Prince Original Graphite ( POG ) Mid and OS versions

USASAgencyman · Apr 23, 2014

It's here! Unused Graphite Series 110 Single Stripe

Never strung. It has a few small blemishes from the attic/storage/NOS inventory/whatever, but is beautiful nevertheless.

27" overall; 7" of grip, 4-1/2 No.4, specs for 70-80lb. tension, says 1983 below all the patent data.

It is more streamlined aerodynamically than the four stripe I played yesterday, I'll get the weight details tomorrow, can't find a 2032 cell to get my scale back up.

The most important criteria for me is the near total lack of vibration when I hit the racquet on my palm while holding the very bottom of the grip, just as I play it.

I have two aluminum Prince 110s, an "Aerodynamic" getting re-strung, and just the "Pro", getting it's first ever string job in a day or so... They both have considerable vibration, but that seems to be the nature of the beast.

I am hoping this will be my forever racquet, and all indicators are "go". Of course, I'll then have to try to find another identical example for a backup :shock: .

Bruce

P.S. So; for the cognoscenti here, how do I refer to this thing. A POG #? I think I have read enough way back in this thread to say it is a 3, but I'm old and feeble of mind...

P.P.S. What would my cover look like if I could find one? Anyone have a pic?

dak95_00 · Apr 24, 2014

My cover for that one is the same as the 4 stripes; a full suede cover. Since there is a bumper, generation 3.

prestigeww · May 25, 2014

after reading through most of this thread i am really excited for my POG's mid to get here from TW. I demoed one and loved it although I never had the chance to hit with any of the older versions. Coming from a youtek prestige mp, i think ill like the POG with lead significantly more

skraggle · May 25, 2014

USASAgencyman said:
Never strung. It has a few small blemishes from the attic/storage/NOS inventory/whatever, but is beautiful nevertheless.

27" overall; 7" of grip, 4-1/2 No.4, specs for 70-80lb. tension, says 1983 below all the patent data.

It is more streamlined aerodynamically than the four stripe I played yesterday, I'll get the weight details tomorrow, can't find a 2032 cell to get my scale back up.

The most important criteria for me is the near total lack of vibration when I hit the racquet on my palm while holding the very bottom of the grip, just as I play it.

I have two aluminum Prince 110s, an "Aerodynamic" getting re-strung, and just the "Pro", getting it's first ever string job in a day or so... They both have considerable vibration, but that seems to be the nature of the beast.

I am hoping this will be my forever racquet, and all indicators are "go". Of course, I'll then have to try to find another identical example for a backup :shock: .

Bruce

P.S. So; for the cognoscenti here, how do I refer to this thing. A POG #? I think I have read enough way back in this thread to say it is a 3, but I'm old and feeble of mind...

P.P.S. What would my cover look like if I could find one? Anyone have a pic?

If you like heft and flex, prepare to be in heaven. My shoulder used to burn after playing with it, or else I would have been very happy playing with the five I used to own.

mrravioli · May 31, 2014

dak95_00 said:
YES!!!!

These racquets are 30 years old. They are the FIRST 90s produced by Prince. The POG4 had four stripes. The next was the "straight shaft" followed by the most recent Tour.

I saw someone selling a one-stripe POG mid with 'prince' and 'graphite' on each side, and 'graphite series 90' on the throat. The seller said it was a Taiwan-made one.
So I guess this one is just the first version of the mids? And among the pog 3(this one?),5(straight shaft) and 6(Tour), which one do you recommend to a new comer to POG Mid? (For playing purpose, and just one would be enough...

)

USASAgencyman · Jul 9, 2014

skraggle said:
If you like heft and flex, prepare to be in heaven. My shoulder used to burn after playing with it, or else I would have been very happy playing with the five I used to own.

This POG is my everyday choice now, my very modest Wilson Graphite composite of some sort is no longer any fun! Always thought it was at least OK.

