After many restless days of anticipation, my first of two (matched pair) Wilson nCode Six-One Tours arrived via Fed Ex yesterday. Of course, I was immediately off to the courts for extended demos both last night and this afternoon! Here are my initial impressions after a total of approximately five and a half hours of drilling and competitive point play against a very capable 5.5 player. Owing to nasty weather w/ scattered showers and thunderstorms, the tests took place indoors, on medium speed hard courts.
The tester: 42yo male. 6'2", 181#. 5.0-5.5 aggressive all courter.
Frame of Reference: Wilson PS 6.0 95 Tour, Euro version, strung at 63# w/ the same Hybrid (VS Touch 17 guage natural gut/Lux BB ALU 16 Rough) listed below.
Aesthetics, and 'Subjective Feel': The nCode frame has a quality feel and is very nicely made, w/ consistent paint and a great 'pick up' weight. In comparison to the Tour 90 (also on hand for side by side assessment, and strung identically) the first thing one notices, even before a ball is struck, is the difference in weight distribution. The nCode frame feels equally substantial but is easier to swing. My guess would be that the SW will fall in the low 320's, maybe even slightly less. The head size looks VERY similiar to my Euro 6.0 95's. In fact they are nearly identical,even though the two frames are listed at 90si and 95si respectively. Go figure. And oh, yes I do love those Wilson leather grips, and the shape of the underlying handle!
Specifications of tested frame: 12.4 oz strung; 9 points HL w/ the Wilson Pro Overgrip installed. No dampener, thank you. Strung w/ a hybrid: VS Touch natural gut 17 guage on the mains at 60#, Luxilon BB ALU Rough 16 on the crosses at 58#.
Groundstrokes:
FH-I LOVE this frame on the forehand, just like I did the Tour 90 when I first played it, and just like I remember my love affair w/ the old PS 6.0 85. Since I began playing the Euro 6.0 95 Tour last summer my forehand has become my second best shot (after my serve). Take note: the nCode is truly a superior weapon on the forehand groundstroke. Why? Well, with the nCode I was able to generate more racquet head speed AND spin. This spells greater velocity and enhanced control. The result was the ability to rip forehands w/ tremendous 'weight' and 'bite', driving my opponent backward, deeper in the court and opening angles for easy winners. I found myself swinging away, without fear of the ball 'flying' or a loss of control. My opponent commented on more than one occasion about the 'heaviness' of my FH groundstroke when using the nCode SixOne Tour.
BH-For a long time my one handed topspin backhand had been my stronger, more reliable groundstroke. This changed last summer (see above) with my move to the Euro Tour 95. Enter the nCode SixOne and voila the BH is back baby, neck and neck w/ the forehand again! Indeed, all the same comments noted above concerning the FH apply to the backhand. Namely, more racquet head speed and RPM's on the ball translate to the ability to pick a target and let 'er rip! One shot I struggled with when using both the 6.0 85 and the T90 was the down the line topspin drive (to occasionally break open a rally or keep my opponent off guard). I found myself hitting it late with these frames. Not so w/ the nCode SixOne. Put simply, it was easier to get the racquet back early and then strike THROUGH the contact point. In my opinion, one of the hallmarks of all great 'players' frames is the 'plow through' factor. Think hot Ginsu meets Parkay here. And speaking of slice, I've never had the pleasure of playing any frame better for my OHBH slice approach shot. I never had to measure it-just lean in, strike it firmly, and get ready to volley!
Transition/Touch Shots: Slice approaches (see above) were produced as well as I am capable of hitting them. The racquet is heavy enough but still feels very nimble, allowing half volleys and 'pick ups' to flow naturally, and with excellent control. Low approach volleys felt crisp and were easily directed as I pleased. I threw in a few drop or intentionally short approach shots just for fun and was suprised by the amount of back/side-spin I was getting. However if I have a major fuss w/ this frame it is in the ephemeral area of touch-there is a 'muted' quality to the nCode SixOne-not in a 'Volkl-like' way-but definitely noticeable, especially in comparison to my reference Euro Tour 95 and the the PS 6.0 85. I didn't always get the 'feedback' from the frame some other player's sticks provide.
Volleys: The 6.0 85 and T90 were each highly regarded by s/v players, and for good reason. I liked, but did not love, serving and volleying with my Euro 6.0 95. Truth be known (at least MY truth) the Tour 90 could feel a little 'clunky' at net, esp in fast paced exchanges. The nCode SixOne on the other hand seems to preserve the best features of its predeccesors (heft and reasonable maneuverabiity) while adding a certain 'firmness' and stability not found in its forerunners (IMHO) when hitting volleys. It is also CLEARLY more agile. I found myself getting to more difficult volleys and controlling them. Again, Wilson seems to have found a balance between weight/stability and maneurverability that's hard to describe, but certainly in evidence when a guy fires a 90MPH groundie right at your privates. Set the racquet, firm your wrist, and let the frame do the rest! ACCURACY on the volley was another forte of the nCode. This frame can also offer plenty of 'pop' but you have to have good technique and use your feet to transfer body weight into the volley. This became evident toward the end of our nearly three hour hit today, when I began to tire a bit at net. (Read: my tongue was hanging out and I was a bit deyhdrated, but wanted to keep hitting)
Serves/Overheads: Here's the best part-I can really serve with this thing! I know, I know......the PS 6.0 85 is a great frame for serving. I didn't say it wasn't/isn't. Just not that great FOR ME. I can blast the flat first serve w/ the 6.0 85, and get DECENT kick on the second. Same with the T90 and Euro Tour 95. Honestly I've always felt my serve suffered a bit when I changed to the Euro 95 last year-this was one area where I found the PS 6.0 95 Original superior. With the n Code I was absolutely launching the first serve, and hitting the kick and slice serves to the outer limits of my ability. I was able to both pound and place overheads better as well-again I think this was related to the more maneuverable feel of the frame. It just felt a bit easier to get the racquet prepared early. Initially I was (pleasantly) suprised by the serving performance of the nCode SixOne. But maybe I shouldn't have been! After all, more racquet head speed and greater 'bite' on the ball to produce more vigorous spin would certainly only help the serve, yes? And these qualities were in fact the very first things I noticed when hitting groundies in 'drill' format with the nCode.
Conclusion: The nCode SixOne Tour 90 is one heck of a fine player's frame. I can't speak to the role of 'nano-technology' in determining the observed end results, but this stick DOES in fact feel more stable AND more maneuverable in play. I'd say it also possesses a most unique and (to me at least) truly fascinating quality-somehow both power AND control seem enhanced in comparison to it's 'lineage' frames, the 6.0 85 and T90. To get picky, it does NOT offer the last word in 'feel'-Volkl and Head probably still hold those trophies. But for a balance of virtues, and for serving peformance, the nCode will be tough to better. I'll be buying two more (sorry Fabrice).
P.S. In the interest of fairness, given my 'gushing' over this frame, I had a similiarly favorable initial impression of the Tour 90, but found it ultimately NOT my cup of tea over time, primarily owing to it's aforementioned percieved occasional 'clunkiness' at net. I will keep you posted!
Nonetheless the tide in our competitive play turned during the same time frame, w/ my taking a consistent lead 
