N6.1 16 x 18 v 18 x 20

[Strato]

Been playing with a Wilson Ncode 6.1 16 x 18 for the past 6 months. Its a great frame, great control from the baseline. Very solid and true. A bit demanding, but if you set up properly the ball goes where you want it. Although I had to string it at 60 lbs. to keep it in. (I use an eastern forehand grip and like to drive the ball).

The problem has been that I can't serve with it. No matter how hard I try I can't get the racquet head over the ball and every serve goes long. If I slow my swing down it gets worse. Lower my toss and it ends up in the net.

I thought the problem might be that the 4 5/8 grip was too big. So I demoed an 18 x 20 version with a 4 1/2 to compare. (I used to play with a Ti Radical so I'm used to the tighter string pattern).

I like the 18 x 20 better than the 16 x 18. Even strung looser the 18 x 20 had better control. Not a huge difference but a slightly different feel. It seems a tad more flexible also. And I had no trouble generating spin.

Still didn't solve my serve problem though. I just can't make it work. I don't think its the weight either. I've had no problem serving with other 12 oz frames. I suspect it has something to do with the frame width and flex.

Anyone else experience this with the N6.1 or other frames?

 

[basil J]

I used the ncode 6.1 18 x 20 for 6 months. It was a rocket launcher for serves and groundies. However it aggravated a shoulder problem I have and I had to switch to a much more flexible frame. The 18 x 20 plays a lot firmer than the 16 x19 due to the tight string bed. great racquet if you can tolerate it.

 

[Swissv2]

I loved serving with my nCode 95 18x20!

Like I tell most of my students, a mishit is not your racquet's fault - its your stroke.

I don't know if you do this, but in order to get that serve working for you, you must do a long and easy practice of just serves. (half and hour to an hour). Run through a checklist through your head before every hit. Practice for 10 minutes. Rest, and reflect. Then go out and practice again. Do the same thing till you hit your time limit. The key thing is to be relaxed (not lazy, but relaxed). you still want to have a bit of pop to your serve while you practice.

The majority of people just want to go out and smack the ball around without thinking about it - any more than that they feel its "too much work for just a silly game".

 

[kabob]

I actually find it easier to use the nCode 6.1 Tour 90 than the 6.1 95 18x20 (own both). The more open string pattern makes for more flexible shotmaking.

 

[Strato]

Swissv2-

Thanks for the tip. I do tend to get too tight when serving. Even when practicing my serve. I've been paying attention to the pros and notice that they seem very relaxed in their serving motion. I feel that I'm trying to force the ball too much.

 

[BumperJeep]

I agree with you. I have the same problem. I used the n 6 1 95 16 X 18 string pattern strung at 60lbs. The string is really bad. Can that affect my serve. Also, how do i make my service motion more relaxed.

 

[paulfreda]

The problem has been that I can't serve with it. No matter how hard I try I can't get the racquet head over the ball and every serve goes long. If I slow my swing down it gets worse. Lower my toss and it ends up in the net
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Hmmm .... the lowering of your toss should work. Sounds like you went too
far. Also tossing a bit more forward will bring a long ball into the box too.

I string my nCode6195 at 50lbs and use a bit more spin to compensate for the power added. Works great for me. Best stick I have ever used.
Note, I believe Federer strings his nCode in the low 50's too.

 

[Strato]

paulfreda,

I never tried stringing that low. Maybe I should. The problem then becomes that I can't keep my groundstrokes in.

The funny thing about serving with the nCode 6.1 95 is that I've played matches where I was serving horribly - lot of double faults - and then switched to a Head Radical and my serving immediately improved. I guess that should tell me I can't handle the weight of the 6.1?

But I've served very well with the Radical even with added weight in the handle and in the head to bring it up to around 12.2 oz.

It's almost like with the nCode 6.1 I feel the racquet resisting pronation of my wrist on serves. I've never had this problem with any other racquet.

 

[The Dampener]

Strato,

Your problem seems unusual to say the least.

I have the 18 x 20 strung at 60lbs with Wilson Sensation, and it serves fantastic. And I'm no killer on the courts.

Are you sure it's not a technique problem rather than a racquet problem? I ask because while choosing between the two string patterns, different string tensions, and the various string types might make a difference in the quality of your serves, it shouldn't prevent you from getting balls "in."

incidentally, you don't really want to get the racquet head over the ball. That makes serves dive into the net. You want to hit up the back side of the ball so that the resulting topspin forces the ball down into the service box.

John