Mikeler's Multis

mikeler · Oct 15, 2010

pepka said:
Even though i wasn't asked i can say a thing about power synth as well It's still very soft string, slightly harder than the comfort version, with nice blend of power and control. It definetly has better spin potential than it's brother. It holds it's tension insanely good I used it some time ago so i can't remember it's construction well, but TW lists it as syn gut.

Sounds promising. If my elbow ever completely heals I'll have to give this one a shot too.

sidzej · Oct 15, 2010

Give the new WC 6Star Supercharged a try too. It is a blend of multi/poly, but it plays more as a multi or even syn gut. I am currently testing it and like it a lot after first 4 hours of play. It is very elastic string and it needs to be strung a bit higher.

mikeler · Oct 15, 2010

^^^ I get nervous when I see anything with poly in it.

2handsbothsides · Oct 15, 2010

mikeler said:
If you like powerful strings, I have 6 sets left of Maxim Touch I can sell you. You can launch balls with that stuff.

I have been under the impression from reading comments on this board that Maxim Touch is a lower power multi. Do you disagree? I tried Maxim Touch 15L in a 28" long POG OS a couple of years ago and it had less power than Prince Topspin with Duraflex 15L that was my regular string in that racket. I have since moved on to the POG LB's that play better for me with a multi.

sidzej · Oct 16, 2010

mikeler said:
^^^ I get nervous when I see anything with poly in it.

If you are home stringer you will see how much Star6 stretches, you will quickly forget about any poly in it

You really can't feel it in it. It is very elastic and comfortable string. I've also used to have TE issues and this string is not causing any pain so far (even if strung higher than my usual gut/poly hybrid).

mikeler · Oct 16, 2010

2handsbothsides said:
I have been under the impression from reading comments on this board that Maxim Touch is a lower power multi. Do you disagree? I tried Maxim Touch 15L in a 28" long POG OS a couple of years ago and it had less power than Prince Topspin with Duraflex 15L that was my regular string in that racket. I have since moved on to the POG LB's that play better for me with a multi.

I think it is high powered, but others have stated they think it is low powered. Put it this way, it is too powerful for my game.

mikeler · Oct 16, 2010

sidzej said:
If you are home stringer you will see how much Star6 stretches, you will quickly forget about any poly in it You really can't feel it in it. It is very elastic and comfortable string. I've also used to have TE issues and this string is not causing any pain so far (even if strung higher than my usual gut/poly hybrid).

I am a home stringer. Thanks for the info.

mikeler · Oct 16, 2010

I noticed some fraying on the Mantis today. So far I've got 4 sets on it. The Maxim usually did not start fraying this early. We'll see if it effects the durability. I hope not, I'm really into this string and playing well with it. I'm still tempted to cut out the Isospeed and put RIP Control in. I've also got a brand new Maxim Touch job that I'd like to cut out and try the Quasi. Only time will tell.

JT_2eighty · Oct 17, 2010

I'd stick with the isospeed as it frays and breaks-in. It will most likely be the best string from this list as far as string movement. hence, spin.

mikeler · Oct 17, 2010

JT_2eighty said:
I'd stick with the isospeed as it frays and breaks-in. It will most likely be the best string from this list as far as string movement.

String movement does not bother me. I like fixing strings between points for helping my concentration. I've got 2 weak spots on the Mantis on the 2nd main from the side of the frame. I may put some string savers there. The racket with the Isospeed is right next to my stringer. I just have a hard time cutting out fresh strings but I'll probably do it.

Ennismt · Oct 17, 2010

Mikeler: Any chance you can compare the Mantis Comfort to Babolat Xcel Premium? The MC corresponds with the comfort multi Xcel Premium (as opposed to Xcel Power), so I am wondering if they are similar. Anyone else that may know could chime in too. Thanks.

mikeler · Oct 18, 2010

Ennismt said:
Mikeler: Any chance you can compare the Mantis Comfort to Babolat Xcel Premium? The MC corresponds with the comfort multi Xcel Premium (as opposed to Xcel Power), so I am wondering if they are similar. Anyone else that may know could chime in too. Thanks.

