Forgiving player's racquet? (PS 6.0 85 too demanding!)

[a529612]

I'm currently using PS 6.0 85 St Vincent and find it too demanding for my 4.0 S&V game, especially on off center shots. What other mid to mid-plus player's racquets with FEEL should I check out? I'm open to vintage or current models. I'm 5' 7" with an average serve if that helps. TIA!

P.S. I demoed Tour 90, Rok, Volkl Tour 10 and Catapult 10 but still prefer the unmatched solid feel of my PS 6.0 85.

 

[Coda]

you think the original is more solid than the Tour 90? wow.

 

[a529612]

BTW, will natural gut increase the sweet spot of the 6.0 85? I'm playing with some cheap synthetic at this time.

 

[!<-_->!]

Have you tried the 6.0 95? In theory, it should have the same feel, but be more forgiving.

 

[Deuce]

The 6.0 95 is actually a quite different racquet than the 85.

If you like the feel of the 85, but want something more forgiving, try the iPrestige Mid. Very similar feel to the 6.0 85, but easier to play.

 

[kreative]

i.prestige mid or wilson 6.0 95 would be worth demos.

 

[phat]

I have tried Pro-Kennex core-1 No.6, and It feels quite similar to PS85, but more comfortable on the arm on off-centre hits (due to its bigger hitting area) and it is a perfect S&amp;V racquet (for me). just demo and see if you like it.... :wink:

 

[galain]

phat beat me to it. Give the Core 6 #1 a try if you want something that feels solid yet lets you know what's going on. A very very nice stick.

 

[Tomek]

My vote: LM Prestige MP

 

[Steve F.]

Nothing will feel like the ps85.
Very forgiving and mobile would be a Ti. Radical, good prices on it now, plus a good s/v stick. Very different feel though, but if your concerned about off center shots, the ti rad has plenty of mobility and control. Also, forgiving iP MP, and Yonex MP1. The latter is more demanding than the others (except the ps85), but a highly underrated control frame with decent pop.
So many good frames out there you could go nuts trying them all, really depends on your pricepoint and willingness to stick to a decision. Again, the ps85 is the oldest and best feel around, next to wood. As for gut, yeah it will improve pop and feel, but won't make off-center shots better, sounds like you want a bigger frame. Good luck.

 

[a529612]

My PS85 is totally stock, except the white Wilson overgrip covering the original Fairway leather grip. If I add lead tape to the head, will it increase the sweet spot and improve stability on off center shots? Right now, the racquet feels very torquey and harsh on off center shots.

 

[Stitch626]

Dunno if they are like the 85's but how bout an Estusa?

 

[Simbah2004]

I too love the 85, but I had to switch. I have tried all the frames cited above. However, I really liked the Pro Staff Zone 7.1 - lighter, flexible and with tons of control. It has been discontinued, but still available around for great prices. Too bad TW does not carry it anymore ):

 

[a529612]

Dunno if they are like the 85's but how bout an Estusa?

I'm checking out Estusa Power Beam. Has anyone tried it? If so, is it more "user friendly" than 6.0 85?

 

[andreh]

My PS85 is totally stock, except the white Wilson overgrip covering the original Fairway leather grip. If I add lead tape to the head, will it increase the sweet spot and improve stability on off center shots? Right now, the racquet feels very torquey and harsh on off center shots.

I've dabbled with lead tape in the hoop on PS 85s. Three grams on each side at 3 and 9 was totally crap, no control and no added power or stability. 6 grams on each side made it a killer from the baseline but to heavy for serves and sluggish to move around at the net. IMO, not a solution. Play unleaded or switch frames.

 

[serveboy]

Forget lead and what-not. There's only one thing you need to remember when wielding the PS85: keep your eye on the ball. I used to play with a Ti Radical. I could slack-off as much as I wanted and still hit the sweetspot. Due to wrist problems, I had to let the Rad go. I got a pair of PS85s instead. WOW! Wrist pain completely gone, but that's another story. Rightoff the bat I noticed, better yet felt, how often I was mis_hitting (why does the forum wildcard this word?). Next morning I went to hit against the wall and had only one thing in mind: keep my eye on the ball. In about an hour-and-a-half of hitting I probably missed the sweetspot three to four times. I translated that mindset to matches and I'm having a blast. The PS85 forces me to do what I should have always been doing.

&lt;- Loves his PS85

My forehand, slice, 1h backhand, serve, and vollies are going where I want them to with ample power and feel. The PS85's sweetspot is a thing to bewonder.

Give it another go and post-back with your results.

 

[a529612]

You are right. The PS 6.0 can do amazing things if I keep my eyes on the ball. However, I still find it very challenging to serve with power with this stick. It's a hit or miss for me. Just for fun, I picked up my wife's Triad 3.0 and I can easily serve in the 80's and 90's without going beyond my comfort zone. I find it much easier to generate racquet head speed with Triad 3.0 than PS 6.0. Is PS 6.0 too heavy for me?

 

[serveboy]

I'd like to thing any 16-35 yr old male should be able to generate ample racquet speed with the PS85. That is, with solid stroke mechanics.

How old are you? Male/female? Fitness level?

 

[a529612]

30 / M / reasonably fit. My serve mechanics is not very solid though. I can tell my timing is slightly off from time to time. The heavy swingweight and tiny sweetspot of PS85 just seems to make it worse.

 

[Deuce]

When I used the PS 85 for 2 years, I played fine with it - but it must have taken 20 mph off my serves. I eventually moved to the Pro Tour 280, and the 20 mph was instantly restored.

I like the feel and the size of the PS 85 - but I just couldn't accept what it did to my serving. I tried everything to fix it, but it was beyond me.

Now I play with an 81 sq. in. racquet, and I have no problems serving with it.

 

[dennis1188]

I hv a pair of both the PS 85 sqin St.V and the estusa pbp.
IMO the pbp is more flexible than the PS 85. I hv more 'pop' on serve and volley w/ the pbp (esp. when strung w/ gut). I like hitting top-spin ground strokes w/ the pbp. With the PS 85 I hit much flatter ground strokes.

 

[netman]

If memory serves me correctly, all of the top male players in the world use racquets that are 90 sq. in or bigger, with most at 95 or bigger. Why no PS 6.0 85's on the tour? Maybe because its time has come and gone? I'm sure if it was the best racquet available, you would see plenty of pros using it, even under paint jobs, if it helped them get paid.

There are plenty of great player's frames out there at or under 12 oz. that can tailored to your playing style. The Head Radical series, Pro Kennex 5g, Slazenger Pro Braided Henman and X1, Dunlop 200g and 300g, Prince Diablo and NXG series, etc., etc.

From your descriptions, it sounds like your racquet is holding you back. Get an armload of these frames and demo, demo, demo. Its fun and maybe you'll solve your problems.