Prince Classic´s Thread

Just found this (pics are not mine). I 've never heard of it before, but I like it more than POG, graphite pro and spectrum comp ! Graphite and fiberglass construction, 1986, flexy and a little longer balance than POG OS, weight about the same.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
^^ i've got a graphite volley 110 & a spectrum comp 110 that i've never hit w/ yet. i'm going to need to bring them out to the court w/ me next time.
 
^^ Warning: Graph Volley is veeeery flexy. You can bend it over your knee (almost like Rossignol F200). But that's the feel I really like :)
Spectrum is just a good, "regular" player's oversize...similar to POG
 
^^ cool...i really enjoy the feel of the rossi f200, but the head is just a bit small when the pace gets cranked up so this might be right up my alley. :) thx!
 
Here are my babies

Here are my Princes:

2x Boron 110
2x POG 90 4 stripes
1x POG 110 1 stripe
1x Woodie

17032011076_l.jpg


I love them...

Cheers.-
 
@ Don't let it bounce or any other who can help me ;)

Sorry to insist, I hope you'll read this and have an answer for me !

As it is very difficult to find another GraphitePro90 in Europe, does the Powerflex 90 feel about the same ??
It should be more flexible (Prince racquet flex scale tell it), but does it has the same weight, balance and SW than the graphite pro ??

Thanks in advance !
 
Whereabouts in Europe are you? Because the Graphite Pro isn't that hard to find, all i needed to do was look in my racquet room ;)
 
gloumar said:
@ Don't let it bounce or any other who can help me ;)

Sorry to insist, I hope you'll read this and have an answer for me !

As it is very difficult to find another GraphitePro90 in Europe, does the Powerflex 90 feel about the same ??
It should be more flexible (Prince racquet flex scale tell it), but does it has the same weight, balance and SW than the graphite pro ??

Thanks in advance !
Click to expand...
Sorry... I haven't compared them directly, so I can't say with any degree of certainty. But, as you say, I would expect the Powerflex to be noticeably more flexible than the Graphite Pro (which is itself pretty flexible), enough so they would not feel the same regardless of the other specs.

As pointed out, though, with a little patience it shouldn't be too hard to find a Graphite Pro 90.
 
Don't Let It Bounce said:
Sorry... I haven't compared them directly, so I can't say with any degree of certainty. But, as you say, I would expect the Powerflex to be noticeably more flexible than the Graphite Pro (which is itself pretty flexible), enough so they would not feel the same regardless of the other specs.

As pointed out, though, with a little patience it shouldn't be too hard to find a Graphite Pro 90.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your answer !
Well, do you mean that the other specs should change in consequence ? Because I don't want them to be hammer-like, and if they are more flexible I guess they would be more Head-heavy...

Anyway I must confess I'm getting in symbiosis with the Ozone MP, which offer kinda the same tremendous dampended feeling, enormous amount of spin with good control despite the 100in2. not as much plowtrhu of course, but the lighter weight feels very effective on the backhand side, and i'm realizing the overweight affected my game and unbalanced it dramatically (Better on FH, Worse on top-BH).

I'll keep the graphite pros for more fun sessions I guess, no need to back them up anymore. ANyway I advice to get and demo this racquet if someone has the occasion...
 
gloumar said:
Thanks for your answer !
Well, do you mean that the other specs should change in consequence ? Because I don't want them to be hammer-like, and if they are more flexible I guess they would be more Head-heavy...
Click to expand...
No, I meant that if two racquets are identical in every way except that one is noticeably more flexible, they won't feel the same... because one will, of course, feel more flexible.
Anyway I must confess I'm getting in symbiosis with the Ozone MP, which offer kinda the same tremendous dampended feeling, enormous amount of spin with good control despite the 100in2. not as much plowtrhu of course, but the lighter weight feels very effective on the backhand side, and i'm realizing the overweight affected my game and unbalanced it dramatically (Better on FH, Worse on top-BH).
Click to expand...
Yeah, the Ozone Tour is a real winner, even by old school classic standards. The current TW price for it is hard to beat, too.
 
