The Cult of PT57

Taita87 said:
Yeah, what I meant is...focusing like you did in the last 2 years but playing with let's say a pure aero, would have probably ended in the same improvement.
Let's put it that way.. every frame has pro and cons, you gain something and you lose something else. Your training is based on this, but the result will be similar (meaning an improvement, not playing the same style and shots with the 2 racquets).

The pt is not something that is making you improving. Otherwise, nadal, rublev, dustin brown, federer, del potro and the 90% of the pros would have used it.
Kyrgios plays with a stiff powerhouse and still plays doing dropshots, feeling shots, bombs and alternating them. Can you imagine him playing with a pt57e? or a pure aero? I do... give it to him for 2 years and he will play his style, maybe modified a bit, but still the racquet is attached to his hand. And it s just a matter of playing 80 hours per month per 24 months with the same stick and grow confident with it.

For the same reason, why the hell federer should not play with a pt57a? he's the perfect match... no sponsorship problems, pick an h19 if you want to stay with wilson... but he's still playing with a semi stiff power-spinhouse... giving him a pure aero or a pt57a? I don't think it will change a single thing... just a matter of sticking with it and playing hours, months and years.

What you gain in a parameter, you lose in another. There's no magic.

That's what I meant... we should probably play with whatever we like more and grow with it.

Well, can I now buy those 2 pt57e I was debating wether to purchase or not? :-D
Click to expand...

but dustin brown is using pt339:-D
 
Taita87 said:
Yeah, what I meant is...focusing like you did in the last 2 years but playing with let's say a pure aero, would have probably ended in the same improvement.
Let's put it that way.. every frame has pro and cons, you gain something and you lose something else. Your training is based on this, but the result will be similar (meaning an improvement, not playing the same style and shots with the 2 racquets).

The pt is not something that is making you improving. Otherwise, nadal, rublev, dustin brown, federer, del potro and the 90% of the pros would have used it.
Kyrgios plays with a stiff powerhouse and still plays doing dropshots, feeling shots, bombs and alternating them. Can you imagine him playing with a pt57e? or a pure aero? I do... give it to him for 2 years and he will play his style, maybe modified a bit, but still the racquet is attached to his hand. And it s just a matter of playing 80 hours per month per 24 months with the same stick and grow confident with it.

For the same reason, why the hell federer should not play with a pt57a? he's the perfect match... no sponsorship problems, pick an h19 if you want to stay with wilson... but he's still playing with a semi stiff power-spinhouse... giving him a pure aero or a pt57a? I don't think it will change a single thing... just a matter of sticking with it and playing hours, months and years.

What you gain in a parameter, you lose in another. There's no magic.

That's what I meant... we should probably play with whatever we like more and grow with it.

Well, can I now buy those 2 pt57e I was debating wether to purchase or not? :-D
Click to expand...
There might be some truth to that. However I never played with a racket that felt better at the contact with the ball. Although that doesn’t imply that that makes me play better of course. It’s just the feeling. Also currently trying pt313.2 but like the pt57a more...
 
Anyone has Popyrin PT57A’s and want to sell?

Also might be interested on Prestige 360+ 16x19 -frames too.

I have also couple PT57A2 Graphene Prestige MP 18x20 PJ, both same player/codes if someone interested.
 
I finally got my hands on some PT57A 16x19 in Prestige paint, and I wanted to share my thoughts. My sticks weigh in strung at 12.3 oz, 7 pts HL, and around 345 SW. I have lead placed under the CAP from 3 to 9, and use Head Finest Calfskin grip.

These frames are everything I wanted them to be. Compared to the 18x20 version, I love the higher launch angle, and the small increase in power. Much easier to hit a good kick serve. You simply cannot find a racket with better feel. The 16x19 pattern is even more advantageous for backhand slice, and hitting a pinpoint drop shot. I really feel I can aim for the lines and rely on this frame for it's control.

