Wilson Sting SC 85

[FedererClone]

...nabbed a Sting SC "ceramic graphite composite" 85 frame with PWS but interestingly with no crossbar stabilizer. I always thought they had them. Also wondering how it will fare compared to the Wilson Ceramic Midsize which is 8% ceramic. Anyone aware of the % ceramic in the SC?

 

[Bud]

...nabbed a Sting SC "ceramic graphite composite" 85 frame with PWS but interestingly with no crossbar stabilizer. I always thought they had them. Also wondering how it will fare compared to the Wilson Ceramic Midsize which is 8% ceramic. Anyone aware of the % ceramic in the SC?

Let's see a pic. I haven't seen one with the cross bar.

 

[anirut]

Let's see a pic. I haven't seen a Sting SC without a cross bar.

 

[FedererClone]

Running out the door. Snapped a few iPhone pics for you.

http://gallery.me.com/fastlens#100351

Looks like Taiwan butt code SAZ... I think it needs weight on the handle, and obviously new strings, but the stick is in pristine condition. Maybe this is the later "Sting 2" series? Don't know much about the Sting series, but never come across a frame w/ no stabilizer. Weird, feels "bigger" than an 85 (but is not - same headsize as my other PWS 85s)

 

[Bud]

Running out the door. Snapped a few iPhone pics for you.

http://gallery.me.com/fastlens#100351

Looks like Taiwan butt code SAZ... I think it needs weight on the handle, and obviously new strings, but the stick is in pristine condition. Maybe this is the later "Sting 2" series? Don't know much about the Sting series, but never come across a frame w/ no stabilizer. Weird, feels "bigger" than an 85 (but is not - same headsize as my other PWS 85s)

So, this is the Sting SC... not the SC2000. I haven't seen one until now

 

[FedererClone]

The link now includes a reference photo of the Sting SC.... with stabilizer. Puzzling...

 

[Bud]

The link now includes a reference photo of the Sting SC.... with stabilizer. Puzzling...

Does it appear someone cut out the stabilizer bar

 

[FedererClone]

Does it appear someone cut out the stabilizer bar

nope lol... I also hit on the court with the frame today, pretty nice feel. Definitely an improvement over the "Wilson Ceramic Midsize."

 

[anirut]

OK, I'm puzzled ...

As of now I have with me:
- Sting (no number) -- NO stabilizer
- Sting 2 -- has stabilizer
- Sting SC (brown-copper) -- has stabilizer

Any other Stings other than that we know so far?

 

[racquetfreak]

OK, I'm puzzled ...

As of now I have with me:
- Sting (no number) -- NO stabilizer
- Sting 2 -- has stabilizer
- Sting SC (brown-copper) -- has stabilizer

Any other Stings other than that we know so far?

sting standard (70 0r 77 s.i.)

great cell phone pics of the sc mid!

 

[Tennis Man]

I'm yet to hear the expert review of Wilson Sting bloodline:

 

[racquetfreak]

I'm yet to hear the expert review of Wilson Sting bloodline:

according to the table in kuebler: sting mid and sting mp were issued in 1985. sting 2s and SCs in 1987. in another section kuebler lists the sting SC as 1985 and sting 2s and SC2000 as 1988/89.
obviously there are inconsistencies and omissions in Kuebler, but it is still the best reference on 80s rackets available.
my personal recollection is that stings were the oldsmobiles relative to the prostaff cadillacs of the Wilson line.

 

[Tennis Man]

according to the table in kuebler: sting mid and sting mp were issued in 1985. sting 2s and SCs in 1987. in another section kuebler lists the sting SC as 1985 and sting 2s and SC2000 as 1988/89.
obviously their are inconsistencies and omissions in Kuebler, but it is still the best reference on 80s rackets available.
my personal recollection is that stings were the oldsmobiles relative to the prostaff cadillacs of the Wilson line.

thank you. It does make sense b/c they are all made in Taiwan. What doesn't make sense is what the original Pro Staff 85 story refers to: "following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the ProStaff combined the basic racquet shape of the Sting with the Ultra's braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). " That makes me thing that Sting came out before 1982 (the conception of PS 85).

 

[racquetfreak]

thank you. It does make sense b/c they are all made in Taiwan. What doesn't make sense is what the original Pro Staff 85 story refers to: "following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the ProStaff combined the basic racquet shape of the Sting with the Ultra's braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). " That makes me thing that Sting came out before 1982 (the conception of PS 85).

my non-expert opinion is that the prostaff and stings were developed concurrently to succeed the ultra-expensive rolls roycian ultra line. production at river grove facility in chicago was winding down. production of stings was started at Taiwan and at the same time (or earlier) production of prostaffs started at river grove along with the ultras already in progress. when river grove shut down, production of prostaffs and ultras moved to St Vincent with Taiwan-like labor costs. the question arises -why not move everything to Taiwan? did this give wilson execs an excuse to spend time inthe w.i. at company expense?

