Pacific Classic 1.25 x MSV Co-Focus 1.18

Smasher08

Legend
IMG_20110825_122514.jpg


Following my testing of a Pac Classic 1.30 x Co-Focus 1.23 hybrid, I was disappointed that it took approximately 25 hours for it to develop the kind of spinniness that I was looking for from the get-go. I suspect that at least part of the reason for this was related to using 16g mains in an 89" 18x20 racket head. And given the excellent durability of that hybrid, I decided to try gauging down a size to see if I could better get the attributes I was looking for.

I've been using 17g strings since the late 90s precisely because they provide better feel and spin. With Intellitour 17, now unfortunately no longer carried by TW, I'd found an excellent hybrid that had poly-like spin and durability, with a multi's arm-friendliness. Those attributes are still among my defining features when I evaluate a setup.

I sure don't think that this one disappoints.

Immediately I noticed much, much more spin than I got out of the 16g mains even after 10 hours. The difference in feel was exceptional too: my sense of the ball on the strings and my placement on stab shots was much, much better. I found it was translating into increased confidence to rip shots, and an increased tendency for those to land in.

To be fair, the 16g mains hybrid is significantly spinnier after 30+ hours, but after 6.5 hours the 17g set is catching up fast. After 10 or 12 hours it honestly looks like it will outspin virtually any textured poly.

And I am so looking forward to that.

As for how it plays on specific shots, it's uniformly excellent across the board, perhaps being exceptionally extra special on volleys and drop shots: there just seems to be some extra life on those that synthetic strings just can't match. Going for angles or winners on groundies just seems to be easier too, so it's not at all surprising that natty gut strings have been favoured by touring pros.


Impressions after 6.5 hours

String movement: none
Power: excellent
Spin potential: very good
Feel: excellent
Arm-friendliness: excellent
Fraying: virtually none
Notching: none
Durability: we'll see, but so far so good
 
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Smasher08

Legend
Only the 4 that you see in the pic.

I found on my 16g setup that using 4 instead of 13 produced dramatically more spin. (no idea why)
 

Smasher08

Legend
You misweaved at the top.

no wonder the spin was much greater... although I'm not discounting the fact that you would and should get more spin due to the thinner gauges, but that large of a misweave at the top of your frame will facilitate even lower string-string friction & increase spin even more, like spaghetti stringing.

Day-um! I never noticed at all!! I can't believe it -- he did it on 10 mains.

No wonder my stringer looked sheepish when I collected it and said it was on the house. I figured he'd notched or kinked a main somewhere. Sheesh, and to think I was about to write a small update about how the spinniness has become phenomenal now.

Sigh.

what are your tensions for the mains and crosses for this setup? I've still been following your tests

51 x 48, same as my 16g setup so I could get the best possible direct comparison.
 
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Smasher08

Legend
Isn't MSV not that great in the tension maintenance department?

Seems fine so far to me, but I'll let you know. I thought that Focus Hex 1.18 was pretty solid there, although I do think that the crosses in a hybrid like this should be restrung ever 20 hours or so anyway.
 

jim e

Legend
he did it on 10 mains.

No wonder my stringer looked sheepish when I collected it and said it was on the house. I figured he'd notched or kinked a main somewhere. Sheesh, and to think I was about to write a small update about how the spinniness has become phenomenal now.

Sigh.

I am surprised that your stringer allowed the racquet to leave his place that way. If he cared about his work, and /or reputation he would have cut it out and restrung it before giving it to you. It certainly would not have taken all that much extra time to correct his mistake.He must have known this as he did not charge, but... he would have been better off doing it the proper way, and charging what the job is worth. But.. as long as you like it, but for your information the strings are not legal.
 

Smasher08

Legend
They were my strings not his, so he couldn't have restrung it on his own.

I'm actually pretty gutted that the spin I'm enjoying is probably artificially enhanced. Kinda throws the whole thread into irrelevance until I have a fresh set properly strung up.

Oh well, presumably the durability will be unaffected.

