Tennis Warehouse Playtest - Solinco Confidential 1.25

djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
@McLovin wonderful info as usual. Also, thanks again for tracking in on RacqueTune. I forgot to take a reading.

I'm feeling the low power of this set up...granted I did put it in a low powered frame as well. On 75% rally shots the ball seems to land at the service line but when hitting with someone that is swinging away as well as myself, I'm getting to take advantage of a heavy ball coming in and use the incoming power to get the ball further into the court. Def need to take full cuts of the ball. I've been rewarded on shots that look like they are going long then they drop like a brick.

Will be giving it one more shot on Sunday.
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
djNEiGht said:
I'm feeling the low power of this set up...granted I did put it in a low powered frame as well. On 75% rally shots the ball seems to land at the service line but when hitting with someone that is swinging away as well as myself, I'm getting to take advantage of a heavy ball coming in and use the incoming power to get the ball further into the court. Def need to take full cuts of the ball. I've been rewarded on shots that look like they are going long then they drop like a brick.

Will be giving it one more shot on Sunday.
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Funny you should mention this, because i just stepped off the court vs a college kid (5.0 level) who crushes the ball. Using my normal setup, I lost the 1st in a tiebreaker, but at the start of the 2nd I was spraying the ball around the court as he was getting in a groove on his forehand. I quickly went down 0-3 in the 2nd.

Frustrated, I went over & picked up the frame w/ the Confidential. It took me a few points to adjust, but I eventually got up a break & served for it at 5-4. Had a handful of set points, but couldn't put him away & ended up losing the 2nd in another tiebreaker.

But, the low power helped me handle his pace. The drawback is, my arm is extremely tired right now.
 
topspn

topspn

Legend
McLovin said:
Funny you should mention this, because i just stepped off the court vs a college kid (5.0 level) who crushes the ball. Using my normal setup, I lost the 1st in a tiebreaker, but at the start of the 2nd I was spraying the ball around the court as he was getting in a groove on his forehand. I quickly went down 0-3 in the 2nd.

Frustrated, I went over & picked up the frame w/ the Confidential. It took me a few points to adjust, but I eventually got up a break & served for it at 5-4. Had a handful of set points, but couldn't put him away & ended up losing the 2nd in another tiebreaker.

But, the low power helped me handle his pace. The drawback is, my arm is extremely tired right now.
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How are you guys stringing Confidential? Are you finding you need to up tension a bit or lower a bit vs your normal setup? I normally use revolution
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
topspn said:
How are you guys stringing Confidential? Are you finding you need to up tension a bit or lower a bit vs your normal setup? I normally use revolution
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I strung it 2lbs lighter than my normal setup (48 instead of 50), and if I had it to do over, I'd go down to 45. But...Native Tour is a fairly powerful poly, so I guess its all relative to what you've been using. I haven't used Revolution since it first came out, so I really can't compare the two.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
topspn said:
@Injured Again So Silver 7 Tour or Confidential?
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While I thought that Confidential was a really good string that I felt immediately comfortable with, I still prefer Silver 7 Tour over Confidential. S7T is more powerful with equal spin capability, and I don't really notice the loss of control compared to Confidential, which is a more linear responding string throughout my range of swing speeds than S7T. On the flip side, Confidential is harsher and wore faster, and playability changed more over its life than I've experienced with S7T.

For some reason, even though Confidential, Hyper-G, and Tour Bite are all square strings, they wear differently for me. Confidential and Tour Bite seem to lose their edges and Hyper-G doesn't. Nearing the end of life with Confidential and Tour Bite, the edges have rounded and it doesn't grip the ball as well as when new. Hyper-G seems to wear down to a rectangular shape but retains sharper edges so it grabs better those last couple of hours. So even though I prefer the way Confidential feels to Hyper-G, I'd choose Hyper-G for the performance and deal with the muted, thuddy Hyper-G impact feel.

Have you had a chance to try Confidential yet? If so, what do you think about it?
 
topspn

topspn

Legend
Injured Again said:
While I thought that Confidential was a really good string that I felt immediately comfortable with, I still prefer Silver 7 Tour over Confidential. S7T is more powerful with equal spin capability, and I don't really notice the loss of control compared to Confidential, which is a more linear responding string throughout my range of swing speeds than S7T. On the flip side, Confidential is harsher and wore faster, and playability changed more over its life than I've experienced with S7T.

For some reason, even though Confidential, Hyper-G, and Tour Bite are all square strings, they wear differently for me. Confidential and Tour Bite seem to lose their edges and Hyper-G doesn't. Nearing the end of life with Confidential and Tour Bite, the edges have rounded and it doesn't grip the ball as well as when new. Hyper-G seems to wear down to a rectangular shape but retains sharper edges so it grabs better those last couple of hours. So even though I prefer the way Confidential feels to Hyper-G, I'd choose Hyper-G for the performance and deal with the muted, thuddy Hyper-G impact feel.

Have you had a chance to try Confidential yet? If so, what do you think about it?
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No, I have not yet. I play revolution in my Angells. I have tried S7T in the blade 16x19 and it’s a good string but a bit elastic which i especially sensed on volleys. Then again so is revolution in all honesty but less so then S7T. I still have a couple of packs of S7T and I do like it overall and strings do play pretty differently sometimes in different frames. I agree with hyper-g and that is my knock against it, the muted feel and thuddy, a good description. I’ll be trying both S7T and confidential soon in my TC100s in 16g
 
McLovin

McLovin

Legend
Injured Again said:
While I thought that Confidential was a really good string that I felt immediately comfortable with, I still prefer Silver 7 Tour over Confidential. S7T is more powerful with equal spin capability, and I don't really notice the loss of control compared to Confidential, which is a more linear responding string throughout my range of swing speeds than S7T. On the flip side, Confidential is harsher and wore faster, and playability changed more over its life than I've experienced with S7T.
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Agree 100%. I was part of the ST7 playtest as well, and I loved that string. In fact, if I hadn't come across Native Tour, I would be using ST7 right now. I'll probably switch back to it when clay season comes around to give me a little extra spin.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
topspn said:
No, I have not yet. I play revolution in my Angells. I have tried S7T in the blade 16x19 and it’s a good string but a bit elastic which i especially sensed on volleys. Then again so is revolution in all honesty but less so then S7T. I still have a couple of packs of S7T and I do like it overall and strings do play pretty differently sometimes in different frames. I agree with hyper-g and that is my knock against it, the muted feel and thuddy, a good description. I’ll be trying both S7T and confidential soon in my TC100s in 16g
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Exactly! It was the volleys that I had the most problems with when first playing with S7T. The power levels were so high that I had a difficult time reflexing back hard hit shots from below the net. It actually forced me to take smaller swings, which ended up being a good thing for me, but that was a months-long process.

