My choice of poly has been Signum Pro Poly Plasma 17g for many years and I strung this racquet 36/39 lbs. I always string cross a few pounds tighter. I don't know how it affects playability but I just do.
The Max 200g "could" become my racquet of choice
- Thread starter PistolPete23
- Start date
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Seems to be going ok. Played a set yesterday v a guy 10 years younger indoors. Usually close, he wins if I’m too defensive, I need to play aggressively to win. 5-4 me when we ran out of time. Backhand slice was like a bayonet giving him no floaters to run around and smack. More updates soon
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
How do you find serving? For me, that's the key when you get confident to really go for your spots with the MAX, it starts to become so natural.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
With serving, full commitment is rewarded. As is staying low and good footwork rewarded by better ground strokes, especially with the max.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Having recently tried Luxilon Element (good feel and pocketing) and Luxilon 4G (a bit too stiff) in a MAX 300i, I am currently deciding between trying Alu-Power RG or Alu-Power Vibe in a 200G. I'll probably go for Vibe because I read it performs similarly to SynGut. Somehow, I feel a MAX needs to have strings that notch for the full nostalgic experience!
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Have you ever tried full bed of natural gut?
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yes, one of my 200Gs came with it, and even though it was probably 35 years old, it still felt great. I'm leaving that one untouched.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I’ve never tried poly in an IMF. I always had used Nat gut or a multi. Very soft strings at 48-52 pounds
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yes, I'm doing an experiment at the moment in a few of my 2nd tier MAXes. Soft poly seems acceptable, but is not offering anything special over a decent Syngut/Gut/Multi. I still think the custard yellow Dunlop factory syngut is great. I have it in one 200G, on which the stencil is still sharp so it can't have been used much in 30+ years. Lovely combination of power, control and feel. I would use that today if I could find it, without hesitation.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Agreed. Great string.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Can't find anything similar amongst tennis strings. Thinking of investigating squash strings, at least just to work out what it may have been.
Mark-Touch
Legend
That is NOT the original and is a far cry from it.This is the actual racquet I have it was given to me by a friend who worked for John McEnroe in the 90’s. Signed on the cover by him.
I have several of the originals and that one as well.
I tried to play with the one you have (above) many times over the years, because
it is at least 10 grams lighter than the original, but it is missing the feel of the original.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Whilst I do like the originals 'Graphite' for their handsome dark design, I don't find much of a difference in feel between that and the 'Graphite Injection' or 'Grafil Injection' versions at least until the glossy (1990) and purple (1991), which had longer handles. Although, I do agree that there were probably more LM and M weights of the Graphite, whereas the later versions were mostly L or LM weight, which are certainly more whippy. One of my most classic feeling is a Teal Medium weight from 1988-89 (402g strung). Comedic plow-through!That is NOT the original and is a far cry from it.
I have several of the originals and that one as well.
I tried to play with the one you have (above) many times over the years, because
it is at least 10 grams lighter than the original, but it is missing the feel of the original.
Mark-Touch
Legend
You are definitely more up on the various versions of the Max 200G than I am.
All I know is that the version that says 'Grafil Injection' along the hoop is not the original, weighs at least
10 gms. lighter and does not have the same feel as the originals.
As I said, I tried to use it many times, (because I moved away from the 200G because of its excessive weight)
but it just didn't have the original 200G feel. For someone who hasn't played with an original, it will feel
mighty fine though.
I just looked at all four of my 200G's.
The two originals I have say 'MAX series Vibration Control' on the side of the throat.
My next later version says UK Patent 2015886 US Patent 4297308 on the side of the throat. (This one could actually precede the two above?)
The newest one I have says 'Grafil Injection' along the hoop.
When my feet heal from a recent injury I will dust off these beauties and give them another whirl.
For me they are winners in every department except for their weight.
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Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
You are definitely more up on the various versions of the Max 200G than I am.
All I know is that the version that says 'Grafil Injection' along the hoop is not the original, weighs at least
10 gms. lighter and does not have the same feel as the originals.
As I said, I tried to use it many times, (because I moved away from the 200G because of its excessive weight)
but it just didn't have the original 200G feel. For someone who hasn't played with an original, it will feel
mighty fine though.
I just looked at all four of my 200G's.
The two originals I have say 'MAX series Vibration Control' on the side of the throat.
My next later version says UK Patent 2015886 US Patent 4297308 on the side of the throat. (This one could actually precede the two above?)
The newest one I have says 'Grafil Injection' along the hoop.
When my feet heal from a recent injury I will dust off these beauties and give them another whirl.
For me they are winners in every department except for their weight.
All versions were available from L (334g-355g unstrung), LM (356g-365g unstrung) to M (366g+ unstrung), but there were more Ls from V3 Grafil Injection onwards as that was the trend later in the 80s. My V1 Graphites, V2 Graphite Injections and V3 Grafil Injections feel similar at similar weights.
The 'MAX Series Vibration Control' is a label that they added to V2 'Graphite Injection'. It isn't written on the original version 'Graphite' (which has very little writing other than Dunlop, MAX 200G, Graphite, the Patent and the size), but that still had the low vibrations that the IMF technology achieved compared to compression moulded frames. It's part of the paintjob chosen for V2, probably when they realised how good it was.
After the first year of 'Patent Pending' Graphite rackets, the Patents are shown in different places on different models, sometimes including the number, sometimes not. It's just another paintjob decision. They were drafted for the work on the overall IMF process for the MAX 150G in 1980. The same patent numbers (886, 308) are also listed on MAX 300i. There is no difference in the patented IMF process throughout 1980-1993.
