Official Wilson Pro Staff 88 Club

[navorski_o9]

hey, I've been using kps88 for a full year now after a switch from k90, the only racquet switch I've done ever. at first, I was having a hard time adjusting, but probably because of not playing for a full year. but I was able to customize it (thanks to TT forum suggestions) to be a little bit more maneuverable like the k90. I forgot how many grams I added in the butt cap, but my specs now is 370 g, 32.3 cm balance, 6.3 HL, 355 sw. I love that set up now and works very well with my game style! I have 3 kps88's, but just using 2 really, one is collecting dust in the closet. I don't think i'll switch ever!!!I'm in the club, yeah!!

 

[thatguymattin]

Currently have three of these bad boys still. And I've found their weights, bp's, and sw's.

My "K88 Black" (cause I use a black dampener on that frame) Weights 363grams, has a 6 pt hl balance, and a 342 sw.

"K88 White" weighs 367 grams, has a 5 pt hl balance, and has a 351 sw.

"K88 Red" weighs 369 grams, has a 6 pt hl balance, and 348 sw.

All of my frames were measured without a overgrip and dampener lol... the deviation is interesting o:

The strings I have in them are over a year old... but they still play well, depending on the weather. Would be much better with new string xD

 

[Cavvallini]

Given the range of possible RF97s that would be within manufacturing specs, you could have a wide variety of experiences in comparing the frames.

I had KPS88s from 12.5 ounces to 13.1 ounces and the heaviest played completely differently than the lightest.

Absolutely. The words Wilson and Quality Control should never be used in the same sentence.

I've owned probably over 30 of these and I've narrowed down the weight variations to the serial number on the hologram barcode stamp. The U356 or 355 are far and away the heaviest and most solid. The 200 series are the lightest and play very much like a lightweight version of the 356. The early run 011 to 116 series play somewhere in between.

It seems like they tried to lighten it after receiving the initial feedback but then said "Eff it" and made the last series as raw and solid as they could. Pure speculation, of course.

I prefer the heaviest so I've sold all my 200 series and now only have 356 and a couple 012 and 100.

 

[Fed for Pope]

Love this thread!
2 of these beauties just arrived from the bay.
I know long shot bump, but anyone know where to get grommets now? Mine properly done
Secondly mine are wrong grip size (but only one size up), I bought them SO cheap, they are in horrible condition.
Considering their rarity and grip size (and terrible state) would they still be worth selling on, or should I persevere and keep them?

 

[asifallasleep]

For years I only saw these frames in 4 3/8 and 4 1/2. Just acquired a few 4 1/4's. Gonna try this frame tonight in the smaller grip size which I believe will increase maneuverability and racquet head speed.

 

[asifallasleep]

Wow the smaller grip size seems to make a huge difference. Switching back to the PS88. HAHAHAHA. #racquetsickness.

 

[movdqa]

You are a vintage player.

 

[Pro Kenneth]

Six years after production ended, anyone still using KPS88 actively? Never seen anyone with them in real life, (for wilson) only the 97's (usually non-signature), Blades (usually 98s with some 104s), and occasional Ultra.

Oh Wilson, how far thou art fallen ...

 

[movdqa]

Six years after production ended, anyone still using KPS88 actively? Never seen anyone with them in real life, (for wilson) only the 97's (usually non-signature), Blades (usually 98s with some 104s), and occasional Ultra.

Oh Wilson, how far thou art fallen ...

I sold mine several years ago. Great frame but tough on the arm.

I think that the RF97 is a better racquet but I had to modify my strokes to use it.

 

[Pro Kenneth]

For me I found with natural gut and low tension it is safe for my arm; the sheer weight crushes the ball. I found the RF97 to be Babolat by Wilson (tm).

But I also think of switching but haven't yet, the Prince 93P is tempting.

 

[asifallasleep]

I'm back to using these again. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. 371 grams at 6.5 pts hl. Cyclone 19g at 40lbs.

 

[asifallasleep]

Back to these heavenly sticks again. Anyone else swinging this thing?

 

[PrinceMoron]

For years I only saw these frames in 4 3/8 and 4 1/2. Just acquired a few 4 1/4's. Gonna try this frame tonight in the smaller grip size which I believe will increase maneuverability and racquet head speed.

I found it sluggish on the BH until I got some 4 5/8s

Horses for courses I guess


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[asifallasleep]

I found it sluggish on the BH until I got some 4 5/8s

Horses for courses I guess


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love hitting one hand backhands with it. 19g strings make it much more headlight.

 

[ZIMING]

Just bought a used kps88 with new string strung at 40lb. test played today first time it doesnt seem powerful. perhaps the string and tension are both not ideal. will restring it at 50 or 55 l and put some grams to find out.

