RPM is about as close to soft as I am to Eva Mendes.
I think there is a difference in what people consider "soft". There is "soft", as in MSV Hex and RPM Blast, but then there is "SOFT", as in Polyfibre TCS and Polystar Energy. Unfortunately, I don't think "soft" is good enough. "SOFT" is what's needed in many cases. And to add to that, there is "SOFT" with spongyness, and "SOFT" with feel. That's where PS Energy differs. It's very unique. "SOFT" TCS is just spongy, without feel. "SOFT" Energy has tremendous feel, control, and power.
If you need "SOFT" then why bother with anything other than natty gut?
Also, nat gut doesn't even come CLOSE to the spin level of PS Energy and the power level isn't as controllable. Nat gut feels "stiff" but generates a ton of power, while PS Energy feels soft while offering similar power, along with more spin. Let's say natty gut is "crisp" and PS Energy is "comfortable".
Nothing wrong with nat gut, but if you string your own frames and can afford to do it every week or so, then PS Energy is a better option.
:roll: Spin has ruined tennis. To me, I find it laughable that one would say there is a better string than natural gut, but hey, to each their own. And for the time it takes to restring several frames, doing it every week is just simply not an option.
So you are after soft and spin? Well might as well add in power and feel.
Polystar energy is the one buddy.
But it's also a poly, right? So it's naturally stiffer than most multis, which means there's a greater risk of eventually injuring your arm.It's actually pretty hilarious. PS Energy really DOES have it all.... comfort, spin, power, feel, and control.
The only drawback is longevity. I'd say you can get maybe 4-6 hours out of it before it becomes uncontrollable. But up until then, it's the perfect string.
But it's also a poly, right? So it's naturally stiffer than most multis, which means there's a greater risk of eventually injuring your arm.
I've yet to hit with ANY poly string that didn't hurt my arm, even the ones advertised to be "very soft".
Hey TonyB, what tension are you using for PS, and what racquet? I'm curious, because while I agree that PS is a very good poly (albeit for only a brief period of time), the spin you speak of generating with this string is what I find interesting. Mind you, I'm quite capable of generating respectable spin with the likes of a basic synthetic, hence my technique is quite sound. I just didn't find PS to be in the same league as Tour Bite, Cyclone, and several other popular polys, which seems to be the kind of spin you're producing with PS. I used it in a Volkl MP Classic at 53, by the way. I've also tried it in a hybrid, but I can't recall the tension--I'd have to look it up when I get home.
Same here - I used PolyStar Energy and didn't find it exhibiting the properties you speak of. Maybe I had it too tight. In a Head Extreme 100, I had it at 55lbs for the mains and 59 for Goshen SG 17 in the crosses.
In comparison, I've tried MSV Hex at 50 in the mains and Goshen SG 17 in the crosses at 55 and could generate crazy spin with great power and a really nice "pop", but was spraying about 1/3 of the balls past the baseline 1-2' with good full swings. I was out of MSV so I tried the PolyStar/Goshen combo at 55/59 and I didn't notice much spin, liveliness, etc.. Did I have it too tight?
Why are your crosses tension so much higher than your mains?
Well to do a proper comparison between the two different set up, you need to be at the same tension. But yes, you probably strung the crosses too high at 60 lbs
Probably wrongly, I upped the SG tension because it is so much more elastic than the poly.
Should I have just put the poly and SG at the same tension?
There are numerous schools of thought on this issue. I for one string the more elastic string at a higher tension. I do NOT however string mains and crosses differently if using a full bed. I play poly/syn or poly/gut, and I play my poly in the high 40s. While syn gut is not very powerful, it is far less stiff than poly so I want to try and make a more uniform stringbed stiffness. Now, to be fair, the stringbed stiffness IS uniform no matter what and you'll never match the stiffness of the mains' contribution to that of the crosses presuming a poly hybrid. This is especially the case when using natural gut. To me it basically comes down to the fact that normally, you wouldn't play a synthetic in the low 50s or high 40s, but you shouldn't string it at your normal 58 when you want to play poly at 50. You'll get a very interesting head shape if you did that. So, by upping that tension, you get the elastic string closer to the range it was "meant" to be played in. I have done it both ways (tension same on both m/c) and truth be told found no difference in playability. It's more of habit now. On Yonex frames, the story is different, as you are meant to lower the crosses.Probably wrongly, I upped the SG tension because it is so much more elastic than the poly.
