The Church of Polystringism-- Alidisperanza's PT Thread

[alidisperanza]

Got a chance to hit with the IG Rad Pro tonight. My first impressions were along the lines of "not worth it" but that was with some jive-prince-poly strung in the high 50's. Took me about an hour to work through what was left of the string life then I strung it more to my liking 50/53 Bomber/OGSM and it plays much much better. The frame hits pretty nicely and has a great feel when you properly center the ball. Having said that, I noticed that the "center" or sweet spot is a bit lower than what I'm used to. An inch or two makes a significant difference in feel and sound signature. Hitting a bit higher, the frame almost sounds ping-y and harsh while finding that sweet spot has a great feel and much more feedback on the ball. You know you've hit a good shot when you find that spot. I did play pretty well and consistently with it though and have to say that I think I like the slightly tighter string pattern that it provides.

Where I think the frame could use a little work is that it feels rather light. Spec wise it's within 6 grams supposedly but I feel like adding a bit more weight to it while keeping the same balance would suit my preference. Design wise, Head really did a beautiful job here although they traded out the traditional black for a dark coffee and gold.


At the advertised price on TW, it's definitely worth the 10 extra bucks simply for the cap grommets and an up-to-date warranty. I like this style so much better because it actually protects the racquet (Although they sometimes can be a fantastic PITA). Grommets cost 6.00 to replace; a frame 170.00. Protect the darn thing and not just on the tip! Having played both frames (YT and IG) with the same string, I think the IG has a bit more zip on it than the YT. I found control levels to be very similar on both frames.

Edit: After hitting with it for a bit more and switching back and forth, I don't quite think it's worth the extra $$$ for the switch especially since my wrist is hurting for some reason after playing with the IG for 2 days

[alidisperanza]

After my brief hiatus of playing with the IG Rad, I got my first chance playing with the B7/Iontec hybrid. So far, I'm not particularly convinced on this setup. It plays "ok." But I haven't seen either of the characteristics I've come to enjoy for either string in a full bed. Perhaps I just had a bad hitting day but after dropping 1-5 in a singles set against a friend of mine, I picked up my full bed of hexa and resumed control. Ultimately lost but 4-6 isn't so bad

[MambaT]

"Attention all planets of the Solar Federation..."

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by MambaT

"Attention all planets of the Solar Federation..."

[MambaT]

[alidisperanza]

We have assumed control?

[MambaT]

Yeah, I know it is technically not right, but that was the first thing I thought of when you said "I picked up my full bed of hexa and resumed control."

Been singing it all day.

[alidisperanza]

Good stringing jam. Speaking of stringing, I need to restock. Any suggestions?

[MambaT]

Suggestions from me??

[alidisperanza]

I meant in general but gladly

[pvaudio]

Heh I'm doing just the opposite. Trading out a lot of stuff I know no one will use. Large inventory is impressive, yes, but it's a waste when there's someone out there who will for sure use it and you rarely do.

[alidisperanza]

Well, I'm literally down to bare bones. I have 2 reels of synth, a few sets left of B5E and a few assorted sets/ half-sets of poly. I'm fairly certain that I'm going to end up with a reel of B7 or Iontec but I still want to test around a bit

[pvaudio]

Yo, either post here or shoot me an email. Let me know what you're looking for and I'd gladly send you something.

[alidisperanza]

So I got to play around with an RDC machine today before I hit and found something rather interesting results.

B7/Iontec Hybrid: 38
Iontec Regular: 31
Iontec Hexa: 32

What's shocking is that the Iontec regular is shifty, notched, and thoroughly played with. One could even say that it's "dead" yet it measures the same stiffness as the [relatively] fresh bed of Hexa. Figure the Hexa only has about an hour of play on it so it's no where near abused.

