The XT Graphene Prestige Pro 2016 update is excellent

The radical line does not have as much flexiblity, although close, as the prestige line...plus it has a wider beam for more power which I am trying to avoid...I prefer a lower power racket...

Also, I did not think 332+ grams strung is a tweener racket in the Prestige S with such a low power rating? The radical MP and Speed MP fit that bill perfectly... right??
 
vsbabolat said:
That explains why you like the Graphene Prestige. Youre only a 3.5 and think you're getting the same racquets you see on TV. It's all coming together now.
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That post doesn't even make sense. Go watch some college tennis. Every one of those players play with bone stock recent or current retail rackets, whether Wilson, Babolat, Head, Tecnifibre or whatever. And every one of those players would absolute wreck you with your PT630. You don't have to have a racket from 1985 or whenever to play good tennis. Getting a racket like that just because you think Murray, Haas or whoever uses it and closing your mind to everything else is just a case ego and delusion over ability.
 
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racket king said:
That post doesn't even make sense. Go watch some college tennis. Every one of those players play with bone stock recent or current retail rackets, whether Wilson, Babolat, Head, Tecnifibre or whatever. And every one of those players would absolute wreck you with your PT630. You have to don't have to have a racket from 1985 or whenever to play good tennis. Getting a racket like that just because you think Murray, Haas or whoever uses it and closing your mind to everything else is just a case ego and delusion over ability.
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Hahahah! You are hilarious! My mind is not closed. i am very open to trying new racquets. Thats why I know and can relate to what many have said about the Graphene Prestige because I too have experienced a similar sensation. I know for a fact what certain players play with paint jobs because I have had opportunities to hold their racquets. Not all college players play bone stock racquets. For example I know for a fact Noah Rubin did not. He had a Pro Stock instinct. You are talking out of your depth son.
Since you are so smart which one of theses is a stock Graphene Prestige MP?
image_zps6fcgkt41.jpg
 
I fail to understand why some of the GPP/GPS haters here can't accept that Head is moving to new territory because sales of the IG Prestige Pro was poor. The GPP has sold well and has been adopted by many younger players competing at high levels. And also, how can you accept that Wilson calls the PS97 line Pro staffs? They are a lot farther from their legacy than the latest Prestiges are their legacy.
 
Ozellman said:
I fail to understand why some of the GPP/GPS haters here can't accept that Head is moving to new territory because sales of the IG Prestige Pro was poor. The GPP has sold well and has been adopted by many younger players competing at high levels. And also, how can you accept that Wilson calls the PS97 line Pro staffs? They are a lot farther from their legacy than the latest Prestiges are their legacy.
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Here's the deal with the Pro Staff while they radically changed the mold and head size you can still go to TW and easily buy the original. In addition while the mold and has changed Wilson has kept the traditional braided graphite and kevlar composition. While with HEAD there is no more graphite and Twaron composition for the Prestige and you can't buy new ones of the original unless you want to pay through the nose.
 
Tangi said:
If that is what you're looking for, you can find it in the radical line so there is no need for Head to make the same for the prestige.



Never said it made it better. It's just not a prestige. Prestige = classic feel and 18x20. If one doesn't like that, he can go radical or speed, but why ask Head to change prestige to more 'tweener' specs just cause the wider public wants to have prestige printed on their racquet... Head prestige is becoming like all the 'catch-all' political parties you see today. It changes its core values just to please everyone and get more votes... doesn't make sense to me.
Click to expand...
It does make sense to you if you would be Head manager :)
 
Racket snobism is so funny.

Reminds me the snobism of Porsche forums. Anything not air cooled is not a Porsche. Anything PDK is not a real porsche. The 991 don't have the Metzger anymore and is not a real Porsche.

Same thing with whisky, wine, watches and what not. lol
 
I'm excited to try the GXT Prestige line. I am very hopeful that they play better than the first Gen Graphene Prestige. The Graphene racquets set the bar pretty low and I have liked a lot of modern Prestige racquets such as Microgel, Youtek, and Innegra.
 
