Category Archives: Tension

Tell us what you think!

This survey will take only a few moments and is important for us!

So, please do it!

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!

Compare Prestige Pro

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 2023 16×19 SMU

I told you something special is coming soon! Soon is here now! And it is special!

Head Prestige Pro 16×19 2023 SMU


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!

We will add a comparative table for the Pro 16×19 and Retail 18×20.

However, to get things started, we will post the specifications of each racquet “as is.”

ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Prestige Pro 2023 16x20 SMU
Reference Tension52
String
MonoGut ZX Pro (PEEK)
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
String Bed Stiffness - RDC49.0 Units
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour59.5 pounds
String Bed Stiffness - SBS43.0 pounds
String Bed Stiffness - ERT35
Kg/Cm
Racquet Flex, RDC57 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour43.0
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness346.1 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams296
Weight, Ounces10.44
Balance, mm331
Balance, Inch13.03
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.03
Head Width9.476
Head Length13.052
Head Area, cm2626.7
Head Area, Sq. Inch97.1
Beam Height @ Grip, mm20.0
Beam Height @ Mid, mm20.0
Beam Height @ Tip20.0
Beam Width @ Grip, mm10.7
Beam Width @ Throat, mm10.8
Beam Width @ Mid, mm11.5
Beam Width @ Tip, mm12.2
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.611
Main String Grid7.25
Cross String Grid10.0
Density (% of head filled with string)74.6%
Average Cross String Space.526
Average Main String Space,453
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.76
First Moment, Nm.758
Polar Moment299.0
Torsional Stability14
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2285.0
Swing Weight, Ounces10.05
Swing Weight Calculated324.3
Power, RDC37
Control, RDC64
Manueverability, RDC97
Power, Calculated 1593.8
Head Points3.78
Head Weight, %48,3%
Center of Percussion20.3
Dwell Time, ms6.048
Efective Stiffness - lbs26.3
K, Lb/In157.05
Recoil Weight129.23
Twist Weight199.70
End Weight 117.0
Tip Weight 179.2
9 O'Clock89.5
3 O'Clock90.0
Butt Cap116.6
COF, Main.412
COF, Cross.331

A Players Perspective

We are really happy to have Jason Harne join us to review and add his comments on tennis racquets and tennis strings!

I think you will agree that Jason will be a great addition to racquetquest.com based on the following tennis bio:

Jason Harne – Tennis

  • Pro tennis – futures tournaments and satellites
  • Stirling University, Scotland. One of the first players to be awarded the British Universities Tennis Bursary Colors Award (equivalent to All-American)
  • International home nations tournament, representing Scotland, player of the tournament award.
  • England county cup, division one, representing Yorkshire County.
  • Spain and UK, national league tennis
  • High Point University, Big South Conference, 22-2 record.
  • U21 guardian direct British futures, national champion, and fastest UK serve.
  • Teaching pro, UK and Spain, high-performance players

This is very impressive but the most important component for us, and you, is Jason’s incredible interest in new things!  Jason is willing to try, and honestly comment on, any performance tennis equipment.

Jason will be commenting on the new Wilson Shift series later this week.

Please leave a comment or question for Jason.

 

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!

The plot below shows why!

Pro Stock Limited Reserve

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!

And by the way, it is probably at least $25.00 less than natural gut!