Revolution was my choice for a go-to string for a short period. I really like how it strikes a middle ground between Hyper-G and Tour Bite, and in a Blade it looks made for our hometown Seattle Seahawks with the green and blue. But the tension loss was always something that bothered me, along with the shorter lifespan compared to Hyper-G.

I'll be waiting to hear how S7T and Confidential work in your TC100's.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
McLovin said:
Agree 100%. I was part of the ST7 playtest as well, and I loved that string. In fact, if I hadn't come across Native Tour, I would be using ST7 right now. I'll probably switch back to it when clay season comes around to give me a little extra spin.
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@SteveI was kind enough to send me a set of Native Tour but I haven't had the time to try it yet. What about Native Tour do you like and how do you compare it to S7T?
 
M

myth

Professional
g4driver said:
Tension used for playtest: 52M/50X

Regular string set up & tension: Volkl Cyclone Tour 1.30mm 56M/54X. Been using VCT 1.30mm since 2013

Racquet used for test: Pure Aero Plus with Fairway leather grip, Solinco overgrip. 340 grams strung weight

Power: Low. Much less powerful than VCT. I struggled to get the power I wanted at times, especially on flat serves.

Control: Depth and placement seemed consistent with this string but often left groundstrokes shorter than I do with VCT vs same players.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I feel this string is extremely muted and not crisp compared to my go-to string of the past six years, VCT. Crisp is a term I would use for a multi like X-1 Bi-phase, and polys like Cyclone, Cyclone Tour, and Tire 1 Firewire. This string feels nothing like those three polys. Babolat Excel is a muted multifilament while X1 Bi-phase is a crisp multifilament. Solinco Confidential 2.0 might feel crisp to some, but doubt they have ever played with Cyclone, Cyclone Tour or Firewire. I started to feel the stiffness in my elbow after multiple days of playing with this string. (edited the last sentence about feel as I didn't finish typing it before submitting my review.)

Spin: Generating spin with a Pure Aero and Solinco Confidential 2.0 isn't hard to do. I had no issue generating loopy groundstrokes with this string, but the depth was shorter than I wanted on many shots due to the lack of power in this string.

Durability: Very good. No notching like some strings. Volkl V-Torque1.28mm and Isospeed Cream 1.28mm are two polys that just break way to quickly

Playability Duration: Consistent string play through 10 hours. No strings sticking out of place, notching was minimal.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer): Strung at 52M/50X vs 56M/54X VCT 1.30mm, but I would lower the tension to something like 47/45 if used again. This string is simply too low powered for me at higher tensions.

List any additional thoughts (optional): Not a string I would switch to personally, as I see this string designed for players who generate much more RHS than I generate, especially on my serve. Like Hyper G, this string needs sufficient RHS, that I simply don't generate on a consistent basis. Hit against a ball machine, played 11 sets of doubles (8 sets 4.5/4.0 vs two 4.0s winning five out of 8 sets vs the 4.5/4.0 and (three sets 4.0's vs 4.0 losing 1-2) and 1 set singles with it against another 4.0. I found my best play with this string in singles winning 12 points in a row at one point vs a 4.0 teammate. I played doubles with it yesterday and found myself struggling with pace on my serve. Switched frames back to one with VCT 1.30 and won my serve on 6 out of 7 service games. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this playtest. Just feel it is designed for players who generate RHS at a level seen with future college players and big-hitting 4.0+ men. This string seems perfect for a couple of 6'5' and 6'6' teammates, but feel it wasn't designed for average 4.0 male players like myself.

BONUS QUESTION: Would you use the included overgrip? Why or why not?
No. Removing the protective cover was a PITA. This needs to get fixed. Solinco should buy some Wilson Pro Overgrips and film four players installing their overgrip vs four players installing Wilson Pro Overgrip, timing the installation. The lack of an easy pull tab to remove the protective cover is an auto no-go for this overgrip.
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How would you compare that string to Isospeed Cream?
 
SteveI

SteveI

Legend
Injured Again said:
@SteveI was kind enough to send me a set of Native Tour but I haven't had the time to try it yet. What about Native Tour do you like and how do you compare it to S7T?
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Hello:

Here is the link to the Talk Tennis Play-Test. I think I tested my set in a Blade 98 18 x 20. It is a somewhat powerful and nice feeling poly. My review was positive but somewhat not typical as I decided to string this in a frame I was just trying out. The end of the play-test thread has the TW review with Chris Edwards.. Nicely done..

 
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D

dtkim

New User
I have played previously with both Solinco Hyper-G and Tour Bite strings, and by far, I like this Solinco Confidential string the best. It provided me with a very approachable shots consistently where I could readjust my technique to correct the balls paths. I enjoyed over 20 total hours of playtesting until the string broke.

Tension(s) used for playtest: Solinco Confidential 1.25mm full set at 53/51 lbs (main/cross).

Regular string set up & tension: I have been using Ashaway Kevlar 16 main, 55 lbs and Prince Tour XC 15L cross, 53 lbs setup for over a year. Now, I am experimenting with 16/15L shaped poly main, ~53 lbs and 17/16 round poly cross, ~51 lbs. I have been using mostly Kirschbaum, Volkl, Weiss Cannon, and Tier One brand strings.

