*****THE OFFICIAL HEAD PRO TOUR 630/280 Club*************

[Pro_Tour_630]

Ok I think it is about time we start our own Pro Tour 630/280 club. I do not have time to moderate this club but I think we can have some volunteers, I can help as much as I can. Please let me know who can help moderate this club. We need few people who actually use the Pro Tour and can answer many questions. We need to compile all information on the Pro Tour into this thread. All info is welcomed. Any trolls will not be tolerated and zapped. Keep it clean. Thanks

I know many on this forum who are still using these frames. Please check in so we can have a count. Thanks

Please register and tell us your level, style, specs and setup

#1 member 5.0 all courter
1/4 grip with anything below 1.20mm at low tension (under 55lbs) at 31.5cm balance with 327 SW

 

[galain]

Umm - I'm not in your league mate! I'll class myself as a noob for now because I don't much about this frame other than I've been using it recently and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Not sure how to rank myself - I play "A' grade in Oz - maybe a solid 4.0? All courter - 3/8 grip strung with anything soft at around 54lbs. (PT 630)

 

[snoflewis]

i know nothing about the pt630/280...but since i bought a couple...i have a few questions

1. the pt630 is the euro version of the pt280 correct?
2. what is the composition? i remember something about twaron...but what exactly is twaron?
3. any preferred string setups?

thanks.

 

[onkystomper]

Was a 5.0 but have not played for 12 weeks due to travelling so prob regressed to a 1.0

Pro Tour 630 with Natural Gut mains and Gamma X Strung between 57-62 lbs. Depending on what i fancy.

To Above

1. Yes
2.Twaron was a kind of graphite / fibress composite that head used to use. It gives excellent feel! But was expensive, hence used no more.
3. You should just dabble yourself, new frame = new strings just as important.

 

[vsbabolat]

i know nothing about the pt630/280...but since i bought a couple...i have a few questions


2. what is the composition? i remember something about twaron...but what exactly is twaron?
thanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twaron
The exact composition of the Pro Tour 630/280 is High Modulus Graphite and High Modulus Twaron Fiber. Twaron Fiber is a Aramid Fiber similar to Kevlar. Kevlar was developed by DuPont. But Twaron was developed by the Dutch Company AKZO. In 1989 AKZO changed it's name to Twaron BV. In 2000 Twaron BV is bought by the Teijin Group.

This gives a great description of Twaron Fiber. http://www.teijinaramid.com/smartsite.dws?id=90

 

[Nastase]

I'm in. Anyone leaving the club pls sell me yours.

5.0+ former college player, mainly baseliner. I currently string with Lux Flouro 17 mains and 17g syn gut or nat gut crosses at 55 or 56lbs. Tinkering with all gut as strings last so long in 18x20.

 

[rorschack]

Got a bunch of pt630 and pt280. I like it at 50lb. 1.0 going to 7.0. The Chinese are heavier than the Austrian. It must be because of eating too much rice!

BTW, i am tempted to try some co-poly for the fun of it. Should I? These things are so low powered and I am happy with my spin. Any suggestion? I've put kevlar on main at super low tension (47lb) and the spin was out of this world but the power suffered so badly.

 

[Ross K]

Although I was actually planning on starting my own club which might have included the PT, and despite very strong... ahem... 'feelings' for 2 other frames ... well, I suppose you'd better put my name down.

As I only recently got mine, I'd be very interested to hear other people's opinions and experiences on all aspects of how it plays.

As for myself, I've posted before on my initial impressions, I'll say this though... it's a very dynamic and mobile frame with a totally unique, classy, feel. There has also already been a significant improvement in my game. And it's just so liberating and confidence-inspiring to play with such an obvious rod of... (what can I call it?)... supreme excellence!

I should also say my only less than so far amazing impressions regard the serve and the grip feel. However, among other things, I expect these issues to be resolved with greater familiarity with the frame.

BTW, I'm about a 4.0... baseliner/developing all courter... string info, etc - not sure TBH, and as the strings were freshly put on by previous owner when I got it, and because I like them, I haven't changed them.