I also use a RF97 V13, with frames guard, 2 overgrips and dampener weighing just 390g. Main is AP at 58/cross 4G56lb. balls are extremely heavy and crushing opponents.

 

[slipgrip93]

Just bought a used kps88 with new string strung at 40lb. test played today first time it doesnt seem powerful. perhaps the string and tension are both not ideal. will restring it at 50 or 55 l and put some grams to find out.

I also use a RF97 V13, with frames guard, 2 overgrips and dampener weighing just 390g. Main is AP at 58/cross 4G56lb. balls are extremely heavy and crushing opponents.

yes, the kps88 can handle higher tensions and can effectively seem like having a bigger 'sweetspot' for its headsize (while still having that sweet/'nostalgic' oldschool 17mm beam feel). Hope you get to feel the 'plow'. Sampras as probably his fans knew in general, liked to use high tensions. He was using a Fed ncode tour 90 all leaded up a lot in the head, in the year or so before the kps88 was spec'd and made.

 

[ZIMING]

yes, the kps88 can handle higher tensions and can effectively seem like having a bigger 'sweetspot' for its headsize (while still having that sweet/'nostalgic' oldschool 17mm beam feel). Hope you get to feel the 'plow'. Sampras as probably his fans knew in general, liked to use high tensions. He was using a Fed ncode tour 90 all leaded up a lot in the head, in the year or so before the kps88 was spec'd and made.

Thanks for the tip. Just had it strung at 56/54lb MSV FOCUS HEX 1.23. The feel of plow is unbelievably fast and heavy just like you said. In my full swing stroke mode opponents usually can not return the ball with some quality. very powerful at serve too. I tested swingweight is 350 total weight 381g. I feel K88 is similar to my RF97 V13 at 358/383g in almost all aspects. both are so far the best two racquets for me. Just RF97 is a bit easier I think.

Spin is good but bnot as easier as my YONEX vcore Pro 97H, particularly to hit short and low top spin.

I looked at friends played my K88. The groundstrokes are way more solid and heavier than other racquets generated in a very different feel.

 

[Romanspb]

I have one, new. It is heavier than ncode 90 about 6 gramms, and has balance 4 mm headheavy. Very heavy for me.
So i don't decide to play with instead of Ncode 90))) Though I like ncode very much, and think what may be better in 88???
My favorite is H19 367 gr 315 mm balance.)))

 

[ZIMING]

I quite often adopt an uppercut punch type of ground stroke without windshield brush action and follow through to left shoulder. I am full western grip though. If I use a heavy and solid stick, this type of stroke produces fastest speed and pinpoint precision as exactly where I want the ball to land. besides it comes with crazy spin and very low trajectory. usually it turns out to be a winner.

thus KPS 88 offers me excellent control and power unless sometimes I want to hit top spin it is not as spinny as RF 97 or vcore pro.

 

[ZIMING]

I have one, new. It is heavier than ncode 90 about 6 gramms, and has balance 4 mm headheavy. Very heavy for me.
So i don't decide to play with instead of Ncode 90))) Though I like ncode very much, and think what may be better in 88???
My favorite is H19 367 gr 315 mm balance.)))It need

I have one, new. It is heavier than ncode 90 about 6 gramms, and has balance 4 mm headheavy. Very heavy for me.
So i don't decide to play with instead of Ncode 90))) Though I like ncode very much, and think what may be better in 88???
My favorite is H19 367 gr 315 mm balance.)))

It has to be a heavy steadfast racquet to save difficult balls and return them into opponent court that light racquets usually can't help

 

[slipgrip93]

Thanks for the tip. Just had it strung at 56/54lb MSV FOCUS HEX 1.23. The feel of plow is unbelievably fast and heavy just like you said. In my full swing stroke mode opponents usually can not return the ball with some quality. very powerful at serve too. I tested swingweight is 350 total weight 381g. I feel K88 is similar to my RF97 V13 at 358/383g in almost all aspects. both are so far the best two racquets for me. Just RF97 is a bit easier I think.

Spin is good but bnot as easier as my YONEX vcore Pro 97H, particularly to hit short and low top spin.

I looked at friends played my K88. The groundstrokes are way more solid and heavier than other racquets generated in a very different feel.

Yw, glad to hear it's working great for you, congrats. wow, I didn't know the rf97 could also weigh up that high too, although I never got one.
You'd probably already experienced this by now, where other "secret powers" of the kps88 that's been mentioned in the past are that it's also particularly great and stable for volleys, and also good for 'feel' shots , dinks etc. (and in my opinion).

 

[ZIMING]

Thanks slipgrips. I really enjoy with kps88. It does have unique secret power It indeed is really a fantasticall around stick. I tested the SW is 348. At this SW it is already good enough. I do not need to add grams anywhere as most of my other sticks that always need modding.

The only complaint is the paint quality. New dents appear at every game......