Wilson Ultra Tour (Monfils)

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
The WUT is so good when you get the racquet modded right for you. The bolded sentence is what I love about it. Never any surprises. No “wth” balls. You know where the ball is going to land as soon as the ball leaves the strings.

Exactly... I even hit running lobs at will, turning defence into offence.
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
Thought I'd provide an update for anyone interested. A few strange twists since I last posted. What started it all was tinkering around with the weight/balance of my UT, which led to a bad outing with it. Turns out I'm not sure what my stock specs are. That's the first problem (scale arriving tomorrow). I started with just a leather grip, but 1.5g at 3/9 pushed the frame into log swing weight territory for me. I think stock, I'm probably a little over specs around 325-328 swing weight, which is where I need to keep it. Long story short, the TC95 18x20 was the old friend I needed to get me through that session. Plus my son said that my ball was in fact nastier with more push than with the UT.

So I dismissed the UT and bought a K7 Lime and am I glad I did! This is clearly the racquet for me. Gives me everything the TC95 18x20 does but ratchets up forgiveness, power, and stability. A little more forgiveness from the TC95 was my objective all along. It is definitely that ... and then some. Plays like a more forgiving Prestige MP with added stability and pop. It is a muted frame, but I love it.

Back to the UT. I took the weight at 3/9 off and left the leather grip(Babolat black for now, probably Wilson or Volkl soon). Won't know static weight, etc. until my scale comes tomorrow. Hit all three yesterday, a full out racquet duel. The K7 Lime is the clear winner for me, subjectively and objectively. One of the most comfortable I've hit. This is a unique frame in that it allows you to hit big from the back of the court. I hit the weightiest ball with the Lime, but it's stability shines on serve and moving into the forecourt. A complete frame that hits a pulsing ball.

But if you've read this far, here's the real twist ... I don't think I missed more than a handful of shots with the UT yesterday. The 'feel' of the racquet is unmatched, and it's definitely more forgiving than the TC95 (my main objective to begin with). Found myself in the original experience of not wanting to put it down. But, my UT-skeptical son kept kept dismissing it, saying I hit a meaner ball with the Lime. He's right, and with little loss of control. I hit the UT with a little more loop and spin, and my ball sits up a little more instead of pushing him off the baseline. It's a pure control frame that allows you to hit any dime on court ... with ample power. It has plenty. Although I haven't competed in a few years, it's what I look for in a competition racquet. Confidence and control win league matches at the intermediate level. No need to blow opponents off the court.

The UT was like hitting with a more feel-oriented, less powerful K7 Lime. The K7 Lime has won me over, but the UT falls second over the TC95 18x20 for me. I'm keeping my pair.
 

Gee

Hall of Fame
Thought I'd provide an update for anyone interested. A few strange twists since I last posted. What started it all was tinkering around with the weight/balance of my UT, which led to a bad outing with it. Turns out I'm not sure what my stock specs are. That's the first problem (scale arriving tomorrow). I started with just a leather grip, but 1.5g at 3/9 pushed the frame into log swing weight territory for me. I think stock, I'm probably a little over specs around 325-328 swing weight, which is where I need to keep it. Long story short, the TC95 18x20 was the old friend I needed to get me through that session. Plus my son said that my ball was in fact nastier with more push than with the UT.

So I dismissed the UT and bought a K7 Lime and am I glad I did! This is clearly the racquet for me. Gives me everything the TC95 18x20 does but ratchets up forgiveness, power, and stability. A little more forgiveness from the TC95 was my objective all along. It is definitely that ... and then some. Plays like a more forgiving Prestige MP with added stability and pop. It is a muted frame, but I love it.

Back to the UT. I took the weight at 3/9 off and left the leather grip(Babolat black for now, probably Wilson or Volkl soon). Won't know static weight, etc. until my scale comes tomorrow. Hit all three yesterday, a full out racquet duel. The K7 Lime is the clear winner for me, subjectively and objectively. One of the most comfortable I've hit. This is a unique frame in that it allows you to hit big from the back of the court. I hit the weightiest ball with the Lime, but it's stability shines on serve and moving into the forecourt. A complete frame that hits a pulsing ball.

But if you've read this far, here's the real twist ... I don't think I missed more than a handful of shots with the UT yesterday. The 'feel' of the racquet is unmatched, and it's definitely more forgiving than the TC95 (my main objective to begin with). Found myself in the original experience of not wanting to put it down. But, my UT-skeptical son kept kept dismissing it, saying I hit a meaner ball with the Lime. He's right, and with little loss of control. I hit the UT with a little more loop and spin, and my ball sits up a little more instead of pushing him off the baseline. It's a pure control frame that allows you to hit any dime on court ... with ample power. It has plenty. Although I haven't competed in a few years, it's what I look for in a competition racquet. Confidence and control win league matches at the intermediate level. No need to blow opponents off the court.

