Just tried going from a PS 6.0 original 95 to a BLX six.one 95 16x18

[akutsu]

And the BLX six.one felt pretty bad:

It felt like i couldn't find the sweet spot on the BLX,
It was pretty jarring to use compared to the PS original, felt pretty hollow, and didn't generate as much power... as my 15 year old racquet.

Could this just be the "getting used to a different racquet" phase and I need to try it some more before moving on to something else?
I thought I had read a # of really positive reviews on the BLX six.one 16x18

[Lavs]

if you have a chance, try BLX Pro Staff 6.1 95

[Backhanded Compliment]

It is a really good racket... perhaps you dont have the right strings on it? My most frequent hitting partner has gone through 5 different sticks in the last year and now he's back to the BLX 6.1 95 16x18. I return big so he's always in search of ooomph. He has the best second serve Ive ever faced (he was once a teaching pro in the bay area). His best serves are with the Original Pro Staff but the #2 slot is definitely the BLX.

I hit with both recently and well there is nothing that compares to the original pro staff for sheer ball bashing but the BLX with a hybrid of WC Scorpion and OGSM strings at 55 isnt bad at all. I find no modern racket matches the PS original or the Max 200G for plush crushing.

One thing to consider is the spin potential... it is far more important to the modern game with these slow hardcourt surfaces.

[bt johnson]

Originally Posted by akutsu

And the BLX six.one felt pretty bad:

It felt like i couldn't find the sweet spot on the BLX,
It was pretty jarring to use compared to the PS original, felt pretty hollow, and didn't generate as much power... as my 15 year old racquet.

Could this just be the "getting used to a different racquet" phase and I need to try it some more before moving on to something else?
I thought I had read a # of really positive reviews on the BLX six.one 16x18

What level player are you? I think the 16x18 is a terrible racquet but I play with the BLX 6.1 95 18x20 and love it. I'm a teaching pro and former D1 player but if your above a 4.0 then try out the 18x20. I get massive spin so the closed string pattern is not an issue.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Backhanded Compliment

I find no modern racket matches the PS original or the Max 200G for plush crushing.

Ain't that the truth!

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by Lavs

if you have a chance, try BLX Pro Staff 6.1 95

I did try the PS 6.1 90, which felt nice, but a slight bit heavy - and i don't play enough to handle a 90sq in head.
Heard the 95 version really lacked power, so i didn't try it. Perhaps I should?

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by bt johnson

What level player are you? I think the 16x18 is a terrible racquet but I play with the BLX 6.1 95 18x20 and love it. I'm a teaching pro and former D1 player but if your above a 4.0 then try out the 18x20. I get massive spin so the closed string pattern is not an issue.

Good question... i played varsity tennis through highschool in texas, but never played USTA as an adult, so can't give too much background on rating #.

Is the main difference w/ the 18x20 the spin you get? or do you have much difference in feel, power, etc as well?

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by Backhanded Compliment

It is a really good racket... perhaps you dont have the right strings on it? My most frequent hitting partner has gone through 5 different sticks in the last year and now he's back to the BLX 6.1 95 16x18. I return big so he's always in search of ooomph. He has the best second serve Ive ever faced (he was once a teaching pro in the bay area). His best serves are with the Original Pro Staff but the #2 slot is definitely the BLX.

I hit with both recently and well there is nothing that compares to the original pro staff for sheer ball bashing but the BLX with a hybrid of WC Scorpion and OGSM strings at 55 isnt bad at all. I find no modern racket matches the PS original or the Max 200G for plush crushing.

One thing to consider is the spin potential... it is far more important to the modern game with these slow hardcourt surfaces.

I'm using the same string for both the BLX and the PS 6.0 - Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17. This string feels good enough on the prostaff at least, but you do have me wondering if this is a factor....

[DonDiego]

I'm always confused when people talk about the «blx» six one 95. Are you talking about the most recent model (red and white) or the black, gold and red of circa 2010?

