Let's Speculate-- Future of the Six One 95 line

[kingcheetah]

It seems like people are unsure of Wilson's plans for the Six One 95 line since the RF line has somewhat similar specs and the 2012 version of the six one didn't sell so well. I'm wondering what people think might be the future of the six one line?

Personally, I think Wilson keeps it because of its popularity amongst high-level players. Without the six one, wilson will be jumping from having two mid-sized frames and several 95" models to having only the ps95s and then the 97 line, followed by the blades.

 

[SpinToWin]

I'm not sure... In another thread some posters were suggesting that Wilson isn't sure what to do with the line either... PeterFig seems to know something, but obviously he is not free to share such information.

He did mention the new PJ for the Blade having green elements though.

 

[Chotobaka]

Pure speculation, but with an already existing mold they will continue make these as long as sales are there. I would not look for major innovation, but they could easily change the layup to be consistent with the rest of their lines. Or, just leave it as-is for a "Classic" model. They are unlikely to intentionally move away from an existing customer base until demand dwindles.

 

[WhereIsMacMac]

Six.One = Radical
Pro Staff = Prestige

The Radical is now becoming a tweener-ish racquet. Same thing will happen to Six.One

*pure speculation

 

[endbegin]

If they got rid of the 6.1 line, there would be no 95 sq in head size, other than the Pro Staff S version which is not a traditional 95.

Given the popularity of the 6.1 95 series among rec players, I'd be surprised if they got rid of it.

 

[Engelworks]

After accounting for the leather grip and string patterns, these three are pretty similar. I wouldn't be surprised if the 6.1 95 is eventually phased out. On the other hand, the 6.1 95 Spin version is a best seller according to Wilson, and it doesn't have a similar replacement in the new pro staff line. So basically I have no idea what will happen.

But I'm guessing the future of the 6.1 line will depend on how many 6.1 95 users switch to the RF97.

 

[Seth]

Wilson should just do what all the other shoe/racquet companies are doing and re-release a classic.

Bring back the Hyper ProStaff.

 

[ThomasGB]

I'm hoping they don't discontinue the line. :|

 

[SC in MA]

I'm hoping they don't discontinue the line. :|

Same here. As a long time 6.1 95 user (the 12oz+ versions), I don't see anything else in their racket lineup that compares.

Anyway, here's my take on the rackets mentioned as replacements for the 6.1 95 12oz version.

The 97RF specs appear too heavy for me. And if the reported 310 SW of the 97 is true, that's too light for me.

(Note: I like to play my rackets stock. Everytime I start tinkering with lead, my tinkering never stops and I focus on the racket setup rather than my game.)

I've tried the 6.1 95spin and found it to be too light. I tinkered with lead but got fed up trying to find a setup I liked.

That said, if there was a 97 with the specs of the 6.1 95 (12 oz with a SW around 325), I'd be very interested in that one.

 

[HRB]

Wilson should just do what all the other shoe/racquet companies are doing and re-release a classic.

Bring back the Hyper ProStaff.

Looking at the stat's the RF-A is basically my beloved HPS 6.1 with a 2 extra sq inches and 1 more cross string..which means it's basically the same stick (yes BP..I said it..2 lousy sq inches will mean sh#t to someone used to the HPS 6.1 at the high rec/club level).

In fact I have no desire to buy one until I inevitably find it for cheap on the "bay" in a year or so...because I basically already own 3!

 

[yangster007]

After accounting for the leather grip and string patterns, these three are pretty similar. I wouldn't be surprised if the 6.1 95 is eventually phased out. On the other hand, the 6.1 95 Spin version is a best seller according to Wilson, and it doesn't have a similar replacement in the new pro staff line. So basically I have no idea what will happen.

But I'm guessing the future of the 6.1 line will depend on how many 6.1 95 users switch to the RF97.

Thanks for the comparison. Now looking at them together, Wilson didn't really "innovate" the RF97, all they did was enlarge a Six One racquet by 2%, added another cross string. Because the beam width/shape/construction, stiffness, mass, are all the same. Basically Federer switched from the original 6.0 line to the 6.1 line

 

[kingcheetah]

I agree that on paper the 3 frames look similar. I think Wilson may eventually try to speed up the six one by lowering the swing weight if the RF autograph stays long-term. I'd like them to keep them all, as the six one is a classic, and the 18x20 is wilson's best control frame once the 90 and blade 93 are gone.

