The pro stock to end all pro stocks: The Fed racket

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Since you have 20,000 posts I'm going to assume you know what you're talking about. :D If you were to compare an early 90s PS85 to the current one, do you notice any discernible difference in how they play?

I have been close to buying some new ones but most of my existing ones which I play with often are the Taiwan model (all bought about 93-ish) and they play much nicer than the Chinese frame I bought in about 98, which is last resort to play with it's so crap. The Taiwanese frames are miles closer to the St Vincent frame in how they feel imo.

Are these new-era ones worth the effort given Wilson's famous lack of quality control on it's other frames? (to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised to even find out the new frames have no kevlar in them or aren't braided).
I actually prefer the new reissued PS 6.0 85 version to any of the previous versions. It's flexier and swings much easier. It's much more of a scalpel than a log, IMO. I can play all day with the new one,whereas the older ones can get burdensome after a while. The feel of the new one is also incredibly sweet, IMO. It's definitely braided graphite and Kevlar. Nothing else could possibly feel this good. :)
 
Isn't braided grafite the way far most serious rackets are made these days?
I have PS 85, K and BLX 90. If you hold them in the node, and pluck them with the other hand, they sound virtually identical. It might not be scientifical, but it tells me that they are of very identical composition.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Isn't braided grafite the way far most serious rackets are made these days?
I have PS 85, K and BLX 90. If you hold them in the node, and pluck them with the other hand, they sound virtually identical. It might not be scientifical, but it tells me that they are of very identical composition.

I think the graphite in modern frames is low quality and is mixed with a lot of nano junk like sand basalt etc to cut down on the cost while simultaneously claiming that it is high tech.
 

floydcouncil

Professional
Isn't braided grafite the way far most serious rackets are made these days?
I have PS 85, K and BLX 90. If you hold them in the node, and pluck them with the other hand, they sound virtually identical. It might not be scientifical, but it tells me that they are of very identical composition.

I use a Flux Capacitor that will tell me exactly what % of my sticks are actually Kevlar. I don't believe it's quite 20% as advertised. Wilson QC SUX...............
 

ian2

Semi-Pro
...Weight: 358 grams (12.6 ounces)
Balance: 6 pts. HL
Swing Weight: 332.33 (I took 3 measurements with the TW swing weight calculator, 309, 337, and 351 were the readings)
*Note: Swing weight measurement is inexact, as I could only measure to one tenth of a second, not one one-hundredth of a second as the instructions suggest...
Why not? http://www.estopwatch.net/
309, 337, and 351, really? This makes OP's swing weight figure not a measurement but a guess. My guess it's more like 345-350, based on the static weight and balance. Doesn't matter though: there are no miracle rackets or miracle specs. I like to mess with my rackets as much as anyone (more than most actually), but in the end the limitation is person holding the racket :)
 

JoelDali

Talk Tennis Guru
I actually prefer the new reissued PS 6.0 85 version to any of the previous versions. It's flexier and swings much easier. It's much more of a scalpel than a log, IMO. I can play all day with the new one,whereas the older ones can get burdensome after a while. The feel of the new one is also incredibly sweet, IMO. It's definitely braided graphite and Kevlar. Nothing else could possibly feel this good. :)

No, its the Basalt Crystals that has made the BLX PS 85 the super duper frame of the century. I just sold mine for $50 though. Epic discount.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
I actually prefer the new reissued PS 6.0 85 version to any of the previous versions. It's flexier and swings much easier. It's much more of a scalpel than a log, IMO. I can play all day with the new one,whereas the older ones can get burdensome after a while. The feel of the new one is also incredibly sweet, IMO. It's definitely braided graphite and Kevlar. Nothing else could possibly feel this good. :)

Why do you say the PS 85 has great feel? Its stiffness will be around 65. I think flexy frames under 60 like the Rebel 95 will feel the best.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
No, its the Basalt Crystals that has made the BLX PS 85 the super duper frame of the century. I just sold mine for $50 though. Epic discount.
There are no Basalt Crystals in the reissued PS 6.0 85. "BLX" is not even in the racquet's name. No, the butt cap doesn't mean anything. That's all Wilson has now as they don't make the old PS butt caps anymore.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Why do you say the PS 85 has great feel? Its stiffness will be around 65. I think flexy frames under 60 like the Rebel 95 will feel the best.
Stiffness ratings mean nothing. It's what it actually feels like that matters.

