this is an open question to everyone: has anyone else seen discontinued models of Yonex badminton rackets reappearing in shops (ie. not simply getting rid of old stock)?

what i mean by this is that today in my local (and official, mind you) Yonex distributor, Stadium Sports in Box Hill, Australia, i have seen long discontinued Yonex models such as the Carbonex 20 Muscle and Carbonex 15 amongst others being stocked for the first time in a very *very* long time, but with 2009 date codes on the cone (for those that haven't read the relevant threads - http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31873, this means a code of xxxxxxx ddmmyzAA where xxxxxxx is the serial number, and ddmmy is the manufacturing date, z is irrelevant for this discussion (batch number?), and AA is the distribution region). for example, i saw a Muscle Power 88 with a code like 8xxxxxx xxxx9zAS, which is a racket manufactured in 2009 with a serial/shaft number about where it should be (in the 8mil area), distributed to Australia, and with the 4UG5 'sticker' engraved on the cone as per manufactured-in-2009 rackets - but wasn't the last time the MP88 was made was around 2006?. now this is very odd especially for Australia, and you should know this if you've bought rackets in Australia before, because we have a relatively small badminton market and even the latest rackets tend to come out months after the "official" release date. to have older rackets specially made for our market, nonetheless any market, makes this even more peculiar. this could have wide implications for other global distributors as well - can they simply re-order discontinued (and popular) Yonex rackets? (hinting 1st Gen Ti-10 here...)

now i have little interest in discussion of whether these rackets are fake or not (i don't work there, i don't know the ordering process, but i know the owner - Xin Jiang, ex-Chinese player, and he tells me that he 'simply asked' Yonex for some old models and viola!... sound shifty? who am i to judge =P), i'm more interested in how and why Yonex are doing aforementioned business! for example, is it Yonex's response to their new competition, Li Ning and Victor???

so are Yonex still producing these older models for other mainstream markets as well (as in, do people still see discontinued rackets from Yonex Sunrise for example with 2009 manufacturing dates?)?

looking forward to reading your opinions and stories below.
:)


mods: i wasn't sure if this should go in this sub-forum or in the Market Place. i thought a discussion on this would be more inclined towards equipment, but please relocate it if necessary... =)

this does seem kinda shifty. My first response was to scream out fake, and it still is. Try to get teh cone code, and get that verified by leehsim/ yonex in some way. I have a feeling that the Fakers are catching up.

Haha....You'd be freaked out if I told you I've seen newly produced Ti-10 3rd Gen in Hong Kong...

no no no. i would expect a Ti-10 third gen, but an MP-88? that is quite a shock.

I would ask Yonex. They'll be honest with you as they won't want you buying a fake product. Send them a message using the form on their website (here (http://www.yonex.com/company/contact.html)) and see what they say. I should imagine you'll get a reply in a few days and we'll be able to put the matter to bed.

for the past few days, some new old at700 IP and SP rackets are appearing in our shops here in SGP....

for the past few days, some new old at700 IP and SP rackets are appearing in our shops here in SGP....

Are they selling at a absurdly high price?

I think if there is demand, Yonex would probably make a batch of anything.

Stadium Sports seems to have been around for ages and LOTS of people buy from them, so I'd say the chances of them being fakes is slim to none.

However, I'd be surprised if there was enough demand in Australia alone for a new batch of discontinued rackets.

FYI, yes, Yonex local might bring back some old discontinued model. They are discontinued in on region, but not other. For your example, Cab20ms is still in production all these time. It is just they were not sold in AS foe 2 years already. It is regional office to decide to bring back any model that is still in production.

Haha I shop at Stadium Sports too for my baddy equipment.

I just called a certain shop in Singapore and was told that there are a few pieces of AT700 (old version) 3UG5 surfacing here and available for sale albeit only in limited quantity (IP code). I was told to drop in tomorrow as they have a couple of additional pieces coming in, as the first three pieces they brought in has been snapped up.. quite quickly actually.

Likely they did not get these from the local Sunrise distributor as I checked a couple of days ago at Sports Life (Sunrise retail shop here) and requested for the old AT700 (i.e. old stocks in their warehouse) and was told they are out of stock. Also enquired about Ti10 1st gen and waiting for reply.

