Ordered reel Isospeed Baseline 16g

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Can't play matches for a while because of hamstring injury, so I am entertaining myself with some string and elbow testing. I already am a big Isospeed fan with their Cream, so betting Baseline is also quality. I've read @fuzz nation positive comments, and it's cheap.

FYI ... ordered 16g because my only long term poly has been RPM, and I much preferred 16g to the 17g. Also ... most likely I will end with using the baseline only as a cross for Velocity, and figure 16g on 16g will not notch mains as fast as thinner cross (is that correct? Always wondered about that). I always pick control and tension maintenance over spin, so that was another reason. I also read in the TW feedback comments that string has snapped on stringer, figure 16g is safer avoiding that. Of course ... $2.50 isn't big $ risk.

Plan:

- string fb @52. I want to test fullbed first to see how I like the string, and to test tension preference. Worse case if 52 is way off, can restring fb again at different tension
- my ttw join date was my TE date. So I'm just past my year mark, with no more signs of TE. A fb poly (yeah ... I lied about NEVER) test is an elbow test. Will cut out fb quickly if the elbow speaks ... even if a whisper.
- want to gauge fb poly spin against fb velocity after I played fb V all summer. I tested fb Cream earlier, but only for 6 hours.
- I want to find out at what hour play degrades to the point I want to restring. It will be a factor in deciding between fb baseline or V/baseline.
- string Velocity/baseline ... my guess 55/52 ... (want my straight strings back), check feel/play/duration.

My guess is I end up at V/baseline due to longer playability between stringing. I am getting 20-30 quality consistent hours out of fb V. I really need 20+ or I live at the stringer's shop. Once a month (6 weeks even better) stringing works ... once every two weeks does not.

I already know I love V/Cream. I really liked it when I tried it, but started with tension to low, and was playing a lot of singles and didn't want to experiment at the time. I am very curious what fb baseline feels like compared to fb Cream. Baseline doesn't appear to be in the tw database, so no clue about stiffness, tension mainteance, etc. I thought I read it is another isospeed pre-stretched string, but not sure.

Will post back here with impressions. If nothing else, it's a cheap reel of entertainment to keep me from thinking about "you old dude ... can't even sprint to your fh line without pulling up lame". I need to hit more winners ... and early in the point.

Shroud · Sep 7, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Can't play matches for a while because of hamstring injury, so I am entertaining myself with some string and elbow testing. I already am a big Isospeed fan with their Cream, so betting Baseline is also quality. I've read @fuzz nation positive comments, and it's cheap.

FYI ... ordered 16g because my only long term poly has been RPM, and I much preferred 16g to the 17g. Also ... most likely I will end with using the baseline only as a cross for Velocity, and figure 16g on 16g will not notch mains as fast as thinner cross (is that correct? Always wondered about that). I always pick control and tension maintenance over spin, so that was another reason. I also read in the TW feedback comments that string has snapped on stringer, figure 16g is safer avoiding that. Of course ... $2.50 isn't big $ risk.

Plan:

- string fb @52. I want to test fullbed first to see how I like the string, and to test tension preference. Worse case if 52 is way off, can restring fb again at different tension
- my ttw join date was my TE date. So I'm just past my year mark, with no more signs of TE. A fb poly (yeah ... I lied about NEVER) test is an elbow test. Will cut out fb quickly if the elbow speaks ... even if a whisper.
- want to gauge fb poly spin against fb velocity after I played fb V all summer. I tested fb Cream earlier, but only for 6 hours.
- I want to find out at what hour play degrades to the point I want to restring. It will be a factor in deciding between fb baseline or V/baseline.
- string Velocity/baseline ... my guess 55/52 ... (want my straight strings back), check feel/play/duration.

My guess is I end up at V/baseline due to longer playability between stringing. I am getting 20-30 quality consistent hours out of fb V. I really need 20+ or I live at the stringer's shop. Once a month (6 weeks even better) stringing works ... once every two weeks does not.

I already know I love V/Cream. I really liked it when I tried it, but started with tension to low, and was playing a lot of singles and didn't want to experiment at the time. I am very curious what fb baseline feels like compared to fb Cream. Baseline doesn't appear to be in the tw database, so no clue about stiffness, tension mainteance, etc. I thought I read it is another isospeed pre-stretched string, but not sure.

Will post back here with impressions. If nothing else, it's a cheap reel of entertainment to keep me from thinking about "you old dude ... can't even sprint to your fh line without pulling up lame". I need to hit more winners ... and early in the point.

Baseline is soft so its a good choice. But you cant use a poly with your moniker.... reported for flat out lying

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Shroud said:
Baseline is soft so its a good choice. But you cant use a poly with your moniker.... reported for flat out lying

I know ... I would feel bad if I had any class or integrity.

Make my strings straight again.

