Tourna Big Hitter Black 7

[Torres]

Quick comparison of BHB7 17 and Black Widow 17 since a couple of people have enquired.

Yes, they're both back and 7 sided. No, they're not the same string. In fact, they feel and perform very differently.

Black Widow is unbelievably soft, very comfortable, more muted and more dampened feeling than BHB7. It fact, Black Widow barely feels like a poly. Touch play is very good because of its softness and the fact that it doesn't have the springiness of BHB7. You can feel the ball so much more with volleys. However, if you like crisp feeling strings, you probably won't like Black Widow. Also it doesn't have the spin of BHB7 and doesn't allow you to hit quite as heavy a ball. Also there's no way Black Widow 17 is 1.26mm - its much closer to 1.20mm. It would be worth trying the '16' gauge if you normally choose 17 gauge strings from other manufacturers.

BHB7 is more the performance orientated string and there are many comments about it already in this thread.

Comparison of Weiscannon B5E 17 and BHB7 17 from another thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...12&postcount=5

[Torres]

Slightly OT but I had an excellent hitting session this evening with my BLX 6.1 95 (18x20) freshly strung with BHBR16.

Absolutely sublime and perfectly balanced combination - the 6.1 and that pattern provides the control and the BHBR16 provides the action and liveliness on the ball. It's such a beautifully harmonious combination of racquet and string if you ever find yourself in a position where you can play a constant attacking game or you're playing a counterpuncher - it just allows you to rain complete destruction on them. Blitzkrieg tennis at its best.

[Uvijek Argen]

Originally Posted by Torres

Quick comparison of BHB7 17 and Black Widow 17 since a couple of people have enquired.

Yes, they're both back and 7 sided. No, they're not the same string. In fact, they feel and perform very differently.

Black Widow is unbelievably soft, very comfortable and much, much more muted and more dampened feeling than BHB7. It fact, Black Widow barely feels like a poly. Net play is very good because of its softness and the fact that it doesn't have the springiness of BHB7. You can feel the ball so much more with volleys. However, if you like crisp feeling strings, you probably won't like Black Widow. Also it doesn't have the spin of BHB7 and doesn't allow you to hit quite as heavy a ball. There's no way Black Widow 17 is 1.26mm - its much closer to 1.20mm. It would be worth trying the '16' gauge if you normally choose 17 gauge strings from other manufacturers.

BHB7 is more the performance orientated string and there are many comments about it already in this thread.

Thanks for taking your time comparing those too Torres.

[TenFanLA]

Torres (or anyone else who has used BHB7 16g), have you tried BHB7 16g? If so how does it compare to BHB7 17g and BHBR 16g? My ideal power level would be "x" where:

BHBR 17 1.2mm > Cyclone 18 1.2mm > x > B5E and ALU.

I cannot use ALU even in a hybrid because it kills my arm and B5E ain't that friendly either in cold weather. BHBR 17 and Cyclone 18 are too lively against hard hitters in my MG Rad Pro 16x19. So I'm thinking about giving BHB7 16g a shot.

[Torres]

^ I'm testing the 16 at the moment, but even without finishing my playtest, I can 99% guarantee that power will be in the "x" spot as that range between Cyclone 18 and B5E 17 is huge! I'll be doing a comparison of 17 v 16 but need a couple more weeks with the string in a variety of different conditions and against different players to firm up my views.

[dre]

Originally Posted by Torres

^ I'm testing the 16 at the moment, but even without finishing my playtest, I can 99% guarantee that power will be in the "x" spot as that range between Cyclone 18 and B5E 17 is huge! I'll be doing a comparison of 17 v 16 but need a couple more weeks with the string in a variety of different conditions and against different players to firm up my views.

Looking forward to the results !

[TenFanLA]

Just ordered the BHB7 16g reel from TW. I was going to just order a few sets with some grips but they are out of sets until 2/16/12 and I can't wait that long. Oh well, at least I got free shipping. I'll test it out on 16x19 100" MG Rad Pro and give my input from another perspective. I'm not as detailed or patient as Torres so you will get my immediate reaction right away. It's the "First Drive" report as opposed to "Full, Detailed" report.

[Orion3]

Guys - how does this compare with CoFocus Hex?

Spin and tension maintenance wise?

I'm currently using CoFocus as my cross with VS mains - think it is the best hybrid setup I've tried to date. However, getting CoFocus in the UK isn't that easy, so I was looking to buy a reel of Focus Hex.

That said, I was always a big fan of BHBR and am wondering if the BHB7 would be a better buy to use as a cross with my current setup?


