Did you ever own a Prince CTS Approach 90?

[Chicago Lefty]

I used to the Prince CTS Approach 90 when I was young. I had 4 and went right through them. They didn't seem to last long. Great stick though. Since then I have used the Wilson PS classic 6.1, Head Ti rad MP, and just recently picked up a couple of aeropro cortex. I wanted to know what former Prince cts approach users like today. Technology has changed so much that you will never find those types of sticks anymore. but I still wanted to see what people were comfortable with. If I remember it had a really open string pattern. 14 X 16 maybe? I can't remember.

 

[RFRF]

I used to the Prince CTS Approach 90 when I was young. I had 4 and went right through them. They didn't seem to last long. Great stick though. Since then I have used the Wilson PS classic 6.1, Head Ti rad MP, and just recently picked up a couple of aeropro cortex. I wanted to know what former Prince cts approach users like today. Technology has changed so much that you will never find those types of sticks anymore. but I still wanted to see what people were comfortable with. If I remember it had a really open string pattern. 14 X 16 maybe? I can't remember.

yes i had 4 of them too, they were a great bat with that awesome wide string pattern a 17g silver sin gut that came with them. the first batch of them was the best from 1989 but as the years went on they would break even off miss hits, i have never broght a prince again because of that, but they were a great bat! i still have a brand new one in my collection!

 

[Chicago Lefty]

What do you use today?

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Yeah great stick, I still have one in my collection. The string pattern is 14 x 18. I currently play a o3 white.

 

[Lefty78]

YES!

When I played Boys 14's, I strung them w/ PSG 17 at 75 lbs, and no, they did not last too long. Some of the frames caved in from off center hits ^as above^, the rest caved in from my temper. Sweet frames though, at least in my recollection. Haven't hit with one in over 15 years.

 

[tennisinoc]

I played with the CTS Approach for a bit.
If you want something similar to the Prince CTS Approach today,
try out the Fischer Pro M #1.
It has the taper beam like the CTS series did.
Also, it is very comfortable like the CTS.
Plus, its on clearance for a great price!

 

[EDK]

Wow, I'm surprised the frame didn't last for some, it is really sturdy in my view (even with the narrow throat bridge). Beautiful frame, a work of art, actually. What Prince has put out since doesn't much compare.

 

[dejavu]

Nice old school stick. I played with the CTS Precision 90. CTS technology was the rage back in the extreme widebody days.

 

[Lindros13]

I used the Prince CTS Approach 90 for many years...then switched to the Babalot AeroPro Control for about a year...and then switched to the Volkl BB10, which I love, and have been using for the last 3 years or so -- strung with Gamma TNT2 and a little added lead for some more stability. I think both of these racquets have a similar feel to the CTS Approach.

 

[120mphBodyServe]

YES!

When I played Boys 14's, I strung them w/ PSG 17 at 75 lbs, and no, they did not last too long. Some of the frames caved in from off center hits ^as above^, the rest caved in from my temper. Sweet frames though, at least in my recollection. Haven't hit with one in over 15 years.

75lbs??? You cannot be serious!!!!
Why? From what I remember the Approach was one of the more control orientated/less powerful frames in the CTS range...

 

[Lefty78]

^^^ Yep, 75 lbs.
Those frames had a very open string pattern, so the higher tension helped. Also, I think the Thunderstick was actually the only more powerful CTS frame, although the midsize versions were of course more control oriented. I'm sure I would've been at much lower tension if we had poly strings back then, though. Good memories.

 

[dunlop1857]

I had several CTS's

I had three and used them all throughout HS- GREAT stick! I have one left... if anyone would like to take it off my hands. Email me for details.

 

[KOtennis]

i think EVERYONE on my HS team had a CTS racquet from Prince.
the most popular was the Approach.
then the Precision.
I used both Approach and Storm.

and the THUNDERSTICK.... that thing was a monster.

 

[The_Question]

^^^ Yep, 75 lbs.
Those frames had a very open string pattern, so the higher tension helped. Also, I think the Thunderstick was actually the only more powerful CTS frame, although the midsize versions were of course more control oriented. I'm sure I would've been at much lower tension if we had poly strings back then, though. Good memories.

Although I never had the Apprach, but I have many other CTS frames. I too used to strung them at 75lbs back in the days w/Prince Syn Gut or Babolat Super Fine Play Rough on a Response. I think the most powerful CTS is the Storm, at 32mm on head.

 

[Keifers]

I had a CTS Approach 90 for a while last year. Very nice stick, but I found it too powerful and I sold it. The CTS Lightning 90 is closer to my ideal.

