Praise for yet another obscure frame from PRINCE!

OK, most of you know me for my detailed reviews of the Wilson player's frames, especically the T90, n90, and K90. So what if I fell in love with an obscure frame from none other than the 'Once Owned by Benetton' company, Prince?? Could any serious Wilson-o-Phile or lover of mid-sized frames ever take me seriously again? Dare I stake my reputation (such as it is?) on what I am about to say?? Read on, and you shall see.

Today was a Monday and that means two hours of hitting w/ one my former DI female partners. She's 24 and just ran the 1/2 marathon, but you'd never know it. In short, get ready to run, hit and sweat because she is not going to get tired. ;)

Now, for the topic at hand: I was about to hand over the cache of Prince NXG Graphite Mids (347 grams, 8 pts HL, SW 330) my old pal Fabrice Leroy had sent along some time ago, when the spirit moved me to take one out of my bag and have a hit. Man am I ever glad I did!

To cut to the chase: this is a GREAT frame. It does everything well. It is stable, hits a heavy ball, and is VERY manuverable:

Serve: I served with it as well as with ANY other frame I've ever tried with the exception of the Babolat PD.

Groundstrokes: I rallied the ball deep and consistently with plenty of spin control.

Transition shots: Slice approaches 'bit' and skidded.

Volleys: Volleys had great touch, 'pop', and placement.

Returns: stable, STABLE, STABLE! Chip, flat, topspin, all just there.

Try one!

CC
 
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Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
cool. it's nice to see someone appreciate it.

i swear by these frames, i have 3 that i currently use, with two brand new in the closet.

i still play with my o3 tours, but if i have a big match, i always use the nxg's. something about them just clicks with my game. :)
 

cghipp

Professional
How different are they from the TT Graphite? I'm using the TT Graphite mid now and LOVE it, but I don't see much that's similar out there for when these bite the dust.
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
"most of you know me for"...."my reputation"....time to go back into analysis, don't you think? It's hard to know what to make of the advice of a guy who just put about a hundred racquets up for sale and seems to swear by many of them. Have you purchased 4 of the NXG and switched to it yet?
 

GS

Professional
I swear by the NXG MidPlus. It was once Tennis Magazine's Editors Choice Award winner. Can't figure out why it wasn't a best seller, especially with its $89 price tag. I ended up with 6 of em, for cheap.
 

nickb

Banned
"most of you know me for"...."my reputation"....time to go back into analysis, don't you think? It's hard to know what to make of the advice of a guy who just put about a hundred racquets up for sale and seems to swear by many of them. Have you purchased 4 of the NXG and switched to it yet?

CC does use many different rackets like most people on here but from what I have read he is a VERY VERY good player...he just said its a nice racket...people are allowed to think a racket is nice and comment on it without having to switch!

Nick
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Craig, I totally agree with your review! I demoed the Prince NXG Graphite Mid when it first came out several years ago and I loved it! I almost switched to it from the PS 6.0 95 I was using at the time. However, I had so many PS 6.0 95's stocked up at the time that I couldn't really justify also stocking up on the NXG Mid (which at the time were selling for full price). Anyway, along with the POG, this is about the only other Prince racquet that I've really liked.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
As I endeavored into more flexible racquets a couple of years ago, this one really made the lights turn on for me. Funny how there's been a really fickle reception for this line of frames - seems like anyone with any knowledge of the NXG's either loves them or completely dismisses them as absolute crap. In my painfully extensive search for a better fitting racquet a while back, the Volkl C10 has been the only other one that I've kept in the bag.

I got familiar with the NXG mids around the same time that I found a couple of LM Prestige mids. Thought that the Head frames would be superior, but the Prince mids just kept on proving to be a more civilized alternative for me. Easy to handle for a roughly 13 oz. racquet, great for my all court style, and MAN, these things make some spectacular spin when I want it. My favorite string setup in the mid has been a 17 ga. multi at 58 lbs. I like the LaserFibre Phenom; as multi's go, it's a little more crisp than soft and rubbery.

Good find there, CC! Let us know if you have any revelations with it or come across any fantastic string options. I've never used any of the vintage Yonex frames that were both really soft and really heavy, but after using this NXG mid for a while, I think I can understand why some players miss those old Cadillacs.
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
CC Have you ever hit a Prince Precision Equipe?

I would think that one would really be right up your alley.

J
 
Are these frames that good? I saw these a while ago and they were really cheap here in the Netherlands. Was tempted too buy but didnt because of the strange air handle and the negative reviews on this board.... Damn you Craig, u made me curious!
 
"most of you know me for"...."my reputation"....time to go back into analysis, don't you think? It's hard to know what to make of the advice of a guy who just put about a hundred racquets up for sale and seems to swear by many of them. Have you purchased 4 of the NXG and switched to it yet?


No, but I am struck by the degree of emotion this seems to conjure up in you. ;) CC
 
Craig, I totally agree with your review! I demoed the Prince NXG Graphite Mid when it first came out several years ago and I loved it! I almost switched to it from the PS 6.0 95 I was using at the time. However, I had so many PS 6.0 95's stocked up at the time that I couldn't really justify also stocking up on the NXG Mid (which at the time were selling for full price). Anyway, along with the POG, this is about the only other Prince racquet that I've really liked.

Yes. Me too. I've tried many Prince frames over the years and found only two that 'really' suit me, namely the POG mid and this one. I liked the O3 Hybrid Tour, but wouldn't really consider it.
 
