Wilson 6.1 95 18x20

[USPTARF97]

Would love to get some insight into what you guys are using in this frame currently. There are some older threads with a great deal of information about pro players using this frame and set ups used by TT members. What about now in 2020. Strings change and set ups change. Curious to know where you guys are now with this frame. I am currently using the 2017 stock frame with Wilson Pro Over Grip/ W Dampener.
BHS7T @ 46lbs.

 

[rafazx10]

I use Luxilon 4G 16g @ 58lbs.

 

[kingcheetah]

I have used 4g or 4g soft at 54

 

[CosmosMpower]

When I used one I used a thinner gauge poly like hyper G 18, gave the frame a bit more pop and spin

 

[tim-ay]

I still love me some K factor. I haven’t found anything i like better and have been through loads of frames. Power? Spin? Sweet spot? Serve precision?

I can vary my shots so much. Heavy ball to corner, sharp angle, flat crush down the line. Who knows why, but it’s still my favorite frame. I have a slew of them.

Oh yeah, strings. I like a hybrid. Usually typhoon with forten sweet cross.... sometimes alu full bed, but not that often anymore.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[USPTARF97]

Been seeing 4g quite a bit in the 18x20’s. You guys stringing in the mid to upper 50’s with 4g, do you have weight added to the head of the frame?

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Would love to get some insight into what you guys are using in this frame currently. There are some older threads with a great deal of information about pro players using this frame and set ups used by TT members. What about now in 2020. Strings change and set ups change. Curious to know where you guys are now with this frame. I am currently using the 2017 stock frame with Wilson Pro Over Grip/ W Dampener.
BHS7T @ 46lbs.

I use thinner polys (1.15-1.20mm), usually at 50M/47C.

Will be trying Volkl Cyclone 18L (1.15mm) next, FB @ around the above-mentioned tension (maybe a bit lower).

 

[USPTARF97]

I’ve been playing 46 lbs BHS7T. Going to 48/46 on the next frame. Feels like when generating a great deal of racquet head speed there is a bit of loss of control.

 

[moon shot]

I’ve been playing the classic stretch with Gosen 17 mains and RS Lyon 17 crosses at 52lbs. It is a pretty pleasant all around setup which stays similar in playability for a good while.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

POSG 17 at 26 kgs. Nice, firm feel, muted adequately by the racket

 

[brownbearfalling]

17 or 18g polys. WC silver string, ALU power 1.25, tour bite soft 1.25, SP poly plasma 17g, SP firestorm, and sonic pro edge are my favorite polys. 54lbs mains and 50 crosses.

Using Wilson pro hybrid base grip and white over grip. Wilson w dampener.

 

[Kam2010]

I still have 1 k95 and from the strings used such as full bed poly and syn gut as well as hybrid.
I found that nrg2 1.32mm and alu power crosses was sweet

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I don't have this one but the L version (with the 18x20 pattern). I figured I could add weight if I felt like I needed to. But so far the L is already pretty stable even at its relatively low strung weight of 305-10. Strung with Solinco Hyper G at 55lbs.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I still love me some K factor. I haven’t found anything i like better and have been through loads of frames. Power? Spin? Sweet spot? Serve precision?

I can vary my shots so much. Heavy ball to corner, sharp angle, flat crush down the line. Who knows why, but it’s still my favorite frame. I have a slew of them.

Oh yeah, strings. I like a hybrid. Usually typhoon with forten sweet cross.... sometimes alu full bed, but not that often anymore.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Again, mine is the L version but my experience mirrors yours. Yes, such a versatile frame. When I decided to switch from the Tour G 310 mainly because I was tired of lugging all the weight in the throat that that frame has, I had a strong inclination to switch to this one just from the few occasions I had had to play with others' 6.1 95s. It's so maneuverable without being fluttery at all. Superb to whip through forehands from the baseline but also produces a low, skidding slice, great feel up at net too. Because of this combination of whippiness and feel, I hardly feel the frame on the serve.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/modern-alternative-to-wilson-six-one-95-18x20-blades-and-vcores-arent-making-the-cut.657420/

Still going with ~55 lbs with a 16G 1st gen poly on my BLX 18x20.

I'm also still thinking about picking up the re-released ksix.one. Concerned about the terrible quality control issues which might really get to me if I end up with a new one and end up wanting a second.

 

[Shroud]

When I used that I was using Kev/zx 75/55lbs.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

When I used that I was using Kev/zx 75/55lbs.

Haha, Kevlar at 75, can't even imagine that set up and what it feels like. Stiff isn't the word.

