Mikeler's Multis

[mikeler]

Busted the Discho last night at the top of the hoop on another shank. Still got quite a bit of life out of it and I'm not blaming a string for breaking when I hit the ball right next to the grommet.

Decided to go with the Pro's Pro Gutex the rest of the match. It is almost as comfortable as MCS and has some more pop. I think it is worth trying for those looking for a little more power with almost equivalent comfort.

[officerdibble]

I'm sure others have said it, but I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your experiences on all these multis. Of course, string experiences are highly personal, and there are countless variables involved, but having one person give a perspective is very helpful.

From your reviews I've now gone for the Prince Premier Attack with reasonable optimism that it's going to be a good string for me.

[DevilDog]

I’ve read through a lot of the pages in this thread. Maybe you have already done this, as of 2012 can you list your Top 10 multifilament strings?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by officerdibble

I'm sure others have said it, but I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your experiences on all these multis. Of course, string experiences are highly personal, and there are countless variables involved, but having one person give a perspective is very helpful.

From your reviews I've now gone for the Prince Premier Attack with reasonable optimism that it's going to be a good string for me.

You are welcome. Interesting, the new RSI string selector shows PPA with a stiffness of 205! No way! The numbers are below. RacquetTune showed a 12.9% tension loss, so their number looks reasonable there at 14.26:

Prince Premier Attack 16 Nylon 1.30 205 14.26

Originally Posted by DevilDog

I’ve read through a lot of the pages in this thread. Maybe you have already done this, as of 2012 can you list your Top 10 multifilament strings?

Just go to the first post of this thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048

Any number with an "A" after it has been tested since last November.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by mikeler

You are welcome. Interesting, the new RSI string selector shows PPA with a stiffness of 205! No way! The numbers are below. RacquetTune showed a 12.9% tension loss, so their number looks reasonable there at 14.26:

Prince Premier Attack 16 Nylon 1.30 205 14.26

I suppose that's more evidence that RSI's test methods need to be scrutinized. It definitely feels softer than 205 would indicate, and my sensitive arm tells me that also.

I calibrated PPA's string factor on RacquetTune and ended up with 1.54 as the string factor (only .01 more than the default 1.53). I do my own stringing now, so I finally can post accurate readings fresh from the stringer. These readings are condensed so you don't have to read through every fraction of an hour that I played.

PPA Fresh - 58.4
24 hours, no play - 55.4 (same reading after 48 hours)
5 hours play - 54.1
10 hours play - 53.6
14 hours play - 52.4 (hanging on by a thread, I'm about to cut it)

Most multis won't go past 8-10 hours for me. 8.2% loss after 10 hours is impressive.

NOTE: I'm using a modified JET technique with a dropweight machine to string my racquets. This technique is designed to minimize tension loss, so my results could be better than someone else's due to the technique. It's worth noting that when I tried PPA on my APDGT strung by someone else, I had a 12.5% tension loss after only 5 hours of play.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I suppose that's more evidence that RSI's test methods need to be scrutinized. It definitely feels softer than 205 would indicate, and my sensitive arm tells me that also.

I calibrated PPA's string factor on RacquetTune and ended up with 1.54 as the string factor (only .01 more than the default 1.53). I do my own stringing now, so I finally can post accurate readings fresh from the stringer. These readings are condensed so you don't have to read through every fraction of an hour that I played.

PPA Fresh - 58.4
24 hours, no play - 55.4 (same reading after 48 hours)
5 hours play - 54.1
10 hours play - 53.6
14 hours play - 52.4 (hanging on by a thread, I'm about to cut it)

Most multis won't go past 8-10 hours for me. 8.2% loss after 10 hours is impressive.

NOTE: I'm using a modified JET technique with a dropweight machine to string my racquets. This technique is designed to minimize tension loss, so my results could be better than someone else's due to the technique. It's worth noting that when I tried PPA on my APDGT strung by someone else, I had a 12.5% tension loss after only 5 hours of play.

You definitely seem like the type that should be stringing your own. I don't think you'll look back.

I'm not real concerned about the percentage tension loss as much as I am about the tension stability. For example, Discho Microfibre drops right down to 50.5 pounds (over 15% loss) 24 hours after I string it and before I hit with it. Then it just stays there no matter how many matches I hit with it.

[mikeler]

I hit with the Pro's Pro Gutex this morning. Got up 5-0 on my opponent but then he stormed back to where I was serving for the set at 5-4. So I reached into the bag for the Discho Microfibre. This one was strung at 57#, not the usual #60. I didn't notice a lack of control but there was noticeably more pop on my serve. I may try going down another 3 pounds in tension on the next setup.

