The Pro Staff Classic 6.1 mutual appreciation club

macattack

macattack

Professional
Though there are some threads with bits of info here and there, I was surprised that there was no club for this classic stick. My all-time favorite and one that I've been playing off and on since the early 90s.

Here is the info I've gathered searching across different threads here on TT. I play the 16x18 so I've mostly stuck to that. Anyone who has specs or thoughts on the 18x20 version, which I believe is a bit more flexy, feel free to add!

None this is my original info. I gathered if from other threads and other posters, but I thought I'd collect it all here along with some pictures of my collection of PSCs. Please post yours as well!

Here are the general specs for the 16x18 version.

Head Size: 95 sq. in.
Strung Weight: 12.6oz / 357g
Balance: 11pts Head Light
Swingweight: 326
Stiffness: 72
Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam

Here's the old TW page: https://web.archive.org/web/20030402055330/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCWILSON-61.html

The line was launched in '90 or '91 (a little help?) as the "Pro Staff Classic" then "Pro Staff Classic 6.1 si" and finally the "Pro Staff Classic 6.1."

There were four versions. The first three, from my experience, played pretty much exactly the same and had the exact same specs. The fourth version, which I've played but never owned, didn't feel quite as solid. My understanding is that there wasn't any foam in the shaft of that version, but I cannot confirm that.

First gen: Pro Staff Classic. White butt cap with fairway leather grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in Taiwan. (farthest to the right on the picture below)

Second gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1 si. White buttcap, with aircushioned grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in China. (Second from the right in the picture below)

Third gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1. White buttcap with aircushioned grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in China. (The other four from the left)

Fourth gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1. Black buttcap with aircushioned grip stock. Midplus written in the hoop. Made in China. (Not pictured)


PSCthroatmarkings_zpshbnzsphb.jpg


psclineup_zpsvy7z7snj.jpg


pscspiral_zpskaiyjkc8.jpg


pscsixonequiver_zpsaifvewnl.jpg
 
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macattack

macattack

Professional
BorgCash said:
One of my favourite racquet of all time. Got 16x18, 18x20 and Stretch.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think it's one of the greats, up there with the PS85, Prestige Pro, 200G, POG, etc.

Can you talk a little bit about the differences between the 16x18 and the 18x20 in how they play? Do you have 18x20 specs? Post up some pics too!
 
B

big ted

Legend
i think the 18x20 was a european only release except for the stretch version? from what i remember players in the u.s. would buy the 18x20 stretch version and then cut it down to regular length
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
big ted said:
i think the 18x20 was a european only release except for the stretch version? from what i remember players in the u.s. would buy the 18x20 stretch version and then cut it down to regular length
Click to expand...

The 18x20 was definitely a Euro release and was sometimes called the "Tour Edition" if I remember correctly. Wilson reissued the 18x20 through TWE last year, which makes sense, for the 25th anniversary. That's really interesting about the U.S. players. I didn't know they'd cut down the stretch version to get the standard length 18x20s. Pretty cool.
 
A

Aretium

Hall of Fame
How does it compare to the 2014? I'm just starting to get used to this frame. It has improved everything apart from my forehand which I'm getting used to now.
 
E

elamarrj

New User
I bought 3 of these from a friend for a good price to help him out and played with them exclusively for the next 13 -14 years LOL great raquets I still have a few of them
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Aretium said:
How does it compare to the 2014? I'm just starting to get used to this frame. It has improved everything apart from my forehand which I'm getting used to now.
Click to expand...

You mean how does the old PSC compare to the 25th anniversary European re-issue? I have no idea. I've never played the 18x20 Euro version, either the original or the re-issue. I'm strictly 16x18. But when the 16x18 re-issue comes out I'll definitely do a play test comparison. Maybe someone else here can comment on the 18x20 versions.
 
hrstrat57

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
That is a real nice collection OP....I bagged the PSC 6.1 for a bit of time but never really warmed to it. Passed about 5 of them on to my brother in law who is still hitting them about 15 years later.

No arguing it is a true legend among sticks.

Still have a PSC 4.2 Classic, another highly underrated frame....PSC 6.1 on steroids.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
hrstrat57 said:
That is a real nice collection OP....I bagged the PSC 6.1 for a bit of time but never really warmed to it. Passed about 5 of them on to my brother in law who is still hitting them about 15 years later.

No arguing it is a true legend among sticks.

Still have a PSC 4.2 Classic, another highly underrated frame....PSC 6.1 on steroids.
Click to expand...