Are they selling at a absurdly high price?


at the usual at900 pricing range..:p

at the usual at900 pricing range..:p
oh wow, i want to get one :crying::crying:

this does seem kinda shifty. My first response was to scream out fake, and it still is. Try to get teh cone code, and get that verified by leehsim/ yonex in some way. I have a feeling that the Fakers are catching up.

same with me, my first thought is "***FAKE***!!!!!!!!!OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!!" then it was like "...hey, should i get one?" but seriously, as Easy Tiger pointed out, they are the only reputable badminton store in Melbourne, Australia and the chances of them stocking a fake are minimal to none, especially with their title of official Yonex stockist (see http://www.yonex.com.au/brands/yonex/VIC/stockists.php - click on Box Hill) - stocking a fake could lead to breach of contract or whatnot. having said that, they do also stock a number of other brands of badminton rackets, including Prince, Head, and Pro-Ace notably.

no no no. i would expect a Ti-10 third gen, but an MP-88? that is quite a shock.

yup, i wouldn't be as surprised if it was a Ti-10 third gen, as that is technically the current model out (still would be surprised though, when was the last time a Ti-10 was stocked on an Australian store shelf?). if it was a Ti-10 first gen... hmmm... on the other hand, stocking a Muscle Power 88 (and mind you, they have both the BLUE and long-sought after RED versions with manufactured-in-2009 date codes in 3UG5 and 4UG5) is quite remarkable on at least two fronts: 1) how/why could they make both red and blue versions this year? 2) G5 grip size in Australia is incredibly rare. now i'm at odds with myself: should i get one or should i save up for a NS9900? *sigh*

is anyone else seeing or hearing this in their local stores?

if they're selling the 1st gen ti-10s, i would buy all of them!

Likely they did not get these from the local Sunrise distributor as I checked a couple of days ago at Sports Life (Sunrise retail shop here) and requested for the old AT700 (i.e. old stocks in their warehouse) and was told they are out of stock. Also enquired about Ti10 1st gen and waiting for reply.

My impression of Sports Life is that they only carry the latest range. They will have an entire shelf of ARC10 but have the most limited supply of Cabs. They are also not the best stocked.

Is there a possibility that this might be a marketing ploy to make people stick to Yonex? They can't let victor and lining take over the world without putting up a fight.:D

So now the question is, would you buy your old favourite (for example, the yonex ti10 1st gen) after missing it for so many years? or would you buy a Lining N90?:)

Is there a possibility that this might be a marketing ploy to make people stick to Yonex? They can't let victor and lining take over the world without putting up a fight.:D

So now the question is, would you buy your old favourite (for example, the yonex ti10 1st gen) after missing it for so many years? or would you buy a Lining N90?:)


i would still buy the old at700 sp instead of the N90, after getting the zelm of course...:D

i would still buy the old at700 sp instead of the N90, after getting the zelm of course...:D

So ZELM is also in the picture now. Hmmm, Yonex, Victor, Lining, Zelm :rolleyes::rolleyes::D:D

only rsl, head, prince, karakal, pro kennex, apacs, proace and sotx to go.
plus others.

Now i'm at odds with myself: should i get one or should i save up for a NS9900? *sigh*

Is anyone else seeing or hearing this in their local stores?

I had a hit with a 9900 last night, it's a bloody nice racket. Felt head heavy because it had no grip tape, but it had more feeling and more of a solid feel - more tactile - than my Head MT8000. The Head feels kinda hollow and pingy and is more unforgiving on the mishits. Both were strung at 24lbs with NBG95.

I must admit I've been tempted to go and revisit some older classics, but I'm not sure what the point is beyond sentimentality. If you could get re-issues for good prices I can see where it might be worth a shot, but for me I'm more interested in getting the modern stuff and figuring out what I like, rather than risking falling in love with something that was last made in 1942 ;)

Still, I'd love to have a hit with some of the classics again, like the Cab 21, Ti-10, and MP99.

looks like yonex is re-producing them again...;)

For all we know that AT700 in that picture could be the "newer AT700 frame(the lighter red one)" in the old paint job...
Its still legit, but that doesn't mean it will preform as well as we hoped for

But that stated Mp-88 in the thread opener, is convincing me...

Just my opinion

For all we know that AT700 in that picture could be the "newer AT700 frame(the lighter red one)" in the old paint job...
Its still legit, but that doesn't mean it will preform as well as we hoped for

But that stated Mp-88 in the thread opener, is convincing me...

Just my opinion

the AT700 pictured is not as head heavy as the newer lighter red version, comparatively both racket unstrung.

looks like yonex is re-producing them again...;)


bro, you bought the recent resurrection? :eek:

bro, you bought the recent resurrection? :eek:


if you want to, and is fast enough, there's still some left in queensway..;)

I recently saw the ti10 is gen online in my badminton store but it was over $450
And I recently bought a ti10 for £6.99 but more about that in the thread I wrote about it before anyone asks I sold it

Classic Sports still have a few pieces left of AT700 1st gen IP code 3UG5. I just got mine today. A few pieces is already reserved for a Malaysian order in KL.

These are genuine pieces as I was there when the Sunrise representative delivered the order and the rackets were unpacked from the Sunrise boxes.

Classic Sports still have a few pieces left of AT700 1st gen IP code 3UG5. I just got mine today. A few pieces is already reserved for a Malaysian order in KL.