On another note, I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed yesterday, and came across a picture from Venus Williams' Eleven event... there's a photo of Venus with a girl holding a black tennis racquet with green at 3, 6 and 9... possibly the new Blade? (Pure speculation.)

 

[endbegin]

On another note, I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed yesterday, and came across a picture from Venus Williams' Eleven event... there's a photo of Venus with a girl holding a black tennis racquet with green at 3, 6 and 9... possibly the new Blade? (Pure speculation.)

That is the new Blade. PeterFig confirmed this on another recent thread.

 

[kingcheetah]

That is the new Blade. PeterFig confirmed this on another recent thread.

Thanks for confirmation on that! It looks really cool...I may have to give the blade another shot haha

 

[Engelworks]

nvm found it

 

[Fuji]

I would hazard a guess that then next line will be the last one for the 6.1 "classic" spec and the RF97 will phase it out completely. I bet they will keep the "S" version and that will be it.

It just doesn't make it sense to have so many similar frames.

-Fuji

 

[Ace of Aces]

Wilson should move the 6.1 95 weight to 315 unstrung to compete with the PDR and the Extreme Pro. They really have nothing in that range and the 6.1 95 16x18 is powerful enough to hang close with those frames power while offering better feel/ control. The federer stick will take most traditional 6.1 customers.

 

[Engelworks]

Wilson should move the 6.1 95 weight to 315 unstrung to compete with the PDR and the Extreme Pro. They really have nothing in that range and the 6.1 95 16x18 is powerful enough to hang close with those frames power while offering better feel/ control. The federer stick will take most traditional 6.1 customers.

Another option is to keep the 6.1 95 around the same weight but move more of the weight toward the handle. I'm still using an ncode 6.1 95 that's 15 pts HL unstrung (bad QC from Wilson I'm sure), and it has spoiled me because the new 6.1 racquets feel so clunky in comparison.

 

[SpinToWin]

I agree that on paper the 3 frames look similar. I think Wilson may eventually try to speed up the six one by lowering the swing weight if the RF autograph stays long-term. I'd like them to keep them all, as the six one is a classic, and the 18x20 is wilson's best control frame once the 90 and blade 93 are gone.

On another note, I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed yesterday, and came across a picture from Venus Williams' Eleven event... there's a photo of Venus with a girl holding a black tennis racquet with green at 3, 6 and 9... possibly the new Blade? (Pure speculation.)

That is the new Blade. PeterFig confirmed this on another recent thread.

Thanks for confirmation on that! It looks really cool...I may have to give the blade another shot haha

That is a Volkl surely.

 

[Fintft]

But the 97 doesn't have basalt in it; doesn't it vibrate more then the BLX 95?

 

[Power Player]

That is a Volkl surely.

Exactly what I thought - looks like a Volkl.

 

[AHJS]

In the can haha. the switch to larger head sizes is scary

 

[kingcheetah]

I think it depends on the power level of the RF97 vs the Six One as well. If they both are relatively the same, I see Wilson scrapping the Six one as they can charge more for the RF Autograph.

 

[yangster007]

I think it depends on the power level of the RF97 vs the Six One as well. If they both are relatively the same, I see Wilson scrapping the Six one as they can charge more for the RF Autograph.

Federer is the only reason Wilson tennis is alive in the last decade.

 

[robok9]

I think they should somehow change some of the racquets to a 3 year update basis, so that they can keep all the racquet lines without devoting as much focus on development. Other than that, I think they should get rid of the 16x18 and 16x19 for the six.one and blade respectively.

 

[kingcheetah]

Troy mentioned in the TW review that the RF autograph had as good control on his groundstrokes as the 18x20 six one, but with easier spin access... I agree that the Blade and Six One lines should just keep 18x20 though and scrap the open versions.

 

[Winners or Errors]

I got mine. They can do whatever they want to the line.