JGads
G.O.A.T.
Oh sweet. Didn't realize you were so well into the experiment, then I just looked up your recent posts and saw you saying this is like a Tec 315 but with a touch more pop and stability? That's promising.
Wilson Ultra Tour (Monfils)
- Thread starter mpournaras
- Start date
Oh sweet. Didn't realize you were so well into the experiment, then I just looked up your recent posts and saw you saying this is like a Tec 315 but with a touch more pop and stability? That's promising.
Murray_fan1
Professional
Yes, I got bit by the holic bug again and figured it was my duty to test it out. The Tec 315 is one of my all time favourite sticks but does not have a high threshold for lead customization for this user due to the heavier stock weight.. The Ultra provides the sublime feel of the Tec but has a little more out of the box stability/pop. I think this is where the 62ish RA helps out. I have added a touch of lead at 3 & 9 and a leather grip and I am good to go.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Ultra Tour is nice but still feeling the Aero VS personally
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The Aero VS may just be THE most underrated frame on TTW.....maybe the world!!!
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Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
Honestly man I love it. Smooth in all areas... stocked up on the stars and stripes ones but wont post them all here to stay on topic haha
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BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
I'm gonna have mine painted gloss black! [emoji106][emoji462][emoji471]
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BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
And I agree they are excellent frames. They remind me of the Angell TC 95's but with more inherent pop
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Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
The USA PJ makes me feel like i have to play super well every time i hit. Because winning with it is awesome. Losing with it you just look silly haha
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BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
I feel like Darth Vader with my blacked out frames!
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Automatix
Legend
Care to rephrase that?
Simplicius
Semi-Pro
Pals this Ultra Tour is a dangerous racquet.
I know a guy who hurts his knee with it!
I know a guy who hurts his knee with it!
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
Awesome, man. Had the identical experience with the Tec; frustrated that the lead that was necessary made it too heavy. God what feel, though.
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
The Tec TF 315 LTD 16x19 had an extremely low SW, but static weight was 11.6oz. Add an overgrip and some lead and yeah, it go up to 12oz easily, but SW was still pretty low.
Which version of the Tec TF 315 LTD do most prefer? The 16 or 18 mains version? The 16 mains version was more flexible and the open pattern allows more string gauge variations.
zalive
Hall of Fame
IDK if it was later batches or coincidence, but few player's Ltd's had higher SW than on TW specs, the difference being like almost 10 pts?
Anyway, calculation made on TW specs shows a depolarized racquet (lacking mass mostly at 12 o'clock), the direction to customize is clear, just hit 12 o'clock with enough lead, plus compensation at the handle only as much as needed. However I can hardly link its (TW) specs to what a modern platform should be - with such a low SW even a hairpin is not quite similar to pro stocks, which should be either evenly distributed or stock polarized.
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
I came across this informative interview article on Feliciano Lopez, another Wilson player who "uses" the Ultra Tour. What's his real racquet? Back then the H19 didn't exist yet.
http://www.**********.net/news/gear/2012/09/26/feliciano-lopez-me-and-my-racket
http://www.**********.net/news/gear/2012/09/26/feliciano-lopez-me-and-my-racket
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
You could search the Pro gear section first... Some Wilson Pro Open if I recall correctly.
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
Why would you ruin the best PJ ever?!
naturallight
Semi-Pro
Are you H19's and H22's also foam filled?
dgoran
Hall of Fame
Definitely string sensitive racquet. Changes feel with string completely. Just like it changes with lead. I bought it with Wilson revolve black gray what have you and if I closed my eyes I would have sworn it was microgel radical. It had that twin tube feel slightly plastic feel. Now with my usual poly typhoon 17 at 50 it feels more like tec315 more rubbery more Pt630ish.
I mean this is splitting hairs as we usually do here on TW.
Speaking of splitting hairs ultra tour feels more stable and bigger sweet spot than 315ltd with same specs and string on both almost like ultra plays closer to 100sq in racquet and tech closer to 95. This was also confirmed by twu twistweight and sweet spot size between the two.
I mean this is splitting hairs as we usually do here on TW.
