THE MIGHTY PRO STAFF 90 THREAD

THE BEST RACQUET EVER?


  • Total voters
    190

PistolPete23

Hall of Fame
please tell me youve at least used a PS85 given that username......................................... :eek:

Duh, of course! Well, not really used extensively, but several of my teammates in high school used it and I've hit with it ... Don't really remember the hitting sensation to be honest; at that age, I was naive and only cared about the newest releases.
 

gino

Legend
Duh, of course! Well, not really used extensively, but several of my teammates in high school used it and I've hit with it ... Don't really remember the hitting sensation to be honest; at that age, I was naive and only cared about the newest releases.

I think you need to run to e..Bay and fix this situation

PS85 is the GOAT hitting sensation in the sport of tennis, when you strike it dead center, ofc
 

gino

Legend
Should I go for the PS90 or PS85? Also, TW still sells the PS85 ...

Get a PS85 new before they stop that reissue, its worth it

Definitely both!

retweet

What's the primary difference between the two besides the 5 sq in? Feel the same?

PS85 has way more natural plow, it must have something to do with the layup distribution

PS90 has a more pronounced flex in the upper yolk, while PS85 flexes father down the yolk. Some nuances in feel.

In general, PS85 is precision freight train & PS90 is its more forgiving cousin
 

ByakuFubuki

Semi-Pro
Awesome thank you mate - appreciate you all
The feeling is fully reciprocated, man.

I have quite a few 2010 BLX90's (red and black) and K90s, and the beam width for each model (at least in my collection) is the same: 17.5mm. I suspect maybe a rounding-up type of reporting when the K was released?

Within my sample size of 15, the K's have an average SW of +5 over the BLX (335 to 330 on average), and similar for the weight (365 for the K, 360 for the BLX, with over grip and dampener).
The K's do play slightly stiffer. That, combined with the overall increase in weight and swing weight help make it a bit more powerful.
Nice! Thanks for the information, really interesting. Quite curious to see if the older frames really had a different mould (along with the drill pattern) or if in their case the width was just rounded down.​
 
What's the primary difference between the two besides the 5 sq in? Feel the same?
I personally don't think any of them feel the same as the 85. Some seem to think the 2014 PS gets close. But generally depends on which of the 90s you're looking at. There are marginal but real differences in feel across the various Tour/PS 90s - Hyper, nCode, K-Factor, BLX white, BLX black, PS90, etc., as well as some spec differences (some are higher/lower SW/TW). Also, the drill pattern was changed after nCode. And the PS85 is a 16x18 while the Tour/PS 90s are 16x19. The 5 square inches feels significant to me. Nothing really comes close to the PS85 if you're looking for purity of shot -- hitting a clean shot with it is just heaven. The 85 plays like a low powered frame unless you dime it, then it's like a rifle. The 90s are generally more forgiving and the K90 in particular is pretty powerful. For me the two biggest differences are that the 85 feels most direct, like it's the frame that you are feeling vs. the stringbed, like the 90s have a bit more give, and that 90s generally feel more polarized to me -- in essence I feel the 85 is a bit more swift/direct/raw.
 

tarkowski

Professional
The feeling is fully reciprocated, man.



Nice! Thanks for the information, really interesting. Quite curious to see if the older frames really had a different mould (along with the drill pattern) or if in their case the width was just rounded down.​
Sure thing man!

Both the n90 and the black-carbon-yellow PS did have a different drill pattern, 5 cross strings between the PWS vs. the 4 that all of the K and later models had. In addition, (though I never measured the beam width on those 2), I remember those frames feeling tad thinner, maybe 17 instead of 17.5. But that is memory, and memory, well...

Another observation on the 2014 PS90 (the white with gold stripes, Fed never played, was the last one prior to RF97, the one many feel is closest to the 85). I had quite a few of those as well, but ultimately sold them because I preferred the heft and power of the BLX and K. I agree that it felt the most like the 85 (but still quite different) and I believe two things may have contributed to that.

First, I had 7 of them and all of them measured longer than 27", sometimes 27 and 1/8 and one was almost 27 and 1/4. I found that interesting...that would effectively move the Center of Percussion farther away from the hand as all extended rackets do, and all things being equal, smaller-headed rackets do. So with the 90" and slightly longer length, maybe that COP was closest to what we feel with the 85.

The second thing was the average swing weight of the 2014 PS90 (the 7 I had) was around 325. That made the SW on the 2014 PS -5 from the BLX and -10 from the K. So the racket was indeed quite a bit faster to swing, more like the 85.

