All Pro Staff 85 editions in photos.
- Thread starter Pistol10
- Start date
Pistol10
Professional
What if this one is the first batch that was produced in Taiwan after closing the factory in St.vincent? The one that was made of unidirectional graphite not braided.
Pistol10
Professional
The db limited was produced in 2000 I guess. The price of this one in Japan around 400$, much more expensive than St.vincent!
I'm looking for buying one it when I'll find one with a reasonable price.
Pistol10
Professional
@wilson fan . What is written on the throat from the top (near the handle): "Kevlar Graphite" OR "Junior Graphite"?
I found one has the same paragraph that is written on your racket, the paragraph that contains "made in Taiwan".
wilson fan
New User
Hello Pistol10,
Here are pictures.
https://d.kuku.lu/2a3ed53616
https://d.kuku.lu/0808381806
https://d.kuku.lu/c38f4d3cc4
* Grommet section is long.
* There is no hologram sticker.
* There is no indication made in Taiwan. (No sticker) on the buttcap.
Here are pictures.
https://d.kuku.lu/2a3ed53616
https://d.kuku.lu/0808381806
https://d.kuku.lu/c38f4d3cc4
* Grommet section is long.
* There is no hologram sticker.
* There is no indication made in Taiwan. (No sticker) on the buttcap.
Pistol10
Professional
Thanks again @wilson fan . It's written Graphite Kevlar on the throat (from top, near the handle)
It's written in the paragraph on the throat (from inside), not on the buttcap.
wilson fan
New User
Pistol10
Professional
wilson fan
New User
Pistol10
Professional
Nice trick
.Are those the same model with different pj?
18×20 for a midsize (85), that's strange! I guess it's too difficult to hit spin using these rackets.
What are the weight of each racket?
How do you rank them base on power level?
How do you rank them based on flexibility?
You read my mind the other day until you posted it.
How will we know it is? That would be awesome if it does exist.
Wow, what a collection. Very jealous. And all her 85 personal racquets? The 7.0 85 18x20 was available in Japan as a retail stick.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
wilson fan
New User
Yes. Her personal racquet is Lite Classic painted. No her autograph paint on the throat.
https://d.kuku.lu/4f71bbe4a3
https://d.kuku.lu/a25241a085
Pistol10
Professional
This one is perhaps one of my favourites along with PSC 6.1 85 pj
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This one is light, right? Is it more flexible than other chinese ps 6.0 85?
Very nice collection by the way
. I'll annoy you with my usual questions as what I did to the others
. Which one is the most flexible? Which one is liter? Which one is the most powerful?I see all of it made in china except the classic one (made in Taiwan), right? Because the throat is narrower than others, specially the area between the throat & the handle.
This one is light, right? Is it more flexible than other chinese ps 6.0 85?
Very nice collection by the way
I'll annoy you with my usual questions as what I did to the others
I see all of it made in china except the classic one (made in Taiwan), right? Because the throat is narrower than others, specially the area between the throat & the handle.
The Japan spec ones are definitely lighter. They have all come in weighing between 342g-345g strung. So green Sampras 85, PSC6.1 85 and hyper 85.
The others I haven’t gone round to weighing.
As for how they play and one being flexier than the other I can’t say. These are old racquets and I haven’t really tried playing with them.
Pistol10
Professional
Sorry for using this thread. Just wanted to note that I'm selling a ps85 st.vincent late edition similar to Sampras's one (no.5 in the schedule) in the selling & trade section:
I've updated the images there by adding new images on post no.4. The buttcap doesn't have code letters which is similar to Sampras's personal racket.
I've updated the images there by adding new images on post no.4. The buttcap doesn't have code letters which is similar to Sampras's personal racket.
wilson fan
New User
Hello everyone,
I would like to ask Pro Staff master. I got PS 6.6 Stars and Stripes 85sq/in. several days ago. According to my memory, I believed that the string pattern was only 16x18. However, that frame has 76 string holes of 18x20. Of course, I know that 95sq/in. was 18x20 string pattern. Does anyone know if this 85sq/in. 18x20 is a retail version, prototype or Pro Stock version? Although the shape looks like the throat is slightly angular compared to China production, the beam width is 20.5 mm for both frames.
Interestingly, Steffi Graf's Pro Staff 85sq/in. 18x20 grommet may fit.