These are genuine pieces as I was there when the Sunrise representative delivered the order and the rackets were unpacked from the Sunrise boxes.

If you don't mind sharing how much you've paid for them, I'm sure many at700 lovers would like to know ;)

If you don't mind sharing how much you've paid for them, I'm sure many at700 lovers would like to know ;)

$220 but I selected Nanogy98 string and have to top-up $5. Total $225.

A nugget of information from the owner. According to him the IP coded racquets are better quality than SP. IP coded are usually reserved for the professional players whereas the SP is for the mass market.

I also asked him is there really any difference between the new and old AT700.. is it really just cosmetic. His answer is there is really a difference the feel of the racquets are different.

As for Li Ning racquets he has no plans to order them yet as the N series is really pricey. I told him I will let him string my Woods N90 for me when I receive mine from Shanghai.

looks like yonex is re-producing them again...;)

Good stuff :D

Is that your AT700 1st gen?

looks like yonex is re-producing them again...;)

Hi Alan,
Is there any different (in terms of stiffness and the BP) between the above racket and the racket issued in 2006? I saw some people said that old color one was a new color version racket with old color painting only. Is that true?
Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex

I don't think this would be an effective way to battle LiNing.

Back to basic/"blast from the past" only shows how inadequate new lines of Yonex are.

IF Yonex fear LiNing they should focus more on the performance and durability rather than a short term attraction through cosmetics (if thats really the case for the at700) or reproduction of old models (drives down the demand/worth of the few existing rackets ie. Ti10 first, slim10, at700) in personal collections.

Besides, LiNing's rackets are 1. unaffordable for the vast public 2. new in the market (even tho they have kason etc's expertise)

I really do hope Yonex line would consider reducing its price so its more competitive to Victor and LiNing.

does anyone know whether they still make the MP-88 in its new form? if they make the old AT700, and the thread creator says he saw it, it should appear elsewhere, correct?

Good stuff :D

Is that your AT700 1st gen?

yes it is...:p

Hi Alan,
Is there any different (in terms of stiffness and the BP) between the above racket and the racket issued in 2006? I saw some people said that old color one was a new color version racket with old color painting only. Is that true?
Thank you!

Best regards,
Alex

hi alex,
there's no difference compared to that IP coded. i've had used the newer bright red version before, and there's differences between them. this SP and that IP doesnt feel as head heavy as the newer version, so imho this SP is not a re-painted version...:p

IP coded without PBSI seal but with Sunrise hologram identification sticker.

yes it is...:p



hi alex,
there's no difference compared to that IP coded. i've had used the newer bright red version before, and there's differences between them. this SP and that IP doesnt feel as head heavy as the newer version, so imho this SP is not a re-painted version...:p

Yes agreed! tested both version. This old gen of mine BP=290 totally different feel with the latest gen. 'Feel' quite similar with TI-10 2nd gen.
Backhand and drives is better than ti10. Needs whipping effect to produce the power. But ' a bit' lack in speed in defense and movement compare with TI-10. Hopefully the frame can take high tension stringing:(

Is there a possibility that this might be a marketing ploy to make people stick to Yonex? They can't let victor and lining take over the world without putting up a fight.:D

So now the question is, would you buy your old favourite (for example, the yonex ti10 1st gen) after missing it for so many years? or would you buy a Lining N90?:)

hehe i think if it's the same, i'll choose the ti10 (1st gen), for me, why try the new one if we don't know how it's feel (li-ning n90) :D

hehe i think if it's the same, i'll choose the ti10 (1st gen), for me, why try the new one if we don't know how it's feel (li-ning n90) :D

There you go, people will still choose yonex.:) So, this put up some resistance to lining and victor:D IMO

well, i wouldn't be so quick to judge li-ning before actually trying it out.
who knows, it might be the next classic like the old ti-10.

well, i wouldn't be so quick to judge li-ning before actually trying it out.
who knows, it might be the next classic like the old ti-10.

Yes, agree, i am just saying that this put up some resistance to lining.

Of course Yonex will have to do something to beat down lining.:) But for the price of Yonex, it is still the same:o too expensive.:(

I don't think this would be an effective way to battle LiNing.

Back to basic/"blast from the past" only shows how inadequate new lines of Yonex are.

IF Yonex fear LiNing they should focus more on the performance and durability rather than a short term attraction through cosmetics (if thats really the case for the at700) or reproduction of old models (drives down the demand/worth of the few existing rackets ie. Ti10 first, slim10, at700) in personal collections.

