Trying to narrow down from a list of racquets I tried/liked

[sportsfan1]

I currently have a Wilson six.one 95 16x18 with alu/gut hybrid and weighs 12.6 oz. With this racquet, my first serve is pretty good (none of the other racquets listed below comes as close on the serve, but that could just be due to the mass and getting used to the racquet over time). But I keep feeling like I could use more precision/control on the ground strokes - my inside out/DTL FHs especially keep flying wide of where I try to aim it.

Maybe it's just my technique or I am reading too much into the racquet differences for my level, as some would say, and I kept saying that myself for a long time too, but now I started looking at other racquets. Possibly looking into a tighter 18x20 string pattern, and a more comfortable racquet (lower stiffness).

Summary of questions:

1. TW reviewers (e.g. Chris Edwards) always seem to prefer 18x20 over open 16x18/16x19 patterns, saying the gain in precision with 18x20 is much greater than the loss of spin. Do folks on here agree with and share this preference?
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2. Head Prestige Mid or MidPlus or Pro? Or Wilson six.one 95 18x20?

Here's the short list I was hoping to finalize down to one or two racquets ( PS: I did eliminate some after hitting with them).

1. Volkl PB 10 Mid: I really hit well with this racquet, which surprised me cos I thought I would struggle with the smaller head size, but at 93 its probably close to the 95 I currently use.
   Amazingly comfortable racquet. Also felt lighter than it's weight. Possible buy due to the comfort. IMO, Not as precise as the prestige MP.
   
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2. Head IG Prestige MP: I did find this to be really precise, it felt like it instantly solved my issue of inside out FH's flying wide. I hit all my shots pretty good with this - 1hbh, volleys, everything.
   And for some reason, it felt lighter than it's actual weight. The Volkl PB 10 mid felt more comfortable though. Possible buy.
   
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3. Head IG Prestige Mid: I have read so much good stuff about this, I really want to buy this one outright without even trying it, however hesitant because the reviews note a small sweet spot.
   
   Does anyone know how it compares to the Volkl PB 10 mid (or is it closer to the Wilson PS 90)?
   
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4. Head IG Prestige Pro (16x19): Haven't tried this yet, but again plenty of good reviews, and am inclined towards this. TW reviews say this is precise too, but prefer the 18x20 MP over the 16x19 pro.
   
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5. Wilson six.one 95 (18x20):
   Haven't tried this yet. Tighter string pattern = more precise than it's 16x18 brother? TW reviews again prefer the 18x20 over the 16x18.
   
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6. Wilson Pro Staff 90: Non starter. It just didn't work out for me, even though the feel was solid, I didn't get the spin I was looking for and I couldn't swing out confidently as I was hitting the ball long.
   Maybe the head size takes some time getting used to.
   
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7. Head IG prestige S (the lighter one): I keep wanting to have an ~ 11 oz frame as an option in the bag, but these just don't work out for me from a feel and shot depth perspective.

Long post, but just listing the thought process here ;-).

 

[slchsu]

I'll jump in to comment on the first question about string patterns. Short answer: I've found that your stated rationale holds true for me.

In the past two seasons I've gone from an 18x20 to a 16x20 (and a number of 16x19 demos) and back to a 18x20, and have noticed that the gain in precision with an 18x20 comes at very little expense of spin potential. Though I could certainly appreciate the spin that an open stringbed creates, I found myself modulating my stroke so that the ball wouldn't fly out, which didn't truly unlock the pattern's potential. (Or, I'd have to swing at top speed all the time, leading to more errors.) With an 18x20, I seem to be able to control the amount of spin better. I can swing out and generate extreme spin through my stroke, or I can groove a rally shot back with moderate spin, or I can flatten it out. Granted, some of the lack of control with the 16x19s could probably have been addressed if I'd played around with string, tension, and lead, but overall I'm quite pleased with 18x20. For what it's worth, I'm not sure if I'd chalk up missing wide to the string pattern, which I would think mostly affects depth.

I haven't hit with many of the racquets on your list. I demoed the PB 10 MP and liked the way it felt but the strings in the demo felt very boardy. Also demoed the IG Prestige MP but it was way too much racquet for me. I've hit with the Six.One 95, but don't remember what string pattern it was or if it was the BLX version or not. Whichever it was, I really enjoyed the feel but it was a little underpowered for me.

Good luck!

 

[SpinToWin]

The Prestige Mid is by far the smallest racquet of the bunch with a true 89.5" headsize. Along with the dense string pattern, this racquet has one of the smallest sweetspots of modern racquets. However, the control and touch is phenomenal and you get easy court penetration on a full swing. Don't expect the racquet to do any work for you though (includes spin).

The IG Prestige Pro is like a more powerful MP with a slightly crisper feel, more forgiveness, more stability and an easier access to spin. IMO a must demo, as it is one of the best frames for an aggressive all courter. I still own two and I am constantly contemplating switching back to them.

The IG Prestige S has a smallish sweetspot and is quite harsh outside of it thanks to its lack of mass. It needs lead customizations in order to really shine, but IMO the Pro and the MP are better buys no matter what you do.

The 6.1 95 18x20 is the easiest to explain really. Take your racquet and give it a smaller sweetspot, a lower launch angle and slightly less power along with better control. This racquet has less control than a Prestige.


In conclusion I'd take out the IG Prestige S, the PS 90 (due to your experiences with the racquet) and the IG Prestige Mid (I do not think you will like it based on some of your comments) from your demo list.

 

[sportsfan1]

Got a lot of good information from the two posts above.

slchsu - I am inclined towards the 18x20 as well, however most intrigued by the prestige pro 16x19 and the PB10Mid
The PB10 MP is nothing like the PB 10 mid, so I recommend a try ;-) . What are you hitting with currently?

The descriptions of the 95 18x20 and prestige S in spintowin's post looks spot on, so I will stick to the rest of the prestiges which I have been hankering for lately. And that includes the prestige mid, which I may find out doesn't work for me, but gotta try it.

 

[LeeD]

Something is wrong with your assessment, OP.
Any of us, used to using a 12.5 oz racket, needs a PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT before he can play effectively with an 11 oz racket.
ME ME, I went from 12.6 oz Aero200's to 10.3 oz Aero500's, taking less than 1/2 hour hit to play about the same as I always do.

 

[sportsfan1]

^^ I am not saying you can't play the same with a lighter racquet - swing harder, absorb some vibrations etc. However I am stating that an 11 oz racquet won't *feel* the same as a 12+ oz one, no matter how long you play with it ;-). Agree?

BTW, my other racquet is a Dunlop Bio 200 tour with a leather grip, and that mass makes it a bit of a rocket launcher. Everything else starts feeling underpowered after that.

 

[slchsu]

Currently playing with a Blade 98 18x20. I tested the 16x19 and felt a big difference in the amount of depth control. Sometimes also use an iPrestige MP when playing lesser competition. Thanks for the advice on the PB Mid, I'll check it out. Though the current apple of my wandering eye is the Prince Tour 95.

I haven't hit with it, but the IG Prestige Mid feels incredible in hand. Would love to try that, myself, too.