"most of you know me for"...."my reputation"....time to go back into analysis, don't you think? It's hard to know what to make of the advice of a guy who just put about a hundred racquets up for sale and seems to swear by many of them. Have you purchased 4 of the NXG and switched to it yet?

BTW, I played the Wilson PS 6.0 85 for twenty years plus. I've used the n/K90 exclusively for actual match/league play for the past 18 months.

Yes, I enjoy hitting with different frames from time to time. Is that so wrong?

Finally, just for the record, my advice was simply 'Try one!'. :)

Best,

CC
 

samster

Hall of Fame
Yeah, I remember that Equipe was quite popular when it came out. Not quite as popular as Jo11y Ranchers but close. But if I recall correct, it was even balance...I may be wrong. Don't quote me.
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah, I remember that Equipe was quite popular when it came out. Not quite as popular as Jo11y Ranchers but close. But if I recall correct, it was even balance...I may be wrong. Don't quote me.

I am just happy that I can now say "Back in My Day." speaking tennis wise.

J
 

Richie Rich

Legend
found the nxg to be really flexy. you could really feel the throat/shaft bend when you hit the ball. combined with a dense string pattern the mid was just too much racquet for me.
 
CC does use many different rackets like most people on here but from what I have read he is a VERY VERY good player...he just said its a nice racket...people are allowed to think a racket is nice and comment on it without having to switch!

Nick

Thanks man! Yeah, I just hit it and liked it. Is this a crime? :confused: CC
 
CC Have you ever hit a Prince Precision Equipe?

I would think that one would really be right up your alley.

J

The Precision Equipe was one of my favorite frames of all time. If memory serves......it was a 95", 12.3+ oz., stiff (70?), player's frame in the late 90"s maybe? It was a beast of a frame with good power but somehow managed decent control and maneuverability. I used it for about 3 years and loved it. It was their version of a Pro Staff probably. Sad day when it was discontinued because IMO they did not replace it with any similar spec frames. CC thanks for the feedback on the NXG's!
 
The Precision Equipe was one of my favorite frames of all time. If memory serves......it was a 95", 12.3+ oz., stiff (70?), player's frame in the late 90"s maybe? It was a beast of a frame with good power but somehow managed decent control and maneuverability. I used it for about 3 years and loved it. It was their version of a Pro Staff probably. Sad day when it was discontinued because IMO they did not replace it with any similar spec frames. CC thanks for the feedback on the NXG's!


My pleasure! I may have to rustle up one of these for a hit. I know my pal Geoff used to use one. Best, CC
 

superstition

Hall of Fame
I demoed one of these (the mid, I believe) years ago and it was awful. Little power. Hard feel. Awkward. But, it had cheap string in it which can make or break a racquet.
 
There's a new Prince racquet that Roman Prokes has been raving about every time I stop in there. It looks just like a Graphite. It's a kind of sparkling orange and appears to have speed ports. He loves it. Says Pat McEnroe switched to it and raves about it.

You guys ever heard of such a frame?
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
There's a new Prince racquet that Roman Prokes has been raving about every time I stop in there. It looks just like a Graphite. It's a kind of sparkling orange and appears to have speed ports. He loves it. Says Pat McEnroe switched to it and raves about it.

You guys ever heard of such a frame?
Are you talking about the O3 Speedport Tour? If so, it's been out for over a year.

SP03TR-1.JPG


http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCPRINCE-SP03TR.html
 

GS

Professional
No, McEnroe's using the new Speedport Graphite---it's got a stabilizer crossbar like the POG. It's coming out soon---unfortunately in metallic orange.....
 
No. Just imagine a graphite with that orange metallic paint and speedports.

Apparently it's a really great racquet. I'm going to demo it for fun soon.
 
Does this new Prince frame have the 'oval' or "Head-like" shape of the NXG mid? I think that's one of the reasons I liked the frame. I was hitting ridiculous kickers with it. :) CC
 

nickb

Banned
Just hit with my new pair of NXG Mids...wow...very flexy..tons of control and very stable...low powered but still got some decent pace and spin. Great racket for the money.

Nick
 

nickb

Banned
Glad you enjoyed them Nick! A fun frame, yes? :) CC

Cheers Craig...very fun!

I wont be switching because I love my fischers too much but the NXG is a great all-court frame. Ive never ever hit my slices so low!...great at net and on flat serves. Glad I got one for my bag...

Nick
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
Precision Equipe sweet stick

CC Have you ever hit a Prince Precision Equipe?

I would think that one would really be right up your alley.

J

jolly, I must admit I just recently acquired 2 Prince Precision Equipe midplus. They are freshly strung and in the bag. The 700 pl has added depth and pace to my shots, they could bump the Heads out. Serves are hard and precise with a lot of spin.

I cannot believe I never tried the Equipe before...the two I found are mint. I expect I'll break a lot of strings if I switch tho....broke one already within an hour. I'll need to scrounge up a third if I switch.

Paid about $20 each.

Which is nice.

:)
 

Richie Rich

Legend
Interesting. I thought it was flexy, but nothing more than say a C10 Pro. CC

while maybe they had similar flex, they flexed in different spots and the c-10 was a MP. i could really rip the ball with the c-10. i had to really swing with the nxg to get the ball to do anything :lol:
 
LOL, lucky puppy I yam...

I'm glad YOU'RE happy:mad:

Seriously, It astounds me that Prince dropped that frame and came up with nothing like it as a "next generation" so to speak. What a great stick...have fun with them (if you don't like them feel free to email me and I will more than gladly take them off your hands for what you paid for them...heck, I'll even throw in an additional $5 so you can make a profit, lol).
 
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