And I guess this rules out all those ITF events I was going to enter..... ;)
 

Smasher08

Legend
So is this playtest inconclusive?

Lol nah, just provisional. All the spin related experiences will have to have an asterisk after them.

So for the fun of it, I'll keep on and just refer to this setup as being "Barry Bonds style". Y'know, perhaps with some artificially induced extraordinary advantages . . . but not done deliberately ;)


Update - 10 hours*

The truth is that I'm absolutely loving the spin this setup is generating, especially when I slice shoulder high backhands (I reckon I make contact on this shot high up in the hoop -- so surprise surprise). Slice serves really stand out too, and topspin groundies sure ain't shabby. The power, as always, can be fantastic, but what's remarkable is how on touch shots there's so much control. Drop shots in particular are a real pleasure.

Re the spin, I really started noticing it around the 7 hour mark. And it just keeps on getting better and better and better.

One other observation: at tension, the mains definitely are stretched thinner. Unlike the 1.30g which stayed noticeably thicker than the 1.23 crosses, these ones now look more or less the same thickness as the 1.18 crosses. If the longevity becomes an issue, it'll be on to 16L Pac Classic for me, or perhaps 1.25 Tough Gut.

But for now, I'm really enjoying these. Some shots spin just as well as with textured poly mains.

String movement: virtually none
Power: excellent
Spin potential: excellent to outstanding*
Arm friendlines: excellent
Feel: excellent
Fraying: virtually none
Notching: virtually none
Durability: so far so good
 
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pvaudio

Legend
Guys, he didn't misweave 10 mains. He miswove one which offsets the crosses above and below it beyond the misweave.
 

The Big Kahuna

Hall of Fame
PLAYTEST UPDATE:

After 6 hours of play with the MSV Co-Focus 18g hybrid @ 48 (with KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52) in my Head Youtek Prestige Pro I am ready to declare this playtest to an end. Every time I put down this racquet to try one with another poly (Weiss Silverstring or Kirshbaum Pro Line II) while they both feel very good, I can wait to get back to the MSV. The feel and ball pocketing is SO much better. I have never felt strings with so much comfort, spin, control, and feel. The power is dialed down just a tad from the other two strings, but more balls go IN the court as a result. My groundstrokes and serves are much more consistent than they have been with anything else to date and it feels like the racquet is simply an part of my arm - it is almost as if I am "throwing the ball" back. The sweet spot feels huge and the picketing is insane! I am totally addicted. It is really like a whole new game for me. Fantastic!
 

pvaudio

Legend
Smasher, in case you didn't notice, it was actually your original playtest thread that made me try WhisperTouch/Co Focus 1.23. It's now the reference standard, and for what its worth in my playtest thread, it's the only setup that's gotten a 10/10.
 

Smasher08

Legend
Smasher, in case you didn't notice, it was actually your original playtest thread that made me try WhisperTouch/Co Focus 1.23. It's now the reference standard, and for what its worth in my playtest thread, it's the only setup that's gotten a 10/10.

Thanks buddy, I'm totally flattered. Glad you like 'em!
 

The Big Kahuna

Hall of Fame
51 x 48. The frame recommendations are 52-62, but in practice I've found that these are probably a couple of pounds too high.

Interesting, I am almost at the identical tension.

I don't see many reports on this current playtest (I know there was a stringing issue). Between the MSV Co-Focus 17g and the 18g, which did you prefer?
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
PLAYTEST UPDATE:

After 6 hours of play with the MSV Co-Focus 18g hybrid @ 48 (with KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52) in my Head Youtek Prestige Pro I am ready to declare this playtest to an end. Every time I put down this racquet to try one with another poly (Weiss Silverstring or Kirshbaum Pro Line II) while they both feel very good, I can wait to get back to the MSV. The feel and ball pocketing is SO much better. I have never felt strings with so much comfort, spin, control, and feel. The power is dialed down just a tad from the other two strings, but more balls go IN the court as a result. My groundstrokes and serves are much more consistent than they have been with anything else to date and it feels like the racquet is simply an part of my arm - it is almost as if I am "throwing the ball" back. The sweet spot feels huge and the picketing is insane! I am totally addicted. It is really like a whole new game for me. Fantastic!