As for the physiology, my progress since last fall, when I could only serve a half dozen or even less in a given session due to old shoulder problems, I have been progressing, and this POG has taken me from a few games two months back, to two-set matches.

Happy camper, now.
B.

Weighs 12.7 oz, and BTW it only looks more aero; the four stripe which is now my backup if needed, is the same, just rough looking due to wear.

Swabdek · Aug 7, 2014

When did POGs start to be made in China? Also, just weighed my Mid 93 and it came up as 13oz, strung, with leather grip... Does this sound right?

skraggle · Aug 7, 2014

scooper said:
When did POGs start to be made in China? Also, just weighed my Mid 93 and it came up as 13oz, strung, with leather grip... Does this sound right?

If single stripe, weight is ballpark for sure.

mad dog1 · Aug 7, 2014

scooper said:
When did POGs start to be made in China? Also, just weighed my Mid 93 and it came up as 13oz, strung, with leather grip... Does this sound right?

i believe the 4 stripers were the first POGs to be made in China. 4 stripers were made in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

makinao · Aug 9, 2014

Just got a second 4-stripe OS for US$10. It seems to have been originally purchased in Japan, as it has a two small stickers in the inner shaft saying "We Love Sports Shirakaba" and "Daiwa Committed to Total Quality." I found it strange that it was evenly balanced. But then I noticed the grip size was 4 1/4. So I added four strips of lead tape (about 24 grams) in the handle, and an over grip. This made it head light, and brought the total weight up to about 380 grams (on my kitchen scale). All it needs now is new strings, and for me to fully recover from a bout with flu.

Unlike my the 4-stripe I got earlier which says "Graphite 110" on one side of the outer shaft and "Made in Taiwan" with the racquet specs on the other, this new one says "Graphite Oversize" on both sides, has "Made In Taiwan" on one side, and has a "Genuine Prince Certified" sticker with serial number on the other. Which one is "newer"?

Addendum: Just checked page 1. My earlier one seems to be a POG 4, and my newer one is a POG 4.5.

BlueB · Aug 9, 2014

Sounds like your 4-stripe has lead under head guard. No ways it should weigh 380g to become head light.

makinao · Aug 9, 2014

BlueB: I thought the strange balance was caused by the tiny 4 1/4 grip. I'll check for weights under the head guard when I have it strung.

nation · Jan 15, 2015

Apologies for the tiny unclear pictures, the seller doesn't know much about tennis nor does he have a clue of how he can help a sale.

Anyone have any idea of what POG this is?

I've tried zooming in the pictures and it looks like a 110, 16x18?? string pattern. I think it says "Prince" and "Graphite" at 5 and 7 oclock but I'm second guessing this. Looks like it has a grommet and no writing at 12 oclock. It also looks like there's some writing at 8 oclock but I'm not sure if this just some aberrations in the pictures. The cover looks like it says Prince, Series 110 Graphite.

Can anyone confirm what I am seeing and provide some ID of what year and racquet this is?

Many thanks.

penguin · Jan 16, 2015

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=324543

looks like pog os version 3 to me. that's what agassi and Chang played with at the beginning of their careers (with 4-stripe paibtjobs)

nation · Jan 16, 2015

Thanks Penguin, I figured it may have been a V3.

Gonzalito17 · Jan 19, 2015

Just found one of these at Good Will in FL, for get this...$2.99

djNEiGht · Jan 19, 2015

I'd buy that for a dollar...I mean $2.99

Gonzalito17 · Jan 19, 2015

Strings look good too. Looking fwd to hitting with this racquet for the first time.

djNEiGht · Jan 19, 2015

If it's poly consider cutting it out. Have you played with the POG before?

langdon0555 · Apr 22, 2015

Does anybody have the strung specs for the POG oversize version 3 and POG oversize version 4?

BlueB · Apr 23, 2015

langdon0555 said:
Does anybody have the strung specs for the POG oversize version 3 and POG oversize version 4?