'Grafil Injection' Appears from 1986 and continues until 1989. Subsequently 'Grafil Fibre Injection' is mentioned. They're all the same. The graphite filaments ('Grafil') and the Nylon came from the same supplier in the UK. Hysol was a US company that bought the UK subsidiary which supplied the grafil from the start, in 1985. Writing Grafil (and Hysol) on the rackets was another marketing decision for 1986-88.
There's a reasonably accurate summary of these nomenclature issues near the beginning of the MAX 200G 40th Anniversary thread.
They are all great, but you can sense differences in greatness mainly depending on the weight, balance and strings. For example, a soft multi is too mushy in my experience. Classic synguts or gut work best, but I'm currently experimenting with some polys with reasonable success.
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Mark-Touch
Legend
Thanks for all the details.
So it turns out that my patent label 200G is older than all my other ones. Interesting.
It's quite an amazing/cute coincidence that Graf used Grafil rackets.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Yes, whilst 'grafil' was used in the industry since the late 60s to mean graphite filaments, and the Golden Grand Slam racket was a nice tribute, I'm surprised they didn't just rename the 200G something like MAX-Steffi Grafil or similar for the last few years!Thanks for all the details.
So it turns out that my patent label 200G is older than all my other ones. Interesting.
It's quite an amazing/cute coincidence that Graf used Grafil rackets.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
I managed to grab 3 more first versions locally for 10 euros each and they are beautiful. Still with the lively covers with the red insides.
and they are beautiful. Still with the lively covers with the red insides.michael valek
Hall of Fame
Lovely I mean
DariaGT
Professional
PK yes the largest racquet manufacturer in the world at one stage or still is today??
I dont think there were many graphite injected racquets but for Fischer and Dunlop
and little company Angell with something similar to the Fischer 100 inch Mono with
very light SW and average static weight.
Im surprised the worlds largest racquet maker Pro Kennex never did a graphite injected Tennis stick.
Love to see 200G Dunlop in 95 inches 18x18 pattern 315sw and 300 unstrung base model for modifications kit
to change specs similar to some done by Head and other companies.
Dunlop could use McEnroe to advertise it in Dark Green with metallic Purple pinstripes/lettering or vice versa.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I do like the half-covers with the pleather outside and red velvet interior. I've seen just them for sale with no racket for €10!I managed to grab 3 more first versions locally for 10 euros each
michael valek
Hall of Fame
Am thinking to try some synthetic gut. Any recommendations?
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Basically any of the old simple ones in 125 or 130 guage is my preference. For example good old Prince Syn Gut original (not with Duraflex), Wilson Syngut Power, Babolat Syngut, Dunlop S-gut, Tourna Syngut. I would like to try the Dunlop in yellow.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Fortunately Dunlop created a racket that will last forever, which doesn't have a usual grommet set. There are just 6 individual ones that if they ever degrade, are easily replaced with Fittex, and a loop of 6 at the throat, which I've never seen degrade, but can be replaced with individual ones too. So all in all, most 200Gs are probably good for another 40 years at least.
NicoMK
Hall of Fame
I like Head Velocity very much. Very soft, good power and feel.
kevin qmto
Legend
like for all grommets? Pics please.
In order of oldest on top. There is another round hole version with a tapered beam that comes before these but I haven't got one.... Yet.
kevin qmto
Legend
Was going to say, the photos were too low resolution to clearly see the grommets anyway.
Crocodile
G.O.A.T.
People still use them. I know a guy who has about 10 of them and plays at a grass court club in Sydney.
It’s amazing when you find one as new. One of my customers has one that belonged to his brother and I had a hit with it and must say that it’s a very comfortable and solid frame.
It’s amazing when you find one as new. One of my customers has one that belonged to his brother and I had a hit with it and must say that it’s a very comfortable and solid frame.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I still use mine for training and most weekly club sessions. Only if I'm in a tournament do I move to a larger stick, which then becomes ridiculously easy to play with.
Each time I play, I fear I'm suddenly going to start framing everything, or get terrible arm ache from the weight; but it never happens, and by the end of the session I'm usually disappointed because a new thrift store find has sat in my bag un-hit. Only PS85 and perhaps Comfort Edge get near in terms of feel and control for me.
Each time I play, I fear I'm suddenly going to start framing everything, or get terrible arm ache from the weight; but it never happens, and by the end of the session I'm usually disappointed because a new thrift store find has sat in my bag un-hit. Only PS85 and perhaps Comfort Edge get near in terms of feel and control for me.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
max200g returns to practice today, with syngut. i started using syngut in a yamaha eos rz and it plays great, but i broke strings every hour so that has gotta stop!
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Lent one of my 200Gs to my coach today, who's a former GB team member. This racket is still tour ready. Seeing someone hit it properly is amazing. No issues with the higher weight, and the comfort was highly appreciated. I'm beginning to think the even distribution of the mass, like a wood racket, is the key to making it so natural and satisfying to swing.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
all ready for indoor season, where they actually work, as opposed to clay, where they actually don't.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
Very true, but outdoor hardcourts are also fine, so long as it's not windy.
michael valek
Hall of Fame
but sadly none of those here.........outdoor clay or indoor blue aussie open style
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
The popping sound you get indoors with fresh syngut, probably wins you a few points!
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Is that a matte pj on them?
DariaGT
Professional
All if not most grommets today are made from nasty polyethylene which is criminal