I would like to ask Pro Staff master. I got PS 6.6 Stars and Stripes 85sq/in. several days ago. According to my memory, I believed that the string pattern was only 16x18. However, that frame has 76 string holes of 18x20. Of course, I know that 95sq/in. was 18x20 string pattern. Does anyone know if this 85sq/in. 18x20 is a retail version, prototype or Pro Stock version? Although the shape looks like the throat is slightly angular compared to China production, the beam width is 20.5 mm for both frames.
Interestingly, Steffi Graf's Pro Staff 85sq/in. 18x20 grommet may fit.
LeoFulgencio
Rookie
I bought two belgian made Pro Staff 85 rackets last summer.
There are some measurement data from last stringing (2007) on both of them. One is clearly visible, the other is faded. Both have leather grips, grip size 4.
Do you know whats this is? Crack under the paint?
There are some measurement data from last stringing (2007) on both of them. One is clearly visible, the other is faded. Both have leather grips, grip size 4.
Do you know whats this is? Crack under the paint?
Sanglier
Semi-Pro
It's almost certainly a "GMQ" (I say 'almost' only because there is no clear photo of the butt cap in this listing); the little squiggly tail is not always easy to make out. The letter "G" dates the frame to 1984, the "Q" indicates St Vincent manufacture.
PS85 were made in both Chicago and St Vincent in 1984; the ones finished in Chicago were stamped "G_I", those from St Vincent "G_Q". The middle letter ("M" in this case) was the lot identifier. The letter "G" became (erroneously) associated with Chicago among some collectors because 1984 was the only year PS85 were made there, so all Chicago-made PS85 with original butt caps were "G" stamped, even though "G" was never Chicago-specific.
Also, the code "GMO" could not have existed, because both letters "M" and "O" were only used as lot identifiers, and only frames made by Long-Y (Taiwan) had their lot identifier in the last position in 1984 (and their year identifier in the second position). In other words, the only valid code on a 1984 Wilson frame that had an "O" in the last position was "LGO" (at that time, SanHoSun, Wilson's main Taiwanese contractor, followed the same letter order as Chicago and St Vincent, so their production code for lot "O" from 1984 would have been "GOS". They didn't change their letter order to be the same as Long-Y's until 1986, the "J" year).
PS85 were made in both Chicago and St Vincent in 1984; the ones finished in Chicago were stamped "G_I", those from St Vincent "G_Q". The middle letter ("M" in this case) was the lot identifier. The letter "G" became (erroneously) associated with Chicago among some collectors because 1984 was the only year PS85 were made there, so all Chicago-made PS85 with original butt caps were "G" stamped, even though "G" was never Chicago-specific.
Also, the code "GMO" could not have existed, because both letters "M" and "O" were only used as lot identifiers, and only frames made by Long-Y (Taiwan) had their lot identifier in the last position in 1984 (and their year identifier in the second position). In other words, the only valid code on a 1984 Wilson frame that had an "O" in the last position was "LGO" (at that time, SanHoSun, Wilson's main Taiwanese contractor, followed the same letter order as Chicago and St Vincent, so their production code for lot "O" from 1984 would have been "GOS". They didn't change their letter order to be the same as Long-Y's until 1986, the "J" year).
How much is a Pete Sampras 1st St. Vincent manufacture worth? Based on the chart above it is a Version 3 in nice condition. The listing is also on **** for $5,000 however it may be signed. How much is Sampras signature worth?
joe sch
Legend
Depends on condition and current market. Mint condition is worth a premium.
The player signatures do not increase the value like a racket from the players stock and then even lots more if it was played and of course what match it was played at. All this would need some COA otherwise its just a story.
joe sch
Legend
Given its a Belgium version that did not have the red primer then the paint would probably not last as long especially at stress points like the throat junctions.I bought two belgian made Pro Staff 85 rackets last summer.
There are some measurement data from last stringing (2007) on both of them. One is clearly visible, the other is faded. Both have leather grips, grip size 4.
Do you know whats this is? Crack under the paint?
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boxerrumble
New User
Can you guys help me identify this racket? Is it a SV1? It has red primers, white BC with GMQ (looks like O but the bottom is worn), bumperless, square end of grommet, I think the only thing is the person might have taken off the sticker on the inside of the throat because both sides is empty. I can still see some sticker residue maybe on the side that's suppose to have a sticker.
Hello @Pistol10 and everyone here, thank you very much for the great work you published here for us all. I'm in France and I know that PS85 owners here rely very much on your table and pictures which are definitely our main reference.Ok. Because many people don't know the differences between all versions of Pro Staff 85, I want to make this thread to show the differences in pictures.
