I recently took up the game after a long break and am using the Prince Response 97 (2013 version). I like it very much in stock form and have no immediate plans for modifications. I am just asking out of curiosity: Response 97 users, do you lead yours and, if so, where do you put the weight and how much?
Prince Response 97 - do you lead yours?
- Thread starter Bona
- Start date
Frayed Mains
New User
I don't, it is stock. Wouldn't have the first idea how to effectively add weight to a racquet. This stick is pretty hefty anyway.
The_Racketeer
Professional
I couldn't imagine adding any weight to the Response 97. It's already one of the most stable racquets out there, as well as 12oz and 7pts HL.
Frayed Mains
New User
Bona,
Currently using Gamma 17g poly, and like you I have one set at 52 lbs, and I have another at 53 lbs, choosing the one that best fits the conditions playing in. The string feels pretty soft and has kept its tension pretty well. I do like to monkey around with string types and tensions before doing any racquet mods.
Frayed Mains
New User
Agreed. Is balanced pretty well for a heavy racquet, and since I love its volley characteristics, i wouldn't want to mess with that.
Lead makes everything better! Silicone in the handle too, in this case....
Now ya talkin! I knew you were out there! Is that about 6 grams of lead total, UCSF? And about 10 g in the handle? So you're closing in on 340 g unstrung? It obvious you find it better, UCSF, but I am curious how do you feel it performs compared to stock and what more precisely got better? Experience any downsides?
UCSF2012
Hall of Fame
I don't have the scale on me, since I'm away for the holidays. I remember the frame being 13.3oz with silicone, but it's still easier to swing than the RF97 by far! Also has a black Boris Becker leather grip. She plays steady. Extreme spin on ground strokes. Serves a hair slower than the RF97. More versatile in ability to vary power/angle.
By far my favorite player's stick for competition play.
I have one Response 97 without silicone, and she plays similar to her sister. At higher tensions, I was having elbow issues with the Response, so hence the silicone. At lower tensions it was never a problem, so no silicone on the 2nd.
Tough Gut at 52, PL II at 47-50. Lead at 3/9. She hits a very mean ball. High action!!! Very predictable stringbed.
By far my favorite player's stick for competition play.
I have one Response 97 without silicone, and she plays similar to her sister. At higher tensions, I was having elbow issues with the Response, so hence the silicone. At lower tensions it was never a problem, so no silicone on the 2nd.
Tough Gut at 52, PL II at 47-50. Lead at 3/9. She hits a very mean ball. High action!!! Very predictable stringbed.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
That's amazing. Gotta learn to use lead!
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
The unmodded Response 97 is a comfortable frame, imo. I did not notice the high stiffness rating while playing with it, or after. I even strung it tighter than normal and still feels plush and nice. Kind of sad how unpopular Prince has become. I don't see anyone playing with the Prince frames very much nowadays.
The_Racketeer
Professional
I do I do!!
I find it very comfortable. I find it crisp and smooth (not plush or soft) at the same time but would never call it stiff. Play my Response with Weisscannon Silverstring, which I believe is a soft poly.
Having come back to the game after a break since the 90s, it does feel strange to see so few princes out there. Personally, I've really found home with the Response; I'm probably too committed to the brand and feel since my junior years to be able to pick up something else now and play it with full confidence.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Lol. My doubles partner is a die-hard Prince fan..., but he's the only one... I love the Response 97 and the Tour 95.
The 2 clubs I play at are all Dunlop and Babolat. The kids I mostly hit with look at my Prince as if it were an extinct species.
downdaline
Professional
I lead mine up to 338 swingweight and counter balance in the handle.
Thanks, that's interesting! Do you put all the lead at 12 to bring up the SW? Would be interesting to hear your experiences of how these mods change the racquet's performance!
downdaline
Professional
I actually prefer weight at the 3 & 9 position.
I can post the exact amount later, but I initially leaded up to 330 at the 3&9 position. Loved the weight and stability, but lacked a tiny bit of plowthrough, so I added a little bit at the 12 position just to bring the swingweight up, but without too much additional heft.
Regarding performance, the Response in stock form is extremely low-powered and very maneuverable (for me). I would say that in stock form, it's the perfect doubles stick - where you require fast reactions at the net.