The Prince Graphite 110 was my dream racket. Initially it was 250 pounds in England, so 500 dollars at that time. And the Prince something else (Kevlar?) was 350 pounds, so 700 dollars. A friend of mine had 2 Graphites and I wanted them so much, but had to settle for a Wilson Extra 110, a metal equivalent to the Prince Pro. Finally the price dropped to 300 dollars - still at that time an incredible amount that I couldn't afford. Fortunately I won an Open Tournament in Swindon, next to where the Prince rep lived and I got Prince terms, and 2 Graphite racquets. When they arrived it was the best tennis day of my life. Just excellent!
I bought a few more (the Classic - still green and black, and 110 head size) but compared with modern racquets they felt a little heavy and slow through the air for producing pace. But the feel was still there. In my opinion, the best racquet ever made at that time.
 
I've got a Prince Precision 720 longbody (graphite 2) that I pull off the wall and play with a few times a year. This racket is a beast in the right hands
 
Question if anyone knows...

Is there a difference between the Powerflex 90 and the Power Pro 90? They have the same paint job. I'm talking about the 1986 models. They look identical except for the names.

If you know the specs, that would be great too.
 
Tarrantennis said:
The Prince Graphite 110 was my dream racket. Initially it was 250 pounds in England, so 500 dollars at that time. And the Prince something else (Kevlar?) was 350 pounds, so 700 dollars. A friend of mine had 2 Graphites and I wanted them so much, but had to settle for a Wilson Extra 110, a metal equivalent to the Prince Pro. Finally the price dropped to 300 dollars - still at that time an incredible amount that I couldn't afford. Fortunately I won an Open Tournament in Swindon, next to where the Prince rep lived and I got Prince terms, and 2 Graphite racquets. When they arrived it was the best tennis day of my life. Just excellent!
I bought a few more (the Classic - still green and black, and 110 head size) but compared with modern racquets they felt a little heavy and slow through the air for producing pace. But the feel was still there. In my opinion, the best racquet ever made at that time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your story. That's the way to earn your gear.

I love the frames from that time period through to the early 90s. The companies were making good gear, overbuilt in my opinion. Such a dynamic time. New materials, new designs.

BTW, I think the "other" Prince frame was the Boron. Yeah, they went for a pretty penny at the time.
 
This was my happy Prince family:


Prince:
TT Bandit OS
Vortex Lite
Diablo MP
POG OS 4 stripes (thailand)
POG OS tour
Michael Chang Graphite OS
Graphite II MP

and now this beauty is just arrived :) , a Prince Graphite Pro 90 in 9.5 conditions




It plays beautifully, hitting consistently the sweetspot gives a nice feedback in the arm but I have to admit that it's a bit on the heavy side for me (354 gr) and after 2 sets my arm is a little tired.

I never thought to switch from my AA LE Radical OS, but hitting with it time to time will be really a lot of fun.

I know myself I'll buy new prince old rackets just for fun, they are so much better than the actual production.

Reading this boards drastically increased my need of buying old rackets, you guys are helping me to remember the name of the models i've played when i was teenager, and with a biy of patience the big auction site is doing the rest, anyhow my wife lost track of the number of my rackets.
 
Last edited:
This Graphite Pro 90 racquet is the biggest like I had since I play tennis :)
Yours is in perfect conditions too !

Tremendous feel and comfort, amazing spin ability, good control and huge power reserve due to its weight.
But true, it's a bit heavy for occasionnal players !

NB : You should try Ozone TOUR and REBEL 95 racquets. They are pretty good, with a special old school feeling with the square beam of the REBEL95. I truely love my Ozone TOUR, even coming from this Graphite Pro 90 :)
 
Last edited:
Oh man, I used to play the precision mono for at least 10 years and would have never given up on the stick, had the silicon inside the grip not started to dry out which started the metal inside to bump against the frame :-). I still have 3 of them in my basement, one has gone missing unfortunately ;-( but I do love the stick and have very good memories. The best feel ever in a racket!
Are there any other mono afecionados?
Does anybody have a pick of Michael Chang playing the Mono? I think he used it for one match or so, Roland Garros, if I am not mistaken
Post your pics of that beauty...I'd love to see them... Will post mine, when Imget around too.

gonzalocatalino said:
I´m opening a new thread to talk and post pictures of the old Prince Racquets from the late 70´s and 80´s, and why not from the 90´s...
My main racquets are the Prince graphite mids (i play with the actual model)

Actually, i own a couple of classics:

1x Prince Original Graphite 90 (single stripe 1984 release)
2x Prince Original Graphite Midplus (4 stripes, 1987, 1 is BRAND NEW ;) )
3x Prince Graphite Tour Midsize (actual TW version, main racquets)

2x Prince Precision Monos
1x Prince Graphite Pro series 90
1x Prince Spectrum Comp Series 110
1x Prince Graphite Powerflex series 110 (rare, MADE IN ARGENTINA).