Speaking of splitting hairs ultra tour feels more stable and bigger sweet spot than 315ltd with same specs and string on both almost like ultra plays closer to 100sq in racquet and tech closer to 95. This was also confirmed by twu twistweight and sweet spot size between the two.
Murray_fan1
Professional
I would agree that this is a little string sensitive. Really love TB in this but hated Hyper G, Diadem Solstice and Volkl Cyclone. Crisp string seem to suit this frame best in my experience. Next up is Revolution, Alu, and RS Lyon.
Just from bouncing a ball on the stringbed this frame has a lot more handle vibrations compared to my TC97. Both with leather grips and both without a dampener. When adding a rubber band/dampener the handle vibrations disappear. Does anyone play this frame without a dampener/rubber band?
moon shot
Hall of Fame
I would think that would indicate you have stringbed vibrations at a frequency which the frame harmonizes.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
That doesn't sound good
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
@vsbabolat: how close are this frame and the TC97 18x20 to the PT630?? Any compare/contrast thoughts???
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I haven't hit with the Ultra Tour yet. I'm hoping to in the next week or two
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
Can someone, maybe @moon shot create side by side split screen picture of the TC97 18x20 and the Ultra Tour like he did with PT57E? The UT's crosses were all higher up on the hoop than the i.Prestige. Maybe it's also higher than the TC97 and it's that added main string length without cross string tensioning that's allow more vibrations to occur. If it's not the string geometry then maybe it's the layup material used in because both the UT frame and handle is foam filled.
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
Do you like Hyper G in other frames? I'm a fan of both it and regular TB (and even TB rough), so just making a mental note for when I inevitably try this thing one day, maybe soon.
Not sure if you've tried Lux Element, but I really dig that. However, I would assume that a shaped string like Tour Bite would complement this frame as it does add some spin/bite to 18/20 beds.
moon shot
Hall of Fame
I've no access to any Angell frames.
Murray_fan1
Professional
I am a fan of it in most of the frames I have played, the exception being the Ultra Tour. I am also a fan of Element but found it moves around too much and loses it's snap back in both the Blade and APD +. I will keep that in mind for the Ultra, it's tight pattern might suit it well.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Somebody get a TC97 up to our man in ballistics stat; we gotta jump on this!
Anton
Legend
Yes, this was noted - the lowest cross sits kinda high and so there is a long stretch of uncrossed main string - that's what creates that vibration. Rubber band is the easy fix and that's the way I've been playing it.
Teniludius
New User
What diameter Tour Bite are you using? I put Tour Bite 1.20 in an IG Prestige Pro not long ago and it was too lively, but in the Ultra Tour it might work. Right now I have Luxilon 4G in my Ultra Tour, since that was in the demo I tried before buying and it worked well, but I'm starting to think that 4G is making the racquet too dead and low powered (I really have to swing out to get any drive). I've thought of putting WC Scorpion 1.22 in it, since I've had great experience with that string in the past. In any event, string recommendations are welcome (as well as tensions)!
I have taken a look at four UTs and none of them had any silicone.
moon shot
Hall of Fame
I'd like to see a pic if you have a chance
Murray_fan1
Professional
I am using 18g and it is working really well. Not the longest lasting set up but feel is really good and has plenty of pop and spin.
dgoran
Hall of Fame
well just here in this thread i recall vidda had... we cant be the only 2
zalive
Hall of Fame
Different mass distribution (silicone in the butt, in your case) can affect frame vibration frequency.
I guess Wilson mostly keeps the weight tolerance with the right quantity of iron/lead placed at the handle, which serves to compensate the hairpin weight. Silicone is post-manufacturing intervention for the frames which were still off when handle was finished (lower weight).
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
So you think silicone is used for the real off-spec frames. Does Blue Tack damp vibrations as good as silicone? Some users don't like string dampeners and could use that instead.
Is Blue Tack the only putty that works or would any brand's putty work such as DAP, Duck, Loctite, Scotch? I can only find those brands at my local stores and some are gray colored.
zalive
Hall of Fame
Yes, sir. I'm pretty certain of it. In most cases there's just a little chunk of silicone present, which means almost nothing to dampening.
Yes, sir, and possibly even better because it's even softer - you can make a silicone vibrate shortly, but for putty it's so short you cannot notice it.
