Can anyone that has played with both Firewire and Big Spin compare the power level? I've been playing with Firewire Boost for a while and love it, but before I order my next reel I figured I'd try Big Spin out. Just curious if I should string at the same tension. I tried Hyper-G Soft a couple of weeks ago and it had a fair bit more power than Firewire so had to restring and waste a set.
Mayami strings
- Thread starter Lozannois
- Start date
LocNetMonster
Professional
My opinion having played with both: At the same tension, FW seems more powerful/responsive. However, Big Spin provides a more consistent, predictable response due to its twisted profile. You will likely never have one of the balls that even though you made good contact, the ball's flight path is complete different than you would expect with Big Spin. I'd string Big Spin probably 5-7# lower than you FW tension to start.
Do string yourself? If so and you don't want to waste a full set and string job, you could - many here will recommend not doing this - cut out the crosses restring them #5 higher with the same string or put in a different string altogether. I did that a couple of weeks ago because I didn't want to waste a set of natty gut mains that I underestimated the amount of power they would provide. I cut out the Magic Twist and restrung it 7# higher. Played it for a couple miserable hours cuz I should have went even higher. I cut the Magic Twist out and replaced with 15g Prince Experimental. Boom. Perfect.
marquette100
Semi-Pro
If you like FireWire boost. Try the big twist (big spin mains and magic twist cross). It’s got everything FW boost has but more. I made the switch and love it.
Thanks, I'll give that a try.
I do. I've done that before with strings that I use more regularly at times, like if the weather changes; and while it's fine, it's never quite the same. Since I was trying HGS for the first time I wanted a good comparison.
That is my plan. I got the sampler pack so was going to string one with Ghostwire crosses and one with Magic Twist.
LocNetMonster
Professional
Ordered a demo set yesterday morning after reading this. Two hours placing the order I had a tracking number. Should have them by Wednesday.
LocNetMonster
Professional
Hit only about 20 mins with this set up. As expected loads of spin and pace. Good movement on slice serves. Haven't hit groudies in three weeks so all my errors were my problem not the strings. I probably could string it 4-6# tighter. That's said, the ball pretty much went where I wanted it to go. Feel/touch was okay, not a lot of feedback, however maybe if I spend more time with it I would be able to adjust. For a baseline play, I think I'll like it.
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Strung up Tour Hex last night, going to take it out for spin today
I've played with tour hex for 2 sessions now and I gotta say this is truly a great string. Super comfortable, great ball pocketing, above average control, great spin, buttery feel. Liked it so much I ended up buying 4 more sets so I can continue testing. Coming from Hyper G soft, which is rather jarring, uncomfortable, and boardy similar to regular hyper G, this string is the anti-Hyper G. After 2 sessions, can't much about durability so I am going to keep going and report back when I pop it or it dies.
megamind
Legend
Interesting
sometimes these stiffness ratings can be deceptive I guess. Hyper G Soft has 165, while Tour Hex has 200-something iirc
Have you tried Black Knight? If so,how would you compare the comfort to that string
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
One thing that I have learned is that stiffness rating is starting to mean less and less as far as comfort is concerned. When I saw that the stiffness for Hyper G Soft was so much lower than the regular Hyper G I thought for sure it had to be more comfortable. Nope, it has that same stiff and boardy feel as the regular, just worse tension maintenance which is what I experienced. This leads me to believe that material makeup of a string has far more to do with comfort than a stiffness rating. .
I have tried Black Knight last year but can't really remember how comfortable it was, just know I wasn't a fan. It may have been somewhat comfortable, but still seemed stiff and unforgiving. I definitely get how some people like stiffer strings and can handle them properly, but I think the majority of us need some sort of nominal forgiveness from the string we use being that we are not pros.
LocNetMonster
Professional
It seems stiffness ratings are really only relative to the player and the racquet s/he is using. A stiff string in a 16x20, 98 sq.in head may feel like a pickleball paddle, but the same string in 16x18, 110sq might be much more comfortable.