They are very different in my opinion.

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by DonDiego

I'm always confused when people talk about the «blx» six one 95. Are you talking about the most recent model (red and white) or the black, gold and red of circa 2010?

They are very different in my opinion.

talking about the red & white version

[DonDiego]

Originally Posted by akutsu

It felt like i couldn't find the sweet spot on the BLX,
It was pretty jarring to use compared to the PS original, felt pretty hollow, and didn't generate as much power... as my 15 year old racquet.

Well... I played with both, and I must say your review is far in the left field as far as i'm concerned.

You're right on the «hollow» feel (almost plastic-like), I didn't like it either. But the sweetspot is HUGE for a 95, and the power is the most I've found in its category. Directional control is also out of this league. (Check the TW lab, you'll be amazed how high this racket ranks in terms of power, plowthrough and sweet spot. Btter than many 98 and 100 in. head) It also has a bit more touch and feel than previous models, due to the Amplifeel technology.

This being said, I prefer the BLX (2010) model. The red and white is just a bit too powerful (too lively) for me. It's great on serve and volleys, but I have trouble controlling approach shots. Also, the stringbed is a bit narrower than the previous version, and I can see the difference in spin potential.

[DonDiego]

...Not sure if I need to add this, but to really appreciate the potential of this player's racquet, you need to hit with good form, and hard.

[NLBwell]

Originally Posted by akutsu

And the BLX six.one felt pretty bad:

It felt like i couldn't find the sweet spot on the BLX,
It was pretty jarring to use compared to the PS original, felt pretty hollow, and didn't generate as much power... as my 15 year old racquet.

Could this just be the "getting used to a different racquet" phase and I need to try it some more before moving on to something else?
I thought I had read a # of really positive reviews on the BLX six.one 16x18

I agree completely. I could never get used to the harsh feeling of the 6.1's - from the Classic to the newer ones. They are very different rackets from the 6.0s, with very different make-ups. If you like one, there's a good chance you won't like the other.

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

I agree completely. I could never get used to the harsh feeling of the 6.1's - from the Classic to the newer ones. They are very different rackets from the 6.0s, with very different make-ups. If you like one, there's a good chance you won't like the other.

What are you using now?

[NLBwell]

I'm using Microgel Prestige Pros (nice low flex - the newer versions are stiffer, but the IG has similar stats to the 6.0 95). Remember, even though the Prestige Pro head size is listed as 98, it is really between 95 and 96 sq in.

Still pull out my Kennex Black Aces and Prince Graphite Mid once in a while. My 6.0 which I used for years and years bit the dust a little while ago.

[SandVolley]

I just demod this racket from the local shop. I have semi western flat forehand and while I could pound that shot I felt like I had to have perfect form and technique every single time. The flick shots on which recreational players live off of were virtually impossible. After a while I just dinked them back and waited for future short balls. It had a tinny feel. Not buttery. And a shank reverberated in my upper forearm for half a set, totally throwing off my serve. Do you have perfect footwork?

[akutsu]

Originally Posted by SandVolley

I just demod this racket from the local shop. I have semi western flat forehand and while I could pound that shot I felt like I had to have perfect form and technique every single time. The flick shots on which recreational players live off of were virtually impossible. After a while I just dinked them back and waited for future short balls. It had a tinny feel. Not buttery. And a shank reverberated in my upper forearm for half a set, totally throwing off my serve. Do you have perfect footwork?

My footwork is bad - i'm lazy and probably need a seriously ****-like coach to get out of sloth-mode.

[akutsu]

"sloth" is prohibited?

[akutsu]

ohhh, nevermind - the german army of WW2 is prohibited. I see..... woops... O_O

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by akutsu

ohhh, nevermind - the german army of WW2 is prohibited. I see..... woops... O_O

The German army during WWII was the "Wehrmacht", which I don't think is prohibited. The prohibited word you used was the political party of the Third Reich, which was an acronym for the "National Socialist Party".