Should I have just put the poly and SG at the same tension?
Hey TonyB, what tension are you using for PS, and what racquet? I'm curious, because while I agree that PS is a very good poly (albeit for only a brief period of time), the spin you speak of generating with this string is what I find interesting. Mind you, I'm quite capable of generating respectable spin with the likes of a basic synthetic, hence my technique is quite sound. I just didn't find PS to be in the same league as Tour Bite, Cyclone, and several other popular polys, which seems to be the kind of spin you're producing with PS. I used it in a Volkl MP Classic at 53, by the way. I've also tried it in a hybrid, but I can't recall the tension--I'd have to look it up when I get home.
You most likely eventually will as you get older, especially if you hit flat and use a small headed racquet.Not everybody has sore arms after using polys you know. V
You most likely eventually will as you get older, especially if you hit flat and use a small headed racquet.
I think there is a difference in what people consider "soft". There is "soft", as in MSV Hex and RPM Blast, but then there is "SOFT", as in Polyfibre TCS and Polystar Energy. Unfortunately, I don't think "soft" is good enough. "SOFT" is what's needed in many cases. And to add to that, there is "SOFT" with spongyness, and "SOFT" with feel. That's where PS Energy differs. It's very unique. "SOFT" TCS is just spongy, without feel. "SOFT" Energy has tremendous feel, control, and power.
If there is another string that is similar to Energy, I would love to try it. Some have said that Black Magic is similar, but I haven't tried it yet so I cannot say.
I want a soft poly with good spin. I am thinking of trying the Luxilon BB Ace 18 string, since i rarely break strings.
But do you hit flat?How much older? I'm 43 and I've used a 90 sq. in. frame practically forever. I've been using polys exclusively for several years. I suppose if I used a stiff poly at high tensions in a stiff frame, I would have problems. But if you're smart about your equipment and watch out for signs of arm problems, you can use pretty much whatever equipment you want.
Fact is, since I switched to PS Energy from Tour Bite, my arm feels better and doesn't get "tired" like it used to. But I've never suffered from tennis elbow from any frame or string, but I've always used small (90-93 sq. in.), heavy (12+ oz.), headlight frames.
It's actually pretty hilarious. PS Energy really DOES have it all.... comfort, spin, power, feel, and control.
The only drawback is longevity. I'd say you can get maybe 4-6 hours out of it before it becomes uncontrollable. But up until then, it's the perfect string.
How much older? I'm 43 and I've used a 90 sq. in. frame practically forever. I've been using polys exclusively for several years. I suppose if I used a stiff poly at high tensions in a stiff frame, I would have problems. But if you're smart about your equipment and watch out for signs of arm problems, you can use pretty much whatever equipment you want.
Fact is, since I switched to PS Energy from Tour Bite, my arm feels better and doesn't get "tired" like it used to. But I've never suffered from tennis elbow from any frame or string, but I've always used small (90-93 sq. in.), heavy (12+ oz.), headlight frames.
But do you hit flat?
Yes, stringing poly at super low tensions can only help and using a heavy racquet always helps, too.
BP, I agree with you that any poly is still stiffer than most multis... until I tried PS Energy. I string with a dropweight and PS Energy stretches like "some" multis do on there... not on par with "soft multis", but it stretches like No Other poly...
I loved the string, but hated the fact that it would go from glorious in the first couple hours to horrendous after about hour 4-5. It really does drop tension and becomes a launcher, also like no other poly (most others become stiff, and brick-like over time).
If liking polys but dreading the dead feel of it after several hours, why not just switch to Tecnifibre Bi-Phase at higher tensions (chose 17; better feel than the 16 or 18 )?
