PV Audio's Playtest Thread - Page 54

finalfantasy7 · 07-20-2011, 02:25 PM

ok, have u ever tried a full bed of Nat gut

pvaudio · 07-20-2011, 03:22 PM

Yes I have played full gut, but I don't like it. It just lacks the crisp feel that poly gives.

Got my new strings in today (and racquets!!!): MSV Co Focus 1.23 Midnight Blue and Hepta-Twist 1.25 Black. The Co Focus is probably the best looking poly string I have ever seen. The color is just so rich and looks incredibly high end. The Hepta-Twist, however, looks like every other black twisted poly, except for one difference: stringing. I'm sorry Jack, but the HT was easily one of the simplest polys to weave that I've ever strung. It reminded me exactly like B5E. I normally string my poly/gut racquets in about 18 mins, the gut/poly hybrid took just over 20, so it really wasn't bad at all. Got two racquets done: B5E/WT Pro and WT Pro/Hepta-Twist. Will update with pictures and formal stringing reviews later this evening. Playing at 8AM tomorrow. Both strung in my new frames too!!!

JackB1 · 07-20-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Yes I have played full gut, but I don't like it. It just lacks the crisp feel that poly gives.

Got my new strings in today (and racquets!!!): MSV Co Focus 1.23 Midnight Blue and Hepta-Twist 1.25 Black. The Co Focus is probably the best looking poly string I have ever seen. The color is just so rich and looks incredibly high end. The Hepta-Twist, however, looks like every other black twisted poly, except for one difference: stringing. I'm sorry Jack, but the HT was easily one of the simplest polys to weave that I've ever strung. It reminded me exactly like B5E. I normally string my poly/gut racquets in about 18 mins, the gut/poly hybrid took just over 20, so it really wasn't bad at all. Got two racquets done: B5E/WT Pro and WT Pro/Hepta-Twist. Will update with pictures and formal stringing reviews later this evening. Playing at 8AM tomorrow. Both strung in my new frames too!!!

I dont know....maybe it's just me???
You didn't find the Hepta super coily?

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 04:42 PM

No sir! Then again, I do have a reel of it, but even then, it's not obnoxious. I have BHBR in a reel, and that coils like a pit viper. The Hepta-Twist doesn't.

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 04:43 PM

New frames!!! Check out that paintjob, and less than $100 a piece!

mixedmedia · 07-21-2011, 04:53 PM

Awesome, PV, those look sweet!

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 05:07 PM

WhisperTouch Pro / MSV Hepta-Twist 1.25

Stringing: This wasn't bad at all, despite what the MSV looks like. The gut was easy to string up in the mains, and as you can see, no power pads were used here. The last time I used WT Pro mains, both sets snapped prematurely in my bag. That string, however, was during a rough spot in raw materials production. The set used for both playtests was purchased thereafter. All in all, very easy to string up. Strung at 49/47, no prestretch.

Groundstrokes: This is a very specific setup, and if you aren't familiar with it, it was chosen due to the following: http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...OFreporter.php

If you look, the setup with the lowest mu is the Tonic / Hepta-Twist hybrid. Since I don't use Babolat gut anymore as I prefer the feel of the Performaxx, I decided to make my own version of it. This yielded a very interesting stringbed for a number of reasons. The biggest feature is the power, and my goodness, is there a lot of it! This is likely due both to stringing the natural gut mains below 50lbs, and also due to the MSV in itself being rather lively. There is also a very generous amount of spin that this setup provides, but it isn't the greatest or greater than a full poly bed by any measure. It is, however, far more comfortable and easier to generate heavy shots due to the obscene power and healthy spin.