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vsbabolat said:
I'm excited to try the GXT Prestige line. I am very hopeful that they play better than the first Gen Graphene Prestige. The Graphene racquets set the bar pretty low and I have liked a lot of modern Prestige racquets such as Microgel, Youtek, and Innegra.
Click to expand...

So exactly what did Head do to wreck the whole original Graphene line of racquets? Dont think i heard anybody like ANY of them (apart from the GPMP which was 11/10 stars awesome apparently) certainly not compared to the Microgel or IG before them or the XT line so far?
 
vsbabolat said:
Hahahah! You are hilarious! My mind is not closed. i am very open to trying new racquets. Thats why I know and can relate to what many have said about the Graphene Prestige because I too have experienced a similar sensation. I know for a fact what certain players play with paint jobs because I have had opportunities to hold their racquets. Not all college players play bone stock racquets. For example I know for a fact Noah Rubin did not. He had a Pro Stock instinct. You are talking out of your depth son.
Since you are so smart which one of theses is a stock Graphene Prestige MP?
image_zps6fcgkt41.jpg
Click to expand...

Who cares?

You're like one of those 3.5 equipment geeks who is forever bleating on about how great their RF97A is because Roger Federer plays with it. Tennis in the real world is about finding a racket that suits the player and which allows them to play their best tennis. Go watch some college tennis or futures or challenger level tennis. There are a hundred different players with a hundred different stock tennis rackets. You don't need a Head PT630, PT845, PT90210 shadow font 1978 edition used by Noah Rubin or Bilbo Baggins to play good tennis. You're clearly more of a racket collector than a tennis player.
 
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My speculation on this:

I don't believe they just went for polarized setup just to provide some modern game racquet. At least I don't see it as their main motif to do it.
What I believe is that they saw in it the opportunity to cut down even more on static weight, which means additional cut down on manufacturing costs. Because it's what polarization brings, same SW with less static weight.

But in doing so they just went too far with thin but stiffer layup and for some reason they failed to foresee that players would react on high pitched buzz, overall hollow feeling. Like they expected that modern feel of racquet would overshadow everything else. They obviously made an effort to correct it with XT line, while still not sacrificing their aim to stick to lower static weight polarized approach. Only this time they clearly changed layup to provide a less pingy sound and feel.

If this goes well in terms of sales, I see very little chance of Head returning to the older paths...

I see why old Prestige users feel cheated. Different racquets deserve different names. If Prestige is no longer a Prestige, why should it deserve to be called a Prestige? However Head knows that Prestige is a brand itself. They don't want to lose value (money) by burrying the successful brand. And of course it's again a sort of manipulation.
 
Zoolander said:
Dont think i heard anybody like ANY of them (apart from the GPMP which was 11/10 stars awesome apparently) certainly not compared to the Microgel or IG before them or the XT line so far?
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Well, I can tell you that I like my GPMP a lot. even to the point that I get returning to it no matter what I try. It is super solid, very controlled, good feeling, super arm friendly prestige.

It moves quick and I find easy to generate spin and power - this is obvious as the stock SW is 338, I have not modded it at all. I hit yesterday with GPMP, iPrestige MP, Flexpoint MP, YT IG MP. I really like the Flexpoint as it is 10g lighter but has decent 325SW. YT IG feels good but that SW is ridiculous compared to the weight. iPrestige is closest of the bunch to GPMP (SW335) but is bit too head light to my taste and upper hoop is bit too flexy. Regardless though it is a very nice racket as well.

So at least now you have one who REALLY likes GPMP!

And I am hesitant to try XT as the SW is brought down again. For me Prestige type of racket need beefy SW for spin and power. For example Pure Drive goes ok with less SW IMO.
 
racket king said:
Who cares?

