Prince Original Graphite ( POG ) Mid and OS versions

[djNEiGht]

I present to you my latest acquisition. All of this was this forum's fault.

Very good condition for a racquet that's my age. The previous owner told me he used it maybe 4-5 times in the 80s And then stored it. It still had the original grip, and I am assuming the original strings too.

Prince Graphite 90

https://imgur.com/a/f62hCUd

great score. I want to get one/two again but in a 4 3/8. I used to play 4 5/8 but have changed it up a bit. I love the older racquets that had a racquet cover like that. I have a Pro Kennex and a Mizuno with a full racquet cover.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

I saw a 1 stripe with bumper and grommet strips.....but with "Prince" and "Prince" in gold at throat
which model is that?

Hi, Yatahaze. All the one-green-stripe Prince Graphites I've ever seen had "Prince" in green at the throat.

Is it possible you saw a Prince model other than the Graphite? There were some models in the 90s, for example, that resembled the Graphite (thin beam, cross bar) but were different models from different molds. One giveaway: the Graphite II, Precision Graphite PL700, Precision Longbody 730, Michael Chang models, and maybe others were not quite box beams, and their crossbars had a slight curve that the Graphite's crossbar has never had.

 

[Orion]

...it requires from me that little extra physical effort ...

EMPHASIZED


Sent from my SM-T867U using Tapatalk

 

[WYK]

I believe it is time of produciton. I had a pair before but don't recall if both had the same side indication. On my OS, I've had one that said OS and the other 110.

My 4 stripe looks exactly like Mag8's, only it states MID PLUS at the top of the hoop. I use it very often. It has the silver hologram and was NOS when I got it. It's definitely not as head light as the one I used in University. I prefer it that way, tho. I would have used one sooner, but they were expensive when I was in HS. Like $199! In 1987! Who had that kinda scrilla back then?! That was like a million bucks!

ETA, I just saw what I thought was some left over sticker residue on my POG mid and took a closer look at it. Upon inspection it was a tiny sticker that reads, "TAIWAN".

And here's a neat little story you folks might like. I posted this to the Dunlop thread even though it's just as much a POG story:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/dunlop-users-association.332232/page-10#post-14446355

 

[WYK]

I have some 16g Revolve. I might try stringing a POG at low 40's with it. I strung some of that 16g Revolve in a Head Pro Tour 280 (18x20) and at 45lbs I still thought it was too "boardy."

I've actually gone up in tension on the POG mid recently and started using 16G revolve at about 55lbs. I also had a set that died not long ago and I replaced them with 'repurposed'(see previous post by me) ALU power at 52X49 - on a lockout machine, mind u and not a constant pull. I'll take her out to the courts tomorrow morning and see how she feels.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I've got a question. I have 2 pog mids that say midplus rather than 90. They are both 4 stripe. Are there any differences with the midplus vs th 90 or is it just different time of production?

Time of production. For the POGOS, the "110" is from before 87-88 and made in Taiwan. The "Oversize" is from after 87-88 and made in Thailand.

EDIT: what I wrote above is wrong. Please see @vsbabolat post below

 

[vsbabolat]

Time of production. For the POGOS, the "110" is from before 87-88 and made in Taiwan. The "Oversize" is from after 87-88 and made in Thailand.

They went to Oversize and midplus in 1991

 

[Slowtwitcher]

They went to Oversize and midplus in 1991

I bow to your superior knowledge, my lord.

 

[yatahaze]

Hi, Yatahaze. All the one-green-stripe Prince Graphites I've ever seen had "Prince" in green at the throat.

Is it possible you saw a Prince model other than the Graphite? There were some models in the 90s, for example, that resembled the Graphite (thin beam, cross bar) but were different models from different molds. One giveaway: the Graphite II, Precision Graphite PL700, Precision Longbody 730, Michael Chang models, and maybe others were not quite box beams, and their crossbars had a slight curve that the Graphite's crossbar has never had.

this is an example of one stripe + gold "Prince" on throat

 

[yatahaze]

the grommets+bumper set in this photo is the correct one for which exact model of POG?