I'll focus only on the main differences that you can detect easily in photos, other differences such as primary paint under paint job and the type of black color used for the paint job are really difficult to be detected in most photos, so I'll not mention it. Hope this will help who wants to buy one.
This is not complete,, I'm missing photos, I hope who has PS85 help us with some photos, and to correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks in advance to all. I'll keep updating this first post based on your posts.
This is a schedule below, you'll find all the editions. Note: one edition is missed which is the last "second" edition of made in Taiwan, I'll describe it and mention some notes at the end of this post.
1) Throat.
* Chicago (bumperless):
Side1: Tension rec 65-70lbs lable:
Side2: Empty.
* Belgium: (bumperless).
Side1: Only one lable on throat, tension rec 55-65lbs:
Side2: Empty, same as Chicago.
* St. Vincent 1 (bumperless):
Side1: Same as Chicago.
Side2: Empty, same as Chicago.
* St. Vincent 2 & 3 (100% The same paint job) :
Side1: Tension rec 55-65lbs lable:
Side2: Empty, same as Chicago.
* St. Vincent 4:
Side1:
Side2:
* St. Vincent 5: used by SAMPRAS (tension rec 50-60lbs printed on throat)
Side1:
Side2:
* Taiwan 1:
Side1:
Side2:
* Taiwan 2:
Side1: A recommendation of using Syn Gut was printed:
Side2: Same as Taiwan 1.
* China 1:
Side1: Note, Printed Pro Staff (first letter is capital letter) on the top :
Side2:
* China 2,3,4,5:
Side1: Note, printed "ProStaff6.0" on the top:
Side2:
2) End of grommet.
* In general, Chicago, Belgium, All St. Vincent have a square shape (slight differences):
* In general, Both Taiwan & All China have a round shape (slight differences):
Notes:
About the Taiwanese frames. There's 2 editions.
A_ The first edition is in the schedule. This one only was made of unidirectional graphite, not braided.
B_ The late edition. The same paint job, but Wilson added a recommendation of using Syn Gut.
One thing that we could add to the table is the year for each version, if it's relevant and identifiable. It would be very useful I think. In the thread @Sanglier explained that the first letter G in the 3-letter code corresponds to year 1984. So from this is it true to deduct the following years for the Chicago / St Vincent / Belgium versions ?
G for 1984
H for 1985
I : skipped and never used ?
J for 1986
K for 1987
For the Taiwanese and Chinese versions, is it possible to get the correspondance of the first letter with a specific year, or a period of X years ?
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Sanglier
Semi-Pro
It's a little bit more complicated than that. On Wilson frames made from 1990 thru today, it's almost always the second letter that denotes the year of manufacture. Prior to that, it could be the first, or the second, or even the third letter. One of the other letters also tells you which factory made the racquet, though its position also shifted over the years, depending on the factory. I went into some detail on this system in another thread. If you are curious, have a look here from page 1 thru page 4. https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...-classic-6-1-mutual-appreciation-club.569795/
As I mentioned before a number of times already (like a broken record), so long as the butt cap is original to the frame and the code is legible, you really don't need to get too hung up on all the cosmetic stuff when it comes to dating post-1978 Wilson products, unless you are specifically interested in collecting cosmetic variants. Exceptions to this system do exist, but they are exceedingly rare in my personal experience. Si vous avez encore des questions, n'hésitez pas à m'écrire en privé.
KANZA
Semi-Pro
I’ve had so much fun this week scrutinizing this thread because I found a WPS on another website. Let’s just say the website is reseller that let’s people Play Sports Again. the only description they had: Wilson pro staff Unknown type. No grip size, nothing else. It wasn’t a terrible price, so I bought it. Its in the mail, and I’m anxiously awaiting arrival on Monday. All they gave me was two photos. I have been over these photos as if they were a crime scene. I’ve probably spent way too many hours on this, but it has been fun. I’ll post the pics and close ups to see if anyone agrees with my conclusion:
Given the PRO STAFF all capitals font, it must be Chicago, Belgium, SV or taiwan.
it has a bumper (I think) even though one side of the bumper may be warped. That nails it down to SV or Taiwan
now, it may have a grip size on the inside (I think that what this is):
and the end of those grommets may be square or round. I can’t tell.
And it appears to say “midsize” on this side
and is this inside blank?
by my best guess is that I have a SV3 in the mail, but I don’t see any red primer paint chips at all
Given the PRO STAFF all capitals font, it must be Chicago, Belgium, SV or taiwan.
it has a bumper (I think) even though one side of the bumper may be warped. That nails it down to SV or Taiwan
now, it may have a grip size on the inside (I think that what this is):
and the end of those grommets may be square or round. I can’t tell.