 

[vsbabolat]

according to the table in kuebler: sting mid and sting mp were issued in 1985. sting 2s and SCs in 1987. in another section kuebler lists the sting SC as 1985 and sting 2s and SC2000 as 1988/89.
obviously there are inconsistencies and omissions in Kuebler, but it is still the best reference on 80s rackets available.
my personal recollection is that stings were the oldsmobiles relative to the prostaff cadillacs of the Wilson line.

Kuebler is wrong again. The Sting Midsize came out in 1983. In 1983 you had the Sting Standard, Midsize, and Largehead. The Sting Largehead was the first racquet that came out in 1982. The Sting came out before the Wilson Pro Staff Midsize.

The ProStaff Original was the brainchild of Wilson marketing back in 1982. Following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the ProStaff combined the basic racquet shape of the Sting with the Ultra's braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). The ProStaff was introduced in 1983. Originally manufactured in Wilson's River Grove, IL factory, it had no bumper (a bumper was added in 1984).

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/60/ProstaffOrigins.html

 

[racquetfreak]

Kuebler is wrong again. The Sting Midsize came out in 1983. In 1983 you had the Sting Standard, Midsize, and Largehead. The Sting Largehead was the first racquet that came out in 1982. The Sting came out before the Wilson Pro Staff Midsize.

as with sting the largehead prostaff preceded the beloved midsize. so the stings were the cheap alternatives to the ultras and javelins (a whole new can of worms)?

 

[racquetfreak]

Kuebler is wrong again. The Sting Midsize came out in 1982. In 1982 you had the Sting Standard, Midsize, and Largehead. The Sting Largehead was the first racquet that came out in 1982. The Sting came out before the Wilson Pro Staff Midsize.

The ProStaff Original was the brainchild of Wilson marketing back in 1982. Following on the heels of the successful Ultra and Sting models, the ProStaff combined the basic racquet shape of the Sting with the Ultra's braided graphite/kevlar construction and Perimeter Weighting System (PWS). The ProStaff was introduced in 1983. Originally manufactured in Wilson's River Grove, IL factory, it had no bumper (a bumper was added in 1984).

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/60/ProstaffOrigins.html

based on my extensive collection of prostaffs, my best guess is that bumpers were first added at St Vincent. i have not seen any xxI river groves with bumpers.

 

[jimbo333]

Have you 2 thought about writing a book

 

[FedererClone]

...btw does kuebler list the contents in each Wilson stick created in the 80s? Tennis Man, I see in your pic you also have a Sting w/out stabilizer ... I guess they were out there... possibly the last evolution before the pro staff?

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

as with sting the largehead prostaff preceded the beloved midsize. so the stings were the cheap alternatives to the ultras and javelins (a whole new can of worms)?

To the Ultras, definitely. I'm not sure whether the Javelins had come out yet. But more to the marketing point, the largehead was the cheap alternative to the Prince Graphite: "same" 100% graphite construction, $100 cheaper. The mid was released later to get a piece of the market opened up by all the companies that were making racquets bigger than standard but smaller than the range covered by the Prince patent.

Kuebler is wrong again. The Sting Midsize came out in 1983. In 1983 you had the Sting Standard, Midsize, and Largehead. The Sting Largehead was the first racquet that came out in 1982. The Sting came out before the Wilson Pro Staff Midsize.

That's exactly how I remember it. I played against a junior who had the new Sting Largehead in 1982, and a college friend was playing with the Mid certainly by early 1983 and maybe even by Fall 1982.

 

[FedererClone]

Ah nabbed an SC2000 at Goodwill today for $4 so will compare to my SC w/out stabilizer. Also nabbed a POG one stripe (with grommets) and a Wilson TX 25 Mid High Beam (95 sq in 16/18 w/ PWS but a very thick frame, reminiscent of Ultra FPK in coloring/design; not sure I will like this frame but worth trying out for the price. The thinner beam of the Sting should be more to my liking...

Anyhow, 3 sticks for $12 ... a good day!

 

[VGP]

Hey, how have you been?

Decent scores. Is the POG a mid or oversize?

I love it when you can find one of your favorite frames for little money.

 

[FedererClone]

Been good thanks!

Yeah I'll post some pics of SC / SC2000 tomorrow. POG OS but feels nice! Not my frame for the courts though, so will prob slide onto flea*bay; TX25 feels "thick" and a 95 frame but will hit with it and see how it performs.

(never seen a one stripe POG Mid BTW)

Of late been on a Head TXE binge, and also restrung my Wilson Graphite Force with thinner string to see how it will feel...

 

[VGP]

Good to hear you're doing well.

Would love to see your latest thrift store score. You know I like Wilson mids. Hope you get new life from your Graphite Force.

Speaking of cross-bar stabilizers, I've been on a Wilson Sting Mid kick of late.

Since you're planning on parting with your Prince POG mid.....would you consider contacting me off the boards. I have a one-stripe POG mid and might want to have another to make a playing pair.....

 

[FedererClone]

VGP ~ my email : fastlens @ mac com

I can send u pics

 

[FedererClone]

Uploaded some images of SC2000 with SC, and Prince OS POG plus others from my collection. Cheers!

http://imageshack.us/g/714/l1120461.jpg/