The PS 6.0 95 was rated at RA 67, while everyone agrees it feels more like RA 62.

Besides, the reissued PS 6.0 85's stiffness is rated at RA 62 anyway.
 

JoelDali

Talk Tennis Guru
Pretty sure I heard the BLX 85 has about 3.5 grams of Basalt Crystals for added feel and flex for a more modern SV game.
 

JoelDali

Talk Tennis Guru
The gold butt cap on my 1st generation PS 85 reissue says BLX.

I will saw it open to confirm the presence of Basalt Crystals if you dare me.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Pretty sure I heard the BLX 85 has about 3.5 grams of Basalt Crystals for added feel and flex for a more modern SV game.
Well, I think you heard wrong. The reissued PS 6.0 85 feels the same as the China versions from 10 years ago except that it's easier to swing.
 
Braided graphite is used all over the place at the moment. No need to put nanobasalt ao in it to save money. Specially at the prices of top of the line rackets today.
 

morten

Hall of Fame
Well Bobby Jr, IMO the new ps85 is good, swings a bit lighter, but i am not like Brakpoint so excited about them, i find them quite a bit too flexible, and not as stable as before... still i have 4 of the new ones and 12 all together...
 

NJ1

Professional
Well, I think you heard wrong. The reissued PS 6.0 85 feels the same as the China versions from 10 years ago except that it's easier to swing.

Nah, Dali is correct. Seems he has an inside line on this, most likely he's a close relation of Federer. His half-brother would be my guess.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Or you probably got stronger in 10 years ;)
Um...no, I wish. In fact, I've gotten much weaker. That's why I can't handle 14 oz. racquets anymore like I used to as a kid playing with wood racquets. :(

The reissue PS 6.0 85 is 12.5 oz. with a swingweight of only 321 (TW's measured specs). Whereas, the ones sold 10 years ago were 12.6 oz. with a swingweight of 329 (again, TW's measured specs).
 

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
Prologue:

As a few of you may know, I had the luck of coming in to possession of a Custom Wilson 93 racket, and I gave a review of it. In this thread, I will include a review of the 93 as well as a new racket.



Anyway, back on topic:

I managed to get a hold of one gem of a racket, a racket that is simply extraordinary! That’s right, an actual Federer frame, right from the Wilson pro room (not customized by P1 yet). It still has a Wilson leather grip (the best grip I’ve ever seen, far superior to retail BTW). The racket has a custom grip mold, which makes a few shots easier than with a regular grip (more on that to follow). In addition, the head guard is the same as the nicer K factor head guards, much nicer than the retail plastic 2012 ones.

As you can see in the pics, this racket is a 2012 Fed frame, with the current (and best, IMO) paintjob. The grip seems slightly shorter than usual 90 square inch grip, but the racket is still 27 inches long.

I strung it with Babolat VS and ALU Rough (51 lbs./48 lbs.), added a Tourna Tac XL over grip, and added Power pads (just for fun).

Then, the fun began! I hit with it for 6.5 hours, and was impressed (obviously). Here’s a detailed review of Fed’s and the 93:

Pictures!!!:

CENTER]

This picture illustrates the difference between the Federer grommet and the retail grommet of a PSBLX95

[CEIMG]

A look at the butt cap of the frame (note: it is a trap door butt cap, used since the racket hasn’t been sent to P1 yet)[/CENTER]

so how did you get your hands on this? auction?
 

フェデラー

Hall of Fame
Yup, it is very headlight. Mine is 13.0 oz. but it swings so easily. :)

That's what I love about midsize rackets from wilson. They just glide through the air. I've tried quite a few rackets over the years, but all of them seem so unwieldy compared to various 90s I've used.
 