Ignatz Tushwop · Sep 7, 2017

Hi
I'm using Isospeed baseline 16.. it's a dead poly strung it at 52 down to 40 pounds so far
My arm is ok..I also tried cream but it's to springy plasticky and a overated in my opinion.

Traffic · Sep 7, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Can't play matches for a while because of hamstring injury, so I am entertaining myself with some string and elbow testing. I already am a big Isospeed fan with their Cream, so betting Baseline is also quality. I've read @fuzz nation positive comments, and it's cheap.

FYI ... ordered 16g because my only long term poly has been RPM, and I much preferred 16g to the 17g. Also ... most likely I will end with using the baseline only as a cross for Velocity, and figure 16g on 16g will not notch mains as fast as thinner cross (is that correct? Always wondered about that). I always pick control and tension maintenance over spin, so that was another reason. I also read in the TW feedback comments that string has snapped on stringer, figure 16g is safer avoiding that. Of course ... $2.50 isn't big $ risk.

Plan:

- string fb @52. I want to test fullbed first to see how I like the string, and to test tension preference. Worse case if 52 is way off, can restring fb again at different tension
- my ttw join date was my TE date. So I'm just past my year mark, with no more signs of TE. A fb poly (yeah ... I lied about NEVER) test is an elbow test. Will cut out fb quickly if the elbow speaks ... even if a whisper.
- want to gauge fb poly spin against fb velocity after I played fb V all summer. I tested fb Cream earlier, but only for 6 hours.
- I want to find out at what hour play degrades to the point I want to restring. It will be a factor in deciding between fb baseline or V/baseline.
- string Velocity/baseline ... my guess 55/52 ... (want my straight strings back), check feel/play/duration.

My guess is I end up at V/baseline due to longer playability between stringing. I am getting 20-30 quality consistent hours out of fb V. I really need 20+ or I live at the stringer's shop. Once a month (6 weeks even better) stringing works ... once every two weeks does not.

I already know I love V/Cream. I really liked it when I tried it, but started with tension to low, and was playing a lot of singles and didn't want to experiment at the time. I am very curious what fb baseline feels like compared to fb Cream. Baseline doesn't appear to be in the tw database, so no clue about stiffness, tension mainteance, etc. I thought I read it is another isospeed pre-stretched string, but not sure.

Will post back here with impressions. If nothing else, it's a cheap reel of entertainment to keep me from thinking about "you old dude ... can't even sprint to your fh line without pulling up lame". I need to hit more winners ... and early in the point.

So which variant of Baseline? There seems to be different flavors of spin, control, speed...only the Control seems to be available in 16g.

Sorry to hear about your hammy. I know I've backed off on digging tough balls to save my joints as I've been feeling really rough after playing lately.

BlueB · Sep 7, 2017

Traffic said:
So which variant of Baseline? There seems to be different flavors of spin, control, speed...only the Control seems to be available in 16g.

Sorry to hear about your hammy. I know I've backed off on digging tough balls to save my joints as I've been feeling really rough after playing lately.

They are all the same variety. The speed, control, spin, etc. words are just assigned to a particular gauge.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

BlueB · Sep 7, 2017

And it's been my go to string for a few years now!

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Shroud · Sep 7, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
I know ... I would feel bad if I had any class or integrity.

Make my strings straight again.

If only Tt had an election. Totally get my vote(s)

Doc Hollidae · Sep 7, 2017

Traffic said:
So which variant of Baseline? There seems to be different flavors of spin, control, speed...only the Control seems to be available in 16g.

Sorry to hear about your hammy. I know I've backed off on digging tough balls to save my joints as I've been feeling really rough after playing lately.

They are all the same string. They gave different names to the different gauges. Why, I have no idea.

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Traffic said:
So which variant of Baseline? There seems to be different flavors of spin, control, speed...only the Control seems to be available in 16g.

Sorry to hear about your hammy. I know I've backed off on digging tough balls to save my joints as I've been feeling really rough after playing lately.

@BlueB answered your question. Isospeed attaches different descriptors with each Baseline gauge. The "spin" is the same round Baseline as the 16g. I found that confusing also.

Yep ... I have to start letting some balls go. I think I've loved running on the tennis court as much as the hitting. It's very hard to change away from getting to everything. It really forces a change is strategy... hard to do after so many years.

Yeah ... thx for the hammy sympathy. Did I get any from @Shroud ... heck no. I bet now is when he wants to play me.

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Ignatz Tushwop said:
Hi
I'm using Isospeed baseline 16.. it's a dead poly strung it at 52 down to 40 pounds so far
My arm is ok..I also tried cream but it's to springy plasticky and a overated in my opinion.

Wow ... all the way down to 40? My RPM 16g tension in a 2008 PD was 50-52. I hit TB 17 @45 in the old Pure Strike, and there was plenty of control @45. It's always a guess first time with a string. Perhaps 50 instead of 52 for first stringing.