Lets start with some pictures from the last 3 on the list:
Click to expand...
 
Prince classics

Prince Spectrum Comp 90 (came with original leather, I replaced it with lightweight overgrips only);
POG 90 4-stripe (It had a twin, but given away to my hitting partner) came with original suede bag;
2x POG 110 4-stripe;
(I had 2x POG 110 single stripe too, given away to my nephew);
Prince Boron 110, close to mint condition;
POG II Tour 110 on it's way, too!

POGs.jpg


Now, where is the cut-off point for the Prince classics?
I have one from "Classic" series, that is actually a widebody (moderate) - Graphite Pro CG. Plays like a charm...
Also, Precission 770 Longbody, Turbo Shark, O3 Shark, O3 White x2...
 
gonzalocatalino said:
I´m opening a new thread to talk and post pictures of the old Prince Racquets from the late 70´s and 80´s, and why not from the 90´s...
My main racquets are the Prince graphite mids (i play with the actual model)

Actually, i own a couple of classics:

1x Prince Original Graphite 90 (single stripe 1984 release)
2x Prince Original Graphite Midplus (4 stripes, 1987, 1 is BRAND NEW ;) )
3x Prince Graphite Tour Midsize (actual TW version, main racquets)

2x Prince Precision Monos
1x Prince Graphite Pro series 90
1x Prince Spectrum Comp Series 110
1x Prince Graphite Powerflex series 110 (rare, MADE IN ARGENTINA).

Lets start with some pictures from the last 3 on the list:

dsc00634resize.jpg

dsc00636resizeq.jpg

dsc00637resize.jpg
Click to expand...


Can you tell me anything about the Graphite Powerflex 110? Specs, how it plays... thanks
 
Can anyone tell me if they have owned or seen a Prince graphite composite racquet, cobalt blue and black, 97 inch head, 14x18 strings, tension 50 to 65 lbs called the "Precision Smash 550pl". I am in Australia and have never seen another one mentioned or for sale.

Thanks.
 
Calling all the prince enthusiasts... As a head maniac, I know nothing about the prince oldies...

Can Anyone describe the Graphite Powerflex 110? I have the oportunity to get one. Is it a good frame for me to start trying the prince OS graphite line??

Does it have that POG feel that everyone raves about?

the 20% of fiberglass that called my attention...

cheers!!
 
It's more flexible and lower powered than the POG. I've never seen them in brochures but recently saw for sale ads where they were given away with the purchase of a new Buick car. They're definitely a nice frame. The weight, head size, and string pattern are the same.

My question has always been....
What's the difference between the Powerflex and Graphite Power Pro? They look identical.
 
I recently picked up a few of those 1986-era Prince graphite and fiberglass rackets from the auction site. I got a Graphite Volley 110 and a Graphite Finalist 110. My first actual graphite racket was a Graphite Volley which I bought new back in '86 or so. I was really disappointed with it though. I thought just because it was made with the new wonder material graphite that it would be super powerful. Nope, it seemed to have less power than my aluminum racket. Anyway, now I think those old Prince graphite/fiberglass rackets are really fun to play with. Does anyone know more about the various models sold about that time, and what their specs were? They all seem to look the same except for the color of the stripes.
 
The CTS Synergy DB 24 Midplus still this guy's weapon of choice. Always looking for a few more (4 3/8 preferred) in nice shape...
 
EBauman said:
I recently picked up a few of those 1986-era Prince graphite and fiberglass rackets from the auction site. I got a Graphite Volley 110 and a Graphite Finalist 110. My first actual graphite racket was a Graphite Volley which I bought new back in '86 or so. I was really disappointed with it though. I thought just because it was made with the new wonder material graphite that it would be super powerful. Nope, it seemed to have less power than my aluminum racket. Anyway, now I think those old Prince graphite/fiberglass rackets are really fun to play with. Does anyone know more about the various models sold about that time, and what their specs were? They all seem to look the same except for the color of the stripes.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club of wondering what if....