Finally got a set of Co-focus 1.18 and strung it up on the crosses at 47. Believe it or not this is the 4th cross of strung on the same VS mains! (I know some people think this is nuts, but I'm not a string breaker and my stringing machine has a 6 pt clamping system so the hoop is very stable when I cut the crosses out, I can get a lot of life out of the gut mains by just replacing the crosses every 10 days or so). The mains had minimal notching but I made sure to weave the cross so the it overlapped in the same pattern as the previous crosses so it would use existing notches. If I did a fresh stringing I'd do VS at 56 and poly cross at 50 but knowing the mains had probably dropped into the upper 40's by now I strung the cross a little lower.

Anyway, played 4 sets of doubs and a set of singles today with it. Felt great! Probably a little crisper than the Silverstring I'd been using. I have another frame recently strung with VS and Silverstring and really the two felt pretty similar. Especially towards the end of hitting today after the MSV had broken in a little. Great combo.
 

Smasher08

Legend
Finally got a set of Co-focus 1.18 and strung it up on the crosses at 47. Believe it or not this is the 4th cross of strung on the same VS mains! (I know some people think this is nuts, but I'm not a string breaker and my stringing machine has a 6 pt clamping system so the hoop is very stable when I cut the crosses out, I can get a lot of life out of the gut mains by just replacing the crosses every 10 days or so). The mains had minimal notching but I made sure to weave the cross so the it overlapped in the same pattern as the previous crosses so it would use existing notches. If I did a fresh stringing I'd do VS at 56 and poly cross at 50 but knowing the mains had probably dropped into the upper 40's by now I strung the cross a little lower.

Anyway, played 4 sets of doubs and a set of singles today with it. Felt great! Probably a little crisper than the Silverstring I'd been using. I have another frame recently strung with VS and Silverstring and really the two felt pretty similar. Especially towards the end of hitting today after the MSV had broken in a little. Great combo.

Nice. Just out of curiosity, what gauge of VS are you using? 16?
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
Cool. How many hours do you reckon you get out of your mains on average?

I've only been using gut since July, and since I've been experimenting I only have one frame that the mains have stayed on. I keep stringing notes but don't log the hrs I play. So I'll have to guestimate that.

I strung the VS mains of this frame on Aug 1st @ 54lbs. Started with Lux Ace crosses, probably played only about 6-8 hrs before deciding I didn't like the crosses and stopped playing that frame. Aug 10 cut out the crosses and redid with SPPP 16g that someone gave me. I hated the feel of SPPP in this stick (EXO3 Tour) and the 16g felt terrible to me so probably on 2 hrs with that. Aug 16th I replaced the crosses with WC Silverstring and really liked that string as a cross. Probably played 25 hrs with that before cutting out the crossed and trying the MSV. Put. 4 hrs in with that yesterday.

So that's about 35-40 hrs. And since I'm liking the MSV I can see sticking with it until it goes dead. Maybe another 10-20 hrs? Who knows, maybe longer. So I can see getting 50-60 hrs out of my gut mains.
 

Smasher08

Legend
Update - 14 hours

There's not much to say other than playing with this is a real pleasure and a treat. Since about the 6 hour mark, the spin has been fantastic. I'm not sure how much of it is due to the Barry Bonds-style setup, but I sure hope that when properly done most of it is still there.

Playing for the better part of an hour in moist to wet conditions 1 1/2 weeks ago has definitely reduced the mains' ability to slide back: while it's not very severe I'm now finding that I have to nudge them into place every 20 mins or so. I'm also finding that they appear to be notching faster, especially just outside the sweetspot -- so I've now put in 3 string savers. To what extent this is due to the exposure to moisture rather than natural wear is unclear to me. Possibly relevant to their longevity is the fact that under tension they look about the same thickness as the 1.18 crosses.

Other than that, they really are wonderful to play with.