For the playtest review, I would like to make a comparisons based on one of my recent preferred string setup; Cyclone 15L main, 52 lbs and Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution cross, 50 lbs.

Racquet used for test: Head Liquidmetal Mid (93 in2) 18 x 20.

Power/Control of test string: Playtest setup provided better accelerated balls using the continental grip, and the control was better as well. Solinco Confidential string provided more predictable shots based on my swing techniques. When my techniques were good, I generated awesome shots.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Playtest setup provided more muted and comfortable feel during the ball impacts at the net, baseline, and serves. I felt more ball pocketing with Confidential than my usual string setups.

Spin: The spin was there as needed and it was predictable! I could generate a much more spin than my preferred string setup when my technique was on.

Durability: The string durability was the above average when compared with the other poly strings that I have played with. Using the string savers or string lubricant is couple of ways to slow-down the notching if the additional durability is desired.

Playability Duration: Playtest setups provided a good playability even though there were many deep notches all over the main strings just before the main string broke. It was over 20 total hours of hard hitting.

Tension Recommendations: Playtest setups at 53 lbs main/51 lbs Cross were very comfortable for me. I may vary the tension within +/- 2 lbs based on the racquet head sizes. For the mid-size, between 53/51 and 51/49. For the oversize, between 55/53 and 53/51.

List any additional thoughts: Stringing the Solinco Confidential 1.25mm string was similar in difficulty as to stringing Kirschbaum’s Pro Line Evolution or Pro Line II. I did not have any trouble in stringing the Confidential.
The Solinco Confidential is a well balanced performance string that provided predictable controls and a above average playability durations. It is a definitely a must try string if you like the Solinco strings.

Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not?: I really liked the feel and the tackiness of the Solinco overgrip. The overgrip performed well and the effectiveness is still present after over 20 hours of hard hitting tennis on the outdoor tennis courts. In addition, the overgrip length was just right. I used the double sided tape to take the plastic film off. I am considering to use it regularly if the cost is comparable with my present overgrip, Yonex Supergrap.

And lastly, special thank you to @TW Staff and Solinco Company for the Solinco Confidential 1.25mm strings playtest opportunity and another very positive experience.
 
Uncoil

Uncoil

Semi-Pro
Thanks to @TW Staff for the oppurtunity.

Control, spin, playability duration are the highlights for Solinco Confidential.

Tension(s) used for playtest: 48/46.5 lbs

Regular string set up & tension: Solinco Hyper G 17 48/46.5 lbs

Racquet used for test: Prince Textreme Beast 98

Power: Low powered. Not a whole lot of power from Confidential.

Control: Extreme control and consistency. Balls were very predictable as soon as it was launched off the stringbed. I knew exactly where the ball would land on the other side of the court. Confidential has a slight edge in control over Hyper G.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Stiff and muted. Comfort was good. I experienced no discomfort whatsoever during my playtest.

Spin: Very good and easy to generate. I was able to generate a good amount of spin with Confidential and 16x20 pattern on my Beast 98. Hyper G may have a slight edge in spin but both strings generate a lot of spin. Confidential rewards medium to fast swings as it keeps the ball in play with spin and control.

Durability: I've only hit about 7 hours with Confidential. Durability seems to be very good.

Playability Duration: Very good for a poly string. Playability has been consistent at 7 hours. I have not noticed a sharp drop off in playability.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?): Drop tension by 1-2 lbs and see if I can get a little more power. Control is already very good. I don't feel like I would lose much control if tension was lowered by 1-2 lbs.

List any additional thoughts (optional): Confidential produced an audible sound that I have not experienced from a poly string. It created a rewarding pop/ping sounds once the ball launched off the string bed. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

BONUS QUESTION

  • Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not? - No. I enjoyed the tackiness of the overgrip but it was a little too thick for my liking. I prefer thin, tacky overgrips where I can feel the bevels on my handle. This overgrip would be good for players who prefer a tacky and cushioned feel. I do not sweat much so I can't comment on its absorption ability. The overgrip reminded me of Yonex Supergrap.
 
djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
  • Tension(s) used for playtest
    • 43# Constant pull w pre-stretch mode using a Wise 2086 on a Gamma 602 FC
  • Regular string set up & tension
    • Volkl vSquare with Tier One Ghostwire cross 43# on 18x20 MP
    • Technifibre TF40 305
    • Wilson Blade v7 18m
  • Racquet used for test
    • Pro Kennex Redondo Type C MP with 10g of lead wrapped on pallet about 4 inches from the bottom
    • Strung weight with dampener was 365g
  • Power/Control of test string
    • Medium to medium-low power in this already low powered racquet
    • Control was very good and almost point in shoot. Keep in mind that the racquet is also very control oriented
  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
    • Muted but still provided a decent level of feedback
    • Comfortable that there was no jarring feeling when hit outside of the sweet spot
  • Spin
    • Spin was nice in an 18m racquet.
    • Launch angle was lower than the Blade and the TF40
    • Slow loopy kick serves had a nice arch
    • Fast kick serves had a flatter trajectory where it seemed like the ball was going to go out but then drop like a brick into the service box
    • Ground strokes had a similar trajectory going flat and low launch angle appearing to go long but then drop.
    • You could also get some nice height if you adjusted your stroke
  • Durability
    • Very good
    • I’m not a string breaker and cut out poly when I notice the snap back dropped
    • Not much notching but keep in mind this is in an 18m racquet
  • Playability Duration
    • There didn’t seem to be a break in period but more of an adjustment period
    • I felt the ball action and feedback was consistent over a 2-week period. I got sick and had work schedule changes which took me away from tennis for a little over a week. Coming back afterwards, I noticed my serves were going long (kick & flat) but it could also be that I wasn’t in sync after being ill. The feedback was still similar from the start of the play test
    • I noticed that the edges of the string were worn down within the sweet spot
  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?)
    • I would consider going down in tension to get more power. If it was a warmer time of the year, I would probably stay the same.
  • List any additional thoughts (optional)
    • When I first heard about this string being between Tour Bite and HyperG, I was a bit concerned with the stiffness of the string. This made me choose to put it in a comfortable racquet. Looking back at how it played I probably could have put this in a number of racquets and still had a decent amount of comfort.
    • Stringing was pretty straight forward and not too difficult to weave or knot
    • Uncut weight with zip tie was 21g. installed weight was 18g
    • Digital calipers listed it as 1.30mm and could have been due to the way string was sitting within the instrument
    • The edges of the string were pretty easy to see and feel
    • I forgot to do a racquet tune reading and thank McLovin for recording that info on his review
    • I appreciated this string almost like how I appreciate a basic synthetic gut. It was what I considered an honest string that what you put in you get back. There didn’t seem to be any errant shots (except for when technique was lacking).
    • I would like to try this string again in a Blade/TF40/Prestige MP or an Angell TC96 63 RA 16m
    • I got to hit with a couple of other Talk Tennis members (Topspinlob & Runman)
      • Topsinlob said it felt like I had less spin but the same amount of power in my shots. The 2nd time we played he said he felt there was an adjustment in returning my shots. His contact point was slightly higher this time around. We did play on a different court and used different type of tennis balls. Not sure if that had anything to do with it or the climate.
      • Runman mentioned that I had good kick/spin and was troubling his back hand. Take note that he hurt his left leg during our hitting sessions (see video) and couldn’t push off as much on that shot. Overall the shots felt heavy and my consistency was good this time around.
        • He also had Confidential in his Blade Countervail (CV) 18m racquet at 52# and the following is his review. It has comparable power to HyperG.
        • Comfort sat between Tour Bite and HyperG. No harsh vibrations or arm discomfort but he attributes it to the CV technology.
        • Spin production had a nice dipping action similar to HyperG and was really grate for being in an 18m. “Who needs a 16m or more open pattern when you can use Confidential?”
        • Control was good through hitting sessions. He hasn’t used it in a league match but is confident about using it.
        • Durability seems high with minimal notching
        • Feel wasn’t as good as using a hybrid set up but was better than 99% of the other polys he has used


BONUS QUESTION

  • Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not?
    • Yes
    • I currently have in my OG rotation Tourna Tac XL, Head Xtreme Soft, and Solinco Wonder. All off which my hand agrees with. I prefer a thin grip that has tackiness. Sweat absorption isn’t too much of a concern. The only gripe/issue I have is the removal of the clear film. All the OGs I currently use have one issue or the other regarding packaging. Head has a tab on the end, but I have noticed that the tab has been shorter on the recent ones I’ve used. It could be a lot/batch issue. If the price is comparable, I would consider it.
    • Packaged weight was 6g with the finishing strip and the digital calipers said it was 0.37mm
 
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djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
1be839f64c3b3d7a773407e4ae7fa054.jpg

As received from Tennis Warehouse
Full set w/ zip tie weight
Noticeable edges
Digital caliper reading of string
OG w clear film and finishing tape weight
Digital caliper reading of OG


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
73ddfce4cece229dea6d471185f2bd6d.jpg


Strung weight
Photo of strings before cutting it out with minimal notching and rounded edges in the sweet spot (snap back still pretty good)
Freshly strung


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
I am an Aortic Dissection Type B survivor with surgical repair and am coming up to my 1 year anniversary of my dreaded day. My fitness and footwork has declined and hope to get my strength back. I'm self rating myself at 3.0-3.5. I have taken the USPTA on court exams and help teach kids from 5-12 years of age as well as work with Junior Team Tennis teams 10u/12u.

Thank you Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for this play test
 
T

tomato123

Professional
dtkim said:
I have played previously with both Solinco Hyper-G and Tour Bite strings, and by far, I like this Solinco Confidential string the best. It provided me with a very approachable shots consistently where I could readjust my technique to correct the balls paths. I enjoyed over 20 total hours of playtesting until the string broke.

Tension(s) used for playtest: Solinco Confidential 1.25mm full set at 53/51 lbs (main/cross).

Regular string set up & tension: I have been using Ashaway Kevlar 16 main, 55 lbs and Prince Tour XC 15L cross, 53 lbs setup for over a year. Now, I am experimenting with 16/15L shaped poly main, ~53 lbs and 17/16 round poly cross, ~51 lbs. I have been using mostly Kirschbaum, Volkl, Weiss Cannon, and Tier One brand strings.

For the playtest review, I would like to make a comparisons based on one of my recent preferred string setup; Cyclone 15L main, 52 lbs and Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution cross, 50 lbs.

Racquet used for test: Head Liquidmetal Mid (93 in2) 18 x 20.

Power/Control of test string: Playtest setup provided better accelerated balls using the continental grip, and the control was better as well. Solinco Confidential string provided more predictable shots based on my swing techniques. When my techniques were good, I generated awesome shots.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Playtest setup provided more muted and comfortable feel during the ball impacts at the net, baseline, and serves. I felt more ball pocketing with Confidential than my usual string setups.

Spin: The spin was there as needed and it was predictable! I could generate a much more spin than my preferred string setup when my technique was on.

Durability: The string durability was the above average when compared with the other poly strings that I have played with. Using the string savers or string lubricant is couple of ways to slow-down the notching if the additional durability is desired.

Playability Duration: Playtest setups provided a good playability even though there were many deep notches all over the main strings just before the main string broke. It was over 20 total hours of hard hitting.

Tension Recommendations: Playtest setups at 53 lbs main/51 lbs Cross were very comfortable for me. I may vary the tension within +/- 2 lbs based on the racquet head sizes. For the mid-size, between 53/51 and 51/49. For the oversize, between 55/53 and 53/51.

