Prince Graphite Pro 90 - Page 2

pshulam · 08-10-2010, 03:42 PM

Here's the spec for the Spectrum Comp 90:

Head Size: 90 in2 / 581 cm2
Length:27 in / 686 mm
Strung Weight: 12.4 oz / 352 g (unstrung = 11.6 oz (330g))
Strung Balance: 6 pts HL / 325 mm
Composition: Graphite, Kevlar, Fiberglass, and Silicon Carbide Ceramic Fibers
Beam Width: 19 mm Straight Beam
Power Level: Low
Stiffness: 62
Swing Type: Long / Fast
Swing Weight: 301
String Pattern: 14 mains / 18 crosses
Grip Type: Prince Full Grain Leather
String Tension: 50 - 65 lbs / 23 – 30 kg recommended

The POG mid should be slightly stiffer according to Prince.

gloumar · 08-11-2010, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshulam

Here's the spec for the Spectrum Comp 90:

Head Size: 90 in2 / 581 cm2
Length:27 in / 686 mm
Strung Weight: 12.4 oz / 352 g (unstrung = 11.6 oz (330g))
Strung Balance: 6 pts HL / 325 mm
Composition: Graphite, Kevlar, Fiberglass, and Silicon Carbide Ceramic Fibers
Beam Width: 19 mm Straight Beam
Power Level: Low
Stiffness: 62
Swing Type: Long / Fast
Swing Weight: 301
String Pattern: 14 mains / 18 crosses
Grip Type: Prince Full Grain Leather
String Tension: 50 - 65 lbs / 23 – 30 kg recommended

The POG mid should be slightly stiffer according to Prince.

Very nice !! tnahks alot
But wait a minute....
How can 352g + 32.5mm balance point = 301 SW ???
For having played one of these recently (didnt manage to, to be precise lol) SW is way over 300 according to me (330?). This is for sure.
But I'm talking about feeling when hitting. I dt know how the SW is measured, but I noticed a difference many times beetween feeling and SW measurement.
For example Prince REBEL95 and Babolat Pure Storm Ltd have the same SW measurement. Ridiculous. The first feels definitily more heavy. PS Ltd seems is a feather.

Don't Let It Bounce · 08-11-2010, 02:12 PM

Judging swingweight by feel can be a tricky and misleading business. The hand gives the mind a blob of sensory impressions, and the mind has to somehow separate the blob out into weight, balance, and swingweight.

That being said, while 352g / 32.5mm balance / 301 SW is physically possible, it seems really unlikely, especially for a 1986 design. I have seen some odd variation in the Spectrum 90's specs, more than different grip sizes would account for and greater even than one would expect from manufacturing tolerances in the 1980's. I think I got these specs from a big spec collection thread here on TT: 368g, 67(!) flex, SW 345. Someone else once posted a weight of 330 strung, but I suspect that poster was misremembering or mistyping.

Was it really a 90, or a 93 like the Graphite 90 was?

gloumar · 08-12-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don't Let It Bounce

Judging swingweight by feel can be a tricky and misleading business. The hand gives the mind a blob of sensory impressions, and the mind has to somehow separate the blob out into weight, balance, and swingweight.

That being said, while 352g / 32.5mm balance / 301 SW is physically possible, it seems really unlikely, especially for a 1986 design. I have seen some odd variation in the Spectrum 90's specs, more than different grip sizes would account for and greater even than one would expect from manufacturing tolerances in the 1980's. I think I got these specs from a big spec collection thread here on TT: 368g, 67(!) flex, SW 345. Someone else once posted a weight of 330 strung, but I suspect that poster was misremembering or mistyping.

Was it really a 90, or a 93 like the Graphite 90 was?

My feeling was more close to [368g, 67(!) flex, SW 345]
It was a white version of the SpectrumComp90. Grip 3.

gloumar · 08-19-2010, 02:42 PM

Once again a dream session striking with it tonight.
This the very best stick I ever hit with (okayyy, i'm almost a beginner...)
Tremendous feeling on power topspin shots, slices, serves, anything... I definitly love this 14*18 pattern and 90in2 head.
Gives me lot of confidence when hitting...

