Curiosity Series 253 — Gosen Aermet 6000 Pro

Karry September 21, 2024 0

A proper, authentic old “Gaosen.” Although it might not be the most outstanding or representative racket, combining the egg-shaped head, Ya Wen shaft, and M30, it certainly played an important role during Gaosen’s glory days, a period highly cherished by Gaosen fans.

Once, after I borrowed a friend’s “Yaodao” (Demon Blade), some group members remarked that this racket was really hard to handle. But after all, that was old equipment from a long time ago. Just like how the NS8000 was once labeled with extremely high stiffness, perhaps by 2022, the once renowned difficulty of using such rackets doesn’t seem as daunting now.

In fact, this experience helped me better understand the old Gaosen, and I found it quite enjoyable.

Specs: 3UG5, with grip tape, total weight in playing condition: 97.1g, balance point: 280mm, Ya Wen shaft, moderately stiff tuning, thin-wing aerodynamic head frame, grooves at 9-3 o’clock, 72-hole string bed, tension warranty up to 25lbs, strung at 25-26lbs with BG80. From its appearance, “Yaodao” already looks old and rugged. The racket uses a black, red, and white color scheme, with not many decals. The shaft appears very thick, and even the fonts used for the model number on the shaft and the tech specifications on the frame are quite regular. I’ve grown a bit aesthetically fatigued by the asymmetric paint designs of the Astrox series, but Gaosen had already used asymmetric paint on the “Yaodao” back then. The T-joint is quite distinctive and was likely Gaosen’s patented design at the time, protruding like a pyramid. Rather than reducing wind resistance, I’m more inclined to believe it was designed to enhance torsional stiffness. However, its aesthetics are hard to call “good-looking” today, and the paint is extremely prone to damage. While stringing, my friend caused a few blemishes due to the string clamps. Knowing that this was once a brand-new racket, I can’t help but feel regretful.

Moreover, my friend also noticed during stringing that the frame rigidity of the 6000 Pro isn’t very high. There was significant deformation during stringing, and there’s a risk of frame collapse at high tension, which is something owners should be aware of.

Despite the consensus in the equipment community about the high “entry barrier” of this racket, the “Yaodao” in my hand didn’t give me much trouble. Objectively speaking, despite the high stiffness and the fact that it’s a 3U egghead racket, the current very low balance point and relatively soft frame make it quite easy to generate power with this racket when making proactive shots. During slow rallies, there’s ample time to judge the timing, and as long as I hit the sweet spot, the shot feels somewhat like the Arc 11 but with an extra characteristic bounciness typical of egghead rackets. The “Yaodao” doesn’t need excessive head weight to drive the shuttle out. Its well-tuned elastic shaft and frame ensure that as long as the swing is smooth, the energy can be fully transferred to the shuttle through the strike.

Sometimes, it feels counterintuitive. By logic, such a thick shaft should compromise elasticity, but from my initial experience, the shaft’s elasticity is not outdated at all. Could this be the power of the Ya Wen shaft? Maybe not, since the feeling when adding power doesn’t quite match that description, but it doesn’t stop me from liking it.

Speaking of the quality of proactive shots, it’s quite impressive, with a significant sense of power. This power comes from the elasticity rather than the weight, and it’s clear that this racket responds in direct proportion to how much effort you put into it. The crucial point is, if you can consistently hit the sweet spot, the “Yaodao” is also a fairly energy-efficient racket. Its smooth hitting experience allows for longer rallies in singles, indirectly extending the user’s endurance. Many players are concerned about the racket’s tolerance for mishits. I think its low tolerance is most problematic when playing drop shots from the backcourt, especially crosscourt sliced or deceptive drops. The frame is visibly small, so maintaining consistency in stroke mechanics means that even minor nuances in deceleration or slicing during impact can be amplified, making it easy to miss the sweet spot. If you don’t hit it correctly, the shot quality significantly decreases, and it’s more likely to fall into the net.

This isn’t surprising—it’s the classic performance of an old egghead racket. However, its flexibility and stability in both proactive and passive shots are quite rare. On one hand, the “Yaodao’s” low swing weight and aerodynamic frame make it relatively usable in terms of swing speed. You can clearly feel that defensive strokes, especially backhand returns, are quite stable and not uncomfortable. On the other hand, the frame’s low stiffness increases the contact time between the shuttle and the string bed, reducing the power demand during passive shots and slightly improving tolerance. This leads to better return quality even in rushed situations. This part feels somewhat similar to the Arc Saber series, and naturally, it provides a more confident feel during net play, while also enhancing the “sugary” feel of the racket. But, you still need to hit the shuttle squarely to fully unleash these characteristics. Additionally, the tendency to hold the shuttle longer makes it harder to speed up in flat exchanges during doubles play.

Even so, I don’t mind using the “Yaodao” in mixed doubles matches, primarily because of its standout offensive performance. The low balance point doesn’t compromise the downward pressure, and its 88g weight ensures stable shot quality, with no floating or loss of power during smashes. The extended shuttle contact time lowers the power threshold, but to really unlock the explosive potential of the Ya Wen shaft, you need a more focused effort. This design strikes a decent balance. With the elastic frame, concentrated sweet spot, and the shaft’s explosiveness, its smash power in 2022 is still on par with modern high-end offensive rackets, and the prolonged feedback from the shots makes smashing with it quite satisfying.

Of course, the low swing weight also makes me enjoy various quick kills with the “Yaodao” without feeling burdened, while still delivering decent shot quality. However, the key is to have better control over the hitting rhythm; only by hitting accurately can you fully appreciate its charm.

I find Gaosen’s naming convention a bit confusing. Can anyone explain the connection between Aermet and “Yaodao” to me? In conclusion, although my previous three Gaosen experiences didn’t meet my expectations, this old-fashioned, easily damaged racket that can’t handle high tension has finally given me a reason to think “Gaosen still has something interesting to offer.”