It's definitely not for everyone. Good on you for taking the time with them, though. And lucky for your brother in law! It's great to pass on sticks to people you know will use them. I'd rather give them away to someone like that than sell them to someone who'll end up putting them in the closet.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Anybody on this board use a 5/8 grip? I have a PSC 6.1 in that size (too large for me) that I'll send out to someone in the CONUS for free. Hope that's ok to post here. I'm not selling it, just want to spread the PSC wealth to someone who'll go out and hit with it. I'm posting this over in @Arti's 6.1 thread in the Racquet Forum as well.

Edit: Claimed.
 
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dak95_00

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
I appreciate this stick but it was never for me. I thought it was a more powerful POG 90 which was the racquet for me. There were a lot of good players I've played with through the years that played it though. It was definitely one of the best paint jobs back when only Donnay was going Wham!
 
A

Aretium

Hall of Fame
macattack said:
Anybody on this board use a 5/8 grip? I have a PSC 6.1 in that size (too large for me) that I'll send out to someone in the CONUS for free. Hope that's ok to post here. I'm not selling it, just want to spread the PSC wealth to someone who'll go out and hit with it. I'm posting this over in @Arti's 6.1 thread in the Racquet Forum as well.

Edit: Claimed.
Click to expand...

wow. Good people exist.
 
B

BorgCash

Legend
macattack said:
I agree. I think it's one of the greats, up there with the PS85, Prestige Pro, 200G, POG, etc.

Can you talk a little bit about the differences between the 16x18 and the 18x20 in how they play? Do you have 18x20 specs? Post up some pics too!
Click to expand...

Yes, agree, can only add to this list of greats racquets Kneissl White Star Pro/Adidas GTX Pro (Pro-T).
 
B

BorgCash

Legend
macattack said:
Anybody on this board use a 5/8 grip? I have a PSC 6.1 in that size (too large for me) that I'll send out to someone in the CONUS for free. Hope that's ok to post here. I'm not selling it, just want to spread the PSC wealth to someone who'll go out and hit with it. I'm posting this over in @Arti's 6.1 thread in the Racquet Forum as well.

Edit: Claimed.
Click to expand...
 
B

BorgCash

Legend
macattack said:
I agree. I think it's one of the greats, up there with the PS85, Prestige Pro, 200G, POG, etc.

Can you talk a little bit about the differences between the 16x18 and the 18x20 in how they play? Do you have 18x20 specs? Post up some pics too!
Click to expand...
ve
I have different strings on these racquets, so comparison will not be very fair. But in general 16x18 seems to be a little more powerfull and 18x20 got more control. That's how i feel it, it's not a big difference, just because of different string pattern. But both racquet's quite control and powerfull.
 
B

BorgCash

Legend
macattack said:
I agree. I think it's one of the greats, up there with the PS85, Prestige Pro, 200G, POG, etc.

Can you talk a little bit about the differences between the 16x18 and the 18x20 in how they play? Do you have 18x20 specs? Post up some pics too!
Click to expand...

My 18x20 is about 365-368 gr, 16x18 is 359-360. the balance is about 31cm both.
 
Fedinkum

Fedinkum

Legend
You are a kind man!! Salute!!!

macattack said:
Anybody on this board use a 5/8 grip? I have a PSC 6.1 in that size (too large for me) that I'll send out to someone in the CONUS for free. Hope that's ok to post here. I'm not selling it, just want to spread the PSC wealth to someone who'll go out and hit with it. I'm posting this over in @Arti's 6.1 thread in the Racquet Forum as well.

Edit: Claimed.
Click to expand...
 
Sanglier

Sanglier

Professional
macattack said:
There were four versions. The first three, from my experience, played pretty much exactly the same and had the exact same specs. The fourth version, which I've played but never owned, didn't feel quite as solid. My understanding is that there wasn't any foam in the shaft of that version, but I cannot confirm that.
Click to expand...

What are the butt cap codes on your 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen examples? Wilson seems to have adhered to a pretty orderly code system from 1978 through 1988, but after that the whole thing becomes very confusing.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Sanglier said:
What are the butt cap codes on your 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen examples? Wilson seems to have adhered to a pretty orderly code system from 1978 through 1988, but after that the whole thing becomes very confusing.
Click to expand...

I can check and let you know when I get home from work this evening. I do remember that the first gen actually has a "Taiwan" sticker on it.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Sanglier said:
What are the butt cap codes on your 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen examples? Wilson seems to have adhered to a pretty orderly code system from 1978 through 1988, but after that the whole thing becomes very confusing.
Click to expand...

