Should I change my Pro Staff Classic 6.1?

JFMariano

New User
Hey guys,

I hadn't been playing for 5 years... Back to the clay court last month.
I have a pair of Pro Staff Classic 6.1 that I bought in '99.
My strigs are Kirschbaum with 60lbs.
I have been thinking about change my racquets, I'm felling them so heavy and without power, should I change them?

I use to love these racquets, I don't know if I felling it because I hadn't been playing for 5 years and know I have to readapt myself. Or if my strings are to tight.

Last saturday, I tried a Head Flexpoint Midplus, my friend's racquet, my spin was there, weight was good, was really easy to play, but I didn't feel the solid state I have in my classic racquets and there was a vibration that I didn't like.

Do you have some suggestions? Does anybody use these classic racquets?

Best regards!
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Great racket..... but if you want a similar modern racket with the same solidity and stability then they are hard to come by.

The racket I would reccomend is the Vanatge 95, a custom built racket that has a little more pop, the sweetspot is deffo bigger than the classic, is a little softer if you choose the lower flex, is much better on the arm and is as stable as the pro staff.

RIMG0001-8.jpg
 

big bang

Hall of Fame
Hey guys,

I hadn't been playing for 5 years... Back to the clay court last month.
I have a pair of Pro Staff Classic 6.1 that I bought in '99.
My strigs are Kirschbaum with 60lbs.
I have been thinking about change my racquets, I'm felling them so heavy and without power, should I change them?

I use to love these racquets, I don't know if I felling it because I hadn't been playing for 5 years and know I have to readapt myself. Or if my strings are to tight.

Last saturday, I tried a Head Flexpoint Midplus, my friend's racquet, my spin was there, weight was good, was really easy to play, but I didn't feel the solid state I have in my classic racquets and there was a vibration that I didn't like.

Do you have some suggestions? Does anybody use these classic racquets?

Best regards!

greatest frame ever if you ask me:)
I have been using them since 92-93 and never found anything that could replace them. the only new model I really like hitting with is the head speed pro, a bit lighter and easier to swing than the classic, but very solid and with a bigger sweetspot than psc. it also offer a bit more power!

If I where you I would give it a few months at least before deciding to change, its a pretty demanding frame and you need to get in shape and tune your strokes after that long a break.

other than that the vantage that Meaghan mentioned is a good contender if you decide to change, great old school quality frames:)
 

jwbarrientos

Hall of Fame
If you can't get your game with them, replace them; perhaps you changed sth in your game and need a new "modern frame", if so the forum has many people with that knowledge to suggest you a proper racquet.

If I were you I'd give another chance to PS C6.1, probably the problem is your time off and not the racquet :mrgreen:
 

PrinceMoron

Legend
Hey guys,

I hadn't been playing for 5 years... Back to the clay court last month.
I have a pair of Pro Staff Classic 6.1 that I bought in '99.
My strigs are Kirschbaum with 60lbs.
I have been thinking about change my racquets, I'm felling them so heavy and without power, should I change them?

I use to love these racquets, I don't know if I felling it because I hadn't been playing for 5 years and know I have to readapt myself. Or if my strings are to tight.

Do you have some suggestions? Does anybody use these classic racquets?

Best regards!


Which string pattern are they? at first they were only available in 16x19 and I broke so many sets of strings I had to use Prince Pro Blend Kevlar. later there was an 18x20 pattern that was more string friendly. Even then they still played well at 60lbs so I would not think Kirschbaum at 60 is going to be the reason you think they feel tight/underpowered.

The only racket I found that gave me the same success on serve was Prestige tour 600, but I used to snap the heads off them, cracked right thru both sides on the throat. God knows what Goran did to them.

The Wilsons had a strange feel, a bit like a hollow tubed frame but still stiff, maybe a little like an underpowered Wilson Profile..

Hard racket to get something with similar feel..... how about Prince Speedport Tours with the speedports in? The gold one that has been discontinued and should be quite cheap to pick up.
 

PimpMyGame

Hall of Fame
Hey guys,

I hadn't been playing for 5 years... Back to the clay court last month.
I have a pair of Pro Staff Classic 6.1 that I bought in '99.
My strigs are Kirschbaum with 60lbs.
I have been thinking about change my racquets, I'm felling them so heavy and without power, should I change them?

I use to love these racquets, I don't know if I felling it because I hadn't been playing for 5 years and know I have to readapt myself. Or if my strings are to tight.

Last saturday, I tried a Head Flexpoint Midplus, my friend's racquet, my spin was there, weight was good, was really easy to play, but I didn't feel the solid state I have in my classic racquets and there was a vibration that I didn't like.

Do you have some suggestions? Does anybody use these classic racquets?

Best regards!