Well as they say beauty and perhaps stiffness perceptions are in the hand of the racket holder. I think Hyper G soft plays comfortable like its stiffness rating suggests, the string bed may have a different feel but for me the net results were a nice playing softer Poly as advertised, no jarring like some stiffer Poly's. I am still fairly hard hitting 4.5
galapagos
Hall of Fame
You lucky *******!
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I just got some 1.28 Tour Hex coming. I love S7T but it’s too thin and stiff for tweener frames like Pure Aero or Ez100, so I am hoping this does this trick.
My other string I am using is a reel of 1.25 Grapplensake Tour Sniper, which is an amazing control string for stiffer open pattern frames. I highly recommend that one, and if the Tour Hex is even better I will be very happy.
My favorite strings over the past 5 years are RS Lyon, S7T and Tour Sniper in the 1.25 options. Hoping Tour Hex joins the list as a I need a good 1.28 for the more open pattern power frames I am using. Will also test the Tour Hex in the new Prince Ripstick 300 when I get it.
My other string I am using is a reel of 1.25 Grapplensake Tour Sniper, which is an amazing control string for stiffer open pattern frames. I highly recommend that one, and if the Tour Hex is even better I will be very happy.
My favorite strings over the past 5 years are RS Lyon, S7T and Tour Sniper in the 1.25 options. Hoping Tour Hex joins the list as a I need a good 1.28 for the more open pattern power frames I am using. Will also test the Tour Hex in the new Prince Ripstick 300 when I get it.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Btw this kind of customer service reminds me of Angell brand. Passionate and very friendly. Big respect. Last time i got a mistaken string from a local tennis shop they asked me to return the string lol ;p i can understand that as well but i guess nice gesture at the end pays off with loyal customers.
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Has anyone else personally strung up Big Spin? Man, this string just made my top 5 list for most frustrating stings to string. What a pain in the arse. The string twists so much when stringing the crosses that the last 2 crosses look like boating rope! Haven't tried hitting with it yet, so can't say much about that, but don't think I can take having to string it again.
TRU PRO Official
Rookie
You might want to look into Ghost Wire. Super comfortable co-poly.
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Has anyone played with Hepta Power? The black string that comes in the sample pack? My assumption is that it is meant to rival RPM Blast but haven't heard anyone talk about it.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I will report soon on this. However I can say that Mayami Magic Twist in 1.30 reminded me a lot of Babolat RPM blast rough. I had very similar results with those two. My recoomendation would be to string it low. 23 kg max. It likes lower tensions.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
The times I've strung it, I've had to hold the string steady with a starting clamp and push feed it into the grommet so the string doesn't wind up by untwisting as it is pulled across the mains - that untwisting causes the portion of string that hasn't yet been pulled to twist more.
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Haven't even tried hitting with it yet, but I think I'm just going to cut it out. Even though its the last 2 crosses, it has to have some effect on how the the mains will perform because of the twisting that occurred
galapagos
Hall of Fame
Its completely normal and can happen with twisted strings. Also mains play the biggest role in „string” theory I heard so Maybe Just give it a try and report back. Its a twisted and relatively soft string. Most twisted strings on the market are crazy stiff... always somethingHaven't even tried hitting with it yet, but I think I'm just going to cut it out. Even though its the last 2 crosses, it has to have some effect on how the the mains will perform because of the twisting that occurred
you play with prestige or its a radical ? Just curious
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Typically I wouldn't worry about it, but you can see in the pic just how twisted it is and I'm thinking it won't allow the mains to move as much as if it wasn't. I play with the G360+ Prestige ProIts completely normal and can happen with twisted strings. Also mains play the biggest role in „string” theory I heard so Maybe Just give it a try and report back. Its a twisted and relatively soft string. Most twisted strings on the market are crazy stiff... always something
Don't cut it out!! It will play well nevertheless!