So the first gen Pro Staff Classic (Taiwan with no 6.1 or si) has a butt cap code of SDX. The second gen Pro Staff Classic 6.1 si (China) code on the butt cap seems to have worn off. I can barely make out parts of three letters imprinted in the plastic. My quartet of third gen Pro Staff Classic 6.1 (no si, China) have butt cap codes: UBZ, SKU, UKV, UBX.

All of them are white butt caps. I don't have any of the fourth gen Pro Staff Classic 6.1 made in china with the black butt cap, red square and white "W".
 
Sanglier

Sanglier

Professional
Thanks for taking the trouble to post the codes!

The "S" in SDX stands for "San Ho Sun", the main Taiwan contractor for Wilson since the early '80s. According to my own observations, the "D" here indicates that the year of manufacture was 1991; so it's an early one indeed (the earliest in fact, out of the 20 or so PS 6.1 that I've looked at so far).

The "X" is presumably the batch number, which goes from "M" to "Z" (or perhaps "Z" to "M"), though "Z" and (especially) "Q" are very rarely encountered, making it at least possible that the remaining 12 letters could roughly correspond to the month of year. For some reason, "W" is way over-represented compared to the other letters; though it is possible that my observations are skewed by my limited focus (I've only paid attention to the early US-made graphites, as well as the Stings, Ultras, and ProStaff series).

Assuming that Wilson consistently applied this identification scheme over the decades, your "UBZ" and "UBX" would have been made in 1999, by a Chinese contractor "U", while your "SKU" and "UKV" would have been made in 1997, one by San Ho Sun (therefore in Taiwan), the other by Chinese contractor "U".

I've only looked at two "Gen IV" PS 6.1 so far, both were made by "U", with the year code "D" (2001).

The trouble with deciphering these codes is that the order of the letters can switch back and forth over time, and the same letter can be both a batch identifier and a manufacturer indicator (Wilson had many contractors), so that when you are confronted with a code like "SKU", you must decide whether you are looking at a racquet from batch "S" made by "U", or a racquet made by "S" from batch "U", since both contractors in this instance are known to have made the same racquet at the same time. The only reason I am confident that yours is a San Ho Sun-made frame is that other codes observed during this period, from both San Ho Sun and Chinese contractor "U", have their manufacturer-indicator going first, and the batch identifier at the end.

Notice also that the year code is recycled from decade to decade. "SDX" could have been 1981, 1991, or 2001. Obviously no PS 6.1 existed in 1981, and by 2001, they were making the black-capped "Gen IV" version, so yours could only have been produced in 1991.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Sanglier said:
Thanks for taking the trouble to post the codes!

The "S" in SDX stands for "San Ho Sun", the main Taiwan contractor for Wilson since the early '80s. According to my own observations, the "D" here indicates that the year of manufacture was 1991; so it's an early one indeed (the earliest in fact, out of the 20 or so PS 6.1 that I've looked at so far).

The "X" is presumably the batch number, which goes from "M" to "Z" (or perhaps "Z" to "M"), though "Z" and (especially) "Q" are very rarely encountered, making it at least possible that the remaining 12 letters could roughly correspond to the month of year. For some reason, "W" is way over-represented compared to the other letters; though it is possible that my observations are skewed by my limited focus (I've only paid attention to the early US-made graphites, as well as the Stings, Ultras, and ProStaff series).

Assuming that Wilson consistently applied this identification scheme over the decades, your "UBZ" and "UBX" would have been made in 1999, by a Chinese contractor "U", while your "SKU" and "UKV" would have been made in 1997, one by San Ho Sun (therefore in Taiwan), the other by Chinese contractor "U".

I've only looked at two "Gen IV" PS 6.1 so far, both were made by "U", with the year code "D" (2001).

The trouble with deciphering these codes is that the order of the letters can switch back and forth over time, and the same letter can be both a batch identifier and a manufacturer indicator (Wilson had many contractors), so that when you are confronted with a code like "SKU", you must decide whether you are looking at a racquet from batch "S" made by "U", or a racquet made by "S" from batch "U", since both contractors in this instance are known to have made the same racquet at the same time. The only reason I am confident that yours is a San Ho Sun-made frame is that other codes observed during this period, from both San Ho Sun and Chinese contractor "U", have their manufacturer-indicator going first, and the batch identifier at the end.