Doc Hollidae · Sep 7, 2017

Baseline is a softer poly that plays decently. It's comfortable with no outstanding feature. It does not hold its tension for long however. I'd say it starts to go to mush around 6-8 hrs. Maybe even sooner.

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Doc Hollidae said:
Baseline is a softer poly that plays decently. It's comfortable with no outstanding feature. It does not hold its tension for long however. I'd say it starts to go to mush around 6-8 hrs. Maybe even sooner.

Will report my mush findings.

BlueB · Sep 7, 2017

Doc Hollidae said:
Baseline is a softer poly that plays decently. It's comfortable with no outstanding feature. It does not hold its tension for long however. I'd say it starts to go to mush around 6-8 hrs. Maybe even sooner.

I found that when I prestretch, it drops of a bit further in first few hours, then plays about the same for long time. When it doesn't snap back any more, I cut it out....

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Traffic · Sep 7, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Will report my mush findings.

Is this the progression? If you can't play your game, you become a tester? Next thing you know, you'll be picking up a stringing machine.

Doc Hollidae · Sep 7, 2017

BlueB said:
I found that when I prestretch, it drops of a bit further in first few hours, then plays about the same for long time. When it doesn't snap back any more, I cut it out....

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Same. I call it mush when the strings don't snap back or don't stay straight.

ByeByePoly · Sep 7, 2017

Traffic said:
Is this the progression? If you can't play your game, you become a tester? Next thing you know, you'll be picking up a stringing machine.

It just got really nice out ... I'm going to a least hit the ball machine even if I have to duct tape all injured parts.

Muppet · Sep 7, 2017

Could anyone compare Baseline 1.25 to Black Mamba 1.23 for me. I'm down to a 1/2 set on my Mamba reel. It's really soft and damp with a very slippery surface. It was great to use as a cross string with a multi main.

Shroud · Sep 7, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
@BlueB answered your question. Isospeed attaches different descriptors with each Baseline gauge. The "spin" is the same round Baseline as the 16g. I found that confusing also.

Yep ... I have to start letting some balls go. I think I've loved running on the tennis court as much as the hitting. It's very hard to change away from getting to everything. It really forces a change is strategy... hard to do after so many years.

Yeah ... thx for the hammy sympathy. Did I get any from @Shroud ... heck no. I bet now is when he wants to play me.

No way. You have tons of sympathy from me. Everyone does with their wimpy princess arms, 11oz girly sticks, and softy stringbeds with tensions the IQ of average TT paosters.

And no i am still slower than you. Why do guys think they can beat me at being slow. Not going to happen

Ignatz Tushwop · Sep 8, 2017

Yea it's a good dea

ByeByePoly said:
Wow ... all the way down to 40? My RPM 16g tension in a 2008 PD was 50-52. I hit TB 17 @45 in the old Pure Strike, and there was plenty of control @45. It's always a guess first time with a string. Perhaps 50 instead of 52 for first stringing.

I had it at 50 45 n 40 colder gets lower I go.
Still have control with it and I'm not a big hitter.
98 sq frame pattern is 16x19
This string is very versitle for such a low price..
Cut it out once a week and I do play on avg 10-15 hours.

ByeByePoly · Sep 8, 2017

Shroud said:
No way. You have tons of sympathy from me. Everyone does with their wimpy princess arms, 11oz girly sticks, and softy stringbeds with tensions the IQ of average TT paosters.

And no i am still slower than you. Why do guys think they can beat me at being slow. Not going to happen

My buddies almost all play with 9.8 to 10.8 strung. Suckers are good with them... they didn't get the ttw memo. I now prefer my 11.5ish 3-5HL over my old 10 oz racquets. That said, there are times I miss a 10 oz racquet. My best short angle cc ts fh was with a 10 oz Wilson K Factor KFour w/RPM @52. I haven't matched it since. I could play with a 10.8 strung. I hit a few balls with my friends Wilson Six.One 95L the other day, and liked it. I also hit with another friends flyswatter Wilson Ultra XP 110 (9.4 unstrung) ... and it was effortless and controllable. Probably helped he had TB in it.

http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpageRCWILSON-WU110.html

So context is everything. With my friends, I hit the "Shroud" racquet.

ByeByePoly · Sep 8, 2017

Shroud said:
No way. You have tons of sympathy from me. Everyone does with their wimpy princess arms, 11oz girly sticks, and softy stringbeds with tensions the IQ of average TT paosters.

And no i am still slower than you. Why do guys think they can beat me at being slow. Not going to happen

This is for @Shroud ... nobody else read it.

