A brand new KPS 88 & A Brand New Pro staff St. Vincent

[leonidas1982]

Here are some pictures of all brand new racquets..

Wilson Ultra 2, Wilson PS St. Vincent, Wilson PS Classic 85, Wilson Hyper Carbon Tour, Wilson Hyper Carbon Tour limited edition 85, Federer NCode Tour 90 limited edition, KFactor Tour 90, K Prostaff 88

Much thanks for sharing your pictures.

 

[VGP]

maybe include the jack krammer.

That sounds like an adult film actor's name.......

 

[VGP]

Looks like kPS88 is even the designated abbreviation by Wilson......

 

[kkm]

Anyone else wondering how JetLee2k managed to get a KPS88? ;-)

 

[leonidas1982]

Looks like kPS88 is even the designated abbreviation by Wilson......

i guess the ps85 caught on.

 

[jetlee2k]

I can't sleep b/c of the jetlag so here are some numbers for your reference.. I weighted on the postal scale with plastic grip on the racquets (some have alittle piece of paper in it..

KProstaff 88 356g
KFactor 90 346g (So I guess the plastic, paper = 6g)
NCode Fed90 344g (Plastic only so plastic = 4g)
PStour 90 358g (this is brand new with string, no plastic)
PS St. Vincent 344g
PS 85 Midsize Ciao Ta 344g

I did a super impose manually to compare the PWS on the 90square inch & the 85square inch..

Kfactor, Ncode Federer 90 is an identical mold.. same bumper guard & grommet.. KPro staff 88 is almost identical mold to St. Vincent 85 & Federer's mold but need to stretch alittle..

Ciaota Prostaff & St Vincent is identical mold and weight.. I noticed my brand new Ciao ta PS has Fairway grip in it..

Yes.. I plan to string the KPS88 up with hybrid & test drive it when I have time.. All of the racquet comparison are gripsize 2.. I play with 4 1/4 gripsize with modify Fairway grip & overgrip so it become 4 3/8+

I was told from a very reliable source directly from Wilson.. KFactor 90, Ncode Federer 90 is the actual mold that Fed had play with in the past 5 years PLUS some (lead modification).. The Ncode90, Pstour 90 retail is just for public.. KFactor 90 is the actual mold and racquet that Federer is use plus some modification on it..

The KPS is expected to sell at $199USD.. There is another Wilson Guy from the US told me $249USD but this source is not reliable.. I got my KPS88 from the Wilson guy that told me $199USD. Sorry.. I can not mention any names and where I got it from. I don't want him get in any trouble

By the way, I weighted the actual racquet that sampras play & I string it with Hybrid, overgrip, wilson dampener 392g total. Jim Grab St. Vincent racquet weighted about 380g total. All have ton of lead under the grip just above the handle. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment..

ALL FLAMES go directly to /dev/null

 

[stef73]

Well, I'm wondering how playing with this beast could be like...probably a good multi at around 50lbs could be the only way to save the arm! though the weight should really help in reducing the vibrations

 

[stormholloway]

Is the release date still the first of January and are you planning on stringing it up and playing with it?

 

[drakulie]

jetlee, thanks for the updates. very cool of you to share with everyone.

How does the kps88 feel swinging it around????

Also, do the grommets look similar like the old chicago/original vincent frames??? where they are more pronounced than the later vincents/taiwan/china's?????

It also appears to have a squared off grommet channel (like the vincents/chicagos)

 

[jetlee2k]

yeah.. I will string it up play with it in the next few days as stock racquets.. Hybrid string Main VS Touch 49lb, Luxilon BB Rough @46lb.. , wilson overgrip and tons of string savers.. I will weight the racquet and report the result.. Then I will modify it for my setup with Fairway Leathergrip and some lead add on.. My usual racquets weight roughly at 390g..

 

[leonidas1982]

do you know the string pattern? thanks.

 

[jetlee2k]

jetlee, thanks for the updates. very cool of you to share with everyone.

How does the kps88 feel swinging it around????

It feels stable but somehow I felt it LIGHT.. I will string it up today and report back later tonight.