 

[Shroud]

Haha, Kevlar at 75, can't even imagine that set up and what it feels like. Stiff isn't the word.

yes but the 20lbs less makes it much softer than it sounds. FWIW IIRC I think that my ERT3000 computer clocked that as a stringbed stiffness of 35 which in a 95" is 51 lbs. which is effectively less than some of the recs here. But because it says kevlar and has 75lbs people freak.

 

[USPTARF97]

Haha, Kevlar at 75, can't even imagine that set up and what it feels like. Stiff isn't the word.

Shroud likes to turn as many threads as he can into stringing Kevlar mains at 75-80lbs just to get a rise out of people. Even in this thread where the interest is what people are using currently in the 6.1 95 18x20. Not even a frame he uses.

 

[Shroud]

Shroud likes to turn as many threads as he can into stringing Kevlar mains at 75-80lbs just to get a rise out of people. Even in this thread where the interest is what people are using currently in the 6.1 95 18x20. Not even a frame he uses.

I used that for about 8 months and the 95s. Its a solid frame.

 

[USPTARF97]

Hit today with the 6.1 95 18x20. BHS7T @ 46. It was 38 degrees outside and normally don’t like to hit when it is that cold but the days have been limited to hit around here for the last two weeks. Not sure I can hit the ball much better with anything.

 

[mad dog1]

I used that for about 8 months and the 95s. Its a solid frame.

Reported for grossly understating the solidity of this frame.

 

[caesar66]

Reported for grossly understating the solidity of this frame.

Just coming back from a break from tennis, but I used to love the Hyper ProStaff 6.1. I just used nxt-string pattern was open enough for decent spin. I felt like I could knock over a tree with that thing if I hit the sweet spot.

 

[mad dog1]

Just coming back from a break from tennis, but I used to love the Hyper ProStaff 6.1. I just used nxt-string pattern was open enough for decent spin. I felt like I could knock over a tree with that thing if I hit the sweet spot.

Ain’t that the truth! But even when you miss the sweet spot, it’s a SOLID feeling mishit! Mishits never felt so good.

 

[USPTARF97]

No question, the 6.1 95 18x20 and the RF97 are two of the more solid frames available on the market today. Had several of the Hyper Pro Staff 6.1’s and wish I still had one to test. At that time I only used NXT and Sensation because it was free and most of my time was spent on court teaching. Didn’t play much at that time other than exhibitions. Would love to try that frame with Gut/poly.

 

[Sweets3450]

I used to use the 18x20 and hated it. It felt like hitting with a wooden board compared to the 16x18, it was hard to generate spin and slices were difficult. Redirecting the ball was the same as the 16x18 but balls would sail a few feet long no matter what tension I used. The 16x18 is the better racket for me, more spin and control with no downsides. If TW reissued the 16x18 rackets I would buy quite a few of them! And some extra grommets as well.

I also disagree with the posts about the frame being "solid." The reason I love my 6.1 95 is because it's flexible and responsive and with a very head light balance that is not found on retail frames today. When I miss, I know where on the stringbed I missed and I know how to adjust for the next time I have that ball again. Modern rackets with higher twist weight feel "solid" to me but it's much harder to get a delicate angle at the net with them because the ball bounces so aggressively off the racket even when holding it gently. PS/RF97, Babolat frames, and the Vcore 97 fall into this category of "solid" to me. To explain it in different terms, if I hold the racket firmly and block a serve I get a lot more power with those modern rackets than with my 6.1. To each their own I guess. I don't get "plowthrough" because I feel this racket is whippy (maybe due to a lower than average twistweight?) without lead but it can get pushed around when returning a big flat shot where those other "solid" rackets don't.

 

[USPTARF97]

The 18x20 6.1 95 isn’t for everyone. 5.0+ seem to get the best results from the 6.1 18x20. RF97 and 6.1 95 18x20 are two of the best frames on the market today in terms of plow through. The above poster is confusing solid with being stiff. The newer frames are lighter and stiffer as a general rule.
The 6.1 95 18x20 is one of the most control oriented frames available and doesn’t give a free card to spin or power. That being said it has so much plow through that one can swing smooth and let the frame do a good bit of the work if your technique and fundamentals are correct. Lower tension tends to benefit most in the 6.1 95 18x20. Driving the ball off the ground it doesn’t get much better in terms of precision. Serve has some serious pop and volleys totally controllable.
There is a reason that after all these years there are still players on the ATP playing with this frame hidden under new Wilson paint layups.

