Which Wilson Pro staff 90 is better, 2012-2013 or 2014 version?
- Thread starter yescomeon
- Start date
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
No such thing as "better". Only what YOU "prefer".
Prostaffguru
Rookie
I have both and love both for different reasons. I like the feel of the 2013, but the 2014 is easier to swing.
I preferred the 2014. It seemed to be a little softer with a lot more control. Which is weird considering I love the RF97, which is definitely stiffer with not as much pinpoint control.
thatguymattin
Semi-Pro
The poll should be about which iteration do people prefer more...
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yeah, I also prefer the 2014 version because it has a slightly crisper feel and swings a tad heavier than the 2012/2013 version.
Hate both paintjobs, though.
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SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
gut/poly hybrids, must you ask?
They don't last long do they?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Use the right poly in the crosses and they last forever. Much longer than full poly for me, especially if you add string savers where you see fraying.
Which strings specifically do you recommend?
also, never heard of string savers, I'll have to look into that
Champions Choice isn't too bad (VS and RPM), but I like VS Touch 16 in the mains and either Tour Bite 18 or Tour Bite Soft 16L in the crosses all at 52#. I get at least 20 hours of playing time before the poly crosses break, and then I just restring the crosses and the gut finally breaks right about the time the poly crosses are about to break a 2nd time.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I recommend Pacific Tough Gut 16 mains with Head Hawk 17 crosses. The setup will have insane longevity.
I have two 2014 PS90s strung with natural gut and poly-one with Babolat VS Touch Black 16 (Mains) and Babolat RPM Blast 16 (Crosses), and the other with the same mains but with Solinco Tour Bite 16 on the crosses. Both racquets are strung with 50lbs mains and 48lbs crosses.
So far I'm loving the VS Touch with RPM Blast. I'm getting a good amount of pocketing that I want with the ball and at full swing and full swing speed I can launch some unreturnable shots and easily hit from the baseline to baseine. I have yet to hit with the Solinco Tour Bite setup since i'm still loving the RPM blast so far.
The gauge is obviously the thickness of the string. People can fit all gauges into a racquet just depends on personal preference and what you want to gain out of the string. Most people just go with 16 gauge for everything as a decent all around starting point to balance durability with power loss.
Thicker strings are more durable but balls can get better pocketing with thinner strings and also end up with more spin than from a thicker string. Thinner strings also offer more power as the ball can dig deeper in and bounce off the racquet with more energy.
The 12-13' PS90 does look like it has a better paintjob than the 14' PS90. I think the 14'PS90 looks horrible in pictures, but it doesn't look that bad in real life. It quickly grows on you. But then I have the top half of my frames all wrapped up in protection tape anyways so all I see is the white.
So far I'm loving the VS Touch with RPM Blast. I'm getting a good amount of pocketing that I want with the ball and at full swing and full swing speed I can launch some unreturnable shots and easily hit from the baseline to baseine. I have yet to hit with the Solinco Tour Bite setup since i'm still loving the RPM blast so far.
The gauge is obviously the thickness of the string. People can fit all gauges into a racquet just depends on personal preference and what you want to gain out of the string. Most people just go with 16 gauge for everything as a decent all around starting point to balance durability with power loss.
Thicker strings are more durable but balls can get better pocketing with thinner strings and also end up with more spin than from a thicker string. Thinner strings also offer more power as the ball can dig deeper in and bounce off the racquet with more energy.
The 12-13' PS90 does look like it has a better paintjob than the 14' PS90. I think the 14'PS90 looks horrible in pictures, but it doesn't look that bad in real life. It quickly grows on you. But then I have the top half of my frames all wrapped up in protection tape anyways so all I see is the white.
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My Pro Staff 90 2014 setup
After too many iterations I reached a "personal sweet spot" for my 2014 Pro Staff 90:
- 7 grams of led at 12:00 (actually from 11:00 to 13:00 under the grommet)
- Tourna overgrip (ultra tacky)
- Babolat VS Team (1.25) Mains at 23kg
- Luxilon 4G (1.25) Cross at 21.5kg
Racquet is now right at 370g (strangely enough, exactly as my RF97 with the same gut/poly but at 26.5kg/25kg and Tourna overgrip).
It gives me great spin and power on request, and shoots a heavy ball.
The string longevity is around 10 hours of moderate to heavy hitting, with the gut breaking first, of course
I don't like string savers as they will eventually warp the string bed, making all the mains move a lot.
If someone has a nice pattern that doesn't make the string bed look like a "moire" effect, please share.
Cheers.
After too many iterations I reached a "personal sweet spot" for my 2014 Pro Staff 90:
- 7 grams of led at 12:00 (actually from 11:00 to 13:00 under the grommet)
- Tourna overgrip (ultra tacky)
- Babolat VS Team (1.25) Mains at 23kg
- Luxilon 4G (1.25) Cross at 21.5kg
Racquet is now right at 370g (strangely enough, exactly as my RF97 with the same gut/poly but at 26.5kg/25kg and Tourna overgrip).
It gives me great spin and power on request, and shoots a heavy ball.
The string longevity is around 10 hours of moderate to heavy hitting, with the gut breaking first, of course
I don't like string savers as they will eventually warp the string bed, making all the mains move a lot.
If someone has a nice pattern that doesn't make the string bed look like a "moire" effect, please share.
Cheers.
NuBas
Legend
Of course there is such thing as better. If what you prefer is better, than IT IS better.
Capulin Zurdo
Hall of Fame
They both play so similar, but I guess I'll go with the 2014 since I like the tad more crisp feel compared to the 12-13 iteration.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Better for YOU does not mean better for everyone.
Which is better? Blue or red? Vanilla or chocolate? Tennis or basketball?
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
The 2014 is for people who prefer a "6.0" 90. Of all the Pro Staffs, the 2014 felt like the 6.0 85 the most.
NuBas
Legend
To answer your question: RED, Vanilla, and Tennis
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Great! But does that mean Red, Vanilla, and Tennis is better for EVERYONE?
Besides, you may "prefer" the full-fat, high calorie, high sugar, high carb, full of artificial colors and flavors version of that Vanilla ice cream, but is it really "better" for you? Often times, people "prefer" things that are not actually "better" for them.
volleymaster2
New User
Too funny haha
