The Last of the Woodies -post your photos`s and comments of open throated mid-sized woodies

[Twenalexyy]

I’ve got a couple of mid-sized Kneissls and Donnays that still hit great, especially with modern strings. I took some close-up photos of the grain and decals and loaded them to nixplay.com so they rotate on my frame at home—gets lots of questions from guests who’ve never seen wooden racquets before. Fun way to keep these old frames part of daily life without cluttering up the wall.

 

[Backspin to the Future]

A new addition to my "Last Of The Woodies " collection.
It`s Maxply McEnroe Mid ..obviously not an open throat but still a bit collectable as I doubt they sold (or were made) in great numbers.
It weighs in at a pretty substantial 408gs !

It will get a little try out on Monday morning ..but I`m not expecting a lot in the way of stability for any shots not plum in the sweet spot (If the strings still have one)

McEnroe posed with it but I`m pretty sure he never used it outside of a photoshoot.

 

[Grafil Injection]

At 408g, it could be more stable than you think! Interesting that it has the acrylic throat, a feature I thought was only in the Maxply Superlight.

 

[Backspin to the Future]

I think the Mac version iis essentially the same racket with a more modern macho paint job @Grafil.
My Superlight weighs in at 388g with a thin overgrip -it`s only an L2 ,4 1/4 grip though as opposed to the M4, 4 1/2 McEnroe
Lay up identical.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Yeah, I think I prefer the McEnroe design. Those acrylic wedges are probably heavier than wooden ones anyway!

 

[retrowagen]

Throw the MacMid in with the Jack Kramer mid (a very brief last gasp of a midsize mono shaft woody from Wilson) and Snauwaert Dyno Wood as odd bedfellows.
These were sold concurrently with the (superior) open throat wood composites. But the composite racquet lot was already cast…

 

[fritzhimself]

This is my pristine NOS model.
I will certainly not be stringing this valuable piece.

The frame weighs a solid 381g, the racket length is 690mm, the SW is 340, the balance is 326mm, and the RA is a substantial 49!

 

[Grafil Injection]

This is my pristine NOS model.
I will certainly not be stringing this valuable piece.

The frame weighs a solid 381g, the racket length is 690mm, the SW is 340, the balance is 326mm, and the RA is a substantial 49!

What I particularly like about that is there is no wrapping on the handle, which generally ruins the grip after 40+ years.

 

[fritzhimself]

Ah, okay. Even with leather?

I've seen that happen quite often with synthetic grip tapes.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Ah, okay. Even with leather?

I've seen that happen quite often with synthetic grip tapes.

Yep, weirdly the leather dries out, even if it looks fine under the plastic. Leather needs to breath.

 

[kevin qmto]

Ah, okay. Even with leather?

I've seen that happen quite often with synthetic grip tapes.

Oh god, when you see the synthetic grips have that splotchy wet contact with the plastic sleeve, you know it’s just going to be a tar-like mess under that plastic wrap and it’s gonna get on everything lol.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Really impressed with the John McEnroe Pro, that @Backspin to the Future also showed above. I had been looking for one (or a JM Graphite) for a while to see if it was similar to a Slazenger V-24, coming from the same factory at the same time. I think they were also priced just below the V-24 too. There are many similarities, starting with the beam that is similarly chunky at 19mm from the handle to the mid-hoop, then 17.5mm to the top. The pattern is also a very evenly spread 16x20, and the Premium Leather Grip is like that from the V-24 and the Phantom IMFs, which is a noticeably comfortable leather. There are a few differences, like that the JM Pro has a longer handle and neck, and a smaller open-throat compared to the V-24, which has an unusually long and wide throat. In fact, the width of the V-24's throat is the same as a PS85's. And the JM Pro has a full FG facing, rather than a graphite lamination and a half-FG-facing of the V-24.

The performance of my 'Light' version (380g strung) is quite similar to a V-24, being very solid and stable, with a massive sweet-zone. The hoop is a touch smaller than the 84sqi V-24, which probably makes it a shade more manoeuvrable with a nice balance of 32.5cm too. But overall, the JM Pro is clearly of the same ilk as the V-24, which means it has a high quality feeling to its design, construction and performance. A big jump up from the Standard woods of the day, but still retaining a natural product feel. It makes me even more eager to track down a 'Light' V-24.

 

[michael valek]

I don’t have a picture but I had something similar from Olympus sport uk, open throat wood. Maybe 1982/3? Just before my awesome first metal racket, by Ascot uk. 1983/4 maybe

 

[Grafil Injection]

I don’t have a picture but I had something similar from Olympus sport uk, open throat wood. Maybe 1982/3? Just before my awesome first metal racket, by Ascot uk. 1983/4 maybe

Which Ascot? I have an Ascot standard size aluminium, but with no other name, that is really sweet. I think they had an open throat wood too, but Mark Cox had retired then moved to ISI so no one knew it.

 

[michael valek]

Tricky to remember as I was about 12-13. Was a kind of bronzy colour but I don’t recall any name on it. My mate had a Dunlop x-10 or something like that.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Tricky to remember as I was about 12-13. Was a kind of bronzy colour but I don’t recall any name on it. My mate had a Dunlop x-10 or something like that.

My little green Ascot aluminium has a smooth feel like a Prince Mag Pro.

 

[Ombudsman]

https://imgur.com/a/pD1HySV

Here are the two I’ve spent time with. The Prince Woodie is IMO one of the best looking racquets made.

 

[Jocko]

https://imgur.com/a/pD1HySV

Here are the two I’ve spent time with. The Prince Woodie is IMO one of the best looking racquets made.

I agree! And the Wilson Advantage!…