PV Audio's Playtest Thread

[pvaudio]

I think I'm going to try an extremely random test (literally random, I selected a main and cross using a random number generator lol). Tour Bite mains, MCS crosses.

[mctennis]

Originally Posted by mikeler

PVAudio,

The Whisper Touch had a quick death in my bag. I did hit about 40 serves with it but that is all I got to try it out for. Anyhoo, there was some lively discussion on another thread about using power pads to prevent the gut from breaking where it did. Take a look at the pic below and let me know what you think:

I always use power pads with gut string. If not, you get what you have a picture of here. At least for me that's what always ends up happening way too soon with gut.

[Up&comer]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

I think I'm going to try an extremely random test (literally random, I selected a main and cross using a random number generator lol). Tour Bite mains, MCS crosses.

The thread lives!!!!!

Also, be ready to get some low durability out of that.

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by Up&comer

The thread lives!!!!!

Also, be ready to get some low durability out of that.

This thread, my son, shall never cease

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by Ramon

So I'm the moron for being the one who doesn't want a string that breaks prematurely and demands that I always have to keep an eye out in case it starts to rain? I'd argue it's the other way around, sir.

If you get any natural fiber wet, cold, too hot, too dry, you are changing its physical properties. Take any given piece of tissue, and apply excess fluid, a dessicant, heat or cold. You'll end up with four radically looking histology slides! The point is that no matter how "good" the gut is, it's still made from natural fibers. Natural fibers are sensitive to ambient conditions. If not, why package them in foil? Store them out of the sun? Not keep them in your bag in the summer or winter, but in the spring and fall you're okay? That's just part of how they work.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

This thread, my son, shall never cease

We need this grad school semester to end so we can hear about more playtests. Are you done with finals this week?

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

If you get any natural fiber wet, cold, too hot, too dry, you are changing its physical properties. Take any given piece of tissue, and apply excess fluid, a dessicant, heat or cold. You'll end up with four radically looking histology slides! The point is that no matter how "good" the gut is, it's still made from natural fibers. Natural fibers are sensitive to ambient conditions. If not, why package them in foil? Store them out of the sun? Not keep them in your bag in the summer or winter, but in the spring and fall you're okay? That's just part of how they work.

That's true. I played with VS gut several years ago. I never had a problem with it. It was probably the best string I ever played with. I just didn't think the price was worth the incremental improvement over the better synthetics.

I also remembered when I've seen other players whose strings broke on their own due to the weather. In one instance, I remember a guy who played an hour after his racquet was strung (a mistake), and then his strings lost all their tension. I don't mean a 20% drop, I mean a 100% drop. The strings were literally sagging.

I still might consider gut because if my arm doesn't get any better, that's going to be my best choice. I would hope the coatings they use nowadays have improved gut's resistance to weather.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ramon

That's true. I played with VS gut several years ago. I never had a problem with it. It was probably the best string I ever played with. I just didn't think the price was worth the incremental improvement over the better synthetics.

I also remembered when I've seen other players whose strings broke on their own due to the weather. In one instance, I remember a guy who played an hour after his racquet was strung (a mistake), and then his strings lost all their tension. I don't mean a 20% drop, I mean a 100% drop. The strings were literally sagging.

I still might consider gut because if my arm doesn't get any better, that's going to be my best choice. I would hope the coatings they use nowadays have improved gut's resistance to weather.

I know you like more durable strings, but don't kill your arm to save the strings. I was restringing Mantis Comfort after every 2 matches until my arm got better. It is pretty inexpensive in reel form and wonderful on the arm. RIP Control is way more stiff than MCS on a sore elbow.

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by mikeler

We need this grad school semester to end so we can hear about more playtests. Are you done with finals this week?

My good Floridian, I am done with finals as of 15 minutes ago

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

My good Floridian, I am done with finals as of 15 minutes ago

Ah, such a good feeling. Hopefully we get some more string reviews over the Xmas break.

[pvaudio]

Yeah it would be good if I knew I was getting straight A's haha

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Yeah it would be good if I knew I was getting straight A's haha

I forgot about that. Reminds me of a Tom Petty song. "The waiting is the hardest part...".

[pvaudio]

Indeed, indeed. Got a week to go until I know that part. Until then, playtest requests? I wish I had a 4th racquet, but alas, the 4D200T hasn't decreased enough yet.

[mixedmedia]

Have you ever tried Iontec?

[Agent Orynge]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

Yeah it would be good if I knew I was getting straight A's haha

Just finished my finals. Very confident that I got my 4.0 again this semester.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Agent Orynge

Just finished my finals. Very confident that I got my 4.0 again this semester.

NTRP or GPA?

[polytheist]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

I think I'm going to try an extremely random test (literally random, I selected a main and cross using a random number generator lol). Tour Bite mains, MCS crosses.

I'd like to see this. Never tried TB. While the String Comparison Tool says TB has a low stiffness rating, everyone who playtests it reports it as fairly stiff. And everyone who can handle TB loves it.

Also, with TB, do you have to "face" each string so that the square profiles line up flush to minimize the wear on the soft crosses?

I want Mikeler to try this combo with his feeble elbow and see what happens.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by polytheist

I'd like to see this. Never tried TB. While the String Comparison Tool says TB has a low stiffness rating, everyone who playtests it reports it as fairly stiff. And everyone who can handle TB loves it.

Also, with TB, do you have to "face" each string so that the square profiles line up flush to minimize the wear on the soft crosses?

I want Mikeler to try this combo with his feeble elbow and see what happens.

Not gonna happen. I trust PVAudio and Up&Comer when it comes to their opinions. When the young bucks say it is stiff, I believe them.

[Up&comer]

I've got a 4.5 for this semester.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Up&comer

I've got a 4.5 for this semester.

They just started the "plus" system for honors classes when I left high school. It was a little unfair that I'm taking calculus and bringing my GPA down to prepare for college.