I've never used Xcel, it's a little too pricey for my tastes. If I get time tonight, I'm probably going to cut out the Isospeed and put in the RIP Control.

FlyFish · Oct 18, 2010

I just tried RIP Control 16 on Sunday for 3 sets and loved it. Recently switched from PSGD/Cyberflash hybrid to Head’s Intellistring for more feel, which I got, but found it to be way too powerful. RIP Control was next. That gave me the feel, but with slightly less power. Almost perfect. Would still prefer a little less power if anyone has a recommendation. Strung the RIP Control at 63 in a MG Radical Pro.

mikeler · Oct 19, 2010

FlyFish said:
I just tried RIP Control 16 on Sunday for 3 sets and loved it. Recently switched from PSGD/Cyberflash hybrid to Head’s Intellistring for more feel, which I got, but found it to be way too powerful. RIP Control was next. That gave me the feel, but with slightly less power. Almost perfect. Would still prefer a little less power if anyone has a recommendation. Strung the RIP Control at 63 in a MG Radical Pro.

I just edited my review post to talk about stringing this up last night. It was a very difficult string to work with. After bouncing a ball off the stringbed, I think I'm going to like the feel. I'll test it out tonight against a hard hitter and compare the power level to the Mantis power level tomorrow morning. I'll be up in your neck of the woods in a few days for a fall getaway.

pepka · Oct 19, 2010

Waiting for Your opinion, but i think that You will like it

and agreed that the b&w version looks just sick

mikeler · Oct 20, 2010

I just posted my review on RIP Control 16. It is lower powered than most strings but still has a little bit more pop than I like. I have a fairly flexible racket but still find most strings are too powerful for my big long swings. So it all boils down to Mantis and Quasi Gut. From what I've read about Quasi, it is a powerful string so I'll probably just buy a reel of Mantis now since it does not sound like Quasi will meet my needs.

mikeler · Oct 20, 2010

FlyFish said:
I just tried RIP Control 16 on Sunday for 3 sets and loved it. Recently switched from PSGD/Cyberflash hybrid to Head’s Intellistring for more feel, which I got, but found it to be way too powerful. RIP Control was next. That gave me the feel, but with slightly less power. Almost perfect. Would still prefer a little less power if anyone has a recommendation. Strung the RIP Control at 63 in a MG Radical Pro.

The Mantis has less power than RIP Control.

acer4tennis · Oct 20, 2010

Kcraig said:
No I didn't with Mantis--however w/ the Weiscannon Explosiv (very very similar string) I did play till breakage. Think I squeezed about 8-9hrs on it and that was in a 100" 16*18 frame. The tighter 98" 16*20 should give you a little more durability.

Is that possible that these two are same strings? One of 'em made in
Germany?

SteveI · Oct 20, 2010

HiroProtagonist said:
I've had my RIP 17g in for about 14hrs of play time on 2 racquets and have just started to see a little fraying. Seems to me to be almost as durable as a poly which I have heard others mention, unfortunately I have to cut it out cause my Redcode is dead, RC mains RIP crosses, my only problem w the RIP is the lack of power for a multi, it really is more like a hybrid string between multi and poly IMO.

Hi,

Just broke my 2nd set-up of Hybrid Head Rip 17 / Head Rocket 17. Mains @ 60 ..crosses @ 58. About 8 hours in again.. kick serve.. clean stroke.. snap. I am going to do a complete bed of the Rip 17 next time. Really love this string.. works well with my M-Fil 400.. Nice control, feel, spin and I can get pop when needed. Super great for my arm also.. price is good. I have to get more than 8 hours in any event. I am told the Rip 16 holds up much better. I will report back when I have some hours on the full bed of Rip 17.

