Pro Staff Classic 6.1 string options

[macattack]

I picked up a pair of really clean used Pro Staff Classic 6.1 frames (with the earlier serifs font). Very excited to hit these as I'm a huge Wilson fan, especially the PS and 6.1 stuff. I'm interested to string type and tension from any Classic 6.1 fanatics out there.

Per my signature, I'm mostly using poly in the 52-57 lb range, but that's for the RF97, PS97s and PS95s. I know this is a very different racquet. So any suggestions would be appreciated.

I searched the forums, but didn't come up with much relevant advice. If it's out there and I missed it then my apologies. Point me in the right direction!

 

[Aretium]

I picked up a pair of really clean used Pro Staff Classic 6.1 frames (with the earlier serifs font). Very excited to hit these as I'm a huge Wilson fan, especially the PS and 6.1 stuff. I'm interested to string type and tension from any Classic 6.1 fanatics out there.

Per my signature, I'm mostly using poly in the 52-57 lb range, but that's for the RF97, PS97s and PS95s. I know this is a very different racquet. So any suggestions would be appreciated.

I searched the forums, but didn't come up with much relevant advice. If it's out there and I missed it then my apologies. Point me in the right direction!

It isn't too different to the RF97.

 

[macattack]

It isn't too different to the RF97.

That's true. The specs are similar. I haven't hit with the Classic 6.1 in years (and back then I wasn't so interested in specs) so I didn't know how much of a difference the extra stiffness and extra points head light would make. Swingweight seems to be a bit higher on the RF97 as well. Would you string them up the same? I like the Tour Bite on the RF97 a lot.

edit: clarification

 

[Aretium]

That's true. The specs are similar. I've never hit with the Classic 6.1 so I didn't know how much of a difference the extra stiffness and extra points head light would make. Swingweight seems to be a bit higher on the RF97 as well. Would you string them up the same? I like the Tour Bite on the RF97 a lot.

I would string it exactly the same to be honest. Then you can judge in the future whether to go up or down. I play with the newer iteration from 2014 6.1 16X18 and it felt very similar to the RF97, but less powerful.

 

[macattack]

Fantastic. I appreciate the advice. I think that's a good place to start. If anyone else has any preferred setups for this stick I'd love to hear them. At 34, I'm finally starting to dial in what I like and what I don't rather than what I think I should like (also focusing more on form and footwork which helps). It all takes patience, which I have a lot more of now than I did 15 years ago.

 

[macattack]

Ended up stringing one of the Classic 6.1 frames with Tour Bite 16 at 54lbs like my RF. Decided to string the other one with RPM Blast 16 at 54lbs. Never played with the RPMs and I have to say I'm very impressed after a few hours of play. Might end up replacing the Tour Bite in RF. I'll give it a long weekend, though.

As for the Classic 6.1 itself. There is a reason this racquet is so well regarded, no doubt. Plays a lot like the RF, just like you said, @Aretium. I need to pic up a couple more of these on the cheap. So much fun to hit around with!

 

[Aretium]

Ended up stringing one of the Classic 6.1 frames with Tour Bite 16 at 54lbs like my RF. Decided to string the other one with RPM Blast 16 at 54lbs. Never played with the RPMs and I have to say I'm very impressed after a few hours of play. Might end up replacing the Tour Bite in RF. I'll give it a long weekend, though.

As for the Classic 6.1 itself. There is a reason this racquet is so well regarded, no doubt. Plays a lot like the RF, just like you said, @Aretium. I need to pic up a couple more of these on the cheap. So much fun to hit around with!

I have hit with the classic years ago. I play with the 2014s and have hit with the RFs. They all feel like different iterations of the same racket. RPM is great for a few hours and then dies a terrible death.

 

[macattack]

Yeah, I'm experiencing that now with the RPM. Great for about six hours for me. A bit too cost prohibitive. My stringer was talking about Luxilon Element so maybe I'll give that a try as well. Tour Bite is doing its job for now, though.

 

[moon shot]

What string pattern? First string job in my 18x20 is tonic 16 mains and 4g soft cross at 60/57.5

I just strung my friends 16x18 with Hyper-G at 55. I'd say the difference to the RF is a more dense, controlling sweetspot and lower twistweight so the Classic is slightly easier to react with and to create spin on a flatter trajectory.

