Wilson Pro Staff Jack Kramer, Cliff Richey and Raul Ramirez Classic wood Tennis Racquet's

[SanJoseState1975]

I am looking for information on what year the Cliff Richey Ultra and Raul Ramirez Autograph were made and sold.
Both of these racquets look exactly the same as the Jack Kramer Pro Staff except for name and decals.

I played with the wood Jack Kramer Pro Staff and saw them in Tennis Pro Shops where I grew up in Northern California.
I do not remember ever seeing the Cliff Richey or Raul Ramirez model in any Tennis Shop.

I am fortunate to have all 3 of these Classic wood racquets.
Wish I could post pictures but I do not know how. Thanks for any information.

 

[coachrick]

As I recall, the Ultra had an extra lamination in the hoop...beefing it up in appearance and presumably in performance. I never gave it a try since that was early early in my "career"...1973 or so. I was a Stan Smith Auto user from time to time during those days...mid-'70s+.
Never saw a Raul Ramirez Auto, I'm afraid.

 

[vsbabolat]

As I recall, the Ultra had an extra lamination in the hoop...beefing it up in appearance and presumably in performance. I never gave it a try since that was early early in my "career"...1973 or so. I was a Stan Smith Auto user from time to time during those days...mid-'70s+.
Never saw a Raul Ramirez Auto, I'm afraid.

When I saw Ramirez play he was using the HEAD Professional (Red Head). Would say that was the most popular aluminum racquet by HEAD?

 

[JW10S]

Coachrick is correct, the Cliff Richey Ultra had an extra wood lamination. Prior to being renamed that racquet was called the Wilson 'Top Notch' so it was not a new racquet but rather a new name given to an existing frame, like how the Tony Trabert Autograph was renamed the Stan Smith Autograph--the racquets were the same. And I too have never seen or heard of a Raul Ramirez Autograph so I'd love to see a pic. The vast majority of Ramirez' career was spent using the Jack Kramer Autograph. Late in his career he switched around a lot though but I don't know if any of those racquets were Ramirez Autographs.

 

[SanJoseState1975]

If you do a search on the big auction site Raul Ramirez tennis racquet , you can see a picture of this racquet

 

[SanJoseState1975]

I totally forgot about the Wilson Top Notch racquet and if my memory is right , was it Red in color?

Somebody I used to play with used this racquet and the tennis shop at the club I played at sold this racquet.

Must have been late 60's or early seventies

 

[JW10S]

If you do a search on the big auction site Raul Ramirez tennis racquet , you can see a picture of this racquet

Thanks. It resembles the JK Pro Staff. I never saw one before and don't remember seeing Ramirez use one so maybe it had a short run? Learned something new.

And yes the Top Notch had a red throat.

 

[PBODY99]

In Sept 1971 I played the Cliff Richey Ultra when it was released. To me it played like a softer Pro staff. Still have my last a 3/8 M from my school days

 

[SanJoseState1975]

The Cliff Richey I have is a 4 3/4 Medium and weighs 422 grams !!!!!!!!!!

 

[coachrick]

I don't remember the context(maybe regarding a Davis Cup match?); but someone said Ramirez was "about as Mexican as Gatorade".

The Cliff Richey I have is a 4 3/4 Medium and weighs 422 grams !!!!!!!!!!

Weight is close to his specs from what I've read!

 

[retrowagen]

Kuebler lists the Ritchey Ultra as current in 1972-1976, and makes no mention of a Raul Ramirez frame, for what it’s worth.

 

[Steve Huff]

I have a Cliff Richey Autograph. The shoulder laminates were a darker wood than the Kramer. It was a nice hitting frame though.