The HEAD iPrestige MP, also known as the PT57E, is a true classic. It has the same mold as the “holy grail”, big brother PT57A, but a stiffer feel.
I had the opportunity to play a bit with Ernests Gulbis old PT57E racquets and felt like I had to create this post and video. PT57E is the pro stock code for the HEAD iPrestige MP that came out in 2001. The racquet has the same mold as the legendary Head Pro Tour 630 (PT57A), but with a stiffer layup. You still feel the racquet “flex” on impact, but you get a bit more power than the PT57A.
The head size is listed at 98 sq inches but is actually 95 since HEAD used to measure the outside of the frame. Coupled with the tight 18×20 string pattern, this means that this is a very control-oriented racquet for advanced players. It is a bit lighter to swing than the Head Pro Tour 630 and power comes easier, but it still has a relatively small sweet spot compared to today’s frames. The PT57E is today used by Pablo Cuevas and Florian Mayer to name two.
HEAD iPrestige MP Specs
Head size: 95 sq. in. / 613 sq. cm.
Length: 27 in. / 68.6 cm
Strung weight: 12.1 oz. / 343 gr
Balance: 6pts HL (32 cm)
Swing weight: 324
Stiffness: 63
Beamwidth: 21mm
Composition: Graphite Composite w/Piezzo Electric Fibers in the shaft
String pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses
The PT57E I use in the video is significantly heavier: 350g strung, 32.6 cm balance, 350 SW. Paired with a thicker grip than what I am used to, it was quite difficult to use, but when you contact the ball properly, it feels great.
PT57E and other pro stocks
Each pro stock HEAD racquet has a code. You can find out more about HEAD pro stock codes here. The PT57 mold was used for the Head Pro Tour 630 / 280 (PT57A), the iPrestige (PT57E) and the HEAD Radical Tour (PT57B). There was also a PT57 mold with a cross-bar called PT57F.
Pro stock frames from HEAD are quite rare and costly to buy. So if you want to try the classic HEAD feel, it is cheaper to get a used retail version. But I really recommend you do give it a try, although they are not the easiest frames to use, they are very rewarding when you play well.
You can find more about pro stock racquets here and buy pro stocks at either prostocktennis.com or Stringforum.
8 comments
I have one i.Prestige MP in 98% condition.
Until recently I’d been out of the game for a long time, but I always like to keep one good stick and one good pair of shoes on hand should a game come up. It just so happens the last frame I bought as my “ready standby” was when the Intelligence line was current, and since I preferred HEAD sticks in the mid/mid-plus range I just happened to purchase an i.Prestige MP, ordered strung with Tecnifibre NRG² 17. (This was before polyesters were around and I always have liked TF multis.)
I rarely played since I got it so it is very close to mint; the paint is perfect and the CAP bumper is barely scraped. Since I planned on playing again I regripped it with a similar synthetic as the stock wrap was crumbling. Only later did I find out it was notable by being a PT57 series frame. Now I want to keep it as cherry as I can so I had the (now old) NRG cut out and put Ashaway kevlar/zyex hybrid in it (at 45m/50x lbs) so I won’t have to wear the grommets out with restrings. Now he string bed is so firm it plays like a pickleball paddle, but it still has good pop and feel. (Since then I’m starting to play with various kevlar sets in my other frames, btw). I saw you had the weight at 343 gm; my static weight with no lead or overgrip is 344 gm.
I do like the PT57 family and my current main sticks are the Tecnifibre Tfight 315 Ltd. XTC 18×20 which are basically a PT57/H19 pattern; when you hold them face to face with the i.Prestige every dimension is nearly identical (even tho the Tfight is a nominal 98 sq/in frame. Hmmm. I’ll have to measure the width and height of the stringbed to the mm to see where any difference is).
Great review on a great stick. I wish I had a few more like it, but I’m just glad to have my one.
/Acey
Love “em! Acquired 3 extended and a standard (Pablo uses the 27.5), they have the best feel/control as compared to the flexi Ti/i.Radicals ….much more scalpel like, stiffer than the 63RA rating but not harsh. Fantastic for old school FH flat shots, they make a wonderful “whomp” on proper contact. Great for training, and they were right at my spec, no lead needed. You must supply the power, but the control….amazing.
Some good info, but the PT57a and PT57e are not the same mold. The PT57a is the retail Head Pro Tour 630 mold and the PT57e is the retail I Prestige mold. Also when you say its lighter to swing than the Pro Tour, that only goes for the frame that you were using, the raquet could be set up with a higher swing weight making it slower/harder to swing. It’s all relative. All the best, Joel
Yes, I know the molds, they have the same mold, different layups/materials. The iPrestige retail came with a lower swing weight out of the box, a lack of quality control can, of course, affect this.
Nope they are not the same mold, if you send me your email address I’ll send you a picture of a comparison so you can see the main difference in the mold. I own both frames and I’ll put them side by side for you, so you can see. All the best, Joel
same mold, not same mold? edge of my seat over here;)
As far as I am aware: the mold is called PT57. The A is for Pro Tour, the B is for the Radical Tour, the E is the iPrestige MP. The letter reflects the layup, such as stiffness, materials inside, and so on. I hope this helps.
HAHAHAHA, Gheez, Tennisnerd is correct and you are wrong and you want to continue arguing with him. Same mold, different layup. This is universally known and understood.