The UT was like hitting with a more feel-oriented, less powerful K7 Lime. The K7 Lime has won me over, but the UT falls second over the TC95 18x20 for me. I'm keeping my pair.
Interesting story!
I totally agree with your comparison between the UT and K7 Lime.
Glad for you that you like the K7 Lime best. I have the opposite thing in that I prefer the more direct feel of the UT vs the muted K7 Lime.
I only don't understand why your balls are heavier with TC95 than the UT. Maybe the TC95 has a higher swingweight?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Thought I'd provide an update for anyone interested. A few strange twists since I last posted. What started it all was tinkering around with the weight/balance of my UT, which led to a bad outing with it. Turns out I'm not sure what my stock specs are. That's the first problem (scale arriving tomorrow). I started with just a leather grip, but 1.5g at 3/9 pushed the frame into log swing weight territory for me. I think stock, I'm probably a little over specs around 325-328 swing weight, which is where I need to keep it. Long story short, the TC95 18x20 was the old friend I needed to get me through that session. Plus my son said that my ball was in fact nastier with more push than with the UT.

So I dismissed the UT and bought a K7 Lime and am I glad I did! This is clearly the racquet for me. Gives me everything the TC95 18x20 does but ratchets up forgiveness, power, and stability. A little more forgiveness from the TC95 was my objective all along. It is definitely that ... and then some. Plays like a more forgiving Prestige MP with added stability and pop. It is a muted frame, but I love it.

Back to the UT. I took the weight at 3/9 off and left the leather grip(Babolat black for now, probably Wilson or Volkl soon). Won't know static weight, etc. until my scale comes tomorrow. Hit all three yesterday, a full out racquet duel. The K7 Lime is the clear winner for me, subjectively and objectively. One of the most comfortable I've hit. This is a unique frame in that it allows you to hit big from the back of the court. I hit the weightiest ball with the Lime, but it's stability shines on serve and moving into the forecourt. A complete frame that hits a pulsing ball.

But if you've read this far, here's the real twist ... I don't think I missed more than a handful of shots with the UT yesterday. The 'feel' of the racquet is unmatched, and it's definitely more forgiving than the TC95 (my main objective to begin with). Found myself in the original experience of not wanting to put it down. But, my UT-skeptical son kept kept dismissing it, saying I hit a meaner ball with the Lime. He's right, and with little loss of control. I hit the UT with a little more loop and spin, and my ball sits up a little more instead of pushing him off the baseline. It's a pure control frame that allows you to hit any dime on court ... with ample power. It has plenty. Although I haven't competed in a few years, it's what I look for in a competition racquet. Confidence and control win league matches at the intermediate level. No need to blow opponents off the court.

The UT was like hitting with a more feel-oriented, less powerful K7 Lime. The K7 Lime has won me over, but the UT falls second over the TC95 18x20 for me. I'm keeping my pair.
UT is really an awesome stick if you get the specs right for you.
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
Interesting story!
I totally agree with your comparison between the UT and K7 Lime.
Glad for you that you like the K7 Lime best. I have the opposite thing in that I prefer the more direct feel of the UT vs the muted K7 Lime.
I only don't understand why your balls are heavier with TC95 than the UT. Maybe the TC95 has a higher swingweight?

Long story, probably too long8-B

I can appreciate the 'direct feel' aspect of the UT. That combined with it's precision and ample power is why I'm keeping mine. And I don't usually carry multiple frames in my bag. It's too good to get rid of. I sensed that as precise and effective as the UT was yesterday, all-court, and it is a confidence-inspiring racquet, the K7 Lime did just the same in a more dynamic way for me. But I've always favored muted frames over crisp, although I admit the UT is neither. It's almost perfect in the 'feel' dept.

I personally feel like I'm hitting heavier with my UT than the TC95. Because of the pandemic, I'm only hitting with my son, and I can only go by his feedback. He says, and I can see it, that my ball with the UT has more net clearance and spin (wider head?) and kicks up higher, but doesn't push through the court as much. My TC95 18x20 V3s have a swing weight around 323-325 with 1.5g of tungsten tape at 3/9. So no, my unique UTs are higher.
 
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Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
UT is really an awesome stick if you get the specs right for you.