I owe him for his AARP Spider video ... so here goes:

I read that with hamstring injuries, it is better to do "some things" rather than just sit around and stiffen up. I got the great idea this morning that I would "do some things", and one was walk the dogs at the park. We have harnesses leashes for the dogs (never once walked them without leashes). So I put on their harnesses ... and drive over to the park. This isn't going to be a long walk ... because every step feels like the giant Shroud paw compresses my right hamstring. I park near the duck pond ... and we make it to the sidewalk so we can take one lap around the pond. (big pond ... walk might be 1/3rd mile). So they are zigzagging like crazy as usual on those extended leashes ... all is fine. I'm gimping along at a pretty good pace ... this is going to work fine. Then it happens ... rescue Chihuahua has picked NOW to do his harness Houdini move. Seriously ... walked the dogs 100s of times, not once have they got out of their harnesses. Normally ... this wouldn't be that bad, because Chi is pretty old (rescue, so we are not sure ... but lots of grey everywhere). I've seen his full speed in the back yard, and I might can beat it. Three problems 1) hobbled with hamstring injury 2) the other dog is a Westie and world class athlete ... I'm toast if it gets loose 3) Chi almost deaf ... and pretty much 100% now that it figures out he is FREE. OK ... quick thinking ... what is my best move here. I know I will be murdered when wife gets home and I tell her the Chi is either 1) missing ... or 2) dead (even hurt for that matter ... I rate way lower than the Chi). I took my one "lean and lunge" shot when it was sliding out of it harness. It failed ... and it hurt. So Chi is free, knows it, knows the path around the pond ... and continues on without us. My mind is racing ... but early on I know I have zero chance trying to catch Chi with dog #2, so I figure out a way to run the extended leash thingy through a chain link fence, and ... well... just leave her. She wasn't happy about that at all. So now Chi has a good head start ... and quick hobbling on the sidewalk is not working (HURTS!!!). So I hit the grass besides the sidewalk. Much better ... other than duck cr@p everywhere ... but I figure my wife won't kill me over duck cr@p ... so that's my move. The remaining problem is, even though I am moving at a better clip... I look like someone having a seizure. I can't take a normal stride ... you can picture this for yourself. About that time, someone came by on a bike. I made a quick plea/statement ... "Chihuahua has escaped". You would think the guy would have figured he needed to help the seizure guy ... or maybe even protected the Chi fleeing in apparent horror from the seizure guy ... but NO. Dude never even slowed down. Yeah ... I'm picturing this now in my head as I type ... stopping would not have been the move I would have chosen either. This story ends with me not being killed by my wife ... but only because the Chi leaks on something at least every 10 yards. Anything will do ... a taller piece of grass from the rest, a limb, doesn't really matter. He was really studying a fence post prior to leakage ... and can't hear ... so crippled guy snuck up on him.

You are welcome ... just paying my Shroud spider video debt.

USPTARF97 · Sep 8, 2017

Play with Isospeed Baseline 1.20 allot during the fall/winter. Cross it with Polyfibre Hi-Tec quite a bit. Soft poly, breaks before it loses tension too bad which is just as well. Low cost per frame.

ByeByePoly · Sep 8, 2017

USPTARF97 said:
Play with Isospeed Baseline 1.20 allot during the fall/winter. Cross it with Polyfibre Hi-Tec quite a bit. Soft poly, breaks before it loses tension too bad which is just as well. Low cost per frame.

Did you ever hit the 1.30?

USPTARF97 · Sep 8, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Did you ever hit the 1.30?

Never tried the 1.30

ByeByePoly · Sep 8, 2017

USPTARF97 said:
Never tried the 1.30

I am not a big string breaker ... 20-30 hours with Velocity multi 16g in V1 Pro (tight for 16x19). I will string fb 1.30 @50 and track tension with Racquettune. I will post here. Reel due late Monday, so probably Tues stringing.

USPTARF97 · Sep 8, 2017

Isospeed it hard to beat for the price and good playability. My kids racquets are strung with the 1.20.

CopolyX · Sep 8, 2017

Rest and Mend...

Good Sync String for the matching hand and frame...

db4542830ccb185f37067029a8e2975a--safety-fail-safety-work.jpg

2young4that · Sep 9, 2017

My friend has a reel of basseline 16l and I bought a set off of him. I'm probably going to hit with it within the next couple of days. I guess my only question is is the price. Are they trying to sale out the remaining stock or it or is it here to stay? It would be a bit of a bummer to actually find something good at this price (has it always been?) and then have it be discontinued.

JustTennis76 · Sep 9, 2017

I am currently using Isospeed baseline 17L for my crosses with Head FXP 17 mains. It makes a great value poly if you string your own. I have done about 5 string jobs so far and have not had any issues about snapping like mentioned.