Also, do the grommets look similar like the old chicago/original vincent frames??? where they are more pronounced than the later vincents/taiwan/china's?????

The KPS88 grommet has a little shorter bumper guard, and smaller grommet strip compare to the St. Vincent.. The PWS is identical to the St. Vincent. The KPS88 is stretch longer on the string bed so increased by 3square inch.

Oh yeah, the buttcap is an improvment.. THANK GOD.. It has rounded buttcap so it won't bite into your hand if you hold it like I do way down.. one down size, it does not have the snap off door so you can not easily add a few quarters or lead in there..

It also appears to have a squared off grommet channel

(like the vincents/chicagos)[/QUOTE]

 

[leonidas1982]

that is a setback, not having the trap door.

 

[pennc94]

Anybody with (or access to) an RDC happen to measure the flex?

 

[ericsson]

By the way, I weighted the actual racquet that sampras play & I string it with Hybrid, overgrip, wilson dampener 392g total. Jim Grab St. Vincent racquet weighted about 380g total. All have ton of lead under the grip just above the handle.

Jetlee, are you talking about Pete's new stick or his old SV??

 

[Blank]

^^ and who is Jim Grab?

 

[jetlee2k]

^^ and who is Jim Grab?

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/playerprofiles/default.asp?playersearch=jim+grab

 

[jetlee2k]

Jetlee, are you talking about Pete's new stick or his old SV??

I have his old St. Vincent racquet.. not new stick..

 

[bluetrain4]

No, it's DEFINITELY the UNSTRUNG weight. Just look at the pics above of the hoop insert with the specs on it.

Here it is again:

My mistake. I simply didn't think that Wilson (or any company) would release such a heavy frame (12.9 oz strung, WOW!!) today.

I'm sure it will feel incredibly solid and I think people with good stroke mechanics who can make minor adjustments, will be able to use it effectively. No one should be turned off by the weight until they try it. But, most "heavy" players frames these days are in the 12.2, 12.3 oz range, so this is quite a bit more.

I'm expecting that (at least for me) it will feel incredible on groundstrokes, though I may have to shorten my swing a little. It may not be super manueverable, but I'm expecting it to be rock solid on volleys. But, I'm wary about the sluggishness for serving. And, full-swinging returns against a good serve, I think will be a semi-disaster for me with this racquet. On the other hand, short-swing and block-back returns should be out of this world.

I'll say it again, purists may object, but I hope they release a kPS95 in the 12.1-12.3 oz (strung) range.

 

[Rabbit]

OK, so everybody got what they asked for.....let's see how well it sells....

 

[stormholloway]

Why in the world would you balance a 12.9oz racquet at only 6pts HL - especially when every other iteration of your midsize showpiece has been lighter and more head light?

'Cause it's a Sampras signature frame and that's how he balances his racquets. I hear your plight, but it wouldn't be very convincing as a Sampras racquet otherwise.

 

[Rabbit]

'Cause it's a Sampras signature frame and that's how he balances his racquets. I hear your plight, but it wouldn't be very convincing as a Sampras racquet otherwise.

Hey Storm, looking at the insert in the frame....do you feel any better about it?

I'm curious as to how it'll sell given that everyone on the boards always clamors for a high weight frame.

 

[stormholloway]

I'll say it again, purists may object, but I hope they release a kPS95 in the 12.1-12.3 oz (strung) range.

You know, back in the wood era, they used to have L (light) versions of frames (if I recall correctly). They could do a 12.3 ounce version of this racquet and I'd think it'd be nice.

 

[stormholloway]

Hey Storm, looking at the insert in the frame....do you feel any better about it?

I'm curious as to how it'll sell given that everyone on the boards always clamors for a high weight frame.

Nothing really comes as a surprise on the insert. I think the specs had been posted previously. I don't think going from the K90 to this frame will be a huge leap, and I have been playing quite well with the K90 lately. I serve better with the 85 though. I've always found the K to be awkward on serves, just a bit.

I don't see how this frame could sell that well. It sure as hell won't outsell the K90, but I think it's an older market demographic with this one.