And it appears to say “midsize” on this side
and is this inside blank?
by my best guess is that I have a SV3 in the mail, but I don’t see any red primer paint chips at all
Hi from Paris, France to everyone ! Regarding the grip of the St Vincent, which Fairway grip was originally mounted ? I mean which size of the Fairway grip as there is Standard, Mid Size, Double Handed and maybe others. I couldn't find this confirmed anywhere. Do you know which width was originally used by Wilson for the PS 85 in the 80s ?
Grip en Cuir Fairway - Moyen 1,20 m x 18-20 cm | Tennis Warehouse Europe
www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com
Not the one used in the 80's but the closest.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Just checked two of my Pro Staff 85 racquets.
Hyper Pro Staff 85 - 2000 Special Edition
No info on recommended string tension. Inside of throat says: "Hyper Carbon. Ultimate Power, Lightness and Strength" and also "Braided Construction Exclusively Manufactured by CHIAO DA"
Black buttcap with white 'W' and red box around the 'W'
Buttcap code is: GFZ
Does this mean it was made in 2003 ?
Black and Green Pete Sampras Autograph Pro Staff 85
Buttcap code is: SDP
Oddly, the buttcap is all black. Black 'W' and no red box around the 'W'. The throat area just above the grip is also slightly different. Appears a little bit more narrow. Frame itself might be a 1mm. thicker. I will check.
Recommended tension is 50-60 lbs.
I cannot figure out which country or year this one was made.
Sanglier
Semi-Pro
Yes. I believe this is the same frame you had shown in post# 900 here? https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/wilson-ps85-discussion-thread.240551/page-18
This is a 1991 (D) SanHoSun (S) product. A rare find!
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
1991 makes sense. Sampras supposedly used the green/black pro staff 85 in a few tournaments in 1991, including the French Open.Yes. I believe this is the same frame you had shown in post# 900 here? https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/wilson-ps85-discussion-thread.240551/page-18
This is a 1991 (D) SanHoSun (S) product. A rare find!
0 new items by Benjamin Rio
photos.app.goo.gl
Hi is this a St Vincent Taiwan?
It's got a bumper so it can't be a chicago or belgium frame.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Thanks. I don’t think I have ever seen these photos before.
Interesting that Sampras even tried using this racquet since he was known to not want to use paintjobs.
Also, I wonder if the limited edition version of the racquet sold to the public was similar to the version Sampras used in 1991 because it actually has some slight physical differences from a St. Vincent pro staff (and other pro staffs). The throat area is slightly more narrow.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
You can see the narrower throat in my last photo
0 new items by Benjamin Rio
Hi is this a St Vincent Taiwan?
It's got a bumper so it can't be a chicago or belgium frame.
Hi again,
Can anyone help please?
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I remember him using that paint job on the spring and early summer 1991 and going back to his normal Pro Staff. Interesting the racquet they sold in the USA was a widebody dual taper beam that was awful and looked nothing like what he was using. Wilson did sell it in Japan as I remember some Japanese guys I knew using it and being shocked that Wilson didn’t sell that in the USA.
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onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I've seen the US version. Totally different and actually IS a wide body dual taper racquet that I think was 95 sq inches.
I strung my PS 85 Sampras Auto with cheap Global gut or something like that. I've only hit with it a couple times. Will bring it out next time and hit with it. And maybe do a comparison with my PS 85 Hyper Pro Staff.
Probably SV 3-4-5.
Guys I’ve seen listings on reseller sites of PS85 that look like SV4 but the butt cap doesn’t have the small R beside the W. What’s up with that?
I’m confident the frame is SV4 because tension recommendation is printed on (rather than on sticker). The outside of throats have “midsize” printed on both sides indicating SV4 rather than SV5. Even have slight wear on the racquet revealing red primer. But the butt cap?? It has KXQ. Did someone replace the OG butt cap with an old SV butt cap essentially ruining it and turning it into Frankenstein?
I’m confident the frame is SV4 because tension recommendation is printed on (rather than on sticker). The outside of throats have “midsize” printed on both sides indicating SV4 rather than SV5. Even have slight wear on the racquet revealing red primer. But the butt cap?? It has KXQ. Did someone replace the OG butt cap with an old SV butt cap essentially ruining it and turning it into Frankenstein?
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