ushynoti
Rookie
So how much weight did you put and where? Did it really make a difference in how it played? Seems so hard to believe for me just because it seems like this racquet is so hopeless, haha
Just bought a Prince Classic Response 97
- Thread starter haqq777
- Start date
So how much weight did you put and where? Did it really make a difference in how it played? Seems so hard to believe for me just because it seems like this racquet is so hopeless, haha
Lukhas
Legend
Well since it has no weight in the upper hoop, there's not thousands of options...
I've said it earlier in this thread (first page), I've said it in other threads, but it needs lead tape at noon to fix its issues: the low power/launch angle and dead/flimsy upper hoop. Lead at 3&9 o'clock won't help since it's already very stable. I was satisfied with 6 grams at noon on my stock frames (which means with their dampener in) in one long stripe. I didn't feel I needed any counterbalancing. I may or may not add 3 more grams since I went down two gauges in string thickness and it changed the weight of the racquet.
Once that said, if you don't like the feel of any given racquet to the point you can't tolerate it, I wouldn't bother trying to make it work. Just get rid of it and find something else, no need to bend yourself backwards for a frame you don't like. It's not my case, I just added the 6 grams, an OG like I always do and that was it.
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graycrait
Legend
I took this thing up to 12.4oz with 5 grams in the hoop. Had my first serving session with new weight/balance/strings. Stiffer than what I normally play with but was really nice serving topspin and slices. Dramatic attitude change about this one. Even thinking about getting another one due to price just to compare various string set ups side by side.
graycrait
Legend
I received my latest "used" Prince Classic Response 97 from the TW used racket section. I find no evidence that this racket has ever even been handled, not one scratch, smudge or whatever. The grip looks "ungripped." Even though I requested "unstrung" it came strung with a shaped poly that not one speck of green fuzz was caught in the intersections. Also, not even the slightest indication of notching. I'll use those strings just for the fun of it.
I still think the racket, as others have said, can use some lead at 12 o'clock.
I still think the racket, as others have said, can use some lead at 12 o'clock.
ushynoti
Rookie
Did you put 5g all at 12 o'clock? Definitely need to see what is missing in this racquet, I know something is, I just don't know what, but seems like everyone says it needs lead. It feels heavy to me already, but willing to give it a shot...
mixtape
Professional
Still playing with this racquet. I experimented with tungsten tape at 12 o'clock (2.8 grams) and thought it was too heavy. I cut the tape in half and it still felt awkward to me. Perhaps it's my style, but in stock form, it plays well for me. I was getting a slight arm/elbow irritation after hitting with poly, so I went to a full bed of multi @ 58lbs and enjoyed it more. So for now syn gut and multi work well for me.
ushynoti
Rookie
I just put 5 grams at 12 o'clock, but haven't hit with it yet. My impression of this racquet has always been that it was a little heavier, but didn't have the plow that usually came with heavier frames. My Prostaff 85 stock hits with more plow than this frame, so we'll see. I also agree that full bed of multi has felt good in this frame, better than even a gut/poly blend (I tried Babolat VS Gut/ Luxilon Big Banger Ace 18 and it was horrible) or a full poly bed (no power, I felt I had to swing harder just to generate any meaningful pace)...
veecee
Rookie
What polys did you try? I thought Tourna Black Zone at 50lb felt really good with this racquet.
ushynoti
Rookie
I tried Weiss Cannon Scorpion 17L and Golden Set Snakebite 17 mains/ Golden Set Powercord 17 Crosses, both at 45 lbs...I guess I didn't really give polys a shot because those 2 just felt so terrible...
mixtape
Professional
Restrung with Gosen MS syn gut 17 gauge @ 60lbs and really liked the way the racquet responded. The 16 gauge was great, but I missed the bite that I had when I was hitting with poly. I also tried a vibration dampener (rubber band is my preference) and the additional weight (4 grams) felt great. I'm wondering if I should try adding weight near the throat. The experiment continues...
veecee
Rookie
I know where you're coming from. I felt exactly the same when I had MSV Focus Hex in it. It just felt boardy and unforgiving. Got it restrung with BHBZ and it felt like a different racquet.
graycrait
Legend
Working out yesterday with a stock Response 97 and hitting over a 100 serves too boot, my shoulder hurt enough to take some Ibuprofen several times yesterday. Took the PCG OSs out today to hit some serves and hit over 100 with no arm issues. I think I'll hang the Response 97's up in the back of the closet with the Wilsons, Volkls and my playable "collector" rackets. The PCG/POG OS ( I have both) seem almost therapeutic to me.
