Wilson 1980s Midsize (85sqi) Thin-Beam Graphite Rackets - Complete List (!)

[Sanglier]

It's like London buses! Up pops another one called 'Dimension II', which definitely seems to have different proportions to the others, with a short neck, and graphics like a Prince / Wimbledon! Might be an oversize head actually.

If you are referring to the black and green "Dimension II", I posted mine in the GW thread 10 years ago. It's basically a "Sting Oversize" minus the throat brace, made by Grafalloy alongside the POG and Sting. As near as we could tell, it must have been an SMU for some big box store, and (therefore) likely one of the best bargains in a US-produced 100% graphites at the time.

 

[Grafil Injection]

If you are referring to the black and green "Dimension II", I posted mine in the GW thread 10 years ago. It's basically a "Sting Oversize" minus the throat brace, made by Grafalloy alongside the POG and Sting. As near as we could tell, it must have been an SMU for some big box store, and (therefore) likely one of the best bargains in a US-produced 100% graphites at the time.

Yeah, that's it, so being oversize, not going on the list, but interestingly similar to the POG though. Perhaps they thought black paint was the safest colour back then, when underneath would also be black. Was the Prince Comp (OS), with individual grommets, also made in the Grafalloy factory?

 

[Antónis]

I agree. Too bad he never used it!

He actually used a green PJ in 1991
check here

 

[Sanglier]

Yeah, that's it, so being oversize, not going on the list, but interestingly similar to the POG though. Perhaps they thought black paint was the safest colour back then, when underneath would also be black. Was the Prince Comp (OS), with individual grommets, also made in the Grafalloy factory?

Yes, like Henry Ford's Model T, black was definitely the default color from the start for early graphites, not only because customers expected it, but because fewer coats of paint were needed (compared to any other color) to produce a uniform finish over an all-graphite (black) layup, thus saving weight. Paint is surprisingly heavy; fancy colors topped by numerous decals can add many grams to the frame. Some of the early makers didn't even bother with a primer coat.

"Comp" was a Kunnan product. The only Prince frame made by Grafalloy was the grommetless POG. The few individually-grommeted POGs not made by Kunnan were produced by another US contractor. For a brief period in 1983, all three POG contractors were producing slightly different POGs at the same time!

 

[kevin qmto]

He actually used a green PJ in 1991
check here

All I got was a Home Screen link to Imgur. I googled Sampras 91 and I see him using it on grass though. Wonder if it was only a 1-off thing?

I was thinking of this photo of him holding the Pro Staff 6.0 widebody for a photo shoot. Definitely never used this lol.

https://imgur.com/a/GKZMTHX

 

[Antónis]

All I got was a Home Screen link to Imgur. I googled Sampras 91 and I see him using it on grass though. Wonder if it was only a 1-off thing?

I was thinking of this photo of him holding the Pro Staff 6.0 widebody for a photo shoot. Definitely never used this lol.

https://imgur.com/a/GKZMTHX

check this
that widebody he never used for sure

 

[kevin qmto]

Yes I've seen that.

 

[onehandbh]

We should organize an 85 sq inch and under tennis tournament or social tennis event.

 

[kevin qmto]

Found another one. The Advantage II, viewable right now on the bay. Can’t make out the buttcap code. Looks like the PS mold to me. Matte black with a gold stripe, graphite composite, and no head guard. I also found a predecessor stick, just called the Advantage, it’s white with a separate nylon throat piece. But I figured that wouldn’t count for the list?

 

[Grafil Injection]

Found another one. The Advantage II, viewable right now on the bay. Can’t make out the buttcap code. Looks like the PS mold to me. Matte black with a gold stripe, graphite composite, and no head guard. I also found a predecessor stick, just called the Advantage, it’s white with a separate nylon throat piece. But I figured that wouldn’t count for the list?

I'm guessing the Advantage II was an Asian market model with its SL weight. Looks very PS85 style.

I'll put the Advantage in too, as it does appear to be 85sqi and thin-beamed, and seems to be quite an early model from 1984.

 

[kevin qmto]

Two more for the matrix list. Called the Graphite 2000, matte black with red/white highlights, and the other is the Graphite 300 (not three thousand…) gloss metallic grey thin red/white hoop stripe ,likely Japan/asia exclusives, but looks like several other editions. Pws, no headguards for both.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Two more for the matrix list. Called the Graphite 2000, matte black with red/white highlights, and the other is the Graphite 300 (not three thousand…) gloss metallic grey thin red/white hoop stripe ,likely Japan/asia exclusives, but looks like several other editions. Pws, no headguards for both.

That takes the list over 50! Crazy, considering they all came out in about a six year period.

I gathered the models named Graphite xx together. There might be some logic to those discovered one day. Although, the Graphite 300 looks most like the Comp 100, except it has PWS.

 

[kevin qmto]

On the bay right now is a Wilson frame called the Turbo 30. It’s in France and the listing is called “WILSON: TURBO-30 TENNIS RACKET WITH DEFECT”

Appears to be matrix based with PWS.

