The Head TGK 238.5 YTPP club :)

ClubHoUno

ClubHoUno

Banned
I thought it was about time we got a club for the TGK 238.5 YTPP racquets :D

I really like mine - great with VS team 17 mains and Alu Rough crosses for 8-10 hours :razz:

Notice the 2 lead strips that goes inside the cap grommets, notice the silicone in the handle, and TGK code under the leather grip - and notice the nice Head Finest Calfskin leather grip and the black and white buttcap ;)

qxrz2o.jpg
 
Question: how in the world did you get 4? TGK 238.5 is pro stock, right? dont these go for like 400 er so? you either have a deep pocket and obsession with this frame or you broke in the HEAD factory with a team of ex navy SEALS and stole them,
 
Hi
I have 3 of these frames too

How do you have them set up in terms of lead placement and balance ?

Mark
 
ClubHoUno said:
notice the silicone in the handle
Click to expand...

Hey man, I don't have x-ray vision :twisted: (Oops, just saw the pic with the silicone. BTW, did you do the filling or were they done at the factory?)

They look like sweet sweet candy though. How do you have them set up, what's your weight / balance / SW?

Also, how did you get these?
 
Larrysümmers said:
Question: how in the world did you get 4? TGK 238.5 is pro stock, right? dont these go for like 400 er so? you either have a deep pocket and obsession with this frame or you broke in the HEAD factory with a team of ex navy SEALS and stole them,
Click to expand...

Let's just say it was pure luck :D

Marcus said:
Hi
I have 3 of these frames too

How do you have them set up in terms of lead placement and balance ?

Mark
Click to expand...

Almost stock, but the silicone makes them play VERY stable and muted - not BLX kind of muted though.
Head can and should be proud of these frames - they are exquisite tools of precision, power and control ;)

el sergento said:
Hey man, I don't have x-ray vision :twisted: (Oops, just saw the pic with the silicone. BTW, did you do the filling or were they done at the factory?)

They look like sweet sweet candy though. How do you have them set up, what's your weight / balance / SW?

Also, how did you get these?
Click to expand...

Almost stock setup - will add a little extra lead at 3 and 9, still experimenting........

The silicone and lead came from the factory........I will as said add a little bit extra lead.
 
Wow

That is one sick collection!

You are all set for a very long time, well done and impressive!

I would love to take those puppies for a spin!
 
Mine came at 325g unstrung with 12g at 12 and silicone, I thought they were very unstable so I've added some lead at 3&9 but I've not had them strung up yet....
 
ClubHoUno said:
I thought it was about time we got a club for the TGK 238.5 YTPP racquets :D

I really like mine - great with VS team 17 mains and Alu Rough crosses for 8-10 hours

Notice the 2 lead strips that goes inside the cap grommets, notice the silicone in the handle, and TGK code under the leather grip - and notice the nice Head Finest Calfskin leather grip and the black and white buttcap ;)

qxrz2o.jpg
Click to expand...

You do know that those frames are just pure imagination right?. Just ask GameSetMatch he will tell you:). What you really got there is 4 old Kramer woodies with YTPP PJ, it really is just ask the troll.
Why did you put fishing-line into that pack of Lux savage??.
 
ClubHoUno said:
I thought it was about time we got a club for the TGK 238.5 YTPP racquets
Click to expand...
Yes, indeed. Sweet-playing pro stock frames, calfskin grips, possibly the most beautiful paint job around... If anyone is in need of a support group, it's you poor bast**ds. :)

Thanks for posting the photos; that's a great-looking set of racquets.
 
Great frames! Enjoy them--they must be quite recent, as Head only recently stopped putting TGK codes in the throats of their pro stock frames.

From June: I spoke to a friend high up on Head's 'food chain', so to speak, and he was quick to inform me that they decided to recently stop painting PT and TGK codes in the throat, and instead paint retail specs. The first batches of retail-painted, pro stock frames were sent to major customizing houses this past week. The frames themselves are no different, but the codes have been removed. And, quite frankly, though he didn't say it in such terms, he certainly implied that our threads have been one of the biggest factors in the decision. We'll still see pros playing with coded frames for the time being, but within a year or so, my guess is that they'll be obsolete on tour. I guess we'll now have to use our eyes to determine which frames Head pros are really using.
 
