Tennis Warehouse playtest: Solinco Hyper-G Soft!
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Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Thanks. I do try to post a lot of video. You get an accurate idea of how I hit the ball and how the ball responds to my swings.
That being said, I'm in the midst of a wrist injury that is hurting my ability to swing my foreland like normal. And I'm coming to the Hyper-G/Hyper-G Soft strings from Cyclone Tour, which has lost tension and so has a higher launch angle. Cyclone Tour does have more power so I probably have cut down on my swings a little bit but I'm only at the end of my first string job with Cyclone Tour so any changes are probably still in progress.
Strung it up 2 days ago - hit with it tonight for 1.5 hours. First impressions are nice. Totally agree with another reviewer that you can feel the pocketing. Definitely easier on arm than regular hyper-g - but comparable spin imo. I plan to play with this over the weekend and a couple times next week as well. Not too much notching yet - here is an image of one of the mains with the cross pushed out of the way to see the friction point:
djNEiGht
Legend
go with your usual tension for 16L polyGood news...
My plan is to string it up in an ezone 98, what tension should I do? I was thinking 53/50, thoughts? Also I am extremely appreciative to Tennis Warehouse for allowing me on the playtest, I’m looking forward to trying this string.
g4driver
Legend
@haqq777
I didn't read your post until after I hit with Hyper G Soft 1.25mm for the first time last night. I know you hit with an APD, and use VC 1.30mm as a 5.5 player so was interested in your thoughts. My strings arrived after 630 pm Tuesday night, but I didn't string my frame until yesterday. (Stringing 80 to 90 frames a month now so my frames are always last).
The first thing I noticed wasn't the color but the feel of the string in my hands when I opened the package and strung the frame compared to Hyper G. HGS is noticeably softer to me than HG as a stringer. I can feel the component which is most likely elastomer (rubber) of HGS when I string it. HGS has that same soft subtle feel that Yonex Poly Tour Air and Isospeed Cream both have. I cut two pieces of HG and HGS in 9-inch lengths with a blue mark on HG and a red mark on HGS. I picked the HGS 5 times out of 5 with my eyes closed. When stringing HGS, it is noticeably softer than HG to me. It feels softer than VCT 1.30mm as a stringer. My guess is HGS 1.25mm snapped on you because it is indeed a much softer string. My initial impression is I would probably use HGS in 1.30mm in an APD, PA, or any uber open 16x19 frame for a hard-hitting 4.5 player.
I hit with my PA+ last night and my initial impression is HGS is much softer than HG to anyone with a sensitive elbow. It feels much softer than Tier One Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm in my PA+. I was switching back and forth between a frame with VCT 1.30mm and HGS 1.25mm and the HGS frame felt softer. Much like Volkl Cyclone is stiffer than Volkl Cyclone Tour, HGS feels like the VCT compared to VC when I hit with it last night. If a player can't feel much difference between VC compared to VCT, I suspect they won't feel much of a difference between HGS and HG. But if you are a player who can feel a difference between VC and VCT, you will feel the difference between HG and HGS.
I am trying to figure out the whole IMGUR upload, linking process since TW disable Tapatalk, and the ease to upload pictures from an iPhone. Just a small tech learning curve I need to get through, along with 7 frames including 4 Blade 93 18x20
that I picked up last night. I will get some pictures posted, and yes I want to get out to Seattle sometime to hit with @Injured Again because he has the video posting thing mastered. But no, I don't like the thought of hitting to his backhand, however. @Injured Again it will be next fall since I took a year leave of absence from work to concentrate on my stringing Hitting with the HGS 1.25 frame today, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and will get 10+ hours with it. I highlighted your additional thoughts in blue. This is spot on IMO, as a guy who prefers higher tensions with more comfortable copoly strings.
Edited posted to upgrade @haqq777 to his proper level, a 5.5 not 4.5 Thanks @sanister
Last edited:
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
I’m very interested now to see what the TWU numbers are, I just need to pick a frame to string it lol.@haqq777
I didn't read your post until after I hit with Hyper G Soft 1.25mm for the first time last night. I know you hit with an APD, and use VC 1.30mm as a 4.5 player so was interested in your thoughts. My strings arrived after 630 pm Tuesday night, but I didn't string my frame until yesterday. (Stringing 80 to 90 frames a month now so my frames are always last).
The first thing I noticed wasn't the color but the feel of the string in my hands when I opened the package and strung the frame compared to Hyper G. HGS is noticeably softer to me than HG as a stringer. I can feel the component which is most likely elastomer (rubber) of HGS when I string it. HGS has that same soft subtle feel that Yonex Poly Tour Air and Isospeed Cream both have. I cut two pieces of HG and HGS in 9-inch lengths with a blue mark on HG and a red mark on HGS. I picked the HGS 5 times out of 5 with my eyes closed. When stringing HGS, it is noticeably softer than HG to me. It feels softer than VCT 1.30mm as a stringer. My guess is HGS 1.25mm snapped on you because it is indeed a much softer string. My initial impression is I would probably use HGS in 1.30mm in an APD, PA, or any uber open 16x19 frame for a hard-hitting 4.5 player.
I hit with my PA+ last night and my initial impression is HGS is much softer than HG to anyone with a sensitive elbow. It feels much softer than Tier One Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm in my PA+. I was switching back and forth between a frame with VCT 1.30mm and HGS 1.25mm and the HGS frame felt softer. Much like Volkl Cyclone is stiffer than Volkl Cyclone Tour, HGS feels like the VCT compared to VC when I hit with it last night. If a player can't feel much difference between VC compared to VCT, I suspect they won't feel much of a difference between HGS and HG. But if you are a player who can feel a difference between VC and VCT, you will feel the difference between HG and HGS.
I am trying to figure out the whole IMGUR upload, linking process since TW disable Tapatalk, and the ease to upload pictures from an iPhone. Just a small tech learning curve I need to get through, along with 7 frames including 4 Blade 93 18x20
Hitting with the HGS 1.25 frame today, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and will get 10+ hours with it. I highlighted your additional thoughts in blue. This is spot on IMO, as a guy who prefers higher tensions with more comfortable copoly strings.
sanister
Professional
Completely agree with you regarding your & haqqs conclusion (haqq isn't 4.5 btw, he doesn't play usta but beat a 5.0 at my club in straight sets, he's a former college player in great shape & I would definitely put him closer to 5.5).@haqq777
I didn't read your post until after I hit with Hyper G Soft 1.25mm for the first time last night. I know you hit with an APD, and use VC 1.30mm as a 4.5 player so was interested in your thoughts. My strings arrived after 630 pm Tuesday night, but I didn't string my frame until yesterday. (Stringing 80 to 90 frames a month now so my frames are always last).
The first thing I noticed wasn't the color but the feel of the string in my hands when I opened the package and strung the frame compared to Hyper G. HGS is noticeably softer to me than HG as a stringer. I can feel the component which is most likely elastomer (rubber) of HGS when I string it. HGS has that same soft subtle feel that Yonex Poly Tour Air and Isospeed Cream both have. I cut two pieces of HG and HGS in 9-inch lengths with a blue mark on HG and a red mark on HGS. I picked the HGS 5 times out of 5 with my eyes closed. When stringing HGS, it is noticeably softer than HG to me. It feels softer than VCT 1.30mm as a stringer. My guess is HGS 1.25mm snapped on you because it is indeed a much softer string. My initial impression is I would probably use HGS in 1.30mm in an APD, PA, or any uber open 16x19 frame for a hard-hitting 4.5 player.
I hit with my PA+ last night and my initial impression is HGS is much softer than HG to anyone with a sensitive elbow. It feels much softer than Tier One Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm in my PA+. I was switching back and forth between a frame with VCT 1.30mm and HGS 1.25mm and the HGS frame felt softer. Much like Volkl Cyclone is stiffer than Volkl Cyclone Tour, HGS feels like the VCT compared to VC when I hit with it last night. If a player can't feel much difference between VC compared to VCT, I suspect they won't feel much of a difference between HGS and HG. But if you are a player who can feel a difference between VC and VCT, you will feel the difference between HG and HGS.
I am trying to figure out the whole IMGUR upload, linking process since TW disable Tapatalk, and the ease to upload pictures from an iPhone. Just a small tech learning curve I need to get through, along with 7 frames including 4 Blade 93 18x20
Hitting with the HGS 1.25 frame today, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and will get 10+ hours with it. I highlighted your additional thoughts in blue. This is spot on IMO, as a guy who prefers higher tensions with more comfortable copoly strings.
I think your observation about HyperG being soft in hand is so spot on. Not only just the color being a bit pale bit also stringing up process anyone who has strung up HyperG can tell this is softer. I'm btw also enjoying VCT 1.30 based on your recommendations, had never considered it in the past and also agree of you can tell between Cyclone & Cyclone Tour, you can tell difference between HyperG and HyperG Soft.
Would be great to have two good TW posters such as yourself & @Injured Again play & analyze equipment together. I love IA's game I have seen in his videos, he & I are almost the same age but he sure can send some missiles both wings & pummel the ball, unlike me.