Have a good one.
Steve

mikeler · Oct 20, 2010

SteveI said:
Hi,

Just broke my 2nd set-up of Hybrid Head Rip 17 / Head Rocket 17. Mains @ 60 ..crosses @ 58. About 8 hours in again.. kick serve.. clean stroke.. snap. I am going to do a complete bed of the Rip 17 next time. Really love this string.. works well with my M-Fil 400.. Nice control, feel, spin and I can get pop when needed. Super great for my arm also.. price is good. I have to get more than 8 hours in any event. I am told the Rip 16 holds up much better. I will report back when I have some hours on the full bed of Rip 17.

Have a good one.
Steve

From everything I've read about RIP Control, the 16g version is supposed to be much more durable than the 17g. I'd be curious to hear your opinions when you log some hitting time with the 17g.

SteveI · Oct 20, 2010

mikeler said:
From everything I've read about RIP Control, the 16g version is supposed to be much more durable than the 17g. I'd be curious to hear your opinions when you log some hitting time with the 17g.

I am stringing up a full bed of the Rip 17 tonight.. and hope to get out in the next few days. I will report back ASAP!

Steve

Tennis16 · Oct 20, 2010

Mikeler,
You mentioned you have several sets of Maxim Touch you want to sell. If so,
Please e mail me at gsmatchpoint@gmail.com.
Thanks

mikeler · Oct 20, 2010

Tennis16 said:
Mikeler,
You mentioned you have several sets of Maxim Touch you want to sell. If so,
Please e mail me at gsmatchpoint@gmail.com.
Thanks

Email sent!

ced · Oct 20, 2010

mikeler said:
Reserved for Tourna Quasi Gut 16 Review...

Waiting with interest to hear your impression of Quasi-Gut .... a string that I really liked and would have made my principal string until I hit with Ashaway Dynamite Soft 17

ced · Oct 20, 2010

mikeler said:
I just edited my review post to talk about stringing this up last night. It was a very difficult string to work with. After bouncing a ball off the stringbed, I think I'm going to like the feel. I'll test it out tonight against a hard hitter and compare the power level to the Mantis power level tomorrow morning. I'll be up in your neck of the woods in a few days for a fall getaway.

I agree with your comments regarding the difficulty of stringing RIP ..... I found it so difficult that I swore off all Head strings.

tennisnoob3 · Oct 20, 2010

just curious as to why you strung it up as a two piece

mikeler · Oct 20, 2010

tennisnoob3 said:
just curious as to why you strung it up as a two piece

I only do 2 piece. I've never done a 1 piece.

mikeler · Oct 21, 2010

I played another 2.5 sets of singles today with the Mantis. I'm cheating and using a few string savers at weak points. That string has so much feel. I played a set of dubs afterwards with the RIP Control. This was good because I got to test out volleys and overheads which were rock solid with this string. If I could just figure out how to hit a drop shot with this string it would be a tough choice between it and the Mantis.

FlyFish · Oct 21, 2010

mikeler said:
The Mantis has less power than RIP Control.

Thanks. I will give Mantis a try on my next order. If you're looking for tennis while you're up here, let me know.

mikeler · Oct 21, 2010

FlyFish said:
Thanks. I will give Mantis a try on my next order. If you're looking for tennis while you're up here, let me know.

I'm up here now but don't have time for tennis. Maybe next time.

FlyFish · Oct 21, 2010

I understand how the schedule goes. Hope you're able to find a cold beer or two!

origmarm · Oct 22, 2010

acer4tennis said:
Is that possible that these two are same strings? One of 'em made in
Germany?

Having played with both they are very similar but not the same. Colour is even slightly different and they feel different in the hand (the coating).

Orig

Uvijek Argen · Oct 24, 2010

Just wondering if Mantis and Dunlop Comfort Synthetic its made by the same industry. Same name of strings, plus both coming from England.

origmarm · Oct 25, 2010

Uvijek Argen said:
Just wondering if Mantis and Dunlop Comfort Synthetic its made by the same industry. Same name of strings, plus both coming from England.

I've never played with the Dunlop so hard to comment. The chap who founded Mantis came from Dunlop though I believe so it's possible. They are visually very similar and the font and little power/comfort/etc.. charts on the front are very similar between the two.

