Found my dream control racquet (PP 100P) - now how do I string it?

[SkateboardBackhand]

I’ve been demoing racquets for months. Enjoyed the Pure Strike 16x19 (too much power) and the Blade 16x19 (not enough power). Tried the TF40 305, TFight 305 RS, TT 100P, TT 100 (310), PP 100x 305, Elevate Tour, Clash 98, Synergy 98, etc. I'm a 3.5, hit flat mostly, and can put spin when I really concentrate - trying to do more of that.

But I’ve found my favorite - the Prince Phantom 100P! The search is over.

Except, it has a TW sticker that says "strung with Prince Premiere control @ 57lbs."
This is outside the recommended range (50 +/- 5 ) right?
I want my new one exactly like my demo, but if I string it within Prince's specs, 2 lbs. lighter, will it be a different racquet?
Or should I just have them string it at 57lbs, outside Prince’s recommendations?

 

[Rosstour]

Do it the way you like it.

 

[Keizer]

I’ve been demoing racquets for months. Enjoyed the Pure Strike 16x19 (too much power) and the Blade 16x19 (not enough power). Tried the TF40 305, TFight 305 RS, TT 100P, TT 100 (310), PP 100x 305, Elevate Tour, Clash 98, Synergy 98, etc. I'm a 3.5, hit flat mostly, and can put spin when I really concentrate - trying to do more of that.

But I’ve found my favorite - the Prince Phantom 100P! The search is over.

Except, it has a TW sticker that says "strung with Prince Premiere control @ 57lbs."
This is outside the recommended range (50 +/- 5 ) right?
I want my new one exactly like my demo, but if I string it within Prince's specs, 2 lbs. lighter, will it be a different racquet?
Or should I just have them string it at 57lbs, outside Prince’s recommendations?

Exactly what Ross says. The recommended tension is only a guideline. A lot of pros will string outside the recommended tension based on what works for them without any adverse consequences to the racket. Besides, in this case, you’re only over by a couple pounds so no harm no foul.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I don’t think it’ll be all that different at 55lbs. Weird they didn’t string the demo at mid-tension. I just bought a PP100P too, fun racquet.

 

[McLovin]

As others have said, “recommended tension” is basically BS. It all depends on strokes, strings, level of play, and preference.

20 years ago, “recommended tension” ranges were in the 60s as barely anyone used poly. I was stringing some frames in the 70s w/ Kevlar.

 

[tennis347]

I’ve been demoing racquets for months. Enjoyed the Pure Strike 16x19 (too much power) and the Blade 16x19 (not enough power). Tried the TF40 305, TFight 305 RS, TT 100P, TT 100 (310), PP 100x 305, Elevate Tour, Clash 98, Synergy 98, etc. I'm a 3.5, hit flat mostly, and can put spin when I really concentrate - trying to do more of that.

But I’ve found my favorite - the Prince Phantom 100P! The search is over.

Except, it has a TW sticker that says "strung with Prince Premiere control @ 57lbs."
This is outside the recommended range (50 +/- 5 ) right?
I want my new one exactly like my demo, but if I string it within Prince's specs, 2 lbs. lighter, will it be a different racquet?
Or should I just have them string it at 57lbs, outside Prince’s recommendations?

The Phantom 100p will play like a board at 57lbs. I have been using the 100P and plays well strung in 53-55lbs with a synthetic string depending on weather conditions.

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

Thanks @tennis347! I’m pretty pleased with how the racket currently feels, so I’ll get the same Prince multi for mine. Which string set up do you have in your 100P?

 

[tata]

I recommend you utilise the matching service for TW to try grab off the shelf for you that has the same or near identical specs as the demo. Variances can play up and you may end up disappointed. So if the demo was the magic racquet, ask if you can even purchase it. String wise, the phantoms don't like being strung high, in my opinion anyway. I've got the older pro 100p model and I gone as low as 46lbs in a multi/syn gut in winter (in Australia) and high of about 51lbs in summer. My one dislikes being strung over 50lbs. That said, I doubt the tension was still at 57lbs by the time you hit with it unless it was fresh. If others have hit with it before then for sure there was tension drop so you may not need to go as high as 57lbs.

 

[tennis347]

Thanks @tennis347! I’m pretty pleased with how the racket currently feels, so I’ll get the same Prince multi for mine. Which string set up do you have in your 100P?