You're like one of those 3.5 equipment geeks who is forever bleating on about how great their RF97A is because Roger Federer plays with it. Tennis in the real world is about finding a racket that suits the player and which allows them to play their best tennis. Go watch some college tennis or futures or challenger level tennis. There are a hundred different players with a hundred different stock tennis rackets. You don't need a Head PT630, PT845, PT90210 shadow font 1978 edition used by Noah Rubin or Bilbo Baggins to play good tennis. You're clearly more of a racket collector than a tennis player.
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I agree with this sentiment. No judgement from me for people who like to customize their racquets, but back when I played competitively, we hardly customized our racquets. We used the racquets that we just happened to try and like, or those that we got for free for those lucky enough. We used the string that the school had a deal for and got on the cheap. What if you don't like the feel, don't play as well with it, etc? Hardly anyone complained about these things, and magically, after a month or two of hard practice, not a single issue with the racquet. I'm sure if we nitpicked, we could find something we didn't like, but for the most part, with enough practice, any racquet could become your best racquet. Nothing against longing for a racquet you happened to like in the past, etc. but if you want the feel of an older racquet that you used to use, either go find that exact racquet or look around for a new one that feels familiar. It's not that hard, and as amateurs, we don't need to have brand loyalty. No one pays us to exclusively use head,Bab, Wilson, and so on. My 2 pennies.
 
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racket king said:
Who cares?

You're like one of those 3.5 equipment geeks who is forever bleating on about how great their RF97A is because Roger Federer plays with it. Tennis in the real world is about finding a racket that suits the player and which allows them to play their best tennis. Go watch some college tennis or futures or challenger level tennis. There are a hundred different players with a hundred different stock tennis rackets. You don't need a Head PT630, PT845, PT90210 shadow font 1978 edition used by Noah Rubin or Bilbo Baggins to play good tennis. You're clearly more of a racket collector than a tennis player.
Click to expand...
That's because you can't answer the question. You cat tell what's under the paint of those racquets. Yet you declare who is playing with what. I never talked about what players were talking about in this thread. You brought it up. Just agreeing with other posters on here at how bad the vibration and sound was of the Graphene. No, I'm not a 3.5. No, I'm not a racquet collector. I play with the racquets I own. Thanks for the advice, I have spent lots of time at those events (college, futures, challengers, and even the higher levels of our great sport). There are lots of players at that level that do get pro stock and paint jobs. I didn't know Bilbo Baggins was playing on the Tour? What his rankings? Anytime you want to put it on the table you let me know. You are very good at making accusations of someone you have never seen play tennis who you know nothing about.
 
Zoolander said:
So exactly what did Head do to wreck the whole original Graphene line of racquets? Dont think i heard anybody like ANY of them (apart from the GPMP which was 11/10 stars awesome apparently) certainly not compared to the Microgel or IG before them or the XT line so far?
Click to expand...
It was the feel of the racquet. It felt much stiffer which was ok but it was that buzz sound and the vibration that was the problem. The performance of the racquet was fine. Good sized sweet spot, flexed in the right place, good pop. It was just the plush feel was gone.
 
vsbabolat said:
It was the feel of the racquet. It felt much stiffer which was ok but it was that buzz sound and the vibration that was the problem. The performance of the racquet was fine. Good sized sweet spot, flexed in the right place, good pop. It was just the plush feel was gone.
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Exactly. For the life of me I'll never understand why this debate about the current state of the Prestige line is so adversarial for certain Graphene users considering that nearly all of them concede that the traditional Prestige feel is missing.

That's it. That's the sole reason why us pre-Graphene/older model users are disappointed by what happened to the line. So if nearly everyone agrees, why does it become rancorous if we ask if the new releases have a similar absence of classic Prestige feel, or if we express disappointment if they do?

No one is telling anyone else they can't like the new direction of the line. We just miss the way they were for so long and, particularly because lighter, stiffer and tinnier is the general direction in which the racquet industry is moving, we're saddened that one of the standard bearers for traditional players' frames has moved in the direction as well.
 
bobombom said:
I agree with this sentiment. No judgement from me for people who like to customize their racquets, but back when I played competitively, we hardly customized our racquets. We used the racquets that we just happened to try and like, or those that we got for free for those lucky enough. We used the string that the school had a deal for and got on the cheap. What if you don't like the feel, don't play as well with it, etc? Hardly anyone complained about these things, and magically, after a month or two of hard practice, not a single issue with the racquet. I'm sure if we nitpicked, we could find something we didn't like, but for the most part, with enough practice, any racquet could become your best racquet. Nothing against longing for a racquet you happened to like in the past, etc. but if you want the feel of an older racquet that you used to use, either go find that exact racquet or look around for a new one that feels familiar. It's not that hard, and as amateurs, we don't need to have brand loyalty. No one pays us to exclusively use head,Bab, Wilson, and so on. My 2 pennies.
Click to expand...
how are we supposed to go on and on about how life would be complete if head brought back the tk421.2 or whatever with posts like this ruining all the fun? dont tell me yall used synthetic gut, that will put the nail in the coffin
 