Thanks Don't Let It Bounce for ur advices, i think I found a backup for my GraphPro90

Champagne !

nfor304 · 10-18-2010, 12:48 AM

Thought I would revive this thread since I've been hitting with this frame for the past 4 weeks or so.

I restrung this at 75lbs (was very scared of breaking the frame since its so old, but on the side of the racket the tension recommendation is 65-80, so I thought I would go for the upper range which is what I usually do with new frames) with topspin Cyber Flash 17 string.

For the past year or so I've been hitting with the K90, also with topspin cyber flash at 90.

I find this frame to be far more forgiving from the baseline, probably because it is a little lower powered compared to the k90. I feel like I can swing for the fences and keep the ball inside the line. Topspin generation is great, slightly better than the k90, but it doesnt have as good plough through, so you really need to work hard in baseline rally's to make sure you're taking a full swing at the ball. You need to really get this frame moving to take full advantage of it. Its very comfortable swing from the baseline too, probably because of its flexy feel and composition. Mishits dont reverberate through your arm and you can really feel the ball coming off the strings when you connect flush in the middle.

Volleys are amazing. So so solid and so crisp, I feel like i simply cant miss when I connect on the strings. I think the weight has a lot to do with it. I have no idea how heavy it is, but it feels like its around 12.5 maybe, so slightly heavier than a stock k90. Best racket for volleying i've ever used.

Returns are also very good with this racket. Again the heavier weight is a big help, and if you connect on the strings and have any kind of forward momentum, then the ball is going to have enough to make it over the net. Again its very good if you swing early enough to connect with a full swing.

Serving was probably its weakest area. Its quite good at generating spin, my kick serve had quite a lot of juice, and my slice serves were veering off all over the place, but I just couldnt generate the same kind of flat pace as I could when I use my k90 (or iPrestige previously). I'm not sure why this is, could just be because of the really high tension I had it strungat. After playing a few sets, I noticed I couldnt hold as easily or get as many free points while using this racket.

Overall its a great frame, and i think i'll keep playing with it for a while until I really get a good feel for it and see what it can do when I'm really grooved with it.

mad dog1 · 10-18-2010, 03:22 AM

^^ 75 lbs w/ a poly string is really tight esp on a midsize frame. i would recommend dropping it down to 45-55 lbs depending on the machine you're using. 45-50 if you're using a CP and 50-55 if you're using a crank.

MAXXply · 10-18-2010, 03:40 AM

What I noticed most about this frame is that the edges are much more squared off and flush/straight than other Princes of the same era...it really seemed like the boxiest of all the Prince graphites (unless there are similar ones I've overlooked). It would've been interesting if Prince developed a graphite with the same equilateral(?) boxiness of the Woodie.

chrischris · 10-18-2010, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfor304

On the weekend I was in an opp shop and picked up a Prince Graphite Pro 90 ($5 inc original racket cover. Bargain!)

On the side it says it was manufactured in 1986, which makes it the same age as I am.

I had a hit with it today, intending to just mess around with it, and ended up playing a 2 practice sets with it. I usually use an iPrestige but I just could not put this down. It felt awesome, even with the strings that look like they havent been changed since 1986.

Anyone else had any experience with this racket?

Can you post a picture or 2 of it? i may have one but not sure until i see what you have.

Keifers · 10-25-2010, 11:21 PM

In case anyone might be interested, I just posted an ad for a Graphite Pro 90 in the Classifieds forum. It should be up soon, hopefully in the next day or so.

gloumar · 05-02-2011, 01:20 AM

Hi guys,
As the brand has reissued the Prince Original Graphite 90 and as the Graphite Pro 90 (1986) just plays much much better, I have decided to put up a petition for a reissue of the Prince Graphite Pro 90, the most incredible stick of the universe !
Would you be in ? I think if we manage to have 10 signatures, it could not be ignored longer by the people in charge...