JoelDali

Talk Tennis Guru
it's easier to swing.

tumblr_m59cqs3Gdl1qdpw37.gif
 

bjsnider

Hall of Fame
I wonder why the pro shops don't make these racquets available to the general public through some means, even through a difficult process involving a written application and a huge fee or something. Are they afraid of more publicity regarding the fact that pros don't use retail sticks?
 
Wow...
Great find FN13.
I was wondering where the lead is placed?
How different is it to the PSBLX 90?
And how similar is it to the K 90?


Since the racket hasn't been customized by P1, there is no lead on the 12 o'clock position, which is why the racket weighs 6 grams less than the Fabfed Fed sticks.

I heard from another guy who got a racket that there are lead balls in the handle of his, so I would assume mine also has those :)

The racket is similar to most 90's from wilson, just better. More feel, feels really good to hit the sweet spot, better slice backhand, it's got subtle improvements on the frame as a whole.

I'd say it's more similar to the K90 than the BLXPS90, but it's very similar to both.

Hope this helps :)
 
Since the racket hasn't been customized by P1, there is no lead on the 12 o'clock position, which is why the racket weighs 6 grams less than the Fabfed Fed sticks.

I heard from another guy who got a racket that there are lead balls in the handle of his, so I would assume mine also has those :)

The racket is similar to most 90's from wilson, just better. More feel, feels really good to hit the sweet spot, better slice backhand, it's got subtle improvements on the frame as a whole.

I'd say it's more similar to the K90 than the BLXPS90, but it's very similar to both.

Hope this helps :)

Ah... I see.
So if P1 did put 6 grams at 12, the balance point would be different right?
More headheavy, I'm guessing.
About 4pts HL?

I wonder why the lead wasn't placed there.
Is it because P1 never had to modify this one?

Thanks for the reply.
Did help clear things up.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
I'd say it's more similar to the K90 than the BLXPS90, but it's very similar to both.
Possibly because much of the solid evidence* we have had to date leans towards Federer still using the K90 - just with a new paint job.

*actual comparisons of his actual playing frames with previous paint jobs and retail frames.
 
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Ah... I see.
So if P1 did put 6 grams at 12, the balance point would be different right?
More headheavy, I'm guessing.
About 4pts HL?

I wonder why the lead wasn't placed there.
Is it because P1 never had to modify this one?

Thanks for the reply.
Did help clear things up.

P1 puts whatever is necessary to make the Fed frame reach 364 grams while keeping his specs (whatever they actually are, I think Fabfed figured out a balance of 6 pts).

This racket didn't pass through P1, it's straight from Wilson, which is why there is no weight added.
 

frinton

Professional
Yes, he talked to his connection (at wilson) and he convinced me that this is a fed frame with a generic Wilson grip. The grip is shorter than retail, the paint job has a few stickers missing (showing that it's a pro room frame), and there is only one pro room pro who uses the 90- roger federer. In addition, my connection sold 3 rackets to a fed fan in Asia who has federer frames that were used by him (I presume this is fabfed), and this guy has confirmed that the frame is a legit federer.

Therefore, I am happy! :)

I have 3 PS BLX90, from a pro but I am not sure they are even pro stock. Can you tell me which stickers are missing on your stick? Have you compared your Fed stick to a retail? What are the differences? Does anyone how I can find out if mine are pro or retail stock? Thanks, your help is appreciated
 
I have 3 PS BLX90, from a pro but I am not sure they are even pro stock. Can you tell me which stickers are missing on your stick? Have you compared your Fed stick to a retail? What are the differences? Does anyone how I can find out if mine are pro or retail stock? Thanks, your help is appreciated

Pro stock frames do not (generally) have quality control stickers, so look for one of those :)
 

GoSurfBoy

Semi-Pro
i want this 93 so bad!!!!!
do you think it will come out next year, or should I just buy some flat beam 95's and weight them up?