 

[macattack]

Mine is 16x18. I decided to keep the RPM in one and got the other strung up with Luxilon Element at 54. I'll tell you this frame is so fun to play with. Since it's not my #1 (I use the RF when things get serious) I might use the two Classic 6.1s to experiment with different strings and tensions.

Thanks for the comparison notes, moon shot!

 

[moon shot]

Here is a little RF97 vs Classic 16x18 for you. The density across the middle is practially the same as the 18x20, but the top five crosses are way open. Should make some wicked spin on serves in the upper hoop.

 

[macattack]

Oh wow. That upper hoop is way more open. Going to have to practice my kick serves with the 6.1. Thanks for those photos.

 

[Likitysplit]

Mine is 16x18. I decided to keep the RPM in one and got the other strung up with Luxilon Element at 54. I'll tell you this frame is so fun to play with. Since it's not my #1 (I use the RF when things get serious) I might use the two Classic 6.1s to experiment with different strings and tensions.

Thanks for the comparison notes, moon shot!

How did the Luxilon Element turn out for you?

Did you continue using the RPM or did you find another setup that you really enjoyed?

 

[macattack]

How did the Luxilon Element turn out for you?

Did you continue using the RPM or did you find another setup that you really enjoyed?

Wasn't crazy about the Element. It wasn't a bad string by any means, but just wasn't my favorite. I really like the RPM, but you don't get much mileage out of it. I've been on ALU Power the last 6 months or so and I like it best out of the dozen or so strings I've tried in the last year.

 

[Holliman]

I'm currently using VS in the mains and Babolat Syn Gut crosses. 62/58. I'm really enjoying this. The comfort is great. Good power but somewhat controllable at the higher tension. Next time I'm going to try a full bed of VS at 60. I'm struggling with elbow pain so poly is out for me.

 

[ST VINCENT FAN]

I'm using VS touch 17 mains at 58lbs and Rough at 55lbs in the crosses, heaps of power and comfort but want to experiment with some spin friendly poly in the mains to see how much more RPMs I can achieve with this frame.

 

[KaiserW]

Honestly try a full bed of syn gut in it. Just feels right. I prefer Prince Original.

 

[Shane]

I still play with these racquets. I have 3. One with gut, one with poly and one with a hybrid. Honestly I prefer to gut the most.

 

[Rosstour]

I just picked up one of these, having used them in HS and recently finding out that my parents threw them away. So, my stringer recommended X-One BiPhase. Is that a good option? He said "something soft...those things kill my arm"

Does TTW agree?

 

[wangs78]

I just picked up one of these, having used them in HS and recently finding out that my parents threw them away. So, my stringer recommended X-One BiPhase. Is that a good option? He said "something soft...those things kill my arm"

Does TTW agree?

Comfort wise X-One will be fine. But you’ll need to get the tension right to achieve the power level you’re looking for. I used to play with the 6.1 and it took me a while to find a string setup that kept my heaviest shots inside the lines. But I had a 16x18 version so if you have the 18x20, that should automatically have less power and more control.

 

[chrischris]

Tried Xone biphase 16 gauge crosses and signum poly plasma pro 17 gauge mains in an 18/20 PS classic 95. Tension 50lbs.
Felt great, Supreme control and nice plow.
Hot dry conditions

 

[lim]

I just picked up one of these, having used them in HS and recently finding out that my parents threw them away. So, my stringer recommended X-One BiPhase. Is that a good option? He said "something soft...those things kill my arm"

Does TTW agree?

Full bed? Unless you have/have had arm pain I would vote no at least cross it with some poly.

 

[lelopez]

The 6.1 Classic does extremely well with good 'ol synthetic gut. The feel and ball pocketing with Prince Original 16g is hard to beat. I played with this setup 30 years ago and gave it ago again a few years back. Unfortunately the durability of syn. gut is terrible so Champions Choice is much better, or if in a budget, Velocity mains with Ghost wire crosses performs well also. But feel wise, I'd take syn. gut on this frame any day of the week.

 

[tennistiger]

Full Gamma TNT 17, lively but not soft.

 

[gino]

I just picked up one of these, having used them in HS and recently finding out that my parents threw them away. So, my stringer recommended X-One BiPhase. Is that a good option? He said "something soft...those things kill my arm"

Does TTW agree?

i mean if its an old 6.1 its probably softened up a ton. i like topspin cyber flash, very soft poly that accentuates the best attribute of the 6.1