Tourna Big Hitter Black 7

[Bmr]

Steve,

Yep...that was pretty much the same experience I had with it. I remember everyone was raving about Pro Supex for awhile there but I never really got into it.

I'm really hoping that one of these strings i'm playtesting will dethrone the Polylon SP. Really i'm just looking for the right feel and then start messing with the tension to see where the happy medium is.

[TenFanLA]

Just received my BHB7 16g reel. Gonna go string up one of my rackets now. Even though it's 7-sided it looks and feels more like 4-sided a la Tour Bite.

[dre]

Originally Posted by TenFanLA

Just received my BHB7 16g reel. Gonna go string up one of my rackets now. Even though it's 7-sided it looks and feels more like 4-sided a la Tour Bite.

why did you go with the 16g vs 17g ?
I'm looking forward to your review.

[tennisinoc]

I have read that BHB7 is more springy vs. BE5.
What kind of "springy" are we talking about?
(ie. like a multi, gut, synth gut, etc.?)
From the many Polys that i have tried, Poly and springy would not be in a description of how a Poly plays to me.
I feel Polys play more Dead and muted than any type of the other string types mentioned. I'm confused about this "Springy" description.
Can someone please explain this better? Thanks.

[Bmr]

Ok boys and girls- had my first hit with the BHBR16 tonight. Started off volleying at the net to warm up. I remember being pleasantly surprised with the feel, depth and touch I was getting with this string. I definitely give the edge to this string over the SP in that department. My hope is that this would also carry through into the groundies.

First, I started off with a few forehands. I noticed that this string felt less springy (trampoline effect) than the Polylon SP, but still crisp. The ball was definitely landing a bit short, but I think it was exacerbated by the fact that this string doesn't produce as much kick on the groundies as the SP. This also allowed me to hit a flatter shot, which I was lacking on the SP. This is not to say that you can't produce a lot of spin...it is just not as pronounced as the Gosen. I also noticed that while you are more prone to wild shots with the SP, groundies will often have so much spin and land in even when you think they are going out. While the BHBR16 could produce similar spin, I definitely was a few inches out on shots that I normally land in. That could just be more of an adjustment on my part though, and also messing around with tensions a bit.

Second, my backhand. Woah...this totally fixed by issue with too much spin. I was able to flatten out the shots and hit with a lot more consistency. Also, the slice was incredible with this string. I kept it low and it really dug into the court. Very happy with the backhand side.

Now... serving. This string definitely has a different feel to it vs. the Polylon SP and you can really notice when serving. It seems to grab the string more instead of having a massive slippery effect with the SP. That meant I was able to hit harder, flatter serves with more consistency...but also meant that my second serve did not give my opponents nearly as much trouble as it does with the SP. The kick I get off my serve and groundies with the SP is amazing. I still haven't found a string that matches it. It is so unpredictable and so wild with the way it kicks that many people have trouble getting a good read on it.

I have yet to test the Tour Bite and BHB7, but in a perfect world I could find a string that has the best qualities I like while still maintaining a good serve and volley option.

Overall, I would say that the feel the BHBR gives you is fantastic and it is definitely a top runner as a replacement for me at this point. Compared to the Luxilon ALU Power Rough, it may be a little softer but I can definitely see similarities between the two strings. At at the cost of the Tourna option, you definitely have a no brainer there.

[TenFanLA]

Originally Posted by dre

why did you go with the 16g vs 17g ?
I'm looking forward to your review.

I went with 16g because usually Tourna's 16g = 1.25mm which is 17g for most companies. I use 100" 16x19, fairly powerful MG Rad Pro so I need more control over more power.

[TenFanLA]

I usually wait 24 hours after stringing to hit with the racket but I had to run out there to play an hour of doubles. As far as stringing and appearance, BHB7 is what I call "Cyclo Bite." It has the feel and the coating of Cyclone and the rectangular shape of Tour Bite. It's a hassle to string like Tour Bite. But not a big deal if the string plays great...

