Power Player
Bionic Poster
Have you ever hit with one? I did a long time ago and the guy who bought it just played it stock and had crappy string in it, unfortunately. This will be my first real playtest of it.
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Have you ever hit with one? I did a long time ago and the guy who bought it just played it stock and had crappy string in it, unfortunately. This will be my first real playtest of it.
haqq777
Legend
Yes, I purchased one soon after it was released after the whole hoopla that Wilson was finally releasing it's H19 as a retail stick and what not. Got one from the initial batches that had the uber flaky paint. The feel was sublime though. I remember I had some weight in the hoop and leather grip. I didn't like the very dense pattern if I'm being honest and had mine strung in the low 40s. In the end sold it because it was a little too low powered for my taste and moved on, but now second guessing because it is a sweet feeling frame worthy of being in the collection at least.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Strung in the low 40s??? That’s my tension range for this stick. Dude, we might just be brothers from a different mother!
IMO, feel just don’t get any better than this from a retail frame.
haqq777
Legend
Haha! Yeah no doubt about the feel. Such a great feeling platform sort of frame too so adding weight and bringing up to spec is the way to go for sure.Strung in the low 40s??? That’s my tension range for this stick. Dude, we might just be brothers from a different mother!
IMO, feel just don’t get any better than this from a retail frame.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Nice, it sounds perfect. I love dense patterns - the Blade 18x20 is pretty tight in the middle but spreads out a little more on the edges than the UT.
I also string in the 40s. When the tension is around 45#s in an 18x20, thats perfection for me.
The power compared to the Blades will be the most interesting part to gauge. If I can keep my coach pressed back and not use extra energy to do it, I should be good. To me, the Blades have a really good (if not perfect) power/control ratio.
ryushen21
Legend
@Power Player what's that string you're using right now? Silver something?
I'm looking for options to put up against Hyper G.
I'm looking for options to put up against Hyper G.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Silver 7 tour (crispy, crazy spin, plays great until it breaks)
Tour Sniper by Grapplesnake (plush, good spin, crazy tension maintenance, great control).
I went S7 in the Ultra Tour. I think that should be a real nice fit. Tour Sniper is great too and I will try that as well at some point.
I also have Max Power rough which is a nice string as well but when it dies, it can be sudden and game crushing.
ryushen21
Legend
From your description, that Tour Sniper sounds like it's right up my alley. But I'm also intrigued by the Silver 7.
Both will definitely go on my string testing list.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
God this UT feels good. Already know I will like this one. I may have 3 now.
Ill leave the rest for other holics to track down, but at this price i couldn’t really resist, and i feel like they will be all gone real soon.
Brief wall hitting and it feels like a head frame.
Similar to the ig prestige mp but the sweet spot is bigger, like the blade.
Unless there is a serious dropoff from the blade to this im adding it to the bag. V7 v 2015 v UT is a war that may never end.
Ill leave the rest for other holics to track down, but at this price i couldn’t really resist, and i feel like they will be all gone real soon.
Brief wall hitting and it feels like a head frame.
Similar to the ig prestige mp but the sweet spot is bigger, like the blade.
Unless there is a serious dropoff from the blade to this im adding it to the bag. V7 v 2015 v UT is a war that may never end.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I knew this goldrush was coming so thats why i had to pounce. $119 for a new frame of this quality is too good of a deal.
i did a similar raid like this on the old yonex butter frame. That gold one with the open pattern. They were like $65 each or something crazy on close out.
i did a similar raid like this on the old yonex butter frame. That gold one with the open pattern. They were like $65 each or something crazy on close out.
ryushen21
Legend
If you decide you don't need it later on and it's a 4 1/2, let me know.My bank account hates this site. I just ordered a UT on *******sports for a good price. I don't even need it. I have too many racquets. My curiosity got the best of me. Probably gonna have to sell some racquets now
But at this point I'm thinking I need another one of each of the frames I'm getting already. And a current model Prestige MP.
I'm remembering how badly tennis got a hold of me last time. I was looking at a 15 racket bag today. 15 rackets!
SaaKha
Semi-Pro
Well it's a 4 1/4 buuut they did have a 4 1/2 available...
ryushen21
Legend
I know. I almost bought another one earlier. I'm trying to be good.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Dude, I’ve been saying it’s like the IGYT prestige MP but better in every way across the board like forever. Have you not been paying attention?God this UT feels good. Already know I will like this one. I may have 3 now.
Ill leave the rest for other holics to track down, but at this price i couldn’t really resist, and i feel like they will be all gone real soon.
Brief wall hitting and it feels like a head frame.
Similar to the ig prestige mp but the sweet spot is bigger, like the blade.
