Prince More Control DB Racquet Review

Prince first introduced the public to the Double Bridge (DB) frame design back in 1988. The Double Bridge, located at the bottom of the hoop, features a separation of the throat bridge into two pieces with a polymer insert wedged in between. The center main strings travel through the polymer filled bridge to create a built in string dampener. Fans of the DB Synergy Midplus and Oversize will be pleased to see the addition of Prince's DB frame design to the More line of racquets. As with previous DB offerings, the More Control DB is available in both Midplus and Oversize head sizes. The More Control DB Midplus has a 97 sq. inch head size combined with a standard 27 inch frame length, while the More Control DB Oversize has a 107 sq. inch head size combined with a 27.25 inch frame length. Both head sizes feature Prince More technology as well as Prince Triple Braid and Air Handle technologies (see our racquet technology section for more information).

We tested the Prince More Control DB Midplus and Oversize for three weeks. Our playtest took place on hard courts under the beautiful California sun.

More Control DB Midplus

We strung our More Control DB Midplus test racquets 2 pounds above mid tension with 17 gauge Tecnifiber NRG2 string. We used a 4 1/2 grip size and added an overgrip. Prince string dampeners were supplied and use was left up to individual tester preference.

Groundstrokes

Our playtest team found the Prince More Control DB Midplus offered a dampened feel and was easy to get around on groundstrokes.
The More Control DB Midplus "is one of those racquets where I felt like there was too much going on with it," said Chad. "It felt like there was too much technology and not enough substance. My groundstrokes were always under control, yet never posed a threat to my opponents. It doesn't take much for me to generate power, yet I could never get the movement I generally require out of my groundies. The open string pattern allowed for a decent amount of spin on both the forehand and backhand, but in the end I found myself wanting more (or is it less) from the More Control DB Midplus.
"The More Control DB Midplus has a fairly full heft, yet still allows for good maneuverability," said Don. "Its specs fall right into my comfort zone, and I was able to generate good racquet head speed without feeling like the racquet was too 'flimsy'. Power was adequate, as was control, both of which were essentially up to me, not the racquet - no surprises here. There is a very firm feel to this racquet, yet also a distinctly muted sensation when hitting the ball, probably due to the Double Bridge and Air+ Handle. Although the upper hoop was also firm (and stable), the sweetspot seems to be fairly low. Shots hit in the upper stringbed didn't have much pop. Also, the More construction, combined with these other technologies, reduces feel and touch."

"I found I could generate a fair bit of spin off the ground with the More Control DB Midplus but not as much as I expected when I first looked at the string pattern," said Chris. "For some reason I could not get comfortable with the More Control DB Midplus during my initial hitting sessions. I was missing some feel for where my shots were really going. At about the mid point of the test I weighted the More Control DB Midplus up to 12.5 ounces with lead tape for one hitting session. I added lead at 3 and 9 o' clock in the hoop as well as under the handle to maintain balance. The additional weight greatly improved the depth and consistency of my shots, but it did not produce the feel I was seeking. If I had to pick a favorite groundstroke while using the More Control DB Midplus it would have to be the slice backhand, as I found the most feel with this shot."
Michelle would have liked a bit more pop from the More Control DB Midplus off the ground, but liked the racquet's comfortable feel. "I found the More Control DB Midplus lacked the power I needed when hitting groundstrokes," said Michelle. "I had the most success when hitting short balls, approach shots and angles. If I got pushed back deep behind the baseline, I felt like the racquet wasn't giving me enough help to keep my shots deep. However, after hitting for three weeks with the More Control DB Midplus I really feel like I'm swinging faster and I'm getting more power on my shots with my regular racquet (Head iX3 Oversize). What I liked most about the More Control DB Midplus was how comfortable it was to use. I never felt any vibration or jarring sensation in my arms when hitting with this racquet." Combined Score 69