Besides, LiNing's rackets are 1. unaffordable for the vast public 2. new in the market (even tho they have kason etc's expertise)

I really do hope Yonex line would consider reducing its price so its more competitive to Victor and LiNing.

maybe it's a new strategy of Yonex? maybe their focus is reclaiming the markets they lost by stopping production of these 'classic' rackets as these people didn't feel a desire to move to Yonex's newer line and chose alternatives instead (e.g. Apacs, Kason, RSL, Victor, and now Li Ning...)? having said that, i don't disagree with anything you've written Distanc3. i personally would appreciate a price reduction in Yonex's line too, especially as the MP88 i saw was going for roughly AU$230, and a newer Armortec/NanoSpeed was going for roughly AU$260. pricing strategy? what apparent pricing strategy?

does anyone know whether they still make the MP-88 in its new form? if they make the old AT700, and the thread creator says he saw it, it should appear elsewhere, correct?

what do you mean by its new form? i guess i should have taken a picture when i saw it, bummer... (i'm not headed down there for a while too, is anyone else visiting Stadium Sports soon? and can they perhaps take a quick pic and post it here?) i can say i held both the old red version and the new blue version of the MP88 in i think 3UG5 and 4UG5 only, if that helps jymbalaya. i'm wondering though that if Yonex is reproducing these rackets for a small Australian market, surely they should be doing the same for a larger Asian market to get potentially more back... or do they have a different marketing/product strategy in line for the Asian markets in response to Li Ning's and Victor's competition (where in Australia they have very little dominance compared to Yonex)? hmmm......

Hi I have got a new Ti-8 SP as well

augh, why cant Yonex release any of these in America?
that Ti-8 looks really nice too.:crying:

is there an online site where i can buy these rackets? It doesnt seem like the US is getting it anytime soon.

wow... looks like Yonex is going global with reproducing these older models then. very nice looking Ti-8 by the way. wonder what other rackets, new or old, they'll bring out next?

sry i not sure is this off topic but is buying a mp99 still worth it? or should i save extra money to buy some other yonex racket

I saw MP100 at the Stadium Sports ebay store. The date code is 160397AS means produce in 2009. So other old series rackets will also be coming back to the market again? Any other source besides Stadium Sports?

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/YONEX-BADMINTON-RACQUET-Muscle-Power-100-power_W0QQitemZ300322115448QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_B adminton?hash=item45ec97cf78&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A30

I saw MP100 at the Stadium Sports ebay store. The date code is 160397AS means produce in 2009. So other old series rackets will also be coming back to the market again? Any other source besides Stadium Sports?

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/YONEX-BADMINTON-RACQUET-Muscle-Power-100-power_W0QQitemZ300322115448QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_B adminton?hash=item45ec97cf78&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A30

I am not definiteley sure , but I thought that the Muscle Power rackets wern't discontinued in some countries?

The store looks legit , and it probably is - maybe you could email them asking them about it?

I am not definiteley sure , but I thought that the Muscle Power rackets wern't discontinued in some countries?


the MP100 was discontinued permanently a while back, until now.
wonder when the mp88 is going to arrive in the US.

the MP100 was discontinued permanently a while back, until now.
wonder when the mp88 is going to arrive in the US.

In HK, you can found the MP88. But the price is around HK$1800, will you consider to buy it. That price can buy a JP racket.

i've got a question, since later time of 08, yonex uses engraving instead of tape for the grip size and weight, but the ti8 above still uses tape, I wonder if anyone can explain that. the stadium shop doesnt show the u and g values of mp100, i'm also curious that.

Mp100- 2u/3u, G3/g4?

It is believed the laser engraving for the grip size and weight for yonex racket only apply in the new models instead of classic model. Since I have seen most of the classic model producing at 2009 such as Cab20 Mussle sp, cab 20 sp, MP88 sp, ti-8 sp, iso 800 tour sp, ti-7 sp, NS8000 JP (old color) etc, all these models are sticking with the tape for the grip size and weight. However, ARC seroius, AT serious, NS serious (new color racket) are engraving by laser. However, the sticker issued by sunrise is the new type instead of the old style.

It is believed the laser engraving for the grip size and weight for yonex racket only apply in the new models instead of classic model. Since I have seen most of the classic model producing at 2009 such as Cab20 Mussle sp, cab 20 sp, MP88 sp, ti-8 sp, iso 800 tour sp, ti-7 sp, NS8000 JP (old color) etc, all these models are sticking with the tape for the grip size and weight. However, ARC seroius, AT serious, NS serious (new color racket) are engraving by laser. However, the sticker issued by sunrise is the new type instead of the old style.

@hyper_power111: where did you find the NS8000 JP racket with the 2009 date? i'm surprised you found a JP code, the rest of the finds so far have been AS and SP i think...

I just saw it at Rose Sports in HK, shaft code is 844...... It is definitely a old color version.

looks like yonex is re-producing them again...;)
I've checked it; there's a Yonex style barcode sticker underneath the rubber grip directly pasted on the wooden handle, just like my AS version NS9900. IT IS REAL.

Sorry for the resurrection, just felt like contributing since some people still strongly believe these are fake, which is not the case.