Agree. I am recovering from GE (almost there!) and I didn’t experience any pain in the elbow while playing and slight soreness afterwards that resolved in a few hours. I haven’t been getting any pain using my softer setups. My hitting partner that day was using regular HG and I took a couple swings with his stick - not painfubut I felt those swings in my elbow.
try Instagram - fairly easy for me that way
sanister
Professional
Hey no problem I don't think he's rated because he isn't active so not 5.5 on paper I don't think. But just that I think he is close to that level
g4driver
Legend
Going to string another PA+ frame of mine with HG 1.25mm and see if @MisterP will record some video of us hitting. I have an iPhone 7 (yep 3 years old) and will upgrade to an iPhone 12 of some type on Black Friday but yes, I need to figure out the video process. It clearly gives a different level of legitimacy to any review. So kudos to those who post videos. I am hack of a 4.0, so don't expect the @Injured Again backhand since mine is a 2HBH
haqq777
Legend
Excellent initial impressions and observations @g4driver. Completely agree with you on all points you mentioned@haqq777
I didn't read your post until after I hit with Hyper G Soft 1.25mm for the first time last night. I know you hit with an APD, and use VC 1.30mm as a 5.5 player so was interested in your thoughts. My strings arrived after 630 pm Tuesday night, but I didn't string my frame until yesterday. (Stringing 80 to 90 frames a month now so my frames are always last).
The first thing I noticed wasn't the color but the feel of the string in my hands when I opened the package and strung the frame compared to Hyper G. HGS is noticeably softer to me than HG as a stringer. I can feel the component which is most likely elastomer (rubber) of HGS when I string it. HGS has that same soft subtle feel that Yonex Poly Tour Air and Isospeed Cream both have. I cut two pieces of HG and HGS in 9-inch lengths with a blue mark on HG and a red mark on HGS. I picked the HGS 5 times out of 5 with my eyes closed. When stringing HGS, it is noticeably softer than HG to me. It feels softer than VCT 1.30mm as a stringer. My guess is HGS 1.25mm snapped on you because it is indeed a much softer string. My initial impression is I would probably use HGS in 1.30mm in an APD, PA, or any uber open 16x19 frame for a hard-hitting 4.5 player.
I hit with my PA+ last night and my initial impression is HGS is much softer than HG to anyone with a sensitive elbow. It feels much softer than Tier One Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm in my PA+. I was switching back and forth between a frame with VCT 1.30mm and HGS 1.25mm and the HGS frame felt softer. Much like Volkl Cyclone is stiffer than Volkl Cyclone Tour, HGS feels like the VCT compared to VC when I hit with it last night. If a player can't feel much difference between VC compared to VCT, I suspect they won't feel much of a difference between HGS and HG. But if you are a player who can feel a difference between VC and VCT, you will feel the difference between HG and HGS.
I am trying to figure out the whole IMGUR upload, linking process since TW disable Tapatalk, and the ease to upload pictures from an iPhone. Just a small tech learning curve I need to get through, along with 7 frames including 4 Blade 93 18x20
Hitting with the HGS 1.25 frame today, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and will get 10+ hours with it. I highlighted your additional thoughts in blue. This is spot on IMO, as a guy who prefers higher tensions with more comfortable copoly strings.
Edited posted to upgrade @haqq777 to his proper level, a 5.5 not 4.5 Thanks @sanister
- I think so far a bunch of us have had very similar experience. Very cool!Injured Again
Hall of Fame
To @g4driver @sanister and everyone else, I would love nothing more than to have a hit any time you're in the area! I'm pretty sure I could even snag @travlerajm to join along for the fun too.
I hit with Hyper-G Soft for another 75 minutes or so, this time against a fellow age grouper who hits the ball extremely flat and hard. HGS makes it easy to take that kind of pace and loop it back with a lot of topspin. I think that's a combination of the grip that HGS puts on the ball, combined with that slightly muted feel that gives me confidence I can control a fast incoming ball and return it with spin rather than speed.
I kept thinking as I was hitting, wondering if there really is a market for two strings that are as close as Hyper-G Soft and Hyper-G are. So far, tension loss has been virtually identical, and power levels and launch angles differ only very slightly. The difference in feel seems larger than any actual difference in performance.
My son has been a Cyclone 1.25 user for the past two or three years and so I have a fair amount of experience with that string, and to me Cyclone Tour in the 1.20 gauge is a significantly more powerful and comfortable string. The difference between Cyclone and Cyclone Tour feels like two or three times the difference between HGS and HG.
So I guess my question is, for users of frames that provide a fair amount of feedback like the PA+ used by @g4driver is that does HGS provide too much feedback where HG is just right?
I hit with Hyper-G Soft for another 75 minutes or so, this time against a fellow age grouper who hits the ball extremely flat and hard. HGS makes it easy to take that kind of pace and loop it back with a lot of topspin. I think that's a combination of the grip that HGS puts on the ball, combined with that slightly muted feel that gives me confidence I can control a fast incoming ball and return it with spin rather than speed.
I kept thinking as I was hitting, wondering if there really is a market for two strings that are as close as Hyper-G Soft and Hyper-G are. So far, tension loss has been virtually identical, and power levels and launch angles differ only very slightly. The difference in feel seems larger than any actual difference in performance.
My son has been a Cyclone 1.25 user for the past two or three years and so I have a fair amount of experience with that string, and to me Cyclone Tour in the 1.20 gauge is a significantly more powerful and comfortable string. The difference between Cyclone and Cyclone Tour feels like two or three times the difference between HGS and HG.
So I guess my question is, for users of frames that provide a fair amount of feedback like the PA+ used by @g4driver is that does HGS provide too much feedback where HG is just right?
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
Unfortunately your username aptly describes my current status. Tore my upper calf muscle this week playing mixed. I’m nervous about whether I’ll be able to recover full mobility, as I can’t even walk yet.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Ouch! I've had calf pulls before and what worked for me is cycling. Repetitive, low stress, non-impact, and gets the blood flowing. Good luck healing up! The hit with @g4driver won't be for probably another year!
Clash Ah ah
Rookie
Don’t worry, I’ve suffered 3 bad calf tears all through tennis and play fine. Main thing I’ve learned is, not to play twice in the same day.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
This time, I agreed to a mixed double-header Tuesday, then stupidly agreed last minute to play mixed again Wednesday. So 3x mixed in 24h.
Mixed requires a lot more explosive sprinting than singles (at least with the style I play), so not surprising that this turned out to be bad idea.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Today, I hit for about 30 minutes each with Hyper-G Soft, Hyper-G, and with an almost-seven hour Cyclone Tour. It was against one of my usual practice partners, a higher 4.5, 30-something player with a high spin modern game who uses the v7 Blade 16x19 and Hyper-G. Between the two of us, we had five blades, three sets of Hyper-G, and one set of Hyper-G Soft. In honor of the occasion, I wore a lime green shirt. I told him that HGS was now available from Tennis Warehouse. He has also had occasional wrist and elbow soreness from Hyper-G but is addicted to the spin. He was really glad to hear about Hyper-G Soft and will probably be making the switch.
I mis-hit against this player more than almost anyone else because the level of spin he can generate on his forehand makes it difficult to time the contact well. The best way I can compete is to hit enough ballspeed to make it difficult for him to take his loopy swings. I also have to flatten out my shots so I can make the cleanest contact. This isn't something that HG or HGS is really suited for. It is noticeably harder to generate putaway velocity compared to Cyclone Tour, and there's a bit of imprecision in the ball coming off the strings due to incoming spin sensitivity. The times I got a shorter or weaker shot, HG/HGS really allowed me to hit offensively with more spin and still feel I was playing with good margin. I don't have quite the same confidence in that same margin with a more powerful string like S7T or CT so I tend to go for a faster velocity shot with less spin.
With about 3 1/2 hours on HGS, it still maintains its slight edge over HG in terms of comfort, power level, and crispness of feel. There was almost no adjustment needed switching from HGS to HG, and there were only a couple of times when the lower launch angle caused a ball to land short or hit the net but the compensation for that was easy. We were doing some intense hitting and after the hour with HGS/HG, my wrist was definitely aching. I switched to Cyclone Tour for the last half hour when we played a set that I won 6-2. Afterwards, his comments were that my shots had more spin and were more difficult to hit when using HGS/HG, but that the extra speed and flatter shots I hit with CT threw off his timing. CT makes the stringbed more forgiving and I didn't feel I mis-hit quite as much during the set, and also my wrist achiness didn't get any worse.
There's a little bit of notching - nothing that extreme, and there is noticeable wear and flattening of the crosses in the sweetspot area. The edges don't feel nearly as sharp as those closer to the sides of the stringbed. It looks like the string will probably break from the crosses wearing thin and breaking rather than from notching of the mains.
The dark smudges are ink from the Wilson US Open balls that we used. I took this picture from a bad angle to show much wear there has been to the crosses but it is visibly thinner than at the edges of the stringbed.
I'll have to let my wrist calm down for a couple of days before heading out on court again. I don't know how much better it would have been with just using Cyclone Tour but it was sore enough starting about half way through that I wasn't really willing to try to hit with as much spin as I would typically have tried to use.
RacquetTune now says that Hyper-G Soft is at 43.8 pounds at about 3 1/2 hours, and Hyper-G is at 44.4 pounds at about one hour.
I mis-hit against this player more than almost anyone else because the level of spin he can generate on his forehand makes it difficult to time the contact well. The best way I can compete is to hit enough ballspeed to make it difficult for him to take his loopy swings. I also have to flatten out my shots so I can make the cleanest contact. This isn't something that HG or HGS is really suited for. It is noticeably harder to generate putaway velocity compared to Cyclone Tour, and there's a bit of imprecision in the ball coming off the strings due to incoming spin sensitivity. The times I got a shorter or weaker shot, HG/HGS really allowed me to hit offensively with more spin and still feel I was playing with good margin. I don't have quite the same confidence in that same margin with a more powerful string like S7T or CT so I tend to go for a faster velocity shot with less spin.
