TW Reviews: New Prince racquets

Lukhas

Legend
^Compare to a "typical" Babolat. Like the APD for example or the Pure Storm. Both felt great in 4 1/2. Same for the Wilson Blade. How does Prince sizes in comparison?

I think the real good news about the Classics is that the price isn't that high for a brand new frame. $160. We'll see how it'll be in Europe. (Un)Fortunately I have totally new frames to wear out before I can even think about the Response... Maybe in a year unless I throw a fit of rage, which isn't my style. Will be hard to wait for so long. :lol:
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
I'd like to know how the play testers feel about the graphite 100 in comparison to the exo3 graphite 100. Which one has more comfort?
 
TW:

Why does it say "midsize" on the Response? It's a 97 sq inch, even previous generations of the Response line had "midplus" printed on them.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
We are not sure either. There are other versions of midplus Prince racquets with Midsize printed on them. This type of naming goes back in Prince history. A couple of examples being the O3 Tour Midsize (actually a 95sq. in. racquet) and the Triple Threat Graphite Midsize (also 95sq. in.).

Either way, it is a great playing racquet no matter how they reference the headsize!

Chris, TW
 

dman72

Hall of Fame
I'd like to know how the play testers feel about the graphite 100 in comparison to the exo3 graphite 100. Which one has more comfort?

I'm intrigued as well.

The worst thing about the EX03 was the even balance and the seeming lack of power in comparison to swingweight and string pattern.
 

louis netman

Hall of Fame
TW:

Why does it say "midsize" on the Response? It's a 97 sq inch, even previous generations of the Response line had "midplus" printed on them.

Prince began printing "midplus" on the PRTi. The prior Precision Response 660, supposedly the frame they're trying to reproduce, did not designate "midsize" or "midplus" on the frame.
 
Prince began printing "midplus" on the PRTi. The prior Precision Response 660, supposedly the frame they're trying to reproduce, did not designate "midsize" or "midplus" on the frame.

Yeah, exactly. I know it's been 10 years or so since the PRTi., but did that entire group of Prince employees retire or something?
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Do you know if the Response 97 will be sporting the same handle as the PR660? That is, a one-piece perforated rubber pallet/buttcap with trap door...These were also used on early Prince O3 White and other later frames...

I don't think they are using that handle system for the new Responses, unfortunately. I loved that system on my CTS Synergy DB 26.

Plus, it's nice to have a trap door.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
The LongBody review was quite impressive. That would be a nice alternative to Pro Stocks to get XL frames. I like the stiffness too. This might make for a nice racquet if I ever move from my current frames. Do these things have a trapdoor for silicone? It looks like it would be pretty easy to get these up to my specs as the frame is so light already.

Also, has Chris been spending a lot of time in the gym?
 

borgpro

Semi-Pro
None of the Performance Racquets come pre-strung from the factory.

Thanks, nice you know so much about these new rackets! Have you tested the Response? Does it play much stiffer (less dwell time, more power) than the Rebel 95 (which I now use and really enjoy), or are these just numbers (stiffness ratings) and are they comparable? The rating of 68 sounds like a babolat which really plays too stiff for my liking..
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Thanks, nice you know so much about these new rackets! Have you tested the Response? Does it play much stiffer (less dwell time, more power) than the Rebel 95 (which I now use and really enjoy), or are these just numbers (stiffness ratings) and are they comparable? The rating of 68 sounds like a babolat which really plays too stiff for my liking..

Yes, I've hit with a number of them at the IART Stringing Symposium (plus, I'm a Prince sponsored teaching pro, so I'm very interested in all things Prince).

The Response is definitely stiffer than the Rebel!
 

Alex78

Hall of Fame
Oh well, online catalogue removed, and posts with reference to it also :(
Hope it won't be long before the catalogue becomes available officially.
 

gwing

New User
Oh well, online catalogue removed, and posts with reference to it also :(
Hope it won't be long before the catalogue becomes available officially.

It would be nice if someone with a copy posted it up somewhere else that TW didn't have to censor?
 

mikeler

Moderator
themitchmann,

So the Exo3 Tour 100 is really being replaced by the Rebel ESP in terms of weight correct? Are there any plans to offer a Tour ESP at the current weight of the old Tour?
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
So the Exo3 Tour 100 is really being replaced by the Rebel ESP in terms of weight correct? Are there any plans to offer a Tour ESP at the current weight of the old Tour?

The Tour 100 (in both patterns) will be out in January with new cosmetics.

I have no idea if there will be an ESP version, but I know there will definitely not be one for early 2014. If I get any info regarding a Tour ESP in the future, I'll let you know.
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Mitchman,

It sounds like you are going to abandon the Rebel...how could you?

Ha! No, I'm still with the Rebel. There will be a new cosmetic in January, as well as a new name (Tour 95). There is a chance I will move on to the Tour Pro 98 or (less likely) the Tour Pro 100, but I'm sticking with the 95 for now.

I'm thinking I'll use the Tour 100T ESP as a teaching racquet, though.

What are your plans for the new line?
 

mikeler

Moderator
The Tour 100 (in both patterns) will be out in January with new cosmetics.

I have no idea if there will be an ESP version, but I know there will definitely not be one for early 2014. If I get any info regarding a Tour ESP in the future, I'll let you know.