Shroud · Sep 10, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
This is for @Shroud ... nobody else read it. I owe him for his AARP Spider video ... so here goes:

I read that with hamstring injuries, it is better to do "some things" rather than just sit around and stiffen up. I got the great idea this morning that I would "do some things", and one was walk the dogs at the park. We have harnesses leashes for the dogs (never once walked them without leashes). So I put on their harnesses ... and drive over to the park. This isn't going to be a long walk ... because every step feels like the giant Shroud paw compresses my right hamstring. I park near the duck pond ... and we make it to the sidewalk so we can take one lap around the pond. (big pond ... walk might be 1/3rd mile). So they are zigzagging like crazy as usual on those extended leashes ... all is fine. I'm gimping along at a pretty good pace ... this is going to work fine. Then it happens ... rescue Chihuahua has picked NOW to do his harness Houdini move. Seriously ... walked the dogs 100s of times, not once have they got out of their harnesses. Normally ... this wouldn't be that bad, because Chi is pretty old (rescue, so we are not sure ... but lots of grey everywhere). I've seen his full speed in the back yard, and I might can beat it. Three problems 1) hobbled with hamstring injury 2) the other dog is a Westie and world class athlete ... I'm toast if it gets loose 3) Chi almost deaf ... and pretty much 100% now that it figures out he is FREE. OK ... quick thinking ... what is my best move here. I know I will be murdered when wife gets home and I tell her the Chi is either 1) missing ... or 2) dead (even hurt for that matter ... I rate way lower than the Chi). I took my one "lean and lunge" shot when it was sliding out of it harness. It failed ... and it hurt. So Chi is free, knows it, knows the path around the pond ... and continues on without us. My mind is racing ... but early on I know I have zero chance trying to catch Chi with dog #2, so I figure out a way to run the extended leash thingy through a chain link fence, and ... well... just leave her. She wasn't happy about that at all. So now Chi has a good head start ... and quick hobbling on the sidewalk is not working (HURTS!!!). So I hit the grass besides the sidewalk. Much better ... other than duck cr@p everywhere ... but I figure my wife won't kill me over duck cr@p ... so that's my move. The remaining problem is, even though I am moving at a better clip... I look like someone having a seizure. I can't take a normal stride ... you can picture this for yourself. About that time, someone came by on a bike. I made a quick plea/statement ... "Chihuahua has escaped". You would think the guy would have figured he needed to help the seizure guy ... or maybe even protected the Chi fleeing in apparent horror from the seizure guy ... but NO. Dude never even slowed down. Yeah ... I'm picturing this now in my head as I type ... stopping would not have been the move I would have chosen either. This story ends with me not being killed by my wife ... but only because the Chi leaks on something at least every 10 yards. Anything will do ... a taller piece of grass from the rest, a limb, doesn't really matter. He was really studying a fence post prior to leakage ... and can't hear ... so crippled guy snuck up on him.

You are welcome ... just paying my Shroud spider video debt.

Paid with interest. This was some funny ass ****! You are a better writer than @bigservesofthands

Only way it could be funnier is if you had your gutter on. That alone would make the cyclist leave

ByeByePoly · Sep 11, 2017

Shroud said:
Paid with interest. This was some funny ass ****! You are a better writer than @bigservesofthands

Only way it could be funnier is if you had your gutter on. That alone would make the cyclist leave

I pay my debts and figure it helps others to know there is someone more "lame" than them.

Looks like the founding Gutter member @mikeler might be wearing his for Irma. If it's family gutter event with wife and dog gutters ... I want the pic.

ByeByePoly · Sep 11, 2017

Reel arrived. I bent the tip of the Baseline and then did the same with Velocity. LOL ... TE mystery solved.

One is a string and one is a wire.

The plan was fb baseline @50 ... because that would be a good comparison to my RPM @50-52 days.

But now I'm considering fb baseline @45. The other plus for this is I was thinking about trying Velocity @55 / baseline @45 depending on how fb baseline feels and lasts. That would give me some feedback @45.

I know my elbow just voted for 45#.

Ignatz Tushwop · Sep 12, 2017

Good idea to start at a lower tension if you have arm issues, I found it user friendly at 40 lbs 98sq 16 x 19 frame.
At 45 it was nice, I can hit deep loopy balls with control.

ByeByePoly · Sep 12, 2017

Ignatz Tushwop said:
Good idea to start at a lower tension if you have arm issues, I found it user friendly at 40 lbs 98sq 16 x 19 frame.
At 45 it was nice, I can hit deep loopy balls with control.

I got my first TE ever last summer. Pretty bad ... cost me 6+ months of no matches... could not serve. I intended to never touch poly again... but elbow seems to be totally healed. I expect to end up at Velocity/poly ... but might as well test fb baseline first. My elbow isn't happy about that ... it would prefer I never see fb poly again in this lifetime.

I trust Racquettune more with fb than hybrids, so I will get a better read on tension loss.

Traffic · Sep 12, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
I got my first TE ever last summer. Pretty bad ... cost me 6+ months of no matches... could not serve. I intended to never touch poly again... but elbow seems to be totally healed. I expect to end up at Velocity/poly ... but might as well test fb baseline first. My elbow isn't happy about that ... it would prefer I never see fb poly again in this lifetime.

