Wilson Ultra 95 Tapered Beams

[Grafil Injection]

Happy to have acquired a Graphite SL, even if Hana didn't actually use it.

I was concerned that it could be a hollow feeling and too flimsy version, like the Snowbird turned out to be. But it feels and hits just like the Graphite minus 8g (344g vs 352g), so with an over-grip the SL is almost the same weight as my Graphite without OG. Very slightly less plow, but still feels solid with a nice flex. Highly likely that they are the exact same sticks, just the ones that came out of the moulds at the bottom end of the weight range were given the emerald paint-job and Hana's signature.

 

[Grafil Injection]

I must correct my hasty assessment above in that the Graphite SL is certainly more flexy than the full-weight Graphite. After a proper hit this morning, I found noticeable flex outside of the centre, and extra dwell time in the middle. If the Graphite is 62RA as mentioned above, I would actually say the SL is 56-58; but it isn't a nasty flimsy flex, just clearly a longer contact time and lower power. Reminds me a bit of an Elektra Pro, but the SL has a bit more punch than that. Lovely for precise serves, but really needs to be a central hit, much more so than the Graphite. Shame they didn't make a Kevlar or FPK SL version.

 

[Grafil Injection]

It turns out there are (at least) two European versions of the Ceramic FP, with different beam widths. In addition to the ivory coloured version shown above, which has the 24-21-19 beam of the Graphite and Kevlar, I just got this silver version that has the wider 25-23-21 profile of the Birds series and the Classic. You can see the labelling and graphics are in a slightly different position to the ivory version, and it has the fluted shoulders of the 2nd series too. Coming in slightly less HL than you would expect (353g, 32cm balance), I guess the leather grip has lost some moisture over the years.

The feeling is stiff, around upper 60s RA, but not uncomfortable with a Kevlar type muting. It is a bit hollow feeling like a Profile or Hammer, but it hits quite consistently with a large sweet-spot. To date this, with its silver paint-job, it seems closer to the first series than the Birds/Classic, but then that allows only about 1 year for each Euro FP version, before the Birds arrived. Can Wilson code experts help with SCW? I also have a feeling that this was replaced by the Seabird because that was listed at £20 more than the Firebird.

 

[teachingprotx]

I wish WILSON would bring out the FPK ULTRA series again with a clash like stiffness . I think they would sell hot cakes offer it in 95 sq and a 100 sq . Why not

 

[Grafil Injection]

And now after a little **** research, I've come across two Kevlars in the wider-beam mould (and also with fluted shoulders and the label on the inside of the hoop like my FP). So I am fairly confident there was a 2nd Graphite version too, and perhaps even a Graphite SL in the wider beam. Since there are no naming differences (both versions are 'Series 95 Tapered Beam'), I guess you have to be careful when buying today. Was the wider version with fluted shoulders sold in the US, before the Birds arrived?

 

[Grafil Injection]

UKBay confirms there was also a wider beam version (25-23-21mm) of the tapered-beam Graphite. So we have:

First Series (24-21-19mm beams and flat shoulders), 1988-90:
Graphite - mid-gray metallic (Eu), burgundy red (US)
Kevlar - mid-blue metallic (Eu), white (US)
Kevlar SL - white with Super-Lite graphics (US only)
Ceramic FP (FPK in US) - ivory metallic (Eu), dark blue (US)
Graphite SL (Mandlikova autograph, 1/4oz lighter, EU only) - emerald-green metallic

Second Series (25-23-21mm beams and fluted shoulders) 1991-92 [Europe only?]:
Graphite - light-gray metallic
Kevlar - light-blue metallic
Ceramic FP - silver-white metallic

Third Series (25-23-21mm) 1992-93:
Thunderbird (graphite, Kevlar) - black
Seabird (100% graphite?) - dark green
Firebird (graphite composite) - red/orange/black
Silverbird (graphite composite) - silver
Snowbird (graphite composite, 1/2oz lighter) - white gloss

Additional versions (25-23-21mm):
Ultra Classic 6.2 (18x20) - black
Ultra Aire-Shell - black and silver
Ultra Hammer - red/black glossy fade

 

[tennistiger]

*
Third Series (25-23-21mm) (1992-93):
Thunderbird (graphite, Kevlar)
Firebird (100% graphite)
Seabird (Ceramic?)
Silverbird (graphite composite)
Snowbird (graphite composite, 1/2oz lighter)

Additional versions (25-23-21mm):
Classic (18x20)
Aire-Shell

Firebird, Seabird, Snowbird and Aire Shell are all Graphit/Fiberglas in different compositions.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Firebird, Seabird, Snowbird and Aire Shell are all Graphit/Fiberglas in different compositions.