String movement: minor
Power: excellent
Spin potential: excellent to outstanding*
Arm friendlines: excellent
Feel: excellent
Fraying: virtually none
Notching: minor overall, moderate at a few intersections
Durability: keeps on truckin'
 

Smasher08

Legend
I don't see many reports on this current playtest (I know there was a stringing issue). Between the MSV Co-Focus 17g and the 18g, which did you prefer?

Sorry for the delay in responding to this.

In all honesty it's a bit tough to answer because I've used different gauge mains with each of them. Overall I think I prefer the 18g if only because I prefer the thinner gauge mains that are with it.

If durability becomes an issue, I'll try 16L mains with 18g crosses. Under tension I reckon that the mains will stretch and be more like 1.22-1.25 in thickness while the crosses will stay about the same.
 

a0f6459

Rookie
Smasher08,

After following both of your playtest threads I think I am ready to give it a shot with the gut/ cofocus 17 1.18


Before I string it up I was wondering if you could help me with the tensions. I know there is no way to know specifically for my racket, but just looking for general guidelines.


Right now I string up my OS at 65 lbs with gut. I find the gut to be just a bit too powerful after it settles in.

Since I will be crossing the gut with cofocus, should I leave the main gut tension the same? My thinking is that the crosses would help tame the power of the gut. Do you find this to be true in this setup?

If I leave the gut tension the same should the tensions be 65 lb gut mains/ 62 cofocus crosses?

I'm stringing it in these higher tensions because of my racket being an OS. I've read that polys are not meant to be strung so high. If I string cofocus up at 62 lbs, will I be killing the string? This is my first experiment with poly.

Thanks in advance
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
Smasher08,

After following both of your playtest threads I think I am ready to give it a shot with the gut/ cofocus 17 1.18


Before I string it up I was wondering if you could help me with the tensions. I know there is no way to know specifically for my racket, but just looking for general guidelines.


Right now I string up my OS at 65 lbs with gut. I find the gut to be just a bit too powerful after it settles in.

Since I will be crossing the gut with cofocus, should I leave the main gut tension the same? My thinking is that the crosses would help tame the power of the gut. Do you find this to be true in this setup?

If I leave the gut tension the same should the tensions be 65 lb gut mains/ 62 cofocus crosses?

I'm stringing it in these higher tensions because of my racket being an OS. I've read that polys are not meant to be strung so high. If I string cofocus up at 62 lbs, will I be killing the string? This is my first experiment with poly.

Thanks in advance

I think poly at 60 lbs is a waste. The poly can't give you it's unique benifits at tensions that high. In my opinon you will gain do additional control or spin benifits and it will feel much harsher than your full bed of gut. I'm guessing if you play an oversize racquet you don't have a very fast swing. Without a fast swing there is nothing to be gained from poly imo. I think you'd be better off trying to mitigate the power of gut mains with a soft, control oriented multi in the crosses. Head RIP Control comes to mind. One of the softest strings out there and low power. You could keep your tenision where it is now. Poly is not for everyone. unless you are willing to experiment with gut/poly down in the low 50's or lower I don't reccomend it.
 

a0f6459

Rookie
I think poly at 60 lbs is a waste. The poly can't give you it's unique benifits at tensions that high. In my opinon you will gain do additional control or spin benifits and it will feel much harsher than your full bed of gut. I'm guessing if you play an oversize racquet you don't have a very fast swing. Without a fast swing there is nothing to be gained from poly imo. I think you'd be better off trying to mitigate the power of gut mains with a soft, control oriented multi in the crosses. Head RIP Control comes to mind. One of the softest strings out there and low power. You could keep your tenision where it is now. Poly is not for everyone. unless you are willing to experiment with gut/poly down in the low 50's or lower I don't reccomend it.

The only reason I use an OS is because I just got back into tennis after about a 15 yr layoff. This is the same racket I used as a junior player and now it is over 20 years old (made in 1988!). Being that I was away for so long from the game, the choices in rackets are overwhelming, so for now I am sticking with what I am familiar with. So, I wouldn't say my swing is slow, which is why I need to string up my tension at 65 lbs in order maintain some control.