It really is. Turns out the only thing I may have accurate knowledge of, specs-wise, concerning my UTs is the higher swing weight. I can feel that. I'm finding that the more weight I add to the handle and the lighter I keep the head, the better it plays for me. I'm going to experiment with it. Because of the swing weight, the 1.5g at 3/9 was too much. Honestly, I think it needs a touch at 5/7, maybe in the upper throat to feel balanced, but I realize not too many people mod there anymore, but I like a frame depolarized and quite head light.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
It really is. Turns out the only thing I may have accurate knowledge of, specs-wise, concerning my UTs is the higher swing weight. I can feel that. I'm finding that the more weight I add to the handle and the lighter I keep the head, the better it plays for me. I'm going to experiment with it. Because of the swing weight, the 1.5g at 3/9 was too much. Honestly, I think it needs a touch at 5/7, maybe in the upper throat to feel balanced, but I realize not too many people mod there anymore, but I like a frame depolarized and quite head light.
I have leather grip, plus putty and lead under the trapdoor. Also lead at 5 and 7. Don’t really think about what others do. I mod to the tune of my own lead. ;)
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
I have leather grip, plus putty and lead under the trapdoor. Also lead at 5 and 7. Don’t really think about what others do. I mod to the beat of my own drum. ;)

I hear you. Based on feel alone, I'm almost there with just a leather grip and over grip, but who knows what specs I have. I think a heavier leather and just a touch at 3/9 would feel perfect. Wilson makes it challenging. Also, my comparison with the K7 Lime and TC95 isn't quite apples to apples. The Angells have Klip Legend 18/V-Star 18 at 52/50. The UT has Gosen 18/V-Star 18 at 52/50. The gut will naturally be more energetic. Might make a difference; will find that out as well.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
A friend of mind has been hitting with my UT the last two outings. Today we had a doubles match. He normally plays with the Strike 16m with HyperG and my UT is with VS. Totally different string but he is enjoying it and might pull the trigger on a couple. I have mine with lead at 10/2 and 12 with a leather grip. He prefers synthetic and if he get's one I'll prob help him add weight. Should he not like it...well maybe i'll pick up another one (or two) from him
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
A friend of mind has been hitting with my UT the last two outings. Today we had a doubles match. He normally plays with the Strike 16m with HyperG and my UT is with VS. Totally different string but he is enjoying it and might pull the trigger on a couple. I have mine with lead at 10/2 and 12 with a leather grip. He prefers synthetic and if he get's one I'll prob help him add weight. Should he not like it...well maybe i'll pick up another one (or two) from him
In case I haven’t told you, the UT is awesome! ;)
 

pow

Hall of Fame
I bought an UT. Feels quite a bit underpowered for me. I have it stock with an overgrip measuring 328g static weight total. TNT2 mains/Lux Adrenaline cross both at 47lbs.
No room to add much weight behind the buttcap door with foam filling out both chambers. Are most of you just adding lead tape to the tip? Curious if it will be enough. Very surprised how underpowered it is for a 328g racquet and I have definitely played with flexier racquets.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I bought an UT. Feels quite a bit underpowered for me. I have it stock with an overgrip measuring 328g static weight total. TNT2 mains/Lux Adrenaline cross both at 47lbs.
No room to add much weight behind the buttcap door with foam filling out both chambers. Are most of you just adding lead tape to the tip? Curious if it will be enough. Very surprised how underpowered it is for a 328g racquet and I have definitely played with flexier racquets.

I usually add a leather grip so that helps put some weight in the handle. If you want to keep grip synthetic, Try some lead at the top of the handle.

I was happy with it stock but to get added plow I experimented w lead in a few different places. I would say be patient with it and try a few different lead configurations

Happy hitting
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
I bought an UT. Feels quite a bit underpowered for me. I have it stock with an overgrip measuring 328g static weight total. TNT2 mains/Lux Adrenaline cross both at 47lbs.
No room to add much weight behind the buttcap door with foam filling out both chambers. Are most of you just adding lead tape to the tip? Curious if it will be enough. Very surprised how underpowered it is for a 328g racquet and I have definitely played with flexier racquets.

This seems to be the familiar UT chorus. I hit a demo a few years ago, and that thing was so anemic it wouldn't break an egg. It was back in the demo box in five minutes. The frames I bought recently were totally different, much higher swing weight and substantial feeling. A leather gets it close to my preferences. Sounds like yours could use a few grams in the hoop with some counter weight. The frame comes alive with mods. Just be patient.
 
