The Rossignol Vectris line???

[galain]

My name is galain and I am a Rossignol tragic. It's been 11 days since I held one in my hands...

But - tragic as I am, I never had anything to do with the Vectris line. I wouldn't mind trying some out and they seem to be out there in abundance. Does anyone know much about them or how the different models differ from each other? The 6000, 7000 and 8000?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Haddock]

Let's see if I can remember this right... The 6000 is labeled GK (Graphite/Kevlar) and is purplish. Wasn't the 7000 white? I don't remember... The 8000 is labeled Quartz and is red/maroon (all graphite?). The 9000 is labeled DP (Dyneema Plasma) and is green. I swear have seen a 10000 or maybe 12000 in a French store around 1995; it had a leather grip and a rainbow color scheme fading from silverish purple to pink, and it was very expensive. The higher the number, the more expensive, and stiffer/high tech the frame was, it seems. All were shorter than 27 inches, had a wonderful grip shape with a round butt cap, and were around 60 RA. The triangular beam (similar to a Yonex SRD Tour) gave them a muted feel. The inverted bridge seemed almost "welded" onto the shaft, which looked a little clunky, but it was a solid design nevertheless.

As to how they differ in feel from each other... Hard to say... Pretty similar, honestly. My favorite was the 8000 because the sample I had felt more headlight. The 6000 and the 9000 are quite similar, despite the difference in flex (the 6000 is more flexible, around 55, while the 9000 is a little stiffer, around 62 I believe). Both were around 300 grams unstrung with an even balance. I recall the 8000 to have more traditional specs: closer to 12 oz with a headlight balance. Sorry, it's been 25 years...

These are Rossis for the modern age. Although they are stiffer than the F-200 (everything is!), they have that recognizable Rossi feel, with the sweet spot in the same place and that wonderful grip shape. I could not see myself playing with a F-200 in today's game (maybe a F-250), but the Vectris hold their own in today's racquet world.

 

[BorgCash]

Let's see if I can remember this right... The 6000 is labeled GK (Graphite/Kevlar) and is purplish. Wasn't the 7000 white? I don't remember... The 8000 is labeled Quartz and is red/maroon (all graphite?). The 9000 is labeled DP (Dyneema Plasma) and is green. I swear have seen a 10000 or maybe 12000 in a French store around 1995; it had a leather grip and a rainbow color scheme fading from silverish purple to pink, and it was very expensive. The higher the number, the more expensive, and stiffer/high tech the frame was, it seems. All were shorter than 27 inches, had a wonderful grip shape with a round butt cap, and were around 60 RA. The triangular beam (similar to a Yonex SRD Tour) gave them a muted feel. The inverted bridge seemed almost "welded" onto the shaft, which looked a little clunky, but it was a solid design nevertheless.

As to how they differ in feel from each other... Hard to say... Pretty similar, honestly. My favorite was the 8000 because the sample I had felt more headlight. The 6000 and the 9000 are quite similar, despite the difference in flex (the 6000 is more flexible, around 55, while the 9000 is a little stiffer, around 62 I believe). Both were around 300 grams unstrung with an even balance. I recall the 8000 to have more traditional specs: closer to 12 oz with a headlight balance. Sorry, it's been 25 years...

These are Rossis for the modern age. Although they are stiffer than the F-200 (everything is!), they have that recognizable Rossi feel, with the sweet spot in the same place and that wonderful grip shape. I could not see myself playing with a F-200 in today's game (maybe a F-250), but the Vectris hold their own in today's racquet world.

What year Vectris line was made?

 

[galain]

What year Vectris line was made?

1990's

 

[BorgCash]

Got today Vectris 9000.

 

[galain]

Got today Vectris 9000.

Please let us know how it plays!

 

[BorgCash]

Please let us know how it plays!

Ok, wish it will be good. Need to install a new replacement grip.
It is my fourth Rossignol racquet.

