stevewcosta
Professional
6.0 does everything better than the POG for me. Better feel, swing weight, serves, control, groundstrokes, volleys...I found the POG (newer iterations) way too stiff and jarring.
Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85
- Thread starter tennisfarmer
- Start date
6.0 does everything better than the POG for me. Better feel, swing weight, serves, control, groundstrokes, volleys...I found the POG (newer iterations) way too stiff and jarring.
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
Why doesn't HEAD ever do this with the PC600 or the PT630?
I received my 1/4 ps85s yesterday and could have been happier if there weren't a few minuscule problems with Wilson QC. For one, the grip size is still bigger just like the last batch. The 1/4 actually feels like a 3/8. If i wanted a true 1/4, i will probably have to buy the 1/8 grip which are not offered. Second, the leather grip appears to be cheaper than before, almost paper-like feeling similar to that of the later production AN90s. Finally, the finishes are not smooth. There are significant amount of bumps and imperfections on the frames themselves as if they weren't sanded down enough before being painted.
However, in all, i am still very happy and grateful that TW brought these back. I always loved the 85 and it still puts a big smile on my face everytime i hit with one. So thank you again TW; Kudos to ya.
I am just leaving these notes out there for future 85 buyers. If your true grip is a 3/8, you should consider getting a 1/4 and expect lesser QC from Wilson.
However, in all, i am still very happy and grateful that TW brought these back. I always loved the 85 and it still puts a big smile on my face everytime i hit with one. So thank you again TW; Kudos to ya.
I am just leaving these notes out there for future 85 buyers. If your true grip is a 3/8, you should consider getting a 1/4 and expect lesser QC from Wilson.
Hmm...I'm not noticing this at all. My 3/8 feels right, I don't notice a bunch of imperfections on the paint job, and the leather grip feels like a leather grip. I overgrip mine anyway so doesn't matter to me.
BlxTennis
Rookie
I had the PS 6.0 95 before and switched to BLX6.1 Tour 90. I decided get one PS6.0 85 to see what all the buzz is about. I had TW string it with Klip gut 56lbs. Wow. I am not sure it's the racquet or the gut string but I love the feel. Every shot feels like I can hit as hard as I can with control and stay in. 1st of all, PS85 strung weight is even heavier than my BLX by 3gram(369 vs 366). However, BLX is probably head heavier than PS85 but not by much. I feel swinging PS85 is effortless. When volleying with BLX, I sometimes have to use my left hand to help out. Not so with PS85, very easy on volley. Overall, I like the PS85 better than the BLX. I may have to get another PS85 and sell my BLX and the old PS95 as well.
I totally agree. I've used it for a couple of hitting sessions already and I love the feel of the stick and how it really forces me to focus on my technique and contact through the ball. I know these are basics, but it's interesting how a stick like this, and other old players rackets, will really force you to think about these things.
Disgruntled Worker
Professional
It doesn't matter how good the racquet feels in the hand. What matters is the number of matches a person wins. It's nearly impossible to be competitive with it over three sets. Fun to play with, but not practical for today's baseline-bashing game.
6-2/6-4/6-0
Semi-Pro
Wouldn't it be bloody lovely if people used this racket and actually learned how to play tennis again. And by tennis I don't mean the devolved mutation that people keep calling 'The Modern Game...'
To me 'The Modern Game' is nothing but a euphemism for the kids to feel good about the fact that they have glaringly incomplete games and less versatility on the court than Rod Laver's severed right arm (that's right, the Rocket's right arm [I'll mention that he was left handed, because I'd also give even money that there are plenty of people reading this and brimming with indignation who didn't know that] could be thrown on to center court and it would grow a set of legs to get around and soundly thrash - with a PS 85 - most of the people here saying that a PS85 is worthless for a 'modern game'...).
Go ahead, get a 100 sq.in. stick with poly strings and become the highest evolution of an australian sheepdog who can chase down anything and everything in an endless baseline rally, and even have an outside chance to even hit a winner every now and then. I'll keep hitting my slice approach shots low and precise, I'll make you hit up on the ball, and angle off the volley before you even realize that I was 'insane' enough to venture up to the net more than twice a set.
The PS 85 is a serious weapon. You just need to be a sniper to use it, not some fool lobbing bombs everywhere...