Unless there is a serious dropoff from the blade to this im adding it to the bag. V7 v 2015 v UT is a war that may never end.
The UT will never have Blade power and the Blade will never have UT precision and control.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Dude, I’ve been saying it’s like the IGYT prestige MP but better in every way across the board like forever. Have you not been paying attention?
you rave about a lot of frames so for the sake of my wallet i do not always listen, lol!
Case in point - i ignored this frame for 2 years and was rewarded with 59% discount.
ryushen21
Legend
you rave about a lot of frames so for the sake of my wallet i do not always listen, lol!
Case in point - i ignored this frame for 2 years and was rewarded with 59% discount.
I may or may not have just picked up a 9.5+ condition UT for $75
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I did not rave about the v7 blade 16/19 nor did I rave about the TF40 305. Wonder why...you rave about a lot of frames so for the sake of my wallet i do not always listen, lol!
Case in point - i ignored this frame for 2 years and was rewarded with 59% discount.
i did say the clash 100 and 98s were great sticks and I still think they are, but I’ve always stuck with my UTs.
but seriously, glad you finally shook your lead allergy and decided to give the UT a go. I think you’ll enjoy it but don’t think it’ll overtake the blades because it just doesn’t have the same amount of POW!
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Gee
Hall of Fame
@mad dog1 At least I did and you seem to be making my point for me as well.Dude, I’ve been saying it’s like the IGYT prestige MP but better in every way across the board like forever. Have you not been paying attention?
The UT will never have Blade power and the Blade will never have UT precision and control.
Since I read these sudden particular interest in the UT within this thread the following song from Van Morrison came to my mind:
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I did not rave about the v7 blade 16/19 nor did I rave about the TF40 305. Wonder why...
i did say the clash 100 and 98s were great sticks and I still think they are, but I’ve always stuck with my UTs.
but seriously, glad you finally shook your lead allergy and decided to give the UT a go. I think you’ll enjoy it but don’t think it’ll overtake the blades because it just doesn’t have the same amount of POW!
its gotta be pretty close in power to the 2015 blade though, right?
n8dawg6
Legend
i might should try lead at 12 since ive gotten so used to the feel of the blades now
n8dawg6
Legend
i shouldnt have even mentioned it, theyre all sold out. false alarm
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I honestly don't know!! lol.
But yeah, I think the UT 2.0 version closeout deals got everyone going. I crunched the numbers and realized I could match my Blades and that's what did it for me.
Also your well written posts on the feel and control did not help matters!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
How close is pretty close though?
The 2015 blade just hits a heavier, more penetrating ball, but the kind of topspin the UT puts on the ball has more more action and kick to it.
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Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
The second UT I thought I had locked up got scooped out from underneath me.
But if the supply doesn't dry up by tomorrow, I may just pay that slightly higher price...
That was probably me. Sorry, but I'm not sure I need all five that I vultured. PM me if you hit on desperate times and need a 4 1/2.
ryushen21
Legend
No worries man. But 4 1/2 is my grip size. And if they have leather on them....
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Only 5? You’re still one short of catching me.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
How close is pretty close though?
The 2015 blade just hits a heavier, more penetrating ball, but the kind of topspin the UT puts on the ball has more more action and kick to it.
Damn thats interesting. Ill see for myself soon enough, but I wonder this - is the SW on your 2015 higher than the Sw on your UT? That may be the difference in the ball, who knows.
Someone needs to make an RDC that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It would be so useful to have one.
Pneumated1
Hall of Fame
Only 5? You’re still one short of catching me.
I'm not worthy, haha. I'll humbly fall in line one frame behind. Have no choice anyway considering I have all of these Tecnifibres that you told me to run from, lol.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
this is just what my hitting partners all tell me. they say the UT ball isn't as heavy but the topspin has some nasty kick that surprises them. the SWs should be pretty similar but the weight is distributed different between the 2 racquets because i get alot more rhs with the UT. Also the 2 racquets flex differently.
danbrenner
Legend
The real play test should be blade 18x20 vs UT weighted the same way. With the same string and tension.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I am in the process of carefully matching several of my other 18x20 dense pattern sticks to the length and specs of my UT.
My Solinco Pro 7, my Angell TC95, and my BLX 6.1 95.
I’ll be able to compare them better once they are are strung with spinny kevlar/poly how I like it.
My Solinco Pro 7, my Angell TC95, and my BLX 6.1 95.
I’ll be able to compare them better once they are are strung with spinny kevlar/poly how I like it.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah that makes total sense - more RHS you are sending more spin. Either way thats a fun ride. I am hoping I can bring out the UT with the v7 and 2015 and just switch whenever I want with zero adjustment like I do with the blades.
To me the feel of the UT is obviously a standout feature and it really has that old Head Prestige vibe to it.
