nabbed an Ultra Kevlar 95

FedererClone

FedererClone

Semi-Pro
Seems like a decent frame and really intrigued by the tapered beam. It has some nice Wilson NXT string in it. Wondering how it will compare to the thinner beamed Reflex that I love. Will hit with it later this week.

Anyone out there still hit with the Tapered Beam design?

I am a bit wary of sticks with such a thick throat but the tapering probably compensates for the bulk on the court? The head feels massive compared to the reliable Reflex - but balance is good and it feels like a solid swing; nice retro lo-fi design too.

I have always liked kevlar construction in the Wilson frame all the way up to the PSC 6.1. I instantly disliked the Kramer Pro Staff 85 possibly because of the lack of kevlar replaced with fiberglass; felt "bouncy" with the weight of the classic frame.

FPK also sounds interesting; seems a dab of "ceramic" in the Wilson frames help add some feel to accommodate the "deadening" effect of the kevlar. I associate my love for the Sting SC frame for this reason. If I like the Ultra Kevlar I'll be sure to try the FPK one day.

Is the frame "braided" in the similar way that the early pro staff frames were? is the kevlar from St Vincent? mine is SAN probably Taiwan...I think st vincent factory closed down before these frames were released?

Some nice treads on here on the tapered beam so I know some of you are familiar with the stick. Would love to hear you thoughts.
 
Anyone out there still hit with the Tapered Beam design?
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I have two Wilson Ultra 95 rackets: Ultra FPK 95 & Ultra Graphite 95. My preference is the latter as it's more flexible. Both have good control and nice sweet spot.
 
I think The Ultra FPK is the best tennis racquet Wilson has ever made. If it could have incorporated an evenly-spaced stringing pattern (instead of the variable-density pattern Wilson loved so much), it would be superlative.
 
retrowagen said:
I think The Ultra FPK is the best tennis racquet Wilson has ever made. If it could have incorporated an evenly-spaced stringing pattern (instead of the variable-density pattern Wilson loved so much), it would be superlative.
Click to expand...

Praise indeed. I like the Wilson Graphite Force for the evenly spaced strings and lack of PWS.
 
rufusbgood said:
grommet sets/bumperguards for several of the racquets mentioned
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The frames mentioned in this thread:

Wilson Ultra Kevlar 95
Wilson PSC6.1
Wilson Kramer Staff
Wilson Sting SC
Wilson Ultra FPK 95
Wilson Ultra Graphite 95
Wilson Graphite Force

Which ones?
 
retrowagen said:
I think The Ultra FPK is the best tennis racquet Wilson has ever made. If it could have incorporated an evenly-spaced stringing pattern (instead of the variable-density pattern Wilson loved so much), it would be superlative.
Click to expand...

Should try the Ultra FPK 85, no bumper. Awesome.
 
pshulam said:
FPK 85 is rare. It's much easier to get hold of a FPK 95.
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Played some of my best tennis with the FPK and Ultra 85 (late 80's). Great serving racquets with a nice flex that fired the ball off the string bed... I strung up a few of my old ones a little ways back and the hoop caved in when I tried to belt a forehand. Think I'll leave the others as souveniers from the past...

Sweet sticks! :)
 
ahuimanu said:
Played some of my best tennis with the FPK and Ultra 85 (late 80's). Great serving racquets with a nice flex that fired the ball off the string bed... I strung up a few of my old ones a little ways back and the hoop caved in when I tried to belt a forehand. Think I'll leave the others as souveniers from the past...

Sweet sticks! :)
Click to expand...

Have quite a few FPKs, Ultra 2, Ultra/Graphite, and the pearl white Ultra that I cannot recall the name. Very headlight and closest Wilson came to a Prestige feel with an open string pattern. Used a NOS FPK 95, only current PK Heritage racquets have such a feel.
 
Ronaldo said:
Should try the Ultra FPK 85, no bumper. Awesome.
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Right. That's like Indiana Jones seeking the Ark of the Covenant. You know how rare that stick is?

"95's. Why did it have to be a 95's?"

Major praise comparing to Prestige. Psyched to groove with the frame in the next few days when I escape my deadlines... especially w/the nice string job... the ball seems to "pop" off the frame nicely when I rally against the wall here at home...

Wilson says the NXT "effectively increases the sweet spot by 10%" ~ I reserve my verdict for now... intrigued to see how the frame compares to the Reflex in terms of feel...
 
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ahuimanu said:
Thanks for sharing! I have sooo many fond memories of this racquet and the conquests we've had together :)

Didn't realize it was this stiff (66) as I remember the shaft flexing quite a bit during heavy net play... I'll try the PK Redondo (earlier indicated) as a possible equal to this all time classic. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Using the Redondo mp now. Has an 18x20 pattern. Soft and flexy hoop but a bit more stable due to the string pattern. Btw, must be a light and med version. One 95 w/Fairway grip weighs nearly 13 oz. Others weigh about about 12.5 oz.
 
I didn't really "feel" the frame last night playing... not easy to tune into... it wasn't a bad experience; some nice touch for sure but 1HBH was not on. I went back to my reflex. Interesting to test it out though...
 
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pshulam said:
I have two Wilson Ultra 95 rackets: Ultra FPK 95 & Ultra Graphite 95. My preference is the latter as it's more flexible. Both have good control and nice sweet spot.
Click to expand...
I have 2 Ultra 95 Series. RA is 62...but I have the other specs close to the RF 97 PS
 
Still have the Ultra Graphite 95, Ultra Kevlar 95, and Ultra FPK 85, 95, & 110. Pity tore my rotator cuff for the third time. Air swings hurt. In a pickle
 
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