However, thanks for confirming that the poly at such a high tension wouldn't work. I really do want to try this setup, but I'm afraid that if I drop the gut mains into the mid 50s in this OS, I wouldn't have control at all, even while using poly crosses. But then again, I have never used poly before so I really have no clue.

Another thing to point out is that I have an eastern forehand and hit low to high through the ball (agassi) as opposed to whipping it with topspin (Rafa). Because of my swing type, should I just forget about trying this setup?
 

Smasher08

Legend
I really do want to try this setup, but I'm afraid that if I drop the gut mains into the mid 50s in this OS, I wouldn't have control at all, even while using poly crosses.

Personally I think the big question here is: what's the tension range on your racket?

I'm stringing my gut mains 1 lb under the minimum recommended range -- and the poly crosses 4 lbs under -- without any problems. Sure, balls that would've gone 6 feet out now go 15, but I'm also getting a lot more spin, touch, feel, and power as well -- not to mention how arm-friendly it is. Factor in the fact that I'm also hitting more winners and high bouncing shots, and I find that the pros far outweigh the cons.

I find that gut strings at low tensions don't act how synthetics would at the same lbs, so don't be too afraid to try it out.
 

Smasher08

Legend
Bottom-ish of the range.

Just remember: the whole point of this setup is to get lots of controllable power (ie power + spin). If you find you're hitting too flat, you may need to make a small adjustment or two so that you're generating more top.

EDIT: Having thought about this further, I wanted to add a caveat since I don't want to give you bad advice: if you have a late 80s style OS racket to go with late 80s style swings, what are you looking for by switching to a more modern style string setup? If you purely just want to tame the power of full bed gut, why not just increase their tension?

This string setup is very complementary to more modern swings: open stance eastern to semi-western forehands with Federer- or Djoker-like swing paths. So, for example, if you put one of these hybrids in McEnroe's racket, I'm not entirely sure that he'd benefit that much from it. But then again, Sampras seems to love full-bed poly in one of his new Babolats. So go figure.

I wish I could offer you more certainty, but you're caught between two extremes here: (1) at higher tensions the stringbed locks up and you don't get as much spin because spin is dependent on the mains deflecting and then snapping back into place on impact, and (2) there is such a thing as too low wherein if you don't generate enough top you'll be launching moon shots.

Of all the reviews I've read of gut-poly hybrids, I don't think anyone has reported using an OS racket before, so realistically you're probably going to be something of a guinea pig here.

The risk of going too high is that while you may think it's ok you won't be getting the full benefits of spinniness. So my advice would be to go low, bottom-ish of your range, and then if it's still too powerful try putting in some string savers. That said, if you're not interested in potentially having to adjust your swings to generate more spin, then you should probably just stick to full bed gut and string it higher.
 
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a0f6459

Rookie
Thanks for the edit.

What you have described is the tough part for me of figuring out string setups.

I'm still in my early 30s, so I grew up playing tennis during the Agassi, Chang, Courier, and Sampras era. So basically, this is the style I was coached, which is to hit through the ball going low to high. I think my grip is between eastern and semi-western.

Back then, the only guy I saw hit with a western grip was a foreign exchange student from Spain who played on my high school team.


I know I'll always be a flatter hitter (does not mean no topspin, just not rafa type topspin) because of the way I learned to play tennis, but I would like my string setup to give me the spin when I need it, namely for consistency during rallys and extra spin to put away the short balls.
 

Smasher08

Legend
I know I'll always be a flatter hitter (does not mean no topspin, just not rafa type topspin) because of the way I learned to play tennis, but I would like my string setup to give me the spin when I need it, namely for consistency during rallys and extra spin to put away the short balls.

Given what you've said here, I'd say go for it.

First off, I don't think these strings will be durable enough for rafa-style swings, and second, you'll certainly benefit somewhat given what you said at the end there.