That said, I intend to keep my Approach OS. Lots of fond memories playing with that stick -- and with Susan, Dorian and Jane!

 

[tlimster]

I used an Approach then a Blast through high school and USTA junior tennis tournaments. Dropped tennis for 10 years, then picked it up again and had the same confusion over rackets. My knee jerk reaction was to buy some POGs and try the Pro Staff again. But there are a few rackets that are out that are similar in power and control. I managed to buy a couple more Approaches and weigh them, they come in at around 12.5-12.7oz strung, so are heavier than today's sticks (other than the K90).

Here's what I liked: the n95 16x18, Pure Storm Tour (old one), Yonex RDS 002 Tour, Prince Diablo both Mid and MP. For some reason the Diablo MP felt really comfortable from the moment I tried it. Same spinny feel. All of the Babolats are more powerful than the Approach except for the Ltd. I ended up with and am currently using the Dunlop Aerogel 200.

I actually got my hands on a Graduate 90 from Bud and am going to test it out tomorrow and compare it to my Aerogel. It will be interesting to see how they compare.

 

[EDK]

Thanks for providing the weight, tlimster, I also noticed the heavier weight of the Approach. The Graduate 90 is my favorite of the CTS line, it is buttery and flexy, yet precise for its string pattern. I leaded it up to 12.5 for nice stability and plow.

I'd be interested to know your impression on that stick.

 

[FloridaAG]

MY wife had the Approach OS. I taught her to play using that frame. I had the CTS DB26 MS. Just gave it away recently

 

[Lefty78]

I used an Approach then a Blast through high school and USTA junior tennis tournaments. Dropped tennis for 10 years, then picked it up again and had the same confusion over rackets. My knee jerk reaction was to buy some POGs and try the Pro Staff again. But there are a few rackets that are out that are similar in power and control. I managed to buy a couple more Approaches and weigh them, they come in at around 12.5-12.7oz strung, so are heavier than today's sticks (other than the K90).

^^^ This really underlines what's wrong with most modern frames. When I was a wiry young junior, no one ever thought to tell me that a 12.5+ oz stick was too heavy (it wasn't), as would undoubtedly be the case today.

 

[rxblitzrx]

we had these in high school. then i saw how hot capriatti was and immediately attributed that to the racquet she plays.

i switched to the DB26 after a dream.

 

[tlimster]

I just took the Graduate out and hit with it on the ball machine. Compared it to my AG200s. It's a nice stick, a little less stable than the AG200, but it's not leaded up yet and it's strung with Kevlar mains, so I'll need to fiddle around with it before taking it out again. Feels lighted than the AG, or swings lighter. Very nice feel, you're right. I hit with the PB mid recently, and this racket feels similar with a little less ball pocketing.

 

[EDK]

That's the first thing I noticed too about the Graduate 90, swung very light. It affords a lot of room for lead in the hoop, and still swings comfortably. Very arm-friendly racket, I loved it on groundstrokes.

 

[MomentumGT]

I used to the Prince CTS Approach 90 when I was young. I had 4 and went right through them. They didn't seem to last long. Great stick though. Since then I have used the Wilson PS classic 6.1, Head Ti rad MP, and just recently picked up a couple of aeropro cortex. I wanted to know what former Prince cts approach users like today. Technology has changed so much that you will never find those types of sticks anymore. but I still wanted to see what people were comfortable with. If I remember it had a really open string pattern. 14 X 16 maybe? I can't remember.

Not the 90, but does the oversize count? lol. Currently using the AG200 18x20 leaded to 12.6oz.

-Jon

 

[tlimster]

Luckily, I'm one of the few people who still like these CTS frames, so I've been able to buy a few of them recently for cheap.

I was able to buy three Approach 90s used locally for $90 -- all three! Then I had to get new grommets which cost me three for $75!

Just recently I was able to buy an Approach 110 for $50, brand new strung with the stencil still on it, and a CTS Synergy 28 OS for $25, also brand new but unstrung. I know kind of a waste, but I can't help it at that price. The CTS rackets work really well for me and at that price...

More often now I take them out if there's something wrong with a stroke and I want to see if it's because of the racket or me. Usually it's me, but with the APDC it was actually the racket, at least on low forehands and backhands. It required too much whip on the shot to stay in with pace, whereas the more traditional rackets allow you to take a big swing and the ball stays in somehow.

It's interesting that other people are using the Aerogel 200. It seems like a close match aside from the string pattern. The other racket I can think of is the Tecnifibre Tfight 320, the old one.