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Wilson Pro Labs: Ultra Pro (16x19) Official Thread
- Thread starter zettavaska
- Start date
that string plays amazing for me in the first few days and then it drops tension like crazy. i hit the biggest serves of my life with it though
depends on the gauge but alu spin is 127 and textured so controlling for gauge it lasts less than regular alu power
I'm surprised because for the three weeks I played with it, I never felt a significant drop.
Even at three weeks it still felt playable, I just restrung out of an abundance of caution as I felt hints of it becoming uncontrollable.
Maybe after the first couple days I got used to the tension drop.
I have it strung in my new Blade Pro and we will see how it does there
oh wow i'm surprised.
Maybe it's one of those strings that benefit from lower tension to remain playable.
I had it at 50lbs in my Ultra and will do 48 next time.
hmmm yeah this was back in the day for me, so i was probably using a really high tension with it
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I am playing this with 44 x 40 (20 x 18 kps) Tour Sniper. No control issues or whatsoever.
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
What do you mean? It will be in the veins of the Clash and Blade just in blue. And it should be out late 2022, but probably will be out in 2023..
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
Don't know, but I guess so.
i FINALLY decided to unwrap it this weekend and string it up.
Tl;Dr: right now, I'm seeing benefits for it over the UT 18x20 but I need to tweak it more and see if I would switch over. I liked the UT 18x20 for volleys more thus far. Now that summer is here, I'm going to test between this and the Prince Graphite.
Long Story: I strung it with Luxilon 4G 16 1.30 at 52 pounds on my drop weight machine. I added four 4-inch strips of lead to the 2 & 10 o'clock positions, which is what I do on my UT 18x20 with the same amount at the bottom of the handle, but I didn't counterweight this one. The strips were supposed to be 1 gram each but came out to more like .78-.8 grams with the back plastic because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ they were all about equal though. I wasn't playing well during the week (didn't have time to string a racquet freshly, was using a racquet that still has the original strings from **** seller) and I decided I wanted to give this a go. I added power pads as I normally do, yonex super grap, and a dampener.
It was supposed to rain like crazy that day so I went to the park right after to get some serves in. I immediately noticed I was getting a TON of action on the serve with this racquet and was already pretty sold off of that. I then grabbed my slinger bag and hit some quick groundstrokes before I left to go to a family thing.
The next day I went to play a 4.5 doubles match. Immediately I noticed that my volleys were going long. I definitely regret stringing at 52lbs and wish I had gone with 55lbs given the more open pattern. I still got good action on my serve and had a fair number of aces during the match. Overall, I played like *** but that's mostly on me obviously, but it was just a dumb idea to enter a match with a racquet I had only used for about an hour ever. As expected, I don't slice nearly as well as I do with the UT 18x20, but also my groundstrokes felt like they lost some control. I am also going to add the counterweight to the handle to prevent myself from "flicking" on the backhand.
Next steps:
Weight with strings and power pads: ~323g
Weight with strings and four 4-inch strips of lead: ~326g
Weight with strings, lead, and plastic stuff removed: ~323g
Weight with strings, lead, overgrip, and dampener: ~331g
Tl;Dr: right now, I'm seeing benefits for it over the UT 18x20 but I need to tweak it more and see if I would switch over. I liked the UT 18x20 for volleys more thus far. Now that summer is here, I'm going to test between this and the Prince Graphite.
Long Story: I strung it with Luxilon 4G 16 1.30 at 52 pounds on my drop weight machine. I added four 4-inch strips of lead to the 2 & 10 o'clock positions, which is what I do on my UT 18x20 with the same amount at the bottom of the handle, but I didn't counterweight this one. The strips were supposed to be 1 gram each but came out to more like .78-.8 grams with the back plastic because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ they were all about equal though. I wasn't playing well during the week (didn't have time to string a racquet freshly, was using a racquet that still has the original strings from **** seller) and I decided I wanted to give this a go. I added power pads as I normally do, yonex super grap, and a dampener.
It was supposed to rain like crazy that day so I went to the park right after to get some serves in. I immediately noticed I was getting a TON of action on the serve with this racquet and was already pretty sold off of that. I then grabbed my slinger bag and hit some quick groundstrokes before I left to go to a family thing.
The next day I went to play a 4.5 doubles match. Immediately I noticed that my volleys were going long. I definitely regret stringing at 52lbs and wish I had gone with 55lbs given the more open pattern. I still got good action on my serve and had a fair number of aces during the match. Overall, I played like *** but that's mostly on me obviously, but it was just a dumb idea to enter a match with a racquet I had only used for about an hour ever. As expected, I don't slice nearly as well as I do with the UT 18x20, but also my groundstrokes felt like they lost some control. I am also going to add the counterweight to the handle to prevent myself from "flicking" on the backhand.