List any additional thoughts: Stringing the Solinco Confidential 1.25mm string was similar in difficulty as to stringing Kirschbaum’s Pro Line Evolution or Pro Line II. I did not have any trouble in stringing the Confidential.
The Solinco Confidential is a well balanced performance string that provided predictable controls and a above average playability durations. It is a definitely a must try string if you like the Solinco strings.

Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not?: I really liked the feel and the tackiness of the Solinco overgrip. The overgrip performed well and the effectiveness is still present after over 20 hours of hard hitting tennis on the outdoor tennis courts. In addition, the overgrip length was just right. I used the double sided tape to take the plastic film off. I am considering to use it regularly if the cost is comparable with my present overgrip, Yonex Supergrap.

And lastly, special thank you to @TW Staff and Solinco Company for the Solinco Confidential 1.25mm strings playtest opportunity and another very positive experience.
Click to expand...

When you say it produced more spin than your preferred setup, are you referring to the Kevlar/poly hybrid? I've used Kevlar/zx in the past and that was a VERY spinny setup and I assume Kevlar/poly has just as much, if not more spin. So it must have been very impressive for you in that aspect?

And over 20 hours, wow! What was your assessment of the performance and feel of the string throughout its lifespan? At any point did you feel any major drop off in certain areas?
 
D

dtkim

New User
tomato123 said:
When you say it produced more spin than your preferred setup, are you referring to the Kevlar/poly hybrid? I've used Kevlar/zx in the past and that was a VERY spinny setup and I assume Kevlar/poly has just as much, if not more spin. So it must have been very impressive for you in that aspect?

And over 20 hours, wow! What was your assessment of the performance and feel of the string throughout its lifespan? At any point did you feel any major drop off in certain areas?
Click to expand...
My current preferred string setup is using Cyclone 15L main (52 lbs) and Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution cross (50 lbs). It is a very good hybrid setup for me. I like using the Ashaway Kevlar as a main and other polys as crosses for playtesting for myself.
My personal assessment of the Solinco Confidential string's performance was that it played pretty consistent until it broke. Maybe I am not that sensitive, however, I really didn't felt any sudden changes in playing characteristics. It is a very good string and I am planning to hybrid with Ashaway Kevlar in a future playtest.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
djNEiGht said:
Thank you. Trying to keep up with you. I really need to step on the gas when I hit with @Runman otherwise I'm dead. Hope he is okay as I know he's been battling injury and stuff that life brings you.
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Looks like he popped his right calf. Ouch! San Diego is not supposed to be that cold!

You can never know what life is going to throw at you. Congratulations on your one year anniversary, and it is great to see you out on the courts and enjoying tennis! Giving back by coaching a junior USTA team is awesome and I hope it brings you a lot of joy making a difference in the lives of your young players.

Even in the cold conditions, you were getting a lot of top that carried the ball deep on the bounce. I think you also mentioned that you felt the edges rounded with use - have you tried Hyper-G and did you also experience that with it? I'm trying to find out if I'm the outlier.
 
djNEiGht

djNEiGht

Legend
Injured Again said:
Looks like he popped his right calf. Ouch! San Diego is not supposed to be that cold!

You can never know what life is going to throw at you. Congratulations on your one year anniversary, and it is great to see you out on the courts and enjoying tennis! Giving back by coaching a junior USTA team is awesome and I hope it brings you a lot of joy making a difference in the lives of your young players.

Even in the cold conditions, you were getting a lot of top that carried the ball deep on the bounce. I think you also mentioned that you felt the edges rounded with use - have you tried Hyper-G and did you also experience that with it? I'm trying to find out if I'm the outlier.
Click to expand...
This is Balboa park in Encino (LA County). And it happened to be after a couple days of cold wind storms.

Thank you. I'm almost to my "Aortaversary" and it's a mixture of feelings. I have a feeling that in 2-3 years I won't be able to hang with my current 10u team and just get slaughtered. Love these kids to bits.

I haven't played with HyperG much but I've seen similar strings round out in the hitting area. I have HyperG in a TF40 right now and while it's an 18m just like the Redondo, this racquet has more power. Will see how the string wears but IIRC the TF40 has a slightly larger string spacing than the Redondo.
 
M

miraq

Rookie
Solinco Confidential String Review

Tension(s) used for playtest - 48lbs M / 46lbs C

Regular string set up & tension - Babolat Tonic M / Tecnifibre Black Code C, tensions same as playtest

Racquet used for test - Pacific XForce Pro#1 (weighted up to 358 g)

Power/Control of test string - Power level was lower compared to what I use in my standard hybrid string set up. I really needed to swing out pretty hard and fast to get into a powerful ground stroke, anything less than a full, hard swing yielded quite slow shallow, ineffective hits

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?) - Quite stiff, the string seemed to soften up a little after 4 to 6 hours of play, but still were very stiff.

Comfortable? - As stiff as these strings felt I was pleasantly surprised not to have any discomfort in the wrist, since I have previously encountered this problem with other stiff polys.

Spin - Just from looking at the string you can see that it has a shaped profile but I didn't get great spin out of it. Compared to Hyper-G, the Confidential's launch angle was a lot lower which resulted in a lot of my shots landing short when they would normally land deeper with a similar swing. Consequently I struggled a lot with either hitting balls into the net or short balls that landed in my opponent's hitting zone.

Durability - For me, I cannot offer much feedback regarding durability, however I do see some signs of wear, beginning of notching, starting pretty early considering only about 18 x 20 hours of exclusively match play usage.

Playability Duration - Still playing consistently after the initial 4-6 hour break in.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?) - Maybe try lowering 2-4 lbs to see if I could get a bit more pop from the string.

List any additional thoughts (optional) - I don’t see any big negatives from this strings performance, but also I could not recognize any big pluses that would make me want to run out immediately to buy it. I would probably choose my Tonic/Black code hybrid, Hyper G or maybe Tour Bite soft above this string.

