Prince Original Graphite ( POG ) Mid and OS versions

eman resu

Professional
How do you have your POG OS strung? My arm can't even think about those 70-80 advertised... How would it play with syn gut at the more commom (for me) range of 50-60?
 

Carolina Racquet

Professional
I find the Big Hitter Blue Rough is a good combo for me with my POG OS. I love how it feels from the ground.. keeps the plush feel.

String tension of around 56 lbs.
 

Tamiya

Semi-Pro
Lately I'm doing mid-50s with PSG Multi in the OSes.
Feels closest to the proper old PSG & P Topspin pre Duraflex
 

eman resu

Professional
How can a heavy OS racquet like the POG be less powerful than the MP and much lighter Ozone tour if the flex and width is about the same? I know some POGs are more headlight, but is that alone enough to compensate all the other factors? (POG is 700 pl vs Ozone's 800) Or is it mainly a result of the recommended tension differences?
 
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Tamiya

Semi-Pro
How can a heavy OS racquet like the POG be less powerful than the MP and much lighter Ozone tour if the flex and width is about the same? I know some POGs are more headlight, but is that alone enought to compensate all the other factors? (POG is 700 pl vs Ozone's 800) Or is it mainly a result of the recommended tension differences?

14x18 pattern?

dunno, I don't own any Ozone

I'm back2backing POG Tour mid vs Tour Diablo (16x20) 93swhich
IMHO are as close as twins dimensionally as you could hope to find,
only difference is bed pattern & layup.
 

BlueB

Legend
Both single stripe bumperless POG OS I had, were 6 HL.
One was 355g, 342 SW. Other one was 362g, 346 SW.
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
Guys I hate to say it but I doint feel like reading through 11 pages to get an answer...

How are the new versions of these from TW? I am interested in the mids. I have played with the originals quite a bit. Are they close?
 

Tamiya

Semi-Pro
i have a pair of Tour POG mids... nice solid frames but I wouldn't say
they feel indistinguishable from an early POG though.
 

eman resu

Professional
Both single stripe bumperless POG OS I had, were 6 HL.
One was 355g, 342 SW. Other one was 362g, 346 SW.

thanks. My POG 3 should be here today, I'll measure it and report here. Seller said 350g, but not the balance. I won't be able to tell the swingweight and stiffness, though, any info on that (1 stripe POG Series 110 from 1983, bumper and grommet strip)?
 

eman resu

Professional
Specs for my Prince Graphite Series 110 (aka POG 3):

weight: 361g strung with unknown string at a VERY tight tension (I'm guessing the previous owner went within the 70-80 reccomended - my sting 2 110 was recently strung at 60 and doesn't feel as tight as my POG)
balance: somewhere close to 32 cm, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less

So, 361g, around 7pts HL "stock",
368g, 8.8 pts HL with overgrip and dampener. Sounds like fun :)
 
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wmoore

Rookie
The POG is actually my current racquet. I have two versions but they are identical as far as playing characteristics (to me anyway)

Both have two lines around the head (green inside of gold). the older one says "OVERSIZE" at 12 O'clock on both sides and "Straight Shaft" and "Prince" at 7 and 5 O'clock on both sides. "Graphite Oversize" on one side and "Prince" on the other side of the shaft. It has a "P" in a circle just above the grip.

The newer one is the same except it says "Tour" instead of "Straight Shaft", "Tour Graphite" instead of "Graphite Oversize" on the shaft and no "P" in a circle above the grip.

Both show recommended tension as 62 +or- 5lbs.

They're about 12 oz. of pure sweet-spot. I'm a big fan.
 

wmoore

Rookie
someone asked about string setup. I've tried several setups - full bed and hybrid - but my favorite is a full bed of an off-brand poly from a company that sells low-priced stringing machines which I won't name in deference to TW - but it's the same string Prince used to sell under the name Poly-gut. Prince's was clear - this is amber colored but it's the same string. The key is that I string it at 45 lbs and it drops under 40 after about 2 sets. I cut it out every month or so which is about 32 hours of play for me.
 