Next steps:
- Going to keep playing with this racquet and string but with 16 inches of lead in the handle to offset the head.
- When the string breaks, I'll put in Tier One Black Knight (I won a contest for a bunch of it) but string it at 55 lbs.
- Going to also string up a prince graphite (my go-to racquet for the past decade) and compare if I like this Ultra Pro 16x19 better or the Prince. If I like the Ultra better (especially for doubles with the lighter weight), then it'll be a toss up between this Ultra 16x19 vs the Ultra 18x20. If the 16x19 wins, then I'll get one more and call it a done deal for the hunt.
Weight with strings and power pads: ~323g
Weight with strings and four 4-inch strips of lead: ~326g
Weight with strings, lead, and plastic stuff removed: ~323g
Weight with strings, lead, overgrip, and dampener: ~331g
Richard Pioline
Hall of Fame
I have 2 16 mains and 2 18 mains and they are all a bit different in where the paint job starts and grip length and all. In my opinion it is so great that Wilson QC provides us with unique rackets of the very same model!
I have three Yonex 97H and they’re impossible to tell apart when holding in your hand. That is so boring!
When I am paying more than 200€, I want my rackets to be unique!
this is so geniusly written
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
If you put on a leather grip, can't you just wrap it a bit higher than the stock one?
If not you could just wrap your OG higher which would also give a tapered feel at the top, which is kind of nice.
I could add a leather grip, but that's not the point.
from what i've heard the angell is really great. i would say that if you want to try the wilson ultra, you can get them for really cheap on used sites. i got two of them for $40 each before shipping and tax
EDIT: specifically the Ultra Tour, which is only 18 x 20
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Both racquets are great... but the feel is very different. The UT/UP 18x20 is more plush, with more pocketing (and needs definite modification with weight, otherwise can be very low powered and anaemic), whereas the TC97 18x20 is crisper relative to the UT/UP (64RA Vs 62RA, but the difference feels more significant - the TC97 is still comfortable but closer to the crisper side than the smooth softer/plush side that the UT/UP sits on). The TC97 18x20 also has a higher SW and more power in stock form.
I have both the TC97 18x20 and the TC95 63RA 18x20, and out of those two, I would probably say that the TC95 63RA 18x20 is closer to the UT/UP 18x20 (at least in feel and plushness - although the UT/UP is still plusher than the TC95 18x20, but it's closer than the TC97 18x20). I will be keeping both versions of the Angell, as I play well with both... but I prefer the TC95 18x20. I also have 2 UT/UP 18x20s, and they will be staying in the collection.
Hope this helps.
This is very helpful. Thanks.
Does Tc95 18/20 have power available in stock form?
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Yes...plenty, but obviously things will depend on the spec chosen (but they all have the same SW - around 330-335 strung from memory).
With the right technique... it is a lethal weapon.
AverageForehand
Rookie
I think the uncapped PT 2.0 is closer to UT… otherwise it’s too heavy. Also more room to mod an uncapped PT. There is a nice thread about it on here.
link please
more on my journey.... if this is annoying lmk. so i decided to give the beaten up UT 18 20 with the original main strings from the auction seller a go in doubles and actually played better doubles in the next two 4.5 doubles matches. more control on the returns, better volleying than with the UP 16 19 I have but that could be the loose strings. so despite that the racquet looked like it went through a lawn mower with a second set of crosses in it, plus a bit of string hanging out the side that i couldn't get out since it was pushed with a main hole, I stuck with it. the mains finally broke this week so I went with my long-time prince graphite.
could be the fresh strings, could be that old habits die hard, but damn if i wasn't serving and forehand-ing great with that weight. i definitely did not slice as well with the weighted POG as with the UT 18 20, and I'm guessing I don't volley or hit flat backhands as well, but now I'm wondering if the UP 16 19 can be "the bridge" between the two. It makes me wish Prince would make an 18 20 or 16 20 of the POG.
so where am i between the three? no clue but at least the UT 18 20s were all very cheap secondhand.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
PT 2.0 is a brilliant racquet. Different balance and weight, denser pattern, and as mentioned you can leave it in stock form or take off the CAPS and then tinker.
It is also a different feel (which either you like and prefer to the UT/UPs or you don't). I like all three (UT/UP 18x20, UP 16x19, and PT 2.0), and have them in my collection. My PT 2.0 is stock (plus overgrip and rubber band dampener), and my UT/UP 18x20s and UP 16M are weight-modified to around 350g static, 315mm balance, and what I would estimate a 335-340 SW. Therefore, they are comparable to the PT 2.0.