Many thanks to Solinco and TW for the opportunity to test this product!

BONUS QUESTION
Would you use the included over-grip? Why/why not? - Sure I would use it, but I’m not fanatical about the type of over-grip I use. Typical I use the Wilson Pro Overgrip, Pacifics over-grip or the Yonex over-grip all pretty interchangeably.
 
D

dhdriver

Rookie
Solinco Confidential 1.25

Racquet used for test:
Yonex Vcore Pro 97 HD

Tension used for playtest:
46 lbs in the mains and 42 lbs in the crosses.

Regular string set up & tension:
Yonex Poly Tour Drive 1.25 48 lbs x 44 lbs
Solinco Tour Bite 18 48 lbs x 44 lbs

Power:
There was decent amount of power. I originally tried out the strings back in fall and felt it was underpowered. Tried it again at a lower tension and it felt a little better. The power was abundant if I gave it a full 100% swing. If I took a compact swing, power was a little lacking. I had similar issues with Head Experimental 17. I found many shots landing short if I did not hit with Dominic Thiem-esque racquet head speed.

Control:
There was good control with Solinco Confidential. However, I did find the control a little inconsistent. I would try to hit the same shot twice and it would go a different direction.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
It was firm but not stiff. Maybe crisp is the right word. Wasn't uncomfortable. Definitely more firm than Tour Bite 17 for me at least.

Spin:
Spin was okay. Definitely less than my usual set ups. I think I had to work really hard (like Dominic Thiem-esque racquet head speed on the forehand) to get a lot of spin on my forehand. Especially on serves. I felt my slice and kick serves did not get any more spin as a round poly (like Yonex Poly Tour Pro).

Durability:
Confidential has pretty good durability. I did not notice any notching.

Playability Duration:
I have tested the strings for about 6 hours now and they do feel like the playability has been consistent throughout. I will keep playing until I feel that it is no longer playable. Usually around 10-12 hours for me.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I would probably enjoy this racquet strung at a looser tension. It wasn't lacking power, but I felt that it was underpowered for compact swings. I am just someone who enjoys tensions under 48 lbs.

List any additional thoughts (optional):
I would probably try the 17 gauge. I think I usually do not like 16L polys in my racquet. If I was using my old DRs, I may have liked these strings more. I think the 17 gauge will be worth a shot with my 18x20 string pattern.

BONUS QUESTION:

Would you use the included overgrip? Why or why not?
I think if I didn't love Yonex Super Grap so much I would use the included overgrip. Only issue I had with it was that it was overly tacky. Too tacky for my dry hands.

Thank you Solinco and thank you TW!
 
T

therecanbeonlyone

Semi-Pro
Solinco Confidential 1.25 Playtest

Personal info on my game: I am a 40 year old man who played a lot as a junior, took over a decade off, and then have been back in the game for just over a decade. I am a 6’3” lefty who plays mostly doubles at a high 4.0 level. I have classic strokes, eastern grips on both sides (1hbh) and always look to move forward to finish points at the net.

Racquet used for test:
Angell TC97 18x20 (with a 10 pts headlight balance unstrung). Fully strung with the provided overgrip and dampener this racquet was 351 grams.
2030b2343c84b3fd8dc91630563e1525.jpg


Tension used for playtest:
42lbs in mains, 40lbs in crosses.

Regular String set up & tension:
When using poly, I use 42/40. The prior string in this racquet was Volkl Cyclone Tour 16. Most of the time, though, I use full bed of multi (Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 at 57/55)

Power:
Despite the seemingly low tension used, power was almost equal to what I am used to with the above other setups. If anything, my forehand was landing a little short (but that’s probably on me as I fight through technique tweaks). I hit some of the hardest backhands I have ever hit, partially because I was swinging out without fear of the string adding too much pop. For reference, Tour Bite Diamond Rough is way more powerful, Cyclone Tour is a bit more powerful.

Control:
So, the racquet I use is a control freak. When I add poly to it, control is enhanced even more. I had no problems with predictability of this stringbed. What you put into it, you got out of it.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
At this tension, Confidential was actually pretty darn comfortable. I usually play once or twice a week. I had back-to-back days where I played 3 sets of doubles one day and 3 sets of singles the next day and didn’t feel any issues with comfort. On my last day playing I compared Confidential to my Angell TC95 18x20 that has Volkl natural gut in it strung in the high 50s, and honestly I thought comfort was pretty comparable. So…Comfortably Crisp.

Spin:
I don’t think spin was a superb attribute of this string. Compared to other shaped polys, it isn’t a leader in this department. I’m no spin monster, but I do hit plenty of slices and those scooted just fine.

Durability:
I am not a string breaker, especially in this tight-patterned racquet. That said, after what should be a full lifespan for a poly string (upwards of 15 hours), there really isn’t any notching and just minor dents. As you can see, that rectangular profile is still present.
79c52009e5414f89a9d6666020a51944.jpg


Playability Duration:
I watched for changes here, but haven’t been able to see/feel much. My RacquetTune info is pretty steady at 33.6 right now (this is not shockingly low for me, btw). Even though I’ve got 14 sets of doubles, 3 sets of singles, and 2 hours of clinic/drills, I’ll probably use it again in a league match tonight.

Tension Recommendations:
I certainly would not increase tension. In this racquet 42/40 with poly works for me. I would be tempted to go down to maybe 40/38 next time around, unless this is available in a thinner gauge, which would be my preference.

Additional Thoughts:
I was on the Hyper G playtest many moons ago. While I liked it, I developed some nerve issues with it sending numbness down to my pinky. That’s the only time that has ever happened to me. Confidential doesn’t present that problem to me, thankfully.

BONUS QUESTION: Would you use the included overgrip?
YES. I like the feel of this overgrip. It feels like a thinner Wilson Pro. My usual choice of overgrip is Wilson Pro or Luxilon Elite Dry depending on the time of year/temperature. I probably like this one more than Wilson Pro because it is thinner. I used the edge of the grip tape to grab the clear plastic covering and peeled it off. This seems to have saved me the 5 minutes that the rest of the playtesters spent trying to prepare this grip to be wrapped.