Most of my POG 4-stripe (version 4 I believe) were about 350g, 6-7 HL, close to 330 SW.
Most of my POG 1-stripe without bumper (is it ver.2 or 3?) were about 355g, 6 HL, 340+ SW.

langdon0555 · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks for the heads up. I have the 3rd version/iteration which is single stripe with bumper and grommets.

It seems you may have the 2nd version plus your 4th version (4 stripe)

BlueB said:
Most of my POG 4-stripe (version 4 I believe) were about 350g, 6-7 HL, close to 330 SW.
Most of my POG 1-stripe without bumper (is it ver.2 or 3?) were about 355g, 6 HL, 340+ SW.

shamaho · May 10, 2015

Back to POG Mids, what string setup current users use ?

Hi,

After more than 6 month stint with a more modern frame, I'm coming back to the POG Mid.

What are current users of the POG Mid using as string setups - say in hybrid setups?

MrRandom247 · May 11, 2015

Good post.
I've got Prince Overtime (lemon) in mine & it's ancient string (1998 circa by me).
Plays great on grass court serves with 14 spin accented mains.

MrRandom247 · May 11, 2015

I've got both Mid & OS, never parting with them.

djNEiGht · May 11, 2015

Shamaho - in my mid I'm am playing with 16g poly at 48 and 17g at 50. various types from round to shaped. currently with gama moto and moto soft

eman resu · Jun 3, 2015

Does the POG 4 (110, 4 stripe, 1987) swing considerably easier than the POG3 (1 stripe 1983 with bumper)? As much as I loved my POG3, it was too much to swing for 3 sets of singles. My shoulder can't handle it anymore, I guess. So, is the POG4 easier enough to swing so as to help me or just a tiny bit easier?

BlueB · Jun 3, 2015

Yes. Much lighter SW. Remove the leather grip, put the lightest synthetic grip or 2 overgrips only and you have almost a tweener spec.

prestigeww · Jul 20, 2015

I made the switch to the POG Mid Tour but I can't find anyone selling them! i need to pick up a couple more. anyone have some in 4 1/2 they want to unload?

dmcb101 · Jul 26, 2015

Just thought I would post that I picked up an old 1 stripe grommetless OS and took it our for a hit and absolutely loved it. It basically is just a giant sweet spot! I immediately bought 2 more on the bay although they are the 4 stripe. I started playing tennis is 2004 and it's cool to me that a racquet made in 1977-8 is so usable today. It really shows how far racquet tech has come....not that far!

djNEiGht · Jul 27, 2015

I haven't hit with a one stripe but am so happy with the 4 stripe. Congrats on the findings

Hnefi · Jul 27, 2015

So here's a question for those of you who are sources of POG-wisdom:
I am looking for a replacement racquet for a friend who played with the Prince Graphite Pro 90 (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8455474838_770c466ae8_b.jpg) until last year when it broke. After demoing 5-8 of this years racquets, they basically told me that they just want one more PGP90. Since it seems much easier to come by POG mids with the stabilizer bar than these PGP mids, would a good-condition POG mid be a decent replacement for the PGP?

Scanning this thread and others on the forum make it seem like the PGP had an absolutely butter soft flex (~53?) where the POG mid is closer to 63. Any of you who have hit both of them have a comparison?

dak95_00 · Jul 27, 2015

Haven't hit the PGP but you can definitely get those cheaper on the auction site. I played the POG 90 forever and hit many other 90s from Prince and they do not feel the same.

Don't Let It Bounce · Jul 27, 2015

Hnefi said:
After demoing 5-8 of this years racquets, they basically told me that they just want one more PGP90. Since it seems much easier to come by POG mids with the stabilizer bar than these PGP mids, would a good-condition POG mid be a decent replacement for the PGP?

Unfortunately not. They're both great sticks, but they don't feel at all alike. If a Graphite Pro 90 doesn't turn up on auction first, the Graphite Comp 90 and Precision Graphite 90 are much closer in flex to the Graphite Pro. The Response 90 should be pretty close, too.