With about 3 1/2 hours on HGS, it still maintains its slight edge over HG in terms of comfort, power level, and crispness of feel. There was almost no adjustment needed switching from HGS to HG, and there were only a couple of times when the lower launch angle caused a ball to land short or hit the net but the compensation for that was easy. We were doing some intense hitting and after the hour with HGS/HG, my wrist was definitely aching. I switched to Cyclone Tour for the last half hour when we played a set that I won 6-2. Afterwards, his comments were that my shots had more spin and were more difficult to hit when using HGS/HG, but that the extra speed and flatter shots I hit with CT threw off his timing. CT makes the stringbed more forgiving and I didn't feel I mis-hit quite as much during the set, and also my wrist achiness didn't get any worse.
There's a little bit of notching - nothing that extreme, and there is noticeable wear and flattening of the crosses in the sweetspot area. The edges don't feel nearly as sharp as those closer to the sides of the stringbed. It looks like the string will probably break from the crosses wearing thin and breaking rather than from notching of the mains.
The dark smudges are ink from the Wilson US Open balls that we used. I took this picture from a bad angle to show much wear there has been to the crosses but it is visibly thinner than at the edges of the stringbed.
I'll have to let my wrist calm down for a couple of days before heading out on court again. I don't know how much better it would have been with just using Cyclone Tour but it was sore enough starting about half way through that I wasn't really willing to try to hit with as much spin as I would typically have tried to use.
RacquetTune now says that Hyper-G Soft is at 43.8 pounds at about 3 1/2 hours, and Hyper-G is at 44.4 pounds at about one hour.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Strung the 17g in my Gravity Pro at 54lbs. It felt a little boardy during first few hits but loosened up to feeling pretty comfortable. I briefly hit with the new Pure Strike 16x19 strung with Hyper G 17G at 54lbs and felt the soft version might have a tad bit livelier stringbed. It wasn’t newly strung like mine, but both felt nice and soft. Once my string loosens up a little more, I’d imagine it will feel softer with probably more pop than the regular Hyper G. One thing I noticed was how grippy the string felt. It felt like the string grabbed onto the balls and imparted extra spin. It did feel like I was generating lots of spin, and a hitting partner even commented my forehands felt heavier. Good signs so far.
FIRETennis
Professional
Today, I hit for about 30 minutes each with Hyper-G Soft, Hyper-G, and with an almost-seven hour Cyclone Tour. It was against one of my usual practice partners, a higher 4.5, 30-something player with a high spin modern game who uses the v7 Blade 16x19 and Hyper-G. Between the two of us, we had five blades, three sets of Hyper-G, and one set of Hyper-G Soft. In honor of the occasion, I wore a lime green shirt. I told him that HGS was now available from Tennis Warehouse. He has also had occasional wrist and elbow soreness from Hyper-G but is addicted to the spin. He was really glad to hear about Hyper-G Soft and will probably be making the switch.
I mis-hit against this player more than almost anyone else because the level of spin he can generate on his forehand makes it difficult to time the contact well. The best way I can compete is to hit enough ballspeed to make it difficult for him to take his loopy swings. I also have to flatten out my shots so I can make the cleanest contact. This isn't something that HG or HGS is really suited for. It is noticeably harder to generate putaway velocity compared to Cyclone Tour, and there's a bit of imprecision in the ball coming off the strings due to incoming spin sensitivity. The times I got a shorter or weaker shot, HG/HGS really allowed me to hit offensively with more spin and still feel I was playing with good margin. I don't have quite the same confidence in that same margin with a more powerful string like S7T or CT so I tend to go for a faster velocity shot with less spin.
With about 3 1/2 hours on HGS, it still maintains its slight edge over HG in terms of comfort, power level, and crispness of feel. There was almost no adjustment needed switching from HGS to HG, and there were only a couple of times when the lower launch angle caused a ball to land short or hit the net but the compensation for that was easy. We were doing some intense hitting and after the hour with HGS/HG, my wrist was definitely aching. I switched to Cyclone Tour for the last half hour when we played a set that I won 6-2. Afterwards, his comments were that my shots had more spin and were more difficult to hit when using HGS/HG, but that the extra speed and flatter shots I hit with CT threw off his timing. CT makes the stringbed more forgiving and I didn't feel I mis-hit quite as much during the set, and also my wrist achiness didn't get any worse.
There's a little bit of notching - nothing that extreme, and there is noticeable wear and flattening of the crosses in the sweetspot area. The edges don't feel nearly as sharp as those closer to the sides of the stringbed. It looks like the string will probably break from the crosses wearing thin and breaking rather than from notching of the mains.
The dark smudges are ink from the Wilson US Open balls that we used. I took this picture from a bad angle to show much wear there has been to the crosses but it is visibly thinner than at the edges of the stringbed.
I'll have to let my wrist calm down for a couple of days before heading out on court again. I don't know how much better it would have been with just using Cyclone Tour but it was sore enough starting about half way through that I wasn't really willing to try to hit with as much spin as I would typically have tried to use.
RacquetTune now says that Hyper-G Soft is at 43.8 pounds at about 3 1/2 hours, and Hyper-G is at 44.4 pounds at about one hour.
Funny you say this. I love how Hyper-G plays but it's the only string out of over 50 strings I've played with that that instantly gives me wrist pain!
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I just want to make it clear that in my case, it's just coincidental that I'm having wrist issues and testing Hyper-G Soft. I've used Hyper-G before and not had any problems. Hyper-G Soft did not cause my current wrist issues. It doesn't allow my wrist to heal while I play but that's an unrealistic expectation - I know it needs rest and I'm going to do that soon.
My wrist was dislocated when I was about ten years old, and there was a bone chip the doctors didn't see. When they tried to set my wrist before putting it into a cast, the bone chip didn't allow my wrist to heal in the correct orientation, so technically, my wrist has been dislocated for the last 50 years and is still dislocated today.
I think age has taken it's toll and so I'm just having more frequent problems with it. I've been told it can be fixed but that the procedure will take as much as a year to fully heal from before I can return to the type of tennis I now play, and I just don't see how I can afford that much time at my age.
I did play some doubles tonight - a fun gathering called "clan wars" with me and my son against a friend and his son, but I used the Cyclone Tour throughout. My wrist is getting better so my next hit will again be with the Hyper-G Soft.
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
Make sure to string low, just in case.I just want to make it clear that in my case, it's just coincidental that I'm having wrist issues and testing Hyper-G Soft. I've used Hyper-G before and not had any problems. Hyper-G Soft did not cause my current wrist issues. It doesn't allow my wrist to heal while I play but that's an unrealistic expectation - I know it needs rest and I'm going to do that soon.
My wrist was dislocated when I was about ten years old, and there was a bone chip the doctors didn't see. When they tried to set my wrist before putting it into a cast, the bone chip didn't allow my wrist to heal in the correct orientation, so technically, my wrist has been dislocated for the last 50 years and is still dislocated today.
I think age has taken it's toll and so I'm just having more frequent problems with it. I've been told it can be fixed but that the procedure will take as much as a year to fully heal from before I can return to the type of tennis I now play, and I just don't see how I can afford that much time at my age.
I did play some doubles tonight - a fun gathering called "clan wars" with me and my son against a friend and his son, but I used the Cyclone Tour throughout. My wrist is getting better so my next hit will again be with the Hyper-G Soft.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
RacquetTune now shows Hyper-G Soft in the 43-44 pound tension range in an 18x19 104 square inch racquet so it's on the lower end of what most people would use.
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
How accurate is RacquetTune for you? I strung an ezone at 50/48 and it said the tension was like 40.8 pounds, I seriously don’t trust it. I put the right string and racquet, but still. I seriously hope it’s not my stringer.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
That's a good question and I don't know the answer. I'm on android so being that i only have access to the neutered version, I didn't buy the app until a few weeks ago. The additional problem is that I use my own version of proportional stringing. For HGS, I used 51 pounds for the center eight mains, decreasing to 37 pounds for the outer main. For the crosses, I used 46 pounds for the center five and decreasing to 32 pounds for the top and bottom cross. I tap the center of the racquet so it seems the frequency should primarily come from the center strings, and I think I got 49.4 pounds which seeems reasonable considering 51 mains and 46 crosses, but I have no idea how much the lower tension of the outer strings affects that frequency.
I just chose a poly, 1.20 mm string for the HGS and I don't know how close the actual string factor is to the value RacquetTune derived from that. I calibrate my stringer every ten stringjobs or so, and there's very little drift over the years.
smithie
Semi-Pro
Today, I hit for about 30 minutes each with Hyper-G Soft, Hyper-G, and with an almost-seven hour Cyclone Tour. It was against one of my usual practice partners, a higher 4.5, 30-something player with a high spin modern game who uses the v7 Blade 16x19 and Hyper-G. Between the two of us, we had five blades, three sets of Hyper-G, and one set of Hyper-G Soft. In honor of the occasion, I wore a lime green shirt. I told him that HGS was now available from Tennis Warehouse. He has also had occasional wrist and elbow soreness from Hyper-G but is addicted to the spin. He was really glad to hear about Hyper-G Soft and will probably be making the switch.
I mis-hit against this player more than almost anyone else because the level of spin he can generate on his forehand makes it difficult to time the contact well. The best way I can compete is to hit enough ballspeed to make it difficult for him to take his loopy swings. I also have to flatten out my shots so I can make the cleanest contact. This isn't something that HG or HGS is really suited for. It is noticeably harder to generate putaway velocity compared to Cyclone Tour, and there's a bit of imprecision in the ball coming off the strings due to incoming spin sensitivity. The times I got a shorter or weaker shot, HG/HGS really allowed me to hit offensively with more spin and still feel I was playing with good margin. I don't have quite the same confidence in that same margin with a more powerful string like S7T or CT so I tend to go for a faster velocity shot with less spin.