The “defect” is that its hoop has an enormous crack in it lol. It’s basically a clean break.

 

[teachingprotx]

I used the white and black wilson matrix for a season back in 2007.. good fun that stick was wonderful HL balance and RA 52

 

[kevin qmto]

There's another for the list on the japanese bay, called the XT-60. I think it may even be the PS mold with PWS. Looks great in high gloss black with red graphics and a white accent around the hoop. unfortunately its kinda hard to find the listing as it's just titled "Excellent condition Wilson hard tennis racket" but searching that hopefully brings it up for you.

 

[Grafil Injection]

There's another for the list on the japanese bay, called the XT-60. I think it may even be the PS mold with PWS. Looks great in high gloss black with red graphics and a white accent around the hoop. unfortunately its kinda hard to find the listing as it's just titled "Excellent condition Wilson hard tennis racket" but searching that hopefully brings it up for you.

I cannot find my way to it, even directly on japanbay. Could you grab a picture of it to post here, since we'll probably never see one again.

 

[kevin qmto]

I cannot find my way to it, even directly on japanbay. Could you grab a picture of it to post here, since we'll probably never see one again.

When I went back to find it, I also found a sibling frame for it lol! So here's the XT-60, glossy piano black, you don't see many other midsize wilsons looking like this.

No hope of deciphering what year or where it came from though I suspect Taiwan.

Then right under it I spotted this XT-30, which appears to be identical except it has a synthetic grip instead of leather, and a matte finish instead of gloss!

 

[kevin qmto]

So, what say you @Grafil Injection, which category do you think those two belong in? And what on earth could the 30 and 60 stand for? (or XT for that matter)

 

[Grafil Injection]

So, what say you @Grafil Injection, which category do you think those two belong in? And what on earth could the 30 and 60 stand for? (or XT for that matter)

I'll put those two in the PS category following your recommendation. Still can't see them, so speculating on the numerical meanings will have to wait!

I will add this Signature II from ukbay, which looks like it's from the Matrix mould, with a 1988 date. Nice pseudo-braided paint-job. Presumably this means a Signature 1 is out there too.

 

[kevin qmto]

I'll put those two in the PS category following your recommendation. Still can't see them, so speculating on the numerical meanings will have to wait!

Doh! Forgot. Here’s a FB link:

Tennis Vintage and Classic Racquets (Rackets) Show, Buy or Sell | Not mine, but has anyone ever encountered these: Wilson XT-60 and XT-30 | Facebook

Not mine, but has anyone ever encountered these: Wilson XT-60 and XT-30. Look very similar to the original ProStaff.

www.facebook.com

 

[Grafil Injection]

Doh! Forgot. Here’s a FB link:

Tennis Vintage and Classic Racquets (Rackets) Show, Buy or Sell | Not mine, but has anyone ever encountered these: Wilson XT-60 and XT-30 | Facebook

Not mine, but has anyone ever encountered these: Wilson XT-60 and XT-30. Look very similar to the original ProStaff.

www.facebook.com

Certainly looks like the PS mould. Nice designs too. Perhaps the neck on the 60 is a little longer than that of the 30? The numbers could be % of graphite I suppose.

 

[kevin qmto]

Certainly looks like the PS mould. Nice designs too. Perhaps the neck on the 60 is a little longer than that of the 30? The numbers could be % of graphite I suppose.

Turns out they’re not Asian market exclusives either. Someone posted a pic of their XT-30 and its graphics are yellow instead of red.

 

[onehandbh]

So, what say you @Grafil Injection, which category do you think those two belong in? And what on earth could the 30 and 60 stand for? (or XT for that matter)

Was the Wilson XT-30 was the inspiration for the Fuji X-T30 camera?

 

[kevin qmto]

Here's the next one for the list I think, the Reflex SC. I think most are familiar with the standard Reflex, but I didn't know it got a ceramic sequel. It no longer uses the matrix mold, I'm thinking its either the Prostaff mold or the one from the Sting SC. But then I'm not sure what separates the Sting SC from the Reflex SC... Yay more mysteries!

FB link for @Grafil Injection

Tennis Vintage and Classic Racquets (Rackets) Show, Buy or Sell | Anyone ever seen this version of the Wilson Reflex | Facebook

Anyone ever seen this version of the Wilson Reflex? Called the Reflex SC, looks like the Sting SC, but no crossbar, but also features ceramic fibers in the layup.

www.facebook.com

Here's the Sting SC (wow I've had it so long I never took a photo of it in my photo studio, just this lousy white paper bg)

 

[Grafil Injection]

It looks like a Sting mould model to me, which with or without cross-bar, are distinguished by being the thinnest at 16.5mm (?).

 

[kevin qmto]

It looks like a Sting mould model to me, which with or without cross-bar, are distinguished by being the thinnest at 16.5mm (?).

Wish I could measure but I don’t think I’ll be picking that one up off the bay. What’re we up to now after you add this one to the first page?

 

[Grafil Injection]

Wish I could measure but I don’t think I’ll be picking that one up off the bay. What’re we up to now after you add this one to the first page?