Gosen Micro 16 currently at 53lbs. In the warmer months I go 55. This is one of the best 100 sq inch control frames on the market. I have been using the Blade v7 98 16 x 19 lately but find that the Phantom 100p has better control. The Blade is a bit more maneuverable and I can get a bit easier racquet head speed but the stability and plow with the Phantom 100p is spectacular.

 

[beltsman]

I’ve been demoing racquets for months. Enjoyed the Pure Strike 16x19 (too much power) and the Blade 16x19 (not enough power). Tried the TF40 305, TFight 305 RS, TT 100P, TT 100 (310), PP 100x 305, Elevate Tour, Clash 98, Synergy 98, etc. I'm a 3.5, hit flat mostly, and can put spin when I really concentrate - trying to do more of that.

But I’ve found my favorite - the Prince Phantom 100P! The search is over.

Except, it has a TW sticker that says "strung with Prince Premiere control @ 57lbs."
This is outside the recommended range (50 +/- 5 ) right?
I want my new one exactly like my demo, but if I string it within Prince's specs, 2 lbs. lighter, will it be a different racquet?
Or should I just have them string it at 57lbs, outside Prince’s recommendations?

Many a sailor have charted this path
Getting a demo and having a laugh
Finding "the one" to love and to hold
"This is the one with which I'll grow old!"

Alas the marriage does not long last
New racquet comes, the demo has passed
Specs not quite same, the magic is gone
Leaving the sailor to remember this song

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Many a sailor have charted this path
Getting a demo and having a laugh
Finding "the one" to love and to hold
"This is the one with which I'll grow old!"

Alas the marriage does not long last
New racquet comes, the demo has passed
Specs not quite same, the magic is gone
Leaving the sailor to remember this song

Applies in equal measure to golf drivers, putters and wedges (and other vices too for that matter)!

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

Well, it looks like you guys were right, darn it.
I ordered a new Phantom 100P, and thought I'd outsmart myself by stringing it differently.
My demo had Prince Premiere Control 16 at 57 lbs.
My new one has Prince Premiere Control 17 at 55 lbs - I wanted to string it within spec, and the 17 gauge would provide more feel, since I don't really break strings.
My new 100P seems different - the sweet spot seems smaller - it twists in my hand sometimes, whereas my demo was perfect with endless plow-through and a giant sweet spot.
So what do I do? Cut the strings out and restring it like my demo? Give it a few hours? I've read this racquet is string-sensitive.
You know, those Roland Garros Clashes look pretty cool - I could demo one of those...

 

[tata]

Start with a restring with a tension no more than 50lbs. That should open up the sweetspot. Start there first.

 

[dak95_00]

Are you sure that 7 wasn’t a 1? Maybe at 51 and not 57?

 

[Byon]

The small sweet spot and the twisting of the racquet sound like the current tension is high. I would give a few hours or a day or two until the tension drops to that of your demoed racquet.

 

[tennis347]

Well, it looks like you guys were right, darn it.
I ordered a new Phantom 100P, and thought I'd outsmart myself by stringing it differently.
My demo had Prince Premiere Control 16 at 57 lbs.
My new one has Prince Premiere Control 17 at 55 lbs - I wanted to string it within spec, and the 17 gauge would provide more feel, since I don't really break strings.
My new 100P seems different - the sweet spot seems smaller - it twists in my hand sometimes, whereas my demo was perfect with endless plow-through and a giant sweet spot.
So what do I do? Cut the strings out and restring it like my demo? Give it a few hours? I've read this racquet is string-sensitive.
You know, those Roland Garros Clashes look pretty cool - I could demo one of those...

This frame needs to be strung at a lower tension and Prince Premier Control is a rather dead string. I would go no more than 52 with this string. The Phantom 100P creates its power from the higher SW, otherwise it is a relatively low powered frame. The control, stability and feel are the standout features.

 

[DustinW]

I rarely enjoy brand new frames on the first string job. For me, it takes a few string jobs before they get broken in and feel good. Until that time, they can feel a bit uncomfortable, stiffer than expected, and a small sweetspot... at least for me.

Others are correct that PPC is a low power string. I string it in my TT310 (which is 16x18) at 54. But for your 18x20, I'd drop to 50-51.

 

[antony]

did you get to try the 93p? I am demoing that one right now. Curious as to how the 100p is

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

Thanks everyone! Played a match today. Much better! Perfect control + power. To be picky, I’d wish for more spin.
Question: Would re-stringing with a poly offer a bit more spin without messing up the perfect control and power? Any string or tension recommendations? Thx!