As gino eloquently described above, the yolk of the 90's flexes different than the 85, and the 2014 PS90 was no different...the 85 feels more solid, more direct. So even thought the 2014 is light and fast, and the contact fairly crisp, still quite a bit different to the 85 IMO.
 
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Sure thing man!

Both the n90 and the black-carbon-yellow PS did have a different drill pattern, 5 cross strings between the PWS vs. the 4 that all of the K and later models had. In addition, (though I never measured the beam width on those 2), I remember those frames feeling tad thinner, maybe 17 instead of 17.5. But that is memory, and memory, well...

Another observation on the 2014 PS90 (the white with gold stripes, Fed never played, was the last one prior to RF97, the one many feel is closest to the 85). I had quite a few of those as well, but ultimately sold them because I preferred the heft and power of the BLX and K. I agree that it felt the most like the 85 (but still quite different) and I believe two things may have contributed to that.

First, I had 7 of them and all of them measured longer than 27", sometimes 27 and 1/8 and one was almost 27 and 1/4. I found that interesting...that would effectively move the Center of Percussion farther away from the hand as all extended rackets do, and all things being equal, smaller-headed rackets do. So with the 90" and slightly longer length, maybe that COP was closest to what we feel with the 85.

The second thing was the average swing weight of the 2014 PS90 (the 7 I had) was around 325. That made the SW on the 2014 PS -5 from the BLX and -10 from the K. So the racket was indeed quite a bit faster to swing, more like the 85.

As gino eloquently described above, the yolk of the 90's flexes different than the 85, and the 2014 PS90 was no different...the 85 feels more solid, more direct. So even thought the 2014 is light and fast, and the contact fairly crisp, still quite a bit different to the 85 IMO.
Yes, what's up with this?? Noticed that about the PS90 2014s too.
 

tarkowski

Professional
Yes, what's up with this?? Noticed that about the PS90 2014s too.
Totally! I thought maybe 1 or 2 of the 7, but no, it was all 7, all were longer. And I measured them unstrung, as we know that certain string choices and tensions can modify the hoop shape and potentially lengthen or shorten the racket.
With all 7 being a bit longer, I'm not sure that was intentional or just another example of poor QC.
 
Totally! I thought maybe 1 or 2 of the 7, but no, it was all 7, all were longer. And I measured them unstrung, as we know that certain string choices and tensions can modify the hoop shape and potentially lengthen or shorten the racket.
With all 7 being a bit longer, I'm not sure that was intentional or just another example of poor QC.
Related to the beam width discussion, I imagine the intent was for all of these molds to be the same but bad QC led to these differences in length and beam thickness haha.
 

ByakuFubuki

Semi-Pro
Sure thing man!

Both the n90 and the black-carbon-yellow PS did have a different drill pattern, 5 cross strings between the PWS vs. the 4 that all of the K and later models had. In addition, (though I never measured the beam width on those 2), I remember those frames feeling tad thinner, maybe 17 instead of 17.5. But that is memory, and memory, well...

Another observation on the 2014 PS90 (the white with gold stripes, Fed never played, was the last one prior to RF97, the one many feel is closest to the 85). I had quite a few of those as well, but ultimately sold them because I preferred the heft and power of the BLX and K. I agree that it felt the most like the 85 (but still quite different) and I believe two things may have contributed to that.

First, I had 7 of them and all of them measured longer than 27", sometimes 27 and 1/8 and one was almost 27 and 1/4. I found that interesting...that would effectively move the Center of Percussion farther away from the hand as all extended rackets do, and all things being equal, smaller-headed rackets do. So with the 90" and slightly longer length, maybe that COP was closest to what we feel with the 85.

The second thing was the average swing weight of the 2014 PS90 (the 7 I had) was around 325. That made the SW on the 2014 PS -5 from the BLX and -10 from the K. So the racket was indeed quite a bit faster to swing, more like the 85.

As gino eloquently described above, the yolk of the 90's flexes different than the 85, and the 2014 PS90 was no different...the 85 feels more solid, more direct. So even thought the 2014 is light and fast, and the contact fairly crisp, still quite a bit different to the 85 IMO.
Wow, thanks again. I noticed a bit of mismatch when overlapping my ProStaff 90 (2014) with some tweener or the other and show the "small head = shank" crew that the difference is hardly relevant and/or the "small head = no spin" folks that the string spacing is virtually the same, but always thought of it as a consequence of tweeners' tapered beam forcing to keep the ProStaff inclined. Never realised it was actually different in length.
Totally! I thought maybe 1 or 2 of the 7, but no, it was all 7, all were longer. And I measured them unstrung, as we know that certain string choices and tensions can modify the hoop shape and potentially lengthen or shorten the racket.
With all 7 being a bit longer, I'm not sure that was intentional or just another example of poor QC.
Well, if that was all QC, I would be inclined to believe for most to still sit at 27'' and for some to be shorter. It is weird, though, that they would advertise it as a 27'' racquet (Tennis Warehouse also has it at 27''. Do they not measure the length themselves?).