Thank you to TW and Solinco for this opportunity!
 
lidoazndiabloboi

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Solinco Confidential Review

Tension(s) used for playtest: 52 lbs

Regular string set up & tension: Luxilon strings at 52lbs

Racquet used for test: Wilson RF97 Laver Cup

Power/Control of test string: Power level was low to medium for me. I really needed to swing hard to generate the same kind of power from other strings. Might be adjusted with a lower tension change. Control is very good. Felt very point and shoot for me. I was really able to hit the spots I wanted.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): After hitting three balls, my initial reaction is, “wow very muted, stiff stringbed” Even as stiff as the stringbed felt, comfort was never an issue. No pain in the wrist or elbow. I felt there was a break in period from these strings. After hitting for one session, the stringbed started to loosen up and felt much more comfortable than when I started.

Spin: That is the one plus I have for this string. The strings grab the ball very well and gives you access to a great amount of spin. Probably as much spin as any other string.

Durability: After about 4 sessions, there is severe notching in the strings and the strings have started to flatten out quite a bit.

Playability Duration: Off the machine, these string played very horribly to me. Towards the end of the first session, the tension started to loosen up and the stringbed felt better overall. By the 2nd session, there was more significant string movement, and the string loss the ability to snap back. But the strings still played with a lot of spin even after the 5th session.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?) 52 lbs is my usual tension when it comes to testing strings. In the case of Confidential, 52 lbs strung felt much much stiff than other strings. Because of that, next time around I would definitely lower the tension, possible by 5 lbs just to see the difference, and then bump it up if needed.

List any additional thoughts (optional): Like many others say, Confidential feels like a cross between Hyper-G and Tour Bite. I would really recommend hitting with all 3 strings at the same time to feel the small differences between each string, to see which one you prefer more. Many of my clients would love to try these strings as they have similar playability to Hyper-G but with a more conservative color. I will also be trying this string in a 17G 1.20 next to see the differences.

BONUS QUESTION
Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not? I did use the included overgrip during my playtest. They grip was very tacky. Maybe a little too tacky for my liking.

Thank you to @TW Staff and Solinco for the opportunity to playtest these things before they release to the market.

 
Last edited:
M

MadisonTennis

New User
Solinco Confidential Review

Tension Used - 51#s using Prince 3000 stringer

Regular String/Tension - Volkl Cyclone 18 gauge at 52#s

Racquet Used - Volkl Organix V1 MP

Power/Control - I usually string my racket at either 52 or 53#s. After reading some initial reviews, I decided to go a little lower at 51#s. I felt like the power level was a little lower than Cyclone but that is not a bad thing because I thought this string provided a lot of control. I tend to stay at the baseline and found this string rewards you if you swing out. I found I rarely was hitting the ball beyond the baseline. I also felt like this string really gripped the ball and the ball stayed on the string bed longer that Cyclone.

Feel - I have tried various poly strings and the reason I have used Cyclone for so long is I liked the control plus it did not hurt my arm. There are several poly strings out there that I just cannot use because I feel it in the shoulder or elbow. I have tried Solinco Tour Bite, Tour Bite Soft, Hyper G (which my son still uses), and Revolution. Tour Bite was my favorite but I could not use it due to the stiffness and the wear on my shoulder.
This string has a lot of similarities to Tour Bite but I had no arm pain. I have used it for atleast 12 sets of doubles and it still is holding up well. In summary, I am very pleased with the comfort in this string.

Spin - I typically use 1.20 gauge string so this was a little bit of a change for me. However, I found this string very similar to my go to string. In fact, I would say I liked the spin of this string more than Cyclone. I mainly hit topspin but I do occasionally hit slice on the backhand side. I really felt connected with the string on all types of shots. Again, I felt like the more I swung out, the ball still would stay in the court.

Durability - I never tend to break poly strings and I usually restring my racket after around 10 hours of playing. I had no issues with the durability of this string and I would say I am going on close to 15 hours now.

Playability Durability - After about 10 hours, I felt like this string was losing some feel but I am still able to hit a lot of topspin. I would recommend restringing it about like other polys out there. Seems like 10 hours would be about right to restring.

Recommended Tension - For me, 51#s is about right but if I were going to experiment I would go down 1-2 #s next time. I definitely would not raise the tension.

Additional Comments - Having been a long time Cyclone user, I really never thought I would switch strings but I think I just found my new string. Confidential does everything cyclone does but just better. To me, it grips the ball like Tour Bite but is easy on the arm like Cyclone. So for me it is the best of both worlds. Since trying out this string, I have purchased 2 more sets of 1.25 gauge and 2 sets of 1.20 gauge which should arrive from Tennis Warehouse tomorrow. I want to compare both gauges before buying a reel. Yep, I think Solinco has a winner with this string. I know everyone has their own preference in strings but this one has me sold. Again, I have always like Solinco strings but my arm did not. That is not the case with this string. Great job Solinco.

Thoughts on the Over Grip - My go to grip is Mega Tac. My son uses Wilson Pro grip so I have used that when I ran out of Mega Tac. To me, this grip falls somewhere in the middle of those 2 grips. It is very comfortable like Wilson but not quite as tacky as Mega Tac. If I were ranking them for preference, I would go with Mega Tac, Solinco, and then Wilson. Bu this grip is a very close second to Mega Tac. The one thing I did not like (and others have mentioned) is trying to take the thin layer off the grip before using it. It just seems like it is almost glued to the grip and it would be difficult to change grips during an odd game changeover in a set. But other than that, I really liked the grip and still am using it the same amount of time that I have demoed Confidential.