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

did you get to try the 93p? I am demoing that one right now. Curious as to how the 100p is

The 100P is definitely a control racquet. More power then the 16x19 Blade, less then the Pure Strike. I did try the 93P, it felt a bit low – powered for me. Tennis nerd has a good write up on the 93P vs 100P: https://tennisnerd.net/gear/racquet...nce-phantom-100p-and-93p-racquet-review/20296

 

[golden chicken]

You may be missing the extra couple of grams in the head due to thinner strings. This is one reason I stick with 16g strings, even though I never break them.

 

[antony]

oh look, there's a used one in my size on tennis warehouse.........

 

[abhi_trip]

Thanks everyone! Played a match today. Much better! Perfect control + power. To be picky, I’d wish for more spin.
Question: Would re-stringing with a poly offer a bit more spin without messing up the perfect control and power? Any string or tension recommendations? Thx!

You can try stringing it with a poly/syn-gut or multifilament hybrid to get more spin. If you want more topspin go for a shaped soft co-poly in the mains and a syn-gut in the crosses and your mains should hopefully tear through the crosses before the mains goes dead.

 

[phanamous]

This racquet's small sweet spot is puzzling to me too as the weight is there. Along with the narrow head shape at top and bottom, I'm thinking it might be the string pattern where the mains are evenly spaced out across, instead of tight in the middle then spread out further out like other racquets.
I'm trying progressive tension whereby the shorter strings get a lower tension which helps a little but not enough. Likely have to drop overall tension even more. This is with a gut / soft poly setup I'm using.

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

I'm getting frustrated with the stringing process. Here's what I've been through with my Phantom 100P:
Demo 100P with Prince Premiere Control 16 at 57 lbs: Perfect and dreamy
New 100P with Prince Premiere Control 17 at 55 lbs: Tiny sweet spot, unstable
Restrung 100P with Hyper-G 17 at 46 lbs: Low-powered, stiff, arm-pain causing - but GLORIOUS spin

Today I'm demo-ing a Pure Aero and Head Extreme S, for having a "control" racquet takes too much energy. Maybe I'll like the free power?
Maybe I'll re-string my 100P with a hybrid?
Or if I like the Pure Aero, I'll give the Ripstick a try.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

So....no multi at mid tension, 50 lbs, yet? Just straight 10 lbs drop and multi to poly? I mean, I’ve only had X-1 in mine at 50, still first string job, and the racquet feels great.

 

[golden chicken]

I had a similar experience switching between NXT 16 and NXT 17--17 at similar tensions felt very stiff. Give PPC 16 another try before you give up on that racket. I don't understand what possessed you to jump off PPC and go straight to hyper G. You're changing too many variables at once.

 

[SkateboardBackhand]

That’s a great idea to try the original string gauge again! I will try that. Also added weight at 10 and 2 o’clock. Fingers crossed…

 

[abhi_trip]

@SkateboardBackhand , it also seems that the specs of your demo racket don't match with the one you've purchased. Try to add some tungesten/lead at 10&2 and see if it helps with expanding the sweetspot.

 

[tennis347]

I'm getting frustrated with the stringing process. Here's what I've been through with my Phantom 100P:
Demo 100P with Prince Premiere Control 16 at 57 lbs: Perfect and dreamy
New 100P with Prince Premiere Control 17 at 55 lbs: Tiny sweet spot, unstable
Restrung 100P with Hyper-G 17 at 46 lbs: Low-powered, stiff, arm-pain causing - but GLORIOUS spin

Today I'm demo-ing a Pure Aero and Head Extreme S, for having a "control" racquet takes too much energy. Maybe I'll like the free power?
Maybe I'll re-string my 100P with a hybrid?
Or if I like the Pure Aero, I'll give the Ripstick a try.

The Phantom 100p is a really good racquet but unfortunately it is low powered. What you put in is what you get out. I had some success adding about 1.5-2 grams total of lead at 10 and and countered the same weight at the butt of the handle. You need to work very hard with the 100P but it has great control, stability and comfort. I used Gosen Micro 16 at around 53lbs and it played quite well. The launch angle is quite low and better for flatter hitting and slicing. I still have my 100P's but have been playing with the Blade v7 98 16 x 19 as it has more spin and power.