Here, however, is the caveat: if you do NOT employ a strong low-high swing path, your shots WILL be going long. I do not believe in the theory of "effortless" spin, as physics cannot be beaten by tennis racquet strings. You cannot impart rotation on the ball just by the material in the stringbed if there is no additional momentum applied. In other words, you don't get spin unless you swing to generate it. With this setup, you can generate spin very easily which results in an extremely heavy ball. However, if you flatten out your shots, make sure you realize that it better be a putaway or a higher percentage shot. The same applies to backspin and sidespin. Due to the nature of these shots, if you don't get the trajectory correct, the balls will land long. If you do get the trajectory right, you won't believe how much your slices penetrate the court and skid.
Overall: 9/10

Serves: This is a great serving setup if you employ topspin on your serve like I do. Reason is listed above: you get excellent power and excellent spin. However, flat serves are more difficult to work with. It results in lower percentages, but this is also advantageous. If you are normally putting up a very heavy serve with lots of movement, and then flatten out the next, the change in pace is extraordinary and can truly throw the opponent off. However, note again that these can go wide and long if you're not careful.
Overall: 8.5/10

Volleys: The same applies here as well. WT Pro provides incredible feel, so it's easy to direct your volleys exactly where you want them as far as azimuth goes. It is NOT easy, however, to get the depth just right. You need to be putting the volleys away to hit with confidence every time. Shorter angles increase the chances of the ball going long, but they are excellent for longer paths. With the natural gut in the mains, touch shots are technically simple, however you may be surprised that the ball goes farther than you were expecting. Get it right, and that ball can definitely hop back over the net.
Overall: 8.5/10

Durability: Not sure here. I only played both setups for a total of 1 hour between the two, with this having less play time since I was getting used to my new frame with the go-to string setup for a reference. Nonetheless, the gut isn't really going to pot yet, but the poly IS moving all over the place. What this means at this point, I don't know. Time will tell if the MSV goes dead first or the gut gets shredded.
Overall: Too Early/10

This is a very good setup, but it still isn't quite my cup of tea. I used to play with gut mains, and going back to them brought back all of the reasons why I did. You get effortless power, great control, and excellent feel. However, time and again, I picked up the B5E mains racquet and didn't put it down until I reminded myself I was playtesting this setup as well. It's excellent, but it's just not as good as gut crosses for me. I do, however, recommend that people try it.

Overall: 9.15/10

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 05:23 PM

4D200 Tour Review with B5E / WT Pro

Stringing: Done already numerous times, so I won't bother. Only difference here is that there is one less cross to weave compared to my AG100s. Strung at 47/49, no prestretch.

Groundstrokes: As can probably be inferred, this is truly a review of the 4D200 Tour as I use this string setup as my go to. Compared with the AG100, you get outstanding plowthrough, more spin, more control and exceptional comfort. HOWEVER! This frame is like a fair mediator: you are rewarded for your efforts, and punished for your laziness. If you get your preparation down and your footwork hustling, it essentially takes care of exactly what you want to do with the ball. However, if you're a lazy shuffler and don't get your racquet in position properly, you'll feel it. The racquet is too heavy to get away with it unlike with the AG100. To this point, compared to before, my proper shots were far better, but my mediocre shots were in fact worse. It's more comfortable than my AG100, and makes a far better sound (perhaps due to the larger stringbed). I think that like when I bought my HotMelt 200G in 7th grade, it's going to train me to improve my game so I get that excellence every time. When you do get it, it's second to none.
Overall: 9.75/10

Serves: Fantastic, but the above notion still applies. If your timing is off or your toss out of place, the racquet will either will be too early, or drag and be too late. This yields less power and a harsh reminder that you shouldn't have hit that toss. If you do get it right, the stick again takes care of you and does exactly what you envisoned. Again, makes you want to practice so you get that sweet spot every time.
Overall: 9.5/10

Volleys: Strangely, this is where this racquet really showed its brilliance. Since volleys aren't supposed to be swung at, the extra weight really takes care of your volleys for you. Simply begin the volley, and physics takes care of the rest. It feels so incredibly solid and stable compared to the AG100 which felt as though it could be moved around by the opponent's shot. Not so here. As a frequent net player in singles, this is a welcome benefit for my new and improved game.
Overall: 10/10

Durability: Didn't play long enough as I said in the MSV review, but I've reviewed this hybrid to death. I don't expect anything different. The mains are still grid straight and the crosses aren't flailing around. As good as always.
Overall: 9/10

Put simply, this is an astounding frame. I was right, and it fits my game perfectly. It feels like a piece of precision equipment, and plays so solidly. I have played every 200 Dunlop has made since the Muscle Weave. No matter what other frame I switch to, I've found myself over the past decade coming back to the 200 line. This is by far the best of the lot. I will say this: I do not like the 18x20 version of this racquet. It feels as though the string pattern is holding back the frame from doing what it does best: put solid, heavy balls back over the net. With the open string pattern, the extra power removes this hindrance. If you play a true all-court style, give it a demo.