Are your PSCs the 16x18 or 18x20 string pattern? I use the 18x20 and frankly it's suits me better than anything I've ever hit with. Looking for some spares!
 

big bang

Hall of Fame
Which string pattern are they? at first they were only available in 16x19 and I broke so many sets of strings I had to use Prince Pro Blend Kevlar. later there was an 18x20 pattern that was more string friendly. Even then they still played well at 60lbs so I would not think Kirschbaum at 60 is going to be the reason you think they feel tight/underpowered.

The only racket I found that gave me the same success on serve was Prestige tour 600, but I used to snap the heads off them, cracked right thru both sides on the throat. God knows what Goran did to them.

The Wilsons had a strange feel, a bit like a hollow tubed frame but still stiff, maybe a little like an underpowered Wilson Profile..

Hard racket to get something with similar feel..... how about Prince Speedport Tours with the speedports in? The gold one that has been discontinued and should be quite cheap to pick up.

they where never made in 16x19 pattern, only 16x18 and 18x20.
I cant understand you say they feel hollow? they are foam filled! the last edition with black butt cap was not foam filled in the throat like the earlier ones and compared it feels diffrent, but I must say that this is the fist time I have ever heard anyone say "hollow" about psc..
 

PrinceMoron

Legend
they where never made in 16x19 pattern, only 16x18 and 18x20.
I cant understand you say they feel hollow? they are foam filled! the last edition with black butt cap was not foam filled in the throat like the earlier ones and compared it feels diffrent, but I must say that this is the fist time I have ever heard anyone say "hollow" about psc..

Yes, sorry, it was a long long time ago 1991?? but was wondering whether if was the first ones out which always went thru strings like there was no tomorrow or the later 18x20. Rackets themselves seemed pretty indestructible.

They felt pretty hollow to me compared to PS85s. Just bang the hoops of two of them together and what is that sound? Always thought they had a pretty unique feel, though I am not talking about Dunlop maxland. By the time they were beng made in China and then lost the foam in the throat I had long moved on to Prestiges. Seriously that was ages ago, even had a made in Austria sticker back then.

See in an earlier thread you prefer the first edition, so how do you keep the strings in there for more than 30 minutes? Back then the only choice was Kevlar.
 

retlod

Professional
Definitely don't part ways with them. If possible, get a used tweener like a Babolat Aero Pro Drive or Pure Drive to get you reacquainted with the game, then go back to the Classics when you're in better playing shape. Otherwise, just start the slow process of getting your body used to the sport again and you'll play your way back into your sticks.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
I'm devoted to those racquets, too (along with a few others!) and I agree that it's a tall order finding current frames that can replace the 6.1 Classic.

I've found no better performer for me when it comes to heavy doubles or serve and volley type of play, but if I want to hit with more consistency from the baseline, I can sometimes land my strokes better with a softer racquet such as the Volkl C10 98 or maybe my Prince NXG's in either mid or midplus layout. I've always enjoyed this weight range in my racquets (12.5+ oz.) and most of the current lighter gear that's around just isn't for me.

If you're trying poly strings in your ProStaff for the first time since your return to the game, I strongly recommend that you compare them with either a nice synthetic gut or snug multifiber. Poly is inherently un-powerful and usually used to tame the liveliness of a racquet, especially for really serious players. I think that it's a really bad option to use in the 6.1 Classic - it may help to produce a lot of spin, but it will really deaden the frame's performance and probably feel really harsh. Unless you're at least a college level player, I doubt that you need it and you may be putting yourself at higher risk for problems including tennis elbow by using it in that racquet.

I like to use good 17 gauge syn. gut in my 6.1's - it gives me a little better feel, but a little less service life than 16 gauge string. If you haven't been back to tennis for very long, you'll probably need to log some hours on the courts to get your timing back, regardless of what frame you use. If it's too frustrating for too long though, you probably want to look around. Some other racquets that are only a few tenths of an ounce lighter may handle better for you, yet still have a lot of that stability that we love in the ProStaffs.
 

big bang

Hall of Fame
Yes, sorry, it was a long long time ago 1991?? but was wondering whether if was the first ones out which always went thru strings like there was no tomorrow or the later 18x20. Rackets themselves seemed pretty indestructible.

They felt pretty hollow to me compared to PS85s. Just bang the hoops of two of them together and what is that sound? Always thought they had a pretty unique feel, though I am not talking about Dunlop maxland. By the time they were beng made in China and then lost the foam in the throat I had long moved on to Prestiges. Seriously that was ages ago, even had a made in Austria sticker back then.

See in an earlier thread you prefer the first edition, so how do you keep the strings in there for more than 30 minutes? Back then the only choice was Kevlar.

I do break a lot of strings, thats why I got 6 of them:) I string only with multi, cant stand poly in this frame.
and yes I prefer the first edition made in Taiwan before they came up with the 6.1 term.
 

JFMariano

New User
Great racket..... but if you want a similar modern racket with the same solidity and stability then they are hard to come by.

The racket I would reccomend is the Vanatge 95, a custom built racket that has a little more pop, the sweetspot is deffo bigger than the classic, is a little softer if you choose the lower flex, is much better on the arm and is as stable as the pro staff.

