Which racquet do you prefer and why? Just racquets mentioned.

[ilian]

1. Dunlop Max 200G.

2. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras).

3. Head Prestige Classic.

4. Adidas GTX (Ivan Lendl).

5. Volkl C10.

6. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander).

7. Dunlop Aerogel 100.

8. Redondo.

9. PK 5G.

10. Dunlop Revelation Classic Pro 90.

11. Dunlop Black Max.

12. Babolat Pure Storm Ltd.

13. POG Mid.

 

[Fedace]

^^^I thnk Dunlop Aerogel 100. It is most up to date, technologically. pretty good balance of power and control. and very serve friendly.
I think Wilson 6.0 85 is certainly a classic and a legendary frame but it has to be customized to fit your game. as it is stock frame, it had some weaknesses.

 

[goosala]

I liked the Redondo because of its awesome feel and flex.

 

[hoodjem]

^^^Awesome flex?

(As in too much?)

 

[Winners or Errors]

Suspecting that people may comment without having played any of the racquets but one, here's what I've played: Lendl GTX Pro and Black Max. I did hit with the ProStaff 6.0 85, so I'll include it.

Here are my thoughts. ProStaff I remember being very crisp and powerful in comparison to the Black Max, which I was playing at the time. That said, I liked the Black Max more, because I felt I had more control on touch shots.

As for the Lendl GTX Pro, I liked it more than the Black Max on every stroke but the serve, because I had a medium weight version of the GTX and could never generate enough headspeed with it to hit an effective serve.

YMMV, but given what I've used I'd have to say the Lendl GTX is the best of the racquets you have on your list that I have hit with. It had a more solid, less powerful feel than the ProStaff, which I like, and in an LM or L version I suspect the serving thing would have worked itself out just fine...

I suspect it will be difficult to find anyone who has played with all of the racquets on your list. If you have specific questions about the Adidas/Kneissl frame or the Black Max, feel free. Good luck.

 

[pow]

Another vote for the Redondo.

Not sure how the Aerogel is "most up to date, technologically" unless hollow feel helps with power and spin of course.

 

[jbleiman]

i just started playing with the 200g max...it is a tank... i'm loving it so far....seems great for elbow too...almost no vibration

 

[ilian]

i just started playing with the 200g max...it is a tank... i'm loving it so far....seems great for elbow too...almost no vibration

You won't find a racquet with less vibration than this one.

 

[AndrewD]

1. Dunlop Max 200G. (John McEnroe/Ramesh Krishnan)

2. Head Prestige Classic. (Goran Ivanisevic and half of Europe)

3. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras).

4. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander).

Couldn't pick one so ranked my favourites in my order of preference. If you'd included the POG Mid (strange that you didn't) I'd have put that at #1.

 

[ilian]

Couldn't pick one so ranked my favourites in my order of preference. If you'd included the POG Mid (strange that you didn't) I'd have put that at #1.

I meant to do it, but I forgot...

 

[shadowrtype]

Your post caught my eye as your top 3 are my favorites! These are the ones I've played with and I've listed them in order of preference.

1. Dunlop Max 200G. - Flexy and firm on demand. The best of both worlds!
2. Head Prestige Classic. - Beautiful feel and balance.
3. Wilson 6.0 85. - Great spin but a bit too firm for my liking.
4. Redondo. - Very nice flex but there was something missing for me. It just didn't have the "solid" feel that I get from the other flexy racquets.

My choices are based on just "feel" and not performance. Not being the competitive type I can only say that my performance has been pretty even when using any of these.

Sorry this may not be useful if anyone is trying to determine if any one racquet is better to help them win more. I think I focus more on the feel when choosing racquets, and then it becomes a trust and confidence relationship with my stick to help me play better. That's just me.

 

[ilian]

Your post caught my eye as your top 3 are my favorites! These are the ones I've played with and I've listed them in order of preference.

1. Dunlop Max 200G. - Flexy and firm on demand. The best of both worlds!
2. Head Prestige Classic. - Beautiful feel and balance.
3. Wilson 6.0 85. - Great spin but a bit too firm for my liking.
4. Redondo. - Very nice flex but there was something missing for me. It just didn't have the "solid" feel that I get from the other flexy racquets.

My choices are based on just "feel" and not performance. Not being the competitive type I can only say that my performance has been pretty even when using any of these.

Sorry this may not be useful if anyone is trying to determine if any one racquet is better to help them win more. I think I focus more on the feel when choosing racquets, and then it becomes a trust and confidence relationship with my stick to help me play better. That's just me.

Your post is great! All opinions are welcome and I appreciate them. Thanks!

 

[gymrat76]

1. Dunlop Max 200G.

2. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras).