On another note, I hit with a friend tonight and had the chance to try out a ProStaff 6.1 95 with Wilson Spincycle in it. The frame is stupidly off-spec even for a wilson. It's over 10g heavier, 4 points more head heavy and SW is 20pts higher. Having qualified that, I kindof liked this heavy frame. The true spec version felt nice but ultimately too light. It's not for me but it definitely opened my eyes to Spincycle. I never really thought anything about it but this string feels like it could have some potential. Feel @ 53 was comfortable and didn't reflect how stiff the string feels when stringing. Coupled with the 6.1 95, I didn't need a vibration dampener either. I'd love to see how it plays in my Youteks

Also hit with B7/It for a bit. I found this string much more comfortable when hitting a slower paced ball. When trying to hit out on fast paced returns-- I wasn't really impressed. The cross of these two strings nullified the characteristics I liked about each as a full bed. When just hitting a slower ball back and forth, the feel and spin seemed to come back.

Bright side is that I have an order coming in tomorrow w/ more B7 16 on the way. I'll definitely be trying that out to see if I can eek out some more performance while still keeping tension.

[alidisperanza]

Added Hollowcore to my string stock.

[alidisperanza]

Stringischo Iontec [Earthworm] Hexa 1.20
Frame(s): YT Radical Pro
Tension: 48

Stringing:
Same exact stringing as Iontec normal minus the shape. No real problems.

After putting this stuff through the ringer, I'm left a bit confused. IMO it plays like a neutral version of the Iontec 1.25 that I tried. It just doesn't make sense. I didn't notice any significant spin gain, nor any other benefits. If anything, I liked this string less than the original. for the most part this will be a biased review comparing it to the original.

Groundies:
More or less similar to Iontec 1.25 but crisper/stiffer feeling. Initially I'd like to say that control is slightly better but not as a result of spin (strange, I know.) I felt like I was still getting decent action on the ball but as a whole they were landing shorter around the service line. Definitely a bit less pop/ free power. In terms of feel, Iontec regular is definitely less stiff.

Once the tension started to drop and the strings began to shift that semblance of control was gone. If I really tried to hit out on the ball, I found that it was consistently landing about a foot-2 out

Serving:
Again, very similar to Iontec regular. The only thing I noticed a bit difference was on that kick serve to the [righty] backhand. Not necessarily racking up the MPHs but there was just silly, silly, spin. I noticed it most playing today playing doubles against a gentleman who is normally a fantastic returner. He simply couldn't return the ball comfortably and it caused him to make an unusual # of errors.

Volleys:
Meh, average. Nice on overheads. decent on touch. Prettymuch a stiffer version of Iontec regular.

Tension maintenance:
No bueno-- I know that the string is a 1.20 instead of 1.25 but I found that the strings were significantly moving by hour 2 of play. By 3-5 the strings were super shifty and notched. I was really surprised it reacted this way given the success I had on 1.25 regular.

Durability:
About 5 hours give or take-- notched then popped. The hexa definitely notches faster than the regular. Something really interesting that I noticed with the hexa. As you hit the ball (with spin) the string wears and fibers actually come off. It almost looks like a multi in that the string gets very slightly roughed up with these really small hairs sticking out. At first, I thought it was ball fuzz but upon closer examination, the string actually comes apart. Once the edges are gone, so too are the hairs for the most part.

Groundstrokes: 3.5-4/5
Serves: 4/5
Volleys: 4/5
Spin: 4/5
Power: 3.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Tension: 3.5/5
Durability: 3.5-4/5


Overall, I'm really not impressed. Personally, I prefer the regular version and am looking forward to trying the black.

[alidisperanza]

Between the following for my open frame. Thoughts?

PolyStar Energy
B7/Hollow Core
Iontec/Hollow Core

[swfh]

Originally Posted by alidisperanza

Between the following for my open frame. Thoughts?

PolyStar Energy
B7/Hollow Core
Iontec/Hollow Core

Iontec/hollow core

[alidisperanza]

This is going to be one ugly string bed-- green hollowcore and iontec it is

Strange. It's been a while since I've strung Hollow Core but it makes this terrible crackling sound as you string it-- I swear it sounds almost as if you're cracking a glow stick or glow-ring-thing. Easy to string. Funky colors.

