chiromikey

Couldn’t stop watching that!

We did get some facts cleared up but there may not be another set of production irons that have more mystery, speculation, and discussion surrounding them than these things. The only thing I know for sure is that they’re coming with me to my next range session! I’ll hit them along side a set of tour issue Miuras and some Epons and see if I can add to the speculation as to who produced them for Taylormade. Ha!!

You could very well be right about the way my search creates answers. I still believe it was the TP version that was created for Goosen and the set you and I have are the regular RAC MBs. I do recall reading that the originals were Endo forged but I fear I’ll never be able to prove that now.

Digging a little deeper and it appears that the TP version may not have been released to the U.S. market until 2006 so there may be more than one correct answer as to when it came out…none of which gets you any closer to the answer to your original question. Sorry if this rabbit hole led you too far off topic.

Here’s the same stock photo from another google search. The TPs are stamped with “TP” in the center of the crest on the muscle and this includes the production date.

I believe the TPs were the ones specifically created for Goosen in ‘03. I’ll see if I can dig up some info.

These were the MB TPs

The TPs were different than the regular RAC MBs shown in your pics.

I believe they are referring to the RAC MB TP version. Again, grain of salt…

I still have a set of these that I bought new when I had no business playing blades simply because they were so pretty and felt amazing when center struck. They are fantastic and forced me to get on the path of becoming a better player. It’s been well over a decade since I knew much about these but I seem to recall them being Endo forged not Miura. As mentioned it’s been way too long for me to remember any definitive information so take my input with a grain of salt.

When those Monaco TTs are in the right head they are some of the absolute best I’ve ever tried! I was ready to sell them after pulling them out of an MB iron and threw them in a set of chocolate 302s just because I thought the color match would look really cool. Holy crap did they perform well and feel amazing! I went on to shoot several of my lowest rounds ever and now I’ll NEVER break up that set! Whoever gets these won’t regret it if they go into the right head!

JBeam loft?

What shafts are in the LEDs?

Besides color and face milling instead of grooves, does the Black differ from the regular 435 in any other ways?

I didn’t think there were any actual specific differences were between the black and the regular but I seem to hit the regular one better. Is the face material different? Ironically, mine are all 9.5° as well. I’ve won several long drive contests with the 435 as well as member tourneys and local events. I’ve hit some drives just as long with others like the Ryoma V-Spec but not as consistently. Maybe I should buy just another one of these for that Stinger shaft…?

I rediscovered my tried and true love but I still think I’m going to build something with this shaft.

I had a jBeam 435 Black and this old fav, the Crazy labeled version. I removed the stuffing from it, pulled the Seven Dreamers out of the Bullet, and reshafted it into the Crazy. I put the extra heavy weight in the toe and super light weight in the heel to promote a straighter/higher ball flight. It still swingweighted at E6 lol but felt a ton lighter. I’ll have to get used to the stock hollow sound but as always it’s a beast. Nice arching draw with tons of roll. Definitely gained control as well as 30+ yards over the Bullet. This head just sets up so nicely and familiar. I still want to build something new just to get my juices flowing but this combo just can’t be beat for me.

I’ll take the Zen

love it Stew, thanks!! I’m going to move my Seven Dreamers out of the Bullet and into one of my 435s with some weight removed and see how that goes. For s**ts and giggles I’ve been thinking about building a non conforming driver to get me excited about getting back into not only playing but the silly game club hoeing. Anything stand out to you in those heads?

I've yet to buy into adjustable hosels and have never owned a club with one. I've always fought the left side when I miss and to this day I believe it has a lot to do with the severe upright lies on modern drivers and fairways. The spec sheet on the new TM-X line claims that these can be adjusted to 3* flat. That in and of itself has me very interested...

I guess I may end up letting you know then lol

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Vanquish!

I know it’s not the equipment that will make me a better player or get me back to a scratch handicap but I don’t have the time to devote to get back there. I also know that I simply don’t have the strength anymore to swing a XX shaft or produce enough swing speed to make a low loft and low spinning head like the 435 or Bullet work for me. So I’m looking for new equipment to fit my game, not fix it.

Hmmm....so maybe take some weight out of one of my 435s and reshaft it to something in the 50-60g area with a higher launch? You think my new geriatric swing speed could still make that head work? I'm not trying to work the ball anymore, at least not yet...just need something straight and as long as possible. I'm not a fan of hitting 5 and 6 irons into greens that used to take 8 or 9 irons.

I didn’t fall in love with the 435 until I stuffed the head. After that the feel and sound matched the performance and I was head over heels. Looking forward to hearing about your next jBeam!