I bought an UT. Feels quite a bit underpowered for me. I have it stock with an overgrip measuring 328g static weight total. TNT2 mains/Lux Adrenaline cross both at 47lbs.
No room to add much weight behind the buttcap door with foam filling out both chambers. Are most of you just adding lead tape to the tip? Curious if it will be enough. Very surprised how underpowered it is for a 328g racquet and I have definitely played with flexier racquets.
Super easy to pull out however much foam you need to create more space. Or just push it back in and compress it with something.
 
The QC on this racquet has truly been spotty, but the beauty of it (once you get specs you know) is that you can achieve a hefty swingweight while keeping a headlight balance and overall weight under 345-350 grams. When you set it up like that you can really feel the polarization make the throat flex. Just my experience though.
 

Dragy

Legend
Hey guys, need your advise. I’ve been playing with Yonex EZONE DR98 frames leaded up to 352g, 8.5pts HL, 335-340 SW for quite some time now. I felt uncertainty with those being a tad overpowered unless absolutely freshly strung (Babolat PHT 17g at 55lbs). I could possibly cut down some mass and SW to tame it, but I actually feel no issues with mass itself, swinging or getting tired. And stability is great.

I’ve been also wondering for quite some time how a more classical racquet, particularly a 18x20, may play, and expected those to be lower powered. So after some search I got a bargain deal for a Head Youtek Radical MP, bumped to match the swinging specs of the DRs and took for tryouts.

It didn’t go perfect instantly, I struggled with too tight stringbed I ordered initially, and then with some lack of control, which appeared to be me missing the sweetspot by contacting too close to the tip (Yonexes play decent in such a case). I was actually going to sell it back to someone, but gave another go with new stringjob, and another one... and now I like it better than my DRs, with decent match application o_O

So it was long enough for an introduction... Should I grab Ultra Tours (I have some available for around $165), what should I be aware of? Any thoughts, warnings, encouragements?
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
Hey guys, need your advise. I’ve been playing with Yonex EZONE DR98 frames leaded up to 352g, 8.5pts HL, 335-340 SW for quite some time now. I felt uncertainty with those being a tad overpowered unless absolutely freshly strung (Babolat PHT 17g at 55lbs). I could possibly cut down some mass and SW to tame it, but I actually feel no issues with mass itself, swinging or getting tired. And stability is great.

I’ve been also wondering for quite some time how a more classical racquet, particularly a 18x20, may play, and expected those to be lower powered. So after some search I got a bargain deal for a Head Youtek Radical MP, bumped to match the swinging specs of the DRs and took for tryouts.

It didn’t go perfect instantly, I struggled with too tight stringbed I ordered initially, and then with some lack of control, which appeared to be me missing the sweetspot by contacting too close to the tip (Yonexes play decent in such a case). I was actually going to sell it back to someone, but gave another go with new stringjob, and another one... and now I like it better than my DRs, with decent match application o_O

So it was long enough for an introduction... Should I grab Ultra Tours (I have some available for around $165), what should I be aware of? Any thoughts, warnings, encouragements?
The only warning would be Wilson’s terrible QC but it seems like you’re adept at customizing so you should be good to go.
 

Dragy

Legend
The only warning would be Wilson’s terrible QC but it seems like you’re adept at customizing so you should be good to go.
Yeah I’m going to go through all stock the retailer might still have and get at least mass and balance checked. I won’t be able to get SW as they don’t have RDC, neither stiffness checked. But with 25-30g room for customizing I’m sure I’ll get the SW where it needs to be.
 

BDAZ

Hall of Fame
$165 is too much for these racquets these days, as they’ve been replaced by the Ultra Pro (same racquet). Look around for a better price, unless of course you can’t find your grip size.
 

Wheelz

Hall of Fame
Agreed, I bet you can find it for around 100usd ? Ive got two and could sell one but i think you are overseas, it would probably add up too much.
 

aaron_h27

Hall of Fame
Hey guys, need your advise. I’ve been playing with Yonex EZONE DR98 frames leaded up to 352g, 8.5pts HL, 335-340 SW for quite some time now. I felt uncertainty with those being a tad overpowered unless absolutely freshly strung (Babolat PHT 17g at 55lbs). I could possibly cut down some mass and SW to tame it, but I actually feel no issues with mass itself, swinging or getting tired. And stability is great.

I’ve been also wondering for quite some time how a more classical racquet, particularly a 18x20, may play, and expected those to be lower powered. So after some search I got a bargain deal for a Head Youtek Radical MP, bumped to match the swinging specs of the DRs and took for tryouts.