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
Its the bottom last 2 strings, I wouldnt worry about it and its common with shaped, textured, rough strings. Unless you are constantly aiming to hit the ball on those last 2 mains all the time, its no big deal. Waste of a stringjob if you cut them.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Haven't even tried hitting with it yet, but I think I'm just going to cut it out. Even though its the last 2 crosses, it has to have some effect on how the the mains will perform because of the twisting that occurred
Any kind of twisted string will restrict the mains from moving as much as they would with an untwisted string. The string tension will cause the flat sides to press against each other and it takes a lot of force to either lift the main onto a cross string's edge, or to have the main slide across the cross string causing the cross string to twist so the contact surfaces continue to press against each other.
But as was said, because these are your edge cross strings, it's not going to affect the mains in the sweetspot area.
Good luck with the string. Every so often, I'll string this up again and for about the seventh or eighth time, it has broken in this exact same manner:
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
Played with the severely twisted Big Spin last night for the first time, and since I have nothing to compare it with it seemed to play ok with twisted up last 2 crosses. Although it provided some good spin, the string was far too soft and muted for my taste. I never felt like I knew where the ball was going when I hit it, just knew where ever it went it would have a ton of spin on it. Those characteristics don't really fit my game so I don't think I will be using it again. I tend to play a lot of doubles so precision is much more coveted and just found that this string doesn't provide enough of it.
So the first set I played with Big Spin, the second set I picked up my other racquet that had Tour Hex in it that I have played with for about 8 hours now. It was like night and day. Even through 8 hours the playability hasn't changed at all. I really love this string, it does everything above average in my opinion. I'm also surprised with the durability of this string as well. Seems like it has been a long time since I have been able to play with a string that keeps its playability at such a high level over a weeks time. It may be a bit muted for people who prefer stiffer strings, but to me it is just crisp enough and provides ample pocketing to provide the perfect amount of feel and precision that I need.
LocNetMonster
Professional
The twist is why I like this triangle-shaped string! But, can't say that I've ever experienced your issue with the last crosses.
LocNetMonster
Professional
Haven't even tried hitting with it yet, but I think I'm just going to cut it out. Even though its the last 2 crosses, it has to have some effect on how the the mains will perform because of the twisting that occurred
Whoa! How the heck did you that?!?
I'll admit that I have never strung Big Spin in a full bed. As soon as I got it and now three reels later, I've only strung it as a hybrid. I think I might have to do one today to see if I get the same uneven twist across the string bed like in this and @Injured Again's photos. You guys should try Big Twist. Honestly, I think you will like a lot better.
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I also had two or three cross strings so extremely twisted, when I played with Big Spin fb. But it didn't affect the playability. Everyone's preferences are different: I liked Big Spin more than Tour Hex. Tour Hex is a good string for sure, but it didn't offer enough free power for my likes. When I was a bit exhausted (having played 3 days in a row, for example), I had problems to get enough lengh in my strokes. That's why I prefer the softer and more powerful character of Big Spin. I am a baseliner playing singles most of the time (always on clay court), but I understand that someone who plays a lot of doubles prefers Tour Hex.
marquette100
Semi-Pro
Tried big twist. It’s great. Better than big spin or magic twist Full bed. A must try. I’m sticking with it
marquette100
Semi-Pro
I do wish they made some other color options for big spin and magic twist.
LocNetMonster
Professional
Got 45 minutes of solid hitting in tonight with this setup. You know how it feels when you snap a dried-out twig to throw on the fire. That's the crisp feeling I got on contact. That made trying to swing out on every ball fun. Like Big Twist, plenty of spin, identical control and ample power. The major difference is a much lower launch angle and less feel. As I expected, the combo was great at the baseline and good on routine volleys. The only place I had a hard time were on touch shots. I couldn't feel the ball like I do with Big Twist to put the right amount English on the ball. Otherwise, I had fun hitting with these two strings together. I've added them to my pool of top string combos to recommend to anyone who likes all of these qualities in a string bed.