Increasing the swingweight made it the dream singles stick for me. High swingweight, with low stiffness/power, means that I can really hit through the ball without lots of spin and control without the ball sailing long, and it's great for angled approach shots.
Of course, different racquets work differently for different people. Hope this helps.
I can post the exact amount later, but I initially leaded up to 330 at the 3&9 position. Loved the weight and stability, but lacked a tiny bit of plowthrough, so I added a little bit at the 12 position just to bring the swingweight up, but without too much additional heft.
Regarding performance, the Response in stock form is extremely low-powered and very maneuverable (for me). I would say that in stock form, it's the perfect doubles stick - where you require fast reactions at the net.
Increasing the swingweight made it the dream singles stick for me. High swingweight, with low stiffness/power, means that I can really hit through the ball without lots of spin and control without the ball sailing long, and it's great for angled approach shots.
Of course, different racquets work differently for different people. Hope this helps.
Schills
Rookie
All 3 of my PR97s were 12.0 ozs with overgrip and dampner. I added .3 ozs of tungsten at the the butt cap end of the grip. They are now 10 pts HL.
Interesting, Schills. How do you like the racquets now compared with stock?
BDAZ
Hall of Fame
Hey, sorry. Not to hijack this thread, but can somebody tell me how this feels in comparison to the titanium response? I remember reading somewhere that the specs for this one are closer to the titanium version than to the Precision version. Any input? I have a Ti. Response. If I get this one, will it just be redundant? Thanks.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Really? Don't know how I missed that one...
Anyone know if these sweethearts are being discontinued - in other words, is it time to stock up?
UCSF2012
Hall of Fame
I've got a few new ones in the closet. It's being discontinued, as the pricing suggests. But waiting for the time and price is the issue. No one buys them, so they'll be around for a while. The price will just get lower and lower.
I was lucky enough to time a daily deal for 69 Euros when I got mine. Cheapest I can find now is 109 Euros. I've got a pair and will be waiting for a price drop to stock up.
Random talk 2: From my junior days playing synthetic gut in the string-binge-eater Graphite II I was so used to restringing every other half hour or so. So taking up the game again just recently and playing a poly in my Response, it is amazing how much playing time I get out of it.
Any more people adding lead to their Response out there?!
After having played this stick stock for approximately 4 months, I've now started adding weight. First outing is 2+2 g lead at 10 and 2 and approximately 3 g from a head protection tape from 8 to 4 (i.e. 7 g total weight in the hoop). Counterweight 7 g lead in handle + 5 g overgrip.
Mine were 31 cm balance, 285 swing weight, 320 g weight unstrung. With current mods, the estimated strung specs are 31.6 cm balance, 328 swing weight, 356 g weight.
Feels like this really pulls out additional goodies from this frame. Really enjoyable for me personally to pull the sweetspot a bit upward, almost feels as if it opened up a bit. Plow through just sky rocketed, balls are just heavier. Serve just as good a previously with plenty access to spin and power. Yet more stick and stability on volleys. No issues with maneuverability. (As I have been away from tennis for 15+ years, this all coincided with myself shaking off old rust and increasingly improving my game, but I still found a bit difference overnight pre- and postmodification.)
Mine were 31 cm balance, 285 swing weight, 320 g weight unstrung. With current mods, the estimated strung specs are 31.6 cm balance, 328 swing weight, 356 g weight.
Feels like this really pulls out additional goodies from this frame. Really enjoyable for me personally to pull the sweetspot a bit upward, almost feels as if it opened up a bit. Plow through just sky rocketed, balls are just heavier. Serve just as good a previously with plenty access to spin and power. Yet more stick and stability on volleys. No issues with maneuverability. (As I have been away from tennis for 15+ years, this all coincided with myself shaking off old rust and increasingly improving my game, but I still found a bit difference overnight pre- and postmodification.)
o0lunatik
Professional
UCSF, could you elaborate on the stability of your leaded response to that the stick rf97? I am more interested in the counter punch ability and volleys against power hitters.
UCSF2012
Hall of Fame
Very different rackets. You can get similar results, but it requires slightly different technique.
The Prince:
- has a big/broad sweetspot. That gives it a more consistent/predictable shot making.
- More spin, bit less power. I can comfortably hit the ball with 2ft net clearance and have it land just past the service line.
- Less stable, but you can adjust by gripping a bit firmer. Racket doesn't twist once you learn how to control it.