Ran out on to the court and could tell right away this was a "springy" type of poly like Cyclone, BHBR, etc. as opposed to firm polys like ALU, B5E. After the 1st hit I could tell BHB7 is a SPIN MACHINE. Kick serves sometimes created comical kicks where the ball would suddenly hop well over my opponent's outstretched backhand. Slice serves were wicked. Flat serves had good power.

Groundstrokes were a blast. I could hit with as much spin as I pleased, from relatively little to Djokovic to Nadal type of ridiculous topspin. My opponents had a really hard time catching and timing the ball with their 1HBH. BHB7 is stiffer and a little harder on the arm than BHBR. BHB7 allowed me to hit screaming flat FH's more easily and consistently than BHBR did.

The weakness: volleys, lobs, some touch shots. Blocking back hard passing shots were not bad but digging up heaving topspin shots from my shoelaces were tough because the balls would fly long. The same with defensive lobs and drop shots.

Bottom line: For topspin, baseline bashers this would be a great string. You can put all sorts of nasty spin on the ball and control it better than with BHBR. BHB7 would go great in a 18x20 players racket. For S&V and doubles players it is not the ideal string. Also 16x19 powerful rackets may be too much with BHB7. If I used 18x20 lower powered Rad MP I'd go with BHB7. But with my 16x19 Rad Pro, B5E/Nvy gives me the right amount of controlled power and confidence in a real match situation. I will carry 2 sticks with B5E/Nvy, and 1 with BHB7 for slow conditions or if I meet a pusher.

[Torres]

@ BMR - good read. BHBR is such a unique string. Nothing like it on the market in my opinion, certainly not in terms of the amount of movement it generates on the ball, unpredictable trajectories off the bounce etc. You'll probably find that as it stretches and loses tension that control suffers a bit. It's one of those strings that as it loses tension you might take a fraction off the pace, rather than rip 70mph forehands, and instead let the string do its thing in terms of the disruption it causes to opponents. Its' hard to describe, but you'll see over time, particularly if you ask for feedback from opponent and look at their increased UE count.

@ TenFan. Good feedback TF. I recall that you usually string as lowish tensions. I think its springier the lower the tension. What tension did you string at? Are you planning to increase the tension a bit with the next string job?

[TenFanLA]

Originally Posted by Torres

@ TenFan. Good feedback TF. I recall that you usually string as lowish tensions. I think its springier the lower the tension. What tension did you string at? Are you planning to increase the tension a bit with the next string job?

I went 52lbs full bed. I may go 55 or 57 but hitting with 52 an hour off the stringer is probably similar to 55 after 24 hours. So I might have to go 57lbs. But for doubles where I hit a LOT of volleys and defensive lobs I like the firm, very predictable bed of B5E/Nvy. I'll probably also try out LTec 0S/4S next week. Yes, I'm a fool. There is a sucker born every minute. But who knows...

[Torres]

Originally Posted by TenFanLA

I'll probably also try out LTec 0S/4S next week. Yes, I'm a fool. There is a sucker born every minute. But who knows...

Nothing foolish about a string that defies the laws of molecular chemistry, the laws of physics, never goes never dead, outperforms every other single string on the market, and plays just as well in hour 30 (without any degradation of performance) as it does in hour 1!

[Bmr]

Torres-

What would you say the biggest notable difference is between BHBR and BHB7? The more I hit with the BHBR last night, the more I realized that you can flatten out your shot *and* hit with spin if you wanted to; however, I had to slightly modify my swing a bit to generate the extra kick.

How would you compare the two when you are volleying? I have a feeling the BHBR may be the better of two when it comes to touch, depth and placement of the ball. I was feeling kinda giddy hitting some of those volleys and putting the ball pretty much wherever I wanted. I had no idea that the SP was that bad. The ball just seems to trampoline off the racquet too much and this makes touch shots and lobs very difficult for me. If the BHB7 is pretty close to the BHBR and it gives me more of the kick action that I want, then that may be the string for me. Only time will tell. I'll report on the BHB7 next week when I have a chance to string up another racquet. I'll also report on the Tour Bite as I am very interested to see how it fares.