Hope that helps.
I think there is a difference between UT and UP(18/20) also, UT felt hollow even when new, UP(18/20) is luxurious with a foam filled feel like donnay or angellTC 97(18/20) but stiffer and more power.
It's a matter of taste, though.
In my experience, poly strings with a metallic or wire-like feel, such as Alupower and 4G, are a pain for such thin, box-shaped racquets, such as the previous TF40 and UT. I find a metallic string to be comfortable on a thin box shaped racquet with a stuffy feel with no hollow spaces, such as the previous vcore pro 97, blade 98v7, or phantom 93p frames.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I don't have a UP 18x20, just 2 UT 18x20s, so I can't speak to the differences between them. I liked the feel of the UT 18x20, but mine have been heavily modified (353g static weight, 315mm strung balance, and 335-340SW - estimate as I haven't measured on a machine but have approx 8g added to the head). I have a UP 16M, and like the feel of it too, but prefer the UT 18x20 when it comes to how it plays and the effect it has on my opponents.
I completely agree that it is a matter of preference and taste... and there is no right or wrong.
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BallBasher247
Professional
UP has a more connected feel than TC95. TC95 isn’t muted per se but you need a crisper string to get more feel from it.
BallBasher247
Professional
There’s no difference btwn UT & UP except the paint (which does make a small difference; UP feels a little glassier/“stiffer” to some likely due to the harder paint used). But the diff you’re talking about is because of QC variance btwn rackets. Wilson has a way of screwing up wt distribution so you could get two rackets w/ completely diff balance points, SWs, TWs & amts of wt in the throat. The hollow feeling racket probably had a way lower TW than the UP you tried.
ThisHockeyTalk
Rookie
I broke out my Ultra Pro tonight. Despite being an 18x20, I’ll comment here.
I had previously taken the UP out and practiced against Floyd, aka the wall, for an hour. I was having a brutal time finding a consistent launch angle. This afternoon, while watching Max Verstappen cruise to victory, I removed 80% of the copper strips I have applied. I have no clue why i felt like I needed to load this racket with strips… I didn’t. I left 4, 2 inch strips at 9 o’clock. It worked well. The racket, strung with 4g 125 held up really well against another potential gamer, the TF 40, 305. The UP provided exceptional control, adequate stability, nice maneuverability as well as the ability to add spin and pace when its user applied them appropriately. I think the strings on my tf40 were losing interest in behaving properly, so a fairer test is still to come, but it was a lovely first match after a rough first practice. Well done UP.
I had previously taken the UP out and practiced against Floyd, aka the wall, for an hour. I was having a brutal time finding a consistent launch angle. This afternoon, while watching Max Verstappen cruise to victory, I removed 80% of the copper strips I have applied. I have no clue why i felt like I needed to load this racket with strips… I didn’t. I left 4, 2 inch strips at 9 o’clock. It worked well. The racket, strung with 4g 125 held up really well against another potential gamer, the TF 40, 305. The UP provided exceptional control, adequate stability, nice maneuverability as well as the ability to add spin and pace when its user applied them appropriately. I think the strings on my tf40 were losing interest in behaving properly, so a fairer test is still to come, but it was a lovely first match after a rough first practice. Well done UP.
naturalexponent
Legend
I personally found that the UP is better in all 3 areas (provided you're not playing it stock). The Aux. Prestige Pro has a bit of a fluttery feeling to me on off-center hits. The UP feels like it has more backbone while still being incredibly plush. Because of that the UP feels more forgiving. I suppose feel is the most subjective and I just prefer the UP, which feels like it is more "smooth", at least to me.
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
I have ultra tour if you're interested.
I have the Ultra Tour.
I borrowed the UP (18/20) from a friend and I don't know if it's the paint or the foam packing on the UP (18/20), but the feel is different.
The UP is more moist and has a more
n80aoag
Professional
Moist? Please elaborate my brother.
I think I mentioned before that UT felt hollow. Some say it was due to Wilson's quality control issues with different sw and TW, but while the sw and weight balance are certainly different, I don't think that is the reason for the hollow feel of the UTs. Because I have bought more than 10 UTs in the past.
The UP (18/20) feels smooth and content, similar to the previous model vcore pro 97 (16/19).
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I could get you those... but it would be expensive (and there would be no guarantee of them being closely matched). Message me if you're interested.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
If anyone is interested in Ultra Pro 18x20s (grip sizes 2,3, and 4), Ultra Pro 16x19s (grip size 2 and 3), and 6.1 95 (grip size 2,3, and 4)... all new, let me know.
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