I did end up going back to the Gutex as I was free falling losing the last nine games, but no string was going to cover up my wobbly legs. I hate these first few matches acclimating to the heat.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I hit with the Pro's Pro Gutex this morning. Got up 5-0 on my opponent but then he stormed back to where I was serving for the set at 5-4. So I reached into the bag for the Discho Microfibre. This one was strung at 57#, not the usual #60. I didn't notice a lack of control but there was noticeably more pop on my serve. I may try going down another 3 pounds in tension on the next setup.

I did end up going back to the Gutex as I was free falling losing the last nine games, but no string was going to cover up my wobbly legs. I hate these first few matches acclimating to the heat.

Understand. Tough when it gets past 60 degrees here.

[officerdibble]

Originally Posted by Ramon

NOTE: I'm using a modified JET technique with a dropweight machine to string my racquets. This technique is designed to minimize tension loss, so my results could be better than someone else's due to the technique. It's worth noting that when I tried PPA on my APDGT strung by someone else, I had a 12.5% tension loss after only 5 hours of play.

Whoaa there sailor. The what?

OK, I've just Googled and I'm very curious about the JET technique.

I can see why it would lessen tension loss, providing more consistency and also why not stretching at higher tensions than you need is in the best interests of the string. Have you found it to be effective in terms of the playing results?

How much did you drop the tension by on multis?

Was enlarging the grommets a pain or has it worked out OK?

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by officerdibble

Whoaa there sailor. The what?

OK, I've just Googled and I'm very curious about the JET technique.

I can see why it would lessen tension loss, providing more consistency and also why not stretching at higher tensions than you need is in the best interests of the string. Have you found it to be effective in terms of the playing results?

How much did you drop the tension by on multis?

Was enlarging the grommets a pain or has it worked out OK?

I probably need to stress the word "modified". In fact, I should probably just say I borrow a few ideas from the JET technique. Here's a summary of the current JET technique from this forum:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...3&postcount=37

I personally don't follow the proportional tension part because it's a pain to keep up with all the adjustments, and others who tried it say it doesn't make a big difference. Here's what I take from it:

- I wait at least 5 seconds for the mains and 20 seconds for the crosses, using a dropweight. I straighten the crosses as I wait and weave the next cross to save time.

- I skip the 2nd to last mains and crosses and do them after I pull tension on the perimeter string. On a 16x20 pattern, this means I skip the 7th mains on both sides and the 19th cross and then do them last. This results in the perimeter strings being at true tension while the strings next to them are lower tension because of the tie-offs. I always add 10 pounds when I pull the string that I'm going to tie-off so I minimize that difference.

I tested my dropweight tension with a calibration device, and I'm reasonably sure it is accurate. If I set my dropweight to 50 pounds and use this method, I'll get a stringbed tension of about 56.5 pounds as measured by RacquetTune (and I measure the string factors myself so I know that RacquetTune is accurate). If you use the full-blown JET method, your stringbed tension is supposed to be 7-10 pounds stiffer than the reference tension. I have data on RacquetTune from past string jobs before I started stringing on my own. Based on that data, I believe that my numbers are reasonably accurate while the other stringers were consistently lower in tension.

I can't say I notice a difference in play besides the fact that my tensions are tighter than they used to be because the guys who strung my racquets before were too low. I did notice that the knots in the mains were dangerously close to unraveling after a bit of play time. These knots undergo more stress than the knots on traditional stringing patterns because the strings that pull on them are closer to the middle. I did not have to enlarge any grommets on my Pro Kennex. I would prefer not to mess with grommet size if I don't have to.

I'm currently experimenting with a one-string pattern where both tie-offs are cross strings. It's similar to the traditional one-string pattern except you need 2 extra feet for the short side, and you use the short side to string the first 2 crosses. Then you string the rest of the crosses with the long side. The results are similar except there is less movement in the mains because all of them are at true tension.

[mikeler]

^^^ I like to pull all strings for at least 5 seconds but that is about as fancy as I get.

[officerdibble]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I probably need to stress the word "modified". In fact, I should probably just say I borrow a few ideas from the JET technique. Here's a summary of the current JET technique from this forum:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...3&postcount=37

I personally don't follow the proportional tension part because it's a pain to keep up with all the adjustments, and others who tried it say it doesn't make a big difference. Here's what I take from it:

- I wait at least 5 seconds for the mains and 20 seconds for the crosses, using a dropweight. I straighten the crosses as I wait and weave the next cross to save time.