That sucks for me because you can clearly see where the extra 2 square inches are on the racket between the Tour and Rebel. They are right in the middle. I mishit a lot so I like the wider rackets. Guess I'll probably pick up the Tour ESP and add some weight to it.
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
That sucks for me because you can clearly see where the extra 2 square inches are on the racket between the Tour and Rebel. They are right in the middle. I mishit a lot so I like the wider rackets. Guess I'll probably pick up the Tour ESP and add some weight to it.

I think that is a good plan. Though the beam is both stiffer and thicker than the EXO3 Tours, the Tour 100T ESP will swing more like the EXO3 Tours (due to the head shape).
 

g4driver

Legend
That sucks for me because you can clearly see where the extra 2 square inches are on the racket between the Tour and Rebel. They are right in the middle. I mishit a lot so I like the wider rackets. Guess I'll probably pick up the Tour ESP and add some weight to it.

I'm going to order a Prince 100T ESP (had a leather grip and get the weight up to 330 grams) then try it with full B5E since it is a softer frame than I'm use to, coupled with the 16x16 patten, and the fact B5E isn't terribly stiff compared to so many other copolys.

Not getting rid of my Pro Opens any time soon, but will try the Thunderblast instead of X-One and will ask a few clients to try it instead of NRG2. Thanks for the input.
 

RollTrackTake

Professional
I'm thinking of getting a 100T ESP and trying to get it halfway between its own stock spec and that of a Steam 99 S stock spec. 11.2ish, 317 SW give or take a few pts and about 4 pts HL.
Should be an interesting experiment.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I'm going to order a Prince 100T ESP (had a leather grip and get the weight up to 330 grams) then try it with full B5E since it is a softer frame than I'm use to, coupled with the 16x16 patten, and the fact B5E isn't terribly stiff compared to so many other copolys.

Not getting rid of my Pro Opens any time soon, but will try the Thunderblast instead of X-One and will ask a few clients to try it instead of NRG2. Thanks for the input.

I'll be interested in your results. Thunder Blast is similar to NRG2 but does provide a little more spin.
 

borgpro

Semi-Pro
Thanks! I will now wait buying a local one for my rebels; which I really enjoy. The prince bag (old model) was a tad boring though..
 

BigM

Rookie
Graphite 100 longbody!!!! My dream frame finally a reality :) Has anyone tried this bad boy yet? I will be switching from my exo3 tour 100's. I'm hoping for a bit more pop and feel.
 

Phantasm

Semi-Pro
Tried the CLASSIC GRAPHITE 100 LB for the first time last night. I think it was strung with PSGD in the mid 50s.
First Prince Graphite AND longbody racket I ever tried. Was a fun outing.

Felt it most on the serve. Will add more thoughts later when I get a chance.
 

Applesauceman

Semi-Pro
Ha! No, I'm still with the Rebel. There will be a new cosmetic in January, as well as a new name (Tour 95). There is a chance I will move on to the Tour Pro 98 or (less likely) the Tour Pro 100, but I'm sticking with the 95 for now.

I'm thinking I'll use the Tour 100T ESP as a teaching racquet, though.

What are your plans for the new line?

Any chance you could compile a list of the new 2013-2014 Prince racquets? So far there is...

Tour 98 ESP, Tour 100T ESP, Warrior 100 ESP, Warrior 100L ESP, Premier 105 ESP, Premier 115L ESP, Response 97, Classic Graphite 100, Classic Graphite 100 LB, and Classic Graphite 107

What other Prince racquets are slated for Januaryish? Thanks!
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
Any chance you could compile a list of the new 2013-2014 Prince racquets? So far there is...

Tour 98 ESP, Tour 100T ESP, Warrior 100 ESP, Warrior 100L ESP, Premier 105 ESP, Premier 115L ESP, Response 97, Classic Graphite 100, Classic Graphite 100 LB, and Classic Graphite 107

What other Prince racquets are slated for Januaryish? Thanks!

Premier 115 ESP
Premier 105L ESP
Warrior 100
Warrior Pro 100
Tour 100T
Tour 100 (16x18 )
Tour 100 (18x20)
Tour Pro 100
Tour 98
Tour 95
Tour Pro 98
 

Applesauceman

Semi-Pro
Premier 115 ESP
Premier 105L ESP
Warrior 100
Warrior Pro 100
Tour 100T
Tour 100 (16x18 )
Tour 100 (18x20)
Tour Pro 100
Tour 98
Tour 95
Tour Pro 98

So, in addition to my list there will be...

Warrior Pro 100, Tour 100 16 x 18, Tour 100 18 x 20, Tour Pro 100, Tour 95, and Tour Pro 98.

Are any of these mentioned going to be ESP? I remember reading that the Tour 95 is ESP. Also, any grommet racquets other than the Classic Graphites and the Response? Classic Graphite 93 or 95?
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
So, in addition to my list there will be...

Warrior Pro 100, Tour 100 16 x 18, Tour 100 18 x 20, Tour Pro 100, Tour 95, and Tour Pro 98.

Are any of these mentioned going to be ESP? I remember reading that the Tour 95 is ESP. Also, any grommet racquets other than the Classic Graphites and the Response? Classic Graphite 93 or 95?

All those I mentioned were not in your list. L vs not, ESP vs not
 
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