 

[jace112]

Stock PT630 Made in Austria
350 g strung overgrip dampener
32.5 cm
325 kg.cm² measured strung overgrip dampener
Signum Pro Pure Plasma @ 25 kg

 

[kinsella]

When I cleared out my PT280s, I kept one because it just hits so sweet, even if it was no longer the best fit for me. Great frame! I wish more sticks had Kevlar/Aramid/Twaron mixed into the graphite.

 

[Ross K]

Great frame! I wish more sticks had Kevlar/Aramid/Twaron mixed into the graphite.

Judging by the dramatic advances in how my FH is now firing ever since getting my PT, I reckon you've missed one important part of the composition - kryptonite!

 

[Pleepers]

I sold all my public/stock PT 630s and regret ever doing it . All I have right now is a PT630 paintjob frame and am now back in the hunt for some PTs.

Michael, I was reading an old post of yours regarding an iPrestige with glossy paint. Would you mind sending me a picture of this frame -I'd really appreciate it. Thanks (pleepers101@yahoo.com)

 

[Pleepers]

When I cleared out my PT280s, I kept one because it just hits so sweet, even if it was no longer the best fit for me. Great frame! I wish more sticks had Kevlar/Aramid/Twaron mixed into the graphite.

John -are you the same guy who is also on the tercel awd forums? I think you have saved me a couple of times -cheers!

 

[jayserinos99]

count me in. there's something about this frame that makes me hold onto them. i still have a couple in the bag now.

member #5: 4.25 all court junk-baller, L3 grip size, Head calfskin leather, no lead tape, strung with 1) Klip Legend 17 mains at 55 lbs, Isospeed Pro 17 crosses at 61 lbs; 2) Babolat Hurricane Tour 17 at 52 lbs.

 

[Ross K]

PT and serve?

How do ppl find it on serves? I'm new to the frame and just wondered what the consensus of opinion was?... BTW, thus far I've found my 'go to' serve, the slice serve, just isn't happening properly (I also think the grip shape doesn't help), and for kick, I'm really having to work very hard indeed for very modest results. Keen to hear other PT users 'serve' stories...

 

[Richie Rich]

i have a new PT630 with LM paintjob. Seems a little lighter than normal PT, even with the calfskin grip. Would that be so the pro's can customize the weight easier?

 

[Ross K]

i have a new PT630 with LM paintjob.

This subject that I've seen mentioned before on these boards intrigues me...

Q. To your normal, less-than-expert person as regards frames, how would they even know or tell that beneath a LM pj (or other racquet, if that's the case) there's a PT lurking?

 

[Pleepers]

i have a new PT630 with LM paintjob. Seems a little lighter than normal PT, even with the calfskin grip. Would that be so the pro's can customize the weight easier?

I think all the Head pj frames are now just based on the mold of the older frames (i.e. the PT 630, PC 600, and Radical), leaving the stock weight lighter for customization to the pro's desired spec. My PT 630 PJ frame was about 280g with just frame, pallet, and buttcap -then with CAPs and grip about 300g. Pros will then add about 20-50g in lead depending on the player and the pj they are using.

 

[Pleepers]

This subject that I've seen mentioned before on these boards intrigues me...

Q. To your normal, less-than-expert person as regards frames, how would they even know or tell that beneath a LM pj (or other racquet, if that's the case) there's a PT lurking?

You can tell by the mold of the frame -the dimples in the throat of the Head pjs are a dead give-away -but the stiffness and other specs of the frame will vary based on the player.

 

[BDAZ]

michael, i have a question for you. please forgive me. i in no way intend to hijack this thread and don't want it to turn into a radical thread, but i was curious if you've ever played with the original radical (trysis 260--same mold as the pro tour, does that count?) and if so how it compares to the pro tour? thanks.

 

[improlumens]

Michael, also sorry to post on here as I am not officially a member of the PT club. Would love to acquire a few PTs, but that is almost impossible now.

Wondering if anybody can compare the PT with the Radical Trisys 260 MP (mentioned in the previous post), the Head Tour Xtra long (also the same mold but with a 22 cm beam instead of the 21 on the PT), Kneissl Red Star and Kneissl Tom's Machine. Any recommended setups on these to create something similar to a PT?