@ Don't Let It Bounce : You were right : hard to backup, as nothin seems to compare in the newer issues !
I tried the Diablo TOUR MP to backup it (in a lighter model, for competition). Bad idea. Kind of the same butterly feel, really good racket, but not as stability and connection to the ball at all. I guess the MID would be better in terms of weight and plowthrough, but it's way stiffer isn't it ? I 'll try the O3 TOUR MS soon.
I guess anyway that there's a true heredity between the graphite Pro and the Diablo, as their shapes are reaaaaly similar... did you notice that ?

gloumar · 05-02-2011, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfor304

I have no idea how heavy it is, but it feels like its around 12.5 maybe, so slightly heavier than a stock k90.

So much, really ? It's still so maneuvrable I was thinking of just over 12, maybe 12.2.

My personal ones :

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

jonestim · 12-01-2012, 09:46 PM

I just picked one of these up in spectacular condition at Goodwill. I have been hoping to find one for a while. Mine, in a grip size 4 1/2, weighs in at 365g with OG and damp. It is around 14 points head light strung... Even more head light than the my Pro Staff 85s with overgips - and heavier than all but the St Vincent bumperless.

I hit with it tonight. Butter - even strung with what appears to be PSGD, which I hated in my POG 4 stripe as it made it feel harsh.

Good stuff.

jonestim · 02-07-2013, 09:38 PM

I purchased a second one that was new old stock off the bay. I wanted to make sure that it was also a "Graphite Pro Series 90" in hopes that it would be very close in specs to the one I picked up at Goodwill.

First one strung:
360g - 12pts HL. 364g - 13 HL with OG

Second one strung:
349g - 9pts HL 353g - 10 HL with OG
According to the TW Calculator I should be able to put 11g in the butt cap and get the same weight/balance.

I started looking at them to compare and noticed that the fonts of the specs on the throats were different. The lighter one also has a Taiwan sticker and a grip size sticker. The font on the heavier one matches the font on my two POG Series 90 racquets that weigh in at 348 and 352g.

I am now on the hunt for another one.

Sinner · 02-08-2013, 12:23 AM

Nice find.

My aunt had the OS back in the day. I played with it a few years back and the first thing that hit me... the FLEX... wow. Haha. Oldschool.

I had the Precision Graphite 90 back then... unfortunately it had disappeared over the years.

flair · 02-08-2013, 05:49 AM

Can anyone share any info on the Prince Graphite Finalist 90?

MAXXply · 02-08-2013, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flair

Can anyone share any info on the Prince Graphite Finalist 90?

An open-patterned widebody akin to the Thunderstick 90. Headlight, 12oz., all the usual hallmarks of a hefty Prince Mid but the CTS Graduate-style silver grey PJ was ruined by a mish-mash of vomitous accents and trims that screamed "Bargain Bin".

pshulam · 02-17-2013, 11:44 AM

Offered $35 for a Prince Graphite Pro in 9.5/10 condition, including a rationale behind the offer that a new one sold for $25 and two racquets in 8.0+/10 condition sold for $30 recently at the evil auction site.

Received the following response:

Quote:

get it...you want it but can't afford it... so buy a new one. They are easy to find...anyone can have one.

Of course, this racquet is in very limited supply, it is not easy to find-especially in this kind of condition. Very few people can have one -THUS THE MEASURE OF VALUE!!

Is this condescending, sarcastic or humorous?

jonestim · 02-17-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshulam

Offered $35 for a Prince Graphite Pro in 9.5/10 condition, including a rationale behind the offer that a new one sold for $25 and two racquets in 8.0+/10 condition sold for $30 recently at the evil auction site.

Received the following response:

Is this condescending, sarcastic or humorous?

It is just being a bit clueless about the racquet's worth. Yes they are in "limited supply" but they are also in limited demand. There are not a ton of people looking for them so when at auction they go cheaply. When people put a buy it now price on them they tend to sit for months. I would say send in your $35 offer again next month at this time, then in April, etc....

pshulam · 02-17-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonestim

It is just being a bit clueless about the racquet's worth. Yes they are in "limited supply" but they are also in limited demand. There are not a ton of people looking for them so when at auction they go cheaply. When people put a buy it now price on them they tend to sit for months. I would say send in your $35 offer again next month at this time, then in April, etc....

