New Graphene Prestige Pro (2014)

[Tyler91]

I've been playing with the GPP for about a month. Love it. I am coming from the GPS and the YT Prestige S before that.

I'm a middle-of-the-road 3.5 so I was expecting the GPP to be way over my head. Love the extra weight on slices and volleys.

I'm using Babolat Xcel 16 strung at 53 to 56 due to arm issues.

 

[RF_fan]

Few days ago I demoed the Graphene PP and I was hitting shots I couldn't hit before. The main improvement was consistency, and also more power and spin. The racquet seemed forgiving and easy to swing, it was almost like the racquet was playing for me. This particular demo weighed 11.4 oz compared to 11.7 advertised. It was strung with Head Hawk poly. I use Prostaff 95 and it's leaded to 12.4 oz. so I was surprised I could play with under 12 oz. Like others have noticed this GPP doesn't have a great feel but it produced good results for me from the baseline, and serve was improved as well. I didn't like volleying with it, maybe because of the weight. I love the feel of my Prostaff but it's more demanding, a lot of shots are miss hit or miss timed.
Today I demoed the IG Prestige Pro and I couldn't hit as consistently as with the GPP but it felt better at the net. I'm 4.0 player with 1HBH and hit relatively flat.

 

[DustinW]

Anyone running with this frame (GPP) full time now? If so, what string set up? I'm enjoying TB1.20 in this at the moment.

Finding it fun on serve. Slices really well.

Only drawback might be off center instability so far. Might get a third and add some weight at 3 & 9...

I just picked up a pair, and they are my go-to frames now. I usually play with 12+ oz rackets, but these feel good stock at around 11.7 oz and 5 points headlight.

I strung up one with Head Sonic Pro Edge at 52# and the other with Genesis Typhoon at 52#. I played two 4.5 league matches with the Sonic Pro Edge over the weekend. It played a bit stiff at first but settled in nicely. I haven't hit the Typhoon yet.

 

[Ace of Aces]

Have a couple of GPPs coming later this week. I've never used any prestige except for a couple of minutes serving with the ig prestige pro, so I wouldn't know what the prestige is supposed to feel like. The specs look perfect, and I am used to the more modern blade/aerostorm type control frames. It will be interesting to see whether the g prestige can work for someone who is not looking for a players frame type feel.

 

[DustinW]

Have a couple of GPPs coming later this week. I've never used any prestige except for a couple of minutes serving with the ig prestige pro, so I wouldn't know what the prestige is supposed to feel like. The specs look perfect, and I am used to the more modern blade/aerostorm type control frames. It will be interesting to see whether the g prestige can work for someone who is not looking for a players frame type feel.

The GPP has a nice crisp modern feel with the control and plow of a player's stick and just the right amount of pop that you would find in a stiffer, wider beam tweener.

 

[RF97]

Nice racquet. Very different sort of the stick to the old Prestige Pro but not bad at all in its own right.

Good control, precise hitting, reasonable power, reasonable spin production.

Only negatives for me is that the sweetspot is pretty small and I wish the frame was slightly thicker and fuller feeling as you have a slightly disconnected feeling to the ball.

 

[DustinW]

Does anybody have a favorite string setup? I have tried the polys listed below in the 48-52# range, and honestly I like them all (although some more than others).

For people that are stringing full ploy and think this frame is stiff or uncomfortable, I strongly suggest you drop the tension to 50# or less. It makes a huge difference... comfort, dwell time, touch, and power all go way up without losing control or its crisp, responsive feel.

Head Sonic Pro Edge
Solinco Tour Bite 17
Luxilon ALU Power 16L
Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough 17
Genesis Typhoon 16L

 

[thedunster]

I had a demo of a Graphene Prestige Pro and was very impressed.
I purchased one using exacty the same setup as the demo I used.

4 3/8 grip Babolar RPM Blast @ 57lb

It is terrible. The demo racquet felt like a completely different beast.

I'll be putting the scissors to it and trying a different string at a lesser tension.

 

[mawashi]

I had a demo of a Graphene Prestige Pro and was very impressed.
I purchased one using exacty the same setup as the demo I used.