Just think if Agassi would've stuck with his POGs for his entire career and played to his potential drug free. Instead of all of the variations of Wilson 85 frames people still talk about to this day and the minute differences, people would be talking about these classic 107 and 93 Prince frames and their 16x19 and 14x18 string patterns. Experts would be posting from all over the world. Instead we are left to wonder if Agassi was trying to snort lines off of tennis courts.
 
Sorry if this is slightly off topic but as I have mentioned in other threads I had some pretty good success with the single stripe/no grommet POG 110 back in the early to mid 80's. I have been playing with various Head models (PT280, Speed, and Prestige) since. My doubles partner is demo'ing a bunch of frames from TW and he had a couple of the current Prince Phantoms. I took the liberty of trying them and I was shocked how much they felt like the Princes of old. All the old muscle memory came back and I was immediately comfortable with them (he had the 93P in both 18x20 and 14x18). He says he will have the 100P tonight and I am looking forward to trying it. I only mention this because if you like the old frames you should give the new ones a try. I was pleasantly surprised and when the time comes to replace my current Prestiges I will definitely consider the Princes again (along with the new Srixon CX200 Tour).
 
Further to my prior post I did actually play with the Prince 03 Speedports at some point in the progression of Heads. Nice racquets but of course when I needed new ones they were NLA...
 
Nor have I, either in the wild or on paper here in the US. My guess is that this is basically a Spectrum Comp with the kevlar bits left out. Retro is probably right that it is another example of a model that was not marketed in the US for some reason.

The short-lived ceramic boom was already petering out by 1988, soon to be eclipsed by the wide-body craze. Since R&D was usually a couple of years ahead of product launch, this frame was a little late to the party and might have been considered semi-obsolescent when it was released. Perhaps that's why Prince didn't bother selling it in the US? Or maybe Prince had noticed a European preference for flexier frames compared to the US market, and figured that they needed a softer version of the Spectrum Comp just for Europe? From my own survey of first generation composite racquets, I've noticed that frames designed and produced in the US tended to be stiffer than their European counterparts by a healthy margin. Maybe this difference in preference persisted even when production was shifted to Taiwan en masse? @teachingprotx must not have been very active back then, or else he could have single-handedly altered demand statistics in the US and caused Prince to release this racquet here. :)
 
Sanglier said:
Nor have I, either in the wild or on paper here in the US. My guess is that this is basically a Spectrum Comp with the kevlar bits left out. Retro is probably right that it is another example of a model that was not marketed in the US for some reason.

The short-lived ceramic boom was already petering out by 1988, soon to be eclipsed by the wide-body craze. Since R&D was usually a couple of years ahead of product launch, this frame was a little late to the party and might have been considered semi-obsolescent when it was released. Perhaps that's why Prince didn't bother selling it in the US? Or maybe Prince had noticed a European preference for flexier frames compared to the US market, and figured that they needed a softer version of the Spectrum Comp just for Europe? From my own survey of first generation composite racquets, I've noticed that frames designed and produced in the US tended to be stiffer than their European counterparts by a healthy margin. Maybe this difference in preference persisted even when production was shifted to Taiwan en masse? @teachingprotx must not have been very active back then, or else he could have single-handedly altered demand statistics in the US and caused Prince to release this racquet here. :)
Click to expand...
Hahaha. Wilson listened to me :)
 
He is just doing a volleyball serve, minus the running start (which would have added to the theatricality of the serve had it been legal). Most volleyball servers toss and hit the ball with the same hand, exactly as he is doing here. Plus he is an ambidextrous player, so nothing feels awkward to him, presumably.

I sometimes wonder if he'd have had more success on tour if he hadn't been blessed with so many extra choices (which hand to use, which handle to use, which grip to use) with every stroke. Too much of a good thing can be a curse in disguise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Dino Lagaffe
Dino's Prince racquets
Replies
1
Views
881
graycrait
graycrait
graycrait
Prince 80s, 90s
2
Replies
81
Views
7K
dak95_00
dak95_00
teachingprotx
Complete list of vintage thin/ flat beam PRINCE 90,s ever sold
Replies
12
Views
729
teachingprotx
teachingprotx
M
Classic frame with old strings or new string?
Replies
8
Views
379
Maloya
M
graycrait
Prince Non-POG 110s straight beam - how many?
Replies
2
Views
504
graycrait
graycrait
Back
Top