The Angell TC 95 plays similar in my opinion. But it falls short of the PT57A with a smaller sweet spot, and of course can not match the feel. And that makes a huge difference for me. Though I will say, the TC 95 is still one of the best serving rackets I have used.

Compared to the 18x20 version of the PT57A, I can't justify the 16x19 costing hundreds of dollars more for those who need to watch their wallet. I love playing with both versions.

Overall, I find no fault in this frame. Perfect frame for me. Lacks some power? Sure. But I'll trade power for it's pinpoint control any day
 
Would be interesting to see how small differences PT57A 18x20 and 16x19 would be if adjusted with string tensions.

Same string for both but different tensions for adjusting the launch angle/power 18x20 with for ex. 24/22,5kg and 16x19 24/24kg.

Now would there be any differences left? Maybe 16x19 stringbed would be still little bit more forgiving but thats it?

I will test this side by side when receiving 16x19, have the 18x20’s already. Interesting to find out.
 
eucebio said:
Would be interesting to see how small differences PT57A 18x20 and 16x19 would be if adjusted with string tensions.

Same string for both but different tensions for adjusting the launch angle/power 18x20 with for ex. 24/22,5kg and 16x19 24/24kg.

Now would there be any differences left? Maybe 16x19 stringbed would be still little bit more forgiving but thats it?

I will test this side by side when receiving 16x19, have the 18x20’s already. Interesting to find out.
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I would be interested to read this. Then the Ultra Pro 16x19 came out there was a ton of excitement. Wasn’t long before plenty were in the classifieds and being deemed not at great as the Ultra Tour/Pro 18x20.
 
Yeah definately agree! I guess Pro Tour 2.0 and its next versions will be the closest PT57A’s that we can get bought from HEAD.

And I personally dont blame them, PT57A’s need heavy specs to play well, and for modern tennis thats not even optimal anymore, there are personal preferences of course but for mass market, there is no reason whatsoever to start sell real expensive thing with all the customization hassle, there is no stock specs for PT57A, the whole idea is to customize it. So how would HEAD even sell it to people?

HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 and so on, is the only way to do it.

I wouldnt mind though HEAD’s Custom made -service to activate and start sell these pro stocks by customer request with customized specs. :p

Would be big step for #1 racket manufacturer again. Although the latest retail lineup/options is pretty impressive in retail section from HEAD.
 
eucebio said:
Yeah definately agree! I guess Pro Tour 2.0 and its next versions will be the closest PT57A’s that we can get bought from HEAD.

And I personally dont blame them, PT57A’s need heavy specs to play well, and for modern tennis thats not even optimal anymore, there are personal preferences of course but for mass market, there is no reason whatsoever to start sell real expensive thing with all the customization hassle, there is no stock specs for PT57A, the whole idea is to customize it. So how would HEAD even sell it to people?

HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 and so on, is the only way to do it.

I wouldnt mind though HEAD’s Custom made -service to activate and start sell these pro stocks by customer request with customized specs. :p

Would be big step for #1 racket manufacturer again. Although the latest retail lineup/options is pretty impressive in retail section from HEAD.
Click to expand...
The Pro Tour 630 shares the Pro Tour 2.0 specs of weight, balance and SW.
Yes, HEAD’s offerings of late have been really good. I love the Pro Tour 2.0 and 360+ Prestige MP
 
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McEncock said:
Is there a chance the prestige classic could be re-release under TGK10 / Prestige Classic 2.0? @vsbabolat @dr325i
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I think there is always chance, however,
1) the layup would be different, just like the TGK57.5 is different from the PT57A2
2) I am not in favor of this re-release as the audience is limited (mainly us on this forum)
3) no clear indication if head is looking to re-release it (again)
 
McEncock said:
That would be lovely, ig mid lay-up baked in tk10 with prestige pro 600 cosmetics. A selling massacre!
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How different are TK10 and TK292 molds to bring the old mold back??? The TK10 mold is not in use any more. The PT10.2 layup is though
A selling massacre -- don't think so.
 