 

[jxs653]

the grommets+bumper set in this photo is the correct one for which exact model of POG?

Is the grommets+bumper set one currently being sold at TW? I've installed it on one of my 4-stripers and it fit perfectly. I wonder it will fit on one-stripe too. Has anyone done it?

 

[yatahaze]

Is the grommets+bumper set one currently being sold at TW? I've installed it on one of my 4-stripers and it fit perfectly. I wonder it will fit on one-stripe too. Has anyone done it?

I don't know which one is currently sold al TW.....do you know the part number?

 

[jxs653]

Yes the part number is 7G750020080.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

this is an example of one stripe + gold "Prince" on throat

Wow! Thanks for posting the photo; I've never seen one like that. Besides the number of stripes, it is strange to see the gold "Prince" at the shoulder without "Oversize" or "110" at the top of the head.

I did a quick search and saw the same paint on a Singapore site and a Japanese one. Maybe this was an Asia-only interim between the more familiar one-stripe and four-stripe?

Sanglier is the go-to guy in this subforum for obscure variants on classic Prince frames. @Sanglier, do you know the story on this one?

 

[Sanglier]

I researched the history of grommetless POGs by talking to the people who made them; the rest is purely observational. This particular cosmetic variant is new to me, too! It looks to be a later Kunnan one-stripe (grommet-stripped, repositioned throat brace, slightly thicker beam profile, longer handle) with gold lettering, or a four-stripe missing three of its stripes.

Does it have a rimmed butt cap with a raised "P"? Does its side decal say "Patented 1978" or something else?

I think the "Asia-only transition model" is a very good guess. Didn't someone mention a while back that the Japanese continued to add trebling to the string bed long after the practice was abandoned elsewhere?

 

[yatahaze]

or a four-stripe missing three of its stripes.

I have asked some other photos to the owner, he told me he bought it in USA.

 

[yatahaze]

Let me post another very "strange" POG
4 stripes, made in taiwan....with 110 on top.
with bumper and grommets BUT WITHOUT grommets on throat!!
Is with a regular POG, or the grommets on throat have been lost?

 

[jackie.tan]

this model definitely has grommets. so, those at the throat are missing.

 

[yatahaze]

it's strange because the racket is in very good conditions....

 

[jackie.tan]

It's sure looks I pristine condition. I'm wondering if the strings are from factory or re-strung by the previous owner. if its from factory, the missing grommets sure gives us something to think about.. is it meant to be that way?

 

[PaulC]

It's sure looks I pristine condition. I'm wondering if the strings are from factory or re-strung by the previous owner. if its from factory, the missing grommets sure gives us something to think about.. is it meant to be that way?

The "O-Ports" before the O-Ports?

Or an experiment for the O-Ports concept 30+ years ago??... Nah

Most likely just the previous owner toying around given he can't find replacement ones.

 

[yatahaze]

Another strange POG one stripe, nothing written on top, gold "prince" on throat, made in Thailand!!

https://www.****.it/itm/Rare-Prince...IOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

 

[WYK]

So this thing isn't quite NOS, but it was strung at the factory(you ca see the faded 'P' on the stringbed if ya look hard). It was played once and then put away in a nice air conditioned closet for 35 years.
I cut out the nylon and it is now strung with Wilson revolve(54X51lbs). Complete with Rawlings power pads(from my baseball glove) - for nostalgia and stuff. Feels like buddawhhh...

 

[WYK]

Another shot with my crappy phone:

 

[WYK]

Made to look like a magazine photo:

 

[heftylefty]

@WYK your Prince Graphite Pros are gorgeous! How do they play? Are they very flexible?