Volleys

With a solid 322 (RDC) swingweight, a five points head light balance and a 22mm straight beam the More Control DB Midplus has the right kind of numbers to make it a successful choice for net rushers. While the right specs can give one a clue to how a racquet will perform; as the saying goes, 'the truth is in the hitting,' and at net our playtesters found the More Control DB Midplus lived up to its expectations.
"I liked the combination of mobility and stability when volleying with the More Control DB Midplus," said Don. "I could react to hard-hit shots easily enough and still hit an effective volley. Again, balls hit in the upper hoop lacked power."
Chad found a confidence inspiring racquet at net, saying, "the More Control DB Midplus made for an enjoyable volleying experience. The reason being the control. I felt like I could place the ball wherever I needed to when at the net. I really felt the "dampened" feel of the More Control DB Midplus when volleying, especially on placement volleys (i.e. drop shots, angles, deep balls)."
Michelle enjoyed the maneuverability of the More Control DB Midplus at net, saying, "I found it very easy to get to the ball with the More Control DB Midplus and I made some nice half-volleys when caught mid-court during doubles play. However, I was missing depth and pace on put-a-way volleys, which made it a little harder to finish points. Again, I was very impressed with the comfort of the More Control DB Midplus."
Also starting to find the groove with the More Control DB Midplus at net was Chris. "I felt much more comfortable at net than at the baseline with the More Control DB Midplus," said Chris. "This racquet has a nice balance and weight for net play. Even when returning hard struck shots, the More Control DB Midplus felt stable and up to the challenge. There was still a dampened feel at net, but I felt like I could judge direction and depth much better on volleys than I could on groundstrokes." Combined Score 77

Serves

The success our playtester found at net with the More Control DB Midplus continued with the serve.
"I immediately settled into a nice rhythm when serving with the More Control DB Midplus," said Chris. "I was confident going for the corners on both first and second serves, finding plenty of spin when I wanted it and adequate power for flatter serves. My best serve with the More Control DB Midplus was the kick out wide to the add court."
When it came to serving, Chad would have appreciated a touch more power from the More Control DB Midplus. "Although I would have liked a bit more pop on my first serve, I must admit that I was happy with the consistency. My second serve seemed more effective than usual as the added spin I was getting from the More Control DB Midplus kept my opponent off balance."
Don also found success when serving with the More Control DB Midplus. He said, "I served well with this racquet, especially slice and kick serves, thanks to the fairly open string pattern. Flat first serves had good pace and I was able to 'steer' the ball pretty well, too."
Michelle said, "I need more power. Although I could hit the box easily on both the deuce and ad sides of the court I felt like I could not generate enough power to put pressure on my opponent. The More Control DB Midplus is light enough for me to swing, and my arm did not get tired, but I just couldn't get the pop I get with my usual racquet." Combined Score 71

Serve Return

Most of our playtesters noted that the More Control DB Midplus lent itself well to returns.
Don said, "the More Control DB Midplus is one of those racquets that allowed me to take at least a small backswing against most serves. When returning big first serves I could block the ball back pretty effectively, although some returns did fall short. Against slower first, and almost all second serves, I could take a good swipe at the ball and feel confident it would reach my intended target."
"My most consistent and effective return was the backhand slice," said Chad. "This was really the only return that worked well for me. I struggled when I tried to 'go for it' on my opponents serve. I'm not quite sure why, but I was never able to get completely comfortable with returning."
Again, Michelle felt the More Control DB Midplus was a little under-powered for her game. "My consistency was very good, but I was hitting a few too many short balls with the More Control DB Midplus," said Michelle. "It wasn't that I didn't have time to set up, as I felt the More Control DB Midplus was very maneuverable. I just missed the power I get from my extended length Oversize racquet."
Chris found the More Control DB Midplus to be very maneuverable on the return. "Both drive and chip returns worked well for me with this racquet," said Chris. "I hit some nice forehand down the line returns and was able to go high over the net on this shot due to the amount of spin I could generate to bring the ball back down. Deep cross-court returns worked out just as well when I was driving through the ball. The thing that impressed me the most when returning with the More Control DB Midplus was that I felt like I could do a little bit of everything with it. I felt comfortable hitting spin, flat, drive and chip returns." Combined Score 69