4 3/8 grip Babolar RPM Blast @ 57lb

It is terrible. The demo racquet felt like a completely different beast.

I'll be putting the scissors to it and trying a different string at a lesser tension.

Welcome to e used strings club lol.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=508415

 

[thedunster]

Welcome to e used strings club lol.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=508415

Good to see I'm not alone then.

 

[DustinW]

I had a demo of a Graphene Prestige Pro and was very impressed.
I purchased one using exacty the same setup as the demo I used.

4 3/8 grip Babolar RPM Blast @ 57lb

It is terrible. The demo racquet felt like a completely different beast.

I'll be putting the scissors to it and trying a different string at a lesser tension.

Definitely drop the tension to around 50. I think it will play completely different for you. That dynamic string pattern makes it more like a 18x20 in the middle of the stringbed.

 

[ringwraith]

Maybe the demo I had was off specs, but it felt really tinny and vibrated. It felt too light, and I am used to racquets in the 330 grams strung range.

 

[Jerme]

This racket comes with the TK82 pallets or the TK82S ?

 

[burn1986]

Looks good but plays ... Bad! I've never found the sweet spot. It reminds me of when I used to hit rocks with an aluminum bat as a kid.

 

[maxpotapov]

Looks good but plays ... Bad! I've never found the sweet spot. It reminds me of when I used to hit rocks with an aluminum bat as a kid.

Excellent review, good signature too

 

[smalahove]

Love the IGPP. Love the GPP. One plush, the other one crisp. Had no trouble finding the sweet spot. All the negative descriptions of the GPP remind me of the Blade 98 (18x20)

Different strokes, I guess ...

 

[president.s]

This racket comes with the TK82 pallets or the TK82S ?

It comes with TK82

 

[burn1986]

If the GPP was a car it would be an AMC Pacer (Wayne's World) It's a fairly cool car but not made for performance. There are some people who will try and make Pacers fast by an air induction, header, lowering it, carbon fiber, etc. but after all is said and done, it is still a Pacer. Some people swear by them, though.

 

[maxpotapov]

If the GPP was a car it would be an AMC Pacer (Wayne's World) It's a fairly cool car but not made for performance. There are some people who will try and make Pacers fast by an air induction, header, lowering it, carbon fiber, etc. but after all is said and done, it is still a Pacer. Some people swear by them, though.

 

[DustinW]

If the GPP was a car it would be an AMC Pacer (Wayne's World) It's a fairly cool car but not made for performance. There are some people who will try and make Pacers fast by an air induction, header, lowering it, carbon fiber, etc. but after all is said and done, it is still a Pacer. Some people swear by them, though.

So you've made 6 posts in this thread alone bashing the Head Graphene line and countless other posts in other threads. We get it... you hate it... you made your point. Feel free to move along now and let the rest of us discuss the GPP.

 

[burn1986]

Will do, lol

 

[sundaypunch]

If the GPP was a car it would be an AMC Pacer (Wayne's World) It's a fairly cool car but not made for performance. There are some people who will try and make Pacers fast by an air induction, header, lowering it, carbon fiber, etc. but after all is said and done, it is still a Pacer. Some people swear by them, though.

You clearly aren't old enough to remember the history of the Pacer if you call it cool. They were irrelevant when they were introduced and pretty much ignored by knowledgable people as time went on.

In that sense, the Pacer is much more like your posts in this thread than the Graphene Prestige Pro.

 

[burn1986]

Dang, you guys are rough! Hold on der amigo! Mi gusto a Pacer in Wayne's World solamente.

Obviously my sentiments about the GPP. Years from now Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey will be playing with one!

 

[president.s]

Guys just a suggestion. I 've been trying a Graphene prestige S for 3 weeks now. At first i hated even with my specs (338-340, 32.5, 330). Then i thought to try something different. I removed the CAPS and put some pro stock non cap grommets and replaced some of the weight with lead at 12 and 3&9 and it feel muuuuuuch better. You can actually feel the ball in a racket that it actually feels dead... I'm just writing in this thread because they use the same mold and drill pattern.

 

[maxpotapov]

... or you can just improve your game and play with any racquet

 

[TimothyO]

... or you can just improve your game and play with any racquet

You don't believe that. Otherwise why would you be posting to a tennis gear forum? Or are you a nut case who can't control himself and likes to post nonsense to forums?