EDIT: Just looking at a few more. The "Comfort Poly" is completely different between both brands it would appear

acer4tennis · Oct 25, 2010

^^^^^^^^
very well could be. Mantis Synthetics are good stuff.

Uvijek Argen · Oct 25, 2010

origmarm said:
I've never played with the Dunlop so hard to comment. The chap who founded Mantis came from Dunlop though I believe so it's possible. They are visually very similar and the font and little power/comfort/etc.. charts on the front are very similar between the two.

EDIT: Just looking at a few more. The "Comfort Poly" is completely different between both brands it would appear

Thanks for the info;-)...yeah, I was wondering after looking TW list of Multis and saw the same name,but different brand, then decide to see where are located and voila. From what I heard and understand there about 5 industries that make actually the strings, so no surprise...right?

Now, if its the same string, then Dunlop beat them by price for sure.

mikeler · Oct 25, 2010

Looks like the RSI stiffness ratings are about the same with the Dunlop and Mantis too.

fgs · Oct 25, 2010

i haven't played the dunlop comfort synthetic, but looking up the construction of the two strings, they are slightly different - the dunlop has an outer wrap of what appears to be some thicker threads while the mantis does not.
i found the mantis comfort synthetic to play as soft and touchy as the isospeed professional with one big difference - in my 8-9 hours hitting timeframe until it breaks, the mantis loses much less tension, while i start losing control with the isospeed after about 5 hitting hours. it still stays playable until it breaks, but i definitely have better control with the mantis over the entire hitting period.

Uvijek Argen · Oct 25, 2010

fgs said:
i haven't played the dunlop comfort synthetic, but looking up the construction of the two strings, they are slightly different - the dunlop has an outer wrap of what appears to be some thicker threads while the mantis does not.
i found the mantis comfort synthetic to play as soft and touchy as the isospeed professional with one big difference - in my 8-9 hours hitting timeframe until it breaks, the mantis loses much less tension, while i start losing control with the isospeed after about 5 hitting hours. it still stays playable until it breaks, but i definitely have better control with the mantis over the entire hitting period.

Thanks for the info as well FGS

. I like when companies show a draw of the strings structure. Gives an idea somehow of what we are up to.
Where did you see a draw of Mantis? I will like to see it.

fgs · Oct 26, 2010

it's on the backside of the package the string comes in. i don't know if they show it on tw or on the mantis-website and i can't scan it currently.

mikeler · Oct 26, 2010

I have to agree about Mantis holding tension well. My stick that had the Isospeed Control in it was strung by TW which I assume was a constant pull machine at 60 pounds. The Mantis and RIP Control were strung at 60 on my lockout machine so the tension should have been less but the Mantis had a higher pitch than the Isospeed after a few sets using both. My Mantis has 8.5 sets on it and it will break soon.

Was chatting with KCraig offline earlier. He is considering a Mantis/RIP control hybrid. Sounds intriguing to me.

Uvijek Argen · Oct 26, 2010

fgs said:
it's on the backside of the package the string comes in. i don't know if they show it on tw or on the mantis-website and i can't scan it currently.

I see..thanks anyway.

Kcraig · Oct 26, 2010

mikeler said:
I have to agree about Mantis holding tension well. My stick that had the Isospeed Control in it was strung by TW which I assume was a constant pull machine at 60 pounds. The Mantis and RIP Control were strung at 60 on my lockout machine so the tension should have been less but the Mantis had a higher pitch than the Isospeed after a few sets using both. My Mantis has 8.5 sets on it and it will break soon.

Was chatting with KCraig offline earlier. He is considering a Mantis/RIP control hybrid. Sounds intriguing to me.