It didn’t go perfect instantly, I struggled with too tight stringbed I ordered initially, and then with some lack of control, which appeared to be me missing the sweetspot by contacting too close to the tip (Yonexes play decent in such a case). I was actually going to sell it back to someone, but gave another go with new stringjob, and another one... and now I like it better than my DRs, with decent match application o_O

So it was long enough for an introduction... Should I grab Ultra Tours (I have some available for around $165), what should I be aware of? Any thoughts, warnings, encouragements?

Had the same problem with my DR 98's, overpowered unless freshly strung, have to use thicker gauge string or higher tension. Because of the polarized weighting and low flex & isometric head it makes the racket play with a high launch angle. I switched to the Ultra Tour 95 16x20 for right now.
 

Dragy

Legend
I'd actually be happy
Had the same problem with my DR 98's, overpowered unless freshly strung, have to use thicker gauge string or higher tension. Because of the polarized weighting and low flex & isometric head it makes the racket play with a high launch angle. I switched to the Ultra Tour 95 16x20 for right now.
I'm a bit hesitant of going 95, I don't want to become that guy who plays oldschool mids (I know 95 is not mid) despite they provide worse results. I want to feel confidence to swing out and put lots of zip into the ball, yet produce moderately fast controllable heavy shots. And I try to keep my 350g mass without dropping lower, while reducing the power compared to my DRs, and not go for stiffer stringbed (I've tried Poly Tour Fire and Kirsch Max Power strings, they played sweet while fresh, but gave some traits of elbow pain).

Maybe I should pick a 95 frame and try whether it limits me anyhow. There're plenty of Wilson 6.1 95 available at around 50 bucks used. But I'm not sure I'm interested in goofing around with new racquet each couple of sessions. Currently I'm looking at some options like:
- Ultra Tour
- IG Radical MP
- C10 Pro (yeah it's 16x19)

To just pick, get to my specs, and try to live with them. I'm curios about VCORE Pro 97HD, but those are over 200 bucks.
 

aaron_h27

Hall of Fame
I'd actually be happy

I'm a bit hesitant of going 95, I don't want to become that guy who plays oldschool mids (I know 95 is not mid) despite they provide worse results. I want to feel confidence to swing out and put lots of zip into the ball, yet produce moderately fast controllable heavy shots. And I try to keep my 350g mass without dropping lower, while reducing the power compared to my DRs, and not go for stiffer stringbed (I've tried Poly Tour Fire and Kirsch Max Power strings, they played sweet while fresh, but gave some traits of elbow pain).

Maybe I should pick a 95 frame and try whether it limits me anyhow. There're plenty of Wilson 6.1 95 available at around 50 bucks used. But I'm not sure I'm interested in goofing around with new racquet each couple of sessions. Currently I'm looking at some options like:
- Ultra Tour
- IG Radical MP
- C10 Pro (yeah it's 16x19)

To just pick, get to my specs, and try to live with them. I'm curios about VCORE Pro 97HD, but those are over 200 bucks.

I wasn't recommending you necessarily use a 95 (although a 95 16x20 and 97 18x20 would have pretty much the same string bed qualities), I was just saying what I switched to in order to get extra control. Any 18x20 racket will be more control oriented than the DR 98. The Wilson Ultra Tour or Vcore 97 18x20 would be good options. Head Mircogel radicals (98 sq inch, 18x20) are going for $89 brand new although they require a lot of lead tape and I found them to be shorter than standard length (26.75) which offers a lot of control on groundstrokes & volleys but i lost too much reach on the serve. I personally like 95's though and find them to be a nice blend of power & control once leaded up.
 

Dragy

Legend
I wasn't recommending you necessarily use a 95 (although a 95 16x20 and 97 18x20 would have pretty much the same string bed qualities), I was just saying what I switched to in order to get extra control. Any 18x20 racket will be more control oriented than the DR 98. The Wilson Ultra Tour or Vcore 97 18x20 would be good options. Head Mircogel radicals (98 sq inch, 18x20) are going for $89 brand new although they require a lot of lead tape and I found them to be shorter than standard length (26.75) which offers a lot of control on groundstrokes & volleys but i lost too much reach on the serve. I personally like 95's though and find them to be a nice blend of power & control once leaded up.
What would you say about box/tapered beam against more oval beam of Youtek Radical, EZONE, etc.? Are those particularly different in power for same thickness, or mostly feel?
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
I should contribute my thoughts on the UT.

I picked up a new V2 U2 for $99 a month ago.

