Wilson Ultra 95 Tapered Beams

[Grafil Injection]

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.

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?

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]

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]

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.

 

[teachingprotx]

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?

 

[Chairman3]

Love that their lightweight version was (apparently) called the snowbird

 

[vsbabolat]

Thunderbirds are go!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grafil Injection]

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]

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.

 

[Captain Haddock]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[teachingprotx]

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.

Yes ! @tennistiger
Which one out of of the 95 ultra And birds is the softest RA? I know you will know !!!!

 

[Grafil Injection]

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 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.

 

[teachingprotx]

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]

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!

 

[teachingprotx]

Aw wow ! Thank you once again my brother ! You are the best !!

 

[tennistiger]

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]

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?

 

[tennistiger]

Classic is Graphite/Kevlar, may be only new cosmetic of the Thunderbird.

 

[teachingprotx]

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]

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]

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.

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.