Note that all three of those names were re-used in subsequent decades for different frames. The original 80s models can be identified by "Series 90" being part of the name. Also note that the Precision Graphite had a plastic throat piece, which your friend may not care for. (If he strings his own rackets, I guarantee he won't care for it.)

prestigeww · Jul 27, 2015

shamaho said:
Back to POG Mids, what string setup current users use ?

Hi,

After more than 6 month stint with a more modern frame, I'm coming back to the POG Mid.

What are current users of the POG Mid using as string setups - say in hybrid setups?

Im playing with the POG Tour Mid with Isospeed Baseline 16L (a round, fairly stiff poly) at 53 lbs

Hnefi · Jul 27, 2015

Don't Let It Bounce said:
Unfortunately not. They're both great sticks, but they don't feel at all alike. If a Graphite Pro 90 doesn't turn up on auction first, the Graphite Comp 90 and Precision Graphite 90 are much closer in flex to the Graphite Pro. The Response 90 should be pretty close, too.

Note that all three of those names were re-used in subsequent decades for different frames. The original 80s models can be identified by "Series 90" being part of the name. Also note that the Precision Graphite had a plastic throat piece, which your friend may not care for. (If he strings his own rackets, I guarantee he won't care for it.)

Thanks.

I have strung one of those Precision Graphites before with the plastic throat piece.... It was, just, wow. So difficult to get the mains through those long pseudo-grommets. I can string midsize 18x20s in 15 minutes and this one took me about 35 (20 of that was spent on the first main), even though it's way more open pattern wise.

Don't Let It Bounce · Jul 27, 2015

Hnefi said:
I have strung one of those Precision Graphites before with the plastic throat piece.... It was, just, wow. So difficult to get the mains through those long pseudo-grommets. I can string midsize 18x20s in 15 minutes and this one took me about 35 (20 of that was spent on the first main), even though it's way more open pattern wise.

It was the same for me with the Magnesium Pros I used in 1985. I can remember most of the mid-80s, but the trauma of stringing those things blocked out at least a month or two.

(Sweet sticks, though, both the 90 and the 110.)

BlueB · Jul 28, 2015

prestigeww said:
Im playing with the POG Tour Mid with Isospeed Baseline 16L (a round, fairly stiff poly) at 53 lbs

Me too, at 45. It is actually one of the softest polys you can find.

BlueB · Jul 28, 2015

Hnefi said:
So here's a question for those of you who are sources of POG-wisdom:
I am looking for a replacement racquet for a friend who played with the Prince Graphite Pro 90 (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8455474838_770c466ae8_b.jpg) until last year when it broke. After demoing 5-8 of this years racquets, they basically told me that they just want one more PGP90. Since it seems much easier to come by POG mids with the stabilizer bar than these PGP mids, would a good-condition POG mid be a decent replacement for the PGP?

Scanning this thread and others on the forum make it seem like the PGP had an absolutely butter soft flex (~53?) where the POG mid is closer to 63. Any of you who have hit both of them have a comparison?

He can try Spectrum Comp. It's softer then POG.

djNEiGht · Jul 28, 2015

prestigeww said:
Im playing with the POG Tour Mid with Isospeed Baseline 16L (a round, fairly stiff poly) at 53 lbs

BlueB said:
Me too, at 45. It is actually one of the softest polys you can find.

baseline spin (16L) is on the softer side of polys IMO

prestigeww · Jul 28, 2015

djNEiGht said:
baseline spin (16L) is on the softer side of polys IMO

you're right, its just stiffer than what I was using so I call it stiff. True it is on the softer side as poly's go. Gotta say I really enjoy it in the POG Mid.

djNEiGht · Jul 28, 2015

prestigeww said:
you're right, its just stiffer than what I was using so I call it stiff. True it is on the softer side as poly's go. Gotta say I really enjoy it in the POG Mid.

