Wilson Ultra 95 Tapered Beams

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I found quite a few threads on the Ultra 95 FPK, but not much info about the other models in this series. Although I came accross a couple of pics that may shed some light on the range.

Firstly a European advert that shows the FPK was called Ceramic FP in Europe, and also lists the Mandlikova SL endorsed version. This range was late 80s I believe.

Wilson-Ultra-95-compositions.jpg



Secondly, another Euro advert that list the Birds series, which followed around 1992 I think. The Thunderbird is now the top of the range, and appears to be equivalent to the Kevlar original (80/20 graphite/kevlar). The other models are all graphite composites, so it looks like the FP substance disappeared. There is now a Snowbird listed as 1/2 lighter than the others that were 2 graphite composite models (Firebird and Seabird), which replace the original Ultra Graphite that was 50% graphite, so I wonder what % composition they were. Perhaps the Firebird was 100% graphite and Seabird 50%? Anyone ever hit with any of the Bird models?

Wilson-Ultra-95-Birds.jpg


Why did this line die out? Noting the Control bias, was it too head-light and low powered to survive in the 90s Hammer era?
 

georgeyew

Semi-Pro
I had an ultra fpk and i thought that the frame was almost unplayable if hit above the top half of the hoop. It seems that there was too much flex and not enough mass there. Not sure if it was the same for the other models. But i think that they died out because the trend was going toward super thick widebodies and the ultra series did not follow the trend.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
The Ultra Graphite 95 is my favourite Wilson racquet to date—does everything very well and has good feel. I would elevate it further if it didn’t have the stereotypical Wilson variable density stringbed, which I think makes for a more unpredictable interface between ball and racquet.
 
Funny I too have been recently very curious about the ultra 95 graphite. I think it also maybe the most flexible 95 regular length frame wilson has ever made. I think the second being a pro staff 7. Something .. which is why it intrigues me. I think the Ra is high 40,s -low 50’s on the graphite 95 ultra . I may be incorrect tho?
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Funny how these were just about the most head-light rackets ever made (29 cm unstrung would be 16pts HL!), then a year or so later Wilson launch the Hammers which are HH.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Funny I too have been recently very curious about the ultra 95 graphite. I think it also maybe the most flexible 95 regular length frame wilson has ever made. I think the second being a pro staff 7. Something .. which is why it intrigues me. I think the Ra is high 40,s -low 50’s on the graphite 95 ultra . I may be incorrect tho?
The Ultra Graphite is 50% graphite, 50% fibreglass, so yes would be expected to be around low 50s RA. But I guess the thicker beam compared to mid 80s sticks makes it a bit firmer though. Perhaps mid-50s.
 
The Ultra FIrebird had beautiful cosmetics, gradually changing from grey to orange, yellow, and pink. If I recall correctly from the Firebirds I purchased in France in 1995, the mold on the Bird series is a little different than on the original series of Ultra 95s (Graphite, Kevlar, and FPK), with a less tapered design (the shoulders and top of the frame are a little thicker). The Euro series of the original trio had nicer cosmetics than the the U.S. versions, in my opinion. Also in 1995, I picked up an Ultra Hammer 5.0 at a French store. Same original mold, but red paint transitioning to black and a head-heavy balance. I normally loathe Hammer racquets, but this one managed to feel great.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
The Ultra FIrebird had beautiful cosmetics, gradually changing from grey to orange, yellow, and pink. If I recall correctly from the Firebirds I purchased in France in 1995, the mold on the Bird series is a little different than on the original series of Ultra 95s (Graphite, Kevlar, and FPK), with a less tapered design (the shoulders and top of the frame are a little thicker). The Euro series of the original trio had nicer cosmetics than the the U.S. versions, in my opinion. Also in 1995, I picked up an Ultra Hammer 5.0 at a French store. Same original mold, but red paint transitioning to black and a head-heavy balance. I normally loathe Hammer racquets, but this one managed to feel great.
The change in the beam variability would make sense if there were concerns about the upper hoop solidity, which I think I read in one of the FPK threads. I guess the Birds were the first Ultras to be priced below the Pro-Staff, with the 6.1 coming out about the same time.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
Which model in this mould resurrected the classic Ultra 2 graphics? I would love to have one of those in my collection someday.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Not sure that any had the early 80s style of the Ultra 2. All of the Birds are quite tastefully designed, being from a similar time to the 6.1 Classic, they have subtle graduated colours. I'll try and find some pictures. The Firebird is primarily red/orange, Seabird green and Snowbird white/silver. Thunderbird appears mostly black.
 