JonnyAbs
Semi-Pro
I am not surprised, I wouldn't consider my PR97 particularly arm friendly. A good dampener seems to help though.
ushynoti
Rookie
What's BHBZ? I imagine it's Tourna Big Hitter in some form? It's so disappointing, the racquet feels great in the hand and swinging it but once you hit a ball with it, it's just not very user friendly...
ushynoti
Rookie
I feel the same way when I switch to the Prostaff 85....I also have some POGs in MP and OS and both feel better than the Response, although I like the MP better because it's more maneuverable and I have a one handed backhand...
ushynoti
Rookie
The funny thing is I have some Prince TT Warriors, which are almost the same frame, but lighter and different balance, and they are much more playable than the Response 97...
veecee
Rookie
Tourna Big Hitter Black Zone
Lukhas
Legend
Well I just did it. It's really thin, I've ripped a bit of the ends (which are narrower) when pulling it tight when wrapping it.
It's not really a firm/dense grip, there's still a slight cushion but the edges of the handle come quite sharply due to how thin and light it is.
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haqq777
Legend
Just bumping to check if anyone was able to find that perfect string for this stick? I can not seem to understand this one. Lowered my full poly cyclone to low 40s and still not feeling it. Perhaps syn gut or multi at higher tension will bring out the wow factor in the frame? It just feels like it lacks something - can not seem to put my finger on what.
I'm thinking pure gut in this frame would be pretty sweet at 58 lbs. I used Bow Brand gut (not sure if they are still around) at that tension in the Prince Precision Response Patrick Rafter endorsed back in the nineties. I think I still one or two of those in my summer home and wouldn't be surprised in the natural gut was still in them (and that it still plays great!).
It's a pretty open string bed. I hit with my old Response the other day with Prince Lightning at 66 lbs. Hadn't tried that setup before. It hit pretty well and seemed to have decent control.
My issue was always control on approach shots. It serves very well, volleys well, and groundies are very good with power and spin. Getting up to that tension seemed to add the control.
My issue was always control on approach shots. It serves very well, volleys well, and groundies are very good with power and spin. Getting up to that tension seemed to add the control.
zalive
Hall of Fame
To revisit this.
Tried again Response 660 MP. Specified at 67 RA it feels firm but not stiff. You can feel a bit of flex. Whole feeling when you hit the ball is muted. There's no way you can replicate this with todays full graphite layup and modern manufacturing practice. It's not an 80's graphite stick, but its layup is clearly better. So I fully understand why this guy was not satisfied with new Classic Response. At the same time I can understand why this design was good enough for Patrick Rafter. It has enough quality for good all court performance.
So, while design itself is great, because of quality of layup it can never be quite the same as old sticks. But perhaps customization might help (it's pretty useful on my old Response too because upper hoop is dead otherwise and stock twist stability is not enough to be forgiving).
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Lukhas
Legend
Why would you cut it that much?
graycrait
Legend
I cut a POG 107 and a Dunlop Biomimentic M3.0, both at 25.75 and leaded up the butt and 12 O'clock. I was hitting with a weighted up 29" Ripstick and got thinking, what happens when you go short but keep the weight up around 12oz. The reason so short was I was eyeballing where I like to choke up to hit short sitters and return some serves. What is really fun is to drop shot with the shorty Dunlop.
peter bollini
New User
what size was the grip im in search of 4 5/8
graycrait
Legend
Sorry, I am a fickle racket owner, those two Prince Responses are long gone.
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