The thing is, Yonex never took off the Cab20 from Yonex-Japan's website, so that probably means Yonex always makes Cab-20? (maybe it's only in Japan?)
It would make sense for Yonex to keep some of the popular older models in order to provide a wide range of choices for their customers. Older racquets are cheaper to produce and offers good profit margin for the company as long as they're still in demand. If they truly phase out the classic models, won't the prices of the classics increase due to scarcity in stores worldwide? Perhaps Yonex has one or two dedicated factories still producing them because they're still profitable.
Ok yah, But why did they stop the Ti-10 production in North America? Why such a good racquet has to been discontinued? I'm sure if they will start back the production they will get way more money. Whatdo you think?
Despite more affluence in North America, the badminton market is pretty small comparing to Asia's and even Europe's. Only solution for the Ti-10 lovers is to shop in Asia. You might get lucky with a few stores that still have some of the classics in their inventories, but it'll be expensive due to tax and market pricing. You maybe right that they will make money if they keep producing older models that still sells, but companies have to move forward with new products to compete. Heck! Just look at the Ti-10 clones out in the market right now. Only businesses in monopolistic industries don't need to come out with new products. Even though Yonex is a dominant brand in the business, it doesn't a monopoly on badminton racquets.
In fact, I have been thinking the last digit of the Serial code (the one behind the dates) is the factory number. I believe Yonex has several lines of productions in Japan, and each line should have a number, but this is my best guess. That should explain that, if the racket serial number the first seven digits are in continuous order, for example 1111111 and 1111112, their last cone number should be the same (unless it's the last racket or the first racket in this batch), for example both should be say, 010122JP. Just my another best guess. About the Ti-10 thing, people are at two sides. People either like it a lot, or hate it very much (according to two of the shop owners I know), so there might not be that many people liking it (hard to believe, right?), but usually intermediate or above players tend to like it because of its performance, but beginners often don't like (or hate it) because of it's stiffness. Don't blame me for the last digit thing! That's just my guess! (and only guess that would make sense to me so far)
Here are a few more serial codes: 3954169 050822CD MP99 3UG3 Bought in 2003 3914079 110724CD MP88 3UG3 Bought in 2002 I also have an Isometric 500, Aerotus 100 and Aerotus 80 from the early 1990s (old Yonex logo with split triangle) but none of them have a serial number on the shaft and as far as I can tell, although the Aerotus 100 has a serial number on the cone. Guess it won't make much sense looking for my old Blacken 8100 then Cheers, Mike PS: The last digit could be some sort of check code as well to prove the validity of the serial number...
I went to a racquet shop the other day after signing some documents for my new car and I saw this MP-100 and some TiSPSAs, and for curiosity's sake I went a did the check of authenticity etc. The MP-100 sort of baffled me; it has a SP designation on the shaft (after the MP-100 or Muscle Power...) but the serial number on the cone indicates HK. I did not see the serial number on the shaft because I was already too bewildered by that weird combination, at least to me. I asked the owner and he said that he got his stock for years from Sunrise and that the racquets have certificates of authentication in his records, and if that is indeed fake, he'd replace me with ten (!). He said that this racquet indicates that it is made with "HK-side designation, but distributed through Singapore". Seriously, this guy, according to my brother, had been at this business for more than a decade and is one of the supplier of equipment to the badminton academies in the Klang Valley. Could he actually peddle a fake without knowing it? The case : SP designation on shaft, HK serial number. The price of the thing is RM 539 (USD$ 142), but I think it sells for lower than that. Also, I did a close look at the Titanium Mesh at the 3 and 10 o clock positions and they look... somewhat 30% in certainty to be painted? I remember comparing it to my own Ti-10 and I can clearly see how the Titanium Mesh is actually visible as a metallic 'pipe' of the cavity, but this one looked all too 'perfect' when placed under the light etc. Debate please.
MP 99 ch made in japan but ch is china?? purchased 2004, not sure how new it is got it off ebay canada. 2125115 265957ch
MP 99 ch made in japan but ch is china?? purchased 2004, not sure how new it is got it off ebay canada. 2125115 265957ch is this ok??? authentic??
According to our theory (serial on cone), the 1st 4 digit should be DDMM format, 5th digit should be manufactured year. Therefore, 2659 and 5 do NOT make too much sense. I am afraid, it's a fake.
