The Cult of PT57
- Thread starter vsbabolat
- Start date
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
closest semi current option is the IG prestige MP but its not the same... if you want a sub 60ra like a pt630 its just hard to find from the big manufacturers.
KingGrayskull
Rookie
I did take all the lead off (didn't like it at all) but didn't want to mess with changing the pallets or removing silicone, etc, thinking I would just find others to get that were more easily customizable from the start & just never did. Wishing I hadn't let them go. [emoji20]
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KingGrayskull
Rookie
Well I didn't necessarily mean current options; would be willing to search for an older retail frame, just wanting something lighter from the start (as opposed to the 280 etc). If an actual pro stock is my only option so be it I reckon but hoped to avoid the price premium.
Mateo
Rookie
[/URLCheck out the Angell rackets threads. The TC95 strung is supposedly below 60 RA. With the Angell, you can order them with different specs...aka customized.
On the other hand, with the PT630, depending on which generation, you can use different grommets with vastly different weight such that your starting base static weight can be reasonable low. And stay away from CAP grommet on the PT280 or PT630 Trek Font otherwise you are swinging a hammer.
Recently, I modified my PT630/280 by adding a lot more lead to the handle to get to around 11 points head light which bumped the static to 360ish gram (lighter sticks) and 370ish gram (heavier sticks). Note that these are strung full poly, with leather and OG. Surprisingly, its maneuverability improved quite a lot and didn't seem as demanding as in the past. I wished I had tried this a long time ago. This modification came about as I switched to the Yonex Tour G 310 last year and it was at 11 points head light with leather and OG; and I had been playing really well with it. So on a whim, I decided to give the PT630/280 another go by making it 11 points head light and this worked out really well. I was having such a great time hitting with this setup and how much I missed that plush, soft, and solid feeling. Now, I've only been hitting for a couple of hours with this setup of the 360ish gram 11 pt head light PT280. I have to play a few more time to see if this is OK where I don't get tired out prematurely. And I can't wait to try to the 370ish gram PT630 Trek Font. Just FYI so before you dump them due to weight, try making them super head light and see how it goes. Basically, don't be afraid of high static weight.
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KingGrayskull
Rookie
I keep hearing good things about the Angell racquets, I might give them a go.
Lots of great info and tips; really appreciate it. Now the search begins.
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leohaegger
Guest
Nice racquets, bro!!!
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Here it is my PT57s collection [emoji7]
PT57A
PT57E
PT57B
( I think it's exact code for Radical Tour "Twin Tube", but I'm not sure it's the same for the "Bumblebee" )
PT57A
PT57E
PT57B
( I think it's exact code for Radical Tour "Twin Tube", but I'm not sure it's the same for the "Bumblebee" )
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Awesome Collection! Yes, The original Radical bumblebee is a PT57AHere it is my PT57s collection [emoji7]
PT57A
PT57E
PT57B
( I think it's exact code for Radical Tour "Twin Tube", but I'm not sure it's the same for the "Bumblebee" )
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Thanks VS [emoji106]
I had the suspect of that since it is identical to my Pro Tour 630
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leohaegger
Guest
Here it is my PT57s collection [emoji7]
PT57A
PT57E
PT57B
( I think it's exact code for Radical Tour "Twin Tube", but I'm not sure it's the same for the "Bumblebee" )
Man, congratulations!!! Awesome collection!! All your racquets are in excellent condition. Did you ever use them?
Christian Olsson
Professional
I still sometime whip out my radical tour bumblebee just to feel the flex. It's a sweet racquet and I don't understand why most rackets seem to approach 70 RA today. Madness. My SG10 at 65 RA is tbh the upper limit for me. I can really appreciate why you made a thread for the PT57, it's one of those sticks you got to have in your racquet collection. If you're a collector. Still viable in today's game. It's really an extension of the arm. Many similarities to Older Volkl racquets IMHO. Smooth hitting.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Thank you very much [emoji106]
Actually they are in very good condition, a part from the Flexpoint p-j one which has the paint a bit faded.
Since now I've played with all except the Radicals Bumblebee (but I would like to try it one day) & Zebra ( too high weight for me, about 345g unstrung...I think previous owner injected some silicone in the handle).