It usually snaps anyways before it dies out; way better than a dead string!
On occasions though when it breaks at the 10-minute marker and I only brought 3 racquets then it sucks because I have to borrow racquets from the opponent.
LOL, for the people who dont break x-ones in about 3 hours, and try to use it full bed, its the biggest rocket launcher!!!! after about the 4 hour mark! you have to cut it out.
its in exactly the same boat as Polystar energy, awesome for the first 3 hours, then SUX badly. but you get about 7/8 hours in the Polystars.
trust me, im an expert x-one user, hence my name.
be smart and use x-ones in the mains and cheap syn gut in the crosses!! you cant go wrong there, it would only last 2/3 hours though for big hitters
I trust you, loved it so much that but dread the fact I have to carry so many racquets because the strings snaps way too early for me. Never had a dead string feel from X-1s; it's broken before it's dead.
BP, I agree with you that any poly is still stiffer than most multis... until I tried PS Energy. I string with a dropweight and PS Energy stretches like "some" multis do on there... not on par with "soft multis", but it stretches like No Other poly...
I loved the string, but hated the fact that it would go from glorious in the first couple hours to horrendous after about hour 4-5. It really does drop tension and becomes a launcher, also like no other poly (most others become stiff, and brick-like over time).
This is exactly right. Unfortunately, I absolutely LOVE the power, feel, and control of the PS Energy, despite the short lifespan, so I find myself having to restring quite often. I totally agree that it goes from "I've found Heaven!" to "This stuff sucks!" almost instantly when you hit the 6-hour mark (sometimes less).
And yes, at the 6-hour mark, the spin potential drops like a rock and the power level goes off the charts, which is 180-degrees opposite of just about every other poly I've ever used. But up until then, the performance is absolutely unreal.
However, most other polys just plain "suck" after 8 hours or so anyway. They lose their pop, the spin potential goes downhill, and they start to hurt your arm. So, for the sake of losing a couple hours' worth of playtime, I prefer to restring a little sooner with PS Energy and cradle my arm in sheer bliss for the next 6 hours on the court.
Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?
I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.
Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?
I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.
Probably you already know but it belongs to the poly family, quite like the whole lotta polys these days claiming to be soft-ER. Like switching brands when in fact only about 4 (1 in France, 1 in Japan and 2 in Germany) are producing the various strings marketed across the tennis sphere.
BP, I agree with you that any poly is still stiffer than most multis... until I tried PS Energy. I string with a dropweight and PS Energy stretches like "some" multis do on there... not on par with "soft multis", but it stretches like No Other poly...
I loved the string, but hated the fact that it would go from glorious in the first couple hours to horrendous after about hour 4-5. It really does drop tension and becomes a launcher, also like no other poly (most others become stiff, and brick-like over time).
I finally settled on Pacific Gut 16L main/ WC Mosquito Bite cross setup. MBite plays soft and compliments gut well, as it neither gets harsh like some polys (lux) nor trampoline-ish like Energy over time. I hit flat with a 12.5 oz 18x20 flexy frame from 1995. I'm in the camp that would play full gut if I could afford, so Gut/MBite is the closest I've found "feel-wise", and the setup has up to 3x durability as full gut, with a bit better control and no noticeable loss of comfort.
For a 'feel' oriented poly, MBite has an edge on PS Energy, in my experience. PS Energy also didn't pair well with gut like MBite did, for me.
Full PS Energy though is great for those willing to restring every 4-5 hours, who don't want to use gut... it's cost effective for self-stringers and plays great when fresh (PS Turbo has same feel & longevity as Energy, with more spin for those wanting that).
Polystar being one of those who actually manufacture strings.
Has anyone tried PS Strike? Ordered a set out of curiosity as it get pretty good write ups. Also got PS Energy black and Classic coming. Think PS will provide just what I am after for my Xi which definitely does not suit the gut/poly hybrid I have in there currently.
Are you guys absolutely sure PS Energy is really made of polyester?
I would consider giving it a try but I swore to myself I would never risk using another poly ever again.