 

[Kevin T]

I believe the Vectric line came out late 1990/1991. I remember because I saw them in a pro shop at Myrtle Beach the summer before my senior year of high school. I had saved up my money to buy a new Rossi and went with the previous year's FT 5.80, a racquet I used a loved for years and years. My favorite Rossi ever. Very much reminded me of Yonex at the time. I was never a fan of the Vectris line, to be honest. I did like the 6000 purple/black model the best. I believe Derrick Rostagno played it breifly. It was a little less stiff/more playable to me. The Vectris line has a triangular cross section to stiffen up the frame . I've tried a lot of frames in a lot of racquet sports and I just don't like the feel that design provides.

Hello Galain!!! I hope you are well. Living the dream here in NorCal. Rarely play tennis these days, chasing 4 kids around. Take care!

 

[galain]

Kev! I just typed out a long ass PM but the system told me it wasn't able to be sent. Nice to see you! NorCal looks like such a pretty spot, but I thought SD was treating you nicely. You still in the same line of work? I hope you're keeping safe. Nice to hear your life is happy and full. Take it easy bro.

 

[BorgCash]

Did Larisa Savchenko use the Vectris line racquet? He used Rossi since 1986-87 probably, so it was other model, but did she switch to Vectris later?

 

[ian10Strainer]

I actually worked for Rossignol in the early 1990's. I traveled on tour promoting the t-shirts and clothing as well as the rackets including the Vectris line. Our most noteworthy players were Mal Washington, he wore the clothing and used the rackets before he switched to Yonex and Reebok. Maggie Maleeva, Derrick Rostagno, Ann Grossman, Jonas Svensson, and of course Wilander were all Rossignol players. The clothing line didn't last too long maybe 5-10 years after it was introduced, but it was a great job out of college. I got to go to the French Open where they had a booth and we had one at the US Open for a couple of years.

 

[galain]

@ian10Strainer - it's awesome to have you here dude. Sounds like you were around just as Rossi tennis was starting to vanish. I had a French rooster T shirt in the 80s. I loved it even though it was terrible on me. Long and skinny (unlike me) and wrinkled as soon as you looked at it. I kept it until it fell apart!

 

[Kevin T]

Kev! I just typed out a long ass PM but the system told me it wasn't able to be sent. Nice to see you! NorCal looks like such a pretty spot, but I thought SD was treating you nicely. You still in the same line of work? I hope you're keeping safe. Nice to hear your life is happy and full. Take it easy bro.

Bummer. I think I'm set up to receive PM's?

Oh well. Same line of work. Had a great opportunity and my wife's family is in northern Cali, so we made the move. Still have the place in San Diego for retirement, fingers crossed! Stay well!

 

[Kevin T]

I actually worked for Rossignol in the early 1990's. I traveled on tour promoting the t-shirts and clothing as well as the rackets including the Vectris line. Our most noteworthy players were Mal Washington, he wore the clothing and used the rackets before he switched to Yonex and Reebok. Maggie Maleeva, Derrick Rostagno, Ann Grossman, Jonas Svensson, and of course Wilander were all Rossignol players. The clothing line didn't last too long maybe 5-10 years after it was introduced, but it was a great job out of college. I got to go to the French Open where they had a booth and we had one at the US Open for a couple of years.

Thanks for the post! Wish I knew you 30 years ago. I used to scour ski shops for Rossi gear. I was a big Mal Washington fan but no one carried the Rossi clothing line, so I could only dream. I was able to find a few t-shirts in ski shops and the H Bird. It was even next to impossible to find a Rossi racquet bag. My first Rossi was the F330, circa 1988. Moved on to the F280, then 295, then FT 5.80, which I used for years. I really wanted the Diva model that Mal used but again, couldn't find it anywhere. Actuallly found one on the big auction site over a year ago and I'm pretty sure it's one of his old stock...ton of lead under the grip and marked/label like a pro stock. It came from FL. Anyway, glad to see your post and feel free to bless us with any Rossi knowledge/stories. You won't find bigger Rossi fans than Galain and I. We've messaged back and forth for nearly 20 years, mostly about life and Rossignol.