The copoly crosses should definitely take off at least some of the power you experience from gut crosses and you'll probably notice more spin in any event. But you should probably start low, near the bottom of your range, if only because you potentially stand to gain the most benefits from low tensions.

Good luck -- and please post your reviews!
 

a0f6459

Rookie
I know you can only give a general recommendation, but how does this tension sound?

I string synthetic guts at 65 lbs. Recently I strung some Performaxx whispertouch 1.2 gut at 65 and it was more powerful, yet manageable.

I have been wanting to try out Pacific Classic and read here that it was lower powered for a gut.

If I were to go Pacific Classic 17 main and Cofocus 1.18 cross do you think 63/58 would be low enough? Or should I go lower?
 

a0f6459

Rookie
After rereading your tension recommendation you said you go 1 below the MINIMUM. I kept think it was the mid point.

In that case for me I should give 59/55 a try? WOW, the thought of that seems like i'd be putting the ball into the fence every time. However, since I don't know the effect of poly in a hybrid I can only go by recommendations.

I string for myself so costs are manageable. You think 59/55 is a good starting point? Do you find yourself purposely having to apply more topspin to keep the ball in, or will a nice smooth natural swing do?
 

Smasher08

Legend
In that case for me I should give 59/55 a try? WOW, the thought of that seems like i'd be putting the ball into the fence every time. However, since I don't know the effect of poly in a hybrid I can only go by recommendations.

I string for myself so costs are manageable. You think 59/55 is a good starting point? Do you find yourself purposely having to apply more topspin to keep the ball in, or will a nice smooth natural swing do?

I'd say try 57x53. Remember that you'll naturally get more spin from the crosses. And if it's still launching, put in some string savers in the middle 5 or 6 mains about halfway between the sweetspot and the top cross. They'll have the effect of stiffening the tension by a couple of pounds.

All the rest will be trial and error. You may need to dial down your swings for a couple of hours until you get comfortable.

If it helps, remember that Djoker's tension is 56 and Fed 48.

Oh -- and I'm guessing that your 80s stick weighs 12+ oz. If not, that's the only scenario in which I would consider revising the tensions upwards.
 
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a0f6459

Rookie
Thanks Smasher

I believe it is 12.1 oz strung. So I should still try 57/53?

Also I am able to get my hands on Classic 17 and Cofocus 1.23.

Will that do? Is there a particular reason the cross is always thinner in the cross in your playtests? Will it make that big of a difference?
 

Smasher08

Legend
At tension, Pac Classic 17 sure looks quite a bit thinner: more like 1.20 or so.

And at least in theory, less surface area in contact between the mains and the crosses should mean less friction. Which helps explain why thinner gauges tend to correlate with more spin.

If you're doing Pac 17, I'd strongly encourage Co-Focus 1.18. In fact, I'd even suggest it wth Pac 16L.

As for racket weight. If you were wielding a significantly sub-12oz stick, I'd increase tensions by a couple of pounds. But because you're in need of a reference point, I'd suggest sticking to 57.

Oh, and one more thing: because the setup will need several hours to break in, give it at least 8-10 hours before coming to any firm conclusions about it, including the tension. It'll be at its least spinny the very first moment you hit with it, and after about 5-7 hours, you'll really notice the change.
 
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a0f6459

Rookie
Thanks for all your suggestions

I went with the Classic 16L and Cofocus 1.18

I guess I will have two attempts at this.

I will report back my results.
 

The Big Kahuna

Hall of Fame
PLAYTEST UPDATE:

After nearly a month of play - about 30+ hours of play - the following hybrid test is still playing consistently well with solid comfort, feel, control, and spin. Very minor notching. Great touch and nice power.

• Strings: KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52 / MSV Co-Focus 18 @ 48

Power: A-
Control: (+ ranked) A-
Feel: A
Comfort: (+ ranked) A
Spin: A+
OVERALL: A

Comments: Great ball pocketing and lively response. Very "Liquid" or "Airy" sensation when hitting ("Spaghetti Strings"?). Great bite on the ball - terrific spin potential. Slightly muted power (balls stayed in play). Larger sweet spot. Tons of dwell time.