 

[Sweets3450]

As I mentioned above, the twistweights of modern rackets have gone up. This gives that subjective "solid" feeling. They also have equal or higher swingweights which is achieved with less head light balance as that's easier to manage for most players across most skill levels because the overall weight can be kept the same by shifting it towards the top.

Stiffness seems to go up or down depending on the respective year of the same model. I didn't know about any of this when I was younger, I just knew I didn't like these types of frames and kept my 6.1 because it felt better. But that's because I knew where the ball was going to go due to the head light balance, not crazy high twistweight (less "solid stability" as TW reviews call it), and a flexible frame. There were much stiffer rackets even back in the 90s, the Wilson Hammer lineup was ridiculously stiff with an RA into the mid-70s. "Plowthrough" is another subjective term which doesn't really mean anything, it's a result of swingweight and twistweight making it feel like the racket does the work for you which I have definitely felt on a lot of modern frames but not on the 6.1 95. You have to put in your own power which is what makes it more of a reliable tool. Not quite as low powered as the 90 or 85, but certainly less than a modern Babolat. The RF97 also comes to mind, same headlight balance but feels much much heavier on contact than the 6.1 95 due to the higher twistweight. Then there are things like recoil weight, beam shape and thickness, and other technical bits which are quickly outside of my wheelhouse but those also come into play.

The 6.1 95 has a wonderful feel as I mentioned above, but it's not an immediate and satisfying "solid plowthrough" feel which you get on a modern Babolat which is why I suspect it didn't sell as well for most recreational players. Most players are not 5.0 or higher and aren't going to enjoy or utilize the low powered nature of the 6.1. Which makes me sad because I need more rackets and grommets!

Twistweights

KSix-One 95 (18x20) 12.9

I've hit with each of these this year and these stats feel in the ballpark:
Pro Staff 97 RF Autograph 14.9
VCORE Pro 97 (330) 14.23
Pure Aero (2019) 15.36
Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen 14.76

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/twistweight.cgi

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

As I mentioned above, the twistweights of modern rackets have gone up. This gives that subjective "solid" feeling. They also have equal or higher swingweights which is achieved with less head light balance as that's easier to manage for most players across most skill levels because the overall weight can be kept the same by shifting it towards the top.

Stiffness seems to go up or down depending on the respective year of the same model. I didn't know about any of this when I was younger, I just knew I didn't like these types of frames and kept my 6.1 because it felt better. But that's because I knew where the ball was going to go due to the head light balance, not crazy high twist high (less "solid stability" as TW reviews call it), and a flexible frame. There were much stiffer rackets even back in the 90s, the Wilson Hammer lineup was ridiculously stiff with an RA into the mid-70s. "Plowthrough" is another subjective term which doesn't really mean anything, it's a result of swingweight and twistweight making it feel like the racket does the work for you which I have definitely felt on a lot of modern frames but not on the 6.1 95. You have to put in your own power which is what makes it more of a reliable tool. Not quite as low powered as the 90 or 85, but certainly less than a modern Babolat. The RF97 also comes to mind, same headlight balance but feels much much heavier on contact than the 6.1 95 due to the higher twistweight. Then there are things like recoil weight, beam shape and thickness, and other technical bits which are quickly outside of my wheelhouse but those also come into play.

The 6.1 95 has a wonderful feel as I mentioned above, but it's not an immediate and satisfying "solid plowthrough" feel which you get on a modern Babolat which is why I suspect it didn't sell as well for most recreational players. Most players are not 5.0 or higher and aren't going to enjoy or utilize the low powered nature of the 6.1. Which makes me sad because I need more rackets and grommets!

Twistweights

KSix-One 95 (18x20) 12.9

I've hit with each of these this year and these stats feel in the ballpark:
Pro Staff 97 RF Autograph 14.9
VCORE Pro 97 (330) 14.23
Pure Aero (2019) 15.36
Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen 14.76

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/twistweight.cgi

I think if you look through the list of Wilson racquets in the attachment you provided, you'll see that the TW of the various 6.1 95's also changes a bit and therefore it will depend on which model you have played with as to the TW you have experienced.

For example: if you go to the Power Potential Tool on TW University and compare the Six.One 95 (18x20) with the PS RF97 Autograph (2014) you get pretty similar values almost across the board.

Spec:
Wilson Six.One 95 (18x20)/ Wilson Pro Staff 97 RF Autograph

Length (in): 27.00/ 27.00
Headsize (in2): 95/ 97
Weight (g): 354/ 359
Balance (cm): 32.0/ 31.8
Swingweight (kg*cm2): 334/ 338
Flex (RDC): 67/ 70
Twistweight (kg*cm2): 14.3/ 14.9
Vibration (Hz): 145/ 150

Then there are others that vary quite a bit. But I think the 6.1 95 that most people are talking about has these kinds of specs.