- I skip the 2nd to last mains and crosses and do them after I pull tension on the perimeter string. On a 16x20 pattern, this means I skip the 7th mains on both sides and the 19th cross and then do them last. This results in the perimeter strings being at true tension while the strings next to them are lower tension because of the tie-offs. I always add 10 pounds when I pull the string that I'm going to tie-off so I minimize that difference.

I tested my dropweight tension with a calibration device, and I'm reasonably sure it is accurate. If I set my dropweight to 50 pounds and use this method, I'll get a stringbed tension of about 56.5 pounds as measured by RacquetTune (and I measure the string factors myself so I know that RacquetTune is accurate). If you use the full-blown JET method, your stringbed tension is supposed to be 7-10 pounds stiffer than the reference tension. I have data on RacquetTune from past string jobs before I started stringing on my own. Based on that data, I believe that my numbers are reasonably accurate while the other stringers were consistently lower in tension.

I can't say I notice a difference in play besides the fact that my tensions are tighter than they used to be because the guys who strung my racquets before were too low. I did notice that the knots in the mains were dangerously close to unraveling after a bit of play time. These knots undergo more stress than the knots on traditional stringing patterns because the strings that pull on them are closer to the middle. I did not have to enlarge any grommets on my Pro Kennex. I would prefer not to mess with grommet size if I don't have to.

I'm currently experimenting with a one-string pattern where both tie-offs are cross strings. It's similar to the traditional one-string pattern except you need 2 extra feet for the short side, and you use the short side to string the first 2 crosses. Then you string the rest of the crosses with the long side. The results are similar except there is less movement in the mains because all of them are at true tension.

It seems the technique is a mix of pretensioning, evening out tensions and minimising tension loss.

I imagine a similar effect can be achieved (remember I know almost nothing, though) by using a lower tension (to get the same tension as one day after stringing), increasing the tension on the last string before tying off and using the slow pre-stretch approach to tensioning.

This way I should be able to use a lower tension at the outset and get the same one, but that retains its tension longer, at the end.

I also use RacquetTune (great app) so will see if the theory holds up!!

Many thanks.

[mikeler]

Agreed on RacquetTune. For string junkies, it is a must have. I'll be hitting with the TW Wilson Prototype string tomorrow evening. Hopefully it is not too stiff for me.

[wmilas]

Originally Posted by mikeler

^^^ I like to pull all strings for at least 5 seconds but that is about as fancy as I get.

I pull all string for 5 seconds (on slowest setting on a digital) just because, well, suck at stringing, and don't move that fast

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by wmilas

I pull all string for 5 seconds (on slowest setting on a digital) just because, well, suck at stringing, and don't move that fast

Shhh, don't let everyone know that I'm slow too.

[Power Player]

I played with the microfibre more and for a multi it does provide very nice spin and feel. It just is not as consistent of a stringbed and the spin and feel is not as good as my gut/poly (I switched back and forth).

Also, as with every multi (including RIP) there is less of a "bail out" on certain shots. For example, if I catch a low slice with a topspin forehand and don't lift quite enough, I can feel it instantly on my follow through. Most of the time, the gut/poly bails me out and the ball gets over the net, but the full multi jobs don't have that slingshot effect.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I played with the microfibre more and for a multi it does provide very nice spin and feel. It just is not as consistent of a stringbed and the spin and feel is not as good as my gut/poly (I switched back and forth).

Also, as with every multi (including RIP) there is less of a "bail out" on certain shots. For example, if I catch a low slice with a topspin forehand and don't lift quite enough, I can feel it instantly on my follow through. Most of the time, the gut/poly bails me out and the ball gets over the net, but the full multi jobs don't have that slingshot effect.

I will probably mishit that low slice to my forehand with either stringbed.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I will probably mishit that low slice to my forehand with either stringbed.

hehe..doubtful. But I see so much slice at my club..I mean its a festival. I have gotten used to it. Probably a good thing.

[Up&comer]

*Snicker* The slice to the forehand is one of my favorite shots. Everyone always goes crosscourt, which then opens up the down the line approach. Works like clockwork virtually every time. Even if they go to the backhand, I can hit a backhand angle, another one of my favorite shots. Makes them run and opens up the court.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by wmilas

I pull all string for 5 seconds (on slowest setting on a digital) just because, well, suck at stringing, and don't move that fast

Never pulled all the strings at once for 5 seconds. Best was 4 mains on one side, then 4 on the other. My Radical looks like an old Prince Pro now.