3. Head Prestige Classic.

4. Adidas GTX (Ivan Lendl).

5. Volkl C10.

6. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander).

7. Dunlop Aerogel 100.

8. Redondo.

9. PK 5G.

10. Dunlop Revelation Classic Pro 90.

11. Dunlop Black Max.

12. Babolat Pure Storm Ltd.

13. POG Mid.

Hi Ilian,
Thanks for the suggestions as to finding partners! Already tried most of what you suggested, so I am sure eventually things will pick up. And if anything brings me to Bulgaria, most definitely would be glad to arrange a get-together for a hitting!

As for my picks, my order of preference among the ones I played with would be:
1- Head Pro Tour 630 - I know it is not on the list. Well, I like to think outside the box! To me, this racquet has the perfect balance, perfect of everything. Period. Strung with Bab VS 16 gut, it is a dream. However, due to "tennis limitations" in where I live, I did not get to interact with my racquet a lot.

2- Max 200G - This racquet, I came across totally out of the blue. Purchased two, one being in brand-spanking-new condition and one is 8/10, I could not resist but try this racquet. Prior to playing with it, I did remember reading about it in TW forums, that, whatever Americans feel about the PS 6.0 85, it is how Europeans think highly for the Max 200G. The first time I picked it up, it absolutely felt like a club, or more like a wooden racquet. I never played with one, but it felt like it. And I played with alikes of RD7 and POG OS, I like heavy. But Max 200G felt different in a way that, this is a grandpa stick. It was a total misjudgement on my part. It took only a dozen balls to get used to the balance of the racquet. I can totally crush the ball from one corner to another, with a simple whooooosh in air. The feel is addictive. Addictive like 6.0 85, but in a different sweet way. I initally thought that, the racquet will take me for a visit to shank city, but nothing like that. I did not frame one single shot. Only problem I have with the racquet is that, the strings on it are moving like crazy. Actually, I am able to generate some good spin with the loose strings on it. But they became very loose after exclusively playing with it lately. Ilian, do you have a string and tension suggestion for the Max200G, since you know this stick the best next to McEnroe? I just need something that will still cup the ball like now, but strings better not move.

3- Pro Staff 6.0 85: Just received my San Vincent 6.0 85. The racquet, in my opinion, really needs lead at 3&9 in order to gain stability. So, I opted to try the Sampras set up. Put three layers of lead at 3&9 exactly as in the pics here in TW and had it strung at 58 lbs w/ a soft synthetic (forten sweet 17) to counteract the stiffness. I cant say I like the results. It is a very powerful setup. The ball goes direct past the b-line. Not able to bring the ball down. I guess I will have to either put gut in mains to cup and keep the ball in, or drop the tension to high 40s or low 50s and take some lead off from head and put it to throat. Still experimenting with this...

 

[ilian]

Hi Ilian,
Thanks for the suggestions as to finding partners! Already tried most of what you suggested, so I am sure eventually things will pick up. And if anything brings me to Bulgaria, most definitely would be glad to arrange a get-together for a hitting!

As for my picks, my order of preference among the ones I played with would be:
1- Head Pro Tour 630 - I know it is not on the list. Well, I like to think outside the box! To me, this racquet has the perfect balance, perfect of everything. Period. Strung with Bab VS 16 gut, it is a dream. However, due to "tennis limitations" in where I live, I did not get to interact with my racquet a lot.

2- Max 200G - This racquet, I came across totally out of the blue. Purchased two, one being in brand-spanking-new condition and one is 8/10, I could not resist but try this racquet. Prior to playing with it, I did remember reading about it in TW forums, that, whatever Americans feel about the PS 6.0 85, it is how Europeans think highly for the Max 200G. The first time I picked it up, it absolutely felt like a club, or more like a wooden racquet. I never played with one, but it felt like it. And I played with alikes of RD7 and POG OS, I like heavy. But Max 200G felt different in a way that, this is a grandpa stick. It was a total misjudgement on my part. It took only a dozen balls to get used to the balance of the racquet. I can totally crush the ball from one corner to another, with a simple whooooosh in air. The feel is addictive. Addictive like 6.0 85, but in a different sweet way. I initally thought that, the racquet will take me for a visit to shank city, but nothing like that. I did not frame one single shot. Only problem I have with the racquet is that, the strings on it are moving like crazy. Actually, I am able to generate some good spin with the loose strings on it. But they became very loose after exclusively playing with it lately. Ilian, do you have a string and tension suggestion for the Max200G, since you know this stick the best next to McEnroe? I just need something that will still cup the ball like now, but strings better not move.