 

[BorgCash]

Thanks for the post! Wish I knew you 30 years ago. I used to scour ski shops for Rossi gear. I was a big Mal Washington fan but no one carried the Rossi clothing line, so I could only dream. I was able to find a few t-shirts in ski shops and the H Bird. It was even next to impossible to find a Rossi racquet bag. My first Rossi was the F330, circa 1988. Moved on to the F280, then 295, then FT 5.80, which I used for years. I really wanted the Diva model that Mal used but again, couldn't find it anywhere. Actuallly found one on the big auction site over a year ago and I'm pretty sure it's one of his old stock...ton of lead under the grip and marked/label like a pro stock. It came from FL. Anyway, glad to see your post and feel free to bless us with any Rossi knowledge/stories. You won't find bigger Rossi fans than Galain and I. We've messaged back and forth for nearly 20 years, mostly about life and Rossignol.

Can you tell something about specific of Rossi racquets? Several days ago i got F330, I was told it was a top model of 1989, correct or not? Just few days later got Vectris 9000 from the same person, beautiful racquet though i prefer older models. Already got F295 and F200.

 

[NicoMK]

I've played with the F200 for years. Tried the F295 for some months too ; reading all this make me want playing with these old gems again. Never tried the Vectris line.

 

[Kevin T]

Can you tell something about specific of Rossi racquets? Several days ago i got F330, I was told it was a top model of 1989, correct or not? Just few days later got Vectris 9000 from the same person, beautiful racquet though i prefer older models. Already got F295 and F200.

I believe it was one of the top models. I got mine in 1989. Can’t remember specifics but it had a slightly larger head than the f200 and to me, had a bit more power. It was still very flexible, though. Wide bodies were coming out around this time and the difference was night and day.


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[Reyrevilla]

hi, i have many rossignol ft line, including four diva, two green and two black grey azure, i play today with those rackets that has special feeling for the head shape and swingweight, but today, i find
modern rackets are better performing globally

 

[BumElbow]

I think the Vectris was the last Rossignol model tennis racquet sold in the USA. We had one when I worked for Paragon Sporting goods and we could not sell it.

The last professional tennis player to use the brand was Mal Washington. I worked in the interview room and asked him about his racquets. He said that the frames "keep cracking" on him but played fine.

 

[Reyrevilla]

yes, he was using in 92-93 a rossignol diva (like the ft series), i think, customized by jay schweid

 

[t-swede]

Where there any other oversize models in the vectris line besides the 9000 dp? Regards

 

[t-swede]

??

 

[Crocodile]

I used to use the 6000 in the heavier version in the purple and it was a very comfortable frame for the time with good feel.

 

[t-swede]

How heavy was it?

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

Where there any other oversize models in the vectris line besides the 9000 dp? Regards

I have a Vectris 8000 oversize I bought due to fascination with its exotic frame shape, the fact that it's a Rossi with an inverted bridge, and its low price. It's a beautiful dark red color, head-heavy, and stiffer than I like. After I stuffed 24g of putty into the handle, it measured (strung) 300 g, 4 pt HL, SW 326.

 

[BumElbow]

I actually worked for Rossignol in the early 1990's. I traveled on tour promoting the t-shirts and clothing as well as the rackets including the Vectris line. Our most noteworthy players were Mal Washington, he wore the clothing and used the rackets before he switched to Yonex and Reebok. Maggie Maleeva, Derrick Rostagno, Ann Grossman, Jonas Svensson, and of course Wilander were all Rossignol players. The clothing line didn't last too long maybe 5-10 years after it was introduced, but it was a great job out of college. I got to go to the French Open where they had a booth and we had one at the US Open for a couple of years.

I used to work in the press box of the U.S. Open. After a match on a very hot day, I was asked to bring Mal Washington to the interview room but he was not feeling well from having played in the heat. I asked him about his Rossignol racquet and he said they kept cracking. Obviously, durability of the design was a problem. Stiff racquets have a tendency to crack.

When I worked at Paragon Sporting Goods in NYC, we carried the Vectris line. The oversize widebody version of the Vectris was a lot to swing - the head shape was cumbersome when expanded to a 110 head size. For sure, the inverted bridge design created a stable racquet and a predictable response at the expense of maneuverability.