DanS
Semi-Pro
Too bad you don't live in Windsor.... I could have told you where to get one in Michigan today!
Wilson Ultra Tour (Monfils)
- Thread starter mpournaras
- Start date
Too bad you don't live in Windsor.... I could have told you where to get one in Michigan today!
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Actually it's a good thing. I think I'll prefer the Head.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
It’s a shame you won’t have a chance to experience the pure goodness of the ultra tour. Modded up, it’s quite a special stick. And this is from someone who has the original release of the mg radical mp and the ig Prestige mp. These have now been shelved with ultra tours taking their place in my bag now.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
1/4"? I could get a 1/4" by stringing the crosses too tightly lol
DanS
Semi-Pro
I've tried hitting the Prestige Tour and to be honest with you I can't imagine that to be the case. Just not in the same league. I have one of the Speed Touch models and I thought that has a better feel to it. Everyone has there own opinions, and likes what they like so I hope I'm wrong and you love it!
Last edited:
Pleb123
Semi-Pro
Had my first hit with this stick last night and it reminds me of a more plush and more manoeuvrable LM Radical. 335 grams and 320mm balance. Alu Rough mains and Prince Duraflex 1.25 crosses. I can get more power and spin out of this than the LM Radical, because I can generate more racquet head speed with it.
Sent from my MHA-L09 using Tapatalk
Sent from my MHA-L09 using Tapatalk
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Got mine in it’s only 326 grams strung with natty gut alu power hybrid, a dampener and og. It’s about 5 pts HL.
I was thinking replace the grip with a leather grip and add 7 grams to the head at 3 and 9? Feels too light.
I was thinking replace the grip with a leather grip and add 7 grams to the head at 3 and 9? Feels too light.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yup. Leather grip plus putty/lead inside the buttcap trapdoor. I just added 3g at 12. Doesn’t really need lead at 3 and 9 cuz it’s quite stable. I tried lead at 3 and 9 and it made the frame too sluggish for me. On one of my frames, I did add 0.5g at 5 and 7 though to match the static weight of my other one.
DanS
Semi-Pro
I've got 2 that were both different specs. One was 326 grams like yours but 8 points head light. I ended up adding 3 grams of Wilson tungsten tape at 12 to that one. I may still add 2 more grams at both 3 and 9.
The other one was 333 grams and 7 points head light. I haven't added any weight to it, but I haven't been able to hit with it yet either. I'm guessing I'll only need to add weight at 3 and 9 to that one, but I won't do it until I get a chance to hit with it stock first.
DanS
Semi-Pro
Good to know your thoughts on 3 and 9. As I just mentioned in my last post I hadn't added it there yet because I didn't think it was going to need it, so I won't even bother now. Definitely needed the 3 grams at 12 though! really increased the pop!
DanS
Semi-Pro
Did you get a chance to try the Prestige Tour yet?
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
I just got it. I'll use it this week or next sunday, I'll share my impressions.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
My stick weighs 358 grams with 3 grams of lead @12 and the rest in the handle (*leather grip and lead) with the dampener and overgrip. I love this racket! It’s hard to explain, but the feel on impact is just so addicting.
@mad dog1 - I get bored with frames after a few weeks, but this frame gets more love from me each time I play with it. Thanks for turning me on to this frame.
@mad dog1 - I get bored with frames after a few weeks, but this frame gets more love from me each time I play with it. Thanks for turning me on to this frame.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
To me, I think the UT needs very little weight @ 12 but needs more weight in the handle. I went a little extreme in adding weight in the handle and mine weighs close to 360 grams strung, but with added weight it feels so plush with massive plow that I seek in rackets. As mad dog1 stated, I don’t think it needs more than 3grams of weight @ 12. It is really stable. Just needed a bit of more SW.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You’re welcome, bud! Glad you are enjoying it. It’s really a special frame. Right now I’m splitting my time between the Ultra Tour and the 2015 Blade 18x20 and the Blade 18x20 CV. I enjoy all 3 but love the feel of the ultra tour most.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Actually you’re both welcome. Haha
DanS
Semi-Pro
I think that varies per UT, and it's not really something you can use as a blanket statement considering the wide range of specs you get in stock form.