I've put it in the Sting section, as it looks rather slim to me. We have reached the diamond anniversary of 60 Wilson midsize (85) sticks! So there's probably at least 100 out there.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Honorary mention goes to a giant (4'6'') Avenger:

 

[kevin qmto]

Honorary mention goes to a giant (4'6'') Avenger:

Wow I didn’t know they’d ever make a giant racket for such a model. Prostaff or Ultra, maybe even the Sting, sure that’s understandable but the avenger? I’m sure that’s rare.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Wow I didn’t know they’d ever make a giant racket for such a model. Prostaff or Ultra, maybe even the Sting, sure that’s understandable but the avenger? I’m sure that’s rare.

Yeah, the giant ones must all cost the same to produce (being 100% fibreglass or wood), so you'd think high range models were the norm. Probably given to a mid-range retailer, rather than flagship stores.

 

[Dane_is_Finnish_OJ]

I’ve made a start on what I thought would be an unmanageable list, but it's actually not as long as I imagined. Perhaps I've forgotten a slew somewhere. I've left space to rearrange things. Are the five main moulds I’ve identified correct? Is the Avenger the only one with 19.5mm beam?

No wide-beams, Standards or 90sqi+ allowed, just the 85sqi, thin-beam graphite models.

PS85 Mould (short neck, wide throat, 16x18 pattern, 17.5mm beam, PWS)
PS85 - matt black
JK Staff - dark grey with crown graphic
Staff - matt dark grey

Aggressor - metallic dark-grey
Aggressor - glossy black
Avenger - semi-matt white, with PWS

GR-80 - metallic grey (no PWS)
Ceramic - glossy white (16.5mm?)
Chris-Evert PS - white
Comp 300 - metallic glossy brown (16.5mm)
Advantage II - matt black, with single gold stripe. (Asian market given SL weight?).

XT-60 - glossy piano black with graphic streaks above handle
XT-30 - matt black with graphic streaks above handle

Matrix Mould (long neck, narrow throat, 16x19 pattern, 18mm beam)
Graphite Matrix - black with white and red graphics
Pro-Matrix - metallic dark grey
Graphite Matrix with PWS - semi-matt mid-grey
Pro-Matrix with PWS - metallic, glossy gold

Pro-Comp - matt green with white text
Pro-Comp - matt black with red text

Pro-Select - semi-matt dark-grey with PWS and gold stripes
Pro-Select - semi-matt light-grey with PWS and white stripes

Graphite Ultima - semi-matt dark grey with gold and red stripes
Graphite Cruncher - semi-matt black with gold text, and PWS
Graphite Performer - matt black with orange text and PWS
Graphite II - semi-matt black with PWS and red and white graphics like a Matrix.
Graphite 2000 - semi-matt black with PWS, red and white graphics like a Matrix.
Graphite 300 - metallic glossy grey with PWS

Comp 100 - metallic glossy grey

Pro 100 - semi-matt black

Pro 200 - glossy light grey

Odyssey Comp - black with yellow decals and PWS

Reflex - white pearl and matt black fade with PWS

APT Comp - grey and black fade with PWS

Prestige (not Head) - glossy silver with gold text

Tour Master

Laser - white pearl with blue graphics

Silver Shadow - semi-matt-white with purple and green stripes

GTX-2000 - glossy black with yellow graphics

RL-1000 - glossy black with red graphics

Harrods Midsize - glossy dark grey with gold text

Turbo 30 - matt mid-grey with PWS

Autograph - matt navy-blue with PWS

Signature II - matt black with braided carbon effect

Sting Mould (16.5mm beam, narrow throat with arched cross-bar)
Sting - glossy black with blue text
Sting - braceless, glossy-black with blue text
Sting 2 - as Sting + PWS
Sting 2 - glossy black with red text
Sting SC - glossy dark bronze
Sting SC - braceless, glossy white
Sting SC 2000 - glossy white
Tour Select SC - glossy white

Reflex SC - glossy white with blue pin-stripes

80/20 Mould (16.5mm beam, wide throat)
Graphite
Graphite Force - glossy black with gold text
80/20 - glossy black with red text

Avenger Mould (wide throat, 19.5mm beam, even string-bed)
Avenger - mid-grey semi-matt
Force - very similar to mid-grey Avenger
Silver Streak - mid-grey semi-matt with white and blue graphics

Others
Advantage - white with blue graphics. With Nylon throat bridge rather than graphite.

The Aggressor also came in matte black just like the PS85. I had a couple. Uh, also had the Pro Matrix metallic dark grey. Loved my Aggressors back then.

 

[Grafil Injection]

The Aggressor also came in matte black just like the PS85. I had a couple. Uh, also had the Pro Matrix metallic dark grey. Loved my Aggressors back then.

Yeah, always a bit tricky with the black ones. I have a Pro Comp that is matt, and another that is more glossy; and my St Vincents are more matt than later PS85s. I think they changed the black paint supplier at some point. Do you know the dates of your matt Aggressors?