Last edited:
Mdubb23 said:
Great frames! Enjoy them--they must be quite recent, as Head only recently stopped putting TGK codes in the throats of their pro stock frames.

From June: I spoke to a friend high up on Head's 'food chain', so to speak, and he was quick to inform me that they decided to recently stop painting PT and TGK codes in the throat, and instead paint retail specs. The first batches of retail-painted, pro stock frames were sent to major customizing houses this past week. The frames themselves are no different, but the codes have been removed. And, quite frankly, though he didn't say it in such terms, he certainly implied that our threads have been one of the biggest factors in the decision. We'll still see pros playing with coded frames for the time being, but within a year or so, my guess is that they'll be obsolete on tour. I guess we'll now have to use our eyes to determine which frames Head pros are really using.
Click to expand...

I thought that this has been beaten to death already that TGK 238.5 = Youtek Prestige Pro and that anyone can buy from the retail store, unless I misunderstood vsbabolat. But I am pretty sure that he said so and if he said so, it is so...
 
dgoran said:
I thought that this has been beaten to death already that TGK 238.5 = Youtek Prestige Pro and that anyone can buy from the retail store, unless I misunderstood vsbabolat. But I am pretty sure that he said so and if he said so, it is so...
Click to expand...

With all due respect, he simply is not correct. TGK frames have a significantly different layup (different materials in different proportions) compared to retail frames, and the flexpoints of the frames are raised higher in the hoop to aid in heavier hitting.
 
Mdubb23 said:
With all due respect, he simply is not correct. TGK frames have a significantly different layup (different materials in different proportions) compared to retail frames, and the flexpoints of the frames are raised higher in the hoop to aid in heavier hitting.
Click to expand...

I guess that is why mine are starting to crack in the bottom of the yoke above the grip just like the retail.......................................
 
Do these frames have the same flex rating as the retail? I don't need a pro stock frame, as I like the retail YPP just fine, but I was just curious.:)
 
Mdubb23 said:
Because they are the same mold.
Click to expand...

No, You have many racquets out of the same mold but have different engineering codes. For example TGK238.1, TGK238.2, TGK238.3, TGK238.4, and TGK238.5 all have the exact same mold but have different engineering codes. As such all are different from each other. Engineering code is not just the mold.
 
vsbabolat said:
No, You have many racquets out of the same mold but have different engineering codes. For example TGK238.1, TGK238.2, TGK238.3, TGK238.4, and TGK238.5 all have the exact same mold but have different engineering codes. As such all are different from each other. Engineering code is not just the mold.
Click to expand...

vs - i'm a bit confused by the engineering codes... lets take the TGK238.2 (microgel prestige pro) and TGK238.5(youtek prestige pro). they have the same mold, same pattern (16x19). how would they be different then besides the paint? are they completely different racquets?
 
I have 5 of the Youtek Midplus with some lead at the 12 under the CAP Grommets.

Head Speed grip pallets have been added to make the grips more "round."

I use Babolat VS Gut in the mains and LUX Rough in the crosses at 46 pounds :)
 
big bang said:
Play both side by side and then tell me its the same:shock:, its not!.
Click to expand...

Correct BigBang- the fact that the TGK has lead placed in both sides under the cap grommets and a thick layer of silicone in the handle under the buttcap direct from the Austrian factory proves this.

Show us a stock YTPP frames that has that ;)

As mentioned in another post, BigBang has bought my 5.th TGK 238.5 - and he took the two small pics of the TGK label and the Silicone under the buttcap.

The TGK 238.5 plays much more muted in feel compared to the original YTPP, and I can almost guarentee it does not have the new D30 stuff (or what it is called) in the frame.
 
big bang said:
You do know that those frames are just pure imagination right?. Just ask GameSetMatch he will tell you:). What you really got there is 4 old Kramer woodies with YTPP PJ, it really is just ask the troll.
Why did you put fishing-line into that pack of Lux savage??.
Click to expand...