Even lead does the splendid job in dampening. In fact, all materials used to customize are really good in dampening vibrations since they're all soft.
Any putty which stays elastic for a longer period is good. All classic putty used to be like that, however some modern putty are intentionally made to harden because this way manufacturer sells more. For example, Play Doh is not good because it dries out after a while. However I locally buy putty of many brands that is both cheaper and better, for around 2 USD a package or even less. Blue Tack is too expensive, you get more putty for less elsewhere.
Well, lucky enough I got both! One of my versions has silicone in one of the tubes, the other only has foam. Both have the vibrations. The crosses sit higher compared to the TC97.
Since I am injured at the moment I can't go out on court, so I can't tell if the handle vibrations are noticable when playing harder, or playing without a dampener, or if the frame makes a plingy sound. Maybe someone can report?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Got the Ultra Tour yesterday, thanks to @moon shot
Will use it for a week, before I put down my thoughts.
After first two hours: no surprises!
- like the feel - soft, but not too soft, muted, very little vibrations, but some feedback
- good serve and strokes as expected, still tuning it a little bit
- getting used to the Wilson-shape handle. If I get mine, may strip the foam off and put some head pallets.
Will use it for a week, before I put down my thoughts.
After first two hours: no surprises!
- like the feel - soft, but not too soft, muted, very little vibrations, but some feedback
- good serve and strokes as expected, still tuning it a little bit
- getting used to the Wilson-shape handle. If I get mine, may strip the foam off and put some head pallets.
Keep us posted! This thread still doens't have enough reviews! I found the handle shape to be a bit of mixture between head and wilson.
moon shot
Hall of Fame
I'm glad I could facilitate getting a more well rounded opinion than mine about the frame.
You normally play with a TK82S right? I had swapped the stock grip for some Head Leather so it did gain some girth from the original 4-3/8.
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dr325i
G.O.A.T.
I use TK82 pallets, not S, and double overgrip.
Had another session today and although love the feel, could not do things I do with my regular sticks.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Because of the grip?
Mirdad
Semi-Pro
dgoran, interesting that you recommend the Phantom over the Ultra Tour. I have ordered the Phantom without demoing it because in the past I've had some success with the Prince Ozone and really needed an arm friendly racquet to hit with. However, I just demoed the Ultra Tour and have to tell you I was extremely impressed. I have not received delivery of the Phantom and was thinking of cancelling it and going with the Ultra Tour instead. The Ultra Tour is the most comfortable racquet I've played with since the Prince Ozone. However, in comparison with the Prince Ozone, I was able to generate both topspin and hard flat shots with greater accuracy......and normally I don't care for a 18x20 string pattern. Another big plus of the Ultra Tour was the phenomenal touch I had with both volleys and drop shots. Right away I could tell the Ultra Tour needed customization so I added 2 grams to 3 and 2 grams to 9 o'clock; then added 6 grams to the handle which brought the static weight to 334g. I know this may not be a popular thing to say but I found the Ultra Tour to be more comfortable than the TC95 16x19 RA63. The plow through was decent on the Ultra Tour but I will be adding a little bit more weight to the hoop and a lot more to the handle so that the total static weight will be a little over 12 ounces and around 8 pts head light. Now, I'm not sure if I should take delivery of the Phantom or perhaps I'll just keep it on order and sell it if I find it's not up to snuff in comparison to the Ultra Tour. I'll be playing again this Wednesday and will report back how the Ultra Tour performs after adding a little more weight. The fact that you said you still would take the Phantom over the Ultra is impressive in that if the Phantom plays even just a little better I will be a happy camper.
prestigetang
New User
I've been playing with an un-modded Ultra Tour for a while now. Strung with Luxilon Alu Power full bed at 50/48lbs.
No harsh vibration / arm issue noticed.
No harsh vibration / arm issue noticed.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Please keep us posted re Phantom vs. Ultra Tour if the match up goes ahead.
zalive
Hall of Fame
Please keep us posted re Phantom vs. Ultra Tour if the match up goes ahead.
What's the point? Those two have nothing in similar.
Even for the comfort. With its RA and significantly bigger head with ports (which make its string bed comfy as OS), Phantom will be significantly more comfortable, too.