I recently picked up 2 mint Head Tour Xtra longs, had them cut from 28 inches to 27.5 and outfitted one with a CAP grommet. Only had a chance to hit once so far, but felt very nice.

 

[tandayu]

The Rad Trisys 260 MP fells noticably stiffer and head-heavy in comparison to the cap version PT630. Missing is the flex character of the cap PT630. I tried put cap on the rad trisys which made it more head heavy. It is suitable for people with strong wrist.

I feel it is easier to use the PT630 than the Rad Trisys

The rad Trisys 260 MP is one nice frame, but hiding in the shadow of the famous cap PT630. I remember many pros in the past using it besides PT630. David Wheaton told me he only used 2 Head: Graphite pro and Rad Trisys (of course his frames are different than ours)

VSbabolat, is the Rad Trisys 260 MP has same 20 mm beam width as the PT630? It looks same to me, but 1mm is hard to tell

 

[vsbabolat]

According to the specs I have the Radical Trisys 260 Midplus beam width is 20mm.

 

[OnyxZ28]

4 PT630s
4 Austrian PT280s
2 Chinese PT280s

I have a CAP'd Trisys 260 too; that damned thing swings heavier unstrung than a strung PT630. Crazy.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Ok so far we have:

#2 vsbabolat (you are recruited)

#3 tandayu

#4 OnyxZ28

#5 jayserinos99

#6 Richie Rich

#7 rorschack

#8 kinsella

#9 Pleepers

#10 galain

#11 snoflewis

#12 onkystomper

#13 Nastase

#14 Ross K

#15 jace112

Please put up your member #'s in your signatures along with Pro Tour 630 and/or 280 with setup and/or specs

 

[tandayu]

This place also welcome those who at present does not own any PT630/280. SO not necessarily owner but also for those who has interest for PT630/280. Heck, I also join Ferrari, POrsche, Benz forum, and I do not even own any of those cars, but it is fun.

You can't ask for anything more of how much knowledge present here, there are Michael Chaho, VSBabolat, Onyzx28, jaySerino, Kinsella, etc. I gather many infos from these gurus in the past and present

Alex Tandayu, membership #3
PT630 with cap version (made in Austria above the handle) grip 4 1/4 plus tourna grip
Babolat pro Hurrricane 16 at 58 lbs (still experimenting different strings)

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Got a bunch of pt630 and pt280. I like it at 50lb. 1.0 going to 7.0. The Chinese are heavier than the Austrian. It must be because of eating too much rice!

BTW, i am tempted to try some co-poly for the fun of it. Should I? These things are so low powered and I am happy with my spin. Any suggestion? I've put kevlar on main at super low tension (47lb) and the spin was out of this world but the power suffered so badly.

I tried Co's and did not like them. I liked Ashaway 18g mains 45lbs with Gosen 18g cross 55lbs, I had the best spin ever on the PT630 and power was nice at first but when it got loser the power was low, so I just cut out the string and restring again,

Does you all know of ANY place where you can get these new?

I'm not a huge fan of buying used rackets...

Well if we get many members to pledge, we will try to get them.

Are new PT630s still available?
I wish I could get a hold of a couple of them.

Gee.. I remember some years back when PT280s were on the clearance section for about 80 bucks each.

You can not get them new unless if we put all our efforts together

They were on the clearance section for $49 I should have bought Uhmm 1 Millioooooon Dr. Evil

I sold all my public/stock PT 630s and regret ever doing it . All I have right now is a PT630 paintjob frame and am now back in the hunt for some PTs.

Michael, I was reading an old post of yours regarding an iPrestige with glossy paint. Would you mind sending me a picture of this frame -I'd really appreciate it. Thanks (pleepers101@yahoo.com)

I will try to dig it up will take me some time, there are few posters that play with the Stock glossy black iprestige Mid maybe they can help. start a thread about it.

How do ppl find it on serves? I'm new to the frame and just wondered what the consensus of opinion was?... BTW, thus far I've found my 'go to' serve, the slice serve, just isn't happening properly (I also think the grip shape doesn't help), and for kick, I'm really having to work very hard indeed for very modest results. Keen to hear other PT users 'serve' stories...

