Question: What is the difference in construction between older versions of the Prince Original Graphite compared to the new Tours?
While we cannot disclose company secrets, we can speak to some of the similarities and differences between today’s Prince racquets and older models. The basics of graphite (carbon fiber) construction have changed very little over the years. Prince started making the POG in 1979 by rolling carbon fiber prepreg around an expanding cork core. Technology has since evolved and we now use internal air pressure, the industry standard, for producing all our carbon fiber composite racquets today.
Carbon fiber racquets are essentially hollow tubes drilled with 68 to 76 holes for strings. One common misconception we have seen on message boards is that we drill or remove material when molding the ports. We DO NOT drill or remove ANY material when molding the ports. Instead, we re-distribute the carbon fiber around a specific shape to create the design. This process provides a much stronger and more stable design than frames that have holes drilled in them.
On a final note, we often hear from players who love their older racquets and are struggling to find a modern equivalent. Sometimes this gets blamed on "marketing" or "pixie dust" technology, and many folks tend to think that racquets just aren't made the way they used to be. In reality, the situation is this:
No racquet has an infinite life span. Though a frame may not have visible damage to the naked eye, as the resin and fiber of a graphite racquet breaks down, the racquet loses some of its stiffness and power, compared to its original specs. Older, heavily used racquets will always play differently than brand new racquets. This is why we recommend that our elite juniors rotate frames every 18 months, at minimum! It is also why pro players go through so many racquets. Keep this in mind the next time you overhear someone comparing a brand new racquet to their hand-me-down vintage model.
Thanks,
Prince Tennis - Who's Next.
