquet strung very loose, so I'm planning on going even lower when I restring it. I'm also going to go with natural gut when that time comes. I haven't had it too long, and this is the first string job I've had in it, so I can't compare set-ups yet as this has been my only one. I was also very pleasantly surprised at how solid and stable this racquet feels for an 11.7 ounce frame. I also agree with you that the mono shaft GREATLY increases the feel of manueverability of the frame.

 

[yip kok kuin]

Yes, try to string it down to 45 pound. This beauty with it not-so-dense stringbed can take it that low. Also make it less prone to twisting. More dwell time I think. I took out the butt cover and shaft a head absorber butt (from a broken Si6) and it feels even better. The change is reversiable and there are so many broken Si6 around.

 

[Ash Doyle]

Yip, I've read that this is a complaint with this racquet, but I have not had any problems with the mono twisting on impact. It has been INCREDIBLY stable.

 

[AndrewD]

Jerry,
No, I was never able to find anything close enough to home so my brother is most likely going to sell the Mono (not entirely sure, might have it as a keepsake). Such an unsual frame that once you get used to it the transition to something else would be a bit tricky so going to start from scratch.

I was using it as it seemed to cure my wrist problem, however, the coach Im having a few group lessons with encouraged me to try a smaller headsize as he felt it might help alleviate the pain (he'd had similar problems). Worked even better than the Mono. Seems that the smaller in headsize I go, the less wrist pain. Figure that one out eh?

Have an old Prestige Pro lying around so am going to string it up at a low tension (45) and see how it plays. Might mean I lose a bit in my game, especially against better players, but the major factor has to be whatever takes the pain away is the best thing. Much better to drop from a 4.0 to 3.0 but still keep playing than have to quit altogether.

 

[Ash Doyle]

Imagine this...A company such as babolat, coming out with a racquet made of modern materials (basically same as a typical present day raqcuet), but totally styled off of the old wood racquets. The long mono shaft. The small head. Nice leather grip. Maybe even done up with a modern looking paintjob. A racquet shaped just like an old wood racquet, that was not stiff, painted (in Babolat's case) very similar to a typical Pure Drive. They could even call it the Ultra Soft Drive. I imagine it would be a little on the pricey side (due to not selling many) marketed to the collectors and tennis enthusiasts. I would definitely buy a few!

...and I imagine this racquet will come to market about the same time as flaming monkeys fly out of my butt.

 

[TommyGun]

I have two Fischer Superforms, and they are fiberglass, not graphite. I have the original black/orange with a 65-68 square diamond shaped head. They made a white with red and blue graphic version called the Stan Smith Superform that had a larger head (maybe 85 or 90) following. Hewitt, McMillan, John Alexander and Anders Jarryd and Smith were the most famous users.

McMillan also played with the original Fischer mono-shaft (I forget the name) but it was similar to Head Comp-Ashe in that it was fiberglass sandwiched between layers of aluminum/metal. Painted black. McMillan's frames were custom, I believe they were 28", lengthened to match his two-handed on all wings style.

For pictures, go to www.fischertennisusa.com, and click on the professionals link. Look for McMillan.

 

[Ash Doyle]

Thanks for the link TommyGun! Is the superform similar looking to the racquet in this photo?

 

[TommyGun]

Go down the page and click on Anders Jarryd.

He used the Stan Smith version.

Click on the jan Gunnarson and you will see european superform in small head shape.

 

[yip kok kuin]

I have never seen any of the Fischer Mono Shaft racquets but would love to find images. Does anyone have a link to such creatures?

check 'www.geocities.com/biggestantshop/wilson_fischer.html you will see a pic of Superform. It has a side profile of that gtx pro. Thick stem near the handle tapering down to the head. I tried one with one that has a very loose string so didn't get much feel in it.

 

[Steve Huff]

I got a Superform off **** a while back, but it was warped beyond being playable. Fortunately, the guy refunded my money, but I really wanted to take one out and hit with it.

 

[kanjii]

Does the Donnay Graphite Pro count?

 

[kreative]

i may have a couple of brand new prince monos for sale, 4 1/2 grip size. email for details.

 

[dennis1188]

Try ****, i saw two prince longbody monos 4 sale the other day cheap. maybe still there.

 

[Champion]

Are those old slazenger phantoms any good ive only seen one though so they might be a little hard to get ahold of.

 

[Steve Huff]

Prince had 3 mono's: The Mono, the Ripstick and the Mach 1000. Fischer had the Mono 06, I think. I know there were a few others, just can't think of their names now.