With about 3 1/2 hours on HGS, it still maintains its slight edge over HG in terms of comfort, power level, and crispness of feel. There was almost no adjustment needed switching from HGS to HG, and there were only a couple of times when the lower launch angle caused a ball to land short or hit the net but the compensation for that was easy. We were doing some intense hitting and after the hour with HGS/HG, my wrist was definitely aching. I switched to Cyclone Tour for the last half hour when we played a set that I won 6-2. Afterwards, his comments were that my shots had more spin and were more difficult to hit when using HGS/HG, but that the extra speed and flatter shots I hit with CT threw off his timing. CT makes the stringbed more forgiving and I didn't feel I mis-hit quite as much during the set, and also my wrist achiness didn't get any worse.
There's a little bit of notching - nothing that extreme, and there is noticeable wear and flattening of the crosses in the sweetspot area. The edges don't feel nearly as sharp as those closer to the sides of the stringbed. It looks like the string will probably break from the crosses wearing thin and breaking rather than from notching of the mains.
The dark smudges are ink from the Wilson US Open balls that we used. I took this picture from a bad angle to show much wear there has been to the crosses but it is visibly thinner than at the edges of the stringbed.
I'll have to let my wrist calm down for a couple of days before heading out on court again. I don't know how much better it would have been with just using Cyclone Tour but it was sore enough starting about half way through that I wasn't really willing to try to hit with as much spin as I would typically have tried to use.
RacquetTune now says that Hyper-G Soft is at 43.8 pounds at about 3 1/2 hours, and Hyper-G is at 44.4 pounds at about one hour.
IA, can you do an apples to apples comparison with HGS & S7T? Your review has me really intrigued as a past HG user and current S7T user.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
S7T plays more crisply than HG/HGS by a fair amount, and also plays more powerfully, making it easier to hit putaway shots. Because I had recently been stringing S7T a couple of pounds looser than I strung up HGS/HG, the launch angle was a very slight bit higher but they're generally very close. Tension loss is good for both and in favor of S7T, which also seems a little bit less sensitive to the tension loss as the string ages. Both strings also don't change in playability much as the string ages, which is more surprising for S7T because the edges wear smooth after a couple of hours while HGS/HG still maintains a bit of an edge.
Spin capability is better with HGS/HG, partly because it's lower powered and you have to swing harder. HGS/HG does grip the ball better with skimming, loopy topspin shots, on which it also has the greatest difference in launch angle compared to S7T. It feels like I get a couple of extra feet of height with HGS/HG but the actual depth is about the same because S7T generates more forward velocity. S7T is a bit less sensitive to incoming spin when volleying, but also feels like it's a bit too powerful when at the net. HGS/HG is more linear throughout the range of swings so it feels easier to take a hard groundstroke and hit a short angled volley off it.
HGS/HG is more comfortable both on and outside of the sweetspot. S7T can be pretty jarring when missing high on the stringbed and has a tendency to shear break. HGS/HG is more muted overall and feels like it attenuates the harshest impulse of mis-hits.
Typically, S7T was a 12-15 hour string for me before wearing through and breaking, and HG was a 10-12 hour string. Both played well for me up until about the last hour, when they really got stuck out of place and the deep notching combined with loss of elasticity lowered launch angle and spin capability.
jangotango
Semi-Pro
I also agree that HGS/HG is more consistent across the stringbed. Another thing I believe gives HGS/HG a leg up is that it most likely will not break on mishits/shear breaks often like many Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour users have been experiencing.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
What is this ?? is this Hyper G soft review thread or why wrist has the worst arthritis in history thread ?I just want to make it clear that in my case, it's just coincidental that I'm having wrist issues and testing Hyper-G Soft. I've used Hyper-G before and not had any problems. Hyper-G Soft did not cause my current wrist issues. It doesn't allow my wrist to heal while I play but that's an unrealistic expectation - I know it needs rest and I'm going to do that soon.
My wrist was dislocated when I was about ten years old, and there was a bone chip the doctors didn't see. When they tried to set my wrist before putting it into a cast, the bone chip didn't allow my wrist to heal in the correct orientation, so technically, my wrist has been dislocated for the last 50 years and is still dislocated today.
I think age has taken it's toll and so I'm just having more frequent problems with it. I've been told it can be fixed but that the procedure will take as much as a year to fully heal from before I can return to the type of tennis I now play, and I just don't see how I can afford that much time at my age.
I did play some doubles tonight - a fun gathering called "clan wars" with me and my son against a friend and his son, but I used the Cyclone Tour throughout. My wrist is getting better so my next hit will again be with the Hyper-G Soft.
djNEiGht
Legend
sssshhhh...be quiet
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Really impressed with the spin the string generates. My kick serves were kicking up so high that even the hitting partners who handle my serves well had hard times making clean returns. Another stand out feature is the comfort. I don’t find Gravity Pro as comfortable (*even with its low RA rating) as the Blade V7 18x20 (*or even the Pure Strike 3rd Gen 16x19), but this string has really forgiving feel even on the less than perfectly hit balls.
As far as control goes, this seems like a great string for those players who control their shots with spin. It doesn’t quite provide the control on the flat shots like my go to strings like the RPM Blast or the Luxilon Alu Power, imo, but maybe due to the string bed loosening up a bit more my hitting partners kept telling me today that my shots felt heavier and more difficult to handle. I think I’d need a few more hitting sessions to fully evaluate this string, but I’m highly impressed with its spin output. Having it strung in a frame like the Pure Aero/APD or Pure Drive would make both the frame and the string really shine.
As far as control goes, this seems like a great string for those players who control their shots with spin. It doesn’t quite provide the control on the flat shots like my go to strings like the RPM Blast or the Luxilon Alu Power, imo, but maybe due to the string bed loosening up a bit more my hitting partners kept telling me today that my shots felt heavier and more difficult to handle. I think I’d need a few more hitting sessions to fully evaluate this string, but I’m highly impressed with its spin output. Having it strung in a frame like the Pure Aero/APD or Pure Drive would make both the frame and the string really shine.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
WOW,, Kick serving jumping to extreme heights..... that alone is enough to switch. but great points from many other aspects of this string. What gauge were you using ?
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Hi. I was selected for the 17G (1.20mm). I usually prefer the hefty 16G or 16L, but this string feels fantastic.
Faris
Professional
Alright guys, here is my final review for Hyper G Soft. I played a lot of tennis the last whole week and I will be cutting these out today as they are definitely dead now. Huge shout out to Tennis Warehouse for this opportunity..
Hyper G Soft Playtest Review by Faris
Gauge received: 16L
Tension used for playtest: 54/52 using basic Gamma drop weight stringer.
Regular string set up & tension: Solinco Hyper G 16L @ 54/52.
Racquet used for test: Yonex Ezone 100
Power/Control of test string: Power level was good, it had nice pop and compared to my usual Hyper G it felt more powerful from start to finish. I kept tensions and gauge same so I could judge these strings better..
It also had good control partly due to the good amount of spin that could be generated. Flatter shots were a little more difficult with fast swings for me because of more pop and I would sometimes spray the ball..
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The feel was not too mushy but not too stiff either. I was half expecting this to be spongy and mushy but was pleasantly surprised. It feels muted to me, same as regular Hyper G..
Spin: Definitely great. This is after all Hyper G. I was generating good topspin on both wings and my slices were low and deep. Serves were also putting a lot of action on the ball..
Durability: I did not have any issues with durability. I can see some groove marks and notching when I push mains aside but surprisingly for me I didn't see a lot of wear. This can also be in part due to my hitting partners being low level hitters and the racquet not having seen a lot of heavy exchanges..
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): These strings played with good power and good spin for the entire duration of playtest. I did not see any noticeable difference in the string attributes or playability from start of my playtest till yesterday when I finally noticed strings going dead and balls spraying..
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): Once I started hitting I immediately knew that I should have gone higher. Maybe just 2 pounds tighter will be better for control and lessen that slightly more pop I was feeling..
List any additional thoughts (optional): Will recommend this string to anyone looking for a softer variant of Hyper G or just a soft polyester string in general. It is a good string with loads of spin potential and comfort..
Thank you very much Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff and Solinco for this playtest opportunity..
Hyper G Soft Playtest Review by Faris
Gauge received: 16L
Tension used for playtest: 54/52 using basic Gamma drop weight stringer.
Regular string set up & tension: Solinco Hyper G 16L @ 54/52.
Racquet used for test: Yonex Ezone 100
Power/Control of test string: Power level was good, it had nice pop and compared to my usual Hyper G it felt more powerful from start to finish. I kept tensions and gauge same so I could judge these strings better..
It also had good control partly due to the good amount of spin that could be generated. Flatter shots were a little more difficult with fast swings for me because of more pop and I would sometimes spray the ball..
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The feel was not too mushy but not too stiff either. I was half expecting this to be spongy and mushy but was pleasantly surprised. It feels muted to me, same as regular Hyper G..
Spin: Definitely great. This is after all Hyper G. I was generating good topspin on both wings and my slices were low and deep. Serves were also putting a lot of action on the ball..
Durability: I did not have any issues with durability. I can see some groove marks and notching when I push mains aside but surprisingly for me I didn't see a lot of wear. This can also be in part due to my hitting partners being low level hitters and the racquet not having seen a lot of heavy exchanges..
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): These strings played with good power and good spin for the entire duration of playtest. I did not see any noticeable difference in the string attributes or playability from start of my playtest till yesterday when I finally noticed strings going dead and balls spraying..
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): Once I started hitting I immediately knew that I should have gone higher. Maybe just 2 pounds tighter will be better for control and lessen that slightly more pop I was feeling..
List any additional thoughts (optional): Will recommend this string to anyone looking for a softer variant of Hyper G or just a soft polyester string in general. It is a good string with loads of spin potential and comfort..