 

[0d1n]

Nothing really comes as a surprise on the insert. I think the specs had been posted previously. I don't think going from the K90 to this frame will be a huge leap, and I have been playing quite well with the K90 lately. I serve better with the 85 though. I've always found the K to be awkward on serves, just a bit.

I don't see how this frame could sell that well. It sure as hell won't outsell the K90, but I think it's an older market demographic with this one.

Just goes to show how weird and different people are. I usually serve MUCH better with heavier/higher sw frames, but it's on ground strokes that the higher weight/sw punishes me so usually I have to make a compromise between frames I serve best with and frames with which I'm not late when returning (I serve much better with my Volkl tour 10 gen 1 MP's but I return better with Fischer MSpeed 98's for example...).
I've read more than once on this forum that people have no problem with high sw off the ground but they struggle to serve properly with them, and I'm the exact opposite.
I presume the explanation is that either my serving technique is better than my GS technique, or the serving technique of the aforementioned people (you included ?) is a bit weaker than their ground stroking technique.
Sure wish I could demo all the frames before buying them :|

 

[jamauss]

Where'd you already get one of the K Pro Staff's from? I haven't seen them for sale anywhere.

 

[allez_mike]

Oh man that racquet looks sooo sick, I'm getting one for sure. And the classic look just tops it off. I really hope it lives up to its expectations!

 

[sureshs]

'Cause it's a Sampras signature frame and that's how he balances his racquets. I hear your plight, but it wouldn't be very convincing as a Sampras racquet otherwise.

It isn't convincing now, since it is an oz lighter than his.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Just goes to show how weird and different people are. I usually serve MUCH better with heavier/higher sw frames, but it's on ground strokes that the higher weight/sw punishes me so usually I have to make a compromise between frames I serve best with and frames with which I'm not late when returning (I serve much better with my Volkl tour 10 gen 1 MP's but I return better with Fischer MSpeed 98's for example...).
I've read more than once on this forum that people have no problem with high sw off the ground but they struggle to serve properly with them, and I'm the exact opposite.
I presume the explanation is that either my serving technique is better than my GS technique, or the serving technique of the aforementioned people (you included ?) is a bit weaker than their ground stroking technique.
Sure wish I could demo all the frames before buying them :|

good post. i think your situation is more indicative of a better player playing better players..are you? keep in mind there are people posting here playing at vastly differing levels of play and that causes their impressions to swing so far in the other directions

i have always struggled with the dilemna of one racquet being great for me at the serve but less than great on returns (the two most impt shots in tennis)....re groundstrokes, for those who have adapted their games to keep up with the higher ball speed, they've mostly gone lighter to get around on the ball in time and to create the higher batspeed to spin the ball for control.

i always believe that your racquet should be best at what your strengths are, but should support your weaknesses too..it's all about tradeoffs and picking something that works best for your game and to best encourage improvement..

 

[stormholloway]

I've read more than once on this forum that people have no problem with high sw off the ground but they struggle to serve properly with them, and I'm the exact opposite.
I presume the explanation is that either my serving technique is better than my GS technique, or the serving technique of the aforementioned people (you included ?) is a bit weaker than their ground stroking technique.
Sure wish I could demo all the frames before buying them :|

It comes down to feel when it's being swung. The K90 has this mass vacuum in its throat. You can feel it with all shots but I feel it most on serve, and it's a tad odd. That said I've come to serve quite well with the racquet and the serve has always been a major struggle for me.

Nothing serves like the 85 though.

It isn't convincing now, since it is an oz lighter than his.

He adds lead to it but it's still the frame he uses. Sampras may want to take lead off in certain situations, but if it came stock with a certain weight it might not be possible. It allows for customization.

 

[VGP]

Oh yeah, the buttcap is an improvment.. THANK GOD.. It has rounded buttcap so it won't bite into your hand if you hold it like I do way down.. one down size, it does not have the snap off door so you can not easily add a few quarters or lead in there..

The "rounded" buttcap, from what I've read is what Sampras had on his customized PS85s....

....I am disappointed to hear that there's no trap door.

(perhaps this'll change? - fingers crossed - but if Pete doesn't have it, then it might not be incorporated into his signature frame)

i always believe that your racquet should be best at what your strengths are, but should support your weaknesses too..it's all about tradeoffs and picking something that works best for your game and to best encourage improvement..