I'm not sure how much of this post is somewhat serious and how much is me being utterly ridiculous. The ratios are probably 70/30 but I honestly can't tell which direction they go.
To me 'The Modern Game' is nothing but a euphemism for the kids to feel good about the fact that they have glaringly incomplete games and less versatility on the court than Rod Laver's severed right arm (that's right, the Rocket's right arm [I'll mention that he was left handed, because I'd also give even money that there are plenty of people reading this and brimming with indignation who didn't know that] could be thrown on to center court and it would grow a set of legs to get around and soundly thrash - with a PS 85 - most of the people here saying that a PS85 is worthless for a 'modern game'...).
Go ahead, get a 100 sq.in. stick with poly strings and become the highest evolution of an australian sheepdog who can chase down anything and everything in an endless baseline rally, and even have an outside chance to even hit a winner every now and then. I'll keep hitting my slice approach shots low and precise, I'll make you hit up on the ball, and angle off the volley before you even realize that I was 'insane' enough to venture up to the net more than twice a set.
The PS 85 is a serious weapon. You just need to be a sniper to use it, not some fool lobbing bombs everywhere...
I'm not sure how much of this post is somewhat serious and how much is me being utterly ridiculous. The ratios are probably 70/30 but I honestly can't tell which direction they go.
GrandIllusion
New User
:slow clap: This post deserves a standing ovation for its cleverness, honesty, and humility. The australian sheepdog bit was priceless, and so true. Well done, sir.
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Agreed, although I do use a 100 sq in. stick as my playing racket. Some of the people on here just don't get it. Whether it's nostalgia (which some people on here wouldn't understand as they probably weren't born when the original PS 85 came out
), or whether some people got one to use for hitting session to hone in on technique, there are plenty of uses for this stick other than using it in all of your actual competitive matches.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I disagree. I mean how many of us here have to win matches to put food on the table?
I'd say what matters more is how good the racquet feels in the hand when you hit the ball. If it feels orgasmic, who cares if you win or lose? I mean, do you have sex in order to win? :shock:
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GrandIllusion
New User
I disagree. I mean how many of us here have to win matches to put food on the table?
I'd say what matters more is how good the racquet feels in the hand when you hit the ball. If it feels orgasmic, who cares if you win or lose? I mean, do you have sex in order to win? :shock:
*passionately stares over at my old Pro Kennex 90s* No, no, no..
WilsonPlayer101
Professional
Man, I didn't go to the TW website for a few weeks, come back and see they are selling a reissue of the PS 6.0 85. Temping, very tempting. I used to play with Wilsons only but now on to Head but still might get the PS 6.0 because in the early '90s I used to play with one but never got along with it so sold it. Back then was not aware of the St. Vincent legend or anything like that so I don't know which I had, was it St. Vincent or the other, I don't know. Wish I kept it for nostalgia tho. The head size was not an issue because back then I was used to smaller headsizes, was not spoiled with the mid plus and up heads as I am now. Thing is I recall that when I hit with it, it felt like I was hitting with a board and gave me arm issues. Maybe I'll get the reissue for the fun of it and nostalgia. By the way I went on to the Stars and Stripes Jim Courrier which was a great racquet and uses it up to last year. They'll never reissue that one tho.
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Hooked
Rookie
I'd say this BLX PS 6.0 85 is even easier to swing than the POG Mid. I can easily generate tremendous racquet head speed with the BLX PS 6.0 85 due to the weight distribution. I can see how Federer developed his strokes the way he did using this racquet.
I agree. I received my matched PS85's yesterday and headed to the local public courts with a hitting partner. 37 degrees F when we arrived. Played for two hours. Compared the PS85 to a KPS88, a modified K90 and a stock POG4 Mid. I don't know how else to say this, but the 85 simply out-classed the other frames. The POG4 came closest, followed by the K90, then a drop off to the KPS88. If the PS85 was a 5/5, the POG4 was a 4.5, the K90 was a 4 and the KPS88 was a 3. None of the other frames had the combination of feel, control, maneuverability and sheer fun factor that the 85 had. I was hitting the corners with regularity and generating a tremendous amount of spin especially on my serve. The spin took me by surprise as I was not expecting that much from such a small head. We were having a blast ripping forehands, backhands and serves. This may be my new reference. Time to put it into match play and see how I do with it under pressure and as time wears on. I always loved the K90 in the first set, but it sometimes became a liability in close matches.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
This is the review of my new PS 85, I posted it in the Racketaholic thread but I figure it's just as appropriate right here:
Pro Staff 6.0 85 - A.K.A. The Bro Staff
What more can be said about this thing. It's truly magical, mine weighs 12.8 oz but swings easier than a Radical, it's mind bottleing.