Since then, I have dialed in the racquet with specs that feel great on just about every shot.

This is a great racquet!

What stands out about the UT is that there really isn’t another racquet on the market that combines such a dense pattern with tunable flex and light enough weight in both the handle and the head to have ample customization room.

My current specs on my UT:

Length: 27.25”
Swingweight: 367 kg-cm^2
Weight: 13.24 oz.
Balance: 12.8”
Hoop weight placement: 1-to-3 and 9-to-11
Counterweighting: 9.5 inches from butt.

String:
Mains: 16g ashaway kevlar
Crosses: 17g Babolat pro xtreme
Tension: 56 lbs, thoroughly prestretched
 

Wheelz

Hall of Fame
yeah man! love reading that, that you are playing good. Im keeping mine for when i feel like a change and tinkering. Playing too good and consistent with my current racquet. Might be inspired by your post and get it heavy to throw a curve ball into my mojo.
 

Anton

Legend
Hey guys, need your advise. I’ve been playing with Yonex EZONE DR98 frames leaded up to 352g, 8.5pts HL, 335-340 SW for quite some time now. I felt uncertainty with those being a tad overpowered unless absolutely freshly strung (Babolat PHT 17g at 55lbs). I could possibly cut down some mass and SW to tame it, but I actually feel no issues with mass itself, swinging or getting tired. And stability is great.

I’ve been also wondering for quite some time how a more classical racquet, particularly a 18x20, may play, and expected those to be lower powered. So after some search I got a bargain deal for a Head Youtek Radical MP, bumped to match the swinging specs of the DRs and took for tryouts.

It didn’t go perfect instantly, I struggled with too tight stringbed I ordered initially, and then with some lack of control, which appeared to be me missing the sweetspot by contacting too close to the tip (Yonexes play decent in such a case). I was actually going to sell it back to someone, but gave another go with new stringjob, and another one... and now I like it better than my DRs, with decent match application o_O

So it was long enough for an introduction... Should I grab Ultra Tours (I have some available for around $165), what should I be aware of? Any thoughts, warnings, encouragements?

The better answer is HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 imo.

It's just more solid and creates more action on the ball than Ultra Tour, while still feeling plush and controlled.
 

Dragy

Legend
The better answer is HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 imo.

It's just more solid and creates more action on the ball than Ultra Tour, while still feeling plush and controlled.
I don’t have them available locally :rolleyes: I can order 2 from Europe for $325 including shipment. Alternatives are some discounted frames, IG Radical MP or C10 Pro (smaller grips, need to tinker) two times cheaper.

Another concern, based on tw specs PT2.0 is 343g and 335 SW, which barely leaves room for customization. If I get off-spec on the hefty side, I may end unable to get to my preferred specs.

But the idea is still interesting. How it compares to 360+ Prestige MP?
 
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Anton

Legend
I don’t have them available locally :rolleyes: I can order 2 from Europe for $325 including shipment. Alternatives are some discounted frames, IG Radical MP or C10 Pro (smaller grips, need to tinker) two times cheaper.

My advice is to spend a bit more and get the best of the "player's racket" breed, intead of spending even more later switching between frames - get the Pro Tour 2.0
 

Anton

Legend
Another concern, based on tw specs PT2.0 is 343g and 335 SW, which barely leaves room for customization. If I get off-spec on the hefty side, I may end unable to get to my preferred specs.

I do belive that the cap grommets can be replaced with a lighter ones or just custom-cut on the sides.

You can also request a matched pair service from TW - they will give you the exact measured specs before you buy.

But the idea is still interesting. How it compares to 360+ Prestige MP?

Didn't play 360+ specifically, but I don't recall anyone on here preferring it to PT2.0
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I feel like you need to play UT at higher weight for it to impart action on the ball like PT2.0

ill figure that out starting today. I use a stock v7 blade and i weighted the UT up to match it.
I can put lots of action on the ball with the stock blade. racquet head speed is key. No sense in losing that just to play with a weighted up frame, imo.
If i cant get what i want with the ultra around the same weight, ill probably just sell it.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Posted my thoughts in the Holic thread after 2 hours of play, but this frame definitely does not need a ton of lead to hit a mean ball. An example of one that really does need to be around 340 or more grams strung is the Tec 315 ltd.

The UT really just needs to come with an RDC so we have an idea of what the heck we are doing with the swing weight. Regardless mine is 330 strung and I think I may just add 2 more grams to it after logging some more time with it as is. Its a little fast for me, but not by much.