Notice also that the year code is recycled from decade to decade. "SDX" could have been 1981, 1991, or 2001. Obviously no PS 6.1 existed in 1981, and by 2001, they were making the black-capped "Gen IV" version, so yours could only have been produced in 1991.
Click to expand...

This is amazing. I had no idea about those butt cap codes (other than the ones identifying St. Vincent sticks). I just assumed Wilson did it relatively randomly or reused codes. Thank you so much for all this info.
 
Arti

Arti

Professional
If i have a HyperProstaff 6.1 95 and add a head leather tour grip to it, how much more headlight does it become?
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Here's something strange. I put my 1st gen '91 PSC 6.1 (the one without the 6.1 denotation) on the Babolat machine today at my stringer's shop and this is what came out:

Weight: 366 (that makes sense)
Flex: 63 (It's 25 years old so flex going from 70 to 63 seems relatively normal)
Swingweight: 306 (WHAT?)

How is that SW possible? We put two of my RF97s on the machine to make sure it was reading correctly and they both came out with 325 SW so it seems relatively on point. How in the hell is the SW at 306 on that PSC?

Any help on this to my PSC experts out there? @moon shot @gino @Arti @Sanglier ???
 
Arti

Arti

Professional
macattack said:
Here's something strange. I put my 1st gen '91 PSC 6.1 (the one without the 6.1 denotation) on the Babolat machine today at my stringer's shop and this is what came out:

Weight: 366 (that makes sense)
Flex: 63 (It's 25 years old so flex going from 70 to 63 seems relatively normal)
Swingweight: 306 (WHAT?)

How is that SW possible? We put two of my RF97s on the machine to make sure it was reading correctly and they both came out with 325 SW so it seems relatively on point. How in the hell is the SW at 306 on that PSC?

Any help on this to my PSC experts out there? @moon shot @gino @Arti @Sanglier ???
Click to expand...
Check where exactly you are measuring from on the grip. Also swing it around with considerable speed during the test. It could be QC but I don't think Wilson was so bad back then. If it was unstrung that would make sense. I would say remeasure because an RF97 with a swing weight over 10 points lower (I measured some at 339) than retail could mean a slightly decibrated RDC. Try again and if you still get the same thing...QC is to blame. How is the balance looking?
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Arti said:
Check where exactly you are measuring from on the grip. Also swing it around with considerable speed during the test. It could be QC but I don't think Wilson was so bad back then. If it was unstrung that would make sense. I would say remeasure because an RF97 with a swing weight over 10 points lower (I measured some at 339) than retail could mean a slightly decibrated RDC. Try again and if you still get the same thing...QC is to blame. How is the balance looking?
Click to expand...

Yeah maybe I'll run back over there tomorrow. Balance is pretty bang out at 10 pts. head light.
 
Arti

Arti

Professional
macattack said:
Yeah maybe I'll run back over there tomorrow. Balance is pretty bang out at 10 pts. head light.
Click to expand...
Weird. Keep us updated but really weird. It's got everything ok instead of SW. But with that balance and weight then it must be the most unpolarized racquet I've ever seen.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Arti said:
Weird. Keep us updated but really weird. It's got everything ok instead of SW. But with that balance and weight then it must be the most unpolarized racquet I've ever seen.
Click to expand...

Yeah I really think it was the machine. You're right, the RF97s should be about 10 points heavier as well. Definitely keep you updated.
 
moon shot

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Good stuff from Arti, You might also consider what grip is on it, I think it shipped with leather, dampener, and strings. I don't think they'd add up to what you are seeing.

TW calibrates their RDC by verifying using the manual swingweight measurement, but if you haven't previously done that reliably it doesn't help much. I thought I saw somewhere that Babolat had test frames for calibration as well, but I may be wrong.

I'm trying to derive how TW arrives at their specs, and if they changed over time. Here in 1999 the Classic is seems to be strung for weight, RDC inertia (326), but the balance is listed as 11pts which surely is unstrung, I think they were around 9pts strung. Here in 2004 it has the same values other than a 72 for stiffness. It looks like they possibly changed how they measured balance around 2005-06 from unstrung to strung, and likely added averaging later.

edit: I think I'm off on the balance change, but still looking into it.
 
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macattack

macattack

Professional
@moon shot and @Arti

Went over again and put the PSC on the Babolat machine at my stringer's shop. We recalibrated and the OG PSC that was coming up 306 SW came up correct at 330 SW.

I also threw the PSC 6.1 that I play regularly (not the OG PSC) on the machine and here are the specs for this beast. Just about perfect for me. This includes Wilson leather grip, one Yonex supergrap overgrip and rubber band dampener.