Trust me; leaded or not, the retail 95 is nowhere near the 93 pro frame.

Wilson won't even acknowledge there is a 93, so I you aren't going to see it hit the market - unless Fed' makes the switch.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Pro stock frames do not (generally) have quality control stickers, so look for one of those :)
Why not? They still get produced and need to pass muster.

We know you've got what your contact says is a Federer frame. Your source was outed as supplying you some erroneous info on the frame - we know that much. From all the alleged Federer frames I've seen over the years any, any doubt of any of the details of supply basically means the frame is not as *advertised*. I know people want to have the Federer frame and there is tons of incentive for people with access to Wilson's pro room to say they have a legit Federer frame but the reality is the majority do not - no matter what they say or have been told.

You may indeed have a very cool, special, not-for-retail frame but the fact it came via the Wilson pro room alone makes me think it's not a Fed frame - for the reasons I outlined on an earlier page in this thread.

One detail you supplied made me pretty sure the frame is not what your supplier claims: the custom moulded handle you talked about in the very first post in this thread. So, let's take it as a given we know Federer's frames are supplied without any handle (P1 says so). If indeed yours was merely a Federer frame split off from the production run of his frames and somehow intended for the pro room (to show off perhaps?), why would it have a custom mould grip on it? Whose mould would it be? If your source is so certain it is a legit Federer pallet then he should be able to answer such a relevant question about the frame. You should ask him. If I had a super special frame with some sort of custom mould you can bet I, and I imagine anyone serious about establishing authenticity, would know whose it was.

To add to this, Wilson don't make demo frames for their general sponsored pros which already have their custom mould on them. Think about it, it makes no sense to go to all that trouble for a demo. Nor do I see any Wilson pros playing with 90s... and you only have to look at the talk on this board to see no tour level player in his right mind would switch down to a smaller frame. Hacks do it because they think it'll help them play like Federer etc but pros... well, show me someone who's gone down to a 90 and I'll be quite surprised.

Now, this doesn't mean it's not an actual Federer frame, it's just the evidence - the grip, the grommet from the previous pain job, the lack of sticker or whatever - is relatively poor evidence by the standards which have come past this board.

The last detail which you might go back to your guy and ask about is how come of all the legitimate Federer frames (which have been confirmed) which have been shown/photographed etc, no others that I recall have ever come via the pro room?
 
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フェデラー

Hall of Fame
Trust me; leaded or not, the retail 95 is nowhere near the 93 pro frame.

Wilson won't even acknowledge there is a 93, so I you aren't going to see it hit the market - unless Fed' makes the switch.

But not to long ago wilson had the K blade tour which was awesome. I'm praying they release a 93 with a box beam, that would be a dream. But for now, I'm okay with a 90. It's not a dramatic difference, but different enough.
 
Why not? They still get produced and need to pass muster.

We know you've got what your contact says is a Federer frame. Your source was outed as supplying you some erroneous info on the frame - we know that much. From all the alleged Federer frames I've seen over the years any, any doubt of any of the details of supply basically means the frame is not as *advertised*. I know people want to have the Federer frame and there is tons of incentive for people with access to Wilson's pro room to say they have a legit Federer frame but the reality is the majority do not - no matter what they say or have been told.

You may indeed have a very cool, special, not-for-retail frame but the fact it came via the Wilson pro room alone makes me think it's not a Fed frame - for the reasons I outlined on an earlier page in this thread.

One detail you supplied made me pretty sure the frame is not what your supplier claims: the custom moulded handle you talked about in the very first post in this thread. So, let's take it as a given we know Federer's frames are supplied without any handle (P1 says so). If indeed yours was merely a Federer frame split off from the production run of his frames and somehow intended for the pro room (to show off perhaps?), why would it have a custom mould grip on it? Whose mould would it be? If your source is so certain it is a legit Federer pallet then he should be able to answer such a relevant question about the frame. You should ask him. If I had a super special frame with some sort of custom mould you can bet I, and I imagine anyone serious about establishing authenticity, would know whose it was.