I trust Racquettune more with fb than hybrids, so I will get a better read on tension loss.

Will be interesting to hear your review of fb poly (baseline).
I'm going to put VS/Cream in my #1 V1P and cut out the VS/Cream I have in my #2 V1P. The balance is different on the 2 racquets. I prefer the feel of #1. But somehow, I seem to be playing better with #2 at times. So trying to make #1 my goto stick and have my #2 as my experiment stick.

Heck, I might even give fb HyperG a try someday. But next, Velocity/Cream.

ByeByePoly · Sep 12, 2017

Traffic said:
Will be interesting to hear your review of fb poly (baseline).
I'm going to put VS/Cream in my #1 V1P and cut out the VS/Cream I have in my #2 V1P. The balance is different on the 2 racquets. I prefer the feel of #1. But somehow, I seem to be playing better with #2 at times. So trying to make #1 my goto stick and have my #2 as my experiment stick.

Heck, I might even give fb HyperG a try someday. But next, Velocity/Cream.

Just about to take racquet to stringer. One of the first things I want to answer is Cream vs Baseline ... play and tension maintenance. I cut Cream out at 6 hours and it hadn't lost 1 lb. So I will keep RT numbers and see how baseline compares at 6 hours. I will not be surprised if this experiment ends with "Cream is better (enough)" ... stick with Cream. I will have to try V/B ... to see if any difference matters as a cross. My guess is differences between polys matter less as a cross... at least at this stage in my tennis. I got the tension wrong with my first V/C attempt. I would go from 52/50 to 55/52 on the next try.

I am stuck in the wrong V1 rotation also. I bought @scotus 's 3/8th as my second V1 because my 1/4 + 1 tournagrip og is too small. First time ever 1/4 + tourna wasn't right. Maybe it's a Volkl thing. So I have 2 OGs on my original, and 1 on Scotus stick. I want my match racquet to be the 3/8th ... and hit my orig with ball machine. The problem is I have the $50 fricken tonic/cream in the 3/8th with only 10 hours on it. I just can't cut it out yet.

Edit: also want to check fb baseline spin against fb Velocity.

USPTARF97 · Sep 12, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Just about to take racquet to stringer. One of the first things I want to answer is Cream vs Baseline ... play and tension maintenance. I cut Cream out at 6 hours and it hadn't lost 1 lb. So I will keep RT numbers and see how baseline compares at 6 hours. I will not be surprised if this experiment ends with "Cream is better (enough)" ... stick with Cream. I will have to try V/B ... to see if any difference matters as a cross. My guess is differences between polys matter less as a cross... at least at this stage in my tennis. I got the tension wrong with my first V/C attempt. I would go from 52/50 to 55/52 on the next try.

I am stuck in the wrong V1 rotation also. I bought @scotus 's 3/8th as my second V1 because my 1/4 + 1 tournagrip og is too small. First time ever 1/4 + tourna wasn't right. Maybe it's a Volkl thing. So I have 2 OGs on my original, and 1 on Scotus stick. I want my match racquet to be the 3/8th ... and hit my orig with ball machine. The problem is I have the $50 fricken tonic/cream in the 3/8th with only 10 hours on it. I just can't cut it out yet.

Edit: also want to check fb baseline spin against fb Velocity.

Baseline spin 1.20 I cut out or break after 3-4hrs in an RF97.

Traffic · Sep 12, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Just about to take racquet to stringer. One of the first things I want to answer is Cream vs Baseline ... play and tension maintenance. I cut Cream out at 6 hours and it hadn't lost 1 lb. So I will keep RT numbers and see how baseline compares at 6 hours. I will not be surprised if this experiment ends with "Cream is better (enough)" ... stick with Cream. I will have to try V/B ... to see if any difference matters as a cross. My guess is differences between polys matter less as a cross... at least at this stage in my tennis. I got the tension wrong with my first V/C attempt. I would go from 52/50 to 55/52 on the next try.

I am stuck in the wrong V1 rotation also. I bought @scotus 's 3/8th as my second V1 because my 1/4 + 1 tournagrip og is too small. First time ever 1/4 + tourna wasn't right. Maybe it's a Volkl thing. So I have 2 OGs on my original, and 1 on Scotus stick. I want my match racquet to be the 3/8th ... and hit my orig with ball machine. The problem is I have the $50 fricken tonic/cream in the 3/8th with only 10 hours on it. I just can't cut it out yet.

Edit: also want to check fb baseline spin against fb Velocity.

I know what you mean. I'm cutting out 5hr Legend/Cream to restring with VS/Cream. I'll be cutting out 20hr VS/Cream from #2 racquet to do experimenting. But that can wait I suppose. No particular rush.