Ofcourse bringing the mould from austria to china will be completely stupid. using tk292 should be better.
I guess you are right. I just like the old fashion grommet channel and the fact that the cap grommets "melt" into the racquet silouhette. Not the case with tk292.
 
dr325i said:
2) I am not in favor of this re-release as the audience is limited (mainly us on this forum)
Click to expand...
dr325i said:
A selling massacre -- don't think so.
Click to expand...

Sales numbers don’t lie and the product releases of any commodity manufacturer are necessarily driven almost entirely by the bottom line. Enthusiast forums have a loud voice only within that microcosm, and outwith that, the general public does what they do, and product strategy follows.

Despite the disparaging comments often seem on TTW of what unenlightened(sic) Joe Public does and the resulting (seemingly bad on TTW) choices made by racquet manufacturers, it’s probably worth remembering that niche market products like the Pro Tour 2.0 only materialise on the back of reliable profits generated by sales of those supposedly cheap and nasty racquets sold to Joe Public.

If it had been commercially viable to keep selling the PC600 and PT630 as an eternal classic racquet line, HEAD would have done so. Ironically, the best way to sell niche product lines is by short runs as a “limited edition” since that is the best way to stimulate purchases of existing stock. Why bother to stock up on a favoured racquet if you knew that particular stick was always going to be available?
 
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If I like the Pro Tour 2 is it worth finding and buying a PT57a? I'm hearing conflicting opinions on whether it plays/feels the same or not
 
McEncock said:
Ofcourse bringing the mould from austria to china will be completely stupid. using tk292 should be better.
I guess you are right. I just like the old fashion grommet channel and the fact that the cap grommets "melt" into the racquet silouhette. Not the case with tk292.
Click to expand...
You are mixing up the mold and layup.
There is nothing special about the mold and anyone with a 3D printer can easily reproduce it.
There is no way anyone can reproduce the Austrian layups (PT)
 
HitMoreBHs said:
Sales numbers don’t lie and the product releases of any commodity manufacturer are necessarily driven almost entirely by the bottom line. Enthusiast forums have a loud voice only within that microcosm, and outwith that, the general public does what they do, and product strategy follows.

Despite the disparaging comments often seem on TTW of what unenlightened(sic) Joe Public does and the resulting (seemingly bad on TTW) choices made by racquet manufacturers, it’s probably worth remembering that niche market products like the Pro Tour 2.0 only materialise on the back of reliable profits generated by sales of those supposedly cheap and nasty racquets sold to Joe Public.

If it had been commercially viable to keep selling the PC600 and PT630 as an eternal classic racquet line, HEAD would have done so. Ironically, the best way to sell niche product lines is by short runs as a “limited edition” since that is the best way to stimulate purchases of existing stock. Why bother to stock up on a favoured racquet if you knew that particular stick was always going to be available?
Click to expand...
Agreed.
There are millions of tennis players globally and a few thousand of us on this forum. Millions of great tennis enthusiasts have no idea this forum exists.
The PT2.0 was a limited release and it is still available.

however, what sells is Speeds that "Novak uses", Gravity that Sascha and now Rublev use, Radicals...
That is where the real money and volumes are not in re-releasing the good old frames that % of us here will remember.

You are right -- sales numbers do not lie. Speed, Gravity, Radical are crushing it in 2021, Prestige is bringing the old glory to the line.
The PT2.0 is not even showing on the graph
 
dr325i said:
You are mixing up the mold and layup.
There is nothing special about the mold and anyone with a 3D printer can easily reproduce it.
There is no way anyone can reproduce the Austrian layups (PT)
Click to expand...
I am not mixing up anything, I didn't get you or I din't express myself correctly. I don't believe a second head could release a pt10 to the public, but what I thought would be interesting is a good Chinese lay-up in TK10.
Which led me to the problem of moving the TK10 mold, or replicate it (which in lure fishing industry, which I know very well, is a very big deal ; a mold costs a lot!).
That's what I am tying to say.
Yes I love all the tk10 iterrations, as they have some variations, and I believe a legit re-release should be baked in the original mold or a copy of it.
This - original mold - is part of the 2.0 recipe and success imo. if the 2.0 was baked in the IG prestige MP, with the long handle slot and diferent grommet channel, maybe a part of the afficionados would have said : "not legit" and influence a bit the sales.
 