As I mentioned above, one of mine needed weight, and one didn't. Then again, the way I like my racquets to feel may be totally different than what you like!
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
I tried 3.6 grams (Sampras power strip) at 12 and it felt really sluggish, did not like the feel. Tried one 3.6 gram strip at 3 and 9 and it was better than 12 but still sluggish and lost that really fast/whippy feeling so I took all the lead off.
I'll probably add a heavier leather grip and see how that works.
o0lunatik
Professional
First of all, is your frame to spec in stock form? I have a couple of UT's and one is way below spec and one is slightly over on balance specs. So I matched my lighter frame to the specs of the other one. Fortunately, I was able to add some weight in the butt cap of the heavier one to bring it up to my preferred specs.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I really liked it a lot better with weight in the handle. It really needs very little lead, if any (*I needed a bit more power) in the head. Kind of fell in love with its feel and have not looked back.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Good info, have a leather grip coming. A little more plow with the maneuverability would be awesome.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I prefer regular 1/8” width lead tape that I can cut whatever length I need instead of the Sampras power strips. 3.6 grams is a lot to add at 12. That’s about 11 points of swing weight right there so if your racquet is on spec in the swingweight dept at 319, the power strip would put it at 330. That’s a big difference.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
I re-strung my Head Youtek IG MP with the same strings and poundage after using the UT for a while and the Youtek really felt sluggish to me. I was hitting a lot of shots late and not feeling it at all, for the Head Youtek IG MP. I even went as far as replacing the Head grip with that of the Wilson UT grip and still felt the same way. So now; I have to give it a rest and play with the UT which I am happy with! I don't know really what the difference could be to be that different? Maybe it is just psychological.
Last edited:
DanS
Semi-Pro
I'm not sure whether you're playing with a Prestige, Radical, etc, so I'm not sure what specs were dealing with exactly. Also I have no idea what the specs are for your UT, but based off of one of my own UT's and a Prestige, the UT would be more head light (6pts vs 8pts) , and half an oz lighter (11.9 vs 11.4). This would definitely make the Prestige feel more sluggish after hitting with the UT for an extended period of time.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Replaced the standard grip with a leather grip which bumped the weight to 333 grams, now 7.2 pts HL. Will see how it hits.
The stock grip was 12 grams by the way which means the Head leather grip was 19 grams cut and installed.
Last edited:
moon shot
Hall of Fame
Granted my Ultra has pallets but I use the TWU 25x1.3mm and prefer the feel over any other leather I’ve tried. I do have a preference for thinner though. Oh, and I’ve yet to install the Head finest calfskin I was gifted yet.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/TW_Private_Label_Leather_Grips/descpageZONS-TWLG.html
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
I got a head tour, leather is pretty soft and decent thickness. One thing that is really annoying is 80% of the leather the edges are very thin making it easy to lay down flat/level wraps. Towards the top end of the racquet the edges become quite thick there's almost a lump on the top wrap as it doesn't lay flat on top of the second to last wrap.
I ended up taking an xacto knife and shaving quite a bit of material on the trailing edge where it overlaps so it sits flatter, it was a pain in the ass.
DanS
Semi-Pro
That almost looks like a chamois! Does the TW grip have a rough surface, or is it just an optical illusion?
That sounds like a lot more trouble than it should be. I used to love the leather Prince used on their racquets back in the day. Would it be sacrilege to use a Prince grip on a Wilson racquet? lol
How do you guys have your Ultra Tours set up? Leather Grip yes/no?
Standard Wilson Basegrip? How do you guys like it?
String type, thickness and tension?
Lead?
Total Weight?
I have strung mine with Poly Tour Pro Yellow 1.20 at 21.0/20.2 kg. With 3 grams of Lead at 12 and 3grams total at 3 and 9. Standard Wilson Basegrip. With Tourna overgrip it comes in at around 337 strung weight. I have tried some different strings but keep coming back to the poly tour pro. Just love it and it gives me the confidence I need. Any of you try Silverstring?
Standard Wilson Basegrip? How do you guys like it?
String type, thickness and tension?
Lead?
Total Weight?