 

[TimothyO]

Guys just a suggestion. I 've been trying a Graphene prestige S for 3 weeks now. At first i hated even with my specs (338-340, 32.5, 330). Then i thought to try something different. I removed the CAPS and put some pro stock non cap grommets and replaced some of the weight with lead at 12 and 3&9 and it feel muuuuuuch better. You can actually feel the ball in a racket that it actually feels dead... I'm just writing in this thread because they use the same mold and drill pattern.

I'm playing with a modded Graphene Prestige S too: 337g, 8 HL, SW 325. I love it except for the handle shape. Either the shape or the frame's stiffness seems to cause some wrist discomfort. On paper the flex is really low but the beam shape plays like a stiffer frame.

 

[president.s]

... or you can just improve your game and play with any racquet

Thanks man. I haven't thought of that...

 

[president.s]

I'm playing with a modded Graphene Prestige S too: 337g, 8 HL, SW 325. I love it except for the handle shape. Either the shape or the frame's stiffness seems to cause some wrist discomfort. On paper the flex is really low but the beam shape plays like a stiffer frame.

Yeah you're totally right. Tk 82 are kind of annoying. But also it feels much stiffer than 61! That's why I removed the caps so that I give the hoop some room to flex more.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Played with this a bit last night...one of the more challenging frames I've played with yet. Very stiff with an unforgiving buzzy vibration. Not my cup of tea.

 

[maxpotapov]

Frying pan is a frying pan, no matter how you mod it.
But you can still hit a pretty good ball with a frying pan
Graphene... very polarizing technology

 

[DustinW]

Played with this a bit last night...one of the more challenging frames I've played with yet. Very stiff with an unforgiving buzzy vibration. Not my cup of tea.

Just goes to show you that each person can have their own experience and opinion on any frame. My description of the GPP is the complete opposite of yours... I find it to be one of the most versatile frames I've ever played with, and for me it has a nice flex while still retaining a crisp feel.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

Just goes to show you that each person can have their own experience and opinion on any frame. My description of the GPP is the complete opposite of yours... I find it to be one of the most versatile frames I've ever played with, and for me it has a nice flex while still retaining a crisp feel.

Oh yeah, I agree. I like the MP quite a bit more than the pro, although I thought it would've been the other way around. I was kinda disappointed in the pro. Just lacked control for me also. Didn't really have any features that I look for in a frame. Although, I was more consistent with a two handed backhand with this frame than with the mp. To each their own! The speed line is more up my alley.

 

[dnj30]

does anyone know if there is a weight difference between the stock red cap grommets and the black ones from the microgel prestige. Just bought one(my 2nd)from a guy who switched the red to the black ones. I like look of the black ones, but want to make sure it doesn't change the weight difference between the 2 I play with.
thanks.

 

[DustinW]

I had a short affair with a Ncode 6.1 95 16x18 and came right back to the GPP. The 6.1 95 so solid from everywhere on the court, but the GPP is much easier to play with.

And I'm getting ready to start affair #2 with a Pure Drive Tour since I got selected on the playtest.

 

[DustinW]

The Prestige MP is getting all of the love right now, so let's bump this one.

I played the Pure Drive Tour for a bit and more recently hit a 6.1 95s for a while... but I keep coming back to the GPP. The 6.1 95s is great, but I have better singles results with the GPP.

Has anybody hit a mutli/poly hybrid in this frame? I always do full poly but might try it out.

 

[dnj30]

The Prestige MP is getting all of the love right now, so let's bump this one.

I played the Pure Drive Tour for a bit and more recently hit a 6.1 95s for a while... but I keep coming back to the GPP. The 6.1 95s is great, but I have better singles results with the GPP.

Has anybody hit a mutli/poly hybrid in this frame? I always do full poly but might try it out.

I played few hours with gut mains/poly crosses, around 50lbs. Feel was great, but I it was too powerful. Playing it with full bed tour bite 17 at 55. Dead feeling, yes. But results are better for me.

 

[Power Player]

The Prestige MP is getting all of the love right now, so let's bump this one.