My thoughts on the Mantis mains/RIP cross setup is that the Mantis is such a great feel/touch string (similar to gut) with excellent tension maintence--but in a full bed it is almost too mushy for me. So looking at Mikeler's review and others on RIP Control it appeared that it could be a perfect crisp/arm friendly cross with Mantis CS mains. Kinda get the best of both worlds. I have ordered a set of each and will be able to test it out over the weekend. Can compare it to my normal setup of gut mains/polyforce cross (see signature). I will probably go with same tensions as gut/poly setup as well--58/55. Dropping the crosses just feels so much better in terms of sweetspot, comfort and feel.

scotus · Oct 26, 2010

mikeler said:
I have to agree about Mantis holding tension well. My stick that had the Isospeed Control in it was strung by TW which I assume was a constant pull machine at 60 pounds. The Mantis and RIP Control were strung at 60 on my lockout machine so the tension should have been less but the Mantis had a higher pitch than the Isospeed after a few sets using both. My Mantis has 8.5 sets on it and it will break soon.

Was chatting with KCraig offline earlier. He is considering a Mantis/RIP control hybrid. Sounds intriguing to me.

TW uses Prince Neos lockout machines.

So unless they raised the tension by 5-7 lbs to make the tension comparable to a constant-pull machine, your stick from TW would have a looser stringbed.

fgs · Oct 26, 2010

i haven't played the rip control, but i've done quite a lot of stringtesting in the past year and still have some strings to be going through.
i use 106 nblades, so that's a soft and big racquet. i use to hit in the upper third of the racquet (i started out 40 years ago with wooden frames, and the spot i hit the ball would still be in the sweetspot of such a racquet - obviously unable to adapt to the larger headsizes. this is the reason why i need an oversize, for otherwise my elbow and shoulder would go berzerk). so, i need a soft string and personally i found a hybrid combination with the mantis power polyester (i know mikeler, you now get the thrills as you read "poly"

)in the mains and the comfort poly in the crosses, strung at 23kg mains and 22kg crosses which plays incredibly sweet, controlled and spinny.

mikeler · Oct 26, 2010

scotus said:
TW uses Prince Neos lockout machines.

So unless they raised the tension by 5-7 lbs to make the tension comparable to a constant-pull machine, your stick from TW would have a looser stringbed.

Thanks for that info. Since I use a Gamma X-ST lockout then I was truly comparing apples to apples right?

mikeler · Oct 26, 2010

Kcraig said:
My thoughts on the Mantis mains/RIP cross setup is that the Mantis is such a great feel/touch string (similar to gut) with excellent tension maintence--but in a full bed it is almost too mushy for me. So looking at Mikeler's review and others on RIP Control it appeared that it could be a perfect crisp/arm friendly cross with Mantis CS mains. Kinda get the best of both worlds. I have ordered a set of each and will be able to test it out over the weekend. Can compare it to my normal setup of gut mains/polyforce cross (see signature). I will probably go with same tensions as gut/poly setup as well--58/55. Dropping the crosses just feels so much better in terms of sweetspot, comfort and feel.

I may also test out this hybrid since the only thing I don't like about RIP Control is touch shots.

Kcraig · Oct 26, 2010

mikeler said:
I may also test out this hybrid since the only thing I don't like about RIP Control is touch shots.

That is kinda where I came up with this combo--"could" possibly be best of both worlds as you seemed to love the pop on serves!!! :twisted:

mikeler · Oct 27, 2010

Kcraig said:
That is kinda where I came up with this combo--"could" possibly be best of both worlds as you seemed to love the pop on serves!!! :twisted:

I serve pretty well with the Mantis too. Looks like the Mantis will break tonight, so I may get to try the Quasi Gut this weekend. I'll probably pick up a pack of Multifeel this weekend as well.

mikeler · Oct 28, 2010

I pulled the Mantis racket out last night and a string had popped in my bag. So I used the RIP Control for 2 long sets last night.

I updated some of my reviews but I'll post what I wrote here too. I'm finding that hitting a short slice is the way to hit decent dropshots. My volleys are outstanding and after 4 long sets of playing against big hitters, this string does not look like it is anywhere close to breaking. RIP Control is really growing on me.

I opened the Quasi Gut package to cut my string lengths last night. Probably won't be able to string it up until Saturday. It seems like it will be easy to work with.

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