Racket Condition-Levels of Racket Grades

Sponsored by WOOD TENNIS RACKETS, A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE

LEVELS OF GRADING:


RATING GRADE ELEMENTS OF GRADE
9 to 10 E: EXCELLENT whether used for play or not, wear is hardly noticeable; all elements intact; surface clean and bright; 1 or 2 minor defects allowed
7 to 8 VG: VERY GOOD clearly used for play or some noticeable wear or deterioration to head, shaft, grip of strings; fewer than 3 minor defects allowed
5 to 6 G: GOOD used by normal player with heavy wear or significant deterioration to several elements; may have several defects but no damage is allowed
3 to 4 F: FAIR heavy playing is evident, scraping at head has caused loss of frame; some damage allowed for construction defects or failures such as weak throat or partial delamination
1 to 2 P: POOR filler status only; actual damage by use, abuse, or neglect

NOTES:
MAJOR DEFECTS: AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADE
  1. Extensive deterioration or appearance of any of the following original elements should cause an automatic drop of one level in grade: strings, wraps, decals, leather grip, or, for a wood handle racket, the butt strap.
  2. While all defects should be noteed, some may also be severe enough to force a conditional downgrade.

MINOR DEFECTS: NEED TO BE NOTED
  1. Varnish/paint: scratches, flaking, dullness, fading, discoloration, crackling (that is, conditions which can not be normally cleaned and would need to be repaired, if even possible)
  2. Logos/decals: scratches, wrinkling, partially missing or unreadable
  3. Surface Wear: grime, tape residue, identification labels, gouging, carving, writing, knicks, midlew, any marks or dullness (even if they may be cleaned)
  4. Wraps: broken, peeling, worn or missing
  5. Shoulder Reinforcement: dirty, frayed, broken, or cracked fabric or material
  6. Butt End/cap: partially missing, loose, damaged or unreadable
  7. Warping: twisting or deformation of the frame
  8. Grips: regrips or overgrips, overlays applied, including adhesive tape residue on wood handles
  9. Wood Rot: woodworm or deterioration of the wood

Copyright © 2000 Clark H. Bensen, All Rights Reserved.


Updates or Additions? email to: clark@woodtennisrackets.com

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updated: 2004-jul-03