 

[USPTARF97]

As I mentioned above, the twistweights of modern rackets have gone up. This gives that subjective "solid" feeling. They also have equal or higher swingweights which is achieved with less head light balance as that's easier to manage for most players across most skill levels because the overall weight can be kept the same by shifting it towards the top.

Stiffness seems to go up or down depending on the respective year of the same model. I didn't know about any of this when I was younger, I just knew I didn't like these types of frames and kept my 6.1 because it felt better. But that's because I knew where the ball was going to go due to the head light balance, not crazy high twist high (less "solid stability" as TW reviews call it), and a flexible frame. There were much stiffer rackets even back in the 90s, the Wilson Hammer lineup was ridiculously stiff with an RA into the mid-70s. "Plowthrough" is another subjective term which doesn't really mean anything, it's a result of swingweight and twistweight making it feel like the racket does the work for you which I have definitely felt on a lot of modern frames but not on the 6.1 95. You have to put in your own power which is what makes it more of a reliable tool. Not quite as low powered as the 90 or 85, but certainly less than a modern Babolat. The RF97 also comes to mind, same headlight balance but feels much much heavier on contact than the 6.1 95 due to the higher twistweight. Then there are things like recoil weight, beam shape and thickness, and other technical bits which are quickly outside of my wheelhouse but those also come into play.

The 6.1 95 has a wonderful feel as I mentioned above, but it's not an immediate and satisfying "solid plowthrough" feel which you get on a modern Babolat which is why I suspect it didn't sell as well for most recreational players. Most players are not 5.0 or higher and aren't going to enjoy or utilize the low powered nature of the 6.1. Which makes me sad because I need more rackets and grommets!

Twistweights

KSix-One 95 (18x20) 12.9

I've hit with each of these this year and these stats feel in the ballpark:
Pro Staff 97 RF Autograph 14.9
VCORE Pro 97 (330) 14.23
Pure Aero (2019) 15.36
Pure Strike 16x19 3rd Gen 14.76

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/twistweight.cgi

The RF97 and 6.1 95 are more a like than you know. Plow through means a great deal when players are hitting 75-80 mile an hour ground strokes close to the baseline and you take the ball right off the bounce and drive it back. Has nothing to do with new frames. The lighter version of the RF97 the PS97, for example, does not have very good plow through.
This thread is about what players are using in the 6.1 95 18x20 currently. If the racquet doesn’t suit you it isn’t for you. Regardless, it is one of the best frames ever made by Wilson.

 

[Sweets3450]

I know my Pro Staffs very well, I've used them my whole life Missing are the 18x20 frames I used as a teenager during competition and a few original 95 Classics. Usually strung with ALU@60 when I'm trying to play my best.

 

[USPTARF97]

I know my Pro Staffs very well, I've used them my whole life Missing are the 18x20 frames I used as a teenager during competition and a few original 95 Classics. Usually strung with ALU@60 when I'm trying to play my best.

Thats cool, looks like you like the open string patterns. That 6.1 Ncode is the racquet that I spent more time with than any with the exception of the RF97.

 

[McGradey]

The 6.1 18x20 is a GOATy racquet, I'm just not quite good enough/fit enough to use it for competitive singles play. For doubles, it's perfection.
Never hit first serves as well with any other frame, or volleys, or overheads.

I'll never sell my nCode 6.1, and will probably grab another, including one in the open string pattern. Love the PJ on the HyperCarbon one too.

 

[langdon0555]

Who’s using the current/re-release k six one 95 18x20?

Is it still good? Feel and play the same as the original?

 

[USPTARF97]

Who’s using the current/re-release k six one 95 18x20?

Is it still good? Feel and play the same as the original?

Its a great frame. Have 3 and go back and forth from the RF97. Similar specs but if conditions are suspect or early morning clay courts will take them out. I string them @ 46 with BHS7T.

 

[nwatts]

I use gut for the mains and msv cofocus for the crosses.

 

[USPTARF97]

I use gut for the mains and msv cofocus for the crosses.

what tension you using?

 

[nwatts]

I started by using gut mains at 64 and proline II crosses at 55. After 2 weeks I cut the crosses out and strung cofocus at 52. I will keep restringing cofocus at 50-52 every 2 weeks until the gut breaks.

 

[nwatts]

what tension you using?