I have Flights tonight. I might hit with Legend to mix it up. I'll see if I'm on the roster for Saturday's 7.0 mixed doubles. I was benched last weekend...

ByeByePoly · Sep 12, 2017

USPTARF97 said:
Baseline spin 1.20 I cut out or break after 3-4hrs in an RF97.

There is no future for a BBP string that has to be cut out at 4 hours.

ByeByePoly · Sep 12, 2017

Traffic said:
I know what you mean. I'm cutting out 5hr Legend/Cream to restring with VS/Cream. I'll be cutting out 20hr VS/Cream from #2 racquet to do experimenting. But that can wait I suppose. No particular rush.

I have Flights tonight. I might hit with Legend to mix it up. I'll see if I'm on the roster for Saturday's 7.0 mixed doubles. I was benched last weekend...

My stringer said "NO ... find another stringer to put poly in your racquet BBP". It took some work, but then he relented.

So maybe I will hit an hour on the ball machine tomorrow. I'm still not walking right, but I'm betting with the hamstring neoprene sleeve I can at least stand there and hit balls. Not so sure about loading the ball machine in the car. You can always tell if a player has been playing for a long time. New injuries don't require buying new stuff ... already had the hamstring sleeve from years ago.

esgee48 · Sep 12, 2017

1.20 mm is much thinner than 1.30 mm. Plus the RF97 is considered a relatively open pattern. At the same ref tension, the 1.30 will play softer than the 1.20 [lower DT] as well as last longer. My 3 cents, I think you should have opted for Pro Line II or X. I am waiting to see if you eventually ask the Mods to modify your user ID to ByeByePolyMaybe.

ByeByePoly · Sep 12, 2017

esgee48 said:
1.20 mm is much thinner than 1.30 mm. Plus the RF97 is considered a relatively open pattern. At the same ref tension, the 1.30 will play softer than the 1.20 [lower DT] as well as last longer. My 3 cents, I think you should have opted for Pro Line II or X. I am waiting to see if you eventually ask the Mods to modify your user ID to ByeByePolyMaybe.

If I end up at Velocity/Baseline ... maybe ByeByePolyMains.

USPTARF97 · Sep 13, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
There is no future for a BBP string that has to be cut out at 4 hours.

$2.50 a frame if you are stringing your own racquets. Would get expensive if you are paying someone to string your racquets. RF97 eats strings faster than any racquet I have seen.

ByeByePoly · Sep 13, 2017

USPTARF97 said:
$2.50 a frame of you are stringing your own racquets. Would get expensive if you are paying someone to string your racquets. RF97 eats strings faster than any racquet I have seen.

Oh ... you have one of those string eating racquets.

The V1 is a tight 16x19 on middle 8 mains, so that helps. My stringer charges $15 for non-gut stringing BYOS, so still a cheap hobby even if I had to string constantly. I just don't want to have to run racquets over that often. I will end up with a fb Velocity racquet for arm friendly ball machine sessions, and the second one for matches. So no matter what I settle on for matches, always have arm friendly racquet in the bag. If I can get 20 match hours out of a stringing, that generally will be 1+ month. That works. My guess is fb baseline will fail that ... but V/B will get me there. We will see.

Traffic · Sep 13, 2017

USPTARF97 said:
$2.50 a frame of you are stringing your own racquets. Would get expensive if you are paying someone to string your racquets. RF97 eats strings faster than any racquet I have seen.

You have obviously not played with a 97s or 97ls. Those 16x19 patterns get a lot of string mileage compared to an 18x16.

Traffic · Sep 13, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Oh ... you have one of those string eating racquets. The V1 is a tight 16x19 on middle 8 mains, so that helps. My stringer charges $15 for non-gut stringing BYOS, so still a cheap hobby even if I had to string constantly. I just don't want to have to run racquets over that often. I will end up with a fb Velocity racquet for arm friendly ball machine sessions, and the second one for matches. So no matter what I settle on for matches, always have arm friendly racquet in the bag. If I can get 20 match hours out of a stringing, that generally will be 1+ month. That works. My guess is fb baseline will fail that ... but V/B will get me there. We will see.

I guess you need a 3rd racquet then. Cut down on stringer trip frequency.
Or buy a stringing machine. I'm telling you, now that you've got the taste of string testing, you can't go back.

BTW, played with Legend last night. Woah, even more powerful than I remember. Maybe because my play frequency has gone down. But uncontrollable playing doubles. Switched to VS after a set. Much better. Now if I can find my serves again...

If I have time this week, Legend will get cut out and the other 1/2 set of VS goes into my V1P#1.