The v7 also has a Head vibe to it, but more muted like the 630 while the UT has the buttery feel of old prestiges.
Whats amazing is Wilson is making better "Head feeling" racquets then Head now! To be fair, I have not tried the Gravity Pro and I hear that feels nice.
Not to trigger anybody, but I like the feel of the UT better than the new Prestiges. Just my preference. They are both great, but so far the UT seems more solid, buttery and old school. That impression may change the more I hit with it.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
the weight distribution of these 2 frames is quitte different so getting them weighted identically is pretty tough. also while they are both 18/20s, the UT is tighter than the Blade.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This is exactly what I have done. My UT is 330 grams, SW should be at least 330 and I'm using the same string at the same tension (Silver 7 tour).
To MD's point above, you can't them exact. I got lucky and my UTs were 3 grams under weight so that really helped me lead up the top of it so they all weigh the same. The Blade is still a little more HL though, but its not a dramatic difference.
ryushen21
Legend
I'll be providing that once the frames get to me.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You're right because it is.
I just picked up a gravity mp. it's a very good racquet. Definitely enjoying my time with it so far. Have you seen the Head Product Management team and Product Engineers playing in the TW brandography video? Those Head folks can play for reals and they playtest their own racquets. Doesn't surprise me at all that the new Prestiges and Gravities play as well as they do.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
yeah, the blades have always been more polarized while the UT is going to have more weight in the middle. Almost impossible to polarize the UT to the same extent as the Blade and still be able to match the static weights.
ryushen21
Legend
In what's probably likely to be considered foolish or irrational by many of you holics here, I am going to make a prediction. I'm gonna end up sticking with the 97HD.
As I was hitting against my #1 Girls player this morning, I had a bit of an epiphany. The current setup on the 97HD is exactly what I want. It's whippy when I need it to be but I can still absolutely drive the ball. The response and feedback from the string setup and the frame are exactly what I want them to be. I can both generate and redirect pace as I see fit. And the control is absolutely unreal. And the only change from stock is a leather grip.
I will still proceed with the test comparing the UT and the Blade against the 97HD. I will start with them in their stock forms and eventually have them matched as closely to the 97HD as possible. But at this moment, it will take something mightily impressive to unseat the 97HD.
As I was hitting against my #1 Girls player this morning, I had a bit of an epiphany. The current setup on the 97HD is exactly what I want. It's whippy when I need it to be but I can still absolutely drive the ball. The response and feedback from the string setup and the frame are exactly what I want them to be. I can both generate and redirect pace as I see fit. And the control is absolutely unreal. And the only change from stock is a leather grip.
I will still proceed with the test comparing the UT and the Blade against the 97HD. I will start with them in their stock forms and eventually have them matched as closely to the 97HD as possible. But at this moment, it will take something mightily impressive to unseat the 97HD.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Irrational and foolish at this moment, sure, only because you haven’t even hit with the UT or Blade yet. If after you spend some time with those sticks and still come to this conclusion, then it’s neither irrational or foolish at all.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Beat me to it.
I picked the Blade v7 over the YY HD, but thats just me and what I like. You may not like it at all, who knows?
Its been one year since the v7 came out and besides demoing the Prestige Mid and Clash 98, Ive been a Blade guy.
So its fitting that I now have 3 UTs as well. lol!
I could end up playing even better with them, hate them, or most likely play the same and be able to use all the frames with no issues.
It's a giant mind f--- at times if you let it. But the main thing is that your consistency gets better and better and you feel 100% confident out there.
After initial honeymoon, if my confidence level drops and I can't hit the shots I want, the frames are going up for sale.
I'd also suggest getting a coach (who can play at a high level)even if it's once a week. They will help you pick the best frame. They also will be your benchmark of how you perform in match play with the frame. All that matters is how you do under pressure when the points matter. That's when you truly know if a racquet is for you or not.
ryushen21
Legend
The confidence is there for sure right now. And the racquet is keeping me honest because if a shot comes off wrong, I know it was my technique and what I need to adjust. It's a great feeling to have and I'm gonna enjoy the heck out of it while I can.
The UT and the Blade arrive next week though. It will certainly make for an interesting playtest. While having unlimited access to a court and a ball machine is nice, I'm going to make sure that I get back into regular match play and get myself in for some lessons as well.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
you might very well end up liking the HD best which is fine. I tried the HD and Blade when they came out and preferred the UT for all the reasons Power Player mentioned. TBH, I would be surprised if you still pick the HD after an extended playtest with all of them because no one I know who has tried all of these sticks has picked it.
ryushen21
Legend
If the UT and the Blade do everything the HD does and still keep that freakishly large sweet spot, it could truly be anyone's game.