Yeahhhhh, I guess I must be on LSD, when I took these pics - they are an illusion in my mind, and the Luxilon Revenge....ooooppppsss sorry....Luxilon Savage is just an old lime green string I have had in my closet since the good old 90's....the VS Team and Alu Rough too, which nobody plays with except Michaul Tauson & Kenneth Carlsen, it's all in my imagination according to the 'wise guy' GameSetMatch, the little Teen Troll Spammer :D
 
vsbabolat said:
No, You have many racquets out of the same mold but have different engineering codes. For example TGK238.1, TGK238.2, TGK238.3, TGK238.4, and TGK238.5 all have the exact same mold but have different engineering codes. As such all are different from each other. Engineering code is not just the mold.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the 238 designates the mold, the .x designates the layup, etc...I am just guessing...
However, there is a significant difference in the hairpin of the Pro Room and a retail racket:
- weight
- balance
- flexing.
Customized to match the retail, the Pro room racket does not feel the same and definitely does not produce the same sound (pop) with the same setup as the retail frame...
I am not sure how can anyone claim that the pro room and the retail are the same thing when to start one is lighter than the other, flexes at different points and has a totally different balance (pro room is less HL to allow for silicone in the handle)
 
dr325i said:
Sounds like the 238 designates the mold, the .x designates the layup, etc...I am just guessing...
However, there is a significant difference in the hairpin of the Pro Room and a retail racket:
- weight
- balance
- flexing.
Customized to match the retail, the Pro room racket does not feel the same and definitely does not produce the same sound (pop) with the same setup as the retail frame...
I am not sure how can anyone claim that the pro room and the retail are the same thing when to start one is lighter than the other, flexes at different points and has a totally different balance (pro room is less HL to allow for silicone in the handle)
Click to expand...

After hours of testing a retail YTPP and the TGK 238.5, I can tell you that anyone who says the retail YTPP is the same as the TGK, when TGK is setup to weigh the same as the stock YTPP, DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT AT ALL !

The silicone in the handle and the 2 lead tape strips in the cap grommets (lead tape placed exactly like the lead you saw on the pics from of Fed's BLX90 Tour painted frames at P1) make the TGK play much more muted, solid and controlled.

Don't get me wrong, the YTPP retail is still one heck of a racquet, but feel is conpletely different between the TGK and the retail YTPP.

At first I could not believe that the difference was that big, so I just though my knee injury had to do with it, but after several hours of testing now, I can conclude they may be the same mold, but the stuff they have put inside the two racquets just make them feel like a Wilson K95 compared to a Wilson BLX95, the muteness of the TGK just feels much more solid and feels far better, than the also muted BLX95 I had earlier this year.
 
hebrewhammer said:
jeez man how much did it cost you to buy all that string????? thats a pretty legit collection you've got there
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

I didn't want to post pics to prove myself, but a certain guy with the initials G.S.M. provoked me again and again and again, calling me a spammer, a liar and dreamer with a good fantasy, so felt I had to post the pics of my stuff to prove I have these racquets and strings, and that club players can benefit greatly from using VS Team natutal gut mains and a good poly in the crosses, just read the latest analysis from TW University, which clearly states that no other string (full job or hybrid) - even not full poly - produces the same spin as natural gut mains and poly crosses does.
 
I thought I would just add my 2 cents...

I used the retail MGPP for a long time and then got the chance to buy a TGK 238.2.. They look the same and weigh the same but they do not feel the same or swing the same at all.

I respect VSBabolat and all he has contributed to these boards and if he saids they are made from the same materials I have no reason to doubt him.. BUT the fact of the matter is they do not play the same. It is most probably due to the silicone and the way the hoop is weighted rather than a different layup but IMO the TGK is a better feeling racket.

I also hit with a TGK 238.5 and there is a difference between that and the Retail YTPP in feel. Probably due to the same reasons. I only hit with it for 20 mins though and decided to stay with the MG versions so take that opinion as you find it.
 
onkystomper said:
I thought I would just add my 2 cents...

I used the retail MGPP for a long time and then got the chance to buy a TGK 238.2.. They look the same and weigh the same but they do not feel the same or swing the same at all.

I respect VSBabolat and all he has contributed to these boards and if he saids they are made from the same materials I have no reason to doubt him.. BUT the fact of the matter is they do not play the same. It is most probably due to the silicone and the way the hoop is weighted rather than a different layup but IMO the TGK is a better feeling racket.

I also hit with a TGK 238.5 and there is a difference between that and the Retail YTPP in feel. Probably due to the same reasons. I only hit with it for 20 mins though and decided to stay with the MG versions so take that opinion as you find it.
Click to expand...