I love it on serves but so so on Volleys. Try true 18g strings like biphase 18g or Ashaway 18g mains with a very thin cross also try smaller than your normal grip size to get more spin

You can tell by the mold of the frame -the dimples in the throat of the Head pjs are a dead give-away -but the stiffness and other specs of the frame will vary based on the player.

I think you know this, it could also be a PT280 or an iprestigeMP, then you will have to look at the Butcap or the Capes to distinguish from PT630, but then again you can easily have both of these installed on iprestige MP or PT280. One give away is the foam pallets are different material on the PT630 than the iprestige MP. There are also a barcode layup that is underneath the pallets that label it a PT630 or made in Austria PT280 or even some early production Chinese PT280.

 

[etd]

I have 2 of them

1 Austrian Pro Tour 280 (purchased from Tennis Warehouse)

1 Chinese Pro Tour 280 (purchased from Big 5 Sporting Goods at a very low price)

Yes they each play differently, but I like them both.

Both rackets have 17 gauge string at 53 pounds

 

[Pleepers]

Woohooo #9 -I can handle that!

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Woohooo #9 -I can handle that!

Well that is what you get when you sold all those PT's :sad:

We need to have a pledge anyone who wants out and does not want his PT's anymore, members gets first dibs at a reasonable price

 

[Richie Rich]

Well that is what you get when you sold all those PT's :sad:

We need to have a pledge anyone who wants out and does not want his PT's anymore, members gets first dibs at a reasonable price

i don't play with mine - i just look at it now and again. i can't bear the thought of hitting with it. feel free to take me off the list for being a poser :lol:

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

i don't play with mine - i just look at it now and again. i can't bear the thought of hitting with it. feel free to take me off the list for being a poser :lol:

well in that case maybe you and pleepers can switch he can be #6 and you can be #9

 

[Richie Rich]

well in that case maybe you and pleepers can switch he can be #6 and you can be #9

that's cool. whatever you like.

 

[Ross K]

How do ppl find it on serves? I'm new to the frame and just wondered what the consensus of opinion was?... BTW, thus far I've found my 'go to' serve, the slice serve, just isn't happening properly (I also think the grip shape doesn't help), and for kick, I'm really having to work very hard indeed for very modest results. Keen to hear other PT users 'serve' stories...

As it went unanswered first time round, I thought I might repost again on subject of PT users 'serve stories' (ie, how they find the PT specifically for serving.). Also, I'd like to hear how ppl think it compares to other older, original Heads like the Bumblebee, PC, Rad Tour, etc.

Cheers...

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

As it went unanswered first time round, I thought I might repost again on subject of PT users 'serve stories' (ie, how they find the PT specifically for serving.). Also, I'd like to hear how ppl think it compares to other older, original Heads like the Bumblebee, PC, Rad Tour, etc.

Cheers...

I highlighted what I thought in post #30, do not worry about serves, it thumps/bombs on first serves, second kicks is trickier, string/tension play an important role

How do ppl find it on serves? I'm new to the frame and just wondered what the consensus of opinion was?... BTW, thus far I've found my 'go to' serve, the slice serve, just isn't happening properly (I also think the grip shape doesn't help), and for kick, I'm really having to work very hard indeed for very modest results. Keen to hear other PT users 'serve' stories...

I love it on serves but so so on Volleys. Try true 18g strings like biphase 18g or Ashaway 18g mains with a very thin cross also try smaller than your normal grip size to get more spin

 

[OnyxZ28]

This is my impression, the real gurus like vsbabs, chaho, tandayu and jayserinos99 are probably more credible, but I thought the PT630 was a good deal more flexible than the Austrian 280s I have.

 

[Bud]

CAPs

Woohoo... I should be receiving the CAPs for my 280's, today!

The 630's are nice sticks but I like my AG100s and My Prestige C600 as much, if not more. I'm hoping the CAP grommets improve the feel a bit more.

 

[OnyxZ28]

I thought you got 280s?

 

[rorschack]

Hey OnyxZ28 or anyone with similar string setup, how long does your setup last in terms of playability and/or breakage? You put any string savers on there? Looks like the Cyberflash would eat the Toughgut for lunch.

For me, if I put a decent multi (16g) on main and synth gut on cross, it would BREAK at around 5 hours. With natty gut on main, about 8 hours, which is not too bad because any longer, the string would be dead anyway.