....wise statement NBMJ....I'll agree with you here.

 

[leonidas1982]

The "rounded" buttcap, from what I've read is what Sampras had on his customized PS85s....

....I am disappointed to hear that there's no trap door.

(perhaps this'll change? - fingers crossed - but if Pete doesn't have it, then it might not be incorporated into his signature frame)

Hopefully, we can just change buttcaps.

 

[Pushmaster]

Hopefully, we can just change buttcaps.

That would work. I'm definitely going to add weight to the handle, it may not feel any less maneuverable than the K90 because of the smaller head.

 

[leonidas1982]

That would work. I'm definitely going to add weight to the handle, it may not feel any less maneuverable than the K90 because of the smaller head.

There probably, at least for me, won't be a need to add lead to 3&9. I wonder if TW plans to sell the silver buttcaps that are on the KFactors.

 

[PeterFig]

That would work. I'm definitely going to add weight to the handle, it may not feel any less maneuverable than the K90 because of the smaller head.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had trouble with the weight of the K90 ... but maybe it's not 'weight' that concerns me it's maneuverability. I'm not sure if I understand the theory behind it well enough. Can a heavy racquet still be very maneuverable? Is it just based on balance? Is swingweight not directly tied into the balance? I have no problems playing with the AK90 but I'm not sure if that's due to overall weight or just the balance / swingweight. My biggest trouble on the K90 was not being to come through balls that were maybe a bit behind me or I hit late, or had to reach out for.

I'm trying to figure this out to see if the KS88 will be too heavy for me or should I just be worried about balance/swingweight as it compares to the K90 and the AK90

EDIT: just to clarify I didn't find the K90 too 'heavy' feeling, didn't hurt my shoulder, wasn't hard for serving.... i just felt I could not whip through the ball well when I didn't have my weight behind the shot properly.

 

[Tofi]

any pics of the saint vincent??

 

[Pushmaster]

There probably, at least for me, won't be a need to add lead to 3&6.

I think you mean 3&9? But your right about one thing, something tells me you wont need any lead in the hoop.

 

[leonidas1982]

I think you mean 3&9? But your right about one thing, something tells me you wont need any lead in the hoop.

certainly. that would be a funny feeling racquet to swing. thanks

 

[slider2828]

What's missing is the specs for the AN90 n AK90.

mawashi

They are no longer making Asian racquets... It was from a factory wholesaler saying that, it was very hard to keep up with 2 lines of similar racquets.... So 08 will be the last year they are producing Asian spec'ed K's of any kind.

 

[jorel]

that is heavy... looks like the sw will be in the 340-350 range

 

[Irvin]

ooppss.. it did not work.. oh well..
Some one please show me how to cut & paste a picture directly inside the forum?? THANKS

It is not hard to include pictures. When you create your thread or post a reply there is a group of icons just about the text box you type in. If you run your mouse over the icon one will say Insert Image. Click it and type or past your URL for the picture.

Irvin

 

[BreakPoint]

Why in the world would you balance a 12.9oz racquet at only 6pts HL - especially when every other iteration of your midsize showpiece has been lighter and more head light?

Because this is supposed to be the Sampras Signature racquet, and Sampras has his personal racquets at almost 14 oz., and evenly balanced. Yikes! :shock:

 

[obnoxious2]

Because this is supposed to be the Sampras Signature racquet, and Sampras has his personal racquets at almost 14 oz., and evenly balanced. Yikes! :shock:

I wouldn't consider 6 pts HL unstrong or 5 pts HL strung exactly evenly balanced.

 

[BreakPoint]

My mistake. I simply didn't think that Wilson (or any company) would release such a heavy frame (12.9 oz strung, WOW!!) today.

I'm sure it will feel incredibly solid and I think people with good stroke mechanics who can make minor adjustments, will be able to use it effectively. No one should be turned off by the weight until they try it. But, most "heavy" players frames these days are in the 12.2, 12.3 oz range, so this is quite a bit more.