I played the Pure Drive Tour for a bit and more recently hit a 6.1 95s for a while... but I keep coming back to the GPP. The 6.1 95s is great, but I have better singles results with the GPP.

Has anybody hit a mutli/poly hybrid in this frame? I always do full poly but might try it out.

I'm locked in with the MP, but for the sake of discussion I'd be interested in reading what people thought who demoed both. Besides being different molds and string patterns, they appear to be pretty similar spec-wise. Both have 8 throat mains.

I hybrid in the MP cyclone tour and OGSM and have the same in a somewhat similar frame, the tec 315. I highly recommend it, as it should help with touch shots and feel, and you will not lose too much spin.

I use poly more for control than generating spin, as I can do that about the same with anything, so the hybrid just works really well for me.

A great setup to try if you want to hybrid multi is Volkl Psycho. Feels great. Id suggest poly mains because you will go through strings every 2-3 hours with multi mains.

 

[DustinW]

I played few hours with gut mains/poly crosses, around 50lbs. Feel was great, but I it was too powerful. Playing it with full bed tour bite 17 at 55. Dead feeling, yes. But results are better for me.

I thought the same of Tour Bite 17.... dead feeling and low powered, but I played really great with it.

I just string up Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro mains and Typhoon Genesis crosses, so we will see how that goes.

I'm locked in with the MP, but for the sake of discussion I'd be interested in reading what people thought who demoed both. Besides being different molds and string patterns, they appear to be pretty similar spec-wise. Both have 8 throat mains.

I am also interested in hearing from people who have hit both the Pro and MP. I generally prefer the more open pattern, and I really like the feel of a leather grip.

 

[HellsBells]

does anyone know if there is a weight difference between the stock red cap grommets and the black ones from the microgel prestige.

I've got one of the black ones. The black Microgel CAP is slightly narrower and about 3g lighter than the red CAPS. I had to use some lead tape to bring the weight back up. The black CAP also has slightly smaller grommets for the tie offs and a slightly narrow channel running down the length of the grommet.

 

[Power Player]

I thought the same of Tour Bite 17.... dead feeling and low powered, but I played really great with it.

I just string up Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro mains and Typhoon Genesis crosses, so we will see how that goes.

If it lasts past 4 hours I will be surprised. Feel should be great though.

 

[dnj30]

I've got one of the black ones. The black Microgel CAP is slightly narrower and about 3g lighter than the red CAPS. I had to use some lead tape to bring the weight back up. The black CAP also has slightly smaller grommets for the tie offs and a slightly narrow channel running down the length of the grommet.

Thanks for the info, I figured they were lighter.

 

[HellsBells]

With leather grip installed:

 

[leohaegger]

With leather grip installed:

WOW!!! This is super HOT!!! I want one!!!

 

[DustinW]

If it lasts past 4 hours I will be surprised. Feel should be great though.

I wasn't a fan of my multi/poly hybrid. The first hit was crisp and comfortable feeling, which was great. Spin was a bit harder to come by (compared to full poly) and I struggled with depth control, but I liked the feel.

Strangely enough, I hated it my 2nd time out. It felt too firm, boardy, less comfortable, and less crisp. Not what I was expecting with a multi in the mains. Maybe the stringbed was starting to lock in place???

So anyway... experiment over.

 

[VoodooBoot]

With leather grip installed:

Sexy looking, indeed. Sadly, what's under the make up is disappointing (the Graphene)

 

[tennis_nut]

With leather grip installed:

Hi, so you were able to install the microgel prestige pro grommets on the graphene prestige pro? I was told by TW that they wouldn't work

 

[HellsBells]

Hi, so you were able to install the microgel prestige pro grommets on the graphene prestige pro? I was told by TW that they wouldn't work

They fit, just that they're not a 'perfect' fit. So for example, a couple of the grommets near the bottom of the CAP don't quite protrude through the frame as much as the red ones do. It's a tight fit. Another mm or so and the strings would be cutting through the graphite frame rather than being protected by the plastic grommet. I'll take a photo of what I'm talking about if I have a chance.

Personally, I wouldn't change them them just for aesthetic purposes (in my case, I was trying to reduce the swingweight) but each to their own.