retrowagen

Hall of Fame
Not sure that any had the early 80s style of the Ultra 2. All of the Birds are quite tastefully designed, being from a similar time to the 6.1 Classic, they have subtle graduated colours. I'll try and find some pictures. The Firebird is primarily red/orange, Seabird green and Snowbird white/silver. Thunderbird appears mostly black.
It seems there was a Japanese-market version of the mold which featured a very accurate homage to the old Ultra 2 graphics. And there was yet another version that was decorated in a graphic design that was a breezy modification of the Ultra 2 stripes…
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
It seems there was a Japanese-market version of the mold which featured a very accurate homage to the old Ultra 2 graphics. And there was yet another version that was decorated in a graphic design that was a breezy modification of the Ultra 2 stripes…
Oh yes, there are a few pastiches out there like the Ultra Classic too. Not sure whether they were produced contemporaneously with the Birds, or somewhat later in the 90s?
 

tennistiger

Professional
The Ultra Classic was launched in 1993 and part of the normal european Wilson programm for two years. It was the last tapered Ultra together with the Aire Shell and Hammer.
 
Last edited:

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Yes ! @tennistiger
Which one out of of the 95 ultra And birds is the softest RA? I know you will know !!!!
Although the Graphite is 50:50 with fibreglass, and presumably so are the Silverbird / Snowbird, I don't think any of them are old-school flexy because of the beam shape. They all taper 25mm down to 21mm with oval beams, so should all feel reasonably crisp. I think I saw some Wilson SI figures of between 5.0 (FPK) and 6.2 (Graphite) on one of the FPK threads.
 
Last edited:
Although the Graphite is 50:50 with fibreglass, and presumably so are the Seabird / Snowbird, I don't think any of them are old-school flexy because of the beam shape. They all taper 25mm down to 21mm with oval beams, so should all feel reasonably crisp. I think I saw some Wilson SI figures of between 5.0 (FPK) and 6.2 (Graphite) on one of the FPK threads.
Yes I totally used to think that beam thickness equated stiffness . But luckily it does not . I have a super neat Wilson pro staff 95 6.1 euro glm jr 26 frame which is even thicker than the og pro staff classic 6.1. Its RA crazily enuff is in the 30’s . Which is why I love these :)
Was hoping that one of the ultras was softer than low 50’s .
 

tennistiger

Professional
Yes ! @tennistiger
Which one out of of the 95 ultra And birds is the softest RA? I know you will know !!!!
RAs of the 95:
Graphite 62
Graphite SL 61
Kevlar 59
Ceramic FP 70
Firebird 58 (110: 52)
Seabird 60
Silverbird 57
Thunderbird 66
Aire Shell 58
Classic 70
But the softest I guess was the Snowbird with highest percentage of Fiberglas. But no measured RA for this.
If you want that one with the softest feeling, no doubt take the Aire Shell!
 
Last edited:

tennistiger

Professional
I remember in 1993 we had a big Wilson test event Indoor with the whole range from Staff to Excalibur. We tried everything the whole day long. Afterwards I baught my first Wilson, a reduced Firebird 95! For the maximum I could pay as a teenager! But my dream was the Profile Hammer 95! Still for me one of the five best Rackets of all time!!! Power, feel, control and - despite the RA - measured comfortable!
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
RAs of the 95:
Graphite 62
Graphite SL 61
Kevlar 59
Ceramic FP 70
Firebird 58 (110: 52)
Seabird 60
Silverbird 57
Thunderbird 66
Aire Shell 58
Classic 70
But the softest I guess was the Snowbird with highest percentage of Fiberglas. But no measured RA for this.
If you want that one with the softest feeling, no doubt take the Aire Shell!

Or the Silverbird? Never seen that one. Do you have the compositions of each? I've seen a few noted on other threaads, but couldn't find the Seabird, Aire Shell or Classic. Did the Classic have the same layup as the FPK since it has the same RA?
 
I remember in 1993 we had a big Wilson test event Indoor with the whole range from Staff to Excalibur. We tried everything the whole day long. Afterwards I baught my first Wilson, a reduced Firebird 95! For the maximum I could pay as a teenager! But my dream was the Profile Hammer 95! Still for me one of the five best Rackets of all time!!! Power, feel, control and - despite the RA - measured comfortable!
I absolutely love super soft flexy rackets , however I once hit with profile 95 silver one ,in high school, my then doubles partner told me , “Joey” that is the best you have ever played in your life “ so I immediately put it down and never picked one again. It was scary good .
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Anyone play with the Ultra Classic 6.2, with its 18x20 pattern? Looks a bit like a 6.1 95 with its fluted throat bridge join, rather than flat like the early Ultra 95s.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I managed to track down an Ultra Classic 6.2 in great condition. Specs are 95sqi, 18x20 (with the same very tight density as a 6.1 95 18x20), 362g, 32.25cm balance. The beam is as expected: 25mm at the handle down to 21mm at the top. The flex is about right for a 6.2 rating, being very slightly less stiff than a 6.1. I can't be sure, but I don't think there is any Kevlar in this version, even though it was the top of the range for the second series. It doesn't have the completely solid feeling of other aramid frames, although I haven't yet tried the actual Ultra Kevlar yet.

