Category Archives: Pro Stock
Lets compare the Head Prestige Pro 16×19 v Head Prestige Pro 18×20
The following graphic will show clearly why the pro stock (SMU) racquets are very important in our quest to enhance the performance of all players!
A primary reason we work with custom racquets is the length of the racquet as we receive it, which allows us to create up to 28 inches (71cm) long. We can extend racquets however reducing the length is the preferred option.
Of course, we can customize the SMU to match the specifications of the retail (27-inch) racquet but with a 16×19 string pattern.
If you look closely you will recognize the tremendous possibilities beginning with a lighter, more flexible racquet for players of all physical abilities!
The supply of the 16×19 racquets is limited, however, demos are available for both.
Head Prestige Pro 18×20 2023 Retail
This Head Prestige Pro 18×23 Retail version offers a high performance racquet ready for serious play! However, we offer the custom version for players who prefer a slightly more open string pattern and some customization.
As you will see on the specifications, this racquet is serious, but most players can use this racquet if they get over the idea that these are stiff racquets!
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Prestige Pro 2023 18x20 Retail |
| Reference Tension | 52 |
| String | MonoGut ZX Pro (PEEK) |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 54 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 56.4 |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 44 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 35 Kg/Cm |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 58 |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 44 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 342.9 |
| Weight, Grams | 340 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.99 |
| Balance, mm | 3234 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.03 |
| Head Width | 9.476 |
| Head Length | 13.052 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 626.7 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97.1 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 20.8 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 20.0 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 20.0 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 10.7 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 10.8 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.5 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.2 |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio | .655 |
| Main String Grid | 7.56 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.25 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | 71.4% |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | ,453 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .844 |
| Polar Moment | 335 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 319 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.25 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 354.7 |
| Power, RDC | 44 |
| Control, RDC | 57 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 74 |
| Power, Calculated | 1811.3 |
| Head Points | 6.3 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.5 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.125 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 28.0 |
| K, Lb/In | 173.08 |
| Recoil Weight | 152.3 |
| Twist Weight | 229.34 |
| End Weight | 139.8 |
| Tip Weight | 198.9 |
| 9 O'Clock | 100 |
| 3 O'Clock | 101.7 |
| Butt Cap | 137.4 |
| COF, Main | .383 |
| COF, Cross | .204 |
Head Prestige Pro 2023 16×19 SMU
I told you something special is coming soon! Soon is here now! And it is special!
We have a limited number of Head Prestige Pro 2023 with a custom 16×19 string pattern instead of the standard 18×20 (we have those as well). These are full custom racquets, meaning they need some customization, and are usually referred to as “Pro Stock” racquets.
These racquets have a different finish than the retail version, primarily shiny instead of a matt finish anywhere.
We receive these in “raw” form, meaning they are not cut or have any post-manufacturing additives, i.e., swing weight and overall weight.
This means we can make a “full custom” version of the retail model up to 27.8 inches long (70.6 mm) except with a more open 16×19 string pattern!
However, to get things started, we will post the specifications of each racquet “as is.”
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Prestige Pro 2023 16x20 SMU |
| Reference Tension | 52 |
| String | MonoGut ZX Pro (PEEK) |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 49.0 Units |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 59.5 pounds |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 43.0 pounds |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 35 Kg/Cm |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 57 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 346.1 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 296 |
| Weight, Ounces | 10.44 |
| Balance, mm | 331 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.03 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.03 |
| Head Width | 9.476 |
| Head Length | 13.052 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 626.7 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97.1 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 20.0 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 20.0 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 20.0 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 10.7 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 10.8 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.5 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.2 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .611 |
| Main String Grid | 7.25 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.0 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | 74.6% |
| Average Cross String Space | .526 |
| Average Main String Space | ,453 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .758 |
| Polar Moment | 299.0 |
| Torsional Stability | 14 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 285.0 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.05 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 324.3 |
| Power, RDC | 37 |
| Control, RDC | 64 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 97 |
| Power, Calculated | 1593.8 |
| Head Points | 3.78 |
| Head Weight, % | 48,3% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.3 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.048 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 26.3 |
| K, Lb/In | 157.05 |
| Recoil Weight | 129.23 |
| Twist Weight | 199.70 |
| End Weight | 117.0 |
| Tip Weight | 179.2 |
| 9 O'Clock | 89.5 |
| 3 O'Clock | 90.0 |
| Butt Cap | 116.6 |
| COF, Main | .412 |
| COF, Cross | .331 |
Pro Stock Limited Reserve
This is a high-performance string that has gone unnoticed for a while and I don’t know why!
Pro Stock Limited Reserve is a string we purchased because it has interesting characteristics that appealed to us however the client base is small. Recently, however, with the number of players that are moving away from a polyester string, this has become a popular alternative!
In a word, this plot looks very much like that of natural gut, and whatever you think natural gut is still considered the best performance material for racquet string!
What are we seeing here:
- Linearity, the more linear the string the more consistent (predictable)
- Elongation, at 33.1 mm at 50 pounds
- Elasticity, 71.9 %
- This is the area where the advantages of pre-stretching will be seen.
- The curve will become essentially one line meaning the string returns to a nominal length after stretching.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength, 163.6 pounds to fail (high), @107.2 mm deflection
- Knot strength, @102.4 pounds, and surpasses natural gut in this property.
What we can’t see in the plot is the construction of this multifilament string. Each strand is a thin, flat ribbon of polyolefin material. The ribbons are much like the natural gut.
The plot below is a comparison of natural gut string and is included as a visual to compare to Pro Stock Limited Reserve and show how much natural gut fibers are the same for any string manufacturer. Of course, manufacturing techniques, bonding agents, and coatings make the difference between a good gut and a not-so-good gut!
If you compare the Pro Stock Limited Reserve to natural gut you can quickly see why it may be a good string to try!




Racquet Quest, LLC