Overall: 10/10

JackB1 · 07-21-2011, 07:09 PM

Nice reviews PV. Regarding your gut/hepta hybrid, I can't believe u went that low in tension on the gut mains! Its usually not a good idea to go below 55 for gut mains or you will have too much power. Next time try 56/52 and it will play much better.

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 07:29 PM

I tried it at 52/55 I believe and didn't like it too much. I'm too hooked on low tension poly, and besides, WhisperTouch is not even remotely as lively as a Babolat gut. The setup is excellent, and I mean really rather good. YOu just need to make sure you put spin on it, and if you do, the heaviness of the shots is incredible. Definitely heavier than B5E/WT, but you can hit with less variety because the power is always there, not there when you want it like with poly mains. It is indeed incredibly academic.

pvaudio · 07-21-2011, 09:50 PM

Oops that was supposed to be 55/52, or maybe it was 53/50, no idea. I'd have to check earlier in this thread

JackB1 · 07-22-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvaudio

I tried it at 52/55 I believe and didn't like it too much. I'm too hooked on low tension poly, and besides, WhisperTouch is not even remotely as lively as a Babolat gut. The setup is excellent, and I mean really rather good. YOu just need to make sure you put spin on it, and if you do, the heaviness of the shots is incredible. Definitely heavier than B5E/WT, but you can hit with less variety because the power is always there, not there when you want it like with poly mains. It is indeed incredibly academic.

So your fav still is B5E mains / WT crosses?

Isn't nat gut a pain to weave? I only have tried gut/poly hybrids cause I like soft feel. I am tempted to try B5E/gut. Which has more spin? B5E/gut or gut/B5E?

pvaudio · 07-22-2011, 06:39 AM

No sir, I've never had a problem weaving natural gut. It's about as annoying as a very easy to weave poly. The only difference is that you really need to pay attention when pulling it through. Unlike with any other string (and i know you know this given you play gut mains, I'm just saying for everyone else

), if it even begins to kink, stop, put in some slack, then pull extremely slowly. Accidentally pulling on a kink likely won't break it (not tensioning, just pulling), but the next time you do tension it....brrrrrrrr POP!

JackB1 · 07-22-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

So your fav still is B5E mains / WT crosses?

Isn't nat gut a pain to weave? I only have tried gut/poly hybrids cause I like soft feel. I am tempted to try B5E/gut. Which has more spin? B5E/gut or gut/B5E?

Thanks for that answer about weaving gut. WHat about the other questions in bold?

pvaudio · 07-22-2011, 06:55 AM

Ah my bad, I missed that lol

I would say that in this case, B5E mains win. I've always found that gut mains setups with smooth crosses yield the most spin. That's why I'm excited to try the Co Focus since it's a nice smooth poly string. The spin from B5E mains is hard to beat. It's earth shattering, but the string provides so much control that it's exceptional to have that spin as a part of the arsenal.

JackB1 · 07-22-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Ah my bad, I missed that lol

I would say that in this case, B5E mains win. I've always found that gut mains setups with smooth crosses yield the most spin. That's why I'm excited to try the Co Focus since it's a nice smooth poly string. The spin from B5E mains is hard to beat. It's earth shattering, but the string provides so much control that it's exceptional to have that spin as a part of the arsenal.

SO u are saying B5E/gut beats gut/B5E, but a gut/smoother poly might be the best of all? I am a little confused? Your response in bold seems contradictory.