I can't even review this string in good nature. Hitting with it makes me want to flip the frame over and hit with the grip.

Interesting turn of events. I did/do NOT like Iontec/ Hollow Core and it's beginning to make me question a few things. I got a chance to hit with it the other day and it simply does not have any of the great characteristics I've come to expect from a full bed of Iontec or even from a synthetic gut.

First and foremost my questions:
Is iontec a picky hybrid string?
Did I string it too tight at 50/53?
Should I have continued with the "Jet" method?

What I found:
The stringbed is very board-like and super low powered. If I wouldn't know what tension it was strung at, I would have guessed 56.

After popping my B7/iontec hybrid, I picked up this frame for a hit and my first ball didn't make it to the net. It bounced, then hit the net. There is literally NO power here. I'm guessing that the plasticky coating on the hollowcore doesn't allow for the iontec to slide back and forth properly to generate that easy spin.

Second. It feels like a 2x4. There's no pop, no dwell time, just board. I suppose someone who likes crisp, direct, feedback may like this but it's not for me after having played low tension poly. My strokes were complete and total mush. The ball was barely hitting the service line and my hitting partner was getting annoyed.

Overall, really shocking-- Even my hitting partner tried it after he popped his frame and he was making faces. I'll try hitting it again but as is, it's a no go. Perhaps dropping to 50/50 will yield better results.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by alidisperanza

Stringischo Iontec [Earthworm] Hexa 1.20
Frame(s): YT Radical Pro
Tension: 48

Stringing:
Same exact stringing as Iontec normal minus the shape. No real problems.

After putting this stuff through the ringer, I'm left a bit confused. IMO it plays like a neutral version of the Iontec 1.25 that I tried. It just doesn't make sense. I didn't notice any significant spin gain, nor any other benefits. If anything, I liked this string less than the original. for the most part this will be a biased review comparing it to the original.

Groundies:
More or less similar to Iontec 1.25 but crisper/stiffer feeling. Initially I'd like to say that control is slightly better but not as a result of spin (strange, I know.) I felt like I was still getting decent action on the ball but as a whole they were landing shorter around the service line. Definitely a bit less pop/ free power. In terms of feel, Iontec regular is definitely less stiff.

Once the tension started to drop and the strings began to shift that semblance of control was gone. If I really tried to hit out on the ball, I found that it was consistently landing about a foot-2 out

Serving:
Again, very similar to Iontec regular. The only thing I noticed a bit difference was on that kick serve to the [righty] backhand. Not necessarily racking up the MPHs but there was just silly, silly, spin. I noticed it most playing today playing doubles against a gentleman who is normally a fantastic returner. He simply couldn't return the ball comfortably and it caused him to make an unusual # of errors.

Volleys:
Meh, average. Nice on overheads. decent on touch. Prettymuch a stiffer version of Iontec regular.

Tension maintenance:
No bueno-- I know that the string is a 1.20 instead of 1.25 but I found that the strings were significantly moving by hour 2 of play. By 3-5 the strings were super shifty and notched. I was really surprised it reacted this way given the success I had on 1.25 regular.

Durability:
About 5 hours give or take-- notched then popped. The hexa definitely notches faster than the regular. Something really interesting that I noticed with the hexa. As you hit the ball (with spin) the string wears and fibers actually come off. It almost looks like a multi in that the string gets very slightly roughed up with these really small hairs sticking out. At first, I thought it was ball fuzz but upon closer examination, the string actually comes apart. Once the edges are gone, so too are the hairs for the most part.

Groundstrokes: 3.5-4/5
Serves: 4/5
Volleys: 4/5
Spin: 4/5
Power: 3.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Tension: 3.5/5
Durability: 3.5-4/5


Overall, I'm really not impressed. Personally, I prefer the regular version and am looking forward to trying the black.

i prefer regular iontec 1.25 over both hexa 1.25 and 1.20. between the 2 gauges of hexa i like 1.25. holds tension better. hexa 1.20 makes a nice cross string.