I have strung mine with Poly Tour Pro Yellow 1.20 at 21.0/20.2 kg. With 3 grams of Lead at 12 and 3grams total at 3 and 9. Standard Wilson Basegrip. With Tourna overgrip it comes in at around 337 strung weight. I have tried some different strings but keep coming back to the poly tour pro. Just love it and it gives me the confidence I need. Any of you try Silverstring?
Pleb123
Semi-Pro
- Fairway Leather grip (although I love Head Finest Calfskin and would prefer those if I could get them retail);
- Wilson Pro overgrip;
- Rubber band dampener;
- 342 grams;
- 315 mm balance;
- Lead at 12 (different amounts for each of 2 racquets to match their specs. One has about 6 grams at 12 and the other has only about 2 grams, because one was significantly more head light than the other in stock form);
- Current string set up: Alu Rough/ Prince Syn Gut w' Duraflex 17 at 44/42 lbs. Highly recommend low poundage for this racquet. I have developed a strange affection for the prince Syn Gut as a hybrid cross. I have crossed it with Silverstring in other racquets and love the feel. Thought I would go with the Alu Rough to get a bit more bite on the ball with the tight 18x20 pattern. No issue generating all the spin I want with this set up. I am interested in trying thinner gauge strings but am yet to find a good multi or syngut to use in a hybrid which is less than 1.25 (I am sticking to hybrids for the feel and tension maintenance). If anyone knows a good 1.20 multi or syngut to use as a cross I would love to hear it and then would probably put 1.20 Silverstring in the mains.
moon shot
Hall of Fame
TW photos tend to be taken in 'unflattering' light and a touch oversharpened for my taste. It ends up looking a bit clynical and harsh but gives you a lot of visual information. I always use a overgrip so my opinion is not based on direct contact during play. The finish in general seems similar to the volkl leather (but volkl seems to have more treatment). There are some blemishes on a few of the TW leather I have but it is generally cosmetic.
Midas Rex
New User
I've tried VS Team/RPM 18 at 50 lbs, RPM 18/VS Team at 50 lbs, and Hyper G 20 at 45 lbs. I think that thinner strings for the Ultra Tour may be more spin friendly and help liven up the dense 18x20 string bed.
The full bed of Hyper G 20 works best for me (and feels less harsh than the gut hybrids) but longevity of the strings may be an issue. Unfortunately the thicker (and more durable) versions of Hyper G play completely different than the 20 gauge version.
Read pretty much this whole thread, I'm getting rid of my RF 97's due to it being extremely heavy (I'm 5'7 and 140 lbs) and the fact that its too powerful for my game. (I'm an all-courter, counter puncher like to finish points at net, 1HBH, I use my slice a lot, think Steve Darcis, Mauresmo, Henin, etc..) My friend let me use his lighter 18x20 prestige and I was much more confident playing. I want to switch back to a 18x20 pattern (What I used before switching to RF 97s ) and since I've been using full natural gut as of late I would like the extra durability.
I cant decide between this racket or the Head Mircogel Radical MP...I know a lot of you said they are similar, but at $250 a pop I'm a bit hesitant is it that much different from the Microgel Radical MP? I see the main difference is the Microgel is 2 pts HL and the Ultra Tour is 6 pts HL. Can anyone chime in on the differences between the two?
I guess I can demo and see for myself, but wanted some extra opinions from what im reading I think I would definitely like this racket, but just trying to save a bit of $$$
I cant decide between this racket or the Head Mircogel Radical MP...I know a lot of you said they are similar, but at $250 a pop I'm a bit hesitant is it that much different from the Microgel Radical MP? I see the main difference is the Microgel is 2 pts HL and the Ultra Tour is 6 pts HL. Can anyone chime in on the differences between the two?
I guess I can demo and see for myself, but wanted some extra opinions from what im reading I think I would definitely like this racket, but just trying to save a bit of $$$
DanS
Semi-Pro
If durability on the Hyper G 20g gives you issues, give Cyclone 18L (1.15) a try at 45. For some reason it has higher spin potential than the 19g, and lasts a lot longer too! I've really enjoyed it.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
If you're looking to save money you can get the Microgel and add some weight to the handle to make it more head light (it is the lighter option in stock form). With the Ultra Tour, from many accounts, you might need to add some weight to make it play best (something to consider in your decision process).