I usually opt for smooth round polys for my crosses and these are great choices:

-Proline2
-Black Magic
-Sonic Pro
-VPro
-Hyperion

pvaudio · 07-22-2011, 08:29 AM

Nope, that's not what I meant. I meant that in this case, the poly in the mains yields more spin as I've found that smooth poly crosses yield more spin than rough poly crosses. Since B5E is a rough poly, the poly mains in a gut hybrid here yield more spin.

mikeler · 07-22-2011, 09:06 AM

When are you going to test the Genesis Thunder Blast? I did a little write up in my multis thread this morning, really good stuff as a cross with B5E mains. Soft, yet crisp with great spin due to the rough texture. I could really flatten out balls with confidence.

pvaudio · 07-22-2011, 11:28 AM

Dunno, it's just chilling on the loveseat behind me. Once I'm fully used to the new stick, then I'll be more adventurous

mikeler · 07-22-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Dunno, it's just chilling on the loveseat behind me. Once I'm fully used to the new stick, then I'll be more adventurous

C'mon, try it out in one of the new "girls". Have a good weekend.

07-21-2011, 05:07 PM	#1067
pvaudio Legend Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7,475	WhisperTouch Pro / MSV Hepta-Twist 1.23 *WhisperTouch Pro / MSV Hepta-Twist 1.25* Stringing: This wasn't bad at all, despite what the MSV looks like. The gut was easy to string up in the mains, and as you can see, no power pads were used here. The last time I used WT Pro mains, both sets snapped prematurely in my bag. That string, however, was during a rough spot in raw materials production. The set used for both playtests was purchased thereafter. All in all, very easy to string up. Strung at 49/47, no prestretch. Groundstrokes: This is a very specific setup, and if you aren't familiar with it, it was chosen due to the following: http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...OFreporter.php If you look, the setup with the lowest mu is the Tonic / Hepta-Twist hybrid. Since I don't use Babolat gut anymore as I prefer the feel of the Performaxx, I decided to make my own version of it. This yielded a very interesting stringbed for a number of reasons. The biggest feature is the power, and my goodness, is there a lot of it! This is likely due both to stringing the natural gut mains below 50lbs, and also due to the MSV in itself being rather lively. There is also a very generous amount of spin that this setup provides, but it isn't the greatest or greater than a full poly bed by any measure. It is, however, far more comfortable and easier to generate heavy shots due to the obscene power and healthy spin. Here, however, is the caveat: if you do NOT employ a strong low-high swing path, your shots WILL be going long. I do not believe in the theory of "effortless" spin, as physics cannot be beaten by tennis racquet strings. You cannot impart rotation on the ball just by the material in the stringbed if there is no additional momentum applied. In other words, you don't get spin unless you swing to generate it. With this setup, you can generate spin very easily which results in an extremely heavy ball. However, if you flatten out your shots, make sure you realize that it better be a putaway or a higher percentage shot. The same applies to backspin and sidespin. Due to the nature of these shots, if you don't get the trajectory correct, the balls will land long. If you do get the trajectory right, you won't believe how much your slices penetrate the court and skid. *Overall:* 9/10 Serves: This is a great serving setup if you employ topspin on your serve like I do. Reason is listed above: you get excellent power and excellent spin. However, flat serves are more difficult to work with. It results in lower percentages, but this is also advantageous. If you are normally putting up a very heavy serve with lots of movement, and then flatten out the next, the change in pace is extraordinary and can truly throw the opponent off. However, note again that these can go wide and long if you're not careful. *Overall:* 8.5/10 Volleys: The same applies here as well. WT Pro provides incredible feel, so it's easy to direct your volleys exactly where you want them as far as azimuth goes. It is NOT easy, however, to get the depth just right. You need to be putting the volleys away to hit with confidence every time. Shorter angles increase the chances of the ball going long, but they are excellent for longer paths. With the natural gut in the mains, touch shots are technically simple, however you may be surprised that the ball goes farther than you were expecting. Get it right, and that ball can definitely hop back over the net. *Overall:* 8.5/10 Durability: Not sure here. I only played both setups for a total of 1 hour between the two, with this having less play time since I was getting used to my new frame with the go-to string setup for a reference. Nonetheless, the gut isn't really going to pot yet, but the poly IS moving all over the place. What this means at this point, I don't know. Time will tell if the MSV goes dead first or the gut gets shredded. *Overall:* Too Early/10 This is a very good setup, but it still isn't quite my cup of tea. I used to play with gut mains, and going back to them brought back all of the reasons why I did. You get effortless power, great control, and excellent feel. However, time and again, I picked up the B5E mains racquet and didn't put it down until I reminded myself I was playtesting this setup as well. It's excellent, but it's just not as good as gut crosses for me. I do, however, recommend that people try it. *Overall: 9.15/10* Last edited by pvaudio : 07-21-2011 at 05:31 PM.

