Yonex RD Power 6 Long

[kevin qmto]

Even though I've bought quite a few obscure rackets from all over the interwebs over the last few years, I had never so much as hit with a Yonex before today let alone owned one...

Well that changed. But as of yet I don't know if I'm sold on this particular model, which I only know what year it came out (1995) because someone has a NOS frame with documentation on a certain auction site. For some reason, I'm having trouble finding the sweetspot and keep catching the ball offcenter with this isometic frame. Odd since I recently hit with the similarly shaped Fox Bosworth WB 215 and seemed to hit fine with it. Maybe this frame was just too light for me, at only 300g on the nose strung. Will give it another chance soon, but I switched rackets today only 25 mins into my session with this one. Will update thread when I give it another shot.

For now, here's some pics, I do dig the colors here. If anyone knows where this model slotted into Yonex's mid 90s lineup I'd love to know.

I hope these rubber extended grommets aren't too important, they're a bit past their sell by date.

 

[PBODY99]

@kevin qmto

Marcelo Rios endorsed this frame. A top players stick
At ~28 inches the racket takes some getting use to due to the swing weight.
The Bosworth frame is regular 27 inch model.
Yonex used soft grommets in many models during this period. For me, Teflon tubing became my fix as they broke easily

 

[Steve Huff]

I have an RD 7 Power Long, but I cut it down to 27". It is impressively heavy.

 

[kevin qmto]

@kevin qmto

Marcelo Rios endorsed this frame. A top players stick
At ~28 inches the racket takes some getting use to due to the swing weight.
The Bosworth frame is regular 27 inch model.
Yonex used soft grommets in many models during this period. For me, Teflon tubing became my fix as they broke easily

my problem so far is I'm catching every ball far too low on the frame as a result of the sweet spot being several inches further out than I'm used to. I'm sure with time I'll get it down.

 

[Steve Huff]

The sweetspot should only be 1/2"-1" further out. It's a heavy stick, but you could add a little weight at 6 o'clock and that may bring the sweetspot down a little too.

 

[Automatix]

I have an RD 7 Power Long, but I cut it down to 27". It is impressively heavy.

I don't recall which models but a lot of XL Yonex frames from around that time were heavy wielding. There were notable exceptions like eg. Pro RD 70 Long 95 but that one had a 16-19mm beam, still have spare grommets for them, slim things.
The only heavier frames which would come to mind would be Berdychs pro stock Heads.

 

[Gemini]

@kevin qmto

Marcelo Rios endorsed this frame. A top players stick
At ~28 inches the racket takes some getting use to due to the swing weight.
The Bosworth frame is regular 27 inch model.
Yonex used soft grommets in many models during this period. For me, Teflon tubing became my fix as they broke easily

Marcelo Rios endorsed the RD Power 10 long...not the 6.

 

[kevin qmto]

The sweetspot should only be 1/2"-1" further out. It's a heavy stick, but you could add a little weight at 6 o'clock and that may bring the sweetspot down a little too.

It looks like it should only be slightly higher than one of my main sticks, the Ti Radical, but it feels like its a mile out when I'm using them.
Here's some pics for comparison.

 

[McLovin]

Marcelo Rios endorsed the RD Power 10 long...not the 6.

God I loved that frame. Looking back, I have no idea how my arm is still attached. In addition to its stiffness & heavy static and swingweight, I strung mine w/ Kevlar mains/natural gut crosses in the upper 60s.

 

[JanOve75]

I have an RD 6 Power Long. I really like the sensations this racket provides. I'm now playing with a Percept 97. This is similar. It's not as comfortable, but it's easier to play.