Or maybe you got them all from the same batch? Are racquets from the same batch inclined to have similar production flaws? I'm not so informed on manufacturing.

Also, I wonder why they would want to make them longer and not declare it. The less unrealistic things that comes to my mind is they really were shooting for that ProStaff 85 feel, but didn't want to put off their traditional customers by declaring a change (if I recall correctly the 2014 technology, at least for what concerns the ProStaff line, was advertised as a return to the [K]Factor feel, as opposed to some new stuff, after all).

Does anyone have less far-fetched theories?
 
My theory is that the 90s sales were not great and were anticipated not to be great in 2014, fed had already moved on to testing larger prototypes / gone on to rf97 and Wilson just dgaf about making sure the molds fit properly. The big thing around that time were the spin effect racquets
 
Guys, what would be comparable strings to Luxilon Alu Power Rough? I love the feel of this string as a cross in my PS90....but $20 bucks per pack along with its tension maintenance....lol
 

tele

Hall of Fame
Guys, what would be comparable strings to Luxilon Alu Power Rough? I love the feel of this string as a cross in my PS90....but $20 bucks per pack along with its tension maintenance....lol
This has been discussed regularly over the years. I suggest searching through the threads. I think the general consensus seems to be that the short answer is no regarding replicating the feel.

a recent thread on the topic.

also
Thread 'The gut/poly thread' http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/the-gut-poly-thread.521459/
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Guys, what would be comparable strings to Luxilon Alu Power Rough? I love the feel of this string as a cross in my PS90....but $20 bucks per pack along with its tension maintenance....lol
Maybe try Luxilon EcoRough, I think it's $15, and while not identical feeling to ALU, a nice feeling string in its own right.
There are probably other textured strings out there for cheaper still though.
 

slipgrip93

Professional
I actually forgot that I had a Taiwan version stowed away. I got it a number of years ago, tried to install a bumper guard but had a lot of difficulty doing so, then put it away. Going to give it another go!

Nice you found a taiwan version. I got the TW earlier ps85 reissue back in 2014. Now I realize it's less heft and more 'hollow' compared to the original various ps85 issues.

Guys, what would be comparable strings to Luxilon Alu Power Rough? I love the feel of this string as a cross in my PS90....but $20 bucks per pack along with its tension maintenance....lol

A couple of popular cheaper alternatives have seemed to be solinco tour bite/hyper-g and volkl cyclone. Granted they are +$2,3 more now due to our sad inflation times.

Wow, thanks again. I noticed a bit of mismatch when overlapping my ProStaff 90 (2014) with some tweener or the other and show the "small head = shank" crew that the difference is hardly relevant and/or the "small head = no spin" folks that the string spacing is virtually the same, but always thought of it as a consequence of tweeners' tapered beam forcing to keep the ProStaff inclined. Never realised it was actually different in length.
(if I recall correctly the 2014 technology, at least for what concerns the ProStaff line, was advertised as a return to the [K]Factor feel, as opposed to some new stuff, after all).
..
Does anyone have less far-fetched theories?

I got the n90 retail and a k90 from the bay before. The n90 had 5 strings along the pws compared to Fed's n90. The k90 (and kps88) all seem to have the 'pro stock' form of 4 strings spaced on the pws. The kps88 feels like a 30g heavier version of the k90 to me, real heft packed graphite compared to my hollow feeling ps85 reissue. The n90 retail was also heavy at 380+g strung like the kps88, but I don't like that it's "off" the spacing on the pws.
 
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John

Semi-Pro
Guys, what would be comparable strings to Luxilon Alu Power Rough? I love the feel of this string as a cross in my PS90....but $20 bucks per pack along with its tension maintenance....lol
If you like the string, pay the increased price is the easiest way to solve your issue. Alternatively, you can buy reel from Europe site. its cheaper there…i
you will ended paying a lot more and find out its not close to what you are having.
besides, its way-last longer than rpm family……….
try alu 130….. last very long…..,
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Going to take a few minutes tomorrow to hit with a st Vincent ps85. I’m curious how the reissues feel in comparison? From reading here you all seem to like the reissues a lot.

