Automatix
Legend
Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends, Foes etc.,
The issue of CTS vs Straight Prince beam design does come up here and there regarding mostly the new Phantom Graphite models so I thought it would be interesting to see how many are in favor of the new CTS order and how many would like to see a return to the design of the old (straight beam).
Cast your votes and please comment if you'd like to add something to the discussion!
The issue of CTS vs Straight Prince beam design does come up here and there regarding mostly the new Phantom Graphite models so I thought it would be interesting to see how many are in favor of the new CTS order and how many would like to see a return to the design of the old (straight beam).
I'm a longtime Prince fan who had his fair share of rackets including quite a few prostocks from this manufacturer and I know what I like. Really enjoyed frames like Classic Graphite, Diablos (both Mid and MP), Response, TT Warrior and even the thicker (than the previously mentioned) Shark. But basically after Prince went all in with the O-ports they've lost me as a client. Even the prostock O3 frames didn't do it for me. From my point of view Prince somewhat betrayed their fanbase and offering only the Graphite reincarnation and TT Warrior (IIRC first 5 or so years after the O-ports debut) wasn't enough to keep them.
The only exception to the above for me is my all time favourite the O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20 prostock about which I troll this board from time to time.
Fast forward and we're in a new Prince reality - a lot of thinner beamed offerings including such gems as the Phantoms.
I think diehard Prince fans agree that the taken approach in recent years is a good one if we discard the, IMHO, idiotic colab strategy mostly with Hydrogen which basically gives us the same model every 6 months with a different paintjob.
As in life not everything is perfect, except for the O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20 (!!!)
, the Phantoms are excellent racquets and I especially enjoyed the box beamed versions. What I didn't like about them was the offered string patterns being a bit too extreme on the opposites of the spectrum - 16x18 and 18x20. The 18x20 option I get and am all for it but the 16x18 in a 100 frames lacks crosses for me, now a 16x19 or 16x20 would be great if you ask me. Of course some might say - That's only 1-2 cross strings! - but depending how they're spread they can make a huge difference. Don't get me started on the 14x18 93P! I know it's a Prince legacy thing but that pattern is pure overkill, for many only 15 gauge polyester mains or kevlar ones have a fighting chance in that one - I actually had a friend who had to switch due to mains popping on that one. Next is the long awaited, at least by me, 97P and again the string pattern woes, also I didn't quite enjoy the way it flexed and with this note we're slowly getting on track...
While the Phantoms (93, 97P, all 100s) are new and the CTS design is somewhat part of their vibe, it shouldn't take place for the Phantom Graphite which is somewhat of a descendant of the Classic Graphite. I did not enjoy the flexing and feel of the new Phantom Graphite, why would Prince tinker with something which was good for decades? I know the game evolved but if we go with that thinking why introduce something like the Graphite at all? The closes thing we currently have to a Classic Graphite is the Diablo MP (same mold) but IIRC the feel was noticeably different - didn't play the current reissue though so it may not be the case currently, on a side note still would prefer a Diablo Mid reissue instead. Not to mention that Prince should release it's best O-port frame which is... you guessed it! O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20!
Side note: It seems to have some features in common with the new Wilson Shift frames - 10 main bridge grommet piece, wide throat and somewhat more roundish head geometry. Okay, okay enough trolling about that one, dangerously reaching Fedace "is it extended" territory.
IMHO the CTS design works for thicker frames, where you want to add that little give in the throat area, not so much where the throat is already slim. Don't want to say the thin CTS frames become erratic or lacking power but I just do not enjoy a combination of CTS and a thin beam.
The only exception to the above for me is my all time favourite the O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20 prostock about which I troll this board from time to time.
Fast forward and we're in a new Prince reality - a lot of thinner beamed offerings including such gems as the Phantoms.
I think diehard Prince fans agree that the taken approach in recent years is a good one if we discard the, IMHO, idiotic colab strategy mostly with Hydrogen which basically gives us the same model every 6 months with a different paintjob.
As in life not everything is perfect, except for the O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20 (!!!)
, the Phantoms are excellent racquets and I especially enjoyed the box beamed versions. What I didn't like about them was the offered string patterns being a bit too extreme on the opposites of the spectrum - 16x18 and 18x20. The 18x20 option I get and am all for it but the 16x18 in a 100 frames lacks crosses for me, now a 16x19 or 16x20 would be great if you ask me. Of course some might say - That's only 1-2 cross strings! - but depending how they're spread they can make a huge difference. Don't get me started on the 14x18 93P! I know it's a Prince legacy thing but that pattern is pure overkill, for many only 15 gauge polyester mains or kevlar ones have a fighting chance in that one - I actually had a friend who had to switch due to mains popping on that one. Next is the long awaited, at least by me, 97P and again the string pattern woes, also I didn't quite enjoy the way it flexed and with this note we're slowly getting on track...While the Phantoms (93, 97P, all 100s) are new and the CTS design is somewhat part of their vibe, it shouldn't take place for the Phantom Graphite which is somewhat of a descendant of the Classic Graphite. I did not enjoy the flexing and feel of the new Phantom Graphite, why would Prince tinker with something which was good for decades? I know the game evolved but if we go with that thinking why introduce something like the Graphite at all? The closes thing we currently have to a Classic Graphite is the Diablo MP (same mold) but IIRC the feel was noticeably different - didn't play the current reissue though so it may not be the case currently, on a side note still would prefer a Diablo Mid reissue instead. Not to mention that Prince should release it's best O-port frame which is... you guessed it! O3 Hybrid Tour 18x20!
Side note: It seems to have some features in common with the new Wilson Shift frames - 10 main bridge grommet piece, wide throat and somewhat more roundish head geometry. Okay, okay enough trolling about that one, dangerously reaching Fedace "is it extended" territory.
IMHO the CTS design works for thicker frames, where you want to add that little give in the throat area, not so much where the throat is already slim. Don't want to say the thin CTS frames become erratic or lacking power but I just do not enjoy a combination of CTS and a thin beam.
Cast your votes and please comment if you'd like to add something to the discussion!