n8dawg6 said:
how are we supposed to go on and on about how life would be complete if head brought back the tk421.2 or whatever with posts like this ruining all the fun? dont tell me yall used synthetic gut, that will put the nail in the coffin
Click to expand...

LOL - that's the end of the forum! "Just play with whatever you have and be happy with it"! To be fair that's what i did for 30 years. I then took a break and when i came back everything had changed...
 
sma1001 said:
LOL - that's the end of the forum! "Just play with whatever you have and be happy with it"! To be fair that's what i did for 30 years. I then took a break and when i came back everything had changed...
Click to expand...

We're on the same boat, buddy.

Heck, even the poly strings have changed in between last 10-15 years. Poly strings from the start of 2000's were nowhere the same, they were more resilient, less dead, had more power, less spin, were more friendly on the arm and were dropping tension pretty quick. At least the ones I played with then (Polystar Classic). And now I find out that for modern poly strings I must drop tension a lot to get something similar I got from the old ones on high tension.
 
zalive said:
We're on the same boat, buddy.

Heck, even the poly strings have changed in between last 10-15 years. Poly strings from the start of 2000's were nowhere the same, they were more resilient, less dead, had more power, less spin, were more friendly on the arm and were dropping tension pretty quick. At least the ones I played with then (Polystar Classic). And now I find out that for modern poly strings I must drop tension a lot to get something similar I got from the old ones on high tension.
Click to expand...

Interesting - a fellow TTer was extolling the virtues of Polystar Energy to me the other week. Must give those a try. They sound a lot easier on the arm than some others...
 
Energy might be similar to Classic, I think they're both 100% poly (not a co-poly). All I can say from personal experience that Classic is just a great string (and you can see on str ing for um.net that I'm not the only one who thinks it, comments are pretty good for this string). Only please mind that it will drop at least 3 kg of tension after couple of sessions, and that it loses on control if tension gets too low, so to keep a good control it needs to be strung tight initially. I used to string it at 27/26 kg, it just requires that much but it's still playable until it settles, because of its elasticity. It remains elastic for a pretty long time too.

One thing also, those strings are pretty slick on slices, so the face angle must be a bit more vertical than with some other strings.
 
n8dawg6 said:
how are we supposed to go on and on about how life would be complete if head brought back the tk421.2 or whatever with posts like this ruining all the fun? dont tell me yall used synthetic gut, that will put the nail in the coffin
Click to expand...
Bahaha true that. Luckily, that wasn't all too long ago, so poly was my jam :)
 
Played with another couple different samples of the XT Prestige Pro.

2nd sample was a bit lighter, with a lower SW and flexier. Felt softer than the first one and without the feeling of mass at the tip of the frame.

3rd sample was somewhere between the two and had a nice weighting to it.

In all cases, it's an improvement over the 1st generation Graphene Prestige Pro. More stable and solid feeling, without the slight tinny / hollowness of the 1st generation Graphenes. Interesting, it feels more solid in the throat of the racquet despite Head saying that they've moved more of the mass to the poles.
 
n8dawg6 said:
thats what im asking, which radical are we talking about? if theyre like the pre-graphene radicals, great. but theyre not the graphene or XT radicals. so how are they radicals, if they arent radicals? is "radical" just an obtuse racquet theory?
Click to expand...
From what I gather, it's going like this. The Graphene Pro and S and GXT Pro and S are the new Radicals. The racquets that say Radical now are something new that is a little stiffer and quite a bit more polarized than older Radicals. I've never hit with a true Prestige, so it doesn't bother me much. I'd love to get my hands on a GXT Prestige Rev Pro and have some fun customizing it.
 