LocNetMonster
Professional
Big Spin is also available in red. What colors are you thinking of for each of them? Tour Hex in orange would be cool. Then I could do some Fighting Illini string beds with the blue
Which tension did you use?
jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
I have a set as well but haven't tried it yet. Looks very similar to 4G.
galapagos
Hall of Fame
I know Mayami Hit Pro already and will be reviewing it on my string dedicated thread. What I can say for now is that I really like the string. I dont have experience with 4g so I can't give you comparison but my imagination of 4g is making me say that they are totally different. Hit Pro is comfortable. 4g is stiffer. I have experience only with 1.30 Hit Pro. I had amazing serves with it (best from all Mayami strings I tested so far) , its biggest attributes are consistency, feel and forgiveness of a softer strings but with a more "direct" feel (not mushy, not springy) . Its stable and solid. Works good in my tc95... Depends what you are looking for in a string.
Regarding Big spin x Hit Pro combo I have no idea. I loved Big spin spin potential (obviously) and forgiveness , and Hit Pro for its directional power, feel and accuracy however im not sure how would this combination of strings perform.... I never did a poly poly combo. On paper If I could take their advantages to one racquet and remove the disadvantages this could be a perfect string combo but Im pretty sure world doesnt work that simple
Thanks for your information about Hit Pro. Seems like Big Hit could be a good idea!I know Mayami Hit Pro already and will be reviewing it on my string dedicated thread. What I can say for now is that I really like the string. I dont have experience with 4g so I can't give you comparison but my imagination of 4g is making me say that they are totally different. Hit Pro is comfortable. 4g is stiffer. I have experience only with 1.30 Hit Pro. I had amazing serves with it (best from all Mayami strings I tested so far) , its biggest attributes are consistency, feel and forgiveness of a softer strings but with a more "direct" feel (not mushy, not springy) . Its stable and solid. Works good in my tc95... Depends what you are looking for in a string.
Regarding Big spin x Hit Pro combo I have no idea. I loved Big spin spin potential (obviously) and forgiveness , and Hit Pro for its directional power, feel and accuracy however im not sure how would this combination of strings perform.... I never did a poly poly combo. On paper If I could take their advantages to one racquet and remove the disadvantages this could be a perfect string combo but Im pretty sure world doesnt work that simple
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This makes me feel like getting Tour Hex was the right idea. Sounds like a perfect match for a tweener frame.
marquette100
Semi-Pro
48lbs mains and cross
is that Big Spin in the mains and Magic Twist in the crosses?
Yes
marquette100
Semi-Pro
Yes
topspn
Legend
Cannot go wrong with this string. It is my go to at this point. Got 1 reel 1.28 and another 1.23
Power Player
Bionic Poster
i should have the 1.28 this weekend.Ill put it in the pa19 then.
nuclearmedicineman
Rookie
First time hitting with Mayami strings was yesterday - I had my two new Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310) racquets strung with a set of Tour Hex 1.23 mm full bed at 52 lbs., and the other racquet with the "Big Twist" hybrid, Big Spin 1.25 mm mains at 52 lbs. and Magic Twist 1.25 mm crosses at 48 lbs. The other guy and I did a slow warm up and played a set up to 6-6, then we both had to leave. Altogether it was a full two hours of hitting, so I got a good taste of how these strings play. Impressions:
Big Twist seemed more stable, probably less string movement. More of a "solid" feel at ball contact. The string gauges were slightly bigger than the Tour Hex which may have explained it (1.25 vs. 1.23). Probably a bit more free power than the Tour Hex. Cool color combination!
Tour Hex started to pull away as my favorite of the two setups. Every so often I switched racquets to get a good feel for both setups. I had never played with a hexagonal shaped poly before yesterday, but it was amazing. I could actually feel the Tour Hex bite into the ball as I was hitting. The feel was much better than the Big Twist, some of which is probably because the Hex was a smaller gauge. The bite on the ball resulted in some fabulous spin, especially on my forehand which is my stronger side. The string helped my get decent spin on my backhand too, which has needed help.