Doc Hollidae · Sep 13, 2017

ByeByePoly said:
Oh ... you have one of those string eating racquets. The V1 is a tight 16x19 on middle 8 mains, so that helps. My stringer charges $15 for non-gut stringing BYOS, so still a cheap hobby even if I had to string constantly. I just don't want to have to run racquets over that often. I will end up with a fb Velocity racquet for arm friendly ball machine sessions, and the second one for matches. So no matter what I settle on for matches, always have arm friendly racquet in the bag. If I can get 20 match hours out of a stringing, that generally will be 1+ month. That works. My guess is fb baseline will fail that ... but V/B will get me there. We will see.

Baseline will loss it's tension by the 6-8 hour mark if not sooner. 20 hours is not realistic for any poly. You're better off with something with poly like qualities at best like RIP Control or Origin, which I believe you have already tried.

ByeByePoly · Sep 13, 2017

Doc Hollidae said:
Baseline will loss it's tension by the 6-8 hour mark if not sooner. 20 hours is not realistic for any poly. You're better off with something with poly like qualities at best like RIP Control or Origin, which I believe you have already tried.

I tried Origin, but not RIP. Origin was a great feeling rocket launcher with no spin. I would have to string it 60+ and that's not my thing.

I already have my poly-like nylon string ... Velocity. Very happy with it ... other than more string movement lately (maybe I'm hitting the center more and bigger lately

).

I am just experimenting because I have the time away from matches with the hamstring injury. Otherwise, it would be fb Velocity. I got 30 hours out of the first set, and it played consistent until it broke. Hard to beat.

I hear you, and others on "dead" poly in a few hours, but I played RPM 3 months at a time for 5 years. We (friends) all did. I was aware it was great at first, and then just played good. The string "only good for a few hours" is foreign to me.

So I'm testing poly again for myself. I just hit baseline for an hour, and about to post my impressions.

ByeByePoly · Sep 13, 2017

OK ... first hour (ball machine) with FB Baseline 16 @45 in Org V1 Pro:

Hamstring limited ... but close enough for initial baseline impressions. The worse wasn't actually lifting the ball machine into the back seat, but actually hobbling from turning ball machine on to going to other side to hit. I don't have a remote (don't really want one), and since I never miss a ball

... if I get to the baseline by first ball, easier to pick up. Should have just picked up some extra balls behind me.

fb Baseline 16g weighs 1.5 oz more than fb Velocity 16 in the V1 Pro. Wow... I guess that would be approx -1 HL.

Tension:
45 (strung this morning)
43 RT before hitting
40 RT after hitting for an hour

Note: for Cream, I got 50# off stringer, and it was still 50 when I cut it out at 6 hours. Cream already won that contest. Will see if Baseline settles like Velocity does.

With dampner, that took racquet to 11.7 ... when I would prefer to head back to 11.4ish.

Short version:
- great control, great spin (a little more of both vs fb Velocity, but not enough gap to make a change over)
- it was not more spin than the tonic/cream ... pretty close with a lot softer ride with tonic/cream (did a side by side, and hit the tonic/cream pretty good ... not as much trouble with launch angle)
- 45# was a good choice (thx @Ignatz Tushwop ). I actually had the thought 40 or even lower could work. I see why some are actually trying 30lbs these days
- even at 45# ... I feel the poly. It's a soft poly ... really nice when you hit it on the screws, but I feel the poly. Surprisingly none in the elbow ... but in my hand and wrist. Not pain, but I can't once remember with the entire summer and Velocity ever thinking about my hand. I would be curious if you ever find a tension where poly has much elasticity. I"m thinking even at 30# it's still not an elastic string.
- Based on memory, Cream @50 is about the same power level as Baseline 16 @45. Both have a soft feel ... Cream more "thwack" ... Baseline more "thunk". Those are technical terms.
- I could go without the dampner with the fb Velocity (still use one) ... not a chance with fb Baseline. I pulled it out for 3 hits and put that sucker back in so fast I didn't even miss a ball feed from the ball machine. Can you say PING!!! Yeah, I know it's probably all sound only ... but just not happening.

This string would really work for me in singles (at least at this tension and fresh). Even at 45, seemed like low enough power to really hit for targets/lines. I'm not positive if I would play better or worse singles with it vs fb Velocity. Tradeoffs ... flattish drives better with fb Velocity, but I could get more dip at the baseline with ... well ... Baseline. (guess we get the name now ... lol).

I do not think fb Poly is in my future. I intend to play with this at least 6-10 hours ... and track tension loss and play-ability. The "feeling it in the hand" thing makes me think any gain in my game wouldn't be worth it to me. If playing tournaments ... yes, of course. Buy a stringing machine and give yourself the best chance in your matches. So most likely, after 6-10 hours, will try Velocity/Baseline. Based on the feel and control of baseline today, my guess is it will make a very good cross with Velocity.

Racquet does have a Darth Vader look with black strings:

Ordered reel Isospeed Baseline 16g

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

Hall of Fame

Legend

Legend

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Legend

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Legend

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

New User

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Similar threads