RIMG0001-8.jpg

Meaghan, thanks for your response, but after reading the following answers, I decided to keep my racquets and change my strings!

Best regards!!
 

JFMariano

New User
greatest frame ever if you ask me:)
I have been using them since 92-93 and never found anything that could replace them. the only new model I really like hitting with is the head speed pro, a bit lighter and easier to swing than the classic, but very solid and with a bigger sweetspot than psc. it also offer a bit more power!

If I where you I would give it a few months at least before deciding to change, its a pretty demanding frame and you need to get in shape and tune your strokes after that long a break.

other than that the vantage that Meaghan mentioned is a good contender if you decide to change, great old school quality frames:)

Big Bang, I realized that will be very hard to change my racquets, I'll work hard to get my game back...

Thanks very much for your contribution!
 

JFMariano

New User
If you can't get your game with them, replace them; perhaps you changed sth in your game and need a new "modern frame", if so the forum has many people with that knowledge to suggest you a proper racquet.

If I were you I'd give another chance to PS C6.1, probably the problem is your time off and not the racquet :mrgreen:

JWBarrientos, you're totally right, the problem is my time off! I'll keep my racquets and I'll work on my game!
 

JFMariano

New User
Which string pattern are they? at first they were only available in 16x19 and I broke so many sets of strings I had to use Prince Pro Blend Kevlar. later there was an 18x20 pattern that was more string friendly. Even then they still played well at 60lbs so I would not think Kirschbaum at 60 is going to be the reason you think they feel tight/underpowered.

The only racket I found that gave me the same success on serve was Prestige tour 600, but I used to snap the heads off them, cracked right thru both sides on the throat. God knows what Goran did to them.

The Wilsons had a strange feel, a bit like a hollow tubed frame but still stiff, maybe a little like an underpowered Wilson Profile..

Hard racket to get something with similar feel..... how about Prince Speedport Tours with the speedports in? The gold one that has been discontinued and should be quite cheap to pick up.

They are 16 x 18.
I decided that I'll change the strings, try 58lbs. to see what I'll happen.
 

JFMariano

New User
Are your PSCs the 16x18 or 18x20 string pattern? I use the 18x20 and frankly it's suits me better than anything I've ever hit with. Looking for some spares!

16 x 18.
Thanks, all you guys helped me to keep these racquets, everybody was telling me that they were overcome. Now I'm sure they were not!
 

JFMariano

New User
Definitely don't part ways with them. If possible, get a used tweener like a Babolat Aero Pro Drive or Pure Drive to get you reacquainted with the game, then go back to the Classics when you're in better playing shape. Otherwise, just start the slow process of getting your body used to the sport again and you'll play your way back into your sticks.

Thanks very much! I chose to start the slow process of getting back!!!
 

JFMariano

New User
I'm devoted to those racquets, too (along with a few others!) and I agree that it's a tall order finding current frames that can replace the 6.1 Classic.

I've found no better performer for me when it comes to heavy doubles or serve and volley type of play, but if I want to hit with more consistency from the baseline, I can sometimes land my strokes better with a softer racquet such as the Volkl C10 98 or maybe my Prince NXG's in either mid or midplus layout. I've always enjoyed this weight range in my racquets (12.5+ oz.) and most of the current lighter gear that's around just isn't for me.

If you're trying poly strings in your ProStaff for the first time since your return to the game, I strongly recommend that you compare them with either a nice synthetic gut or snug multifiber. Poly is inherently un-powerful and usually used to tame the liveliness of a racquet, especially for really serious players. I think that it's a really bad option to use in the 6.1 Classic - it may help to produce a lot of spin, but it will really deaden the frame's performance and probably feel really harsh. Unless you're at least a college level player, I doubt that you need it and you may be putting yourself at higher risk for problems including tennis elbow by using it in that racquet.

I like to use good 17 gauge syn. gut in my 6.1's - it gives me a little better feel, but a little less service life than 16 gauge string. If you haven't been back to tennis for very long, you'll probably need to log some hours on the courts to get your timing back, regardless of what frame you use. If it's too frustrating for too long though, you probably want to look around. Some other racquets that are only a few tenths of an ounce lighter may handle better for you, yet still have a lot of that stability that we love in the ProStaffs.

Fuzz, thanks very much!
I'll try a nice synthetic gut to see what will happen!!!
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Meaghan, thanks for your response, but after reading the following answers, I decided to keep my racquets and change my strings!

Best regards!!

completely agree with you its a great frame and a similar problem I had. The one reason I carried out more research etc was that I nknew that picking up these frames in the condition i wanted was getting harder and harder esp as big bang says the first edition Taiwan racket is the best and to find one is a rare find indeed.

Stick with them and change the string set up to give you a bit more ooomph but try demo a few alternatives that can provide what you want for the next 10-20 years.

my 2$......IMO the closest thing to it is the Vantage 95 :)
 
Top