I only served with the Tour Hex when we played a practice set but it only helped to reinforce how pleased I was with it. The feeling of string movement disappeared with the flat serve, resulting in some nice solid placement with depth once I got dialed in (I had not played since September). Once I got the kicker going, it resulted in some severe spin. A couple times I spun it right into the corner from the ad side, and it kicked to the guy's one handed backhand so high that all he could do was just lunge at it and spray it wide. And that's just after a short time of practicing! Imagine how well this string could play for me once I get a few more practice sessions under my belt. Drop shots were a dream. I got hold of a couple and they dropped like yesterday's mail. They stopped ten feet from the guy and he didn't even make an attempt to get them. Comfort and control overall seemed very good - no TE today.
The only things that were a negative for the Tour Hex was a pinging sound at contact, which I guess is normal with new string jobs, although I have never noticed it this pronounced before when I played with full bed polys. It's rather loud, so I may look into getting that large Gamma shock dampener to quiet it. This and a feeling that the strings were moving at contact, sort of a feeling of being "unstable" is the best way to describe it. Maybe this is just the way that a 1.23 mm string usually plays anyway. I don't think that it actually affected the end result of the shot though. I wonder if going with the higher gauge of 1.28 would help that feeling of string movement? Is this normal for a 1.23 mm gauge string? I guess that is considered a 17L, which is quite thin. It looks like the 1.28 is out of stock on the Mayami website so who knows if they will reintroduce it or not.
Big Twist seemed more stable, probably less string movement. More of a "solid" feel at ball contact. The string gauges were slightly bigger than the Tour Hex which may have explained it (1.25 vs. 1.23). Probably a bit more free power than the Tour Hex. Cool color combination!
Tour Hex started to pull away as my favorite of the two setups. Every so often I switched racquets to get a good feel for both setups. I had never played with a hexagonal shaped poly before yesterday, but it was amazing. I could actually feel the Tour Hex bite into the ball as I was hitting. The feel was much better than the Big Twist, some of which is probably because the Hex was a smaller gauge. The bite on the ball resulted in some fabulous spin, especially on my forehand which is my stronger side. The string helped my get decent spin on my backhand too, which has needed help.
I only served with the Tour Hex when we played a practice set but it only helped to reinforce how pleased I was with it. The feeling of string movement disappeared with the flat serve, resulting in some nice solid placement with depth once I got dialed in (I had not played since September). Once I got the kicker going, it resulted in some severe spin. A couple times I spun it right into the corner from the ad side, and it kicked to the guy's one handed backhand so high that all he could do was just lunge at it and spray it wide. And that's just after a short time of practicing! Imagine how well this string could play for me once I get a few more practice sessions under my belt. Drop shots were a dream. I got hold of a couple and they dropped like yesterday's mail. They stopped ten feet from the guy and he didn't even make an attempt to get them. Comfort and control overall seemed very good - no TE today.
The only things that were a negative for the Tour Hex was a pinging sound at contact, which I guess is normal with new string jobs, although I have never noticed it this pronounced before when I played with full bed polys. It's rather loud, so I may look into getting that large Gamma shock dampener to quiet it. This and a feeling that the strings were moving at contact, sort of a feeling of being "unstable" is the best way to describe it. Maybe this is just the way that a 1.23 mm string usually plays anyway. I don't think that it actually affected the end result of the shot though. I wonder if going with the higher gauge of 1.28 would help that feeling of string movement? Is this normal for a 1.23 mm gauge string? I guess that is considered a 17L, which is quite thin. It looks like the 1.28 is out of stock on the Mayami website so who knows if they will reintroduce it or not.
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jugheadfla
Semi-Pro
I was going to bring the ping sound of tour hex to the group as well, because I started noticing it as well especially once the string settles after a few sessions. I don't use a dampener so I probably notice it more, but to me the string plays so well that it doesn't bother me that much. As far as string movement, in my experience this string moves far less than any other string I have been using lately and matter of fact even after multiple sessions its still difficult for me to move the strings even with my fingers.
I've been playing with Tour Hex 1.23 for 3 weeks now and it just keeps getting better and better for me. The consistency and high amount of playability through the tension loss is just something I haven't experienced with any other string which I have tested dozens lately. Not sure how they've done it but they have managed to create a medium stiff string with above average ball pocketing that is still comfortable and has above average spin and control. In my opinion the best string of last year.