Thank you very much Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff and Solinco for this playtest opportunity..
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Played competitively this morning. Started out with Hyper-G Soft, and after about half an hour switched to my nearly eight hour Cyclone Tour due to wrist soreness. Immediately felt better with the extra cushioning, higher launch angle, and greater ball velocity.
The Cyclone Tour broke about 15 minutes from the end and I switched back to the HGS. With not long to go, I switched to the racquet with regular HG. Surprisingly, the difference between the two was pretty minimal. The extra advantages of more cushioning and a bit of a higher power level had disappeared, and now both HGS and HG stringbeds played very similarly. The extra bit of crispness was still with HGS but it no longer had the springy, lively feeling from when it was new.
If I didn't have HGS and HG to hit back to back, and didn't have my sore wrist to be extra sensitive to loss of cushioning, I don't know that I would have noticed the change. Spin generation hasn't noticeably changed and control is still good.
RacquetTune now says that HGS tension is at 42.9/43 pounds and HG, which has less hours on it, is at 44.1 pounds of tension.
The Cyclone Tour broke about 15 minutes from the end and I switched back to the HGS. With not long to go, I switched to the racquet with regular HG. Surprisingly, the difference between the two was pretty minimal. The extra advantages of more cushioning and a bit of a higher power level had disappeared, and now both HGS and HG stringbeds played very similarly. The extra bit of crispness was still with HGS but it no longer had the springy, lively feeling from when it was new.
If I didn't have HGS and HG to hit back to back, and didn't have my sore wrist to be extra sensitive to loss of cushioning, I don't know that I would have noticed the change. Spin generation hasn't noticeably changed and control is still good.
RacquetTune now says that HGS tension is at 42.9/43 pounds and HG, which has less hours on it, is at 44.1 pounds of tension.
jangotango
Semi-Pro
Have now played four more matches (two doubles, two singles) with Hyper-G Soft in my Six.One Team 18x20.
I have also now ordered a reel in 17 gauge
I have also now ordered a reel in 17 gauge
g4driver
Legend
Hyper G Soft Review Final Review
Gauge received: 1.25mm
Tension used for playtest: 55M/53X
Regular string set up & tension: 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour strung at 56M/54X. 1.25mm Tier One Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) for the last month of hitting.
Racquet used for test: 2016 Babolat Pure Aero Plus (342 Grams/12 oz & 30.8 Balance/11 pts HL)
Power/Control of test string: The power level for 1.25mm Hyper-G Soft (HGS) is higher than 1.25mm Hyper-G (HG), and roughly the same to maybe slightly lower than 1.25mm Tier One Boost (TOB) which is Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm. Control is excellent and the best aspect of HGS for me. HGS's control is far better than HG for my game. I am a guy who wants to make you hit another ball. No, I don't have the mastery of the legendry 4.5 player GSG and make far more errors than him, but I like to patiently wait for a ball I can attack. I do and will get into groundstroke rallies that go 10+ shots and like points that get into extended groundstrokes. Waiting for a short ball might take 5 shots or 10+ shots, but when I get a short ball, I do like to hit an attacking inside out forehand if I can get my body positioned to that shot selection. HGS allowed me to spin the ball deep crosscourt, down the middle, and angle it off the court with more control than my go-to string 1.30mm VCT of the last 8 years. Yes, I wrote that. It is stiffer than VCT, TOB, and took me several hours to get used to it.
They both had weaker backhands, so that is where I targeted most of my shots. The middle of the court is a shorter length than deep to a corner, so you have to be able to hit deep enough to not leave short balls, but also not sail the balls long. HGS allows me that control. I love serving with HGS. Able to hit all four corners and that is my style. I am not going to blow you off the court with my serve's speed, but if someone gives me an angle. I am going to try to take that angle, flat or spin serve. HGS's control to me is it's the absolute best feature. All the folks who think I hate Hyper G yes, you can quote me: I don't hate Hyper G, it just isn't the string for 90% of the tennis players, and certainly not for me. It's too stiff for my game, and I don't hit enough RHS to bend the HG strings, while HGS feels like a much different string to me. I can't play with HG, but yes I like HGS. Will I buy more? Most certainly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would describe the feel of HGS as much more comfortable than HG. HG and HGS feel very different to me. HG is too stiff and too muted for me. Solinco Confidential feels the same to me; too stiff, too muted.
Spin: Excellent spin, much better than HG for me. Felt comfortable spinning forehands, backhands, and surprisingly hitting drop shots, which aren't my favorite shots. My serve did take a step up with HGS, particularly spinning serves out wide to the deuce court when the returner favored the T where I was serving 85-90% of the time last night. Out wide serves to the deuce court is a place I tend to target maybe 10-15% of the time in doubles with a righthand partner at the net. I had more aces out wide to the deuce court than normal last night, and feel very comfortable serving with HGS in my PA+
Durability: No issues whatsoever. I put 20 hours of 4.0 doubles in with HGS. I could hit with it, but at 20 hours, I can still play with VCT 1.30mm without losing control or hurting my elbow. HGS 1.25mm doesn't last as long as VCT 1.30mm and VCT is also cheaper. But I could see myself leaving a frame with HGS 1.25mm in my bag and marking the time with a sharpie on the bottom cross. One mark in silver for every 2 hours of doubles, one mark for every 2 hours of singles in black. I think HGS 1.25mm is a much better string for a lot of 4.0 to 4.5 men who don't like the stiffer original HG.
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): 12 hours into the playtest and I saw the first few mains sticking out of place last night, but I was hitting against a 32-year-old former baseball player who hits much harder than me as a 54-year-old. The total time so far is now 18+ hours of doubles with them and the strings are still ok. Finished the playtest with 20+ hours of men's 4.0 doubles.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): I would recommend stringing lower than my traditional 56M/54X for VCT 1.30mm. I strung it at 55M/53X as I do for TierOne's Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) and it took me some time until I felt comfortable with the stringbed. Next time I will start at 53M/51X. I hit on four separation occasions approx 45 mins each time and felt the stringbed was too stiff the first three times. I keep switching back and forth to a frame with VCT 1.30 mm the first three outings (played two sets switching frames every two games so I could serve with my VCT frame). On the 4th outing, I stuck with the HGS 1.25mm frame for one entire set (45 minutes), then stuck with it for the second set.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you, @TW Staff and Solinco for providing this playtest opportunity. I like 1.25mm HGS to purchase a reel of it and to continue to play with it. I would like to hybrid it with Ghostwire 1.22mm and see how that compares to a full bed of HGS. My iPhone 7 is old, but I will be upgrading to an iPhone 12 or 11 depending on the Black Friday deals I find so hopefully I will be able to post more videos as I upgrade my phone. I would like to take time to clarify something about my review of Hyper G. In 2012, I got a local tennis store to carry Solinco strings when they didn't have a Solinco account. Back then, Solinco was selling Revolution, Vanquish, Outlast and Pro Stacked. Tour Bite didn't come out until a few years later. I am often misunderstood on my take on Hyper G by countless Talk Tennis posters, mostly new posters on TW's TT, because I stand my assertion Hyper G isn't a string for the average rec player, despite the illusion of the average player's tennis skill level. If you are 5.0 player, congrats, as you are a rare player. But just because Hyper G works for you as a 5.0, doesn't make it a great string for the much lower level player like myself and others. Tennis Warehouse gives not so obvious clues in their playtests who the target audience is for a string. Look at the TW playtesters playtesting a string, particularly the higher level playtesters. In my opinion, this message board and tennis courts are filled with players who lack an accurate introspective analysis of their own skill levels and games. The fact is 90% of the self-rated players in my area have a lofty impression of their skill level, their rating, and they flat out struggle at their 4.0 level when they self-rate. I have multiple self-rated players on my 4.0 teams who have win percentages of less than 10% of their USTA matches going back 18 months, and quite frankly aren't even remotely competitive at 4.0
It's also my opinion that 90% of players in the US at least don't hit enough racquet head speed (RHS) to get any benefit of Hyper G or Confidential, including the vast majority of 4.0 USTA rated men. I can think of three or four 4.0 men who generate the RHS to benefit from HG and I string a lot of 4.0 men's frames. The sheer numbers of 3.0 to 3.5 rated players who have never broken a multifilament in their life using Hyper G in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC is utterly ridiculous. Yes, it is approaching pandemic levels for 3.5 women with the Blade 98 frames that match the green colors. This is the fault of stringers who know little to nothing about strings, and people who want to put cool looking neon green strings in a frame.
I have strung for a lot of players ranging from beginners to Division 1 tennis players at SEC and PAC 12 schools. I am stringing 90+ frames a month now, and have multiple 5.0 and 4.5 male clients. The fact is most adult players aren't 4.5 - 5.0 USTA rating players or elite juniors, nor do they have 4.5+ skills or an UTR of 8+. When I have put Hyper G in the frames of 20+ 4.5 and 5.0 men, the overwhelming majority have said no thanks and picked other strings, like VCT 1.30mm, TierOne's Firewire, or a Hyper G hybrid. I do have several clients using Hyper G and they are all very good players, 4.5 and 5.0 men for the most part.
My goal as a stringer is to give a client a consistently great string job that helps them become a better player, without hurting them, and breaking their bank. So this is my take on Hyper G. Hyper G is a great string for the right player at an advanced skill level. Unfortunately, that's probably 10% of the tennis players in the US. Solinco is well aware of who their target audience is for Hyper G. They also know a lot of people are aware of Hyper G, but find it too muted and too stiff. Enter Hyper G Soft. For the 3.5 hard-hitting men who can hit 5 balls in a row before making an unforced error, and the 4.0 and 4.5 players who don't like the stiffer feeling of Hyper G, 1.25 mm or perhaps 1.20mm Hyper G Soft is a string yes I would highly recommend you try, just like 1.25 mm Tier One's Boost and Volk Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.