3- Pro Staff 6.0 85: Just received my San Vincent 6.0 85. The racquet, in my opinion, really needs lead at 3&9 in order to gain stability. So, I opted to try the Sampras set up. Put three layers of lead at 3&9 exactly as in the pics here in TW and had it strung at 58 lbs w/ a soft synthetic (forten sweet 17) to counteract the stiffness. I cant say I like the results. It is a very powerful setup. The ball goes direct past the b-line. Not able to bring the ball down. I guess I will have to either put gut in mains to cup and keep the ball in, or drop the tension to high 40s or low 50s and take some lead off from head and put it to throat. Still experimenting with this...

You are welcome!

What gauge string are you using for the Max 200G? Poly or syn gut or? String it at 55 lbs and if it doesn't feel right then start adjusting from there. McEnroe played with it stung on about 47 lbs. I am not sure what type or gauge of string he used though. This is very important, because, as you probably know, different gauges of string feel different at the same tension.

About the Wilson,

Remember that Pete Sampras strung his racquet on 75 lbs and then leaded it up... That way, it was not too powerful. When you add lead, you gain both power and control, hence the higher tension you can/should move to. Also, every player is a different individual with different body and technique so one set up doesn't work for everyone, be it the set up of Pete Sampras...

Lastly,

I am a Bulgarian, but I do not live there. I have been living in the U.S. for the last seven years and I have no idea if/when I will go back to Bulgaria. For that reason, even if you went to Bulgaria, I probably won't be there.

 

[nickb]

I only really like the PS 85 out of them:

1. Dunlop Max 200G. - noodle

2. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras).

3. Head Prestige Classic. - nice but not great for spin

4. Adidas GTX (Ivan Lendl). - Too small

5. Volkl C10. - Noodle dead upper hoop

6. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander). -Uh

7. Dunlop Aerogel 100. -Too light

8. Redondo. - Noodle

9. PK 5G. - I dont have a bad arm

10. Dunlop Revelation Classic Pro 90. - really nice but PS85 is better

11. Dunlop Black Max. - noodle

12. Babolat Pure Storm Ltd. - its a babolat :-?

13. POG Mid. - why would I want to spend my life stringing?

Nick

 

[pianotennis]

Only problem I have with the racquet is that, the strings on it are moving like crazy. ....... I just need something that will still cup the ball like now, but strings better not move.

If you don't want strings move too much, I would suggest to put gut or gut hybrid with syn on Max 200G. I tried many setups, for me gut hybrid has the best result of preventing strings moving. I string mine at 48, with string savers it can last a long time, and strings also don't move too much. I tried poly once, although poly strings don't move too much, but personally I completely hate poly on Max 200G. 55 maybe be a good start tension, but be causious don't string too high, otherwise your mint 200G might become a mint graphite spoon.

 

[plasma]

Of the ones I've played:
. Dunlop Max 200G.much like prostaff but not as manuverable, interesting similar flex, very high level players racquet, but bulky.

. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras). great for a modern game, manuverable compared to the others with the same old school feel.

3. Head Prestige Classic. not quite as precise as the prostaff but much more pop. more of a modern feel. Still a complex masterpiece, I prefer the head prestige tour made in austira to my classic, even though the classic was the choice of tour pros.

4. Adidas GTX (Ivan Lendl).The austrian one lets you level the ball 10 times better than any modern racket. I always win with my kneissl lendl pro, and the flat shots come off with much more power and accuracy than any modern raq, unique ability to crush soft balls that a bigger frame would overhit...


6. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander). lots of flex in the hoop, where did you say those clay courts were at???

Dunlop Black Max. too soft, I thought this was more of a mushy consumer model, no power...


POG Mid. the princeton N.J. solid original 90 is like the caddy if the prostaff were a regular sedan. Not very manuverable, but you can plough several of the acres in the lower 40 with groundies from this baby. POG "is" the classic racquet feel and what great old school racks are all about...(wish I didn't trade mine to a huckster!)

close tossup between gtx and wps, personally, the sound of an airline jet taking off and the ability of the gtx to hit 90mph flat laser beams over the net wins it for adidas (kneissl)....

 

[ssjkyle31]

I liked in no particular order.
1. Redondo - I have
2. Babolat PST Limited - I have
3. Dunlop Revelation Pro Tour 90 -My brother had
4. PS 85 - interesting little beast

Reason I did not like
1. PK 5g. Lets ramba
2. Addidas GTX- very weighted beast
3. POG Mid stringing all the time

 

[gymrat76]

You are welcome!

What gauge string are you using for the Max 200G? Poly or syn gut or? String it at 55 lbs and if it doesn't feel right then start adjusting from there. McEnroe played with it stung on about 47 lbs. I am not sure what type or gauge of string he used though. This is very important, because, as you probably know, different gauges of string feel different at the same tension.