This frame is sick because you can keep it weighted to generate as much tip speed as possible without needing to go crazy. I think I can get the SW where I want it without much more lead at all (I like it around 330-336).

My only counterbalance is a tournagrip.
 

Jouke

Professional
Posted my thoughts in the Holic thread after 2 hours of play, but this frame definitely does not need a ton of lead to hit a mean ball. An example of one that really does need to be around 340 or more grams strung is the Tec 315 ltd.

The UT really just needs to come with an RDC so we have an idea of what the heck we are doing with the swing weight. Regardless mine is 330 strung and I think I may just add 2 more grams to it after logging some more time with it as is. Its a little fast for me, but not by much.

This frame is sick because you can keep it weighted to generate as much tip speed as possible without needing to go crazy. I think I can get the SW where I want it without much more lead at all (I like it around 330-336).

My only counterbalance is a tournagrip.
Please share your thoughts on the Blade V7 (18x20?) vs the Ultra Tour and please share your specs of both! I am now back on the ultra tour train after spending about half a year with the blade 16x19 V7. The feels of the ultra tour is just amazing.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Please share your thoughts on the Blade V7 (18x20?) vs the Ultra Tour and please share your specs of both! I am now back on the ultra tour train after spending about half a year with the blade 16x19 V7. The feels of the ultra tour is just amazing.

My Blades weight 331 and the SW is 336-340. My UT is now 332 but I am not sure the SW. I am going to guess it is 330-333 right now.

They both have a Head feel to them. The v7 is more muted and feels like my PT630 - it needs a crisp poly like Silver 7 tour. Extreme arm comfort.

The UT is like the Ig Prestige mid. More buttery, silver 7 feels real good in it, but it doesn't need a crisp poly as much I suspect. The v7 is more muted even though both frames have that muted feel.

The v7 has more pop and free power. It's enough to be a noticeable difference but not enough to make the UT feel underpowered. It is an adjustment for me, but stringing 2#s lower can help make up for it.

The UT set up how I have it is faster through the ball. Its easy to swing, and just a touch more HL than the Blade v7. This is why I suspect the SW is a little lower, but not by too much.

If you use basically the same frames, Id suggest just leading up the UT with 4-7 grams of lead across the top and maybe a little at 3 and 9. I would not add weight to the handle and just let the overgrip be the counterweight, since they weigh about 5 grams usually. This way you will get the balance, weight and SW close to the blade.

Im all about light, soft racquets with beefy swing weights. To me, thats what the Blade is all about and why it's so awesome. You can get high racquet speed and a lot of plow. Thats a winning combo for me, at least.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Anyone else try Grapplesnake Tour Sniper in this? I just strung some up and off the stringer the feel is fantastic. Ill try to hit with it in the next few days.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I've been very lucky and managed to get 3 UTs within 1 gram of each other in weight at 302-303 unstrung. Took me a while to get them to balance close to my Blades but they are almost dead on now.

I did it by putting 5 grams across the top from 11 to 1 and then I put 4 grams at 3 and 9, starting at the 6th cross from the top. I use a tourna and sampras O on all of my racquets.

While the stock V7 blades weigh 330 strung, my UTs are 333. I think the SW now in the UT's should be 330.

Getting the balance close is key for me since too HL makes things too whippy.

I think to make the UT close to the Blade you need to figure it's static weight will need to be 3-5 grams more depending your unstrung weight.

On the string front, I need more time with Tour Sniper, but my preference currently is still Silver 7 tour at around 45#s. Just an awesome crisp string, it's a little thinner than 1.25, holds tension well and the spin is top notch.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I think to make the UT close to the Blade you need to figure it's static weight will need to be 3-5 grams more depending your unstrung weight.
Ive not been able to get my blade to swing like my UT but maybe it’s possible to get the UT to swing like the blade. Will be interesting.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Ive not been able to get my blade to swing like my UT but maybe it’s possible to get the UT to swing like the blade. Will be interesting.

ill test it tomorrow if the weather permits.

i suspect it will be a little faster through the air but the balance should be right where i like it.

thinking i should have it dialed in now. It was real close before but i was overswinging a bit. Reminded me of trying to dial in the vcore 310 with lead but that one was too tricky for me to get right and it was weird with lead.

the ut seems to really be flexible with how you want to set it up, which is great. its not one of those “platform frames”that pushes you towards one setup and if thats not what you want, too bad.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
ill test it tomorrow if the weather permits.

i suspect it will be a little faster through the air but the balance should be right where i like it.

thinking i should have it dialed in now. It was real close before but i was overswinging a bit. Reminded me of trying to dial in the vcore 310 with lead but that one was too tricky for me to get right and it was weird with lead.

the ut seems to really be flexible with how you want to set it up, which is great. its not one of those “platform frames”that pushes you towards one setup and if thats not what you want, too bad.
Vcp97 310 was way weird with lead. Still dunno why. Even though it was a little too fast through contact, it was still better stock than with any amount of lead regardless of how little.