I can hit everything with this thing and misshits are minimal. Strung up with ALU x NXT at 57/54, it's pure ecstasy when the sweetspot is struck.
Really, the only thing this beast lacks is real-estate. Feel, touch, Power, Precision and Comfort, it's all there in spades and I can without hesitation say that my one hander is at it's absolute best with this monster.
If it had a 93 inch head I would switch. As it stands, anything too high to my backhand and I can't really swat it back with loads of top, Muster stylee, like i can with my PPro.
Also, this thing forces you to move forward because the longer the rally goes the smaller that head size starts to feel. The solution is to play aggressive and move in, a style that, despite being a much better all court player than in the past, I'm still not all that confident with.
I'm a very stable, metronome type of player, as I grew up playing on the red dirt of Europe, and I'll move in only once I get the opening, but I'd rather hit into an open court or force an error.
That being said, every proud racquetaholic out there owes it to himself to get one of these. It's like the glue that bonds us all together, a reference point that we can all see eye to eye on, hence the Bro Staff moniker.
I've said this before: The 85 is the Donkey Kong of tennis. It's not an easy racquet, it belongs in another era and it can't realistically compete with any modern frames. HOWEVER, it's about the funnest racquet you can hit with.
Pro Staff 6.0 85 - A.K.A. The Bro Staff
What more can be said about this thing. It's truly magical, mine weighs 12.8 oz but swings easier than a Radical, it's mind bottleing.
I can hit everything with this thing and misshits are minimal. Strung up with ALU x NXT at 57/54, it's pure ecstasy when the sweetspot is struck.
Really, the only thing this beast lacks is real-estate. Feel, touch, Power, Precision and Comfort, it's all there in spades and I can without hesitation say that my one hander is at it's absolute best with this monster.
If it had a 93 inch head I would switch. As it stands, anything too high to my backhand and I can't really swat it back with loads of top, Muster stylee, like i can with my PPro.
Also, this thing forces you to move forward because the longer the rally goes the smaller that head size starts to feel. The solution is to play aggressive and move in, a style that, despite being a much better all court player than in the past, I'm still not all that confident with.
I'm a very stable, metronome type of player, as I grew up playing on the red dirt of Europe, and I'll move in only once I get the opening, but I'd rather hit into an open court or force an error.
That being said, every proud racquetaholic out there owes it to himself to get one of these. It's like the glue that bonds us all together, a reference point that we can all see eye to eye on, hence the Bro Staff moniker.
I've said this before: The 85 is the Donkey Kong of tennis. It's not an easy racquet, it belongs in another era and it can't realistically compete with any modern frames. HOWEVER, it's about the funnest racquet you can hit with.
rudester
Professional
Have played with PS85 since early 80's. Just wondering if folks who also have played this racquet for a long time have experienced what i have in regards to stringing. I have tried dozens of strings and different combinations in this racquet, and basically i keep coming back to natural gut, or multi strings. I love full bed poly in many of my larger headed racquets, just love the control it provides, however, the PS85 already has incredible control. I find that natural gut and multi in this frame is optimal and maximizes the touch and feel of the frame. For me, poly does not work in the PS85, as it stands on its own for control. Spin is achieved easily due to the open pattern.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Have you tried a hybrid? Best of both worlds. As for full poly, I tried a friends that was strung with full RPM and I must say I was shocked by how comfortable it still felt.
rudester
Professional
Yes i have tried hybrid, not bad, but i suppose having grown up with natural gut it may just be a personal preference. Full poly in this frame, even at low tensions did not work for me. Just wanted to get some more feedback from others. thanks.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i currently have a full bed of discho iontec 17g copoly in mine and it plays very nicely. i use lower tensions though - 47lb M/46lb C. i wasn't sure how i'd like it in a smaller frame, but this just works beautifully. great control, feel and spin w/o that stiff poly or plasticky poly feeling. met up w/ another TT member last night and let him take it for a spin and he was loving it, too.
i haven't tried any premium gut yet, but i tried global gut from the earlier batch when the quality was still decent in the mains and tf polyspin crosses and it was ok. nothing special. i got the stick w/ a full bed of lux alu power and it had that plastic poly feeling that i dislike.
