interesting take on head strings from local tennis school

[K1Y]

A tennis school is stationed at one of the big local clubs (I'm not a member) and they run a stringing service there. For their poly's they sell only head strings. This is how they order them:

Bronze level:
string: head lynx tour 1,25 (champagne)
qualities: durable
cost + labor: 20 euro

silver level:
string: head sonic pro 1,25 (black)
quality: durable and power
cost + labor: 22 euro

Gold level:
string: head lynx 1,20 (red)
quality: durable and control
cost + labor: 24 euro

platinum level:
string: head hawk 1,25 (grey/silver)
quality: durable, control, spin
cost + labor: 26 euro

opinions on this?
mine:
-how is sonic pro an 'upgrade' from lynx tour? why do they charge more for a cheap string?
-regular lynx more control than lynx tour? whats going on here ? head wouldnt approve of this..even using the thinner gauge?
- hawk is the best string? or just the most expensive..

I can't upload the photo I took but take my word for it. Couldnt ask the stringer there because he is on vacation.

 

[Shaolin]

Marketing BS. Pay no attention to it.

 

[happyandbob]

it's like a wine list at a restaurant. the second cheapest wine on a wine list is always the one with the highest markup because it will invariably be the best seller.

seems like that stringing service is using the same approach to maximize profits.

 

[esgee48]

If you are ignorant about string characteristics, you would go by cost, either most or least. Me? It would be Lynx Tour and ignore any upsell attempts. The other strings are ok but not up to LT performance levels.

 

[ryushen21]

I would not consider that to be a reliable list. As others have said, it's a marketing ploy: push the cheaper strings as the better option and charge more for them.

Lynx Tour is hands down the best string on that list.

 

[Tennisist]

Head Hawk is the most expensive poly from Head. So is in this list.
Sonic Pro has been the best for me, and is probably popular among others. So, strategically positioned second on their list.

 

[K1Y]

Marketing BS. Pay no attention to it.

yeah right? Could be no other way.. adding the bronze, silver, gold, plat was red flag.
thanks!

it's like a wine list at a restaurant. the second cheapest wine on a wine list is always the one with the highest markup because it will invariably be the best seller.

seems like that stringing service is using the same approach to maximize profits.

I actually didnt know about this second-cheapest wine phenomenon, I usually know which wine I want. But yes I'd agree this is exactly the second cheapest wine theory applied to a string service.. The club members are mostly older people and juniors. They dont know the strings, perfect audience for this marketing trick. Who wants the bronze? very few

If you are ignorant about string characteristics, you would go by cost, either most or least. Me? It would be Lynx Tour and ignore any upsell attempts. The other strings are ok but not up to LT performance levels.

Wouldn't expect anything less from you. I'd think LT is the best too. Although the coach from the tennisschool of the top juniors playing there (some play national level) advises them to play with regular lynx. I think thats due to more arm friendlyness and easier power. Id would let them try out low tension lynx tour tho or lynx tour/sg hybrid.

I would not consider that to be a reliable list. As others have said, it's a marketing ploy: push the cheaper strings as the better option and charge more for them.

Lynx Tour is hands down the best string on that list.

Thanks for adding confirmation sir. I agree. Just the whole bronze silver gold **** says it all.

Head Hawk is the most expensive poly from Head. So is in this list.
Sonic Pro has been the best for me, and is probably popular among others. So, strategically positioned second on their list.

Have you tried the others? why did sonic pro work the best for you?

 

[Matthew Lee]

I would not consider that to be a reliable list. As others have said, it's a marketing ploy: push the cheaper strings as the better option and charge more for them.

Lynx Tour is hands down the best string on that list.

Really confusing list. All of the strings are fine and all, but I also personally thought that Lynx Tour was the best out of the four. Interesting list I must say :/

 

[Tennisist]

Have you tried the others? why did sonic pro work the best for you?

Yes, here is my experience:
Head Hawk - was great when new. Then Stiffened up in a few short days, and became very stiff and board-like. No feel, no power.
Head Lynx Tour - remained constant for many weeks, but kind of average in all respects. Not bad, but nothing outstanding either.
Head Lynx — was too lively for me, even from the start. Probably needs higher tension than usual. Was lacking byte.
Sonic Pro — had very good power, and retained it even as it aged. And I love the feel : trampoliny, but I like it. Compared to most polys which go dead on me, this one did not. It’s only drawback is that it is round and not as bitey as some other sharp, spin-honed polys.

 

[K1Y]

Yes, here is my experience:
Head Hawk - was great when new. Then Stiffened up in a few short days, and became very stiff and board-like. No feel, no power.
Head Lynx Tour - remained constant for many weeks, but kind of average in all respects. Not bad, but nothing outstanding either.
Head Lynx — was too lively for me, even from the start. Probably needs higher tension than usual. Was lacking byte.
Sonic Pro — had very good power, and retained it even as it aged. And I love the feel : trampoliny, but I like it. Compared to most polys which go dead on me, this one did not. It’s only drawback is that it is round and not as bitey as some other sharp, spin-honed polys.

thankyou for great insight! what is the difference to you when you describe lively from lynx that you didnt like and power, trampoliney from sonic that you did? arent lively and power kinda the same?

 

[Tennisist]

Sonic pro was much more subdued than Lynx. On slow shots, it responded like a typical low power poly. Only on big shots, like serve, the trampoliny effect would show up.
Whereas with Lynx, the ball was bouncing for me all over the place, even on weak shots (in doubles). I had no control and did not like it.