I started by using gut mains at 64 and proline II crosses at 55. After 2 weeks I cut the crosses out and strung cofocus at 52. I will keep restringing cofocus at 50-52 every 2 weeks until the gut breaks

 

[USPTARF97]

I started by using gut mains at 64 and proline II crosses at 55. After 2 weeks I cut the crosses out and strung cofocus at 52. I will keep restringing cofocus at 50-52 every 2 weeks until the gut breaks

My standard set up with the RF97 is 58/55 so I am staying around 55/52 with Klip/BHBZ in the 18x20.

 

[nwatts]

My standard set up with the RF97 is 58/55 so I am staying around 55/52 with Klip/BHBZ in the 18x20.
[/QUOTE

Sounds like a good setup. I do not break gut very often so I string it high realizing it will drop into the mid 50's within the first month. I just replace crosses as necessary.

 

[USPTARF97]

Yea, I need to do some more experimenting with Gut/poly in the 18x20. Only tried tensions between 48/45-55/52. 55/52 felt about as stiff as I want to go on the stringbed with Klip mains. Also am pre-stretching the gut mains.

 

[nwatts]

Yea, I need to do some more experimenting with Gut/poly in the 18x20. Only tried tensions between 48/45-55/52. 55/52 felt about as stiff as I want to go on the stringbed with Klip mains. Also am pre-stretching the gut mains.

I'm sure the prestretching helps a lot with tension maintenance. Klip does play stiff initially, but softens after the first hour. I tried to string klip gut once at 62, and it snapped on stringer. I moved on to lux gut since.

 

[SeeItHitIt]

Yea, I need to do some more experimenting with Gut/poly in the 18x20. Only tried tensions between 48/45-55/52. 55/52 felt about as stiff as I want to go on the stringbed with Klip mains. Also am pre-stretching the gut mains.

I kept the lightest 2014 6.1 I had and its in the bag for practices. Klip Legend, 1.25@55 with 10% pre, Hawk 1.20 @52. RT says it plays ~51# after settling in a bit. Swap out the crosses every 4-5 weeks until gut finally goes. Playing with shortened leather grip (to save weight), a +1 size butt cap, rubber band and 1 overgrip. Comes in at a very manageable 347g and like 9 HL. My RF is set up the same (except for 1.30 mains/1.25 crosses) and was also a ‘lightest of the bunch’ pick. Is 355.0g all n.

Everyday stick is the weighted up PS97 (to 344 & 346g, same set up as RF). Pretty satisfying on the plow through in general, half volley pickups, BH block return & OHBH. Does it all just with a little more maneuvering room and a bit less overall power. All are kissing cousins on swing volley and net play.

 

[USPTARF97]

I kept the lightest 2014 6.1 I had and its in the bag for practices. Klip Legend, 1.25@55 with 10% pre, Hawk 1.20 @52. RT says it plays ~51# after settling in a bit. Swap out the crosses every 4-5 weeks until gut finally goes. Playing with shortened leather grip (to save weight), a +1 size butt cap, rubber band and 1 overgrip. Comes in at a very manageable 347g and like 9 HL. My RF is set up the same (except for 1.30 mains/1.25 crosses) and was also a ‘lightest of the bunch’ pick. Is 355.0g all n.

Everyday stick is the weighted up PS97 (to 344 & 346g, same set up as RF). Pretty satisfying on the plow through in general, half volley pickups, BH block return & OHBH. Does it all just with a little more maneuvering room and a bit less overall power. All are kissing cousins on swing volley and net play.

We use the same frames and set ups. Cheers

 

[Downtheline1]

Its a great frame. Have 3 and go back and forth from the RF97. Similar specs but if conditions are suspect or early morning clay courts will take them out. I string them @ 46 with BHS7T.

I just ordered 2. Do you think stringing BHS7T at 52 would be too stiff. Right now I'm using Cyclone at 57 in my RF97. Thanks!

 

[USPTARF97]

I just ordered 2. Do you think stringing BHS7T at 52 would be too stiff. Right now I'm using Cyclone at 57 in my RF97. Thanks!

I did have them strung at 48 and it felt a little stiff in the 18x20 pattern. The RF97 I used to string at 52 with Alu Power so could be fairly comparable on tension with our games.

 

[Downtheline1]

I did have them strung at 48 and it felt a little stiff in the 18x20 pattern. The RF97 I used to string at 52 with Alu Power so could be fairly comparable on tension with our games.

Thanks!!

 

[USPTARF97]

48-50 you should be good.

 

[one-hand]

Who’s using the current/re-release k six one 95 18x20?

Is it still good? Feel and play the same as the original?

4G @ 48lb. Be on time with good technique and I'm invincible.

Can only compare to BLX but feels more plush and better pocketing.