 

[WYK]

The POG mid is a rock solid stick with a lot of power.
The graphite pro, not so much. Less power, a bit less spin(but still a lot), and it is very flexible/fluttery in the upper hoop like a Fischer No.1 - it's not horrific there, but yer not gonna hit a 100 mph serve accidentally too far off the upper hoop like I can on the pogs. The frame looks a lot like the new phantoms.
My GP also weighs noticeably more than my POG mids(taiwan 4 stripes). This GP says 1984 on it and doesn't say where it's made anywhere on it. But it is super head light. Felt like mebbe 12 pts unstrung.
So you can swing it for quite some time before you tire. I practiced over 2 hours of serves yesterday morning(with the GP on one side of the court and the POG mid on the other, swapping out as I chased the balls from side to side) and only stopped when my shoulder started to feel it. It has the original, disintegrating grip on it. I am gonna remove it and install a synth grip, that should lighten it a few grams.
I added lead to the upper hoop. It is closer to the pog mp solidity now, but it swings like a pog OS, and feels like butter if butter were a freight train. When you strike the stringbed well, it doesn't feel all that flexy because the sides of the hoop are pretty solid, it's just cushy and solid. But I do have it strung with a poly at 54lbs. I imagine x-one biphase and a synth grip and this thing would be like playing with a sofa.

This was under the grip:

 

[WYK]

I can't find my digital scale, but on my analog spring one which is older than either racquet, it weighs just a few grams more than the POG does (350 vs 340) now that I have replaced the leather grip. It's about as head light as well after the leather is gone.
It still feels a bit heavier, but it's hard to describe it. It may just be a balance thing. When this rain stops, I'll take her out for a spin.

 

[graycrait]

@WYK

Just weighed some of my POG Mids, my remaining Graphite Pro Mid and one of my "93" Graphtech DB90s (also 14x18), all with syn grips & one OG.
POG 1 Stripe: 12.63
POG 1 Stripe: 12.56
POG 4 Stripe: 12.10
POG Tour: 12.52
POG Tour: 12.49
Graphite Pro: 11.99
Graphtech DB 90: 12.17

 

[WYK]

OK, took the thing out on 3 occasions.
It plays a bit heavy. Definitely does not swing like my pog mid does - which plays lighter than it's 345g weight suggests. I removed all the lead as well. So there's a significant flutter at the tip of the hoop. The POG has WAY more power and spin. It's strung at 54lbs ish with ALU Power while the Pro is strung at 54lbs with Revolve Orange; which I really am enjoying the feel of in this stick and others - it's like an ever so slightly firmer ALU Power with a touch more spin and a bit less power. I played a couple of sets with both on new strings and the POG was just more controllable, much better 1st and 2nd serves, much easier to defend with, much better spin - though, admittedly, the POG has ridiculous spin strung with ALU and it is one of the best serving machines you'll use south of a PD+. But I don't think any of us were considering a Graphite Pro as a primary stick. So I'll get to the importat part, the feel.
Even strung with a poly at 54lbs, the open stringbed and the flex make this a very plush hit. Even framing the ball just makes a *thwump* sound with little vibration. So the thing must be foam filled. And they prolly used heavy foam from what I can tell. I am using a hurling PU grip on it now(these are very thick grips designed to be used on a hurley bat or camogie stick). And I don't feel much at all under the grip as far as vibration. Feedback is instant as the further up the hoop you go, the worse it feels. So smacking top spin foreands off the upper hoop like I do on my weighted S3.0 Dunlops, 97s', and my stock POG are not really an option. I think if you string this one with ALU at 50lbs, it's gonna produce much more power and control. With X-One or TNT2 at 58lbs and it's gonna be powerful, a bit less controlled, but much smooter.

All in all, a nice plush 80's era stick that I would have been super stoked to have used if I could have afforded it back then. To give you an idea how much POG's and Pros cost when I was a teenager - I bought a well-used Yamaha YZ125 for what a new POG would have costed me. And that Yamaha did a lot mroe damage to my wrists and shoulder than any POG has ever done to me. It wasn't until University that I could afford a POG myself, and even then, they were all used. I have only once bought a new POG and it was the disapointing 'straight beam' which I feel aren't as nice to play with as the 4 stripe Thailand machines.