After 6 hours of play with the MSV Co-Focus 18g hybrid @ 48 (with KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52) in my Head Youtek Prestige Pro I am ready to declare this playtest to an end. Every time I put down this racquet to try one with another poly (Weiss Silverstring or Kirshbaum Pro Line II) while they both feel very good, I can wait to get back to the MSV. The feel and ball pocketing is SO much better. I have never felt strings with so much comfort, spin, control, and feel. The power is dialed down just a tad from the other two strings, but more balls go IN the court as a result. My groundstrokes and serves are much more consistent than they have been with anything else to date and it feels like the racquet is simply an part of my arm - it is almost as if I am "throwing the ball" back. The sweet spot feels huge and the picketing is insane! I am totally addicted. It is really like a whole new game for me. Fantastic!

SMASHER, how is you test with Pacific as the mains and C0-Focus 18 ply in the crosses going?
 

jk175d

Semi-Pro
PLAYTEST UPDATE:

After nearly a month of play - about 30+ hours of play - the following hybrid test is still playing consistently well with solid comfort, feel, control, and spin. Very minor notching. Great touch and nice power.

• Strings: KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52 / MSV Co-Focus 18 @ 48

Power: A-
Control: (+ ranked) A-
Feel: A
Comfort: (+ ranked) A
Spin: A+
OVERALL: A

Comments: Great ball pocketing and lively response. Very "Liquid" or "Airy" sensation when hitting ("Spaghetti Strings"?). Great bite on the ball - terrific spin potential. Slightly muted power (balls stayed in play). Larger sweet spot. Tons of dwell time.

After 6 hours of play with the MSV Co-Focus 18g hybrid @ 48 (with KLIP Legend Tour 17g mains @ 52) in my Head Youtek Prestige Pro I am ready to declare this playtest to an end. Every time I put down this racquet to try one with another poly (Weiss Silverstring or Kirshbaum Pro Line II) while they both feel very good, I can wait to get back to the MSV. The feel and ball pocketing is SO much better. I have never felt strings with so much comfort, spin, control, and feel. The power is dialed down just a tad from the other two strings, but more balls go IN the court as a result. My groundstrokes and serves are much more consistent than they have been with anything else to date and it feels like the racquet is simply an part of my arm - it is almost as if I am "throwing the ball" back. The sweet spot feels huge and the picketing is insane! I am totally addicted. It is really like a whole new game for me. Fantastic!

SMASHER, how is you test with Pacific as the mains and C0-Focus 18 ply in the crosses going?

I got out today with a fresh stringing of VS and Co-focus 1.18. Previously I had only strung up the co-focus on a set of VS mains that already had gone through three other crosses, even then it felt great but the tension of the mains was probably lower than what I would normally do so this fresh stringing was a better test. I strung this one at 55/49 and it felt great off the bat. My feeling about the set-up is similar to yours. After five sets against hard hitters today there is no fraying or visiable notching. I think I've found my cross.
 

Smasher08

Legend
SMASHER, how is you test with Pacific as the mains and C0-Focus 18 ply in the crosses going?

Glad to hear the good results! I'm going to do an update shortly. Just over the 20 hour mark now and the notching has become exponential. Loving how it plays but I don't think it's going to last much longer!!
 

Smasher08

Legend
IMG_20110926_095326.jpg


Update - 20 hours

I don't know how much longer she'll last. The spin is just wonderful, but like I said, the notching is growing exponentially. I've put in about a dozen more string savers, but the notches are just ubiquitous and deep.

I'm not sure to what extent playing in slightly wet conditions had on the mains, but the notching took off like wildfire shortly after that. Also immediately noticeable was that I'd need to straighten out the mains a couple of times an hour.

Otherwise this setup has been phenomenal.and a real treat to hit with.

String movement: minor, intermittant
Power: excellent
Spin potential: outstanding*
Arm-friendliness: very good to excellent
Feel: very good
Fraying: virtually none
Notching: significant, widespread
Durability: good
 
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