I'm expecting that (at least for me) it will feel incredible on groundstrokes, though I may have to shorten my swing a little. It may not be super manueverable, but I'm expecting it to be rock solid on volleys. But, I'm wary about the sluggishness for serving. And, full-swinging returns against a good serve, I think will be a semi-disaster for me with this racquet. On the other hand, short-swing and block-back returns should be out of this world.

I'll say it again, purists may object, but I hope they release a kPS95 in the 12.1-12.3 oz (strung) range.

I doubt they will, but if they do, it won't have Sampras' signature on it since he never liked the PS 6.0 95 when he tried it in the 90's.

BTW, I don't think the 12.9 oz. in the main problem. The problem is that it's BOTH 12.9 oz. and only 6 pts. HL. That puts the swingweight way up there.

 

[BreakPoint]

I wouldn't consider 6 pts HL unstrong or 5 pts HL strung exactly evenly balanced.

I'm referring to Sampras' personal racquets, not this retail stock KPS88.

If you look at either Sampras' St. Vincent PS 85's or his new KPS88, he adds a ton of lead tape to the hoop to make them almost evenly balanced. So his personal racquets are close to 14 oz. and evenly balanced. The swingweight has to be close to 400. Yikes! :shock:

 

[BreakPoint]

It isn't convincing now, since it is an oz lighter than his.

Not if you add lead tape to it just like Sampras does.

Don't you get it? Sampras is using this exact racquet but he adds lead tape to it to weigh it up to what he likes. We are free to do the same as well if we want. Sampras is very meticulous with his equipment and will notice things like too much ink on his stencils, so it's likely he can't live without seeing those strips of lead tape inside his hoops. What would be the point of making a racquet that is already almost 14 oz. and evenly balanced in stock form? How many people on this planet could play with that and how many would Wilson ever sell? Other than Sampras, probably just a handful. And Wilson is not in business to lose money, are they?

 

[BreakPoint]

that is heavy... looks like the sw will be in the 340-350 range

I'd say more like 350-360 range, at least. :shock:

 

[Azzurri]

The "rounded" buttcap, from what I've read is what Sampras had on his customized PS85s....

....I am disappointed to hear that there's no trap door.

(perhaps this'll change? - fingers crossed - but if Pete doesn't have it, then it might not be incorporated into his signature frame)



....wise statement NBMJ....I'll agree with you here.

were the K90 buttcaps rounded?

 

[mawashi]

They are no longer making Asian racquets... It was from a factory wholesaler saying that, it was very hard to keep up with 2 lines of similar racquets.... So 08 will be the last year they are producing Asian spec'ed K's of any kind.

I'm aware of that and I was referring to PeterFig's diagram.

It's missing the Specs for the AN90 and AK90's swing weight.

mawashi

 

[mawashi]

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had trouble with the weight of the K90 ... but maybe it's not 'weight' that concerns me it's maneuverability. I'm not sure if I understand the theory behind it well enough. Can a heavy racquet still be very maneuverable? Is it just based on balance? Is swingweight not directly tied into the balance? I have no problems playing with the AK90 but I'm not sure if that's due to overall weight or just the balance / swingweight. My biggest trouble on the K90 was not being to come through balls that were maybe a bit behind me or I hit late, or had to reach out for.

I'm trying to figure this out to see if the KS88 will be too heavy for me or should I just be worried about balance/swingweight as it compares to the K90 and the AK90

EDIT: just to clarify I didn't find the K90 too 'heavy' feeling, didn't hurt my shoulder, wasn't hard for serving.... i just felt I could not whip through the ball well when I didn't have my weight behind the shot properly.

I completely agree with you on this as Wilson made an error when the made the K90 swing heavier. The N90s swing weight & balance was great but it's power was way too low.

The N90 really felt great but the lack of pop really made it hell to use.

Wilson's current range seems more suited to baseline bashing. Heavy sw, lower HL balance and stiffer.

I'm really disappointed that they made it only 9 pt hl. My AK90 is 9 pts hl unstrung and even at a stated 320g unstrung weight, maneuverability isn't it's strong pt.

I measured both my AK90 strung and they were 350g & 351g with an overwrap. I seriously suspect the frame is bout 335g unstrung???

mawashi