Can HGS and HG coexist? Yes! HGS will find clients at my level, where HG is simply too muted and too stiff. Will I offer HGS in my blind playtest with or instead of HG? Of course. I have already ordered more HGS in 1.25mm and will likely buy some 1.20mm as well. Next up is to compare HGS/GW vs Firewire/GW vs VCT/GW vs VCT battle royal.
Congrats Solinco! You listened and your response with Hyper G Soft is impressive.
Gauge received: 1.25mm
Tension used for playtest: 55M/53X
Regular string set up & tension: 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour strung at 56M/54X. 1.25mm Tier One Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) for the last month of hitting.
Racquet used for test: 2016 Babolat Pure Aero Plus (342 Grams/12 oz & 30.8 Balance/11 pts HL)
Power/Control of test string: The power level for 1.25mm Hyper-G Soft (HGS) is higher than 1.25mm Hyper-G (HG), and roughly the same to maybe slightly lower than 1.25mm Tier One Boost (TOB) which is Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm. Control is excellent and the best aspect of HGS for me. HGS's control is far better than HG for my game. I am a guy who wants to make you hit another ball. No, I don't have the mastery of the legendry 4.5 player GSG and make far more errors than him, but I like to patiently wait for a ball I can attack. I do and will get into groundstroke rallies that go 10+ shots and like points that get into extended groundstrokes. Waiting for a short ball might take 5 shots or 10+ shots, but when I get a short ball, I do like to hit an attacking inside out forehand if I can get my body positioned to that shot selection. HGS allowed me to spin the ball deep crosscourt, down the middle, and angle it off the court with more control than my go-to string 1.30mm VCT of the last 8 years. Yes, I wrote that. It is stiffer than VCT, TOB, and took me several hours to get used to it.
They both had weaker backhands, so that is where I targeted most of my shots. The middle of the court is a shorter length than deep to a corner, so you have to be able to hit deep enough to not leave short balls, but also not sail the balls long. HGS allows me that control. I love serving with HGS. Able to hit all four corners and that is my style. I am not going to blow you off the court with my serve's speed, but if someone gives me an angle. I am going to try to take that angle, flat or spin serve. HGS's control to me is it's the absolute best feature. All the folks who think I hate Hyper G yes, you can quote me: I don't hate Hyper G, it just isn't the string for 90% of the tennis players, and certainly not for me. It's too stiff for my game, and I don't hit enough RHS to bend the HG strings, while HGS feels like a much different string to me. I can't play with HG, but yes I like HGS. Will I buy more? Most certainly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would describe the feel of HGS as much more comfortable than HG. HG and HGS feel very different to me. HG is too stiff and too muted for me. Solinco Confidential feels the same to me; too stiff, too muted.
Spin: Excellent spin, much better than HG for me. Felt comfortable spinning forehands, backhands, and surprisingly hitting drop shots, which aren't my favorite shots. My serve did take a step up with HGS, particularly spinning serves out wide to the deuce court when the returner favored the T where I was serving 85-90% of the time last night. Out wide serves to the deuce court is a place I tend to target maybe 10-15% of the time in doubles with a righthand partner at the net. I had more aces out wide to the deuce court than normal last night, and feel very comfortable serving with HGS in my PA+
Durability: No issues whatsoever. I put 20 hours of 4.0 doubles in with HGS. I could hit with it, but at 20 hours, I can still play with VCT 1.30mm without losing control or hurting my elbow. HGS 1.25mm doesn't last as long as VCT 1.30mm and VCT is also cheaper. But I could see myself leaving a frame with HGS 1.25mm in my bag and marking the time with a sharpie on the bottom cross. One mark in silver for every 2 hours of doubles, one mark for every 2 hours of singles in black. I think HGS 1.25mm is a much better string for a lot of 4.0 to 4.5 men who don't like the stiffer original HG.
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): 12 hours into the playtest and I saw the first few mains sticking out of place last night, but I was hitting against a 32-year-old former baseball player who hits much harder than me as a 54-year-old. The total time so far is now 18+ hours of doubles with them and the strings are still ok. Finished the playtest with 20+ hours of men's 4.0 doubles.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): I would recommend stringing lower than my traditional 56M/54X for VCT 1.30mm. I strung it at 55M/53X as I do for TierOne's Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) and it took me some time until I felt comfortable with the stringbed. Next time I will start at 53M/51X. I hit on four separation occasions approx 45 mins each time and felt the stringbed was too stiff the first three times. I keep switching back and forth to a frame with VCT 1.30 mm the first three outings (played two sets switching frames every two games so I could serve with my VCT frame). On the 4th outing, I stuck with the HGS 1.25mm frame for one entire set (45 minutes), then stuck with it for the second set.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you, @TW Staff and Solinco for providing this playtest opportunity. I like 1.25mm HGS to purchase a reel of it and to continue to play with it. I would like to hybrid it with Ghostwire 1.22mm and see how that compares to a full bed of HGS. My iPhone 7 is old, but I will be upgrading to an iPhone 12 or 11 depending on the Black Friday deals I find so hopefully I will be able to post more videos as I upgrade my phone. I would like to take time to clarify something about my review of Hyper G. In 2012, I got a local tennis store to carry Solinco strings when they didn't have a Solinco account. Back then, Solinco was selling Revolution, Vanquish, Outlast and Pro Stacked. Tour Bite didn't come out until a few years later. I am often misunderstood on my take on Hyper G by countless Talk Tennis posters, mostly new posters on TW's TT, because I stand my assertion Hyper G isn't a string for the average rec player, despite the illusion of the average player's tennis skill level. If you are 5.0 player, congrats, as you are a rare player. But just because Hyper G works for you as a 5.0, doesn't make it a great string for the much lower level player like myself and others. Tennis Warehouse gives not so obvious clues in their playtests who the target audience is for a string. Look at the TW playtesters playtesting a string, particularly the higher level playtesters. In my opinion, this message board and tennis courts are filled with players who lack an accurate introspective analysis of their own skill levels and games. The fact is 90% of the self-rated players in my area have a lofty impression of their skill level, their rating, and they flat out struggle at their 4.0 level when they self-rate. I have multiple self-rated players on my 4.0 teams who have win percentages of less than 10% of their USTA matches going back 18 months, and quite frankly aren't even remotely competitive at 4.0
It's also my opinion that 90% of players in the US at least don't hit enough racquet head speed (RHS) to get any benefit of Hyper G or Confidential, including the vast majority of 4.0 USTA rated men. I can think of three or four 4.0 men who generate the RHS to benefit from HG and I string a lot of 4.0 men's frames. The sheer numbers of 3.0 to 3.5 rated players who have never broken a multifilament in their life using Hyper G in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC is utterly ridiculous. Yes, it is approaching pandemic levels for 3.5 women with the Blade 98 frames that match the green colors.
This is the fault of stringers who know little to nothing about strings, and people who want to put cool looking neon green strings in a frame. I have strung for a lot of players ranging from beginners to Division 1 tennis players at SEC and PAC 12 schools. I am stringing 90+ frames a month now, and have multiple 5.0 and 4.5 male clients. The fact is most adult players aren't 4.5 - 5.0 USTA rating players or elite juniors, nor do they have 4.5+ skills or an UTR of 8+. When I have put Hyper G in the frames of 20+ 4.5 and 5.0 men, the overwhelming majority have said no thanks and picked other strings, like VCT 1.30mm, TierOne's Firewire, or a Hyper G hybrid. I do have several clients using Hyper G and they are all very good players, 4.5 and 5.0 men for the most part.
My goal as a stringer is to give a client a consistently great string job that helps them become a better player, without hurting them, and breaking their bank. So this is my take on Hyper G. Hyper G is a great string for the right player at an advanced skill level. Unfortunately, that's probably 10% of the tennis players in the US. Solinco is well aware of who their target audience is for Hyper G. They also know a lot of people are aware of Hyper G, but find it too muted and too stiff. Enter Hyper G Soft. For the 3.5 hard-hitting men who can hit 5 balls in a row before making an unforced error, and the 4.0 and 4.5 players who don't like the stiffer feeling of Hyper G, 1.25 mm or perhaps 1.20mm Hyper G Soft is a string yes I would highly recommend you try, just like 1.25 mm Tier One's Boost and Volk Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.
Can HGS and HG coexist? Yes! HGS will find clients at my level, where HG is simply too muted and too stiff. Will I offer HGS in my blind playtest with or instead of HG? Of course. I have already ordered more HGS in 1.25mm and will likely buy some 1.20mm as well. Next up is to compare HGS/GW vs Firewire/GW vs VCT/GW vs VCT battle royal.
Congrats Solinco! You listened and your response with Hyper G Soft is impressive.
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Ares2323
Rookie
What do you think about comfort compare with tier one boost ? Which stringi will be good for croses with HGS ?Hyper G Soft Review (Placeholder for full review coming)
Gauge received: 1.25mm
Tension used for playtest: 55M/53X
Regular string set up & tension: 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour strung at 56M/54X. 1.25mm Tier One Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) for the last month of hitting.