I asked because I am toying with the idea of putting some poly's on.

How about this setup. natty gut on main and kevlar on cross?

 

[OnyxZ28]

I have the cyberflash/toughgut setup in two PT630s, with about 10-15 hours of use between them. One has gut mains and one has gut crosses. The gut mains have noticeable notching, while the poly mains are obviously showing less wear. Then again I should qualify with the fact that I have a relatively flat forehand and a very flat backhand, so string breakage is not an issue for me. Jayserinos99 should know better than me, maybe he'll chime in.

 

[jayserinos99]

I'm looking at my PT630 with Klip Legend 17 mains/Isospeed Pro 17 crosses and I've played with it around 10 hours tops (it's been in the bag mainly since I've been using the PC600) and it's got a bit of notching but I hit a lot of spin. It's locked in and the tension's held up.

 

[Pleepers]

that's cool. whatever you like.

Yeah! I'm #6!

 

[Pleepers]

Just curious if anyone ever tried putting silicone or anything other than lead on their frame as a means of customizing?

What are your guys's set-ups like?

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

Just curious if anyone ever tried putting silicone or anything other than lead on their frame as a means of customizing?

vsbabolat has tried silicone with some success maybe he can give us a review about how he drills a hole in the butt cap and inject silicone amount etc......... I thought you have injected some nasty foam. Tell us what that was like?

I put some lead above the handle on one of my PT630 and elongated the head shape, it increased my first service percentage by 50%, it was super duper solid but I can not handle it is few sets grinding ground strokes.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

whats the weight difference between the reg grommets and CAP grommets?

about 10 grams at least if not more, that is a lot of weight distributed around the hoop.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

I'm looking at my PT630 with Klip Legend 17 mains/Isospeed Pro 17 crosses and I've played with it around 10 hours tops (it's been in the bag mainly since I've been using the PC600) and it's got a bit of notching but I hit a lot of spin. It's locked in and the tension's held up.

sorry Jay, Klip/iso was not for me, it played horrible in my PT630 and rendered my PT630 useless. Klip 18g straight was crispier but did not last long

 

[pro tour 280]

my pro tours

7 Pro Tour 280's

6 Designed in Austria (3 with plastic still on grips, 3 with CAP grommets)
1 Made in Austria (CAP grommets)

Mains 18 gauge Crossfire 50lbs, crosses 17 gauge Head PPS 52lbs

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EcM2bRo4asXTg

 

[jayserinos99]

sorry Jay, Klip/iso was not for me, it played horrible in my PT630 and rendered my PT630 useless. Klip 18g straight was crispier but did not last long

Yeah, it's definitely not for everyone. About the only thing I'd change is that I'd go a bit lower in tension next time, like 52/58.

OT: I bought a 630 that was a bit wierd...apparently the guy must have changed the pallets because this guy stuck on the old PC600 pallet with the plastic collar on top. I'll link a picture soon enough...

 

[Pleepers]

vsbabolat has tried silicone with some success maybe he can give us a review about how he drills a hole in the butt cap and inject silicone amount etc......... I thought you have injected some nasty foam. Tell us what that was like?

I put some lead above the handle on one of my PT630 and elongated the head shape, it increased my first service percentage by 50%, it was super duper solid but I can not handle it is few sets grinding ground strokes.

Yeah, I injected that foam-in-a-can insulating crap that you can buy from Home Depot into an old pure drive. It added way to much weight to the frame and never realy gave it the more solid feel I was after. Plus it was a sticky nightmare -impossible to remove. I reccommend just going the lead tape route (easy to manipulate and effective).

ps I tried the isospeed string that Muster used in my PTs and didn't like it either. No feel, and it lost tension worse than poly (even after adding 6lbs of tension).

 

[sargeinaz]

Count me in fellas. I just received my Pro Tour 630 from Germany and this thing looks brand new. Made in Austria, full CAPS, barcode on the side, black buttcap with the old Head logo on it and not a scratch on her. I'll take pics and post them when I get the chance. Im dying to hit with it, but I have so many pharmacy school applications to fill out. Thanks to VS and Michael Chaho and everyone else for the info.
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