- Once I brought the tension LOW (Tough gut 16 mains 50/ PLII 16 crosses at 47), great things started happening.
- More difficult returning hard serves.
- Volleys more predictable but less oomph. Adjust by gripping a hair tighter.
- Slices don't float as much and bounce lower.
- More accurate when guiding the ball DTL.
- Not enough power to do wrist flick block back shots. You have to do 1/4th swings.
RF97
- Narrower frame. More power. Bit less spin. Hard to get 2ft net clearance and have the ball land in.
- Slices tend to float high but manage to land in, but the opponent has plenty of time to twack it back.
- Block returns much easier.
- 1HBH wrist flick passes easier.
- Off-centered shots are your enemy. Hit off the top of the bed, and balls go high, long, and wide. Hit early (towards the side of the frame) and the ball floats high but dips in. You lose momentum and the opponent has time to recover.
The Prince is more versatile, more predictable, more steady, but returning hard serves is more difficult. The RF places you at a stronger advantage on serve and returns, but once the rallies and shot making starts, its more errors, shanks, and mishits. Prince puts you at a slight disadvantage during the serve and return, but rallies and net play is superior. (Compensate by spinning the serve like hell, and grip tighter to block serves back more easily)
o0lunatik
Professional
UCSF,
Thanks for the insight, and I had many of the same experiences you claimed when comparing the PR97 to the RF97. Got to love the sweet spot on the PR97 though, it feels like magic when you hit a shot perfectly in the sweetspot.
On all three of my PR97s, I have TW leather grip, a yonex .7mm overgrip, and 4-6" strips of lead at 3 & 9 o'clock. This left the racquets coming in at 12.9 oz strung and still very maneuverable and even more stable, which were the characteristics that I was looking to achieve. I can let the racquet do more of the work now.
Thanks for the insight, and I had many of the same experiences you claimed when comparing the PR97 to the RF97. Got to love the sweet spot on the PR97 though, it feels like magic when you hit a shot perfectly in the sweetspot.
On all three of my PR97s, I have TW leather grip, a yonex .7mm overgrip, and 4-6" strips of lead at 3 & 9 o'clock. This left the racquets coming in at 12.9 oz strung and still very maneuverable and even more stable, which were the characteristics that I was looking to achieve. I can let the racquet do more of the work now.
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I just picked up a pair of these via a trade. I'm excited to hit with them. I've used a ton of rackets in the past year and have high hopes for the Response. Like many, my overall favorite sticks of the past year have been the AI98,PC95+,and RF97. Despite that, my main stick of late has been the IG Prestige Mid (at 13 Oz after leather grip). Once the weather cooperates I'll try to get out and give my opinion on how this compares to other frames
o0lunatik
Professional
That's how I came cross a Response and now have 3 and turned my brother onto 2 of his own as well. They are excellent racquets with nice precise feel. Post an update of your experience.
prestigeww
Rookie
i demoed these rackets for a few days...unfortunately i have no input regarding leading it up bc i was in season and didnt have time.
I just remember this racket was by far the best volleying racket i've ever used. If i was a player who comes to net a lot, this would no doubt be go-to.
I just remember this racket was by far the best volleying racket i've ever used. If i was a player who comes to net a lot, this would no doubt be go-to.
o0lunatik
Professional
Definitely the best serve and volley racquet by far compared to any current racquets right now IMO. If there was a way to combined those attributes with the RF97 ground attacking abilities, it would be like having Excalibur in your arsenal.
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o0lunatik
Professional
I too owned the RF97 and PS97 and prefer the Response 97 over both. Without elaborating since comparison are posted on the board, the Response is a much better frame and priced. It's a little muted compared to the Pro Staffs, but the ball feel is more precise, sweet spot is larger, finesse shots come easy, and string bed is very consistent and predictable. My only gripe is that grommets are hard to find, b/c I like to stock grommet and keep racquets that I enjoy for a while.
I have one of my Responses strung with VS Tough Gut 16/ Signum SPPP 16L at 54/52 lbs. This setup definitely added some power to the frame without sacrificing any control. The ball speed off the racquet was a noticeable increase over my normal polys stated in my signature. With SPPP in the cross, I am not getting that pocketing as I would with my normal setups. I like SPPP b/c of tension stability. You can easily use 17G or a softer poly like tourna blue or black if you want that pocketing characteristics. Now if you want a crisper response, then go with topspin cyber flash or the popular lux strings.