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rudester
Professional
Hey, thanks
perhaps i will give other poly's a look, have you tried natural gut yet to compare?
el sergento
Hall of Fame
There are some really soft co-poly's out there that are very comfortable and don't send shock waves up your arm.
Wise Cannon's B5E is very comfortable and low powered but has superb spin potential and control. Might be worth checking out.
Mind you, if gut works for you and you don't mind paying the premium then stick to what you know.
But to answer your question, poly can work quite well in the 85, a testament to the versatility of a racquet that came out 30 years ago.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I have WeissCannon B5E in a Prince Ozone Tour and the stringbed has that plastic poly feel to me which i'm not a fan of.
rudester
Professional
I actually have a hybrid of mamba natural gut and B5E in my redondo 93 and i think i nailed it for that racquet.
Have not tried this in PS85, might be a good place to start for a hybrid.
Did not feel plasticky at all. i know what you mean though, MSV focus hex had that feeling i thought. Others have mentioned that B5E was best in hybrid, will try Gut/B5E in PS85 at next opportunity.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
the full bed of B5E wasn't the worst of the plastic poly feeling ever so i can see how it might feel pretty good in a hybrid. i've tried others that feel much more plastic like.
Hooked
Rookie
I had one PS85 strung with Bab Touch 16 on the mains and RPM Blast 16 on the crosses - measured at 54 lbs. The other was a full bed of Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 17 - measured at 50 lbs. The hybrid had great spin potential and was very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised by the PHT. It is the favorite poly of my hitting partner and it felt very good. I prefer RPM Blast for full poly jobs myself, but I would be happy with PHT too. I have played a K90 with a full VS Team 17 job and also with a full RPM Blast job and liked both of those. The VS Team was amazing and was a great match for the frame. If $60 string jobs didn't bother me so much, I would probably go with nat gut exclusively but then it would cut into my frame purchases and occasional private lessons. So I've been playing around with nat gut mains and poly crosses and been really happy with the level of spin I get from them. Using the hybrid in the PS85 I was spinning my serve from the ad side down the center line and hitting the fence ~3-4 feet to the left of center. I can't recall getting that much spin from any of my other frame / string combos.
rudester
Professional
Thanks all, for the suggestions, it seems that a hybrid, natural gut/Poly is a very popular option for PS85 strings, i am very happy at present with a full bed of natural gut, but perhaps i can get a bit more spin with Poly in the cross. With the present economy this also may be a way to make a set of natural gut go farther.
sunof tennis
Professional
If you decide you don't like the gut/ploy hybrid, you can also reduce the cost by putting a multi or synthetic in the crosses with gut in the mains. Still get most of the benifits that gut provides
jdunnie014159
Rookie
Just got my pair in the mail today. They're probably the best looking racquets I've seen except for Prestige Mids. I had TW match them for the extra $10, but they did so unstrung. Here are the specs:
12.06oz, 11 15/16" balance point, 294 swing weight.
My question is what is the new swing weight when strung with Isospeed 1.20 poly (poor quality string job by the way from TW)? Is there a way to figure this out without an RDC?
12.06oz, 11 15/16" balance point, 294 swing weight.
My question is what is the new swing weight when strung with Isospeed 1.20 poly (poor quality string job by the way from TW)? Is there a way to figure this out without an RDC?
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Just got my pair in the mail today. They're probably the best looking racquets I've seen except for Prestige Mids. I had TW match them for the extra $10, but they did so unstrung. Here are the specs:
12.06oz, 11 15/16" balance point, 294 swing weight.
My question is what is the new swing weight when strung with Isospeed 1.20 poly (poor quality string job by the way from TW)? Is there a way to figure this out without an RDC?
Easiest way to measure sw is by using the iPhone/touch/pad app. Thats right, there's actually an excellent app for that. Or the manual method described in yhe learning section of TW. Should be around 320 though.
Just got my pair in the mail today. They're probably the best looking racquets I've seen except for Prestige Mids. I had TW match them for the extra $10, but they did so unstrung. Here are the specs:
12.06oz, 11 15/16" balance point, 294 swing weight.