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That's the amazing thing. The PT57A is much better than the current offerings by Head that its astounding. You have the number 2 player in the world playing it getting to Slam finals and winning Wimbledon, US open, Olympic Gold, and Davis Cup with the spectacular PT57AI still sometime whip out my radical tour bumblebee just to feel the flex. It's a sweet racquet and I don't understand why most rackets seem to approach 70 RA today. Madness. My SG10 at 65 RA is tbh the upper limit for me. I can really appreciate why you made a thread for the PT57, it's one of those sticks you got to have in your racquet collection. If you're a collector. Still viable in today's game. It's really an extension of the arm. Many similarities to Older Volkl racquets IMHO. Smooth hitting.
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leohaegger
Guest
Tommy Haas:
What a hell, HEAD!!??? PT57A with Radical Paintjob???!!????
What a hell, HEAD!!??? PT57A with Radical Paintjob???!!????
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Excuse my ignorance, but what is the i.Prestige MP Xtralong?
After reading through this thread and the Head Prestige thread, I've decided I'm going to cap my XLs and also take my Prestige Pro for a hit soon too.
I like heavy racquets and I think the Caps will make the XLs just about perfect.
After reading through this thread and the Head Prestige thread, I've decided I'm going to cap my XLs and also take my Prestige Pro for a hit soon too.
I like heavy racquets and I think the Caps will make the XLs just about perfect.
Very nice. Just to clarify. The PT57E - so the microgel one is actually I.Prestige painted as microgel?Here it is my PT57s collection [emoji7]
PT57A
PT57E
PT57B
( I think it's exact code for Radical Tour "Twin Tube", but I'm not sure it's the same for the "Bumblebee" )
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leohaegger
Guest
Yep!
Thanks. This is really nice. If you don't mind me asking - how can you tell that it is not an off-the-shelf microgel?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
The i.Prestige MP XL is the PT57E in a longer length. No difference in layup. Just when it's a hairpin it's cut to 27.5 instead of 27 inches. Racquets when they are manufactured are much longer and then cut to the desired length.
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leohaegger
Guest
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leohaegger
Guest
I was wondering guys, if you have modified your PT57's with lead tape. I want to put a little lead tape at 12'o clock or at 10 and 2 o'clock to get more power from this racquet, but i am afraid that would "kill" the marvellous feel of this racquet.
What do you guys think about it? Thanks.
What do you guys think about it? Thanks.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
There are some signs like the shape of grooves on the throat (where head joints to the shaft), the extended grommets channels, a bit more than current retail Prestige, but even more than that in this case there is the PT57E code written on the throat [emoji16] (even if it is not visible in this picture)
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
I've removed about 11g of lead at 12 o'clock in my PT57A Flexpoint, since it was a bit to head heavy for my personal taste, and I added about 3g both at 3 & 9 o'clock under the bumper.
Now it weights 350g with an approx 305mm BP
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leohaegger
Guest
Thanks, man. And what about the feel? Still the same?
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Correct me if I'm wrong.
No doubt about the mold ( the same in both length version, as you stated), but I have a question about manufactoring site.
I've read on an Italian forum that latest production ( if not all ) of i.Prestige MP XL was China.
Is it right ?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
No, ALL production of the i.Prestige was done in HEAD's own factory in Kennelbach, Austria.
Now I've heard conflicting things. But from the latest writings I have seen on the hairpin of racquets there is Chinese writing there.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Still a wonderful feel, as you can imagine
Probably a bit flexier on the head, at least it's my recreational player feedback [emoji1]
Definitely more maneuverable than before, which is a good improvement considering the yet high weight, and it has (if possible) even more "touch", better on volley, slice and drop shot
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
Never to late to learn!
Thanks to provide us all your limitless knowledge! [emoji106]
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leohaegger
Guest
Thanks, man. I think i will do this.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
However the latest pro stock PT57 all have Chinese writing on the hairpin.
@leohaegger - thanks. Not to be argumentative or anything but I'm confused. You said yourself that this racket in Microgel paint is actually i.prestige in a paint-job. But now you are saying that you can't tell if it is/is not an off-the-shelf Microgel. If you can't tell how do you know it is i.prestige under the paint?