Thanks for the insights. Glad I went for the Response 97 over either of the pro staffs too. Planning on stringing one with gut/poly for dry weather and the other with multi/poly for when it rains which it tends to do a lot here! 54/50 was what I had in mind tension wise.
langdon0555
Semi-Pro
I picked up a demo from a local shop of the Response 97 yesterday. Plan on hitting with it this Saturday or Sunday. One thing I will say about this racquet now that I have it here in person...seeing it and actually touching it, anybody else think the actual head shape is a little weird compared to many other frames on the market? Kind of a mix between a tear drop shape and wide sided oval. Not that it bothers me, just an observation.
UCSF2012
Hall of Fame
That head shape is what gives it predictability in the stringbed. It was brilliant. If you have a 2handed backhand, the Response 97 is the superior choice. If one handed, you could go either way, Response 97 or RF97.
My only weakness with the Response 97 is the return of serves: the RF97 does a much better job. (It also serves a lil harder but with less spin) The Response does pretty much everything else superior. Problem is...the return of serves is an important shot.
langdon0555
Semi-Pro
I do have a 2 handed backhand. I haven't played the RF97 either, but planned on demoing it as well at some point. The only thing is I prefer softer/more flexible racquets usually. The Response 97 and RF97 are both a little higher on the flex scale, but figured I'd try both of them since others seem to say they still play comfortably.
The other demo I picked up along with the Response 97 was Tour 100 18x20.
The other demo I picked up along with the Response 97 was Tour 100 18x20.
RalphJ
Banned
Well, I would disagree that the RF97 is higher on the flex scale. The Response 97 is certainly flexier than most racquets. i don't know where TW gets their stiffness rating, but it doesn't make sense. The Response 97 is 68 on the stiffness scale while the GPestigeMP is 64. The GPMP is much stiffer and arm toxic than the Response. I think there should be an "AT - Arm Toxicity" rating. This racquet is closer to the Pure Strike at 66. Both of these racquets are flexier than the GPMP. Just sayin.
I just bought a Response and restrung it with RPM Blast .17L at 48 lbs. Will have a good try tomorrow.
I just bought a Response and restrung it with RPM Blast .17L at 48 lbs. Will have a good try tomorrow.
Crismedicatrix
New User
Hi Everyone !
i have been using the prince response 97 for the last five months and have three different set ups as it is still under tests !!!
One is set up at 360 grams and balanced at 31,5 cm
Another at 350 grams balanced at 32
and one stock, no lead added, at 346 grams at 32 balance.
Right when I got the racquets I added weight, then more and stoped at 360 grams, then as time passed I went backwards lightenning things up.
My impression is that I was too slow with 360 grams, but liked the way it hit. Comparing it to stock form it is very close in feel but lighter is much faster and allowed me get a lot more speed on the ball. Stability is the same, differences are suttle except for the speed I can get and strike the ball. In stock form it made me play more consistently and speed up my balls.
I am very happy with the frame. The round head makes it so confortable. I like the stiffeness, I like the muted feel !!! I am happy, my arm is happy, my shots are mean and heavy with some serious spin, control is great, volleys are ridiculous easy !!!! My backhand slices are fearced, It works great !
happy playing to all !
i have been using the prince response 97 for the last five months and have three different set ups as it is still under tests !!!
One is set up at 360 grams and balanced at 31,5 cm
Another at 350 grams balanced at 32
and one stock, no lead added, at 346 grams at 32 balance.
Right when I got the racquets I added weight, then more and stoped at 360 grams, then as time passed I went backwards lightenning things up.
My impression is that I was too slow with 360 grams, but liked the way it hit. Comparing it to stock form it is very close in feel but lighter is much faster and allowed me get a lot more speed on the ball. Stability is the same, differences are suttle except for the speed I can get and strike the ball. In stock form it made me play more consistently and speed up my balls.
I am very happy with the frame. The round head makes it so confortable. I like the stiffeness, I like the muted feel !!! I am happy, my arm is happy, my shots are mean and heavy with some serious spin, control is great, volleys are ridiculous easy !!!! My backhand slices are fearced, It works great !
happy playing to all !
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