I am stringing up a pc 2.0 reissue tonight. It would be awesome to have an 85 as well. I have basically given up on finding a k90. People on the bay are asking silly prices for beaten up ones.
 
Going to take a few minutes tomorrow to hit with a st Vincent ps85. I’m curious how the reissues feel in comparison? From reading here you all seem to like the reissues a lot.

I am stringing up a pc 2.0 reissue tonight. It would be awesome to have an 85 as well. I have basically given up on finding a k90. People on the bay are asking silly prices for beaten up ones.
I personally like the reissues a lot. Less beefy but more playable. The STV ones have the aura about them because of Pete and are real heavy weapons, which is nice, but I find them to be harsh occasionally. My favorite is actually the bumperless Chicago - it's raw af. Another lesser known version I really enjoy is the Hyper PS85 limited edition from 2000.

If you're OK with L3 I have some K90s, which I would let go at less-than-bay prices but still not-cheap.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I personally like the reissues a lot. Less beefy but more playable. The STV ones have the aura about them because of Pete and are real heavy weapons, which is nice, but I find them to be harsh occasionally. My favorite is actually the bumperless Chicago - it's raw af. Another lesser known version I really enjoy is the Hyper PS85 limited edition from 2000.

If you're OK with L3 I have some K90s, which I would let go at less-than-bay prices but still not-cheap.
Honestly I may be ok with l3 in this case. I can play that grip size, I just prefer 1/4. Maybe the leather has tightened up a good bit anyway.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Going to take a few minutes tomorrow to hit with a st Vincent ps85. I’m curious how the reissues feel in comparison? From reading here you all seem to like the reissues a lot.

I am stringing up a pc 2.0 reissue tonight. It would be awesome to have an 85 as well. I have basically given up on finding a k90. People on the bay are asking silly prices for beaten up ones.
Cortex is dead as dead. Kfactor is coming back in a big fuchen way.
1-A8-DD67-E-4-BC2-4-BFC-A03-D-0-C1-F81-AFCBE7.jpg
 

John

Semi-Pro
Going to take a few minutes tomorrow to hit with a st Vincent ps85. I’m curious how the reissues feel in comparison? From reading here you all seem to like the reissues a lot.

I am stringing up a pc 2.0 reissue tonight. It would be awesome to have an 85 as well. I have basically given up on finding a k90. People on the bay are asking silly prices for beaten up ones.
There were few versions of reissues. They are fine racquets and hitting experience isn’t terrible. However, the feel and performance isn’t close to original. On theother side, finding an original in good condition without hefty price is hard. Thus, hitting a good 85” reissue isn’t bad. alternative, hitting an original ultra 2 mid or Japanese reissue is also possible for a 85” racquet.
 

hobl4

Rookie
My search for a K90 replacement is over.

I fiddled around with a bunch of racquets. Wilson PS95, PS97 and Blade with both string patterns, an older Head Prestige with a thin beam. Have played with Babolats and Yonexes in the past too.

I ended up giving up trying to find a new one because I realised how much I like the K90. Best feel for the ball by far. Racquet feels quick through the air like a sword. For slice backhand the best racquet, no competition. For forehand it's the most versatile. You can hit flat or with big spin. You can hit extreme angles due to the thin beam. Serve is accurate and powerful.

But, you need good shot mechanics and movement to make this racquet work. It can be frustrating to use on bad days.

I have 3 K90's and I noticed the one I like the most is very worn down at the top of the beam at 12 o'clock, making it more head light. Next I'm going sand down the beam of the other two to match the weights and balance points.
 

PistolPete23

Hall of Fame
Cleaned it up and replaced the old leather with OEHMS leather grip. I tried two setups, first full poly at 45 lbs. It was not a good feel, very harsh. I think with stiff Pro Staffs in general, going full poly isn’t going to work. I had previously strung a Taiwan PS85 with full bed poly and hated it. I then switched to Triax at 53 lbs. Oh boy, what a difference. It’s still stiffer than what I typically use but has a really solid and dense feel, not like the other modern stiff racquets I’ve hit with that were hollow feeling. And I feel super connected to the ball, more so than with the PC 2.0, my favorite mid up to this point. I haven’t decided whether I enjoy the Prestige more or the K90.

 

JSummers

Rookie
After moved on to bigger ProStaffs, latest the v14 X. ( works quite well for my aging body) ,recently I wipped out the beloved K90 and played some doubles. It felt soooo sweet again even with a dead multi on it. I weighted it again and couldn’t believe I added so much lead and made it 370g when I played with it 10 years ago. This is no longer feasible with me now, so I removed all the junk and replaced the raw grip as well.