Wilson-Ultra-Classic-2.jpg


The sense of heft and direct response from the string-bed is more like a cross between a 6.1 95 and a Profile 95. Very direct with a huge sweet-spot, but the thick oval beam provides less feel than a 6.1. Seems to work best on short rather than full swings, especially great stability on half-volleys and volleys. Serves have good power and control, but lack the manoeuvrability of similarly weighted but thinner or smaller sticks. Groundstrokes are nice on both wings including slices, particularly when you are casually rallying. It's easy to get depth, spin and good control. But in faster rallying it seems harder to judge the timing as easily as with thinner sticks. Might just have been me running out of strength, but I found it best for warming up, rather than actual games. Would probably be an option for someone who is comfortable using an RF97 for long periods today.
 

Romanspb

New User
I have thunderbird. Similiar to classic 6.1 16 -18, more soft, more sweetspot, less vibration, balance as 7.5, less spin.
 
Last edited:

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I recently found an Ultra Kevlar and I can say that it, and probably the rest of the first series, are a lot nicer to hit than the T-Birds series. Probably because of the difference in beam as mentioned elsewhere. The Ultra Kevlar tapers from 24mm down to 18mm, with an average around 21mm, so it's not too wide. Whereas, the second series taper from 25mm down to 21mm, with a 23mm average, making them feel more hollow and less 'player' like. In fact, most of the Ultra Kevlar's tapering is done between the handle and bottom of the hoop, with the majority of the hoop being <20mm, which is quite different from the T-Birds.

I've hit with the Ultra Classic, as mentioned above, which is too beefy with too much control and not the lively feeling of the PSC6.1. I've also hit recently with the Snowbird, which had a very hollow feeling, is low powered, and has no control outside the dead centre. In comparison the Ultra Kevlar has a solid and comfortable feeling, with the heft (mine is 360g strung) being nicely offset by the very HL balance (8pts strung). It's interesting the the Ultra Kevlar is mentioned as 59 RA and more flexible than the others in the range.

The Ultra Kevlar feels similar to other Kevlar Wilsons with nice layup dampening meaning a separate dampener isn't necessary, but there is also a bit more flex and comfort than the PSC6.1 and PS85. I found the launch angle from the 16x18 bed to be a little high, and it lacks the precision I was looking for. However, I can imagine high spin players might like it more. Overall, if the Ultra Kevlar is a fair representation, then I suspect the first series all feel more like a player's sticks than the second T-Birds series, which are more wide-body type, hollow and lacking feel. The early 1990s was a period where Wilson made a few wide-body mistakes before essentially landing on one stick in 1992 that would last the rest of the decade (PSC6.1). I feel the first series Ultra 95s could have done well also in the 90s, if they hadn't have made them wider, and just done a paintjob refresh instead.
 
I thought the ultra kevlar was a 62 RA and the ultra graphite was 57 RA ? I hope you’re right and the kevlar is 59 RA and maybe the ultra graphite is like a 48! Or lower if so I’ll grab 3 for me please
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
I thought the ultra kevlar was a 62 RA and the ultra graphite was 57 RA ? I hope you’re right and the kevlar is 59 RA and maybe the ultra graphite is like a 48! Or lower if so I’ll grab 3 for me please
I haven't played with the Graphite, but just quoted the RAs from ^19 above.
 

nmp1985

New User
I have been fortunate enough to come into possession of 4 of the 5 birds (unless there are more I am unaware of). I am missing the seabird which visually I think looks the best. Has anyone ever seen these on the market? I would love to complete the collection
 
b7Kqc3s.jpg
LWog8su.jpg

I don't play well with any of these rackets but think they are gorgeous.
Isn’t that always the way !
I only have one exception to this rule and it’s dating me back . All rackets I’m in love with soley on the way they look .
1. Volkl tr 25
2. Kneissl toms reach machine
3. 2008 kneissl red and white stars
4. Head prestige red classic
5. Rossignol 295 blue
6. Wilson rok
7. Head elite pro
8. Puma super
9. Estusa pro van techs
10. Le coq sportif graphite 25 I think
Out of all these that I absolutely adore I can’t play worth a sh$& with the lot , except for the puma super and I’m sure now I couldn’t anymore
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
Managed to track down an Ultra Graphite so compared it to the Ultra Kevlar last night. Specs are very close:

Ultra Graphite: 358g, 31.75cm balance
Ultra Kevlar: 361g, 32cm balance

Wilson-Ultra-Graphite-Kevlar.jpg


Size, string pattern and beam all the same of course. As mentioned above, this means most of the taper 24-20mm is done by the shoulders, so most of the hoop is <20mm, and therefore it's not a wide-body racket really.