Thanks to Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for the fun playtest. Again, I think they have a winner with this string and I look forward to comparing 1.20 and 1.25 gauge.
 
fullwesternforehand

fullwesternforehand

Rookie
  • Tension(s) used for playtest: 52
  • Regular string set up & tension: Babolat Pure Aero with Solinco Hyper G at 51-54
  • Racquet used for test: Babolat Pure Aero
  • Power/Control of test string: The string had no real power, as it is aimed to be a more control orientated string. It was a very good compliment to a powerful racquet, but as the string starts to settle in it gets even better. The pocketing starts to grow even more, but the control starts to die off as normal. Overall I would say it is not a powerful string
  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The string was in fact muted, as is the case with most black strings, but it is not a bad thing. I would also say it is firmer than Hyper G, and not very comfortable. If you suffer from tennis elbow I would recommend you stay away from confidential.
  • Spin: Spin was a bit...wierd for me. It is shaped so it does help out with bite, but I would say the real spin comes from the pocketing. I play a very spinny game, with my serves being all kick and topspin heavy groundstrokes. The control was what gave me the spin, and not so much the shape. Although the shape always helps.
  • Durability: I would say it had average durability for a shaped poly. Typically I break shaped polys at the 10 our mark or so just because the strings dig into each other.
  • Playability Duration: Playabilty I would say was one of the string's weak spots. I felt that once the string started to settle in, the playability was going downhill fast. The string started to become livelier, and while it may be beneficial to some, I would say the characteristics of the string started to change rapidly from a control muted string to an uncontrollable generic dead poly.
  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?): I would like to have gone in the mid 40s just to see if I got more power.
  • List any additional thoughts (optional): Overall, if you are into Hyper G but want it to be a bit deader, Confidential is the way to go. I would say it is if HyperG and Volkl Cyclone had a baby
BONUS QUESTION
  • Would you use the included overgrip? Why/why not? YESSSSS. This is the first overgrip that is like a wilson pro overgrip, but is slightly tackier and less absorbent. My hands do not sweat, so I like tackier overgrips. I would buy a 30 pack right now if given the option. So yes, if you like tacky grips with the feel of the wilson pro overgrip this grip is for you.

As always, thanks TW and to Solinco for the chance to playtest products!
 
H

hitthefence38

New User
  • Tension(s) used for playtest: I use 45 lbs for my tension. I like having a trampoline for a racket....
  • Regular string set up & tension: Volkl Cyclone (strung at 50lbs).
  • Racquet used for test: Babolat Pure Strike 98 in
  • Power/Control of test string: Low power, I would put it some what in the MSV Focus/Weiss Mosquito Bite in terms of power range. Since it is lower in power, I could focus on controlling my shots but I seem to hit the ball short a couple times. Control was sufficient nothing to write home about.
  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Definitely muted but it also lacked a sufficient response from the strings. I never felt like I hit the ball well at any point during the play test. It could be weather related as the weather has been colder
  • Spin: I had difficulties determining whether the spin was generated from the strings or from my form.
  • Durability: Not great, I started seeing grooves in my strings after 5 hours of hitting.
  • Playability Duration: It played the same for me for 10 hours of hitting, and then it started to drop performance wise after the 10 hour mark.
  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why?) I could possibly try this at a lower tension but I am not convinced it would do much in helping my strokes.
  • List any additional thoughts (optional) I think if you prefer the Solinco brand, stick with the tour bite it is bit jarring on the elbow but it has a good combination of power and control.
  • Overgrip: I LOVE IT, the more tackier the grip the better feel I have. Definitely held up during the cold weather and I feel it could do the same in hot weather. Thanks TW for the playtest and the grip!
 
T

therecanbeonlyone

Semi-Pro
Just an update to my review:
I played our first league match last night in 70° temperatures and purposefully split the match between my Angell TC97 18x20 with Confidential strung at 42/40 and my Angell TC95 18x20 with natural gut strung at 58/58. As I mentioned before, power and comfort were close to the same and really didn’t require nearly any adjustment. I never had to redline any of my strokes during this doubles match, so just tried to play steady and concentrate on feel. I’m thinking Confidential strung low in a control-oriented racquet is a nice match.
 
R

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
CosmosMpower said:
Hey TW when are the specs going to be added to the string comparison tool? I'd like to see what the numbers are compared to Hyper G and Revolution (16L and 18 gauges)
Click to expand...
The data stay probably confidential ;-) Now Sloane is fallen in ranking there is maybe less interest in her string(tennis). Maybe Solinco is working on a better update?
 
badmice2

badmice2

Professional
topspn said:
How are you guys stringing Confidential? Are you finding you need to up tension a bit or lower a bit vs your normal setup? I normally use revolution
Click to expand...
I've strung mine normal. It's working out really well. I've also strung my other racket with the 1.20mm version; which plays even livelier than the 16L.
 
CosmosMpower

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
I installed a set of 18G 1.15 in my Vcore 95, it's working out pretty well. It feels pretty thin gauge for a 1.15, thinner than Hyper G at 1.15, very similar to Cyclone 18L almost a bi wiry. The first few hours the string tended to move around a bit which required resetting them straight. After they stopped moving the crosses notched into the mains but the mains still slide freely.

Tension loss was much less than other solinco strings in the same gauge (7-8% after 5 hours vs 13-15%). The string bed remains crisp and firm, I would say power is lower than hyper G. Spin is comparable to hyper G, maybe a little bit more, feel is a bit crisper than Hyper G. I'd say the biggest upside to this string is that it maintains tension better than other Solinco strings in 18G so far. It's not game changing but a solid choice and worth trying.

I have a set coming in 16L which I'll try as well. My normal go to strings are Revolution in 16L and Hyper G in 18.
 
CosmosMpower

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
Hit the 16L last night, overall don't like it as much as the 18. It feels a bit deader and doesn't quite have the same pop (to be expected) but it feels like it has less spin as well the string feels more round in shape compared to the 18 which feels like a wiry shaped string. Tension loss after 1 hr is 5% which is good, so far I'll be sticking to Hyper G and Revolution still.
 
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