 

[shamaho]

All in all, a nice plush 80's era stick that I would have been super stoked to have used if I could have afforded it back then. To give you an idea how much POG's and Pros cost when I was a teenager - I bought a well-used Yamaha YZ125 for what a new POG would have costed me. And that Yamaha did a lot mroe damage to my wrists and shoulder than any POG has ever done to me. It wasn't until University that I could afford a POG myself, and even then, they were all used. I have only once bought a new POG and it was the disapointing 'straight beam' which I feel aren't as nice to play with as the 4 stripe Thailand machines.

Similar experience over here as I distinctively remember in my teens just staring and gushing at the POGs in the shopping malls (whenever I spotted one in a sports store). And only bought two NOS (new old-stock) POG Mids like less than 7 years ago - for the modicum of 25€ each ahahah. back in the day they were at equivalent of 200€ in todays currency (and that not even including inflation).

I was so stoked when I finally landed my hands on a couple of POG Mids - NOS on top of that....

 

[erosblue]

Surprised to see the POG heritage edition being the really old one single stripe,a little thinner(17.5 mm)with the crossbar a in a lower position,heavier and with individual grommets/no bumper.Anyone agrees with me that it's a little odd?

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Surprised to see the POG heritage edition being the really old one single stripe,a little thinner(17.5 mm)with the crossbar a in a lower position,heavier and with individual grommets/no bumper.Anyone agrees with me that it's a little odd?

I'm actually disappointed that it's not the grommet-less version. But it absolutely had to be the one-stripe version with Prince/Graphite logos on the throat.

 

[erosblue]

I'm actually disappointed that it's not the grommet-less version. But it absolutely had to be the one-stripe version with Prince/Graphite logos on the throat.

Hi,I was not talking about the paint job,like you I prefer the single stripe one.But I would prefer the 3rd generation with the single green stripe,the bumper and the crossbar in the most common location.That's the one Agassi,Chang,Seles and other greats used.

 

[gooberwho]

Let me post another very "strange" POG
4 stripes, made in taiwan....with 110 on top.
with bumper and grommets BUT WITHOUT grommets on throat!!
Is with a regular POG, or the grommets on throat have been lost?

Mine must be from the same batch, serial JJ537000. Throat grommets are indeed there. I bought this 4-striper used from the 'bay a few years ago. It's nearly mint, strung with Prince Endurance.

 

[gooberwho]

(Added pictures since the GPhotos links die after a while)

 

[WYK]

I recall saying I felt the Graphite Pro was bit heavier than my POG. Well, I was wrong. It is a good bit heavier.

Both have their leather grips removed and are wearing a very thick hurley grip(which weighs about like a leather grip nearly).

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I recall saying I felt the Graphite Pro was bit heavier than my POG. Well, I was wrong. It is a good bit heavier.

Both have their leather grips removed and are wearing a very thick hurley grip(which weighs about like a leather grip nearly).

The POG from the same era as the PGP was also heavier. My POG "110" is around 355g in it's original form.

 

[shamaho]

I recall saying I felt the Graphite Pro was bit heavier than my POG. Well, I was wrong. It is a good bit heavier.

Both have their leather grips removed and are wearing a very thick hurley grip(which weighs about like a leather grip nearly).

While there's an appreciate difference yes (and that's your main point), the rest not take those measurements as the racket's weight as I do see your have overgrips, power pads & dampeners.... and different strings....

do ahve a more accurate weight of them... we should eight them without all those extraneous elements....