Agreed that the demand is not great -- I would be surprised if the racquet were sold at the current "buy it now" price of $80.

08-11-2010, 02:12 PM	#23
Don't Let It Bounce Professional Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,417	Judging swingweight by feel can be a tricky and misleading business. The hand gives the mind a blob of sensory impressions, and the mind has to somehow separate the blob out into weight, balance, and swingweight. That being said, while 352g / 32.5mm balance / 301 SW is physically possible, it seems really unlikely, especially for a 1986 design. I have seen some odd variation in the Spectrum 90's specs, more than different grip sizes would account for and greater even than one would expect from manufacturing tolerances in the 1980's. I think I got these specs from a big spec collection thread here on TT: 368g, 67(!) flex, SW 345. Someone else once posted a weight of 330 strung, but I suspect that poster was misremembering or mistyping. Was it really a 90, or a 93 like the Graphite 90 was? __________________ Is it solipsistic in here, or is it just me? Last edited by Don't Let It Bounce : 08-11-2010 at 02:16 PM.

08-19-2010, 02:42 PM	#25
gloumar Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 148	Once again a dream session striking with it tonight. This the very best stick I ever hit with (okayyy, i'm almost a beginner...) Tremendous feeling on power topspin shots, slices, serves, anything... I definitly love this 1418 pattern and 90in2 head. Gives me lot of confidence when hitting... Thanks Don't Let It Bounce for ur advices, i think I found a backup for my GraphPro90 Champagne ! Last edited by gloumar : 08-19-2010 at 11:33 PM.*

10-18-2010, 03:40 AM	#28
MAXXply Professional Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,183	What I noticed most about this frame is that the edges are much more squared off and flush/straight than other Princes of the same era...it really seemed like the boxiest of all the Prince graphites (unless there are similar ones I've overlooked). It would've been interesting if Prince developed a graphite with the same equilateral(?) boxiness of the Woodie. __________________ Before TW: POG Mid user for over 20 years After TW: confirmed racketholic Last edited by MAXXply : 10-18-2010 at 03:46 AM.

05-02-2011, 01:20 AM	#31
gloumar Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 148	Hi guys, As the brand has reissued the Prince Original Graphite 90 and as the Graphite Pro 90 (1986) just plays much much better, I have decided to put up a petition for a reissue of the Prince Graphite Pro 90, the most incredible stick of the universe ! Would you be in ? I think if we manage to have 10 signatures, it could not be ignored longer by the people in charge... @ Don't Let It Bounce : You were right : hard to backup, as nothin seems to compare in the newer issues ! I tried the Diablo TOUR MP to backup it (in a lighter model, for competition). Bad idea. Kind of the same butterly feel, really good racket, but not as stability and connection to the ball at all. I guess the MID would be better in terms of weight and plowthrough, but it's way stiffer isn't it ? I 'll try the O3 TOUR MS soon. I guess anyway that there's a true heredity between the graphite Pro and the Diablo, as their shapes are reaaaaly similar... did you notice that ? __________________ Prince Ozone TOUR MP + MSV co-Focus 1.27 @ 50/48 lbs Prince Graphite Pro 90 / Dunlop 4D 100 Last edited by gloumar : 05-02-2011 at 01:45 AM.

12-01-2012, 09:46 PM	#33
jonestim Rookie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 267	I just picked one of these up in spectacular condition at Goodwill. I have been hoping to find one for a while. Mine, in a grip size 4 1/2, weighs in at 365g with OG and damp. It is around 14 points head light strung... Even more head light than the my Pro Staff 85s with overgips - and heavier than all but the St Vincent bumperless. I hit with it tonight. Butter - even strung with what appears to be PSGD, which I hated in my POG 4 stripe as it made it feel harsh. Good stuff. __________________ Prince Tour Diablo Mid - Iontec Black 1.20 @ 45 - Wilson Pro Overgrip Last edited by jonestim : 12-02-2012 at 07:25 AM.