(genuine question)
not that i really really need one right now, but you know how it is - i'd like to know how/where i can get my greasy hands on a set of neon green CAP grommet for my PC600 (it came with half grommet originally)..... or a replacement of the neon green half grommet, without having to sell an arm or two legs.... :love:
 
esm said:
(genuine question)
not that i really really need one right now, but you know how it is - i'd like to know how/where i can get my greasy hands on a set of neon green CAP grommet for my PC600 (it came with half grommet originally)..... or a replacement of the neon green half grommet, without having to sell an arm or two legs.... :love:
Click to expand...
I have black ones, TK237, but neon -- that requires a kidney at least
 
McEncock said:
I am not mixing up anything, I didn't get you or I din't express myself correctly. I don't believe a second head could release a pt10 to the public, but what I thought would be interesting is a good Chinese lay-up in TK10.
Which led me to the problem of moving the TK10 mold, or replicate it (which in lure fishing industry, which I know very well, is a very big deal ; a mold costs a lot!).
That's what I am tying to say.
Yes I love all the tk10 iterrations, as they have some variations, and I believe a legit re-release should be baked in the original mold or a copy of it.
This - original mold - is part of the 2.0 recipe and success imo. if the 2.0 was baked in the IG prestige MP, with the long handle slot and diferent grommet channel, maybe a part of the afficionados would have said : "not legit" and influence a bit the sales.
Click to expand...
Again, the mold is not an issue.
The TK57A mold is what PT2.0 is done in (and TGK57.5 layup), and in China
I am sure the mold still exists but no more TK10 rackets are manufactured.
I get your "affection" part of it.
 
vsbabolat said:
The Pro Tour 630 shares the Pro Tour 2.0 specs of weight, balance and SW.
Yes, HEAD’s offerings of have been really good. I love the Pro Tour 2.0 and 360+ Prestige MP
Click to expand...
How does the PT2.0 compare with the 360+PMP? I’ve been using the PT2 for many months, really love the dense string pattern and control, the consistency off the stringbed, the plow and stability of the frame. I haven’t tried the new prestige, but the specs look comparable.
 
PrinceYonex said:
How does the PT2.0 compare with the 360+PMP? I’ve been using the PT2 for many months, really love the dense string pattern and control, the consistency off the stringbed, the plow and stability of the frame. I haven’t tried the new prestige, but the specs look comparable.
Click to expand...
The 360+PMP is more muted and feels a little softer
 
Oval_Solid said:
just wondering if anyone else feel the pro tour 280 is head heavy instead of 6pt head light or have the board thing to measure it themselves?
Click to expand...
If you have a table/side board/bench with hard edges, then you can use it to measure the balance, as long as you have a length measuring device.

Did the said PT280 come with a CAP originally (assuming yours has the CAP already)?
 
dr325i said:
I have black ones, TK237, but neon -- that requires a kidney at least
Click to expand...
Ah thanks. I think I will keep both of my kidneys.. for now, am not that desperate yet. Lol
Out of couriers, which of the current Head offerings with CAP grommet is compatible with the PC600, of is there a newer version of TK237 that can be sourced easier? Thanks
 
esm said:
Ah thanks. I think I will keep both of my kidneys.. for now, am not that desperate yet. Lol
Out of couriers, which of the current Head offerings with CAP grommet is compatible with the PC600, of is there a newer version of TK237 that can be sourced easier? Thanks
Click to expand...

Not current but a little more recent: TK292 (‘smoky’ coloured). It came with the YouTek IG Mid I believe.
 