Depending on what grip size you need, there's another option. Either the new Tecnifibre Tfight DC 315 Ltd 18x20 (which in cost is between the Microgel and the Ultra Tour), or the 2013 Tec TFight 315 Limited 18x20 (which has been reduced in price from TWE, and is a lower RA than the new version).
Food for thought... Hopefully, I've helped...
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Agree with this. I haven't tried the Ultra but by looking at specs, it can't be THAT different from a Radical MP (prior to Graphene), especially with a leather grip. The feel of those radicals is also top notch.
D
Deleted member 756272
Guest
How do ya'll string the Ultra Tour if doing one piece (around the world or standard)?
Mains end at the throat, but it is a Wilson and I've read Wilsons can handle stringing the crossed from the throat. However, it is similar to the h19 and Head racquets that recommends atw.
Any advice?
Mains end at the throat, but it is a Wilson and I've read Wilsons can handle stringing the crossed from the throat. However, it is similar to the h19 and Head racquets that recommends atw.
Any advice?
Hey thanks for the advice guys, I ended up going with a Dunlop Aerogel 200. I bought 2 new ones on **** for $80. 18x20 string pattern 95 inch head, 8 pts HL, and 12 oz strung. Specs seemed a bit better than the microgel 98 and cheaper than the ultra tour. $250 is just too much.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Now that's called using your noggin...
tennis_balla
Hall of Fame
How close are these to the PT57A's? and do they still have chipping paint and paint strips off if you remove lead tape? I had an H22 in my hand this summer and it was solid all around, but Wilson retail quality is suspect.
I've said this earlier in the thread, but as someone who grew up with PT57As, these racquets (with a leather grip and tuned to your desired specs) are as close as you're going to get to a PT57A in the modern market. The ones I've played with haven't chipped THAT badly, but yeah the paint isn't ~amazing~
PeterFig
Professional
I've been playing with the Ultra Tour the last few weeks. I had it in my bag as a demo from my Wilson rep, but when the strings on all my RF97's broke i ended up playomg with it once and then the next day played in my club tournament with it (got to the finals with it only to lose 12-10 in the third set super-tiebreak!) . Really great frame! Surprised me as it's NOT at all what I would call a racquet with specs that match what I like... and really the first 18x20 frame I liked. So far the only modification is changing the grip to a leather one. Just haven't had a chance for anything else but I plan to change the buttcap to the more squared off Pro Staff one, add maybe 8-10g of weight in the handle, and maybe experiment with a bit of weight at 3 & 9. I have it strung with Luxilon Gut in mains at 57# and Luxilon Alu Power Feel at 54# in crosses.
Overall a very pleasant surprise!
Overall a very pleasant surprise!
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Anyone have the stringing instructions, specifically tie offs for 2 piece?
Watching the TW review with the up close shots it looks like mains tie at 7T and crosses tie at 6H and 12T?
Watching the TW review with the up close shots it looks like mains tie at 7T and crosses tie at 6H and 12T?
Last edited:
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Added a 3.6 gram lead sampras lead strip at 3 and 9, now 340 grams and 6.2HL. Restrung with 1.25 Alu Power soft at 53 will see how it plays.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Let me know how it works out with the AG200. You got two new frames for $80? That was a heck of a deal! I’m interested in that frame, too, which I have heard many good things.
That said, I don’t think the Microgel Radical MP compares to the UT, at least the reissue doesn’t. It has a real nice blend of connected & crisp, yet soft, feel. I really am enjoying the frame a lot.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
If adding weight makes the frame feel sluggish (*that was my case with racket modification before my UT), how about using the 1/4” lead tape and add weight (*maybe 1 gram) a little at a time? I initially added 1.5 grams @ 12 but added another 1.5 grams for more SW because the added weight did not negatively effect the maneuverability. I just feel that the frame doesn’t need much weight in the head (*just adding 3 grams @ 12 provided depth I needed) but need more weight in the handle to provide more heft and plow.
Maybe you might want to use more powerful strings like Element Rough 16G.