About the Wilson,

Remember that Pete Sampras strung his racquet on 75 lbs and then leaded it up... That way, it was not too powerful. When you add lead, you gain both power and control, hence the higher tension you can/should move to. Also, every player is a different individual with different body and technique so one set up doesn't work for everyone, be it the set up of Pete Sampras...

Lastly,

I am a Bulgarian, but I do not live there. I have been living in the U.S. for the last seven years and I have no idea if/when I will go back to Bulgaria. For that reason, even if you went to Bulgaria, I probably won't be there.

Hi Ilian,
The Max200G came with a string and I believe it appears to be 17g. Though I do not know what string it is. The very first time I played with it, the string tension appeared to be a good fit. But second time around, my balls were flying. Because I played with s.w/western grips (with 98-100sq in. racquets) for a long time, prior to playing with the Max200G, (and PS85) now I am kind of used to hitting with westernish grips, so it can be difficult at times playing with Max and PS. Watched the videos of McEnroe playing with the Max, I understand how he is maximizing the racquet's advantages by chipping and charging, which he was doing amazingly well. But the way he hits the ball with a very short back swing, it just looked unnatural to me. Anyways, I am just trying to familiarize myself with the history of the Max200G (and how it fits to game styles) by watching classics such as Mc and Graff matches. As for the strings, I will go with 55lbs per your suggestiongs and take it from there. And thinking of using a thin gauge to open up the string pattern...

As for the PS85, I just wanted to try the Sampras setup, not that because I am anywhere near good as him, but just for recreational purposes. But also hoping that it might help my game. Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel. I will bump up the tension the 70's and see how it works out. Because, with layers of lead at 3&9, it is one powerful stick! Alternatively, I will drop the tension to 50s, will put the lead inside throat and see if that will work out.

However, the biggest problem with these two classic player's frames is that, even though I have no problems with consistently finding sweet spot from the b-line, other parts of the game such as quick volleys, overheads etc can really suffer. I think, to fully appreciate these racquets, there is an absolute need to practise and train 3-4 hours a day consistently.

 

[gymrat76]

If you don't want strings move too much, I would suggest to put gut or gut hybrid with syn on Max 200G. I tried many setups, for me gut hybrid has the best result of preventing strings moving. I string mine at 48, with string savers it can last a long time, and strings also don't move too much. I tried poly once, although poly strings don't move too much, but personally I completely hate poly on Max 200G. 55 maybe be a good start tension, but be causious don't string too high, otherwise your mint 200G might become a mint graphite spoon.

I hate poly strings myself as well. And my arm hates to its guts! I know the strings will last a life time on it, so putting gut hybrid sounds like a great idea...
As for the Max200G, I read reviews on it, am aware not to string over 60lbs or that it can turn out to be an S-shaped fortune-teller spoon!

 

[gymrat76]

Of the ones I've played:
. Dunlop Max 200G.much like prostaff but not as manuverable, interesting similar flex, very high level players racquet, but bulky.

. Wilson 6.0 85 (Pete Sampras). great for a modern game, manuverable compared to the others with the same old school feel.

3. Head Prestige Classic. not quite as precise as the prostaff but much more pop. more of a modern feel. Still a complex masterpiece, I prefer the head prestige tour made in austira to my classic, even though the classic was the choice of tour pros.

4. Adidas GTX (Ivan Lendl).The austrian one lets you level the ball 10 times better than any modern racket. I always win with my kneissl lendl pro, and the flat shots come off with much more power and accuracy than any modern raq, unique ability to crush soft balls that a bigger frame would overhit...


6. Rossignol F-200 (Mats Wilander). lots of flex in the hoop, where did you say those clay courts were at???

Dunlop Black Max. too soft, I thought this was more of a mushy consumer model, no power...


POG Mid. the princeton N.J. solid original 90 is like the caddy if the prostaff were a regular sedan. Not very manuverable, but you can plough several of the acres in the lower 40 with groundies from this baby. POG "is" the classic racquet feel and what great old school racks are all about...(wish I didn't trade mine to a huckster!)

close tossup between gtx and wps, personally, the sound of an airline jet taking off and the ability of the gtx to hit 90mph flat laser beams over the net wins it for adidas (kneissl)....

Hey Plasma, howz it hangin' in Sissco? Hehehe..Will let you know when I am back home for the Kuebler.
Can you please put up a pic of your Kneissl Lend racquet if you get to read this? Very curious how it looks like, if it is any different than the GTX Pro (or its T version)

 

[gymrat76]

I only really like the PS 85 out of them:

1. Dunlop Max 200G. - noodle

Did you even play with it? Did you even realize I can school you, to the point of embarrassment, with Max200G in my hands?

 

[EikelBeiter]

I have only played with the Prestige Classic to be honest, i have 3 as a matter of fact, don't know why because i never play with them :-? It's good for serving and volleying, but i would never use it in a match, too demanding for my taste.