Racquet used for test: 2016 Babolat Pure Aero Plus (342 Grams/12 oz & 30.8 Balance/11 pts HL)
Power/Control of test string: The power level for 1.25mm Hyper-G Soft (HGS) is higher than 1.25mm Hyper-G (HG), and roughly the same to maybe slightly lower than 1.25mm Tier One Boost (TOB) which is Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm. Control is excellent and the best aspect of HGS for me. HGS's control is far better than HG for my game. I am a guy who wants to make you hit another ball. No, I don't have the mastery of the legendry 4.5 player GSG and make far more errors than him, but I like to patiently wait for a ball I can attack. I do and will get into groundstroke rallies that go 10+ shots and like points that get into extended groundstrokes. Waiting for a short ball might take 5 shots or 10+ shots, but when I get a short ball, I do like to hit an attacking inside out forehand if I can get my body positioned to that shot selection. HGS allowed me to spin the ball deep crosscourt, down the middle, and angle it off the court with more control than my go-to string 1.30mm VCT of the last 8 years. Yes, I wrote that. It is stiffer than VCT, TOB, and took me several hours to get used to it.
Last night I played 4.0 doubles against a lefty/right combo with the lefty on the Ad side, with both their 2HBHs in the middle of the court. They both had weaker backhands, so that is where I targeted most of my shots. The middle of the court is a shorter length than deep to a corner, so you have to be able to hit deep enough to not leave short balls, but also not sail the balls long. HGS allows me that control. I love serving with HGS. Able to hit all four corners and that is my style. I am not going to blow you off the court with my serve's speed, but if someone gives me an angle. I am going to try to take that angle, flat or spin serve. HGS's control to me is it's the absolute best feature. All the folks who think I hate Hyper G yes, you can quote me: I don't hate Hyper G, it just isn't the string for 90% of the tennis players, and certainly not for me. It's too stiff for my game, and I don't hit enough RHS to bend the HG strings, while HGS feels like a much different string to me. I can't play with HG, but yes I like HGS. Will I buy more? Most certainly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would describe the feel of HGS as much more comfortable than HG. HG and HGS feel very different to me. HG is too stiff and too muted for me. Solinco Confidential feels the same to me; too stiff, too muted.
Spin: Excellent spin, much better than HG for me. Felt comfortable spinning forehands, backhands, and surprisingly hitting drop shots, which aren't my favorite shots. My serve did take a step up with HGS, particularly spinning serves out wide to the deuce court when the returner favored the T where I was serving 85-90% of the time last night. Out wide serves to the deuce court is a place I tend to target maybe 10-15% of the time in doubles with a righthand partner at the net. I had more aces out wide to the deuce court than normal last night, and feel very comfortable serving with HGS in my PA+
Durability: No issues so far and don't expect any.
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): Will update at the end of the playtest.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): I would recommend stringing lower than my traditional 56M/54X for VCT 1.30mm. I strung it at 55M/53X as I do for TierOne's Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) and it took me some time until I felt comfortable with the stringbed. Next time I will start at 53M/51X. I hit on four separation occasions approx 45 mins each time and felt the stringbed was too stiff the first three times. I keep switching back and forth to a frame with VCT 1.30 mm the first three outings (played two sets switching frames every two games so I could serve with my VCT frame). On the 4th outing, I stuck with the HGS 1.25mm frame for one entire set (45 minutes), then stuck with it for the second set. So have now played two USTA league matches with it (approx 3 hours winning both matches) and hit against @MisterP twice with the 1.25mm HGS (4 hours), and hit with it for 5 other (roughly 3.5 hours).
The total time so far around 10 hours and the strings feel great. @MisterP recorded some video of the two of us hitting.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you, @TW Staff and Solinco for providing this playtest opportunity.
I like 1.25mm HGS to purchase a reel of it and to continue to play with it. I would like to hybrid it with Ghostwire 1.22mm and see how that compares to a full bed of HGS. My iPhone 7 is old, but I will be upgrading to an iPhone 12 or 11 depending on the Black Friday deals I find so hopefully I will be able to post more videos as I upgrade my phone. I would like to take time to clarify something about my review of Hyper G. In 2012, I got a local tennis store to carry Solinco strings when they didn't have a Solinco account. Back then, Solinco was selling Revolution, Vanquish, Outlast and Pro Stacked. Tour Bite didn't come out until a few years later. I am often misunderstood on my take on Hyper G by countless Talk Tennis posters, mostly new posters on TW's TT, because I stand my assertion Hyper G isn't a string for the average rec player, despite the illusion of the average player's tennis skill level. If you are 5.0 player, congrats, as you are a rare player. But just because Hyper G works for you as a 5.0, doesn't make it a great string for the much lower level player like myself and others. Tennis Warehouse gives not so obvious clues in their playtests who the target audience is for a string. Look at the TW playtesters playtesting a string, particularly the higher level playtesters. In my opinion, this message board and tennis courts are filled with players who lack an accurate introspective analysis of their own skill levels and games. The fact is 90% of the self-rated players in my area have a lofty impression of their skill level, their rating, and they flat out struggle at their 4.0 level when they self-rate. I have multiple self-rated players on my 4.0 teams who have win percentages of less than 10% of their USTA matches going back 18 months, and quite frankly aren't even remotely competitive at 4.0
It's also my opinion that 90% of players in the US at least don't hit enough racquet head speed (RHS) to get any benefit of Hyper G or Confidential, including the vast majority of 4.0 USTA rated men. I can think of three or four 4.0 men who generate the RHS to benefit from HG and I string a lot of 4.0 men's frames. The sheer numbers of 3.0 to 3.5 rated players who have never broken a multifilament in their life using Hyper G in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC is utterly ridiculous. Yes, it is approaching pandemic levels for 3.5 women with the Blade 98 frames that match the green colors.
I have strung for a lot of players ranging from beginners to Division 1 tennis players at SEC and PAC 12 schools. I am stringing 90+ frames a month now, and have multiple 5.0 and 4.5 male clients. The fact is most adult players aren't 4.5 - 5.0 USTA rating players or elite juniors, nor do they have 4.5+ skills or an UTR of 8+. When I have put Hyper G in the frames of 20+ 4.5 and 5.0 men, the overwhelming majority have said no thanks and picked other strings, like VCT 1.30mm, TierOne's Firewire, or a Hyper G hybrid. I do have several clients using Hyper G and they are all very good players, 4.5 and 5.0 men for the most part.
My goal as a stringer is to give a client a consistently great string job that helps them become a better player, without hurting them, and breaking their bank. So this is my take on Hyper G. Hyper G is a great string for the right player at an advanced skill level. Unfortunately, that's probably 10% of the tennis players in the US. Solinco is well aware of who their target audience is for Hyper G. They also know a lot of people are aware of Hyper G, but find it too muted and too stiff. Enter Hyper G Soft. For the 3.5 hard-hitting men who can hit 5 balls in a row before making an unforced error, and the 4.0 and 4.5 players who don't like the stiffer feeling of Hyper G, 1.25 mm or perhaps 1.20mm Hyper G Soft is a string yes I would highly recommend you try, just like 1.25 mm Tier One's Boost and Volk Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.
Can HGS and HG coexist ? Yes! HGS will find clients at my level, where HG is simply too muted and too stiff. Will I offer HGS in my blind playtest with or instead of HG? Of course. I have already ordered more HGS in 1.25mm and will likely buy some 1.20mm as well.
Congrats Solinco! You listened and your response with Hyper G Soft is impressive.
g4driver
Legend
@Ares2323
1.25mm (16L) HGS feels stiffer than 1.25mm TOB in my PA+ frames. I had no issue picking up my PA+ and hitting immediately with 1.25mm TOB @55M/53X. I couldn't do that with the same gauge of HGS for several hours until the tension dropped a bit, so that's why I would drop the tension on a full bed of HGS to 53M/51X and why I want to string another frame with 1.25mm HGS mains at 55 and 1.22mm TO Ghostwire crosses at 53.
HGS feels softer to my fingers than TO Firewire, but when you put Ghostwire in the crosses with Firewire, that softens up the stringbed. I have put Ghostwire in crosses with Hyper G mains to soften Hyper G for clients. I often do multi/multi hybrids and poly/poly hybrids, and Tier One's Ghostwire is an excellent smooth cross that works well with a lot of shaped poly and with Natural Gut mains.
1.25mm (16L) HGS feels stiffer than 1.25mm TOB in my PA+ frames. I had no issue picking up my PA+ and hitting immediately with 1.25mm TOB @55M/53X. I couldn't do that with the same gauge of HGS for several hours until the tension dropped a bit, so that's why I would drop the tension on a full bed of HGS to 53M/51X and why I want to string another frame with 1.25mm HGS mains at 55 and 1.22mm TO Ghostwire crosses at 53.
HGS feels softer to my fingers than TO Firewire, but when you put Ghostwire in the crosses with Firewire, that softens up the stringbed. I have put Ghostwire in crosses with Hyper G mains to soften Hyper G for clients. I often do multi/multi hybrids and poly/poly hybrids, and Tier One's Ghostwire is an excellent smooth cross that works well with a lot of shaped poly and with Natural Gut mains.
g4driver
Legend
@Injured Again man your wrist looks painful. Sorry to read that. Hope you can find some relief without surgery.
megamind
Legend
Hyper G Soft Review (Placeholder for full review coming)
Gauge received: 1.25mm
Tension used for playtest: 55M/53X
Regular string set up & tension: 1.30mm Volkl Cyclone Tour strung at 56M/54X. 1.25mm Tier One Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) for the last month of hitting.