To add to this, Wilson don't make demo frames for their general sponsored pros which already have their custom mould on them. Think about it, it makes no sense to go to all that trouble for a demo. Nor do I see any Wilson pros playing with 90s... and you only have to look at the talk on this board to see no tour level player in his right mind would switch down to a smaller frame. Hacks do it because they think it'll help them play like Federer etc but pros... well, show me someone who's gone down to a 90 and I'll be quite surprised.

Now, this doesn't mean it's not an actual Federer frame, it's just the evidence - the grip, the grommet from the previous pain job, the lack of sticker or whatever - is relatively poor evidence by the standards which have come past this board.

The last detail which you might go back to your guy and ask about is how come of all the legitimate Federer frames (which have been confirmed) which have been shown/photographed etc, no others that I recall have ever come via the pro room?

I'm sorry man, but I'm going to trust my connection who has proven trustworthy twice now over a random poster on the internet (not that I don't respect you as a poster, but I am really confident in my connection). :)

The custom grip was my own thought, as it was the same as the Custom 93 frame, which came directly from an ATP pro to my connection. I'm sorry if I confused anyone (or poorly worded the comment on the grip).

The racket has no Wilson QC sticker, has a shorter handle than retail, has a better grommet, and feels better when hitting. I am very confident that this is a Fed frame. :)
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
But not to long ago wilson had the K blade tour which was awesome. I'm praying they release a 93 with a box beam, that would be a dream. But for now, I'm okay with a 90. It's not a dramatic difference, but different enough.

Would a 93 honesty make any difference from a 90? I personally think it would play the same
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
I'm watching the US Open qualies right now and this guy Kamil Capkovic is using what appears to be a PS 90 BLX. He's playing against Rosol right now, who beat Nadal at Wimbledon. So there might be other pros who use the PS 90 BLX and he probably gets his racquets from the Wilson Pro Room.

I found a pic of Capkovic using the older K90 paintjob:

P282f321b_kamil.jpg
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
I'm watching the US Open qualies right now and this guy Kamil Capkovic is using what appears to be a PS 90 BLX...
Fair enough - there are always outlying examples which buck the trend. He's 26, been on the tour for 7 years and not yet been in the top 200. Maybe he should change to a larger head size... I wonder how much he shanks? :lol:

I said earlier but as a non-scientific benchmark on the Wilson pro room - I personally know the coach of someone who has been the top 100 and spent a fair amount of time in the top 50 and Wilson ended her supply of pro room tweaked frames about two years ago. She used to get ones weighted/balanced/gripped from them. Now she just gets supplied effectively retail frames which her coach then does all the tweaking on Maybe they have gone through a higher quality control but otherwise they're standard. From that, I'd think it a fair guess to say a 200+ ranked (respectfully) journeyman who's only played 1 tour level match in 7 years probably doesn't get much love from Wilson.
 
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BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Fair enough - there are always outlying examples which buck the trend. He's 26, been on the tour for 7 years and not yet been in the top 200. Maybe he should change to a larger head size... I wonder how much he shanks? :lol:
Actually, I didn't see Capkovic shank even once during the entire match with Rosol. See? It's NOT about the headsize, but about how early off the bounce you hit the ball, your angle of attack, if you roll over the ball with your wrist, and your racquet head speed. That's why #1 Federer shanks but #250 Capkovic doesn't even though they both use the same size racquet. :)

BTW, as I recall, that French guy Josselin Ouanna used to also use the Tour 90.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Actually, I didn't see Capkovic shank even once during the entire match with Rosol. See? It's NOT about the headsize, but about how early off the bounce you hit the ball, your angle of attack, if you roll over the ball with your wrist, and your racquet head speed. That's why #1 Federer shanks but #250 Capkovic doesn't even though they both use the same size racquet..
It said the part about shanking for comedic purposes.

I use an 85 and hardly shank any balls. I have always agreed with your opinion on the lack of actual correlation between head-size and shanking.
 
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