07-21-2011, 05:23 PM	#1068
pvaudio Legend Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7,475	Dunlop 4D200 Tour review *4D200 Tour Review with B5E / WT Pro* Stringing: Done already numerous times, so I won't bother. Only difference here is that there is one less cross to weave compared to my AG100s. Strung at 47/49, no prestretch. Groundstrokes: As can probably be inferred, this is truly a review of the 4D200 Tour as I use this string setup as my go to. Compared with the AG100, you get outstanding plowthrough, more spin, more control and exceptional comfort. HOWEVER! This frame is like a fair mediator: you are rewarded for your efforts, and punished for your laziness. If you get your preparation down and your footwork hustling, it essentially takes care of exactly what you want to do with the ball. However, if you're a lazy shuffler and don't get your racquet in position properly, you'll feel it. The racquet is too heavy to get away with it unlike with the AG100. To this point, compared to before, my proper shots were far better, but my mediocre shots were in fact worse. It's more comfortable than my AG100, and makes a far better sound (perhaps due to the larger stringbed). I think that like when I bought my HotMelt 200G in 7th grade, it's going to train me to improve my game so I get that excellence every time. When you do get it, it's second to none. *Overall:* 9.75/10 Serves: Fantastic, but the above notion still applies. If your timing is off or your toss out of place, the racquet will either will be too early, or drag and be too late. This yields less power and a harsh reminder that you shouldn't have hit that toss. If you do get it right, the stick again takes care of you and does exactly what you envisoned. Again, makes you want to practice so you get that sweet spot every time. *Overall:* 9.5/10 Volleys: Strangely, this is where this racquet really showed its brilliance. Since volleys aren't supposed to be swung at, the extra weight really takes care of your volleys for you. Simply begin the volley, and physics takes care of the rest. It feels so incredibly solid and stable compared to the AG100 which felt as though it could be moved around by the opponent's shot. Not so here. As a frequent net player in singles, this is a welcome benefit for my new and improved game. *Overall:* 10/10 Durability: Didn't play long enough as I said in the MSV review, but I've reviewed this hybrid to death. I don't expect anything different. The mains are still grid straight and the crosses aren't flailing around. As good as always. *Overall:* 9/10 Put simply, this is an astounding frame. I was right, and it fits my game perfectly. It feels like a piece of precision equipment, and plays so solidly. I have played every 200 Dunlop has made since the Muscle Weave. No matter what other frame I switch to, I've found myself over the past decade coming back to the 200 line. This is by far the best of the lot. I will say this: I do not like the 18x20 version of this racquet. It feels as though the string pattern is holding back the frame from doing what it does best: put solid, heavy balls back over the net. With the open string pattern, the extra power removes this hindrance. If you play a true all-court style, give it a demo. *Overall: 10/10* Last edited by pvaudio : 07-21-2011 at 05:32 PM.

07-21-2011, 07:09 PM	#1069
JackB1 Legend Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 8,450	Nice reviews PV. Regarding your gut/hepta hybrid, I can't believe u went that low in tension on the gut mains! Its usually not a good idea to go below 55 for gut mains or you will have too much power. Next time try 56/52 and it will play much better. __________________ Wilson Black Blade 104 (since 5/1/13) - NXT Tour / Copoly at 55/51

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