Almost forgot...in a full bed the BHBR felt pretty comfortable on my arm. I didn't notice any kind of problems from the hitting session. Between the BHBR and the SP, but sure if one was more comfortable than the other...maybe give the nod to BHBR just because of the lower tension.

[Cfidave]

Been an avid fan of BHBR for a while now, but decided to try the new miracle string. Went with Ltec OS mains and Ltec 3s crosses at 44/47, strung using the simplified JET method, which is basically very slow pulling and 5-10 second wait, before clamping ( using an electronic constant pull machine).

The Ltec bed felt good, in all respects: spin, power, touch, were all above average. Comfort was also good for full bed of poly. Compared to the BHBR it offered no significant advantages, in terms of playability. I would even say the BHBR seem to pocket the ball better, and offer a tad more control. As far as it lasting 30 hours, I will never know , as I very much doubt I will keep it in the racquet that long.

[Torres]

Originally Posted by Bmr

What would you say the biggest notable difference is between BHBR and BHB7?

The two biggest noticeable differences I would say would be:-

1. The spin generated by BHB7 is much more in a forward rotational direction. You can hit a heavier ball in terms of the ball rotating forwards and skipping or jumping forwards off the bounce. BHBR generates more side to side action and unpredictable lateral trajectories off the bounce. In that sense, BHB7 is more predictable and directionally accurate than BHBR but BHBR is more unpredictable for opponents and disruptive to their rhythm and timing off the bounce and the position which the ball takes in the air.

2. BHB7 maintains its performance levels noticeably longer than BHBR. BHBR is amazing in the first hour or so. Pretty good in hours 2 and 3, but after that there's a gradual loss of control as the string stretches and loses tension. Due to their inherent elasticity, I prefer both strings fairly tight. I am 100% convinced that the best gauge of BHBR is 16 (rather than 17) for any racquet including smaller headed, closed pattern sticks. Haven't come to a universal view yet for BHB7 in terms of 16 or 17.

Originally Posted by Bmr

How would you compare the two when you are volleying?

Personally, I don't think either are the best polys for volleying as they're a bit springier than is ideal for volleys. That said, the 16s are better as they're slightly stiffer, and stringing the stringbed up fairly tight also improves volleys without it being detrimental to groundstrokes. If you have time for volleys, then fine, but if you're having the ball nailed at you, you can often find yourself volleying quite flat and you don't want a springy stringbed in that situation.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Cfidave

Been an avid fan of BHBR for a while now, but decided to try the new miracle string. Went with Ltec OS mains and Ltec 3s crosses at 44/47, strung using the simplified JET method, which is basically very slow pulling and 5-10 second wait, before clamping ( using an electronic constant pull machine).

The Ltec bed felt good, in all respects: spin, power, touch, were all above average. Comfort was also good for full bed of poly. Compared to the BHBR it offered no significant advantages, in terms of playability. I would even say the BHBR seem to pocket the ball better, and offer a tad more control. As far as it lasting 30 hours, I will never know , as I very much doubt I will keep it in the racquet that long.

Finally an LTec comparison with a popular poly!

[mixedmedia]

I was thinking the same thing. Thank you!

[TenFanLA]

Originally Posted by Cfidave

Been an avid fan of BHBR for a while now, but decided to try the new miracle string. Went with Ltec OS mains and Ltec 3s crosses at 44/47, strung using the simplified JET method, which is basically very slow pulling and 5-10 second wait, before clamping ( using an electronic constant pull machine).

The Ltec bed felt good, in all respects: spin, power, touch, were all above average. Comfort was also good for full bed of poly. Compared to the BHBR it offered no significant advantages, in terms of playability. I would even say the BHBR seem to pocket the ball better, and offer a tad more control. As far as it lasting 30 hours, I will never know , as I very much doubt I will keep it in the racquet that long.