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esm said:
Ah thanks. I think I will keep both of my kidneys.. for now, am not that desperate yet. Lol
Out of couriers, which of the current Head offerings with CAP grommet is compatible with the PC600, of is there a newer version of TK237 that can be sourced easier? Thanks
Click to expand...
TK237 and TK292 would fit the pattern. I prefer the 237. Don’t think you can find them at the retailer any more.
After TK292 mold, head went true 93 sq in with the TK312
 
vsbabolat said:
My racquets are customized to 345g unstrung. Launch angle similar to me. I’ve broken the strings on my PT2.0 and picked up the 360+PMP and had no adjustment during set play.
Click to expand...
This is helpful. Thanks for your thoughts on this. Sounds like you find it almost interchangeable. Seems like there’s a significant difference in swingweight. Do you notice a drop off in plow through or stability when going to the PMP?
 
eucebio said:
Yeah definately agree! I guess Pro Tour 2.0 and its next versions will be the closest PT57A’s that we can get bought from HEAD.

And I personally dont blame them, PT57A’s need heavy specs to play well, and for modern tennis thats not even optimal anymore, there are personal preferences of course but for mass market, there is no reason whatsoever to start sell real expensive thing with all the customization hassle, there is no stock specs for PT57A, the whole idea is to customize it. So how would HEAD even sell it to people?

HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 and so on, is the only way to do it.

I wouldnt mind though HEAD’s Custom made -service to activate and start sell these pro stocks by customer request with customized specs. :p

Would be big step for
Click to expand...
dr325i said:
Not sure. I just replaced grommets and strung strung the Prestige S for my hitting partner, it did say TGK291.x on it and I compared the grommets with my TK238A and they did not match.
I am not too familiar with the TK291
TK293A also comes in red I believe
Click to expand...
For future reference TK291A grommets did come in red and they do fit a PT57A 16x19, but they are square at the bottom and slightly lower quality than TK293A. Anyone have a link for red TK293A grommets?
 
HeadClassic said:
For future reference TK291A grommets did come in red and they do fit a PT57A 16x19, but they are square at the bottom and slightly lower quality than TK293A. Anyone have a link for red TK293A grommets?
Click to expand...
HEAD supplies the TK293A for the consumer market in this version: GROMMET SET TK293A TRANSPARENT SMOKY, not in red.
 
Very noob question here so go easy on me; I apologize if this has been talked about before in this thread.

So when I search "PT57A" on **** or google for example, there's multiple different rackets that come up. From my understanding the PT630 and the PT280 are just the commercial versions. But then I see others such as Radical Tour Midplus Candycane PT57A, Youtek Prestige PT57A, etc. Are these virtually the same or are they different?
 
initialize said:
Very noob question here so go easy on me; I apologize if this has been talked about before in this thread.

So when I search "PT57A" on **** or google for example, there's multiple different rackets that come up. From my understanding the PT630 and the PT280 are just the commercial versions. But then I see others such as Radical Tour Midplus Candycane PT57A, Youtek Prestige PT57A, etc. Are these virtually the same or are they different?
Click to expand...
Some are same mold (candy cane, PT2.0) totally different layup.
Others are similar (MG, YT, IG, Graphene) molds (TK238, TK293)
Some are same mold and layup but with commercial weight in the handle (PT630/280)
 
dr325i said:
Some are same mold (candy cane, PT2.0) totally different layup.
Others are similar (MG, YT, IG, Graphene) molds (TK238, TK293)
Some are same mold and layup but with commercial weight in the handle (PT630/280)
Click to expand...
Gotcha, thank you!

Another dumb question... so other than differences in added weight/lead, is Andy Murray's racket the same as Karatsev's?
 
initialize said:
Gotcha, thank you!

Another dumb question... so other than differences in added weight/lead, is Andy Murray's racket the same as Karatsev's?
Click to expand...
It is not
Andy has a special metal rod baked between the chambers of his handle. It adds the weight and slightly stiffens the handle feel.
“standard” pro stocks have no metal rod in the handle
 
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