TheLambsheadrep

Professional
Specs for my Prince Graphite Series 110 (aka POG 3):

weight: 361g strung with unknown string at a VERY tight tension (I'm guessing the previous owner went within the 70-80 reccomended - my sting 2 110 was recently strung at 60 and doesn't feel as tight as my POG)
balance: somewhere close to 32 cm, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less

So, 361g, around 7pts HL "stock",
368g, 8.8 pts HL with overgrip and dampener. Sounds like fun :)

Sounds similar to my POG 2, you're gonna love it
 

eman resu

Professional
I'm actually a bit disappointed with my new POG3. It plays great, no doubt - very solid, stable and it gives exactly what you put on, most of the times. I played a few games of singles and 2 sets of doubles with good results. However, I found it to be quite stiff feeling and a bit harsh (with wilson ultra syn gut 15l at 58 lbs). I wasn't expecting nothing but a very soft 80's feel.
I'll restring it with thinner strings at a lower tension later on, but I'll wait for the tension to fall a little due to play time. Maybe i'll get used. For now, I replaced the original calfskin leather grip with pacific supreme syn. grip. Feels softer on the hand, maybe it will help a bit. Let's see.
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
So do the new POG Mids on tennis warehouse site hit as well as the originals? Is the frame layup the same?
 

gtshark1

Rookie
I didnt use any of the originals from back in the 80's. However, I do own one of the newer produced mid's and I think the feel is great.

I can compare it to original produced Wilson 6.1 Classics. So while I never used an original POG, I can say the new ones have the classic feel in relation to the feel I get from the 6.1.
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
I didnt use any of the originals from back in the 80's. However, I do own one of the newer produced mid's and I think the feel is great.

I can compare it to original produced Wilson 6.1 Classics. So while I never used an original POG, I can say the new ones have the classic feel in relation to the feel I get from the 6.1.

Really, The old 6.1 classics were pretty stiff. The original POG didnt feel that stiff to me. Interesting.
 

eman resu

Professional
I'm actually a bit disappointed with my new POG3. It plays great, no doubt - very solid, stable and it gives exactly what you put on, most of the times. I played a few games of singles and 2 sets of doubles with good results. However, I found it to be quite stiff feeling and a bit harsh (with wilson ultra syn gut 15l at 58 lbs). I wasn't expecting nothing but a very soft 80's feel.
I'll restring it with thinner strings at a lower tension later on, but I'll wait for the tension to fall a little due to play time. Maybe i'll get used. For now, I replaced the original calfskin leather grip with pacific supreme syn. grip. Feels softer on the hand, maybe it will help a bit. Let's see.

I'm getting used to it... plus, the tension has come down since I first strung it, and feels much better now (still crisp). I'm not sure if I like it more with leather or synthetic grip. I'll wrap the leather one more time, but maybe my sensitive hands will define it in favor of the extra softness.
 

eman resu

Professional
Does anybody know how thick Prince Calfsikin Leather is? I'm looking for a slightly thicker one (another brand) to put on my Ozone Tour.
 

Tamiya

Semi-Pro
the calfskin on Tour feels pretty normal 1.7-1.8mm afaik

Older leather could've shrunken more from age.

stock batches can offer too
 

eman resu

Professional
Would you recommend babolat, gamma or head tour if I wanted a slightly larger grip than (or at least as thick as) this one?
 

Tamiya

Semi-Pro
haven't tried Babs or Gamma leathers, Wilson & Head are normal thick

why not just layer some masking or binding tape, restick old grip on top?
seems to be a very popular method from the sticks I've stripped so far
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
I'm thinking about switching to the oversize from the mid. I just picked up a POG 3 and a POG 4 to go with my other POG 4 oversizes.

I now have 9 POGs; 6 mids and 3 OSs. My bag is getting way too heavy.
 

