Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16X18 is VERY FRAGILE!

[topspin247]

Originally Posted by TennezSport

That is why you always start stringing the crosses at the HEAD down. The Y yoke at the bottom of the head does add strength to the hoop so it's more stable. When you begin to add cross strings pressure is pushed up or down in the head away from the crosses.

If you start from the bottom, pressure is pushed to the top of the racquet head where there is no additional support and can cause cracks at the key spots where the mains and cross strings are close. Stringing top down has the pressure moving down the head towards the throat where it's stronger so you get much less deformation, insuring racquet integrity.

Hope this clearly explains it and helps. BTW, the OP does not say what string and tension his son strung with, as poly strings at high tensions can cause a real issue with racquets and arms.

Cheers, TennezSport

It was strung with Kirschbaum Proline 2 (17g) and tension 57. It was strung by a pro shop in Daytona Beach, FL.

[TennezSport]

Originally Posted by topspin247

It was strung with Kirschbaum Proline 2 (17g) and tension 57. It was strung by a pro shop in Daytona Beach, FL.

Kirsch PLII 17 has a stiffness index of 236 which is fairly soft for a co-poly string (range = 187-350), and at 57lbs (max tension recomm by Kirsch) the SBS would be around (**approx**) 63lbs if strung properly. We have strung hundreds of Prince SP frames and not seen this problem but a few times where customers are a bit rough on frames (anger issues). This is not the case from what you have stated.

Racquets can also crack when strung high with poly or kevlar when the ball is shanked alot near the key spots (points in the frame where the main and cross grommets are very close. Manufacturers will look for imperfections in material or manufacturer errors when replacing frames, outside of that it's on you.

Pro players go through approx 80 to 140 frames a year due to racquet stress (stringing everyday along with practice and matches) and fatigue. If your son plays everyday you may want to look into multiple frames of 3-4 to reduce stress fatigue. If this continues to happen with SP frames you may want to look at another racquet company. Good luck.

Cheers, TennezSport

[topspin247]

Thanks TennezSport. He plays everyday and has 4 racquets in which he does rotate them each time they need to be re-strung. He got 3 left and will see how they are. If it happens again, then we will surely look into other brand.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by topspin247

Thanks TennezSport. He plays everyday and has 4 racquets in which he does rotate them each time they need to be re-strung. He got 3 left and will see how they are. If it happens again, then we will surely look into other brand.

You may have just gotten 1 lemon in the bunch. Did you buy them from TW?

[themitchmann]

Originally Posted by topspin247

Thanks TennezSport. He plays everyday and has 4 racquets in which he does rotate them each time they need to be re-strung. He got 3 left and will see how they are. If it happens again, then we will surely look into other brand.

Those package deals are fantastic values. Perhaps if you talk to your dealer or contact at Prince, they might replace it at a discount.

Based on what they said regarding wear, I'm thinking it was from scraping the racquet on the court (for low shots). Since the frame is fairly thin, there isn't as much material as a wider frames racquet (like an aero pro). In addition to a lot of big hitting, I can understand why the frame might have broken.

[topspin247]

Originally Posted by mikeler

You may have just gotten 1 lemon in the bunch. Did you buy them from TW?

The package was sent directly from Prince Sponsorship Program.

Originally Posted by themitchmann

Those package deals are fantastic values. Perhaps if you talk to your dealer or contact at Prince, they might replace it at a discount.

They give a little more than 30% discount for additional racquets that a sponsored player wants to buy.

Based on what they said regarding wear, I'm thinking it was from scraping the racquet on the court (for low shots). Since the frame is fairly thin, there isn't as much material as a wider frames racquet (like an aero pro). In addition to a lot of big hitting, I can understand why the frame might have broken.

He plays well with those sticks, but honestly, they look very flimsy.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by topspin247

The package was sent directly from Prince Sponsorship Program.

He plays well with those sticks, but honestly, they look very flimsy.

OK, so you got authentic rackets. One bad thing about O-port frames is you are missing chunks of the frame all over. So of course, that has to make it weaker. That being said, I did use a cheap knock off years ago which was the Prince O3 Royal and I don't think I ever broke one of them.

[topspin247]

Originally Posted by mikeler

OK, so you got authentic rackets. One bad thing about O-port frames is you are missing chunks of the frame all over. So of course, that has to make it weaker. That being said, I did use a cheap knock off years ago which was the Prince O3 Royal and I don't think I ever broke one of them.

Yup. The O-port frame does not have much support like others. I am reading about the new 2013 Babolat AeroPro Drive and it looks promising.

[themitchmann]

Originally Posted by mikeler

OK, so you got authentic rackets. One bad thing about O-port frames is you are missing chunks of the frame all over. So of course, that has to make it weaker. That being said, I did use a cheap knock off years ago which was the Prince O3 Royal and I don't think I ever broke one of them.

Actually, there is more material, since the ports are molded, not drilled.

I think the main issues is that it's a thin beam that got worn down at a critical place in terms of structural integrity.

[2ManyAces]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Are you with him everytime he plays? Let's just say I never threw my racket as a junior...in front of my Mom.

so true. I actually cracked a pure storm after a year of wear and tear, and I unintentionally whacked it on a brick.

I have found that princes die way faster than other brands. For me, bab is at the top for durability, but I could be wrong.