Sampras' racquet

[rspike]

I'm sure this has been asked before and I tried to search for it ,no ans ,any wea y I'd like to reproduce pete's raquet .Need info on where to place lead tape how much ?String ect... Thanks in advance.Is thewre any feed back on the new sampras raquet? Bobby

[Stefano]

Hi Bobby.

I know some of Pete Sampras' specs, I hope they will help you.

Weight: 384 grams
Balance: 32.1 cm.
Flex: 62
Swingweight: 367

The lead tape was applied at 3 and 9, 3 layers of tape on each side of the frame and each side of the strings.

So probably you need to make some experiments to see how much tape goes there to reach the right weight and how much at the handle to reach that balance. The flex cannot be changed, so you need to find a St.Vincent with flex 62.

As for the strings, this is not for common human beings, it costs a fortune because it breaks in no time: Babolat VS Natural Gut 1.25 strung at 75 lbs! Strung one-piece ATW. Many sets would break while stringing.

Good luck with the customisation ;)

[rspike]

Fist thank you for the quick and precisice response,I'm not in possesion of my old 6.0 ' s any more so I'm gonna try to get some where close with the new pete sampras raquet's from tennis warehouse the 88's it may be a little stiffer thought and bigger but I like the heft and feel on the string's ,so what do you think? What synthetic is the best out there now close to gut ,not to concerned with longevity like to change every few day's of playing .With this tension any where from 66 to 70 I figure I'll get it to where I'll like it and should last a few set's .What's the feed back on the new raquet for sampras? Thanks bobby

[Stefano]

A fantastic multi is the Pacific PMX. It's REALLY soft, just awesome.

Another very good one is the Weiss Cannon Explosiv.

Both are definitely worth a try.

[rspike]

You seem to know a great deal would you also happen to know what beckers raquet spec's were for the blue and red estusa's ? I've got four of them , like to try to duplicate ie lead tape string etc... I don't believe they can handle the high tensions of sampras's 74 lbs nor did he use as much lead tape ?Which pacific pmx were you recommending for me also gage?

[Stefano]

Bobby, I don't know the specs fro Becker at all.

What I know is, he only played 4 months with an Estusa. It was a paintjob. He was still using a Puma Boris Becker Winner that was different for the one out for sale.

The original frame was 50% graphite, but the one in the shops was 30%.
Then Puma came out with the Puma Boris Becker Super, which was 50% graphite just like the one he was using.

This is all I know.

[rspike]

which string exactly was it you recommended to me ,there are a few ,thanks for the becker info, I liked him .

[Stefano]

The Pacific PMX.

It's available in gauge 16L and 17. I have a passion for thin strings so I would personally go for the 17, but that's a matter of taste.