In the Mid I liked playing with Cyclone Tour. That racquet really wore me out though. Hope to play with it again once my fitness improves.

Slick Tennis · Jul 28, 2015

Guys, I've never hit older versions of the POG OS. For some unjustifiable reason, I've always frowned on this racquet. I've it the original Trysis 260 OS, the Donnay Pro One OS and know I've finally hit the new Prince Graphite Classic 107 and I like it much more than the Donnay I have. How do you compare this newest iteration to the POG's of old? I see Andre is still hitting an older (Tour?) version nowadays...is the newer version worthy or is one better off acquiring older versions?

langdon0555 · Jul 31, 2015

I have a POG OS in grip size 4 1/2.... is it possible to make it smaller, to a 4 3/8 grip?

langdon0555 · Jul 31, 2015

It's a POG OS 3rd gen...

langdon0555 · Jul 31, 2015

Also...

What do string do you guys string with, at how many pounds?

plum · Aug 1, 2015

Can someone please tell me if this is the tear drop shaped POG 2...
I'm a little confused since 1. IT says 1983 on the side, and 2. I see just a little more width at 10 o clock but can not decide if this is the "teardrop" shape referred to.
I almost thought this might have been a POG-3 whereby someone removed the bumper guard and put regular grommets but I guess that doesn't make much sense.
OR maybe this is right before the switch, but after the update in Patent reference, to the grommet strip hence the 1983 instead of 1980
I am also going by the original descriptions whereby 1983 refers to the POG-3. On the side sticker there are lots of patent references then finally 1978,1983...

langdon0555 · Aug 1, 2015

Looks like a POG 2 to me.

plum said:
Can someone please tell me if this is the tear drop shaped POG 2...
I'm a little confused since 1. IT says 1983 on the side, and 2. I see just a little more width at 10 o clock but can not decide if this is the "teardrop" shape referred to.
I almost thought this might have been a POG-3 whereby someone removed the bumper guard and put regular grommets but I guess that doesn't make much sense.
OR maybe this is right before the switch, but after the update in Patent reference, to the grommet strip hence the 1983 instead of 1980
I am also going by the original descriptions whereby 1983 refers to the POG-3. On the side sticker there are lots of patent references then finally 1978,1983...

prestigeww · Aug 2, 2015

djNEiGht said:
In the Mid I liked playing with Cyclone Tour. That racquet really wore me out though. Hope to play with it again once my fitness improves.

Def not an easy to slug around all the time unless you're accustomed to it. I tried Volkl Cyclone Tour 16 and it was wayyyyyy too much spin for me. Felt like the string bed was really erratic as well. mine is 370+ grams so I cant comment on what it was like in its stock form though.

dmcb101 · Aug 2, 2015

Just thought I would share my string tension journey with the OS. I started stringing it with PSGO at 68 then 64 and then 58 today. 58 is for sure to low with full synthetic; strings moved to much and ball launched a lot. 62-64 is probably best for this frame with full syn.

I have played this frame with full poly but poly's just dont feel as good as synthetic. Spin is better for sure but I just dont enjoy the feel as much. Syn has been popping in 2 hours of point play but I have 3 sticks and I am the stringer for my club. I guess I will have to see if going to a more durable string is needed if I get sick of restringing. Anyone else have a comment on stringing this frame?

Dustin

Prince Original Graphite ( POG ) Mid and OS versions

New User

Hall of Fame

Rookie

Professional

Semi-Pro

New User

New User

Professional

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

Legend

Rookie

New User

Professional

New User

Banned

Legend

Banned

Legend

Semi-Pro

Legend

Semi-Pro

Professional

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Legend

Professional

Legend

Rookie

Professional

Legend

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Rookie

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Legend

Legend

Legend

Rookie

Legend

Rookie

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Rookie

Semi-Pro

Rookie

Professional

Similar threads