 

[WYK]

I get your point. I mean, I have an entire gallery of power head weights of chainsaws that I keep for posterity and for some forestry forums(https://pbase.com/wyk/unofficial_chainsaw_weight_gallery and https://pbase.com/wyk/unofficial_chainsaw_bar_weight_gallery), but in this instance, the dampener and leather pads weigh virtually nothing and that hurley grip once fitted, is roughly the same weight as the Prince leather grip.
So, while not perfect, the weight is fairly close to a stock strung as neither stick is leaded up, and prolly well within production margins.
Next time they are unstrung, I'll measure them with no grips as well unless I find a Prince Calfskin.

 

[shamaho]

I get your point. I mean, I have an entire gallery of power head weights of chainsaws that I keep for posterity and for some forestry forums(https://pbase.com/wyk/unofficial_chainsaw_weight_gallery and https://pbase.com/wyk/unofficial_chainsaw_bar_weight_gallery), but in this instance, the dampener and leather pads weigh virtually nothing and that hurley grip once fitted, is roughly the same weight as the Prince leather grip.
So, while not perfect, the weight is fairly close to a stock strung as neither stick is leaded up, and prolly well within production margins.
Next time they are unstrung, I'll measure them with no grips as well unless I find a Prince Calfskin.

Don't bother with that really !

 

[dak95_00]

I’m getting ready to pass on my collection to someone who’ll appreciate them. I have generations 1,2,3, and the newest classic graphite. I also have grommets for the OS versions.

 

[robby c]

I bought three 1st Gen POG Oversize from the new re-release.
9002 0346 Wgt grams 371 and 32.3 CM balance.
9002 1442 Wgt grams 372 and 31.9 CM balance.
9003 0949 Wgt grams 374 and 32.0 CM balance.
To summarize, about 13.2 oz and 8 pts headlight averages.
Pretty solid quality control.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I bought three 1st Gen POG Oversize from the new re-release.
9002 0346 Wgt grams 371 and 32.3 CM balance.
9002 1442 Wgt grams 372 and 31.9 CM balance.
9003 0949 Wgt grams 374 and 32.0 CM balance.
To summarize, about 13.2 oz and 8 pts headlight averages.
Pretty solid quality control.

It's cool Prince re-released these but I just don't see them sell.

 

[robby c]

Unfortunately, I'm returning mine. They sent 4 1/4 instead of 4 1/2. I usually buy 4 5/8, so 1/4 is out of the question. Bummer

 

[eigoho]

Hi, just bought a used POG 107 online. Also have a 93 POG (got it a few weeks back) to compare & see which I prefer. A couple things about the 107 seem a bit odd though:

1) It is 379 grams (13.3 oz) strung up, leather grip, wilson pro overgrip, no dampener which seems a fair bit heavier than expected. It doesn't have any lead tape on it or any apparent modifications. According to RaquetFinder it should be around 343 grams strung. Perhaps this is an older version that is heavier? It is also head heavy, which also seems odd. I don't really mind the extra weight, but expected it to be round the same as the 93, which is 357 g, with about 10 grams of lead tape on it.

2) The grip seems to be shorter, maybe an inch or so, than the one on the 93.

Any thoughts/advice? These are my 1st POGs so I don't know much about them.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Hi, just bought a used POG 107 online.

Guessing it's a one-stripe. Grommets or grommetless? Does it look like this?

Prince Original Graphite 107 Racquet

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[eigoho]

Guessing it's a one-stripe. Grommets or grommetless? Does it look like this?

Prince Original Graphite 107 Racquet

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Yes, 1-stripe, no grommets.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Yes, 1-stripe, no grommets.

Those are the earlier models, if you dive into search here you'll find more details.

Apparently the weight for those was all over the place, and racquets with similar weight as your racquet were not unusual. I got a similar one than yours, it weighs a little less (366g).

 

[WYK]

Not a graphite, but I thought you all would find this interesting. Here it is unstrung and without a grip. Though I removed the original grip to put on a synth later when it arrives, the original grip was in great condition and still had the original half and half tanning look to it due to decades of wearing an over grip. It's a bit faded from UV exposure, but the metal is in great condition, and she took well to stringing.