Thanks in advance

[ryushen21]

I just read through the last couple pages. Has anyone done a direct comparison between BHB7 and SP Tornado in a full bed setup? I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to Tornado and this looks like it could work for me.

[Bmr]

Torres,

You know I was playtesting a BLX 95 16x18 last year and actually hit really well with it (think it was just NXT in it). Still considering making the switch. It really improved the volleys/serving and my groundstrokes weren't bad. I hit with my friends BLX 90 and that was just too difficult to play with and too heavy. The 18x20 and other denser string patterns don't suit my game, either.

It sounds like the BHBR is really playing well for you. What has been your main string over the past year or two?

Have you hit with the new Prostaff line?

[COPEY]

Originally Posted by ryushen21

I just read through the last couple pages. Has anyone done a direct comparison between BHB7 and SP Tornado in a full bed setup? I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to Tornado and this looks like it could work for me.

I take it you're in the UK? If you're in the U.S., and Tornado is your string of choice, you've got it made.

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by COPEY

I take it you're in the UK? If you're in the U.S., and Tornado is your string of choice, you've got it made.

I'm actually in the US.

[BigT]

How pronounced are the 7 edges? Can you see them from just looking at the string?

[tennis11]

To BigT not to get off topic, but does pros pro offer discount to college players? and what string of yours is most similar to alu rough in a 16 gauge

[COPEY]

Originally Posted by ryushen21

I'm actually in the US.

Well hey, check out the prices of your string in the UK, partner - you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you can wait a week to 10 days for it, it's well worth it.

[Orion3]

Originally Posted by Orion3

Guys - how does this compare with CoFocus Hex?

Spin and tension maintenance wise?

I'm currently using CoFocus as my cross with VS mains - think it is the best hybrid setup I've tried to date. However, getting CoFocus in the UK isn't that easy, so I was looking to buy a reel of Focus Hex.

That said, I was always a big fan of BHBR and am wondering if the BHB7 would be a better buy to use as a cross with my current setup?


Thanks in advance

HELP please

Played last night and afterwards started to feel discomfort in my elbow

As much as I don't want it to be, I know its the start of TE.

It's only re-started since switching to CoFocus, so I think I still have some choices.

1) String one of my sticks in pure gut - so I can play until the TE goes away.
2) Switch back to BHBR as a cross
3) Find another poly to cross with

I liked BHBR as a cross but love the CoFocus!?!?!?

Anyone tried the BHB7 as a cross in a Gut/Poly setup yet?

Thanks again

[J_aces]

Originally Posted by Orion3

HELP please

Played last night and afterwards started to feel discomfort in my elbow

As much as I don't want it to be, I know its the start of TE.

It's only re-started since switching to CoFocus, so I think I still have some choices.

1) String one of my sticks in pure gut - so I can play until the TE goes away.
2) Switch back to BHBR as a cross
3) Find another poly to cross with

I liked BHBR as a cross but love the CoFocus!?!?!?

Anyone tried the BHB7 as a cross in a Gut/Poly setup yet?

Thanks again

What's better about the cofocus cross compared to bhbr?

[Orion3]

Originally Posted by J_aces

What's better about the cofocus cross compared to bhbr?

Better... seems to hold its tension better and generally has a much longer playable life.

Spin wise - not a huge difference. The gut mains seem to glide across both the CoFocus and BHBR very well.

[Bmr]

Well, I strung up one of my SPB's last night with the BHBR at 57/58 in the mains and a pound or two lower in the cross. The string looks and feels almost exactly the same as Luxilon ALU Power Rough. I am going to playtest it tonight and see how it goes.

The BHB7 looks a lot like Pro Supex Blue Gear. Not sure it plays anything like that but it sure looks similar. I remember playtesting that string a couple years ago.

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by Bmr

Well, I strung up one of my SPB's last night with the BHBR at 57/58 in the mains and a pound or two lower in the cross. The string looks and feels almost exactly the same as Luxilon ALU Power Rough. I am going to playtest it tonight and see how it goes.

The BHB7 looks a lot like Pro Supex Blue Gear. Not sure it plays anything like that but it sure looks similar. I remember playtesting that string a couple years ago.

The BHB7 plays nothing like the Blue Gear in my experience. The Blue Gear came out years ago.. and was really one of the 1st go arounds with this type of string. I was not impressed. Stiff.. no feel...not much power. Great spin but not much more and did not really hold tension very well. I playtested the Blue Gear for many hours hoping it would be a winner. It sort of made my arm sore.. and I never won a set playing with it. I could not wait to cut it out.