Now it’s about 340g and ready for action again once I put on new string. Can’t wait to relive the good old feel again
 

gino

Legend
Cleaned it up and replaced the old leather with OEHMS leather grip. I tried two setups, first full poly at 45 lbs. It was not a good feel, very harsh. I think with stiff Pro Staffs in general, going full poly isn’t going to work. I had previously strung a Taiwan PS85 with full bed poly and hated it. I then switched to Triax at 53 lbs. Oh boy, what a difference. It’s still stiffer than what I typically use but has a really solid and dense feel, not like the other modern stiff racquets I’ve hit with that were hollow feeling. And I feel super connected to the ball, more so than with the PC 2.0, my favorite mid up to this point. I haven’t decided whether I enjoy the Prestige more or the K90.


After moved on to bigger ProStaffs, latest the v14 X. ( works quite well for my aging body) ,recently I wipped out the beloved K90 and played some doubles. It felt soooo sweet again even with a dead multi on it. I weighted it again and couldn’t believe I added so much lead and made it 370g when I played with it 10 years ago. This is no longer feasible with me now, so I removed all the junk and replaced the raw grip as well.

Now it’s about 340g and ready for action again once I put on new string. Can’t wait to relive the good old feel again

Long live the k90
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Cleaned it up and replaced the old leather with OEHMS leather grip. I tried two setups, first full poly at 45 lbs. It was not a good feel, very harsh. I think with stiff Pro Staffs in general, going full poly isn’t going to work. I had previously strung a Taiwan PS85 with full bed poly and hated it. I then switched to Triax at 53 lbs. Oh boy, what a difference. It’s still stiffer than what I typically use but has a really solid and dense feel, not like the other modern stiff racquets I’ve hit with that were hollow feeling. And I feel super connected to the ball, more so than with the PC 2.0, my favorite mid up to this point. I haven’t decided whether I enjoy the Prestige more or the K90.

+1 I put triax in my BLX 90 it was the smoothest thing ever
 

PistolPete23

Hall of Fame
I hit the K90 and PC2.0 today. I think I still prefer the feel of the Prestige. The K90 just isn’t as comfortable, but it hits a heavier ball and has a more direct, connected feel with the ball.
 

gino

Legend
I hit the K90 and PC2.0 today. I think I still prefer the feel of the Prestige. The K90 just isn’t as comfortable, but it hits a heavier ball and has a more direct, connected feel with the ball.

Prestige classic 2.0 is cool and plush. PS90 has a way more modern launch angle and string pattern
 
I hit the K90 and PC2.0 today. I think I still prefer the feel of the Prestige. The K90 just isn’t as comfortable, but it hits a heavier ball and has a more direct, connected feel with the ball.
Prestige Classic (and assuming the same for the 2.0 version) has always been significantly softer in flex than the Pro Staff 6.0 frames. So yeah, that's what you're feeling.
 

natesoogreat

New User
Has anyone ever seen a hyper carbon pro staff tour 90 with GFY on the butt cap? I cannot find any information on the web regarding what it would mean on this generation. Also, I've heard that the red bumper on this generation was reserved for demos. Would that be true for this one as well? I'll provide some pictures. Not currently in my possession, but could be. Thanks.
s-l1600.webp
s-l1600.webp
s-l960.webp
s-l960.webp
s-l960.webp
 

forzamr_b

Rookie
1st HPS Tour 90 battle that I’ve caught on video. Enjoy aficionados! ☺️

Backstory:
1st set was played with our main sticks, PS X for me, Vcore 95 for him. He snaps his strings late in the 1st set and has to switch to his Tour 90. I happen to have mine in my bag too, so we have a Tour 90 battle the next 2 sets

 

Rally

Professional
I hit the K90 and PC2.0 today. I think I still prefer the feel of the Prestige. The K90 just isn’t as comfortable, but it hits a heavier ball and has a more direct, connected feel with the ball.
I'm curious, have you tried hitting with a soft string in the mains yet? More so than most other racquets, I strongly believe that the Wilson mids were meant to be played with natural gut, multi, or syngut in the mains.
 

PistolPete23

Hall of Fame
I'm curious, have you tried hitting with a soft string in the mains yet? More so than most other racquets, I strongly believe that the Wilson mids were meant to be played with natural gut, multi, or syngut in the mains.
I had it strung with a full bed of Triax
 
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