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leohaegger
Guest
Because according to @vsbabolat the PT57 models are:
Original Radical Tour 260 Bumblebee
Pro Tour 630/280
Radical Tour TwinTube 630
Lite Tour 630
i.Prestige MP
Lite Tour XL
and various Pro Stock models
As you can see, the Microgel model isn't the PT57. And @daddabompa showed in this thread two PT57E: the i.Prestige and the PT57E with Microgel paint job. I think there is a Microgel Pro Stock version, but it is not a PT57 version. But, of course, i could be wrong. That's why i told you to ask @vsbabolat because he is specialist with Prestige. He knows everything about Prestige.
yes, indeed, which is why I'm curious. Because from that picture, which very well may be misleading, the shape of those grooves is actually more similar to off-the-shelf microgel than to the i.prestige. Obviously the grommet channel is not visble on the picture - so we can't judge by that.
You are using circular logic. You are essentially saying that this racket, painted as Microgel, is an i.prestige solely because someone posted a picture of it and labeled it PT57E. I'm not saying it is not, but I'd like to know how one can be sure.
As far as asking vsbabolat - let's just say I have less than perfect experience trying to get a detail answer in the past.
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leohaegger
Guest
I have a Microgel and an i.Prestige (PT57E), and i know they are different in mold/layup.
But, if this is not your answer you are looking for, okay, bro. Cool. Chill out.
I'm perfectly chill. I too have Microgel and i.prestige, it's not like those are that rare or anything. All I'm saying is that from that picture, to me, the Microgel painted racket looks like off-the-shelf Microgel. You said that racket is i.prestige so I politely asked how you can tell. No need to get aggravated. And it turned out you can't tell. Which is perfectly fine. I can't tell either. We are perfectly cool.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Exactly. It's very clear to me that the grooves in the throat are different than on the PT57A or Microgel Prestige MP (TGK238.1).
KingGrayskull
Rookie
I thought Murray used the PT57e?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
No, PT57A. Has since he's been on the ATP Tour.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
This pic I think should take away any doubt
Pro Stock versions of Microgel Prestige which are not a PT are TGK 238.1 (18x20 string pattern) & TGK 238.2/3 (16x19 string pattern).
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
As already said VS Murray uses a PT57A but since many years with a 16x19 string pattern, specially made for him by Head.
It's almost impossible to find a PT57A 16x19.
I think early in his career used the "normal" 18x20 string pattern.
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leohaegger
Guest
It is funny to see this picture: Carlos Berlocq using a PT57 with a Graphene paintjob and an IG grommets...
.Only HEAD could do this kind of job...
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leohaegger
Guest
Today i put 6g of lead at 10 & 2 o' clock. Man, my racquet became a different animal...
The racquet didn't became a beast. It became a CANNON! No, a BAZOOKA!! Even the sound of the racquet changed. It was more like a: BOOOOOOMMMMM!!! I was totally CRUSHING THE HELLA OUTTA ball with this racquet. SMASHING, DESTROYING the ball with no mercy.
The most important thing is it kept the wonderfull feel and, even the beastly amount power i got putting the lead, i didn't lost the control and the precision of this racquet. My opponents was telling me that my ball got much more speed and power today than they have never seen before.
I couldn't be happier now with this configuration. Thanks, people, for taking the red pill.
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daddabompa
Hall of Fame
I'm really happy to have been a bit helpful
Consider that if put the lead at 12 o'clock that "BAZOOKA effect" will be even greater (and also more spin).
Personally I prefer the 9-3 o'clock solution because it raise the stability and power of the racket without decreasing essentially the maneuverability, but you have an enough light PT57 (without much silicone in the handle as mine had when I bought it) you should try also the other solution.
daddabompa
Hall of Fame
It is funny to see this picture: Carlos Berlocq using a PT57 with a Graphene paintjob and an IG grommets...
Only HEAD could do this kind of job...
I seem to recall that Berlocq is not the only player which have this preference for IG grommets ( I saw also Cuevas and Garcia Lopez using it on a Graphene Prestige MP), which are a bit softer than black ones, so they contribute to an even softer feel provided by the frame.
I recall also Soderling and Bolelli using "drop shaped" i.Prestige grommets respectively on a PT57A and PT57E with much more modern paint job on it.