Weight: 371
Swingweight: 347
Flex: 70
 
Arti

Arti

Professional
macattack said:
@moon shot and @Arti

Went over again and put the PSC on the Babolat machine at my stringer's shop. We recalibrated and the OG PSC that was coming up 306 SW came up correct at 330 SW.

I also threw the PSC 6.1 that I play regularly (not the OG PSC) on the machine and here are the specs for this beast. Just about perfect for me. This includes Wilson leather grip, one Yonex supergrap overgrip and rubber band dampener.

Weight: 371
Swingweight: 347
Flex: 70
Click to expand...
So nice. Headlight and big SW. Thinking about a 6.0 95 demo soon.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
Never heard of this. Wild! I think the 18x20 euro version of the PSC 6.1 was flexier than the U.S. 16x18 version by a few points. Though still a stiff stick.
 
gino

gino

Legend
macattack said:
Though there are some threads with bits of info here and there, I was surprised that there was no club for this classic stick. My all-time favorite and one that I've been playing off and on since the early 90s.

Here is the info I've gathered searching across different threads here on TT. I play the 16x18 so I've mostly stuck to that. Anyone who has specs or thoughts on the 18x20 version, which I believe is a bit more flexy, feel free to add!

None this is my original info. I gathered if from other threads and other posters, but I thought I'd collect it all here along with some pictures of my collection of PSCs. Please post yours as well!

Here are the general specs for the 16x18 version.

Head Size: 95 sq. in.
Strung Weight: 12.6oz / 357g
Balance: 11pts Head Light
Swingweight: 326
Stiffness: 72
Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam

Here's the old TW page: https://web.archive.org/web/20030402055330/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCWILSON-61.html

The line was launched in '90 or '91 (a little help?) as the "Pro Staff Classic" then "Pro Staff Classic 6.1 si" and finally the "Pro Staff Classic 6.1."

There were four versions. The first three, from my experience, played pretty much exactly the same and had the exact same specs. The fourth version, which I've played but never owned, didn't feel quite as solid. My understanding is that there wasn't any foam in the shaft of that version, but I cannot confirm that.

First gen: Pro Staff Classic. White butt cap with fairway leather grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in Taiwan. (farthest to the right on the picture below)

Second gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1 si. White buttcap, with aircushioned grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in China. (Second from the right in the picture below)

Third gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1. White buttcap with aircushioned grip stock. 95 sq.in written in the hoop. And made in China. (The other four from the left)

Fourth gen: Pro Staff Classic 6.1. Black buttcap with aircushioned grip stock. Midplus written in the hoop. Made in China. (Not pictured)


PSCthroatmarkings_zpshbnzsphb.jpg


psclineup_zpsvy7z7snj.jpg


pscspiral_zpskaiyjkc8.jpg


pscsixonequiver_zpsaifvewnl.jpg
Click to expand...

Gotta say, I love the 6.1 Classic collection you've been stacking up @macattack

The two I have, I can vaguely pick out the slightest of differences between them. The way the ball pockets the stringbed, mainly. Also, one feels slightly more head heavy. Not sure it this has anything to do with the distribution of weight, because the specs are the same. Anyways, it's pretty amazing how many different cycles of production the PSC 6.1 had. Like 5-6? Maybe more?
 
T

therecanbeonlyone

Semi-Pro
I just picked up an si version of the PSC for $10. Butt cap code is UGR. I will clean it and give it some fresh strings and then take it on a walk down memory lane.
Also, props to you guys; this thread has been pretty fun so far.
 
macattack

macattack

Professional
therecanbeonlyone said:
I just picked up an si version of the PSC for $10. Butt cap code is UGR. I will clean it and give it some fresh strings and then take it on a walk down memory lane.
Also, props to you guys; this thread has been pretty fun so far.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club! Have a blast with that thing. $10 is a steal.
 
Steve F.

Steve F.

Professional
@therecanbeonlyone (aka highlander no doubt)
Nice find.
My heart is set on an 18x20 4 5/8 grip, to complement my 16x18's.
I may have to ship a pair of new releases from TWE then have them custom molded once my broken hand heals.
Happy hitting!
 
B

BorgCash

Legend
therecanbeonlyone said:
I just picked up an si version of the PSC for $10. Butt cap code is UGR. I will clean it and give it some fresh strings and then take it on a walk down memory lane.
Also, props to you guys; this thread has been pretty fun so far.
Click to expand...

You're a lucky one to get o e of the best sticks in the world for just $10
 
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