Sinner

Professional
I wish they made a standard-length 100sq... Going from 107 to 93 is just too big of a jump for my abilities. :(
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
Maybe try the EXO3 Graphite 100. I don't know the length but I've hit w/ the 93 EXO3 and it was similar enough for me.
 

eman resu

Professional
I wish they made a standard-length 100sq... Going from 107 to 93 is just too big of a jump for my abilities. :(

I was expecting a much bigger headsize from my POG3 110. It's actually closer than I expected to my Ozone Tour and very similar to the Hybrid red 102. The Wilson Sting 2 Largehead looks much bigger, but I couldn't put them side by side to compare - probably a true 110, maybe even bigger?
 

Spin-A-Lot

Rookie
Hi guys..quick question about the POG 3..did the buttcap have the cut-out/recessed "P"?

And are there any cases of fake POG's that went around? The POG 3 110 (according to the description at the start of this thread) I got recently from my dad back home in Sydney is slightly leaning towards a Balanced to HH balance..granted when I got it, it only had an overgrip as its grip...

Which leads me to my next question..did those POG's come with leather or synthetic grips?

Thanks in advance! :)
 

eman resu

Professional
Hi guys..quick question about the POG 3..did the buttcap have the cut-out/recessed "P"?

And are there any cases of fake POG's that went around? The POG 3 110 (according to the description at the start of this thread) I got recently from my dad back home in Sydney is slightly leaning towards a Balanced to HH balance..granted when I got it, it only had an overgrip as its grip...

Which leads me to my next question..did those POG's come with leather or synthetic grips?

Thanks in advance! :)

comes with leather, and it would make quite a difference on the balance. Not sure what you meant regarding the buttcap...
 

BlueB

Legend
Hi guys..quick question about the POG 3..did the buttcap have the cut-out/recessed "P"?

And are there any cases of fake POG's that went around? The POG 3 110 (according to the description at the start of this thread) I got recently from my dad back home in Sydney is slightly leaning towards a Balanced to HH balance..granted when I got it, it only had an overgrip as its grip...

Which leads me to my next question..did those POG's come with leather or synthetic grips?

Thanks in advance! :)
They come with leather, stock. Without the leather and 2 overgrips, the ballance should ba about 4 HL. I play all of mine like that.

I was expecting a much bigger headsize from my POG3 110. It's actually closer than I expected to my Ozone Tour and very similar to the Hybrid red 102. The Wilson Sting 2 Largehead looks much bigger, but I couldn't put them side by side to compare - probably a true 110, maybe even bigger?
The real head size is 107.
 

Sinner

Professional
Maybe try the EXO3 Graphite 100. I don't know the length but I've hit w/ the 93 EXO3 and it was similar enough for me.

Yep, went down that route already. No demo system here, so I had to take a dive and just bought the stick (at least it was below retail). Played with it for a few months... tried the port grommets as well as the string ones. Didn't like it. Ultimately went back to my POGs. Oh well.

My shop here still sells the 100sq LB (I think... haven't been there in a while)... tempted to buy it and just saw the handle... lol. Of course, that means rebalancing the stick, which I can't be bothered to do. :p
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
Prince used many butt caps over that time. The easiest way to distinguish is the single stripe w/ the bumper guard.

I've got three single stripe POG 90s (actually 93) that have three different butt caps; black w/ gold P, grey w/ silver P, and the cut out P which if you look inside says Prince multiple times on brownish paper.
 

Stroke

Rookie
How can a heavy OS racquet like the POG be less powerful than the MP and much lighter Ozone tour if the flex and width is about the same? I know some POGs are more headlight, but is that alone enough to compensate all the other factors? (POG is 700 pl vs Ozone's 800) Or is it mainly a result of the recommended tension differences?

I believe the POG is more powerful. If you go out and hit against a decent player with the POG vs the 03 Tour, it is pretty apparent the POG is more powerful. The reason is when Prince first started doing their "power" rankings for their racquets, they did not factor in the weight of the racquet. They still use this formula.
 

PSC85

Semi-Pro
Pog 100 Mp Lb

Yep, went down that route already. No demo system here, so I had to take a dive and just bought the stick (at least it was below retail). Played with it for a few months... tried the port grommets as well as the string ones. Didn't like it. Ultimately went back to my POGs. Oh well.