I get ndawg's point. If the new Prestige is like the old Radical, well, that may not be a PRESTIGE but is it still altogether a bad thing? Basis that feedback, I will park it as a future option.
 
racket king said:
Who cares?

You're like one of those 3.5 equipment geeks who is forever bleating on about how great their RF97A is because Roger Federer plays with it. Tennis in the real world is about finding a racket that suits the player and which allows them to play their best tennis. Go watch some college tennis or futures or challenger level tennis. There are a hundred different players with a hundred different stock tennis rackets. You don't need a Head PT630, PT845, PT90210 shadow font 1978 edition used by Noah Rubin or Bilbo Baggins to play good tennis. You're clearly more of a racket collector than a tennis player.
Click to expand...
supineAnimation said:
Exactly. For the life of me I'll never understand why this debate about the current state of the Prestige line is so adversarial for certain Graphene users considering that nearly all of them concede that the traditional Prestige feel is missing.

That's it. That's the sole reason why us pre-Graphene/older model users are disappointed by what happened to the line. So if nearly everyone agrees, why does it become rancorous if we ask if the new releases have a similar absence of classic Prestige feel, or if we express disappointment if they do?

No one is telling anyone else they can't like the new direction of the line. We just miss the way they were for so long and, particularly because lighter, stiffer and tinnier is the general direction in which the racquet industry is moving, we're saddened that one of the standard bearers for traditional players' frames has moved in the direction as well.
Click to expand...
It sounds like you guys are gonna actually start getting anxious and crying, lol. In comparison to the previous version (IGPMP), the Graphene PMP had a little more power, but felt like complete sh-t. Who cares if college kids use it? The specs alone make it an attractive racquet, except for the floppy throat. All the other prestiges before it felt a wholllllle lot better. There was not the vibrating-broken-glass-jelly-with-liquid-metal-mixed-in-it feel. There's a reason no atp pro in at least he top 100 (probably top 200) would even consider using it. Interestingly enough there were plenty who used the IGMP. Most of the top pros use older molds with plain graphite, nothing fancy. All this "new" hype and breaking technology for a modern tennis feel is complete marketing bs, that obvious worked on you guys. There's no way Head would offer this garbage to its main pros. Plus, 5point5 only used the GPMP for a short time, before going to something else (Tour G, I think). I cold care less about a PT630, PT, or TGK whatever, but I know enough to tell if a racquet feels good, duh. And this GPMP didn't, even if the specs were good (and I'm just a 4.0).

The XTPP, however, is close to a usable racquet. Head no doubt listening to all the gripes about the floppy throat and made it more sold. The XTPMP is not a usable racquet, unfortunately.
 
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When it comes to GXT and customization I think judging from what I've done with one of my Radical Pro GXTs, I think the results are much better than with the original Graphene Prestiges that I have. I've added 18g of lead to the handle and added a leather grip so now it's got the same balance and static weight as my PT57A which is 359g static and and SW of 333 with OG and dampener. The Radical swings 338 and is of course much stiffer but that being said, it's now a very solid playing stick with serious plow and stability. It's nowhere nearly as plush as the PT57A but IMO it compares favorably with what I remember of the RF97 that I've tested.

Hopefully the new Prestige line responds as well to customization.
 
I played with it yesterday. It pretty much is the same frame as the GPP. I noticed it had a bit less vibration than the GPP and it still makes a high pitch twinx sound, but not as loud or annoying as the GPP. I wonder if the sound is coming from the CAP grommets though. I will add protection tape all around the CAP next to see if it helps.

I added 3g at 3 and 9 (6g total) and the frame is rock solid at the volley. Lots of power and the control is excellent. I didn't need to counter balance with lead in the handle as it is more HL than last gen GPP.

An improvement over last year GPP in my opinion, but not sure it is worth the extra cost vs the discounted GPP.
 
AMGF said:
I played with it yesterday. It pretty much is the same frame as the GPP. I noticed it had a bit less vibration than the GPP and it still makes a high pitch twinx sound, but not as loud or annoying as the GPP. I wonder if the sound is coming from the CAP grommets though. I will add protection tape all around the CAP next to see if it helps.

I added 3g at 3 and 9 (6g total) and the frame is rock solid at the volley. Lots of power and the control is excellent. I didn't need to counter balance with lead in the handle as it is more HL than last gen GPP.