Can you confirm that for the Seabird? That's the one I can't find details on, but I have noticed that in adverts it is £20 more than the Thunderbird, so I have a feeling it is the Ceramic FP version of the Birds (Graphite, Kevlar, FP material).

 

[tennistiger]

Can you confirm that for the Seabird? That's the one I can't find details on, but I have noticed that in adverts it is £20 more than the Thunderbird, so I have a feeling it is the Ceramic FP version of the Birds (Graphite, Kevlar, FP material).

Yes I have a 1993 Katalog. Ceramic was out of the range in 92 by discontinuing the Pro Staff Ceramic and presenting the new Ultra Line. Thunderbird with Kevlar had the highest retail.

 

[Grieeegoorr]

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…

@retrowagen any idea on the composition of the Japanese-market version that pays homage to the old Ultra 2 graphics?

 

[gfwp]

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?

I have one Ultra Kevlar. I added a ton of lead because it was way too head light. But I bought it somewhen around 1988 89, IIRC.

 

[gfwp]

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

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.

Yeah, the blue one. I have one in my basement.

 

[retrowagen]

@retrowagen any idea on the composition of the Japanese-market version that pays homage to the old Ultra 2 graphics?

Sorry, I have no idea… ?

 

[kevin qmto]

Japanese market gets so many cool frames.

 

[d-quik]

Japanese market gets so many cool frames.

Reparations for Hiro/Naga

 

[Grafil Injection]

I must admit I had thought the Ultra Hammer would have some outlandish beam dimensions, and not be related to this series. However, it turns out it has the same tapered beam profile of 25-23-21mm with fluted shoulders just like Series 2 and the Birds. Probably the most lustrous of paint-jobs too, which despite being from 1992 (SER butt-cap), looks more classy than the others with a rich gloss finish. This is reflected in the £170 price, at a time when the Firebird was £90, and PS Classic was £140.

The feel is actually quite good. You can sense some flex and control in the hoop. No signs of any exotic materials, so probably 100% high-quality graphite. Being a Hammer, it is about 60g lighter than the others at 280g strung, 39cm balance (15pt HH)! This is clearly an era when less is more, as a year later the Excalibur turned up at 30g less weight and 3x the price.

 

[kevin qmto]

I must admit I had thought the Ultra Hammer would have some outlandish beam dimensions, and not be related to this series. However, it turns out it has the same tapered beam profile of 25-23-21mm with fluted shoulders just like Series 2 and the Birds. Probably the most lustrous of paint-jobs too, which despite being from 1992 (SER butt-cap), looks more classy than the others with a rich gloss finish. This is reflected in the £170 price, at a time when the Firebird was £90, and PS Classic was £140.

The feel is actually quite good. You can sense some flex and control in the hoop. No signs of any exotic materials, so probably 100% high-quality graphite. Being a Hammer, it is about 60g lighter than the others at 280g strung, 39cm balance (15pt HH)! This is clearly an era when less is more, as a year later the Excalibur turned up at 30g less weight and 3x the price.

Wow that paint work looks amazing. I’d get one and fill the handle with lead to get the weight up and get it a bit less lead heavy.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Wow that paint work looks amazing. I’d get one and fill the handle with lead to get the weight up and get it a bit less lead heavy.

It is a great paint-job, looking very similar to Prestige metallic red-black fade.

It actually does feel reasonably weighted already, with the head-weight being off-set by the tapering of the beam, so the head feels solid but not too clubby. Perhaps just a heavy leather grip (+10g) would be sufficient.

 

[tennistiger]

The Ultra Hammer was a real success. The name changed to Hammer 5.9 in 1995 and it was produced until 1999 - 7 years in total! From 1997 with additional Stretch and 110 versions.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Added a leather so it's now 291g, 38cm (12pt HH) and it feels quite like a normal light, but HH racket. If I added just another 70g I suspect it would be rather like a PSC 6.1 95.

Amazing how much more svelte it looks and feels in play, compared to the white Snowbird and silver Graphite model 2, despite being the same width.

 

[teachingprotx]

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!

So tennistiger is my gold standard friend . I love this man. What’s interesting with his numbers are these numbers the euro etc frames or are these numbers for the US offerings. Different paint jobs ,yes . But the specs ? Maybe…

 

[teachingprotx]

I must correct my hasty assessment above in that the Graphite SL is certainly more flexy than the full-weight Graphite. After a proper hit this morning, I found noticeable flex outside of the centre, and extra dwell time in the middle. If the Graphite is 62RA as mentioned above, I would actually say the SL is 56-58; but it isn't a nasty flimsy flex, just clearly a longer contact time and lower power. Reminds me a bit of an Elektra Pro, but the SL has a bit more punch than that. Lovely for precise serves, but really needs to be a central hit, much more so than the Graphite. Shame they didn't make a Kevlar or FPK SL version.

Awwwww ok I hadn’t seen your post until now. Illuminating