My shop here still sells the 100sq LB (I think... haven't been there in a while)... tempted to buy it and just saw the handle... lol. Of course, that means rebalancing the stick, which I can't be bothered to do. :p

Where are you located? I'm looking for original POG 100 MP LB with leather grip. Would appreciate it if you wouldn't mind letting me know. Many thanks cylee44 AT hotmail D0Tcom.
 

SamSung

Rookie
Guys,

I'm sure you've been through this but I just wanted to double check. When did the specs change for the POG OS ? It seems that right up to the 'Tour' version the specs were listed as being around 9pts HL and 325 swingweight. The 'Tour' is now listed as 5-6pts HL and 333 swingweight. I've used older versions of the POG OS which were noticably more head light (the first two versions) and I want to stick with that kind of balance.

That being the case, can you tell me if the POG OS 4 stripe (with the word 'Oversize' printed on the head) has those earlier specs (9pts HL, 325-ish swingweight) or is it similar to the Tour version ?

Thanks in advance.
 

BlueB

Legend
Pog Os was never 9hl.
One stripe with grommets was 6hl and about 345-350 sw.
4 stripe and Straight Shaft were about 7hl and 330+ sw.
I have one 4 stripe at 327sw and it's more of an anomally, but I like that one the most.

On the other hand, the Mids (93) are more HL and below 330 sw.
 

SamSung

Rookie
Pog Os was never 9hl.
One stripe with grommets was 6hl and about 345-350 sw.
4 stripe and Straight Shaft were about 7hl and 330+ sw.

I'm going by the specs TW has listed over the past 15 years.

Regardless, there has certainly been a change in balance (at the least) from the earlier versions to today's 'Tour' model. So, when did that change take place? Did it start with the Tour or was it earlier than that ?
 

MichaelChang

Hall of Fame
I think probably it is around the 4 stripe and then straight-shaft versions. I have had a few different 4-stripes, some made in Taiwan, some made in Thailand, and they are very different in weights and balance. And the straight-shaft that follows the 4-stripe is going downhill with more head heavy.
 

SamSung

Rookie
I think probably it is around the 4 stripe and then straight-shaft versions. I have had a few different 4-stripes, some made in Taiwan, some made in Thailand, and they are very different in weights and balance. And the straight-shaft that follows the 4-stripe is going downhill with more head heavy.

Thanks. What difference did you notice between the Taiwan and Thailand models? The one I'll be bidding on is Taiwan , 4 stripe.
 

MichaelChang

Hall of Fame
I personally like Taiwan made Prince rackets, they weight heavier. But it is just me. I do not remember the exact specs now. You can not go too wrong with a 4 stripe, regardless where it is made. They are all good rackets.
 

SamSung

Rookie
I personally like Taiwan made Prince rackets, they weight heavier. But it is just me. I do not remember the exact specs now. You can not go too wrong with a 4 stripe, regardless where it is made. They are all good rackets.

Agreed, it's just the balance that matters to me. I've got a couple of the Tour version and a couple of the older one stripes (both without bumper guards and one without grommets). Much prefer the older ones because the balance is noticeably more head light. They swing heavier than the new ones but the performance is better.
 

MichaelChang

Hall of Fame
Agreed, it's just the balance that matters to me. I've got a couple of the Tour version and a couple of the older one stripes (both without bumper guards and one without grommets). Much prefer the older ones because the balance is noticeably more head light. They swing heavier than the new ones but the performance is better.

1 stripe is a monster, 13+ onze if I remember properly, most solid OS I have hit with. the only issue you may encounter is grommets when you need to re-string.
 

makinao

Rookie
I have a beat-up 1-stripe POG OS (probably a 1), and the handle is shorter than any of my other OS racquets (synergy db24 os, radical LE). I'm getting a used bumperless 4-stripe (not a longbody according to seller), and from the pictures the handle seems longer. Did the handle length change through the years?
 
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