I agree.
I have played with the 238.1 with no silicone at all, just lead, and the exactly same setup on the retail felt different...
 
onkystomper said:
I thought I would just add my 2 cents...

I used the retail MGPP for a long time and then got the chance to buy a TGK 238.2.. They look the same and weigh the same but they do not feel the same or swing the same at all.

I respect VSBabolat and all he has contributed to these boards and if he saids they are made from the same materials I have no reason to doubt him.. BUT the fact of the matter is they do not play the same. It is most probably due to the silicone and the way the hoop is weighted rather than a different layup but IMO the TGK is a better feeling racket.

I also hit with a TGK 238.5 and there is a difference between that and the Retail YTPP in feel. Probably due to the same reasons. I only hit with it for 20 mins though and decided to stay with the MG versions so take that opinion as you find it.
Click to expand...

I most certainly respect VSBabolat and his knowledge of Head Pro Tour racquets, and TGK 238.5 and YTPP could very well be the exact same mold, and if so, the difference between them is what Head puts inside the 2 frames.
I know the retail YTPP does not have silicone in the handle or 2 strips of lead tape under the cap grommets, and that alone makes the 2 racquets play differently.

As I say, I will almost take a bet - the TGK does not have any of the D30 stuff inside the tube.
 
I am by no means an expert on these pro stock frames. With that said I have 4 TGK 238.2 frames with the MGPP PJ on them and then also have 3 retail MGPP's. I have played with these extensively and can tell you that the pro stock frames are noticeably lighter in pure stock form without silicon or lead. Adding the silicon in the handle and lead under that caps makes this an incredibly stable frame that suites me very well. I have tried various things to get the retail frames to play similar but even when I get the specs very close in weight and balance they just don't swing the same or hit the same. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but there is a considerable difference. I suspect that the TGK frames with the YTPP paint are similar in makeup etc. to the previous version. Anyone who says that they are the same frankly does not know what they are saying. This is an interesting turn that Head is not printing the codes in the throat anymore. It's going to make it more difficult to verify the legitimacy of frames being sold that people claim are pro stock frames.
 
Now, now, I do not think that anyone's saying they are THE SAME thing. However, people are claiming that with the same weight and balance (matched), they would perform exactly the same. I disagree with that -- different flex points, stiffness feel, vibrations, sound, etc. Therefore, I still believe that the retail and TGK frames are not made of identical materials as some claim...
 
It is the same thing ie there is no qualitative difference between retail and tgk racquets to justify the price difference. Furthermore the market tells the story and we all know what happened to a demand and consequently to the prices of TGK frames...
 
Blade0324 said:
I am by no means an expert on these pro stock frames. With that said I have 4 TGK 238.2 frames with the MGPP PJ on them and then also have 3 retail MGPP's. I have played with these extensively and can tell you that the pro stock frames are noticeably lighter in pure stock form without silicon or lead. Adding the silicon in the handle and lead under that caps makes this an incredibly stable frame that suites me very well. I have tried various things to get the retail frames to play similar but even when I get the specs very close in weight and balance they just don't swing the same or hit the same. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but there is a considerable difference. I suspect that the TGK frames with the YTPP paint are similar in makeup etc. to the previous version. Anyone who says that they are the same frankly does not know what they are saying. This is an interesting turn that Head is not printing the codes in the throat anymore. It's going to make it more difficult to verify the legitimacy of frames being sold that people claim are pro stock frames.
Click to expand...

I agree completely with you :)

The TGk238.5 weighs something like 252 gram in stock form without the 'filling'.
It plays quite differently compared to the retail stock YTPP, much more solid and muted in feel.

As you say, anyone who says the TGK frames play like the retail frame can't have tested them personally - this is just not possible because of how different they feel.
 
dr325i said:
Now, now, I do not think that anyone's saying they are THE SAME thing. However, people are claiming that with the same weight and balance (matched), they would perform exactly the same. I disagree with that -- different flex points, stiffness feel, vibrations, sound, etc. Therefore, I still believe that the retail and TGK frames are not made of identical materials as some claim...
Click to expand...

BobFL said:
It is the same thing ie there is no qualitative difference between retail and tgk racquets to justify the price difference. Furthermore the market tells the story and we all know what happened to a demand and consequently to the prices of TGK frames...
Click to expand...