Overall

While some of our playtesters struggled to find the groove off the ground with the More Control DB Midplus, other aspects of the racquet's performance shone through. The most positive responses for the More Control DB Midplus came at the net, where our playtest team found better feel on their shots. The More Control DB Midplus also proved to be stable and maneuverable on the return. While not being especially powerful, the More Control DB Midplus performed well on the serve and our playtesters found a good level of confidence with the racquet.
The results of our test show the More Control DB Midplus to be a good choice for serve and volley players as well as aggressive all court players who like to finish points at the net. The More Control DB Midplus is best suited to 4.5+ level players who can supply their own power through a long stroke style. Combined Score 74

More Control DB Oversize

We strung our test More Control DB Oversize racquets 2lbs above mid tension with 17 gauge Tecnifiber NRG2 string. We used a 4 1/2 grip size and added an overgrip. Prince string dampeners were supplied and use was left up to individual tester preference.

Groundstrokes

With many Midplus size racquets hovering around the 100 sq. inch mark, traditional Oversize fans have more options these days when looking for that larger stringbed feel. At 107 sq. inches, the More Control DB Oversize stays close to Prince's original Oversize frame design dating back to the Howard Head designed 110 sq. inch Prince Classic of 1976. However, compared to other modern racquets, the More Control DB Oversize now finds itself at the smaller end of the Oversize spectrum - as noted by playtester Chad. Chad said, "this racquet can work well for 4.0 to 5.0 players. I don't think it will fit players beyond these ratings. I felt like the More Control DB Oversize belongs in the "featherweight" division of Oversize racquets. Not because of its weight, but due to the 107 sq. inch frame and the 850 power level. Both of these factors are only a slight increase from most Midplus frames these days. When hitting with the More Control DB Oversize my groundstrokes felt comfortable, yet, as with the Midplus, there was still a little too much racquet for my liking. Topspin was easily generated and with the right type of swing style players can combine power with spin."
Don was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the Oversize. "I expected to prefer the More Control DB Midplus, but found myself liking the More Control DB Oversize better on most shots," said Don. "Although I prefer a little heftier racquet, and would probably add a 1/2 ounce of weight, the More Control DB Oversize was stable and solid at 11.1 ounces. It's a real oversize 'tweener' and delivers a nice combination of controlled power. It's also more forgiving than the Midplus, with a larger (and higher) sweetspot. Topspin and (especially) slice were easy to generate, and I didn't experience that 'fly-away' loss of control associated with many oversize racquets."

Michelle was happy to be back with an Oversize frame when hitting with the More Control DB Oversize. "Out of the two, I feel more at home with the More Control DB Oversize," said Michelle. "I like the feel I get from Oversize racquets and I find myself playing with greater confidence. I could generate more power on forehands and backhands. I appreciated the More Control DB Oversize the most on my two-handed backhand. However, my groundstrokes in general were greatly improved with the More Control DB Oversize as I was finding more depth. I also found it easier to hit my intended target."
Chris said, "I liked the More Control DB Oversize from the baseline, finding that I could generate plenty of spin and some nice angles off the forehand side. One-handed backhands took a little more effort to get cross court than with my regular racquet (Yonex MP Tour-1 Mid). However, I found the More Control DB Oversize great for slice backhands and I enjoyed plenty of spin and power without any loss of control." Combined Score 70