An improvement over last year GPP in my opinion, but not sure it is worth the extra cost vs the discounted GPP.
Click to expand...
It's not the CAP grommets. It's the frame that makes that noise. If anything the
CAP grommets would help reduce the noise.
 
racket king said:
What string/tension are you using? And do you use a vibration dampener?
Click to expand...

Full bed Revolve, 50/48, and no vibration dampener. I did use a vibration dampener when I played with AluPower and it really helped tone the noise and vibration down. But I used it out of necessity as the Luxilon was stiff and I absolutely needed it. But I prefer playing without dampener. Maybe I should just accept the GPP/GXTPP need a dampener.
 
vsbabolat said:
Hahahah! You are hilarious! My mind is not closed. i am very open to trying new racquets. Thats why I know and can relate to what many have said about the Graphene Prestige because I too have experienced a similar sensation. I know for a fact what certain players play with paint jobs because I have had opportunities to hold their racquets. Not all college players play bone stock racquets. For example I know for a fact Noah Rubin did not. He had a Pro Stock instinct. You are talking out of your depth son.
Since you are so smart which one of theses is a stock Graphene Prestige MP?
image_zps6fcgkt41.jpg
Click to expand...
The one one the left?
 
AMGF said:
I played with it yesterday. It pretty much is the same frame as the GPP. I noticed it had a bit less vibration than the GPP and it still makes a high pitch twinx sound, but not as loud or annoying as the GPP. I wonder if the sound is coming from the CAP grommets though. I will add protection tape all around the CAP next to see if it helps.

I added 3g at 3 and 9 (6g total) and the frame is rock solid at the volley. Lots of power and the control is excellent. I didn't need to counter balance with lead in the handle as it is more HL than last gen GPP.

An improvement over last year GPP in my opinion, but not sure it is worth the extra cost vs the discounted GPP.
Click to expand...
GPP and XT prestige pro are different frames IMO,,, nice upgrade .
 
Nice racquet. More responsive but less precise than the ai98. In stock form is perfect for clinics and doubles. Against heavy hitters needs weight.
 
psyvec said:
Nice racquet. More responsive but less precise than the ai98. In stock form is perfect for clinics and doubles. Against heavy hitters needs weight.
Click to expand...

You've just ended up with a light one. There are heftier versions of these out there - up to 336SW/345g+ at the top end of the ones I've seen - simply due to manufacturing variance. Just find one of those if you want a beefier stick.
 
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racket king said:
You've just ended up with a light one. There are heftier versions of these out there - up to 336SW/345g+ at the top end of the ones I've seen - simply due to manufacturing variance. Just find one of those if you want a beefier stick.
Click to expand...
There are not versions that are heavier. They did not intend to have heavier racquets. What you are sighting is bad quality control and lose tolerances.
 
It plays brillantly with 3g at 3 and 9. Mine is 343g and 343 sw with lead and overgrip.

Lend it to one of the great player at my club yesterday and wanted to buy it right there after 5min. It is a very good stick if you don't mind the sound.
 
vsbabolat said:
There are not versions that are heavier. They did not intend to have heavier racquets. What you are sighting is bad quality control and lose tolerances.
Click to expand...

Of course there are versions that are heavier. Mass market manufacturing produces variations. Even your beloved PTZ902010, iPrestiges, and IG Prestiges had manufacturing variations that produced multiples of the same racket with different specs.
 
Head is the company that drilled holes in the racquets, precisely of course, so they go off the reservation from time to time.

They will have persevered with some sort of graphene, for four years so what they do next is probably going to be different.

That wouldn't necessarily mean going back to the old weightings, but it could mean a better feel and sound off the face.
 
racket king said:
Of course there are versions that are heavier. Mass market manufacturing produces variations. Even your beloved PTZ902010, iPrestiges, and IG Prestiges had manufacturing variations that produced multiples of the same racket with different specs.
Click to expand...
It's not a version that has light or light medium on the side of the racquet. The weight you get is something that is purely by accedent. So, no there is no different versions like you claim. Just a talernce range in a particular model.
 
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