IME, the UT responds very predictably as you add and move lead around.
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
Sold all my racquets and picked up 5 UTs off the forum last week. Just took a chance, and this is what I got (unknown swing weights but have a good idea based on listed specs):

298.4g / 8hl
300.7g / 9hl
302g / 6hl (mint)
303.5g / 11hl
305g / 9hl (nearly mint)

I actually sold my first pair of UTs, which were overspecs and high on swing weight. This batch is promising because I like building up to specs with this frame. The last frame is on specs, and I think I can hit it with just a leather grip and minimal lead in the hoop. I have the two lightest matched to the heaviest with lead on the pallet, leather grip, and a few grams total, split between 12, 3, & 9. Hit one the other night with Klip Legend 18/Ghost Wire 18 at 48/45. This is an amazing frame once you go mad scientist with the matching and get it dialed in.
 
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Power Player

Bionic Poster
Speaking of mad science, I think I got mine dialed in. I know the go to move with these types of frames is the "TT Setup" - leather grip and some lead on the top.

But if you are daring - try skipping the counterweight in the grip. Most of us use an overgrip, so thats 5 grams you are putting on there anyway.

Instead, just add lead to the head until the balance is around 4 points HL. lead across the top works great and 3 and 9 is really good as well. So I did both like I explained a few posts above.I have the same setup in 2 frames and they both play the same.

Final move - string low. Full poly at 46#s or so off the stringer is perfect.

I really am enjoying the frame now at this balance. I get a lot of racquet head speed, the power is excellent and I feel like any shot is possible - heavy deep shots plus short angles. Its very solid at the net and fast to move when needed.

The frame in this setup for me allows deep hitting without going long and lots of spin. I can't really find a weakness with it.

Total weight with 1.25 poly will be right around 335 or less. Mine are 333 and I have no issues hitting heavy shots, including getting tired from using too much energy.

Will update as I log more time, but this setup works really, really well if you are a topspin baseliner who likes the Blade.
 

tomato123

Professional
Speaking of mad science, I think I got mine dialed in. I know the go to move with these types of frames is the "TT Setup" - leather grip and some lead on the top.

But if you are daring - try skipping the counterweight in the grip. Most of us use an overgrip, so thats 5 grams you are putting on there anyway.

Instead, just add lead to the head until the balance is around 4 points HL. lead across the top works great and 3 and 9 is really good as well. So I did both like I explained a few posts above.I have the same setup in 2 frames and they both play the same.

Final move - string low. Full poly at 46#s or so off the stringer is perfect.

I really am enjoying the frame now at this balance. I get a lot of racquet head speed, the power is excellent and I feel like any shot is possible - heavy deep shots plus short angles. Its very solid at the net and fast to move when needed.

The frame in this setup for me allows deep hitting without going long and lots of spin. I can't really find a weakness with it.

Total weight with 1.25 poly will be right around 335 or less. Mine are 333 and I have no issues hitting heavy shots, including getting tired from using too much energy.

Will update as I log more time, but this setup works really, really well if you are a topspin baseliner who likes the Blade.

This is pretty similar to my setup, with a kimony leather grip +og because I recently discovered I like to play with 1/4 grip size instead of 3/8, and with weight at 10 and 2 comes out to about 3 pts headlight. I discovered low tension poly on a dense pattern from playing the original Prince 93p and following your thread on that racquet and I get tons of spin on the Ultra tour with a full bed of FireWire at 40lbs.

I’ve been hitting with both my Pure Strike 100 and the UT side by side and it’s interesting how the spin manifests in both frames... the PS100 has the loopy high bouncing spin that pushes people back while with the UT it looks like the ball goes comparatively at a lower launch angle and almost glides across the net but it suddenly jumps up and explodes after the bounce. Maybe compared to baseball it's like a curveball vs. a sinker/splitter pitch.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
Speaking of mad science, I think I got mine dialed in. I know the go to move with these types of frames is the "TT Setup" - leather grip and some lead on the top.

But if you are daring - try skipping the counterweight in the grip.
Most of us use an overgrip, so thats 5 grams you are putting on there anyway.

Love this.
 
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