Volleys

If there was one shot that stood out among our playtesters while using the More Control DB Oversize it was the volley.
"Wow," said Chris. "Is this a nice racquet to volley with, or what? There is plenty of maneuverability, control and just the right amount of power. I really felt like I could punch my volleys with this racquet. I had good feel on low volleys when I just wanted to caress the ball over for an angled dropper, while high volleys could be dispatched with confidence."
Chad found that like the Midplus, the More Control DB Oversize was also great to volley with." He said, "the 16 x 19 string pattern made for an even more comfortable and dampened feel. The larger head size along with the extra length allowed more ground to be covered as well. I think 4.0-4.5 doubles players should like this frame particularly well."
Don said, 'This is a great volleying stick! Excellent mobility, combined with a touch of extra length and the oversize head, made for a fun volleying session. Again, a little added weight in the hoop would improve stability and punch, but I enjoyed the stock racquet, too."
Michelle was in full agreement with the rest of our team, saying, "I really enjoyed playing doubles with this racquet. I felt very confident at the net with the most noticeable improvement coming from mid-court volleys where a little more swing was needed. I hit a two-handed backhand volley, and the More Control DB Oversize worked very well for this shot. I put this down to the larger head size and the extra length." Combined Score 81

Serves

At a 1/4 inch over standard length and with an open string pattern, our faster swinging playtesters enjoyed some useful spin potential from the More Control DB Oversize.
"As with many oversize racquets, spin serves were more effective with the More Control DB Oversize," said Don. "Power was OK, but I had better results placing spin first serves than trying to blast away with a flat serve."
Chad was in agreement with Don, saying, "no real surprises here. Serves had a lot of spin on them without any impressive amounts of speed. I felt like I had to work a little bit harder to hit serves that affected my opponents."
Chris was able to find a bit more pop on the serve than he expected with the More Control DB Oversize. "I was able to hit some nice slice serves out wide to the deuce court, but what really surprised me was the pace I got on flat first serves. I catch the occasional serve a little high in the stringbed, and appreciated the higher sweetspot of the More Control DB Oversize."
Michelle said, "serving with the More Control DB Oversize felt closer to the feel of my regular racquet when compared to the Midplus. I still did not get the same amount of power, but I found myself serving with more confidence in match play. The More Control DB Oversize was also more comfortable than the Midplus when serving, which really impressed me as I thought the Midplus was a very comfortable racquet." Combined Score 71

Serve Returns

Our playtesters had mixed results from the More Control DB Oversize on the return. Don soon settled into some solid returning. He said, "against all but the biggest first serves, I was able to take at least a small backswing on my returns. I really enjoyed hitting slice backhand returns, and felt I could direct the ball at will. When returning second serves I could take a medium-hard swing and hit the ball deep in the court. Even block returns were fairly effective, although the racquet did get pushed around a little due to its light weight."
Chad found himself returning more conservatively with the More Control DB Oversize. "Again, I couldn't be too aggressive with the More Control Oversize." "This was more of a block and placement racquet for me on returns. I used it to try and setup the point and dictate from the baseline, instead of trying to dictate the point straight off the return, which I sometimes do with other racquets.
Chris also found himself taking a little off his returns with the More Control DB Oversize. He said, "I was missing a bit of control on the return with the More Control DB Oversize. There was just a touch of unpredictability about the stringbed response, which I tend to find with Oversize racquets. Due to this, I had a tendency to hit with more spin and go for a safer target when returning."
Michelle, on the other hand, found herself being more aggressive with the More Control DB Oversize. "I did not get the power I'm used to," said Michelle, "but I felt confident in taking a bigger swing at medium to slow paced serves than with my regular racquet. During doubles play I was consistently able to get my returns deep towards the server and away from the net player. I found that I could be really aggressive with my returns as I was finding lots of control." Combined Score 71

Overall

A versatile racquet, the More Control DB Oversize has qualities that can be exploited from all areas of the court. With lots of feel at the net and plenty of spin capability on groundstrokes, the More Control DB Oversize is not only a solid choice for baseline players, but will appeal to doubles players and all court singles players as well. If you are a fan of previous Oversize DB racquets then you should definitely give the More Control DB Oversize a try. Combined Score 76

Review date: July, 2003. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.

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