They have a very similar feel, and I'd agree with the flexibility specs above being around 60RA for both. This means you have plenty of power with the mass, and a pleasant solid but not harsh feel. Launch angles are medium-high, so depth is easy, but either the tapering or the string-pattern do reduce the sense of control a little. Both are fine without a dampener, and not too muted with a dampener. The UK is slightly more muted, the UG slightly more lively feeling. It could just be the more HL specs, but the UG was my preference. A bit more manoeuvrable and easier to use on serves and a more direct feel. Overall, I'd say these two are great players-category rackets. So close in performance that it really would come down to whether you like the slightly muted Kevlar feel. It would have been quite a difficult choice for me at the time between the UG and a PSC6.1. Perhaps that's where the FPK fits in. Both are way nicer than the later model Ultra Classic.
 
Last edited:

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
After a good hit tonight, I'd say the Ultra Graphite can sit alongside an RF97 and PSC 6.1 95, at Wilson's mid-plus top-table. Slightly more whippy and flexy than those others, it presents the arm-friendly 12.5oz option.
 

mental midget

Hall of Fame
wish they'd bring this body style back. loved my FPKs, great all-around racket for all-court play. that combo of stiff neck with some flex in the hoop delivered such good feel on slices, volleys, and headlight balance made it a great serving stick as well.
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
wish they'd bring this body style back. loved my FPKs, great all-around racket for all-court play. that combo of stiff neck with some flex in the hoop delivered such good feel on slices, volleys, and headlight balance made it a great serving stick as well.
Yes, I consider it similar to PSC6.1 and RF97, but easier to serve with. A bit less solid than those two, but I can imagine a reissue with a slightly different layup today could be very interesting.
 

mental midget

Hall of Fame
Yes, I consider it similar to PSC6.1 and RF97, but easier to serve with. A bit less solid than those two, but I can imagine a reissue with a slightly different layup today could be very interesting.
definitely. i'd say a touch stiffer across the board, keep it heavy but very, very headlight. if people want to play around w adding weight, cool.

one of the best setups, and maybe my favorite racket ever, was when i played with a dunlop ag100. thin, stiff racket that i added a TON of weight to in the handle w lead shot and some sort of hardening gel i had in the garage. maneuvered like an 11 oz racket but absolutely crushed it for serves, great feel on slices and 1hbh.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
I found quite a few threads on the Ultra 95 FPK, but not much info about the other models in this series. Although I came accross a couple of pics that may shed some light on the range.

Firstly a European advert that shows the FPK was called Ceramic FP in Europe, and also lists the Mandlikova SL endorsed version. This range was late 80s I believe.

Wilson-Ultra-95-compositions.jpg



Secondly, another Euro advert that list the Birds series, which followed around 1992 I think. The Thunderbird is now the top of the range, and appears to be equivalent to the Kevlar original (80/20 graphite/kevlar). The other models are all graphite composites, so it looks like the FP substance disappeared. There is now a Snowbird listed as 1/2 lighter than the others that were 2 graphite composite models (Firebird and Seabird), which replace the original Ultra Graphite that was 50% graphite, so I wonder what % composition they were. Perhaps the Firebird was 100% graphite and Seabird 50%? Anyone ever hit with any of the Bird models?

Wilson-Ultra-95-Birds.jpg


Why did this line die out? Noting the Control bias, was it too head-light and low powered to survive in the 90s Hammer era?
It came out in 1989 and was replaced by the dual taper Pro Staff line, then that was replaced by the Pro Staff Classic line
 

Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
definitely. i'd say a touch stiffer across the board, keep it heavy but very, very headlight. if people want to play around w adding weight, cool.

one of the best setups, and maybe my favorite racket ever, was when i played with a dunlop ag100. thin, stiff racket that i added a TON of weight to in the handle w lead shot and some sort of hardening gel i had in the garage. maneuvered like an 11 oz racket but absolutely crushed it for serves, great feel on slices and 1hbh.
Yes, in the trend for re-introducing frames, I think the Ultra Graphite or FPK could be good ones for Wilson because the style is quite distinctive and still classy looking today. However, I'm not sure it had quite the success needed at the time, mainly because the 2nd range were too wide-body, and the PSC6.1 95 became the main 95sqi Pro choice.
 
Top