We will never know if TGK and retail frames really are the same unless someone working at Head Austria is a member in here and have actually inside knowledge of the Head Tour and retail production.

I don't know it for sure - but all I know is that the feel between the 2 frames are very different - but I guess this is something that can be done by adding some lead tape here and there and a pile of silicone in the handle :D
 
ClubHoUno said:
I agree completely with you :)

The TGk238.5 weighs something like 252 gram in stock form without the 'filling'.
It plays quite differently compared to the retail stock YTPP, much more solid and muted in feel.

As you say, anyone who says the TGK frames play like the retail frame can't have tested them personally - this is just not possible because of how different they feel.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the materials that these frames might be made up of, but there is definately something different about the TGK frames. As you said they are much lighter without the added weight. Mine were something like 280 without the silicon and lead. with that added they come in right at 340g total and the balance is about 8pts HL, this is strung with an overgrip. There is no one in my area with an RDC so I can't take the TGK and retail frames to have the flex measured to see if there is a difference. If anything I think the pro stock frames are a bit stiffer than the retail but I'm not sure.
 
ClubHoUno said:
We will never know if TGK and retail frames really are the same unless someone working at Head Austria is a member in here and have actually inside knowledge of the Head Tour and retail production.
Click to expand...

......the mystique of Head Pro Stock will never be compromised, it is a secret club of magic and wonder

:wink:
 
TGK 238.5/pro-stock YTPP users!

I was lucky enough to buy one recently. And following a new mod job I felt would 'better' my retail YTPP and would suit my present preferences, and following a new string job too, I finally hit properly with it yesterday... bottom-line: I'm VERY impressed with this racket. :)

Incredible, quite stunning feel. Wonderful control. You can just stroke it around and put it wherever you want to put it. Rock solid stability. Wonderful feedback. Supremely responsive from the b-line. More oomph and, well, more everything than not only the retail YTPP, but, well, just about everything I've hit with bar the very greatest (which for me is PSC 6.1, C10 Pro, PT630, Prestige mid, Rd7)...:cool:

The big question mark is quite how well this exceptional frame fits my aging b-line topspin moonballer game - :lol: ... seriously, I've slightly struggled with a fair few of the frames listed above, and I do now seem to get on well with easier to use, more forgiving, very open/powerful rackets... so, we'll see.

I'm very interested though to hear more thoughts, views, experiences, set ups, etc, re this rare and sublime racket.

So... who's hit with one of these bad boys then?!...



R.
 
Ross K said:
TGK 238.5/pro-stock YTPP users!

I was lucky enough to buy one recently. And following a new mod job I felt would 'better' my retail YTPP and would suit my present preferences, and following a new string job too, I finally hit properly with it yesterday... bottom-line: I'm VERY impressed with this racket. :)

Incredible, quite stunning feel. Wonderful control. You can just stroke it around and put it wherever you want to put it. Rock solid stability. Wonderful feedback. Supremely responsive from the b-line. More oomph and, well, more everything than not only the retail YTPP, but, well, just about everything I've hit with bar the very greatest (which for me is PSC 6.1, C10 Pro, PT630, Prestige mid, Rd7)...:cool:

The big question mark is quite how well this exceptional frame fits my aging b-line topspin moonballer game - :lol: ... seriously, I've slightly struggled with a fair few of the frames listed above, and I do now seem to get on well with easier to use, more forgiving, very open/powerful rackets... so, we'll see.

I'm very interested though to hear more thoughts, views, experiences, set ups, etc, re this rare and sublime racket.

So... who's hit with one of these bad boys then?!...



R.
Click to expand...



Anyone???...................
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lulo
Head TGK 238.5
Replies
2
Views
761
Gecko Tennis
Gecko Tennis
D
Head tgt 307.1
Replies
3
Views
362
dodu10
D
G
Pro Stock YouTek Prestige - Can you guess the model?
Replies
20
Views
2K
vsbabolat
vsbabolat
M
Is this a real Head Pro Stock TGK?
2
Replies
70
Views
12K
movdqa
movdqa
R1CKSO
PT10 in I.prestige paintjob
Replies
29
Views
5K
vsbabolat
vsbabolat
Back
Top