Cf, what is your playing level and style? What racket do you use? I noticed that a couple of highly advanced players (Arches3 and GoSurfBoy) really liked LTec A LOT. But they were playing with 0S/4S which according to John Youngblood are suitable for high level, hard hitters who look for control as #1 criterion. I believe another player, Levy, used the same/similar setup as yours and also liked it very much. I suspect that your playing level/style are similar.

Personally I like BHB7 over BHBR due to better directional control and consistency, and I like B5E/Nvy over BHB7 for doubles play for the same reason. So I think the player's level, style and the corresponding LTec setup may have a lot to do with how much they like LTec. From the limited number of data (posts) it seems that the more advanced the player, the more benefit they derive from LTec. I am getting some 0S/4S early next week and testing it out. At ~4.5 I'll see how it works for me. It could be that LTec does not benefit a player at my level. I hope that's not the case but we shall see...

[Cfidave]

Ten fan, I am a solid 4.5 using a Head Youtec Prestige Pro. I am an aggresive baseliner for the most part, strong forehand, one handed backhand, fairly big serve. I think my expectations were a bit too high on the Ltec strings, due to all the hype. When I compare the Ltec setup to BHBR, I just don't see any one area that they (Ltec) out performs the latter. if both strings cost the same, I would choose BHBR. This of course, excludes the possible longevity advantage that Ltec may or may not have.

[spillai]

Stick: K Zen Team with added lead tape
Usual String Setup: SPPP
Setup: full Bed at 52
I realized after playing that these strings would be better at a higher tension such as 55.

Stringing: Stringing went very easy.Weaving was easier than SPPP because it is not as soft.

Groundies:
I thought that on ground strokes, the spin was incredible. I hit multiple balls that would usually go out, but they always dropped just in! I could hit as hard as I wanted. 9/10

Serves:
Agree with previous posters, this string is not for flat serves. I couldn't generate much power and get it in at the same time on my flat serves. The spin serves had monster kick! 8/10

Volleys:
Volleys were very nice with this string. I was able to really control them. Touch volleys were also easy with these strings. 9/10

Feel:
BHB7 is pretty soft compared to the SPPP. Nothing to really complain about in feel. 9/10

Durability:
I have about 20 hours on this string at the moment. No complaints. 9/10

Overall: 8.75/10 Great string. However, I think I will use SPPP instead. I like the softer string that also allows me to hit with more power.
__________________

[Torres]

Originally Posted by spillai

Agree with previous posters, this string is not for flat serves. I couldn't generate much power and get it in at the same time on my flat serves.

There's no issue with flat serves and this string. I really don't know whether some posters are feeling under pressure to agree with someone else but there's no issue with flat serves. How can power be fine for groundstrokes but then you say you can't generate any power on the serve? It's not like you've suddenly swapped strings between hitting groundstrokes and hitting serves. If you can't hit flat serves well with this string, there's something off with your technique.

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by Torres

There's no issue with flat serves and this string. I really don't know whether some posters are feeling under pressure to agree with someone else but there's no issue with flat serves. How can power be fine for groundstrokes but then you say you can't generate any power on the serve? It's not like you've suddenly swapped strings between hitting groundstrokes and hitting serves. If you can't hit flat serves well with this string, there's something off with your technique.

Hi Torres,

I think my issue with hitting effective flat serves with BHB7 17G is related to my frame being strung a bit too tight. To try to generate more power, I believe I was over-swinging on the serve.. ie trying to muscle the ball. This reduced my power even more and caused more faults. When I get another reel in and have the chance to test the string at a lower tension, I will report my results. I still have the string in my frame, but it is no where near fresh. I think for my game and frame, I should be about 50 #s. I was 55 #s. I am pretty sure I can drop the tension and still have great control and power off the ground. Reducing the tension should also improve feel and comfort.