Racquet used for test: 2016 Babolat Pure Aero Plus (342 Grams/12 oz & 30.8 Balance/11 pts HL)
Power/Control of test string: The power level for 1.25mm Hyper-G Soft (HGS) is higher than 1.25mm Hyper-G (HG), and roughly the same to maybe slightly lower than 1.25mm Tier One Boost (TOB) which is Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm. Control is excellent and the best aspect of HGS for me. HGS's control is far better than HG for my game. I am a guy who wants to make you hit another ball. No, I don't have the mastery of the legendry 4.5 player GSG and make far more errors than him, but I like to patiently wait for a ball I can attack. I do and will get into groundstroke rallies that go 10+ shots and like points that get into extended groundstrokes. Waiting for a short ball might take 5 shots or 10+ shots, but when I get a short ball, I do like to hit an attacking inside out forehand if I can get my body positioned to that shot selection. HGS allowed me to spin the ball deep crosscourt, down the middle, and angle it off the court with more control than my go-to string 1.30mm VCT of the last 8 years. Yes, I wrote that. It is stiffer than VCT, TOB, and took me several hours to get used to it.
Last night I played 4.0 doubles against a lefty/right combo with the lefty on the Ad side, with both their 2HBHs in the middle of the court. They both had weaker backhands, so that is where I targeted most of my shots. The middle of the court is a shorter length than deep to a corner, so you have to be able to hit deep enough to not leave short balls, but also not sail the balls long. HGS allows me that control. I love serving with HGS. Able to hit all four corners and that is my style. I am not going to blow you off the court with my serve's speed, but if someone gives me an angle. I am going to try to take that angle, flat or spin serve. HGS's control to me is it's the absolute best feature. All the folks who think I hate Hyper G yes, you can quote me: I don't hate Hyper G, it just isn't the string for 90% of the tennis players, and certainly not for me. It's too stiff for my game, and I don't hit enough RHS to bend the HG strings, while HGS feels like a much different string to me. I can't play with HG, but yes I like HGS. Will I buy more? Most certainly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would describe the feel of HGS as much more comfortable than HG. HG and HGS feel very different to me. HG is too stiff and too muted for me. Solinco Confidential feels the same to me; too stiff, too muted.
Spin: Excellent spin, much better than HG for me. Felt comfortable spinning forehands, backhands, and surprisingly hitting drop shots, which aren't my favorite shots. My serve did take a step up with HGS, particularly spinning serves out wide to the deuce court when the returner favored the T where I was serving 85-90% of the time last night. Out wide serves to the deuce court is a place I tend to target maybe 10-15% of the time in doubles with a righthand partner at the net. I had more aces out wide to the deuce court than normal last night, and feel very comfortable serving with HGS in my PA+
Durability: No issues so far and don't expect any.
Playability Duration (did you notice changes to the feel & response over time?): Will update at the end of the playtest.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Why?): I would recommend stringing lower than my traditional 56M/54X for VCT 1.30mm. I strung it at 55M/53X as I do for TierOne's Boost (Firewire 1.25mm/Ghostwire 1.22mm) and it took me some time until I felt comfortable with the stringbed. Next time I will start at 53M/51X. I hit on four separation occasions approx 45 mins each time and felt the stringbed was too stiff the first three times. I keep switching back and forth to a frame with VCT 1.30 mm the first three outings (played two sets switching frames every two games so I could serve with my VCT frame). On the 4th outing, I stuck with the HGS 1.25mm frame for one entire set (45 minutes), then stuck with it for the second set. So have now played two USTA league matches with it (approx 3 hours winning both matches) and hit against @MisterP twice with the 1.25mm HGS (4 hours), and hit with it for 5 other (roughly 3.5 hours).
The total time so far around 10 hours and the strings feel great. @MisterP recorded some video of the two of us hitting.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you, @TW Staff and Solinco for providing this playtest opportunity.
I like 1.25mm HGS to purchase a reel of it and to continue to play with it. I would like to hybrid it with Ghostwire 1.22mm and see how that compares to a full bed of HGS. My iPhone 7 is old, but I will be upgrading to an iPhone 12 or 11 depending on the Black Friday deals I find so hopefully I will be able to post more videos as I upgrade my phone. I would like to take time to clarify something about my review of Hyper G. In 2012, I got a local tennis store to carry Solinco strings when they didn't have a Solinco account. Back then, Solinco was selling Revolution, Vanquish, Outlast and Pro Stacked. Tour Bite didn't come out until a few years later. I am often misunderstood on my take on Hyper G by countless Talk Tennis posters, mostly new posters on TW's TT, because I stand my assertion Hyper G isn't a string for the average rec player, despite the illusion of the average player's tennis skill level. If you are 5.0 player, congrats, as you are a rare player. But just because Hyper G works for you as a 5.0, doesn't make it a great string for the much lower level player like myself and others. Tennis Warehouse gives not so obvious clues in their playtests who the target audience is for a string. Look at the TW playtesters playtesting a string, particularly the higher level playtesters. In my opinion, this message board and tennis courts are filled with players who lack an accurate introspective analysis of their own skill levels and games. The fact is 90% of the self-rated players in my area have a lofty impression of their skill level, their rating, and they flat out struggle at their 4.0 level when they self-rate. I have multiple self-rated players on my 4.0 teams who have win percentages of less than 10% of their USTA matches going back 18 months, and quite frankly aren't even remotely competitive at 4.0
It's also my opinion that 90% of players in the US at least don't hit enough racquet head speed (RHS) to get any benefit of Hyper G or Confidential, including the vast majority of 4.0 USTA rated men. I can think of three or four 4.0 men who generate the RHS to benefit from HG and I string a lot of 4.0 men's frames. The sheer numbers of 3.0 to 3.5 rated players who have never broken a multifilament in their life using Hyper G in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC is utterly ridiculous. Yes, it is approaching pandemic levels for 3.5 women with the Blade 98 frames that match the green colors.
I have strung for a lot of players ranging from beginners to Division 1 tennis players at SEC and PAC 12 schools. I am stringing 90+ frames a month now, and have multiple 5.0 and 4.5 male clients. The fact is most adult players aren't 4.5 - 5.0 USTA rating players or elite juniors, nor do they have 4.5+ skills or an UTR of 8+. When I have put Hyper G in the frames of 20+ 4.5 and 5.0 men, the overwhelming majority have said no thanks and picked other strings, like VCT 1.30mm, TierOne's Firewire, or a Hyper G hybrid. I do have several clients using Hyper G and they are all very good players, 4.5 and 5.0 men for the most part.
My goal as a stringer is to give a client a consistently great string job that helps them become a better player, without hurting them, and breaking their bank. So this is my take on Hyper G. Hyper G is a great string for the right player at an advanced skill level. Unfortunately, that's probably 10% of the tennis players in the US. Solinco is well aware of who their target audience is for Hyper G. They also know a lot of people are aware of Hyper G, but find it too muted and too stiff. Enter Hyper G Soft. For the 3.5 hard-hitting men who can hit 5 balls in a row before making an unforced error, and the 4.0 and 4.5 players who don't like the stiffer feeling of Hyper G, 1.25 mm or perhaps 1.20mm Hyper G Soft is a string yes I would highly recommend you try, just like 1.25 mm Tier One's Boost and Volk Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.
Can HGS and HG coexist ? Yes! HGS will find clients at my level, where HG is simply too muted and too stiff. Will I offer HGS in my blind playtest with or instead of HG? Of course. I have already ordered more HGS in 1.25mm and will likely buy some 1.20mm as well.
Congrats Solinco! You listened and your response with Hyper G Soft is impressive.
i love all the knowledge you drop on here, you're my fave string nerd, but you alredy knew that
g4driver
Legend
i love all the knowledge you drop on here, you're my fave string nerd, but you alredy knew that
you are kind to me @megamind. Played two sets tonight with three other 4.0 guys. HGS feels great to me 12 hours in and the first time I noticed a few mains sticking out of place.
The match was recorded, but need permission from the other three guys who may not give it. @MisterP recorded it and will edit it. Both he and my partner use Hyoer G 1.20mm. The video will show I am a complete hack.
Hey all! Here's my review!!
Edit: (meant to say Gamma X Stringer ST - not X-2)
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Edit: (meant to say Gamma X Stringer ST - not X-2)
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Boom_6
New User
First time poster on TT, but I’m making my first post a thank you to you for a prudent, thoughtful and well-written review.
The context and perspective you offer are great (and what I‘be found to be my and others’ experience with Hyper G). I’m hoping Hyper G Soft works for me in either 17 or 16L gauge, but I’ve struck out on liking Tour Bite, Hyper G and Confidential to date. Probably should’ve moved on from Solinco strings but what I read about the spin and the price point make me a glutton for punishment.
Very easy, no issues on the Babolat Star 5.
Boom_6
New User
Right on! Figured that’d be the case but I just bought a used electric machine and started stringing my own sticks a few weeks back.Was curious. Appreciate it, my friend!
g4driver
Legend
@Boom_6 Thanks for the kind words. Fear not, as you aren't the only player who can't use HG, TB, or Confidential. I can't use Hyper G, or Confidential either. I was on the Confidential playtest and I made it known, I don't have the RHS to use Confidential, which I find even more demanding than HG. I have personally never been a fan of Tour Bite and don't even stock it, but I do actually like one of their older strings, Revolution, which plays similar to TierOne Firewire to me. Of all Solinco's offerings, Hyper G Soft is my favorite Solinco string. I like the 1.25mm (16L) gauge for my PA+ frames.
I played last night with three buddies, all 4.0 men, and now have 12+ hours on the 1.25mm HGS strings. I was wearing a Solinco hat trying to be like a bit like Troy of @TW Staff, who wears matching clothes when he playtest a frame or string. The next time you watch him in a playtest, notice his clothes. He matches the attire to the playtest. Pretty cool and he is subtle about it. And yes, wish I had Troy's skill level.
I was also wearing some Stance socks with Johnny Cash's prison mugshot trying to distract my buddies. And HGS strings easily with no issues whatsoever. I think Solinco will be able to sell HGS to a lot of players who don't like HG, TB or Confidential and they hit a home run with HGS.
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