My question is what is the new swing weight when strung with Isospeed 1.20 poly (poor quality string job by the way from TW)? Is there a way to figure this out without an RDC?
i would say strings add about 30sw points, so about324...
How do you use that app, is it hard to do? A friend has an iphone... want to check it out..
el sergento
Hall of Fame
How do you use that app, is it hard to do? A friend has an iphone... want to check it out..
No, it's super easy. You hang the racquet in the exact same way as you would the manual way, but instead of using a stop watch and then doing the math yourself, the camera of the phone/device tracks the swings of the racquet and does all the measurements for you.
It's called Swing Weight app and it's made by a board member here. Worth every penny. I think it's like 2$.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
More like 16 pts IME.
ac3111
Professional
Wilson K95 is 12pts unstrung and 8 pts strung...
Wilson K90 is 12pts unstrung and around 9 strung...
16 unstrung seems a bit far away or not?
Lendl
Semi-Pro
Got some of these in the mail today. My elbow is healing from a nasty case of golfer's elbow so I won't hit them right away but grabbed them in case they sell out and I want to try and hit with them again. Used them in high school in the late 80's and don't remember the head being this small
Sure have gotten used to 95-100 square inch rackets over the years!
Sure have gotten used to 95-100 square inch rackets over the years!
WilsonPlayer101
Professional
For those of you who own this Pro Staff 6.0 and have experience with the old Head Arthur Ashe Comp racquets, how does it compare? I ask because my fave racquet in the early to mid '80s was the Ashe, it was my first good racquet and even those these two racquets might be constructed differently they are both old school racquets and wondering how they might compare. I should know the answer to this as I did own an original Pro Staff 6.0 but I only had it a short period and forgot how it was. So if any of you can compare the two could you please let give feed back on this? Oh one last thing, I do know that the head size, altho small on the Pro Staff is small compared to today's standards, it's smaller than even the Arthur Ashe. I recall the Ashe a dream to hit with but nowadays it won't happen because the head is so small and not used to it.
Thanks
Thanks
WilsonPlayer101
Professional
You are probably right because when I had a Pro Staff 85 for a short period I didn't like it because it made my arm hurt which probably meant it was a lot more stiff than the Arthur Ashe Comp. Even tho the PS85 I had hurt my arm I would be curious to try the reissue and see how it feels to me 20 years on since I had my PS85.
Thanks for the input on this movdqa.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
It's amazing because back in the day the PS 6.0 85 was considered one of the stiffest racquets on the market. In fact, I hated it because I loved ultra flexy racquets like my Dunlop Max 200G. But today's racquets have gotten so ridiculously stiff (think Babolat and the like), that now the PS 6.0 85 is considered one of the most flexy racquets available. The new re-issue is flexy and very comfortable to play with. :shock:
WilsonPlayer101
Professional
See, that's what I am thinking too. Now that I have played with some pretty stiff racquets I wonder if the PS85 will feel flexy enough to be comfortable even tho back then I thought it was too stiff which lead to some arm pain. I used to love my AA Comp racquet but the head is even smaller than the PS85 so I am wondering if the PS85 would be a good racquet for me now. It might be.
WilsonPlayer101
Professional
BreakPoint, I use a Head Youtek Prestige MP nowadays which is a lot less stiff than say the Nadal Babolat to be extreme about it, but do you know by any chance how the PS85 compares stiffness wise to the Prestige MP? I can look at the specs for the stiffness rating but honestly that's only part of it, a lot of other factors contribute, so if you have experience with the Prestige could you tell me how they compare? Thanks.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I've hit with the YouTek Prestige Pro, and although it's not stiff by today's standards, I'd say this PS 6.0 85 re-issue is even less stiff. It really is a very comfortable racquet to play with. I've had a history of elbow problems in the past but playing with this PS 6.0 85 has given me zero elbow twinges at all. Whereas, hitting with the BLX Blade Tour gave me wrist and elbow twinges after just 5 minutes.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
one factor for the increased comfort now could be string tension. i recall 20 years ago, string tensions were higher at 55-65 lbs for mids and 65-75 lbs for OSs. from what i'm seeing now, alot of folks here are stringing their PS85s in the 45-55 which goes quite a ways in improving comfort.
